If you need a light, I'll find a match.

So this isn't a post about "what the hell, where've you been?" or about how "valentine's day has become so commercial."

This post is to say hi, hello, hallo, etc. to let you know I still think of you. I still have the same curious mind and zeal for life, but it's carefully hidden under a pile of blankets at the foot of the bed. I think I may way from this sleep-dream-life when June comes (I'm a teacher, so just think of the obvious correlation).

I'm officially halfway through the school year. With a concussion. Brought on by one of my little lovelies... I love my job, I'm fiercely protective of my students, but it's awfully hard to work when you get injured on the job. That is why, dear readers, I will awake in June. Or maybe while drinking... or when petting my kittens. Yes, kitten(s). Plural. I have two now. (and one has special needs-- he's so darn adorable.)

I think I should start writing poetry again. I think I should do art. I have great ideas for sewing, but I spend my weekends re-coopering. Sleeping. Recovering. My creative mind spins, and come Monday I've lost all those wonderful ideas.

The weekends are never long enough (we all know that, that's so plain), but this zombie-like state is not attractive or appealing. It just is. And I don't like it.

I knew my job would be difficult and taxing, but I didn't realize to what extent. I must learn to put myself first. And if this job won't allow me to put myself first, well... I'll find another.

Meet the family

Okay kids.

We adopted a kitten! He is cute and lovey and all those good things that kittens are. He likes to bite my nose, which was cute at first because it was a nibble. Now it just plain hurts. He follows me around but loves to sleep in my I'm too sexy for my owners...
lap on the couch, which is too darn adorable.

I named him Schatten (shadow in German) because he loves to
follow me around. His nickname is Schatz, which is a pet name or
term of endearment you would use for a male loved one. He is frickin' awesome.

Who know that me, the dog girl, could love something so independent, yet wants to sit in my lap?

Yeah, me neither.

"Ooh, what's up?" says Schatz...

Oh, and did I mention he's a camera whore?? :)

Wooo hooo!

We got our internets hooked up here, finally. We had some issues with the wireless network we were trying to make, but it's all fixed. I can email, blog, do whatever to my little hearts' content.

So. Tomorrow is the first day of school! I'm still not nervous, but part of me feels like a poseur and really do I know what I'm doing? But then I realize, yes I do and it calms me down.

Some of my friends came out for my birthday on Friday which was totally awesome. I drank about 4 cosmos in thirty minutes, so thanks for buying me a birthday drink, Megs. I was pretty loaded when I came home when my brother and sis-in-law wished me a happy birthday I told them, "happy birthday too." Haha, oops!

Saturday we went to Bumbershoot and I saw some pretty great things. First off, I saw Crowded House, then The Shins, and also Rodrigo y Gabriella (who I was pretty stoked about seeing), as well as a ton of cool art and wares that people make. It was inspiring and I wanted to buy so many pretty things, but I kept my money in my pocket. I don't get paid until the end of the month so I'm laying low... or trying to.

Megan, I picked you up some things at Bumbershoot! I also got a subscription to a magazine I think you'll enjoy reading too, so I'll make sure to share all these things with you. I am looking forward to many a night of drinking wine, and just know you can always crash out on our new futon. I know "futon" seems like a dirty word, but trust me, it's comfortable! It's what we slept on while we were in Berlin.... it was fab.

I heart you all for hangin' in there and waiting for me to come back 'round. This technical difficulty has been irritating, to say the least!!
xox, k*

Oh, hi! Is that you??

We've moved! We are online! Wow, such a great weight off my shoulders. We are starting to settle in, however there are no pictures on the wall, but furniture is starting to be placed in thoughtful and functional places.

I have been working all week! Yay! I have a full-time job!

The best part it is? It's so quiet here. I heart it. No really.

I love those birds that chirp in the morning

We are leaving Bellingham.

I got a job teaching in a school district down south and Mr. Man is transferring to B-vu. We're very excited, I'm slightly nervous, and we both have a lot on our plate. Jacob got the call when we were at a beer hall in Munich that he got a job. I, being a total drunken idiot, only spoke on the phone in German, but I guess that adds to the hilarity.

Ever since we've been back from Germany it's been go, go, go, look for a place to live (we didn't have one yet) and I needed to revise, edit, and turn in my 2nd draft of my master's thesis. Easier said than done. (Also the reason why you, dear readers, only got 1 picture. I'm sorry, I really am.)

Luckily with lots of love and support from my fantastic family, I am done with the 2nd draft. Signed, sealed, delivered last night at 9.30 last night. Lots of 10 hour days locked in our office sitting in front of the computer. Starting Monday I'll resume editing but for this weekend, I'm packing boxes and taking loads to our new place.

Looking back over 9 years, I don't really know what to say but thanks Bellingham. It's been a good run. You've given me friends and heartaches and I've learned a lot about myself. I've become more independent, and dare I say jaded, yet always with off-kilter optimism. I fell in love, in lust, and who knows, and met my best friend working at circuit. I still anticipate your sunrises, your sunsets, the endless gray skies, and sideways rains. There are some things that are uniquely B'ham that I won't ever forget, and I'll have to come back to get a taste for.

Belllingham, for all the shit I've given you, you've been good to me. I'll miss you.

P.S. Random parting shot from the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin:

Hello Lego Raffi!!!

Eins, Zwei, Polizei

Ich bin weider heir

...but I'm sleepy and jet-lagged.

There will be a post about Germany. With pictures.

It will be new and improved!!