FRE$H START

Oh boy!  It has been a hot minute since my last post.  My sincerest apologies for my absence.  I would rather not dive too far into details, so I will just say that 2014, so far, has been a year of change, growth and independence for me.  I am now living on my own for the first time ever in my life, and I absolutely love it.  It's so nice to have my own space, to focus on my personal and occupational goals, and figure out what it is I want to achieve in this life.  I've made some great friends over the past several months who have been a crucial part of this transitional stage, and I've kept myself busy nearly every weekend since I now officially have all weekends off at work!  At the end of January, I was promoted to the sales department as the Sales Coordinator (assistant).  Basically I help organize and coordinate large group blocks of sleeping rooms, as well as events that are booked in our meeting rooms (weddings, business conferences, pageants, seminars, interviews, pyramid schemes, etc).  I get along really well with all of the sales managers and occasionally get to go on sales outings/calls with them.  I also enjoy the slower pace in the sales office in comparison to the fast-paced, high-energy/stress environment that constantly surrounds the front desk.  I get to work at my own speed and prioritize my tasks the way I see fit.  It's just been a really successful move for me so far, and it's a relief to finally have a career path in place.  

Other major events that have taken place over the last five months include my mom and Randy's wedding!  They got married on March 8 on the Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston.  The ceremony took place on the beach so it was pretty chilly and windy, but it was short and sweet, and then we were back up at their friends' beach house munching on fajitas and cake and celebrating the day!

Well, that's all for now; I don't want to bombard you with every single thing that's been going on lately.  Plus, I would rather ease back into blogging since it's been a while and I'm having some difficulty rediscovering my voice anyway.  Enjoy your weekend!

Quick Little Post

Oh, hi there.  I guess I let the weekend run away with me there.  It was quite the weekend, lemme tell ya.  My sweet friend Rachel and her boyfriend Adam came down for a visit so I spent Saturday night on Rainey Street with them and a few of their friends.  Even though we spent most of the night crammed and huddled up inside Bar 96 whilst it poured rain like a mad woman outside.  Not complaining too much though; we Austinites most definitely welcome the rain any chance we get.  I had such a great time I ended up staying out until around midnight regardless of having to work at 7 a.m. the next morning.  Of course I was rather tired Sunday at work, but it was all worth it in my humble opinion.  Besides I had yesterday and today off so I've been able to rest up and watch plenty of my guilty pleasure - Gossip Girl.  I'm on season four, and it just keeps getting crazier!  I'm shamelessly obsessed.

Anyway, this morning I've been doing a little planning.  Jason's birthday is coming up next month, and mine is in October, so, naturally, we've been discussing possible plans for our special days.  Jason is still super interested in brewing his own beer, so he wants a starter home-brewing kit, and I'm sure we'll go out to dinner or wherever he wants.  I previously wanted to go down to good old Magnolia, Texas for the Texas Renaissance Festival, but I've decided on a more mature outing - a hill country winery tour!  I am so excited!  I've been researching a bunch of wineries the past couple of hours and I've narrowed it down to the Driftwood Estate Winery, Bell Springs Winery in Dripping Springs and the Duchman Family Winery.  In addition to the tour, I figured we could eat some delicious Salt Lick barbecue while we're out there.  It just seems silly and irresponsible not to, ya know?

Now, I must go get ready for a little afternoon date with my favorite man.  We're going out for lunch at this cajun place called Evangeline Cafe.  I'll let you know how it is!  Have a lovely day. xoxo

A Much-Needed Update

I know, I know it's been a while.  I blame our apartment complex for making us move, Time Warner for not hooking up our cable/internet until yesterday and myself for procrastinating.  Now, that my pity party is over, let's talk about what I've been up to the past week and a half!

Not sure if I've mentioned it before, but the reason we had to move was because our apartment would have been about $200 more each month if we would have re-signed our lease, and we absolutely cannot afford that right now so we opted to transfer to a different unit in the same complex.  It worked best for us because our deposits transfered, and we really only had to pay the pet fees again.  I was bummed about having to downsize as far as space and square footage go, but I actually prefer the new unit now that we're settled in.  Jason and I agree that it just feels more cozy and comfy and our stuff just fits better in a smaller space.  I also feel safer because we're on the backside of the building and therefore less likely to be robbed.  AND (don't make fun of me for this) our unit is raised up a little so looking out of the living room window, I kind of feel like I live in San Francisco because all of the houses there are elevated and you walk up stairs to get to the front door.  Just a little perk I suppose ;)

The moving process weighed heavy on my mind for a good month or two prior to the actual dreaded day of the move, but it was actually pretty great...not bad at all, minus the awful Texas heat.  And it went so smoothly all because of the amazing helpers we were blessed with - my mom, brother, sister and Aunt Delys.  My brother was especially crucial in assisting Jason move the larger furniture and appliances.  Poor guys had to manually dolly our bulky stacked washer and dryer from the old place to the new place.  They were serious champs that day.  Aside from the moving part of the weekend, it was so nice to get to spend some time with my family.  It had been about two months since i'd seen any of them so I was beyond thrilled.  Friday night we went up to the Texas State Capitol Building and even got to go inside and check it out at 9 p.m.  After exploring there, we went over to the UT campus and my mom gave us a tour of the places she used to "study" when she attended college there.  After that, I persuaded everyone to go to Rita's Ice Custard on the Drag.  I'd heard a lot about Rita's, but had never been, and I must say I was quite pleased.  Saturday, after the move, my family went to the pool and out to dinner while Jason and I stayed in and attempted to unpack mostly everything in the new place, and then when they got back from eating, we went to Amy's Ice Cream for an evening treat.  I was sad to see everybody go on Sunday, but hopefully I'll get to venture down to Houston in a few weeks for the annual Kousins' Kamp.

Aside from the move, we've watched some really good movies recently.  About a week ago we watched Chronicle about the teenage boys that find an unidentified object in the woods and develop super powers.  It was pretty entertaining for sure.  We also watched Splendor In The Grass which is probably one of my new favorite movies.  It's an oldie directed by the great Elia Kazan and stars Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty.  I loved it so much I'll most likely devote an entire post to it pretty soon.  Since we didn't have cable until yesterday, we started re-watching the DVDs of my favorite show, Six Feet Under.  So I'm getting wrapped up in that all over again!  I just love how many emotions it stirs up inside of my soul.  One minute I'm laughing my head off and the next minute and I'm bawling my eyes out.  It's insanely wonderful.

Well, I feel like I've dragged this on long enough for now.  I'll be back tomorrow with a flashback Friday post, and I'll try to do a Currently and/or weekend links over the next few days.

Below are some pictures from my busy week!

xoxo

sour cream chicken enchiladas I made a couple weeks ago

break time at work one day

a crazy car/plane I saw driving down I-35 - Keep Austin Weird, right?

our lives in boxes

Maeby helping us pack

a little bedtime reading

my brother and sister, Kaleb and Micah

Texas State Capitol Building

the Capitol dome

Kaleb way up at the top

Rita's Ice Custard Happiness

the three of us at Rita's

out in front of the Capitol building 

posing with Anne Richards

Delys, Kaleb and Micah eating at Chuy's

Pop's old belt buckle I used to wear in HS

Fozzie relaxing

precious kitties

best friends

bouffant hair

making mini peanut butter pies a couple of days ago

Update

Hey you guys.  It's Tuesday and my day off!  In celebration of my day off, so far I have washed a load of dishes (well I put them in the dishwasher, but I'll have to unload everything in a minute, so it counts), started two of three loads of laundry, made the pastry cream for my cherry tart, and watched this hilarious video of Lee from FYA attempt to make Hunger Games cocktails.  It's been a pleasant morning.  I really don't understand how some people can sleep past 9 a.m.  There is so much to be done and seen that is beautiful before noon, people!!  Stop being slobs.  Maybe I'm just bitter because I've been waking up at 6 a.m. nearly everyday for the past year and a half.  Or maybe there is truth to what I'm saying.  I'll leave that up to your own interpretation.  Just call me David Lynch.


Yeah, Jason and I watched MULHOLLAND DRIVE last night.  It was my first time to see it.  I was told I probably wouldn't like it, but I actually did.  It definitely required my utmost attention and most esteemed thinking cap, but the plot was a cool concept, and I really like that Lynch makes you figure it out for yourself and declines any explanation.


Speaking of movies, we're going to see MAGIC MIKE tonight, and I don't think I've ever been more excited!  Being the innocent little girl that I am, I know nothing of strip clubs aside from what I've seen in movies and on television, obviously.  I adore both Joe Manganiello (although, I will continue to call him Alcide) and Channing Tatum.  I could live without Matthew McConaughey.  Anyway, it should be a good time!

Coming soon on the blog - pictures of my cherry tart, July Playlist Post and Part Two of Let's Talk Television.  Stay tuned, y'all.

Little Bitty Update

Hi there, friends.  Hope everyone had/is having a super Thursday.  Mine started off pretty icky, but I have since recovered thanks to Jason and Maeby's hugs, blue cheese salmon burgers, sweet potato tots and The Innkeepers.  I wasn't sure how I felt about the horror flick at first, but the more I think about it, the more I like it and realize how clever the story really is.  It's written and directed by Ti West who also wrote/directed one of my favorite films, The House of the Devil.  I enjoy his retro style, and the videography is mighty admirable as well.

After six days of work in a row, I am a free lady for the next four days!  Needless to say, I am thrilled, and I'm even more excited because this weekend I get to have a mini-college reunion with my favorite ladies at my dear friend Ashley's wedding on Saturday!  I am so happy for she and her future hubby, Cameron.  They are the absolute sweetest, cutest couple, and the perfect match for one another, hands-down.  It's going to be a fun-filled weekend for sure.

Some other things I'm happy about include Bass Drum of Death's current U.S. tour that will be bringing them to Austin soon!  They are currently working on their second studio album and released a catchy new track this afternoon.  Listen here.

Also, my upcoming getaway to PORTLAND with my bff, Jessica!  It is 100% official now because I finally purchased my plane ticket.  There's no going back now!  Look out, PDX, we're headed your way.  The Northwest is about to get a little bit sassier.

Lastly, Jason popped the news that he really wants to attend the Sasquatch music festival next year, which I am most definitely not opposed to.  So far we've been to Austin City Limits, VooDoo Experience and Coachella.  Why not add Sasquatch to our list?  Of course, this is assuming we live past 2012.

Well, kiddies, bed is calling my name.  I am in great need of some serious rest.  Enjoy the end to your day, however you may choose to do so.

xoxo

MUSIC MONDAY & Another Update

As a HUGE Bee Gee's fan, (I swear I'm not just saying that because one of the members just died like everyone else tends to do.  I seriously have been a fan for going on 24 years now thanks to my Dad) I would like to dedicate this installment of my Music Monday to the ever-talented, beautiful soul of Robin Gibb.  This one's for you, buddy.

Aside from mourning the loss of Robin Gibb, I've been keeping pretty busy with work and naps mostly with a little bit of physical fitness (how 80s does that sound?) mixed in.  Jillian Michaels has been kicking my booty with her 'Ripped In 30' DVD.  Say what you will, but she is the peanut butter to my jelly.  I have been so sore for the past week because of these interval workouts.  The DVD also comes with a free download of her meal plan.  I've been looking through the recipes, and I'm really excited to try some of them.  Speaking of meals, Jason and I did good this week.  He made some ridiculously delish turkey and chorizo tacos with fresh avocado, cilantro and sour cream one night last week.  Friday evening we hosted dinner/movie night with our friend Amanda and I made homemade tilapia fish sticks with asparagus sauteed in a balsamic-honey mixture with garlic and pecans.  Amanda brought some almond croissants from central market for dessert that were so so scrumptious.  Needless to say, we ate good that night.  Last night I made Asian turkey lettuce wraps with zucchini chips - also wonderful, and tonight Jason made spinach-stuffed chicken with cilantro-lime rice.  It's been a week full of delightful eats and treats that's for sure!  Now, I'm about to catch up on this week's episode of Girls.  Which reminds me - I'm planning a blog entry about my all-time favorite TV shows and characters and recent favorites.  Basically, it will be all things TV as it pertains to the land of Kassie.  Trust me, you'll enjoy it.

Bye for now, lovers.

xoxo

Quick Little Update

Happy Tuesday, friends!  And happy day off to me :)  So far this morning I've been doing a lot of planning and not a whole lot of doing, haha.  Good or bad, that's just how I function.  I'm a girl of endless to-do lists, never-ending website bookmarks, mini-notepads and planners scattered around my apartment, and an array of random notes saved in my phone.  Some of it will happen, but most will not, at least not in the near future.  I've really been trying to watch what I'm eating, and I think I've made some good base decisions for a healthy lifestyle.  I used to drink at least one soda a day, but now I hardly ever drink them unless I have a bad craving and, in that case, I'll allow myself to have one because I don't want to completely restrict anything - that will only make me want it more, and I refuse to be miserable.  I don't eat as many sweets as I used to either, aside from the batch of homemade peanut butter cookies I made just last night, ha!  I've started making protein shakes for breakfast which will hopefully speed up my metabolism, so I am told, and I'm going to start taking my lunch to work instead of eating the employee plates the kitchen prepares.  I'm sure those are loaded with fat and calories.  Each week before we go grocery shopping, Jason and I plan out two dinner meals each to make the upcoming week.  So that's what I've been doing this morning - picking my meals.  I'm really excited to try these recipes I found on EatingWell and Taste of Home.  I'm going to try homemade tilapia fish sticks with sauteed asparagus in a pecan-vinaigrette, and Asian turkey lettuce wraps with grilled zucchini.  Both of these meals sound so delicious and are both still healthy!  Amazing.

I'm on a mission to finally lose a little weight, get healthy and make
good decisions!  I'm ready to look like this:

Small Update

I apologize for the absence of posts this week.  It's been a crazy one for me at work, and last night Jason and I met up with some friends at the Draught House up in central Austin.  It was Jester King "Take a Glass" night.  We tried a couple of their newer brews, Petit Prince and Boxer's Revenge and got to take home some fancy stemware.  It was my first time at this pub, and I was definitely impressed.  It's got a lot of German character to it, and it's been there quite a while.  Jason's mom actually used to tend bar there when he was a kid.  And when our bellies started to grumble, there was a delicious Korean BBQ food truck right by the bier garten with delicious pork tacos, a California burrito and spicy fries to satisfy our needs.  As soon as we got home around 9:30 p.m. I pretty much passed out I was so exhausted.

But alas, my work week has finally come to an end, and I'm off to Dallas tomorrow afternoon for a fun-filled girls' weekend with my college roomies and longtime friends - Heather, Emily and Sammy.  Apparently, Heather and Em have a few surprises up their sleeves for Friday night and Saturday afternoon, if the weather allows.  I plan on taking my camera, so when I return I'll have a picture-filled post for you to enjoy.

Hope your week hasn't been as exhausting as mine.  I'll leave you with some pictures from this week:

Easter candy :)

Hunter making a sour face

Morning Mermaid at work

An Austin morning

An Austin afternoon

A dinner I made - twice baked potatoes with shrimp & a spring salad

Jason & Maeby

Small Update!

I'm on the last leg of my relaxing three days off from work!  Wednesday I took care of some much needed errands: bought a new shower curtain liner because ours was disgusting, new bed sheets because ours were literally ripping at the seams, bought two new pairs of flats at Payless and did some healthy browsing at Central Market.

Yesterday Jason was off work too so we got to spend the entire day together, which is super rare these days.  We kicked off our day with a much-needed workout at the gym.  After freshening up, we went out for lunch at Jalisco's, an authentic Mexican place.  It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was Groupon-worthy I suppose.  :)  Once our food was mostly digested, we decided to venture downtown and check out Tacos & Tequila for happy hour.  The place was fabulously designed and decorated, including a great bar that actually hanged from the ceiling.  We each indulged in three margaritas.  They offer a lot of really original signature margaritas that we were interested to try out.  I got a Pink Hibiscus (delicious!) and Jason tried the Agave Pear, which he wasn't too happy with.  We'll definitely be back though- I hear they have a killer brunch for $18, but that includes BOTTOMLESS mimosas!  Just think of the possibilities, ha!

Anyway, after happy hour we were exhausted, but I had been dying to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D, as that was one of my favorites as a child, so we went over to the Cinemark at Southpark Meadows, and I got to relive my childhood.  It was absolutely splendid.

So, I think today I'll just relax at home with my little loves, maybe do some reading.

Cheers.