Where are we?

Tonight my friend Tyler said something along these lines to me, "Kate, I haven't talked to you in a while. How are you?
And I replied, "It's been kind of crazy trying to figure out life lately."
Because it's true.
Today I felt especially like a human being. And it makes sense because I am. Humanity is prone to mistakes, failure and ineptitude. All of the goodness that I derive from life is in cherishing others, loving my loved ones and seeking after my blessed redeemer. If I am honest with myself, I will admit that I have a lot of work to do.
"The significance of man is that he is insignificant and is aware of it." -Carl Becker

My mom sent me this e-mail:

Hi Katelyn,
I love you.
We (dad and I) love you regardless of what you do or what you accomplish.
We love you whether or not you are a star student, a community activist, a church member or a politically savvy teenager.
You are Katelyn.
Accept life on life’s terms (fun, hard, challenging, exhilarating, painful…).
Don’t try to master life in one day.
Life can’t be mastered or controlled.
Save time to smell the roses.
Breath…
Appreciate.

Mama

I cry everytime I read this. I wish that I could be reminded of this everyday. But everyday in a different way.

Any takers?

This conversation was my favorite part of today:
Setting: Photography darkroom at Clark College, 5:30pm on Monday, October 13
Characters: Katelyn-A lovely girl; likes coffee, learning, and traveling anywhere.
Andrew-Guy; all facts about him are unknown.
Andrew: Hey, so I was going to ask you...do you want to get dinner sometime?
Katelyn (digging through purse while reading a text message): Ummmm.....maybe.
Andrew: Maybe?
Katelyn: Uh, yes. Maybe. I guess we could talk about it in class sometime or tomorrow or...
(Katelyn exits the room. She attempts to make this something other than the most awkward moment of her life.)
I honestly don't want to go to class tomorrow. I said "maybe" because this doesn't happen very often and I didn't know what else to do. I do not intend to date anyone for at least five years, or until I figure out what is important to me. And Andrew would be the least likely candidiate. I didn't like this conversation at all. Except, occurences like this keep me humbled, so I guess I am grateful for them.

This is for Laura.

On Sunday, I volunteered in Portland at the AIDS Walk. I helped at the kids' tent to facilitate crafts, keep everything organized, and give youngsters directions.

I need to go back in time for a moment. Towards the beginning of September, my best friend Laura and I went to Seattle to visit colleges and explore the city for a weekend. On Sunday of that weekend, in September, we were at Le Panier bakery in Pike Market. While we were eating lunch at the window bar, two of the cutest kids I have ever seen were outside waiting in line to get balloon animals from a man. They were brother and sister. They were a little chubby, Asian, and they both wore very distinctive, round glasses. They were the cutest things ever. Laura grabbed my camera and took a picture of them before their mom could interfere.

Now fast forward to the AIDS Walk in Portland, Oregon on October 12, 2008. I saw the cute kids again! They were there! I couldn't take a picture of them but I called Laura right away.
Here they are in Seattle:

This is a cute picture of Laura and I at the bakery:

This is just another cute picture of us.

Nepal