Love is Amazing.

Being as it's almost Valentine's Day, I've decided to post a blog all about my past Valentine's Days with my current boy :] Plus, I found these songs that made me think of romance and love - 10 Sexiest Songs In Country Music

The first Valentine's Day that we were together was February 2008. In my opinion, we had an extremely cute night out. First we went to the movies to see Definitely Maybe [one of my all time favorite romantic flicks]. It was filled with quick little kisses as we held hands the entire time :] Then he drove me home so we could exchange gifts. I put together a photo album, on Snapfish [my favorite], of pictures we had taken so far in our relationship. I also drew him a picture of a Packer's helmet [his favorite team]. To top it all off The Record had a whole page of dedications to people on Valentine's Day and I put one from me to him in there. The gifts all meant a lot to me, and even more to him. As I walked into my house this is what I walked into...

SIX DOZEN ROSES OF ALL DIFFERENT COLORS! It was absolutely amazing. We then proceeded to go out to dinner at a cute little restaurant in town. The whole night will be remembered forever.

The next year, February of 2009, held a completely different level of closeness. We were rather intimate, being together for a year and two months. He told me he had a whole night planned out for us. He told me to pack an over night bag, he picked me up from my house and told me to shut my eyes. We drove for about 20-30 minutes, until suddenly we arrived. He helped me out of his car and told me to open my eyes. It was a beautiful castle looking hotel. 

Now what's a little upsetting is that I took no pictures, therefore the picture from above is from their website. 

When we arrived, we went to their restaurant, which had amazing food and enjoyed a nice meal together. After, he told me I had to wait outside of our room. About 10-15 minutes later he came out and invited me in. When I walked in, I was speechless. I couldn't stop smiling [or blushing]. The bed was covered in red rose petals, there were candles everywhere [which we found out probably weren't supposed to be lit], and our song playing in the background. I was simply amazed to say the least, which is pretty ironic because our song is Amazed by Lonestar. We shared a romantic, intimate night together. He gave me two huge gigantic cards, a picture of a rose, and a promise ring which is absolutely gorgeous. I love him :D The funny thing is, I never saw the box, that the ring was in, on the bed. He was sitting there waiting, and I was waiting too, wondering what he was waiting for. So I kinda ruined that surprise haha. But when I opened it up, my cheeks grew hot and probably turned the brightest color red. I was absolutely speechless, again. It's amazing that he can do that to me! That night, along with the previous Valentine's Day with him will be in my memories forever. Even if there were no pictures, I remember it all so clearly. 

I cannot wait to see what he has in store this Valentine's Day :]

Tell me some of your Valentine's Day stories ! The good and the bad, I'd love to hear them!

Quotes from the classroom

I just got home from work [my amazing job working with children at a preschool - I'm one of the afternoon teachers!]. My kids seriously say the most hysterical things, and it's amazing how it makes sense to them. I usually try and think back to my days in preschool but usually come up short. I can't really remember, which kind of makes me upset. Therefore, I want to try and document what my students children learners say :] [because they are learning each and every day, not only from myself but just watching the world around them]

Today, at snack time, J [name will be kept confidential], as well as all the other children asked me a rather interesting question.

 J says, "Miss Kristyn, what was your name when you were little?"

I reply, "It was Kristyn (with a smile)."

Other children, "What was Miss S's name when she was little?"

I reply, "It was S."

They found this quite peculiar and therefore, kept asking about every other teacher that worked in the building, even the director and her husband. I answered every one quite patiently, giggling to myself. 

They had learned something new, something that didn't make sense to them before snack, but now made complete sense. 

I love teaching my children something new. It seriously is why I want to become a teacher in the first place. I want them to learn something that they will remember forever. I want to inspire them to want to learn. I want them to love learning. I myself want to learn how to become a better teacher.

Photo By: Believe Achieve Succeed

Finally...

This is the first time I've been able to relax all day between classes from 8:30-1:50, then super quick errands and half of lunch, and work till 6:30.  I am super tired but I feel the need to update you guys on what's been going on in my life...

I FINALLY got my books from Barnes and Noble. It took almost 10 days! Ridiculous considering I needed to be reading for class and haven't been able to do so. Thankfully the teacher was understandable. 

I'm having a pretty rough time not only balancing my five classes, but also my two part time jobs. I'm also trying to have somewhat of a social life, if that's even possible. Anyways, my point is, my classes are tough so I'm trying to focus extremely hard to keep up my high GPA. It's only the second week so we'll see how things go. Wish me luck because I will be a bookworm for the next few weeks! :]

Photo By: Tathei - Doesn't this place look so relaxing? I love it!

Here's a few tips that I hope to follow; maybe they'll be of interest of my fellow college students... Tips to Studying At Home

That website actually has great links for a college student, or anyone really. I'm actually happy I just stumbled upon it. :]

Exhausted: Synonyms- worn out, dreary, dead-tired, ready to drop

Yet, I feel as if I can just keep going like the energizer bunny. I have been so busy with class, work, cleaning, running around trying to get everything accomplished in a timely manner. Although I have all of this energy when I'm up and going, the second I hit the bed I am knocked out, as well as in the morning when I don't feel like waking up and I just want to lay there for the rest of the day, but I know I must go to class and do my daily routines. 

This week, being the first week of classes, was extremely stressful. I have classes Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday [not by choice]. It's not too terrible besides the fact that I don't have my books yet. Barnes and Noble is taking forever and they even had a problem getting two of my books, so helloooo bookstore and paying over the amount that any college student should. I mean seriously, don't overcharge on a book that I can get elsewhere for 5-20 bucks less. It's irritating. I also had to buy a ton of art supplies for my Beginners Drawing class, which should be included in the fee they charge you to take the class, but of course it's not. 

Anyways enough about me and my college annoyances.

I was recently presented with my first AWARD :D and as you can tell I was pretty excited about it. To know that my blog is actually being read and people care means a lot, more than I thought it would. While reading Alexandria's blog, like a comfy pair of jeans, I came across a blog she had posted [one I had not caught previously] presenting me with an award! I felt so honored. 

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. To accept the award, you must post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted you the award, and a link to their blog.

2. Pass the award on to approximately 15 other blogs that you recently discovered, and think are great!

3. Contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Now I'm new to this whole blogging world but I've recently found a couple of blogs [more than 15] that I think are great and have really helped me realize what blogging is all about and how each blog is extremely different. 

1. Alexandria [like a comfy pair of jeans]

2. Micaela [Dolce Vita]

3. Novelista Barista [Novelista Barista]

4. Lauren [dreams take flight]

5. Kerri [your wish cake]

6. Amy [my lala land]

7. Liz it's unbeweavable]

8. Katie [Loves of Life]

9. Belle [it's all make believe isn't it]

10. KaYris [In Unplain Sight]

11. Jennifer [I'm just a girl]

12. Christine [a lil sprinkle of sunshine]

13. Kattrina [365 Days of Happiness]

14. Joanna [A Cup of JO] 

15. Katie [Color Me Katie]

There are many others I enjoy reading, and it was difficult to just pick 15, but there they are :]

Hopefully it makes you all as happy as is has made myself.

Snuggie Up

I recently received a Snuggie on Christmas and I love it. It's tan color, so it's not an embarrassingly bright shade of pink or blue. It feels just like a blanket, and it's perfect for when you want to read or hold a cup of tea by the fire. Recently, while searching the web, I came across a Snuggie for two, just in time for Valentine's day. I, for one, know my boyfriend would not be happy to sit on a couch in a Snuggie with me. He'd rather be able to snuggle up under a blanket. I don't think I'd like the Snuggie for Two either, especially because it seems like you can't exactly be close to each other. 

Snuggie for Two

What do you guys think?

I'll write a post about my first day of classes for Spring Semester tomorrow; it's been a long day. 

I also have some exciting news as a blogger and I cannot wait to share it with you guys tomorrow!

F*R*I*E*N*D*S

[Source]

My obsession.

I've loved the show since it started, but lately my boyfriend and I have been watching Friends every night. We're in love with the characters, as well as the plot. We could watch episodes over and over again and still laugh every time. We even played the Friends Trivia game. I wouldn't say that we know everything about friends but we're getting there! 

I use my coffee cup [shown in a previous post] almost every night. I'm even looking into buying other things from the show, or at least replicas, for my room, which lead me to find this sit: How to Decorate your place like Friends [scroll down]. 

I wish I had a group of friends like the show has. Sometimes I get really upset that I don't have people in my life that I can have fun with, hang out with, make fun of, and just trust with all my heart. This group of friends touches my heart. They went through so much together and have so much to look back on and laugh at. I really hope I get a chance to develop close knit relationships with a select few, thus forming the group, Friends, in the near future. 

These past couple of weeks, I've also felt the need to find new places to hang out with my boyfriend. Whether it be a new restaurant or cafe. Thus, leading me to find this cafe: Central Perk. However, it's in London. I for one have never been out of the country, besides the islands, but I don't intend to keep it that way. I wish there was a cafe in the U.S that was a replica of the show's cafe, but of course there isn't [tear]. Well for now I must keep pursuing my newly founded dream to travel to London and take a sip of something sweet in Central Perk!

The Rise Of a Novelist

Maybe you're wondering why the name of my blog is 'The Rise of a Novelist,' and maybe you're not, but I'm going to explain it anyways considering it's been some what of a new #1 on my To-Do list. 

Recently I've felt the need to write a novel, but I've been thinking that I need to start smaller. Maybe something as small as a children's book. Considering the fact I work with children every day I've been thinking a lot about what they enjoy, what they do, what they talk about, as well as them as individuals. I think I have a good start and I've been formulating drafts, as well as thinking of people I know that I could get to illustrate it if it seems too hard to do on my own. I'm extremely excited because I want to accomplish so much in my life, and this is the year I feel the need to do some of the 'Do's' on that long to do list of mine. I know I am ready for this challenge, even though I don't have as much time available to concentrate on this as I want, I know I can do this. 

Thus the reason why this blog is all about the rise of a novelist [me], with the addition of my thoughts and life experiences. 

When I think about writing my own book, I always think back to when I was younger and I carried around a purse with a pencil and a notebook, as well as all the stories I had written in it. My mom even had one published, well not really published as in sellable, but published as a gift for me. So thanks mom for inspiring me and pushing me to always accomplish my goals, even ones I never knew I had. 

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Time to start my journey down the open road...

[photo from] http://www.flickr.com/photos/yesandspace/

Just a Cold Winter Night...

Winter break is ending in less than a week and I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty anxious about it, but rather bummed.

I feel as if winter break went way too fast for my liking. I thought I would be able to get a lot done but before I knew it, it was January 11th. Granted the holidays with family, as well as my birthday took up most of the time, I just thought I'd have more fun with friends. Unfortunately work took up most of my time. I have two jobs; one at Shoprite [which I hate and just keep for the benefits] and one at a daycare/preschool [which I am in love with - granted I am going to school to teach].

So I will be attending five classes for the Spring Semester. Recently I changed my major from Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, to Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education. I have decided that I want to teach, as well as become a Play Therapist for children. I am intrigued and interested to study psychology so I can help children as well as teach them. So since I love reading, I intend to read books on play therapy to get me introduced to the subject. Any suggestions on books I should read?

Here's one that I was suggested to read by an actual play therapist who works at my college as a professor. Play Therapy

I'm excited to begin this new chapter in my life.

[Photo From]http://vanillachailatte.tumblr.com/

Things to Accomplish in 2010

1. do things I wouldn't normally do
2. learn to cook, as well as bake more goodies :]
3. work out more often & eat healthier = more toned & fit
4. worry LESS
5. begin writing a book, whether it be for children or for adults
6. be more charitable
7. spend more time with friends and family
8. have another successful semester of college
9. keep saving money, even if it's just a few coins a day
10. take more pictures, put together scrapbooks, and blog more :]




I'm sure I'll be adding more as the time goes by but that's it for now. What are your aspirations of 2010?

New Year, New Beginnings

So this year I've decided to change my whole outlook on life. I want to not only become a more organized person, but also a more productive one. I'm setting goals to myself and reaching them as fast as possible.

I recently joined March of Dimes, or March for Babies, which is a America's favorite walking event. In April, I will be walking to raise money to support programs in my community that will help mothers not only have healthy, but also full-term pregnancies. For some reason, I feel the need to fundraise, as well as walk for this organization. I just told my family, as well as friends and my boyfriend, and they are backing me up 100%. I'm so thankful. This is going to be a whole new experience for me because I have never ran a marathon or walked for a charity. This is an exciting new chapter in my life, and I feel so very lucky to share this with all of you.

Another "new year's resolution," if you will, is to be more in shape. I've always been rather skinny my whole life, but now I want to take that and become more fit and toned. I've been getting up early every morning to exercise, and I've been eating healthier than I've ever eaten before. I've been walking a mile on the TreadClimber and then going on my Wii Fit for about a half hour. I haven't seen any improvement, other than my energy is extremely higher. I only started this past week so I didn't intend to see any great improvements, but that is what keeps me motivated. I've recently looked into buying the Wii Active, but I'm not sure because it is quite expensive ($50.00) and I don't want to waste money if it's the same as the Wii Fit or if it doesn't work. Any suggestions?

I also want to be happier, so I intend on doing things I've never done before and buying little gifts for myself randomly to congratulate myself on school, work, etc. Recently I bought myself a Central Perk Coffee Cup (from Friends)! I was extremely happy with my purchase! It's the little things that make me smile :]

picture from: farm3.static.flickr.com/