Thursday, May 21, 2009

Am... I... Efficient?


I try to live my life as efficient as possible.

Curtsy of Indiana State University, I can say with confidence that I can: reorder a production line so that an item takes the least amount of unnecessary stops from beginning 2 end and so that that same line uses the least amount of energy to do so.

Thanks to my mother,...and her mother, I can also say with confidence that I have: used the same red solo plastic cup branded KATIE for every family function since I was born, as well as kept every cottage cheese or cool whip container ever purchased in order to store meal leftovers labeled w a sharpie.



I... am... efficient.


It wasn't until today though, that I realized just how much more I could be doing in order to get the most of what I have. I've been trying to get the most of my acquired knowledge. I've been trying to get the most of my one time purchases.
But have I been getting the most of my tax dollars?

A constant debate among elected officials, and official hopefuls is whether or not citizens are getting the most for their tax dollars.
But is it really the officials who we elect that are on the chopping block for how that money is being used?


It was today, while on my leisurely walk from lunch, that I took an efficiency cue from some of my fellow Indianapol'ins...

here, a local 'barber' uses the city's construction power outlet to cut down on his operating costs ;)


Maybe we, tax paying citizens, are passing the buck... are not doing all we can... are not doing our part to take what we can from what those tax dollars are paying?!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

I tell myself that I am not alone.
and while you may not openly admit it, you are probably right here next to me...

you too are addicted to reality television.


But no longer can it be said that nothing good comes from watching these somewhat scripted snapshots of contract signed away lives...

I once had a fear 4 facial tattoos, and thanks 2 4 the love of ray J... i am cured.

Lauren & I at 6's carnival birthday party (some girl actually asked me if mine hurt 2 get!)

So... if ever you look over your shoulder while watching a rerun at your desk of Rock of Love on your lunch break, or cross your toes under the table when you agree with your friends comment that that Cincinnati high school boy really wouldn't get away with dating those 2 girls so openly...

it's okay... bc along with wasted time and lost braincells, come life lessons about acceptance and not mixing your alcohols ;)

Admitting I have a problem...

I am a people watcher. 100%, to the core, I just might have a staring problem at times.

But how can 1 not help to give a WIDE EYED STARE at this when it...

Rather than be embarassed, she stopped in the road bc she saw me taking this picture (as if i was someone appreciating the horse... not appreciating the situation)

missing in action

yes... as many of you have informed me, i have failed to keep up with my blogger obligations in the past month. to say the least, i have not exactly been in much of a writing mood.

but not to say i haven't had posting inspirations dancing in my head like sugar plums.
I have taken some pics and intend to get to posting them soon!

and in the midst of my absence i have been very busy with:
- starting a new roll within the business development department of my company
- sitting on the committee for the IRT
- taking private dance lessons (yes private, bc all the other classes had an avg student age of 12)
- soccer 2 very long nights a week
- doing no physical activity otherwise ;)
- spending the wknd in Chicago with EEEE!
- attending ISU graduation
- attempting to plan the next year'ish of my life
- watching all my favorite shoe's 2 hour finales
- and spending the wknd in Grand Rapids w the fam 4 a wedding reception

...need less 2 say, my sabbatical has been somewhat justified

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

please don't stop the music...

i love music &
i love 2 dance.

mind u...
i don't love to sing to be heard &
i don't love to have people dance up on me.

But better believe...
i played music for my sisters' belly's in order 2 breed a beat :)


right now... my favorite's list is largely dominated by Keri Hilson.
(yes yes... she did/does dis my girl beyonce in her recent remix, but i gotta say... the girl knew how to do it. makes me even giggle a bit at the expense of my favorite girl B)

none the less... the girl is on repeat in my head whether the ear buds r in or not.
here are the 2 i just can't seem 2 get enough of right now-

1. Knock You Down- ft kanye west n ne-yo.
has a tune that i can't help but sing along to! can't get over both added bonus's by the boys either... but one of my favorite part by far is:

'take the girl with the bad, happy & the sad, but will u bring a better future than i had in the past... oh bc i don't wanna make the same mistakes i did, dont' wanna fall back on my face again'



Knock You Down (Official Music Video) - KERI HILSON feat KANYE WEST & NE-YO

2. Turnin Me On-
can't get enough of the beat and the dances she does. better believe i have watched, and 'perfected' the: shoulder turn move, arm cross w lean n leg pop, and 4 sure goin to be using the alternating arm swing with coordinating leg lift!


"Turnin Me On" feat Lil Wayne OFFICIAL Music Video - Keri Hilson

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

I pitty the Fool!

To all of you who might not know... i was born on April Fools day.
(yes... quite fitting as i have been told, MANY TIMES)
That fact then lends itself well to finding fun things 2 do 2 celebrate.

This past wednesday Shae, Lauren & i stepped out for a bit 2 see what Indy had to offer.
This years themed party that we attended: mustaches.
not so sure how that plays into april fools day too well, but that sure didn't stop us from joining in the fun!

we started with dinner & of course DESSERT at applebees

Even Jonathon came out 2 bring a bit of home 2 the evening

mustache = april fools?

lauren was 2 cool 2 wear one... we clearly were not... and this guys ISN't FAKE! haha





O Canada

Last week was my 24th birthday and thanks 2 my great friends i feel like i have been celebrating for nearly 2 weeks (1 b4 n 1 after)

And all of the fun started the weekend before when my friend Alyssa accompanied me to Columbus, Oh to watch friends of mine play against the Crew on Saturday.

My friend Marvell plays 4 Toronto FC and boy did he give us the birthday hook-up! :)
Not only did he give us great front row tickets, but he spoiled us by bringing extra game jersey's for us to wear AND giving us the heads up as to what his fans had to offer... n boy am i thankful that he did! here is a quick game day itinerary run down:

11:30am- take taxi from team hotel to field. (game time 4pm mind you)

11:46am- spy field full of REDS
11:47am- exit the taxi.
11:47:15am- rushed by 5000 TFC fans that came on buses that morning at 4am from Toronto!
(realize we r the only females as far as we can see! ha)
12:00pm- have new Canadian best friends who make it their duty to show us how they do it up north.
1:00pm- Alyssa decides to have the fan's sign Marv's jersey i have on w inspirational thoughts... most only can think to sign their: name, city of origin, or...'you r fast man' ;)
2:00pm- follow the loud music & find a circle of people dancing 2 known by heart fan chants
3:00pm- find some Canadians who know how to BBQqqqqq!
3:30pm- Alyssa's mom Nancy arrives to see the game
4:00pm- GAME TIME... watch the guys pull out a tie while in great company!
needless to say... we had a great time hanging out with great people during the day, and then enjoyed our great friends company that night as we painted Columbus RED!




boy's night out?

When road tripping with your brother & your favorite college basketball team to the conference tournament in order to celebrate your 30th birthday things could definitely have potential to get out of hand... or that's what ryan & robby might have hoped for had fate not dealt them a different hand ;)

I had fully intended to take a picture of them in front of the stadium covered in face paint, or at the nearby sports bar where the overflow of stadium fans met in order to document their MANLY weekend...


but their teams didn't perform as they had hoped and this shot more accurately portrays their short time spent in indy ;)

Even while i was running in and out of the house... i had a great time with them in town & as always, we made sure to get some good food while they were here!

Happy Birthday Shae!

in classic Shae style... we celebrated her birthday on friday the 13th by attending the 'Hair Bangers Ball'

this ball became somewhat of a tradition at ISU once i graduated, so she was quite eager to have me learn first hand just what it entails.

And as many of you know... i don't turn down a chance to DRESS UP!!
the birthday girl rockin it out

we 'katies' w matching make-up i did!


katie, shae, and i just getting 2 the concert

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Man of My Dreams

I wasn't feeling too well last night so I curled up in bed with my cozy comforter & travel channel reruns... only to wake up many hours later at 12:30am.

Recognizing that my evening was now a wash & i had no energy to even get up in order to close the curtain where the street lights beam was streaming in across my face... i opted to just roll to my left and drift back into my slumber.


At 7:30am i woke up once more in order to ready myself for work... but this time my eyes did not open with such ease. The sound of my alarm caught me right as Batman came swooping to my rescue. I can assume that i safely made it back across the crime filled city, so my morning frustration was not for lack of story resolution but because of what that dream made me think once i woke.

Ya see... as my hero came down with one arm and so gallantly flew away with me, i recognized him. I know, I know... superhero's are in masks that disguise their true identity.. i got it. But it was the facial features that did show that i knew without a doubt.

You know how on Batman they leave the eye's and below the nose visible... just enough to make you want to yell at the screen "can't you see who that is! come on Rachel! it is Bruce!" ... well so did the writers in my mind. My hero had a pair of eyes and distinctive jaw line that i knew oh so well... it was my own!

No no... i am not that conceited that i was the damsel in distress as well as the knight in shining armor ( granted i don't even know what that would mean if i was :-/ ) BUT those facial features had such a striking resemblance to my own bc it was my dad!


Yes... Kevin E. Cochrane, my hero. :)

In many a movie, or fairy tale- young girls dreams consist of the handsome movie star, prince charming, or music idol of the time... but what does it say for a young 20-something that has her father as her protector?

I think it is quite amusing and i'm sure that many of you will think the same. I am a single-young-something, living alone and i guess it is rightfully so that my father still be the man in my life.. (sure he still loves that too :)

But what might be most amusing to me is that not only was my father saving me from a life threatening situation, which hopefully any father would do- my dad did it in style...


Friday, March 6, 2009

O-the-Economy

While reading the newsletter for my favorite fresh market The Goose, I see that they have a new offering: Bacon of the Month Club.


With the economy the way it is, i can not help but be reminiscent to Clark Griswold's Jelly-O-the-Month Club.

Bacon is obviously a guilty pleasure for many people... but is this new club the potential modern day makeshift bonus?

Times are hard with bonuses being far & few between... so what would your reaction be if late this year you were offered an O-the-Month Club rather than mu la?

Would your response differ based upon the item?
Try the obvious, Bacon? or Wine? or Movie? or Meal? or extra Vacation Hours?

There is a pull on my heart strings for all of the items above, but at what level of offering would i feel moderately satisfied with them in place of the check i got the year prior?

Thursday, March 5, 2009

2 4 the price of 1

1 of my pairs of jeans just became 2.
not magic or a mean joke with scissors.
its the new trend, and I LOVE IT.

I can wear my jeans down like intended, or up to show off my beloved shoes :)
either way... i know that i love being able to get more out of the clothes i have.


Rolled jeans are now up there next to pattern scarves & leggings in my heart <3

3 woman & a little lady

By April 1, there will have been 7+ babies born over the past 3 months in my office! (the + indicates my uncertainty on the exact #) And while i know how babies r made, i have still chosen the road less traveled by & continued my relatively new found habit of NOT drinking the water on the 22nd floor for fear of a miracle.

But it was yesterday, at my 2nd baby shower in 2 weeks, that i overheard a new coworker state what this was only her 2nd baby shower ever!... and her 1st was the one we hosted in office last week!

Initially, this struck me as quite odd: A 20-something woman who was trying the party punch with pink sherbet for the first time!... could it really be? And while i am sure my facial expression displayed my surprise without course, i chose to say a mere "Really?!" and await her response.

A short and sweet one she gave... "i am just not that close to many girls that have had babies." easy enough i guess.

The event went on as planned: food, games, gifts. And then my revelation.

The game was: Baby Alphabet. All the letters of the alphabet are listed with a blank line behind them. Once the sheet is turned over (given face down so no advantage is given) you are to fill in the empty line with a word that begins the corresponding letter AND has to do with Babies or pregnancy.

The clock started and on i went... started out strong... Animal crackers, Books, Cooing, Diapers...
Time was called. Scores were tallied. and i had all filled but 4!

since when did i know this much about babies? where in the world did i acquire the knowledge to fill in lactating, ointment, pee-pee tee-pee, raw (as in can't have raw food), stirrups, tummy time?

I am a 20-something woman who placed 2nd to 50-something woman in the overall point totals!

1 year, 5 months, and 27 days ago i was putting a flashlight to my sisters stomach trying to make 'it' move.
1 year, 5 months, and 20 days ago i was enjoying sushi with my sister Sarah bc 'it' had come out.

somewhere in between the two i acquired a speeding ticket and a niece.
and somewhere in between then and now, i acquired knowledge i never would have dreamt i would know.

So while my surprise of my co-workers lack of baby knowledge was true, my understanding for her 'excuse' is genuine. I knew my mom's friends that had babies. I even knew my own friends that had babies. But it wasn't until my sister had her baby.

Miss Elynor Aline Westrom has opened my eyes to many things... many of which i wished i had squeezed them tightly closed to!




BUT just as i am getting the hang of this little girl thing... my other sister Becca is gonna go and have a BOY?!

Bring on the pee-pee tee-pee.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

2 meat, or not 2 meat

are there such things as 'halfzies'?

i mean... there are onezies for babies.
and i am pretty sure in some movie or show episode there is a line where someone says something to the extent of "there aren't any halfzies. onezies take-zies always make-sies".
(i am most likely totally wrong on that line... correct me with the truth, but i take pride that i, against much of my parent's wishes or knowledge, grew up in front of the television & remember nearly everything i saw ;)

But really, can you be a half-zies? a partial? a switch hitter to an extent?


Over the past few weeks i have become somewhat of a vegetarian.
Somewhat meaning, that while i claim to have this astounding love for meat- but yet i realized i ate or craved it rarely! (keeton clan please do not disown me just yet)

I found myself ordering the vegetarian burrito at Qudoba bc the chicken & beef took away from the flavor of the cilantro rice. Or having carryout from the Thai place by my new town home with spring rolls and pad Thai with extra bean shoots & scallion. And even watching the clock on my computer screen lower corner... just waiting until the appropriate time when i could go warm up the leftover brussel sprouts i brought in on a bed of mashed potatoes!

Since when did i become that person that people ask if you are on a diet bc of the foods you eat?

i am not on a diet. i love food. but is the food that i eat telling other people something about me that i have failed to hear for myself?

It is by no means that i shy away from meat. Like i said... if asked, i would still answer a very loud "GO MEAT" as those in the Hillshire Farms commercial do.
But as i peruse my daily food blogs and then continue on to the seasonal rotating menu's of my local eateries... i notice that while the pan seared duck breast is what caught my eye, it is the black trumpet mushrooms, braised radishes, melted leeks, and caramelized shallots that make or break the deal for me.



I heart food... i read about it, i watch about it, i talk about it, i EAT it.
my appreciation for food is beyond the norm.
But can a self proclaimed foodie also be a partial vegetarian? a HalfZie?

Monday, February 23, 2009

almost famous

Many of you (if not all) have met, seen pictures of, or heard numerous stories about Shae. She was my college roommate and continues to be one of my closest friends.

She also continues to be one of the most composed people i know.
She on many occasions has, merely for our own amusement, pretended to sneeze on all the unknowing strangers around us or fake nearly vomit on herself without ever losing her cool ;) and, as she often says, would have had many more opportunities to giggle on the inside if I had not ruined it by giggling on the outside... oops.

Last Thursday... after our weekly arousing game of Catch-Phrase, Shae & I ventured out to meet our friend Scotty at an 'after party' of sorts for a performer that had just completed her show. (Ya see... Shae had seen her once before on Mtv and knew of her stage performance going on that night in Indy... and was disappointed that due to our prior planned game night- she was unable to attend the show) It is here, that Shae met the match for her straight face: Mini-Britney.

(And the term mini-Britney came from the source herself... the small in stature Britney Spears impersonator!) www.mini-britney.com

Should she approach her? Should she play it cool? Could she dare to get a picture to document the evening? How is one to know what is appropriate!

Granted our encounter was not quite that of celebrity status... but it prompted me to think, what would your reaction be if you came across a personality that is quite a bit more known that your own?! ;)

would you get an autograph, take a picture, slyly snip a lock of hair?
Or maybe play it 2-cool-4-school and give a slight smile to the star... acknowledging that you know who they are... but that they are on the same level as you?

I think that the reaction would directly relate to the person in passing.
I can see that your head nod might be my screaming moment. or vice versa.

It turns out that on our slightly eventful evening, Britney approached us! While it was on her own doing she came our way... it was not without the prompting of Scotty because he knew we were not close to nailing down our plan of attack.
While never breaking character, Mini-Britney went on to offer up her business card & strategically place herself in pictures with us so that she continued to best carry on the Britney Spear persona.


Shae & Britney (in her finale costume... meant to strike a strong resemblance to 'her' most current cd Circus)


Me, Scotty & Britney. (Her matching outfit: intentional. Our matching outfits: NOT) ha

Friday, February 13, 2009

25 things

nearly everyone now has facebook... i mean, what was once a playground for embarrassing pictures and inside jokes amongst my closest friends, has now become something so big that i can keep up with my young cousins, my older cousins, my cousin's kids, my cousin's high school friends who i met once while visiting over summer in the 4th grade & the parent's of my friends!
Ya see, the sucker has become so addicting that my company feels it neccessary for me (and for all my fellow coworkers) to be blocked from it while in the office.

But amidst all the new applications, gifts, and bumper stickers it has- there is one recent time consuming post that i really do like. the list of 25 things about me... or 25 things i hate.

I opted for the 25 things about me list...
rules are: make a list of little known facts about yourself. post it as a note attached to you. then tag at least 25 of your friends. Once they are tagged, they then are 'required' to take the same action by drafting their own list and continuing the chain.

I'll admit that i didn't develop my list out of fear that i would have bad luck for 7 years bc i broke the chain letter... I did it bc i thought it would be fun to have to think about the little things that make me me, and not you. sooo enjoy...


1. I love to cook.
2. Even more so, I LOVE TO EAT!

3. I am addicted to craiglist.com. If there is anything you need, want, or are just curious about-
I know where in the city it is, and for how much.
4. I am a natural redhead. I have NEVER dyed it, and claim I never will… even though I am
considering a Hott streak for one side ;-/
5. Chewed gum weirds me out. Yes, I know… but it is not equivalent to a fear of buttons!

6. I am not a big fan of my own legs, yet I have dresses out the wazzooo.
7. I expect 20+ family members gathered together at every holiday, or it just doesn’t seem normal.
8. I am addicted to texting. To new people that I meet it could come off as obsessive or over kill, but it’s just my way of having contact with the outside world while at work, and in general.
9. If I could only have 3 foods for the rest of my life, they would be: eggs, beef & cheese.
10. I have never really been on a vacation where I was able to just relax by the beach.

11. I build an outfit from the bottom up… around my shoes & pants.
12. I only recently played my very first video game… and that is only if Rock Band & Wii Fit count.

13. I am very proud to say I HAVE NEVER, and WILL NEVER smoke a cigarette.
14. I am a rerun addict.
15. I love music. Might not be a wealth of ‘fun-fact music knowledge,’ but I can nearly every occasion sing along to any song I hear.

16. I am a giver. I want the people around me to feel they can always expect me to help… whether they ask for it or not.
17. I have 3 computer monitors on my office desk… all of which are larger than the television I have in my place.
18. I have a list of 10+ sites listed on my favorites list, all of which I visit constantly throughout the day: craigslist, fee-me drink-me, windy city westy’s, whowhatwear, Goose the market, indy downtown… to name a few. I am an internet junkie.
19. I pride myself on being a very independent woman. Yet I believe that there is “The One” who god made just for me, and he will make me that much better of a person when we are together.
20. I was a cheerleader in Junior High only because that meant you got to wear your wind suit/uniform twice a week and that was an extra 15 minutes I would get to sleep in the morning.

21. I am a Quality Timer & Simple Acts of Service type of lover; from the ‘5 Love Languages.’ Everyone should read this… you will learn a lot about yourself, and others.
22. I love being small.
23. I LOOOOVE TO LAUGH. and have often been told that my laugh, or 'cackle' as some might say... can be heard across the room or blocks radius.
24. I have many layers that take me time to let you see.
24. I only TRULY BECAME ME when I transferred to ISU.
25. I hold my friends very close to my heart.

and so it begins...

5 days a week i sit at 3 large computer screens and play with numbers. or so says my business card.
for those that know me... 5 days a week i sit at 3 large computer screens and often times, continue my search for the internet's edge where one would just fall off.


Amidst my electronic adventures I have come to find particular sites that tickle my fancy. Those such sites have been placed on my favories list.
The list consists heavily of food, fashion & family. and of course... god's gift to me, craigslist.
Each day, i can sadly say, that i visit all of my favorites at least 5 times each.
And it was while taking my 3rd trip to my sister's WindyCityWesty's blog site this morning before 10am that i realized... y not start my own blog?


As my info says, I am a young single woman attempting to be independent in an unknown city.
My closest family members are 3 hours away.

(while improving) I am horrible at talking on the phone and text isn't the best form of communication for which to tell about exciting news or your average day.


So here goes... my attempt at posting my personal thoughts & daily lessons for all to see.