Christmas. Again!

This worked so famously last year that I'm gonna go ahead and press my luck again this year. Without further ado, CHRISTMAS LIST 2011!

Leather Bracelet


Pandora Charms


Grown Up Work Clothes





Anywhere, really. These are just my favorite stores. Usually a medium or large top and 12 or 14 pants...long if available.


Empire Records


iPhone 4 Case

or

This cute Lilly one in Hotty Pink Luscious!


Initial Ring




Tennessee Necklace



Cricut



Cricut Accessories



Cricut Cartridges









These are just a few I like. Pretty much any cartridge would be great, especially font and anything math related.

Luggage
Doesn't have to be this set specifically, just something grownup-ish.






Happy Shopping!

364.

Today I'm thankful for fresh starts. I needed one badly and I'm so thankful to have found it.

365.

Hello old friends!

So I haven't blogged in about a thousand years. I just go through these times when I don't feel inspired or I don't feel like I have anything to say. Lucky for you, that time has come and passed.

I was thinking today about how September is usually a terrible month for me. The past few years have brought lots of heartache and stress during this month and I generally dread it. Also, it's the beginning of fall which then leads to holiday times, which are also terribly stressful and sad. But refreshingly enough, this September has been fabulous. I'm hoping that it's an omen as to how wonderful this winter and holiday season will be!

Lots of people do the "what I'm thankful for" thing in November, but after this month has been so good to me, I'm gonna try to focus on what I'm thankful for every single day. So here is my challenge with myself:
I will post one thing that I'm thankful for every day for the next year. I'm gonna try to include a photo and also try not to repeat myself. Some days will be more deep and meaningful, and some will be light and airy. I figure this shouldn't be too bad since I spend hours a day wasting time on the computer (Hello, Pinterest!). Adding a little post can't be that much harder.

So without further ado....

Today I am thankful for fall nail polish! Getting off to a super heavy start, right? I've been painting my nails more often to make them grow, and quite frankly, I'm tired of pink, red, and orange. I need a little darkness and excitement in my life. Enter fall nail polish colors. I'm currently obsessed with these two:


































Let's be real, I'm not a daring person. So these sassy polish colors make me feel wild! It's the little things, right??

Really?

I'm not really sure what's going on down at the legislature these days. First the attack on teachers and now an attack on...homosexuality. There is currently a senate bill in the works that would make it illegal to discuss homosexuality in schools before ninth grade. Because didn't you know that if we don't talk about it, it will go away? And if we don't tell these kids about it, they won't be gay! Big gay problem solved, right? WRONG, my friends. Knoxville's own Stacey Campfield sites his bill as a way to clear up some time for teachers to focus on science, reading and math...since I know so many teachers that spend HOURS talking about the gays. Is he serious?

While I understand that each family has it's own outlook on alternative lifestyles including homosexuality, brushing such ever growing subjects under the rug is senseless. It will only create more questions in the long run. It's not 1950 people! Get with the times!

My Generation

I worry for my generation and the marriages and the relationships we will have. We've grown up watching our parents fight tooth and nail to make things in their relationships work. Often times, they end up not working at all. What kind of outlook does that leave for us?

I personally have grown up with the motto of "Anything worth having is worth fighting for." And to a certain extent, this is so true. I've worked hard to get to the places I am today and will continue to work hard to succeed throughout my life. But should I have to fight to be happy? Maybe I'm naive, but I believe that a relationship should be easy. I'm not saying there should never be tough times, but the hard times shouldn't outnumber the easy times. Love should be fun and carefree. It shouldn't be a constant struggle. But is this what we've been shown? Are our parents setting that example for us?

Some have said my standards are too high. I will admit, I am very picky. But I ask you, Why shouldn't I be? Should I not look for exactly what I want in a husband? After all, I will be spending the rest of my life with him! I want to find the person that completes me. The person I don't have to fight with to make it work. And until I do, or until you find that person, why settle?

An Open Letter to Sen. Rodney Tom of Washington

This is a verbatim copy of the email I sent Sen. Tom after reading this article today. If I receive a reply, I'll be sure to post it as well.

Hello Sen. Tom.

I just read an article with a quote from you about teachers salary, budgets, etc. The particular quote I'm referring to is:

“Education is one of the few areas where a superstar and a slug get paid the same,” said Tom. “In any real profession, it doesn’t work that way.”

My question is what exactly is a real profession if education is not one? I am a student in Tennessee that is one year away from my certification to be a 7-12 Math teacher. I am so excited about my chosen profession and can't wait to get in the classroom. Once there, I hope to make a difference in even just one of my student's lives, much like some teacher made an impact on your life I'm sure. So please explain to me how education isn't a "real profession" or what exactly was meant by that comment. I understand that I am not one of your prospective voters at this time, but I would love a response on this matter.

Thank you,

Kayla Fisher
615-934-4052

P.S. I would like to remind you that without educators, you wouldn't be able to correctly form that sentence or read this email. Just a little food for thought.

Until Now.

I've been so lucky to have so many people support me throughout my education. My teachers, administrators, family, friends, and community have always stood behind me and many others, helping promote our success through education. Because of this superior support I received, I have chosen the education field as my profession to support those generations to come in the same way.

Unfortunately, that support will end once I begin my career if many of our elected officials have their way. There is currently an anti-teacher attack plaguing our state capital that will have a HUGE effect on me and so many others throughout our careers. If you believe that a teacher needs continued support, please contact your legislator and tell them to vote NO on anti-teachers bills.

Thousands of educators across the state and myself would greatly appreciate it.

House Members

Senate Members

Lessons Learned

So I finally finished Eat, Pray, Love. It only took me three months. Looking back, so much happened during those three months. Lots of changes, lots of smiles, lots of tears. And every time I picked the book back up again, it always told me just what I needed to hear. I encourage everyone to read it, as it's got a lot of wisdom to share. Here are some of the quotes that meant the most to me.

From 22

"Moreover, I have boundary issues with men. Or maybe that's not fair to say. To have issues with boundaries, one must have boundaries in the first place, right? But I disappear into the person I love. I am the permeable membrane."

From 41

"Remember--everything you do, you do for God. And everything God does, He do for you."

From 43

"You should never give yourself a chance to fall apart because, when you do, it becomes a tendency and it happens over and over again. You must practice staying strong, instead.

But I didn't feel strong."

From 48

"Your problem is you don't understand what that word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful.
Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself
to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it."

"You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be."

From 96

"I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and then I have hung on to the relationship for a long time waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been victim of my own optimism."

From 108

"I was not rescued by a prince; I was the administrator of my own rescue."

I hope someone else finds the words they need too.

Wish List, The Birthday Edition.

As you all know, my birthday is coming up. And there are only 23 short shopping days left, my friends! Since my Christmas List worked famously, I thought I'd try one for my favorite day of the year too. Without further delay, here it is!


Kindle


Sugarland/Little Big Town Tickets for me and Allie!


Wilton Decorating Tips Set


Zippidy Tote in Hello, Dahlia


Zip ID Case in Hello, Dahlia


Empire Records


Return to Tiffany™ Pearl Bracelet

Does that not SCREAM Me?!

Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Olga Canvas Flat Sneakers - Red Size 10


Sperry Topsider "Bahama" Size 9.5 in White


I usually hate gift cards, but I will (hopefully) need lots of new skinny summer clothes, so gift cards might come in handy!





If anyone needs a shipping address, feel free to ask ;)

Private Time

I've become recently obsessed with privatizing my life for fear that I will never get a job with my loud mouth and, at times, bad choices. For that reason, I'm making my blog private. You can continue reading by simply emailing me, messaging me, or commenting your email address to me and I will add you to the reader list. Thanks!

Reassurance.

I most definitely am an independent person. I prefer to make my own choices on my own time and in my own way. I've been this way my whole life, much to my mother's dismay, but even I, Miss Independent, needs a little reassurance sometimes. Especially on the biggest decisions. This weekend, I got some major reassurance.

I've changed my major three times. I've attended three different colleges, one of them twice. I've had a tough road finding what I'm meant to do for the rest of my life. Since I've been taking education classes, I've really felt like teaching was the place to be. I've said it before and I'll say it a million times. I love being in the classroom. But this weekend, Hunter, Gage, Allie, Beverly and I went to the Adventure Science Center here in Nashville. I really wanted to go more than anyone. I mean, hello, it's SO FUN! But while we were there, I found myself going into full on teacher mode! I used questions to evoke critical thinking. I shared my knowledge in a way that was fun but meaningful. I taught a nice little lesson about the solar system! AND THEY LOVED IT! Seriously, it's the best reassurance that I've ever experienced. I knew in that moment that I was definitely making the right choice by pursuing a career in education. Maybe it was a little trigger, but it meant so, so much.

My Little Astronauts!

How to be a 20-Something

I found this article and I feel an odd connection to it. So many truths here and wanted to share.

How to be a 20-Something

By RYAN O'CONNELL

Be really attractive. Your acne is gone, your face has matured without having wrinkles and everything on your body is lifted naturally. Eat bagels seven days a week, binge-drink and do drugs: you’ll still look like a babe. When you turn thirty, it’ll become a different story but that’s, like, not for a really long time.

Reestablish a relationship with your parents. You don’t live with them anymore (hopefully) so start to appreciate them as human beings with thoughts, flaws and feelings rather than soulless life ruiners who won’t let you borrow their car.

Go from eating delicious food at your parents’ house to eating Ragu tomato sauce over Barilla noodles. Develop an eating disorder to save money.

Move into an apartment on the corner of Overpriced and Dangerous. Sleep on a bare mattress with an Ikea comforter. Your mother talks to you about buying a top sheet and a duvet cover but feel like you’re not mature enough to own something called “duvet.”

“Date people who you know you’ll never be able to love.”
Read the New York Times piece, “What Is It About 20-Somethings?” Feel exposed and humiliated. Share it on your Facebook with the caption: “Um….” Your friends will comment “Too real” and that will be the end of that.

Work at a coffee shop but feel hopeful about your career in advertising, writing, whatever. Remember that you’re young and that the world is your oyster. Everything is possible, you still have so much to see and hear. You went to a good school and did good things. Figure if you’re not going to be successful, who the hell is?

Date people who you know you'll never be able to love. See someone for three months for no other reason than because it’s winter and you want to keep warm by holding another body. Date a Republican just so you can say you dated a Republican.

Eventually all these nobodies will make you crave a somebody. Have a real relationship with someone. Go on vacations together, exchange house keys, cry in their arms after a demoralizing day at work. Think about marrying them and maybe even get engaged. Regardless of the outcome, feel proud of yourself for being able to love someone in a healthy way.

Start your twenties with a lot of friends and leave with a few good ones. What happened? People faded away into their careers and relationships. Fights were had and never resolved. Shit happens.

Think of yourself at twenty and hanging out with people who didn’t mean a thing to you. Think about writing papers, about being promiscuous, about trying new things. Think of yourself now and your face looking different and your body feeling different and how everything is just different.

Form the habits that will stick with you forever. Drink your coffee with two sugars and skim milk every morning. Buy a magazine every Friday. Enjoy spending money on candles, smoke pot on Saturdays, watch the television before bed.

Move into a bigger apartment on the corner of Mature and Gentrification and finally buy a duvet cover. Limit your drug-use. If you find yourself unable to do so, start to wonder if you have a problem.

Have your parents come to your place for Christmas. Set the table, make the ham, wear a sophisticated outfit, This will all mean so much at the time.

Think about having children when you stop acting like a child. This may not ever happen.

Maybe this is assuming too much. Maybe this is generalizing. Maybe society uses age as an unrealistic marker for growth. Maybe. Still feel the anxiety on your 30th birthday and think to yourself, “Oh shit, I’m no longer a 20-something.”

It's Amazing.

It's amazing to me how much you can love a child. Anyone that knows me very well, knows my apprehension with children. I've grown to know that it's not that I don't like children as a whole. I don't like kids that I don't know and I certainly don't like kids that don't know how to behave. So pretty much, if I know you and your kid and you're ok with me making sure he or she stays in line, then we'll be fine. Well, fine for a little while. My patience with children (read: anything other than crafts) is limited. If I'm well rested and don't have other things going on or to worry about, then me and your child can have fun 'til we drop! But if I need a nap, or have something else to work on...not so much. I don't know how to balance hanging out with a kid and getting on with my life all at the same time.

Whoa. Ramble much?

At any rate, my point here is that I never believed I would love a child quite like I love my nephew and two little cousins. I feel bad for saying this, because I love my sister Abby so, so much. But I was 14 when she was born. And let's be real, I was not at my most mature, therefore my capacity to love anyone other than myself was limited. But with the boys now, I would do anything for them. I think I can honestly say I would risk my life for them. To me, that's a pretty big deal. Like HUGE.

This might seem odd to just bring up. But Dalton's Mommy asked me to keep him tonight, which I was beyond delighted to do, and there's just really nothing like sharing popcorn and a movie with a little guy that thinks you're the coolest aunt around. Or getting big neck squeezes for no real reason. It makes me question if my heart is as cold to children as I once believed it was.

Now, for all your trouble, I'll leave you with these cuties!

Note to Self:

Don't watch The Notebook on day four of Operation Single and Happy.

That is all.

This Year.

At this time of year, so many people write out hopes and dreams or resolutions about the progress they are going to make in the year to come. And often times, these resolutions are quickly thrown out the window. I have fallen victim to this tradition too and have decided to do something about it. This year, I resolve to be happy with myself just the way I am.

I'm single. As single as they come in fact. I haven't been on a date in AGES. It's something that I struggle with accepting. The social norm, especially at my age and in my geographic location, is to be attached. To have someone to have those warm fuzzy feelings about. I'm not and I don't feel warm nor fuzzy. It's something that bothers me. Not because I feel unfulfilled, because that's not true at all. I just want to be like everyone else I guess. But the truth of the matter is, I'm not like everyone else. I am single and I can be happy with or without some guy in my life. And this year, that's what I'm gonna do.

I'm an (almost) 24 year old full-time college student that lives at home with my grandparents. Because of the choices I've made throughout my life, I'm a little behind most people my age. Most of my friends have graduated college and are getting real jobs, getting married or buying houses and moving out on their own and on with their lives. I chose a different route years ago. I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to focus solely on school right now and to have a supportive family that gives me a place to stay and the things I need to succeed now even though its a little late. Instead of dwelling on the place that I'm not at, I'm gonna be happy with just where I am in life.

I am who I am. I shouldn't have to change for anyone else or for myself. If I choose to change, it will be on my own accord and to truly better myself. Not for some cookie cutter that I'm supposed to fit in. 2011 will be a happy, healthy time for me even if it kills me :)


Happy New Year!