Cream colored ponies and fresh apple streudels

I so enjoyed sharing some of my favorite things with you guys a couple weeks ago that I thought I might make it a bit of a regular post. Sort of a tribute to Oprah's Favorite Things but this is going to be KayCee's Favorite Things instead.

First is a song that has been on repeat on my iPod for the last couple weeks: Gotye's "Somebody that I Used to Know" feat Kimbra. I love the offbeat sound, the lyrics, and the tone that Kimbra's voice adds to the song. For once I'm actually grateful that I don't have a recent ex because I don't identify this song with anyone and therefore it won't be ruined by constantly causing someone to pop into my head when I hear it. (I have countless songs that I love but often don't want to listen to because it will bring particular people or situations to mind that I prefer to keep in dark corners of my memory) So here is the video for your enjoyment:

Another of my favorite things lately is planning my upcoming trip to Chicago with my roommate, one of my coworkers, and one of my roommates friends. We will have 4 full days and 3 nights there. I was in Chicago once when I was about 12 but I'm looking forward to experiencing it as an adult. So far we know we're going to a Cubs game, which is super exciting because my dad is a huge Cubs fan so I grew up watching games as a child. I can't wait to be back at Wrigley Field and cheering on the team against the Cincinnati Reds. We're also planning to go to Millennium Park and take pictures next to the big 'bean' and get some authentic Chicago pizza. If anyone has any further ideas of what we should do, I would love to hear them and add them to our list!

Every year I try to treat myself to a new bathing suit. Normally I get them towards the end of the summer while they are on sale and save them for the next year. But this year I broke my rule. First because I cleaned out a lot of my bathing suits during spring cleaning so I thought I deserved a replacement. And second because I've been trying to get in better shape and have officially gotten my first "have you lost weight?" comment so I thought I deserved a reward, haha. The numbers on the scale haven't changed yet but my scrub pants at work have been getting increasing looser so I'm going to call that progress. Now I just can't wait until I'm finally over this cold/flu funk I've had the last two weeks and I can start hitting the gym again. Hopefully I'll start seeing some even better results. But this bathing suit on the left is the one I decided to treat myself to. Whenever I get a new suit I try to pick a color that I don't currently have, so this year green is my go to color. I love the combination of stripes 

and polka dots. Plus I love the removable straps that make this a bandeau top because I despise tan lines so I always try to lay out in strapless tops. Otherwise I end up untying the top of my bathing suit and I'm always scared I'm going to sit up and forget that its untied! But because I don't like going to social outings (pool parties or beach) in strapless tops, I also got a second top in the same green polka dots that is a halter (see right) for more secure control over the girls. Hey, when you've got my curves its something you've always got to consider!

This last favorite thing is just a fun picture I came across yesterday during my daily People Mag Online stalking. Pictures of a baby pygmy hippo from South Africa named Prince Harry. I love pygmy hippos because they always look like they're smiling and are much less scary than their much larger cousins. So please allow Prince Harry to brighten your rainy Saturdays!

Source

Love,
KayCee

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

The moment I'd been waiting for finally happened at 12:04 am on Friday...the first scene of The Hunger Games appeared on the movie screen. I was in one of 20 sold out showings at my local theatre and my friends were finally admitting to me that I was right for wanting to show up to the theatre 2 hours prior to the show starting. And I have to say...it was all worth it. There was so much they did right and so many scenes were shot to perfection...from the reaping in District 12 to that first fight at the Cornucopia at the beginning of the games, they really brought to life the world that Suzanne Collins wrote about in her trilogy.

HOWEVER, being a true fan of the the novels, I have to lament a few things that I thought were lacking. (Spoilers included below for those who have not read the book or seen the movie!!)

First, this is a fight to the death. Twenty-four teenagers enter a fight for their lives and 22 of them die horribly. I understand that this was a PG-13 movie (and rightfully so since the book is largely aimed at a young adult audience) but I felt as though the violence and deaths were actually glossed over. All of the violent fighting scenes were filmed almost in flashes, with just fast glimpses of what was happening. There is nothing about this that was wrong, but I felt like it cheapened the horror of the experience and, for those who had not read the book, I felt as though the trauma was glossed over. It's not that I wanted or needed more blood or gore, but I wanted to feel the wastefulness of this loss of life more than I did.

Secondly...Rue. The book took such pains to explore Rue's innocence and the world she came from. Her intelligence in foraging through the games and her passion for music. Reading the book, all you wanted to do is wrap this child up in your arms and protect her. I didn't feel as though the movie took enough time establishing Rue's background or why Katniss felt such a kinship with her (she reminded her of Prim). Again, I felt the death was rushed though. And while I was glad it showed Katniss's 'burial' of Rue and her signal to District 11, I missed  the explanation that her burial was supposed to be a slap in the face of the Capitol. Also, when I reread the book a few weeks ago, I got most emotional at the point when District 11 sent Katniss bread to thank her for Rue's tribute. This is where in the books she signals to District 11 and thanks them. So of course I was sad that part was missing. However I will say, I got a little emotional in the movie when it showed the rioting in District 11 after Rue's death and Katniss's gesture, so that made up for it a little for me.

And lastly...Katniss and Peeta's relationship. This is one of the most complicated aspects of the book so of course I was not surprised that I felt too much of it was left out in the movie. I loved their back story in the book...how he purposefully burned bread and risked punishment from his mom just to feed Katniss when they were young. They did a good job showing this in the movie, but I wish they had elaborated more on how desperate she was at the time and how much he risked doing this for her before they even knew each other. Also, until the point where she finds Peeta hurt towards the end of the Games, Katniss does not believe Peeta actually has feelings for her and thinks he's just playing the game and working against her. Finally when she does give in to the fact that his feelings are real, she only returns those feelings as part of strategy at Haymitch's prompting. She does care about him as a friend but she's confused and just trying to make it through the Games alive. Once the Games conclude she tries to take a step back and revert back to just being friends but realizes she has to keep the charade up to basically keep the Capitol from coming after her and Peeta. And when Peeta realizes this he is extremely hurt and angry. I guess after this long paragraph, what I'm basically trying to say is that I felt the movie too easily simplified Katniss and Peeta's relationship and I was sad to also lose the dynamics that almost all of Katniss's motivation in her behavior towards Peeta was intuiting what Haymitch wanted from her. And to oversimplify their relationship, to me, is to cheapen it. 

Honestly, I really did enjoy the movie. The fact that I'm picking on the small details says two things...a) the book was just so good that no movie depiction can actually compare and b) they obviously did most of it right if the main things I find wrong is just not elaborating enough. They hit all the important points, they told the story, and they set up the sequel perfectly. I'm anxious to see it again and see if and how my opinion changes.

Love,
KayCee

A moviegoer dressed as Effie at the Hunger Games premiere

Four Leaf Clovers and Other Irish Things

I celebrated St. Patrick's Day for the very first time this year. I'm part Irish (you may or may not be able to tell...but once you see my redheaded sister you will have no doubt) so I don't really have an excuse for this, but considering I abstain from all carbonated drinks, green beer has just never had a particular allure for me. But this year it fell on a Saturday, I happened to have a three day weekend with no major plans, and I had a green dress hanging in my closet (see above) so I felt as if the stars had finally aligned. I spent the earlier part of the eve at a bar-b-que at my roommate's parent's house in Orlando, stuffing my face with delicious food and acquiring an adequate buzz and then we headed downtown to meet some friends. We frequented some really random bars and my night ended sitting on a curb outside of Corona Cigar Bar drinking riesling and discussing fantasy novels with my friend Donny. I love how excited some guys get when they realize I love fantasy. Yes, I do have some more mainstream and occasionally girly tastes that run towards the Harry Potter/Twilight/Buffy the Vampire Slayer end of the spectrum, but I love the more nerdy Lord of the Rings/Game of Thrones fantasy worlds as well. From vampires and demons, to theology and mythology based stories, to the recent fad of dystopian societies (i.e. Hunger Games and Divergent), I can hold my own in a fantasy discussion with the best of them. One day I will make it to Comic Con and my life will probably be complete. And I am secure enough in my femininity to say that. After a relatively low-key evening as nights out in downtown Orlando go, I came back to Tampa today and spend the afternoon doing one of my favorite activities: lounging at the pool (see below). I am not a naturally tan person by nature (as is plainly shown) but if I continue to be able to work on it at least twice a week, I'm hoping to be able to get there. Though my "work" days may have to switch to week days...the pool is decidedly less zen when there are about a dozen screaming, running, and splashing kids constantly circling. God bless school days and me not having to work those days!

In others news...I got my one-year annual review at work this week. They like me! They really, really like me! I've always gotten along well at jobs in the past but I've often found that my work style has not always meshed well with my management's style. I feel like on 9A, and in nursing in general, I've finally found a career that my personality and autonomy will thrive in. Not only are they happy with my performance the last year, but they want me to further my education, become more involved on the floor, and take on more responsibility. On one hand its a little scary, but its also very exciting. I'm already Kristen, RN, BSN...am I ready to add clinical ladder, official preceptor, charge nurse, and possibly MSN to the list? I guess 2012 is the year to find out!

Love,

KayCee

Weekend in Review

Easily one of the best things about my job is that I only work 3 days a week. There's a lot of negatives to counter that, which include often having to work weekends or holidays, but being free to do absolutely anything my heart desires 4 days a week on the regular is certainly a blessing. Rarely do those 4 days occur in a row but this weekend I managed to have 4 consecutive days off and fun plans scheduled for every one of those days.

Thursday was one those fantastically lazy days that just take their time and roll by slowly. I spent the afternoon participating in one of my favorite free-day activities: reading and surfing in the internet at Starbucks. After spending a good 3 hours there finishing my book and people-watching, I went home to clean up a little and spent the evening walking around downtown Tampa enjoying some new company and trying a wine bar I'd never been to before. Perfect refreshing day.

Friday I was a bit more productive. I begun spring cleaning around the house and managed to clear out and organize a few problem areas that had been getting on my nerves; in particular two sets of shelves in my closet, my sock drawer (hey - I like fun socks!), my bathing suits, and my shorts. I must admit that one of my favorite things about clearing all that out is knowing I have a decent excuse to go out and buy more fuzzy socks and bathing suits, ha. 

That evening I gathered my good friend Diana and 3 of my favorite girls from work and we had a night out in Soho. I love my friends at work, but when we're there we're all wearing pajamas (i.e. scrubs) and have our hair back and little-to-no make-up and are varying degrees of fun depending on how taxing our patients are that day. So I absolutely love having Nurses Night Out every now and again and getting to see us look presentable and let loose with a few drinks and great conversation. 

Me, Kiersten, Laurin, and Tiffany at MacDinton's

Saturday the weather was gorgeous so I was determined to do something outside. The pool was the original plan but then I learned that the first annual Gasparilla Music Festival was being held in downtown Tampa. So I spent the afternoon drinking possibly the biggest lemonade I'd ever seen, sitting outside soaking up the sun, and listening to all sorts of live bands play. Even tried some organic nachos with black beans and pulled pork that were delicious! Add some good company and it was pretty much the perfect spring afternoon. 

Today was a busy day. First of all it is my dad's birthday and he turns the big 6-0!! So happy birthday Daddy!! After growing up in a very masculine, sports-oriented home, he grew up to, alas, have only daughters. And as he likes to tell it "even a female dog!" So to honor him on his birthday, here is a pic of him being a saint, yet again, surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and our friends on his way to attend a Taylor Swift concert.

Since I couldn't be with my family today which had originally been the plan, I decided to spend part of the afternoon with one of my other families: some of my good friends from my accelerated nursing program. There was a group of 7 of us that were particularly close during that year and a half and 5 of us regularly try to get together when we can. So every couple months I try to make it back to Orlando to catch up with everyone. So much has already happened. Last summer one of them got married and this April another one is due to have her first baby! These girls were such a blessing to me during that time in my life and I really want to continue to put in the time and forethought to continue relationships with them in the future. 

And finally, I have to end with one other particularly exciting piece of news that happened today: FLORIDA STATE WON ITS FIRST ACC CHAMPIONSHIP IN BASKETBALL!! We went into the game ranked #17 and beat the North Carolina Tar Heels (ranked #4) 85-82. I am so completely proud of my Seminoles!! I believe I may be watching March Madness this year!

Now back to the grind tomorrow. But after this weekend, I really can't complain :)

Love,
KayCee

Sunny Days

It's days like today that remind me why I'm so happy to live in Florida. The weather lately has been just breathtaking. Sunny, breezy, 80 degrees. I get to look out my window and see this:

Instead of looking out my window and seeing what I saw last week when I was visiting Indiana. That looked like this:

The only downside to the gorgeous weather is me being an idiot and thinking that because its only March, I don't need to bathe in sunscreen before heading out to the pool. Which unfortunately led to a rather angry sunburn. Is it wrong that thats just another thing I love about living in Florida?

In other news, my Mexican lasagna turned out perfectly last week! It was a Weight Watchers recipe already but I actually took some measures to make it even healthier. The leftovers were just as good as the initial product and lasted me through three days of lunches. You can't ask for much more than that! Here is my beauty right out of the oven

Happy weekend everyone!

Love,

KayCee