I've decided that after nearly four years of this blog, it's time to stop writing here.

I'm about to enter the teaching field, and while there isn't really anything incriminating or shocking on this blog, I still don't want students or co-workers to have the (minimal) chance of connecting this page with me. I guess I could go through all my old posts and delete photos and specific details that identify me, but I don't really have the energy. Besides, even the URL and title could help people identify me.

But don't worry -- I'll still be around! I'm going to keep this blog up, as I still want to have access to the links and stuff like that. Keep in touch, everybody!

-- Kat(i)e

Okay, okay... I guess it's time to update.

There have been a couple momentous events in my life as of late. First of all, last month, Reading had a huge flood. It rained across the East coast for days and days and days. I've never seen rain fall that heavily and steadily for such a long period of time. It was unnerving, really. Anyway, Reading got hit pretty hard, because of the river being right there. I'm working downtown this summer, so I got to see a lot of it first-hand. It was amazing and horrifying to see streets and properties I knew so well suddenly covered in several feet of murky water. Several blocks were evacuated, and many downtown businesses were closed on the day of the worst flooding. People gathered on the bridge, bringing children, grandchildren, pets and cameras; it was ironic how a disaster could make the city suddenly feel so alive and active. Of course I was one of the gawkers out on the bridge with my camera:

This flood wasn't as bad as Agnes in the 70s, but it still caused quite a bit of damage. The RACC campus, which is pictured above, sustained about $1 million in damage. The building where my mom teaches was hit the hardest. As I said, quite a few people had to leave their homes. I guess they're all back by now though. Things are pretty much back to normal by now, but I'm sure some buildings are still damp and pretty gross. There's still dirt and sludge in some of the parking lots.

About a week after the flood, I got the surprise of my life. On June 21, Bryan proposed to me after making me dinner for our fifth anniversary. I don't think I've stopped grinning since that day! The proposal was so romantic and heartfelt, and of course I bawled through his entire speech. We're planning the big day for sometime in 2008, but we're not sure exactly when yet. Once I graduate in December and he graduates in May, things will be easier to plan out. But for now, I'm just happy to stare at my shiny, shiny ring and grin like an idiot.

Earlier this month, Bryan and I had a nostalgia party -- an evening filled with games, food, toys, and TV shows from our childhood. It was truly one of the most fun nights of my life. We played Candyland, ate PBJ sandwiches, listened to 80s music, and watched hours and hours of my old Muppet Babies videos. We even planned a candy scramble and handed out goody bags as everyone left. It was so much fun to have college and high school friends together. Everyone had a great time. I'd love to do something like that again!

I can't believe it's the middle of July already. I have about a month left at the bank, and then I'm going to use the rest of August to write lesson plans and get ready for student teaching. I'm going to the beach with Bryan's family early in August, and I'm hoping to do a couple day trips with my family and my Jessica. It's nice that I don't have many definite plans for the next month, but I also don't want it to slip away too soon! I can't even think about Bryan going back to Maine yet. I just can't handle thinking about that right now!

"Just look at the ring... just look at the ring..."

Congrats to Christie on her graduation!

Wow, a whole month since I updated this thing? That's pretty pathetic. Honestly though, not a heck of a lot is new. I'm back at the bank, where they have now blocked Blogger, so I don't get much of a change to update anyway.

Bryan is home, and of course I'm thrilled. The trip to Maine went well, although I wish I had been able to see more of campus and the surrounding area. I had a good time though. And most of all, I'm just happy to be with him again. I finally feel relaxed and content. I haven't felt this good in months.

Again, I'm working at the bank again, which has now moved downtown. The new building is awesome, and my pay is even higher this year, but I miss Laura and Chrissy. The job itself was never fun, but they made my time there bearable. I miss laughing with them and slacking off together. Wandering the internet surreptitiously isn't as fun when you have to do it alone. Boo.

I haven't seen too many of my friends yet this summer. It seems like everybody is so busy this year. At first it seemed like Laura wouldn't be around at all this summer, but luckily, she's still at home, and we've been together quite a lot. Zach came home (well, "home") for a week earlier this month, and I actually got to see him twice while he was home! Yay!

I really, really miss my Jessica. I keep thinking of stupid stories or seeing weird things that make me think "ooh, I need to tell her about that when she gets home... oh right." It's just hard to believe we're never going to live together again. After seeing someone daily for four academic years in a row, it's really difficult to be apart from her. Hopefully I will see her sometime this week though, when I can finally give her her birthday presents!

This summer I need to read the books I'll be teaching in the fall, but I'm having a really tough time getting myself to do it. I know that sounds awful, considering I'm going to be an English teacher. But I get up at 6:30, in just enough time to get ready for work and leave. I can't read at work, except for maybe during my 10-minute break. By the time I get home and eat dinner, it's usually 6:00, and then by the time I take a shower and make lunch for the next day, it's close to 7:00 already. And really, I just want to spend the evenings with Bryan or my friends. It's hard to make myself sit down and read Jane Eyre, admittedly. I'm really going to try harder to fit it into my schedule though. I found some really interesting and fun teaching ideas online (for both Jane Eyre and Brave New World) and those have helped to motivate me a little.

Later this week is my fifth anniversary with Bryan. Five years! It's hard to believe. I feel like it was just yesterday that I sent him an email asking if he'd ever consider being more than friends, hehe. I couldn't be happier though. I wouldn't give up any of the days we've shared for anything in the world.

And with that, I shall return to watching the Phillies game with his family. I know this entry was pretty boring, but I haven't felt that witty lately. I think the bank saps my creative energy. I really do though! I can feel my brain cells depleting with every day. Can't beat the paycheck though!

Here I am in my room as most of my friends are graduating. It just struck me now that it's really over. I mean, the whole college "thing" for me is over. As tired as I am of this damn apartment and of classes, I'm not really ready to move home and leave campus and my friends behind. I know I'll still be in college, but it's not the same as living there! I'm going to miss the late-night drives around cow country, automatic coffee trips when classes are cancelled, movies with friends when we all should be studying, and the people I got used to seeing on campus every single day. Don't get me wrong -- I love my parents, but it just won't be the same. Other than Bryan, I don't even know who's going to be around at home this summer. I know I'll see some of my college friends periodically, but driving to see them isn't the same as them randomly stopping by my apartment for a visit. Ughhh.

I don't want it to be over.

The Fall Out Boy show at Hershey last night was pretty damn awesome. Unfortunately, Christie got sick, and I was really sad that she couldn't go. Jess and I had a great time though. Well, mostly.

We got there just in time for From First to Last, possibly the worst opening band I've ever heard. It was like auditory rape. The singer was probably the most unoriginal stage presence I've seen. We left the arena as soon as they were done because we couldn't take it anymore. We walked over to Chocolate World, which turned out to be closed (boooo), so we just sat outside instead.

We snuck onto the VIP deck for All-American Rejects, but the stupid security people made us leave before FOB. Boooo to that too. Our seats weren't terrible, but it was tough to see. Oh well. FOB played a high-energy set, and I danced my face off. It's so nice to see a band with real personality, because I think that's getting more and more rare these days. I wish they had played longer, but it's tough when they had four other bands on the bill! Highlight of the set:

Pete: "Okay, by a show of hands, how many of you have the internet?"
(Almost everyone raises their hands)
Pete: "And also by a show of hands, how many of you have seen me naked on the internet?"

Oh, Pete. How silly.

Due to a recent fall from a tree, Rolling Stone Keith Richards "could suffer brain damage."

...Professionals are worried about this just now?!

One week until the Raconteurs' first album comes out! I reeeeeally want it.

The more I read about Jack White, the more I love him. Yes, he's creepy and quirky, but that makes him all the more fascinating to me. His work is half music and half philosophy. I can't wait to hear the new album.

It's a logical progression, really.

Finals week equals stress. Stress is relieved by photos of adorable puppies. It's simple!

I seriously could spend hours posting various links, but I've limited myself to ten this time. Enjoy, and make sure you mop the drool off your keyboard when you're done.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight *sniff sniff*, nine, ten.

Check out Cute Overload next time you're bored. Plan for a few hours.

Days until I see Bryan: 7

I get to see his campus and meet his friends, too! Yaaay!!

Today was my first day back on a regular class schedule after four weeks of field experience. Already, I notice my shoulders are more tense and I feel more stressed out. Ugh, I didn't feel hassled and annoyed while I was teaching. Granted, it wasn't all goodness, but most of the time, I felt happy and like I was spending my time wisely. Now I just feel rushed and annoyed about completing worthless projects for classes I don't care about.

I just want to teach. No more taking classes for me. Nope.