Graduation Photo Dump

I am officially a college graduate! Well, not officially, because I have to wait until AUGUST for my diploma, but whatever. I participated in the ceremony, therefore, in my eyes, I am a college graduate.
It makes me kind of sad to be done, now that it's over. I feel like a whole part of my life is over. Most of mine and Dakota's relationship took place in college. Now that it's over, we will be spending far less time together. But really, we aren't one of those couples that are together 24/7. I will admit that I like to be home when he's home.. but I usually do my own thing. Anyways.
My graduation day started with lots of being lazy. We were both off  for the day, so we slept in. We went shopping. And then, I got my hair done. First time dying (erm, bleaching) in four years! My appointment was made for 1 PM to allow time to do everything, but my stylist didn't realize I didn't have any dye in my hair. The bleaching took like 20 minutes. Also, I didn't realize my hair was soooo long until Christina posted these pictures on Instagram later. I love her. If you are ever in the area, stop by and see her! She is seriously the best.Check out her Instagram of all the cool stuff she does! I really want some bright colors in my hair already. And its been blonde less than a week haha.
And what is really cool is she just left my natural hair the color it was.. so that it will grow out better than if she had dyed my hair darker. 

(Image Credit: Christina Steelman)
And she curled it for my graduation.. these curls lasted til after I got home.. like 10 PM. My hair is notorious for letting go of curls. But those stuck. Now I need to figure out how to use a curling iron.. Dakota loved it curled. (I use it and nothing happens. No curl. Tutorials, anyone, for dummies??) 

(Image Credit: Christina Steelman)
Close up of the color transition.. this is Ombre, folks! I love it!

(Image Credit: Christina Steelman)

And after waiting TWO HOURS for instructions, the graduation commenced, and I managed to find my parents afterward... (it was a MADHOUSE!) Forgive the cheesy smiles that will commence.....

My dad pretending to be short like us...

I obviously did NOT get the tall gene.


My mom wanted a picture with just us... :)




And of course one of my man and me.... First picture together in a long, long time. I definitely need to get in front of the camera more!

And here I am with my big smile..officially a college graduate!

Well, that's all folks. I'm done with college. Time to be an adult I guess.

But what if all I really want is a Capri-Sun and a fort with some coloring books?

Growing up is scary. But so exciting to start a new phase in my life!

Friday Letters

Happy Friday Ya'll!
Source

(Have you noticed that I have been on a ya'll kick lately?  It's strange. I am a California girl through and through!)
Are you excited for the weekend?! I totally am! I am having a Pampered Chef party tomorrow! I am totally spoiled on Pampered Chef. No, I don't cook? Is that important? ;) And it is also my town's fall festival! There will be great kettle corn, tacos, and fun to be had! And its in walking distance of my house! 
Okay, enough exclamation points. But I am excited. 
Now onto my letters for the week...
Dear Dakota, I am really going to miss you next week. Especially since you are vacation on my busiest week of my whole year. But I guess I will forgive you. :P Dear Fall Festival, I get so excited for you every year. And this year it won't be so hot! I am looking forward to getting some kettle corn! And watching the boy scouts walk their rope! Dear Cats, I love when you cuddle up with me at night before Dakota comes home. He says you are cold. He lies. You love me. Dear Attendees Next Week, I really am looking forward to meeting you all for the first time. It will be nice to put a face to the voice. Just bear with me if I have a mental breakdown. Dear School, I can't wait for you to be over this semester. It's horrible, but I am just ready to dedicate 100% of my time to Waterman. Dear Sleep, I miss you. We get farther apart every week. But we will spend some quality time together this weekend. I promise. Dear Dakota, I am so glad you get off early tonight! Time to play Mario Party and drink! :) 
I hope you all have a GREAT Friday. Keep your heads up and show the world who's boss. I am going to definitely try myself!
Later today I am going to post a survey about what I should teach ya'll tomorrow. Stay tuned! 
Linking up with Adventures of Newlyweds

Pet Profile : Loki

Ugh. So I COMPLETELY messed up my blog design. It was going to be so pretty. I will get around to fixing it. But right now, I remembered that I hadn't yet introduced you to Loki, (I am a bad blogger - we got him in June...)  so I figured I would do a little profile on my crazy but cute, and often dog-like kitten, now that we know him a little better.
Name: Loki Gender: Male Age: 5 or 6 months? Reason behind the name: Named after my favorite villain, although this could have been my downfall. Considering Loki is the god of mischief and all. Appearance: Grey with dark grey stripes on his body and part of his tail.  Usual Temperment: Hyper.  Mischevious. (Wait did I say that already? Because its TRUE) But can be very loving when he senses we are upset. Hobbies: Climbing curtains, hiding under the shower curtain for no apparent reason, pushing his toys under the stove, or drowning them in his water dish, tormenting our other cat Scooter and then wondering why she chases him, attacking my hair, attacking walls, etc. Favorite spot in the house: Under the in table outside of our kitchen. Scooter can't get him  under there.    More (and pictures!) after the jump!

Currently

Before we get to today's regular scheduled programming, I wanted to show this off: 

It's not my degree, but it shows I'm  almost done! Just a semester to go! Plus now I have something else to hang on my cubicle at work. My work has been very great about me going to school, and I wanted to show them that it wasn't in vain! Sorry, had to toot my own horn a little bit! So excited to be almost done!
Because I have been such a bad blogger lately, I figured I would let you know what I have been up to lately in my little world.  I am currently:

Cooking - Not much yet, but I have been going through my cookbooks to find Dakota approved food. I think Pulled Pork is first on my list. It's Dakota approved, and it is in the crock pot! Plus it is one of my favorites. Dakota told me that he wants to start eating better, so I am ready to help him try! Problem is finding foods he likes!

 Reading - Lots and lots of blogs. Just because I haven't been writing doesn't mean I'm not involved. I love reading what you all are up to. It's like a daily ritual for me. I am trying not to be a lurker either, I am trying to engage with the blogs I read. It's difficult but blogging is a community, and I want to be a bigger part of it. Plus I always need more friends.

Wishing - To be home with my love. It is so hard to get up and leave him every day to come to work. Bed is too comfortable to leave it at 4:30 AM. It is ridiculous. Some days I want to call in sick. But then I would just be at home worrying about all the things not getting done. I am addicted.

Considering - Finding some graphic designers to interview, because I have been thinking, and Graphic Design is a field that we all have the same goal (great design) but we all have different occupations. I for one work for a manufacturer, so I design for the same company every day. Others work for themselves, and I want to know more of what their experiences are. Is that something ya'll would read?

Looking for - Some time in my schedule to go clothes shopping. I hate it, but it is a necessary evil. Shopping and I have renewed our relationship since I came to terms with my clothing size and feel more comfortable in the clothes I buy. But its hard. In my mind I'm still the size 7 girl I was not that many years ago. Just more incentive to eat at home rather than eating out! And I am taking a PE class this semester, so I hope to improve my eating and work out habits. Is  this something you struggle with?

Happy Thursday!

Disconnecting and Unwinding

So, you may have noticed that I have been a bad blogger lately.
Or maybe you haven't. Who knows.
Anyway, I have just been overwhelmed. Burned out. Tired.
In need of a huge glass of wine.
I needed a break.

Luckily, Dakota's annual trip to the mountains was coming up. So I decided to take a day off and join him for a night (he was gone for a WEEK! Four years together and I still miss him like crazy when he's gone!)
And by golly, I am so glad I went. It was nice to not have cell phone reception and not have to be anywhere, or really have to do anything except laugh, hang out, read, and spend some much needed quality time with my beau.
The mountain air felt amazing. I can't wait for cold weather.

Dakota and I took a few walks together, just the two of us, and talked. It was, for lack of a better word, awesome. Definitely plan on going again later in the season, and next year.

I think in our world today, we are too focused on productivity, getting things done, and being the best that we can be all. the. time.

I think that is a noble goal, but we are only human. Our bodies can only take so much abuse. And mine was about to give out. My mini-vacation came at a great time.

My advice to you on this Monday, is take the time to relax. Turn off your cell phone. Give your loved ones a nice big hug. It feels great.

Your body will thank you for it.

And, because you have been so good, here are some pictures from my trip (my camera battery was dying - I forgot the spare! :() I didn't get that many because I finally got a good stiff drink..or two.....











Happy Monday!

To my future self

Dear future self,

I hope you are doing well.

I hope you still cuddle up to Dakota and try to ignore the alarm.
I hope you still let him cook the bacon.
I hope you still love the way his hair smells.
I hope he still holds you tighter when you cry.
I hope you still put your forehead against his and watch the way his eyes smile.

On the other hand, if you have any of these things, I know you will be just fine.