La Vita è Ordinariamente Bella

CLICK HERE! For all things smelly (in a good way)!

2009-08-18T22:11:00.005-04:00

I don't blog anymore. I don't know why...But, check out my friend Rachael's new blog about her AWESOME Scentsy business!

Where are you Christmas? Oh, hello there you are!

2008-12-25T04:43:00.002-05:00

It's December 23rd, everyone is out with self-prescribed mad driving to cure the cabin fever. I someone who is stuck, they have three people out of their cars pushing the vehicle out of the ice-mess. Wow, how nice there are a few people in this country who still take a moment out of their busy schedule to help out a stranger. Then, I see it again down the road...and again, and again. Then, it's me stuck this time and sure enough, people pile out of the cars behind me to get my little PT Cruiser out of a slush-trap. I start to realize...this isn't a few people, this is my entire town. Now, don't get upset if you grew up in a wonderful town on the east coast or swear by your midwest upbringing. But, people on the west coast are nicer, more friendly, and all around cooler. Period.
Next day:
So, I'm running late to Christmas Eve Mass, and sure enough there is a woman sitting in her car in the middle of my route. I beep out a little curious honk, you know the one that says are you in trouble or just daydreaming? She leans out, shrugs her shoulders and looks very confused as to what she can do. So, I get out and try my best to get her unstuck (fully clad in my new dress, mind you). She was able to move out of the way and we both ended up backing out of the street and taking a detour. By the time I got to church, I was twenty minutes late and counting. Combine that with the complete lack of parking within a good mile and I decide that God can forgive me. On my way home, I pass my favorite restaurant here, Gino's Seafood & Steak. Charlie and I like to go there when we have a little extra money. Then, I turn around. Who says that I can't have a good Christmas Eve dinner just because I am alone? So, I stroll up to the hostess counter and say "Hi, just one, just me!" And she beams a great smile and says, want to come sit with me?" Well, sure. Turns out she was the bartender and I sat at the bar for a good hour eating chicken cannelloni, rustic bread with oil/vinegar, a garden salad and currant/cinnamon bread pudding a la mode. It was heavenly. My company was very lovely, small talk and commenting back and forth on the local news we were watching. By the time I got home, I had learned that Chai was also invited to Christmas at a friends tomorrow, so I have her a haircut for the first time, a bath and made her try on her elf costume. The rest of my evening has consisted of a heartwarming call from Charlie, lots of Christmas music, decorating cutout cookies and tracking Santa on Google Earth! I think I will go make some hot cocoa and get some rest, let some sugar plums do a number in my head....
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. Remember to carry the holiday spirit with you throughout the year and never hesitate to share it with a stranger...

SocialVibe

2008-12-23T05:42:00.001-05:00

check out this site. pretty cool

If I stay on the computer until 5 am...

2008-12-22T05:52:00.002-05:00

I may as well blog, right? Well, so far Washington is pretty amazing. I am making some really sweet friends and am ever so grateful for each one of them. I will start to post more regularly on here now that I have somewhat of a routine going on. (I know I always say that, I mean it this time!)
Watch for updates about my new business Barista Cakery.
Talk to you all soon enough....

2008-12-16T04:32:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, 19 years ago...the coolest person EVER, was born

2008-09-17T13:25:00.003-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEE!!!!

Cleaning

2008-09-02T12:59:00.002-04:00

I never realized how disgusting my house was. Dust, dirt, grime everywhere. I can't believe how much I pay in rent for this dump. On a much brighter note, I get to move in 3 weeks....WHOAH 3 weeks. I should probably pack a little faster!
I just can't wait to go find a job, and a house, and friends!!! I also get to see my family and friends on our way to WA, very exciting.
Oh, and my birthday is in 2 weeks. Ikea or Target gift cards, please and thank you : D

Can I just say...

2008-08-29T23:27:00.002-04:00

That life sometimes sucks, and it's really not fair. I don't understand why people who still have so much left to give the world get knocked down by disease, and accidents, and pain.
It is just not fair. I don't get it and I never will. Everything "happens for a reason." Well, some people find peace in that, but right now there is a family I love very much that doesn't deserve the cards they've been dealt.
All I can do is pray, and remind them how much I love them. And, trust that God knows SO much more than I do.
But still....Can I just say, ummm, sometimes stuff is really f'ing crappy.

My talented siblings...

2008-08-26T00:43:00.001-04:00

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Ghetto Superstars

2008-08-24T22:29:00.001-04:00

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My Love Affair with Apple

2008-08-20T16:53:00.002-04:00

For almost a year, my CD/DVD drive has been useless. The track pad and pretty much entire keyboard area has been discolored. For the last 4 months, my battery has been dead.
Why so long, I couldn't see myself function without my dear Giovanna (yes, she has a name).
So, I finally left my damaged, "well loved" MacBook in Providence, RI last Sunday.
Guess what? She arrived this morning looking brand new. I nearly wept with joy. I caressed the power button without plugging in to a power source...oh, my, did she light up. gently let the drive take my Cobra Starship CD....oh, yes, she played the sweet sounds! Her pure and glistening body showed few blemishes....Giovanna was born again my friends.
And that, is why I have a secret love affair with Apple. But, don't worry...my husband does too.

WOOHOO!

2008-08-06T23:20:00.003-04:00

HI EVERYONE!

I just found out that I am a finalist in a YouTube contest! If I win, I will get a 3 day/2 night trip to the GOP National Convention and a day on the campaign trail with John McCain!
Vote and tell your friends! This would be an incredible opportunity and set an awesome example for all military spouses and let them know that they can make a difference too!

Visit: www.youtube.com/GOPconvention2008

My YouTube username is MmmMetamucil.
This is not the first time that I have regretted letting my friend Melaina pick out my username. Haha.

VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!

Thanks guys!
Love, Karysa

Human Race 10K

2008-07-24T14:22:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Today I registered for the Nike+ Human Race 10k. When you register, Nike has you choose one of three charities to support through your run. It was tough to decide, but I went with the UN Refugee Agency's Nine Million program. The goal of this program is to provide 9 mill. kids accessible education and athletics programs by 2010. How awesome is that? As Americans, we are blessed to live in a country where we do not have to fear our lives every day. Sure, everyone complains about the economy and high gas prices blah blah blah (Hey, I do it too, I'm no Mother Theresa). But, could you even imagine being in a situation where you are so deeply persecuted and mistreated that you had no other choice but to flee your home and all you've ever known? We have freedom of speech, of press, of assembly! There are so many people in this world who can't even mention their political beliefs and here in the US we have the freedom to VOTE, to choose a party...and then change our minds! Guys, we are so stinking blessed.
I HATED RUNNING growing up. My dad told me, "Karysa, the only time you have to run is when there's danger." We laughed about that "rule" a lot. But the truth is, there are millions and millions of people in danger right now. The least I can do is run for them, so that maybe...they won't have to run from danger anymore.
I pledged 10 miles so far. If I can raise $500, I'll pledge another 10.

Visit: ninemillion.org
...if it moves you....
PLEDGE!

Thanks for taking the time to hear my shouts from the soap box. If you can't support my run monetarily, I would greatly appreciate your prayers and your voter registration! Take some time to enjoy your freedoms today...there are lots of awesome people that protect them (and one of them happens to be quite the handsome fella' hehe).

Fad Diet Tips

2008-07-21T06:33:00.002-04:00

1.If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

2.If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are cancelled out by the diet soda.

3.When you eat with someone else, calories don't count if you don't eat more than they do.

4.Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER count, such as hot chocolate, brandy, toast and Sara Lee Cheesecake.

5.If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.

6.Movie related foods (Milk Duds, Buttered Popcorn, Junior Mints, Red Hots, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) do not have additional calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

7.Cookie pieces contain no fat-- the process of breaking causes fat leakage.

8.Things licked off knives and spoons have no calories if you are in the process of preparing something. Examples are peanut butter on a knife making a sandwich and ice cream on a spoon making a sundae.

9.Foods that have the same color have the same number of calories. Examples are: spinach and pistachio ice cream; mushrooms and white chocolate. NOTE: Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other food color.

10.Foods that are frozen have no calories because calories are units of heat. Examples are ice cream, frozen pies, and Popsicles.

11. Foods eaten while watching a major event on television do not count. Major events include: Superbowl, Hockey Finals, Indy 500, Jerry Springer show.

12. Powerbars and other type energy bars make you thinner. In all my years of exercising (at least three times a year) I have only seen thin people eating energy bars. Ergo (therefore) they must make you thin.

13. Snickers is the same as an energy bar (see #12)

14. Tasting other people's food does not add to your calorie count.

15. Containers of food that list the number of servings as greater than one are lying. Every container includes one serving. Half gallon of ice cream, box of cereal, bottle of soda, bag of chips are all one serving.

These made me giggle. I found them on FadDiets.Com

I would also like to add my own personal tips/truths...
16. If you eat something and don't like it, it doesn't count.
17. Calories don't count while on your period.
18. Anything consumed with coffee doesn't add to caloric intake, the caffeine boosts your metabolism. Make sure your sip to bite ratio is equal.
19. If you eat comfort food while watching a Lifetime movie, Extreme Home Makeover, or anything that features animals or nice people dying...The process of producing and expelling tears burns all the calories.
20. Whipped cream, marshmallows, fluffy frosting, and puff pastries are mostly air, and are actually good for you.

CSR #3 (Online)

2008-07-17T11:25:00.002-04:00

It was Westwinds. Obviously it was awesome. I like going to church on my couch and in my jammies. I really like be able to go potty and church at the same time. My dog got to go to church. I ate breakfast in church and IM'd in church. If I wanted, I could go to church in house, with a mouse. Or, maybe outside, with my wifi. In a box with a fox...and a bagel with lox. I like church online, I like it just fine.

Dancing Pros

2008-07-16T23:00:00.000-04:00

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Release tension through your toes...

2008-07-11T11:55:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to do yoga for some time now. I think the first time I tried it was 7th grade....I had just finished sleeping over at my friend Karly's house and her and Natalie were inside. I stepped out back to the poolside because, "sorry ladies, I have to do my yoga now." I remember not long after that Natalie said she thought I was weird and a lesbian for doing yoga. Oh, the ideas 7th grade girls come up with. I didn't have a clue in hell I was doing. Stretching my body and touching my toes, looking at the sky and breathing deeply, feeling the sweet Cali sunshine (don't cry for me California). I guess this is when I first became interested in meditation too. I used to lay in bed at night trying to picture a beach or a candle flickering. I would repeat mantras, Bible verses, quotes. I read books on finding your inner goddess and even made a shrine to myself in the corner of my bedroom with candles and a journal (thanks mom for letting that cluttered corner go for the week it lasted). I attempted to feng shui my room and make sure I never hid anything that would sprout bad memories under my bed, in order to get peaceful sleep (some things did sprout mold though). I was a vegan for a couple years and did reports in school on detox diets.I kicked bad habits like eating junk food, smoking, insert vice here; I even stopped drinking caffeine for umm a few hours. It seems I've been trying to purify my mind and body for some time now.
Two nights ago my husband and I spent some time in Borders. I looked through the shelves of yoga dvd's and thumbed through several books. Finally, I settled on the bargain book/dvd package. The yoga instructer featured in my little package has been doing yoga for 13 years and couldn't even touch her toes when she started. It was that or the "get a yoga body now!" route and I just couldn't see the lady on the cover helping me relax at all. So, this morning I popped that dvd in and hit play. Then, my dog attacked me and my husband started unloading the dishwasher. I tried to ignore it, but when they both started watching me...I told them it wasn't a spectator sport and turned the darn dvd off. I promised not to quit and to do it when Charlie left for work. So, he walked out the door, I turned off TLC and switched to dvd mode. Willy went in his room and I plopped criss-cross-applesause in front of the television.
The next half hour consisted of several poses and lots of concentrated breathing. I LOVED it. I ended the session with releasing my tension through my toes...
Ahh, perfect timing the hubby is home for lunch.
See you later alligators...I'll share more soon

CSR #2 (Roman Catholic)

2008-07-10T00:50:00.002-04:00

Alright...Due to an AWESOME trip to NYC last weekend, I am just now reviewing church from the previous weekend.
This one was really small, set in the chapel of the local Catholic school. There was a really awesome and understandable NOT boring message. Yes, the guy was still old (I think it's a Catholic thang) but he was cool old : D
The organist played very well and the alter girl that actually was a boy made me giggle towards the end when he spoke. Poor kid.
I would go back, definately a good place for young families and such. But, it still doesn't seem to "fit" quite right. We'll see what this weekend holds.

CSR #1 (Roman Catholic)

2008-06-27T14:58:00.003-04:00

The first thing I notice was the beautiful older building (a la early 60's brick).
Next, I notice all the old people. Not cool old people....just OLD people.
There was a blood pressure clinic that day with a long line....
I find Catholic traditions beautiful. And despite the church music I grew up with...I rather enjoy hymns.
But, the woman singing made me laugh. Dad, I blame this one on you--I can't go to a church without really analyzing the music. She sounded like "that one girl in choir class." You know the one? Thinks she sings way better than you, trying to impress the teacher too much, over-poised and perfect latin-esque trills and rolls? YUCK.
The priest was from India. He reminded my of every customer care call I've ever made. That's horrible and so NOT PC...but hey, this looks like a job for me...'cause we all need a little controversy....
Some old (duh) guy did ask my hubby to help with the offering (he claims it was his military bearing but I blame it on the ugly golf shirt he loves so much). He did an excellent job carrying the baskets on poles and taking old people's money.
Any nice comments? Umm...they were worshiping God : D
OH! and comfy pews.

Needless to say.....

Church #1----No way jose.

Next PLEASE....

Hello, World--Sorry I was away so long...

2008-06-27T14:40:00.003-04:00

A few short updates (AKA the last 2 months of my life consisted of this crap):

-I had to "quit" my job after being the victim of an incident currently under investigation.
-Now, I work M-F babysitting four kids (8-G,4-B,2-G,1-B)...yeah, yikes. But, I love it.
-I have decided to pursue a degree in the fall, most likely for social work/child psychology
-Project "Find a Church We Like" has begun....Oh, boy.
-I actually have time to READ again
-I went to Arizona : )
-My husband is kicking A-School booty and I'm so proud!!! We'll be out of here by the end of September

I promise, I'll never leave you all again for so long....
I just had my world flipped a little upside down the past few weeks.
Look forward to my church-search-reviews (I'll call them my CSR's) hehe...

2008-04-09T23:56:00.000-04:00

Sleep

2008-04-09T22:27:00.001-04:00

I took a nap from 4-8. Now I'm not tired. I hate when that happens. No more waking up early....please. Is it the weekend yet?

2008-04-07T22:05:00.002-04:00

Life is hectic and overwhelming. My new nike's and ipod nano come this week. Yay Ebay. I'm stressed. No time to blog. Praying for people I love (and those I don't I guess : ) )

Happy St. Patty's

2008-03-17T01:01:00.005-04:00

I've been a horrible blogger. Here are some random updates until I can write a real entry.

Well, work is going fantastically. I stand for 6 hours straight, 5 days a week. Ugh. But, I work with some pretty interesting people; it passes the time. I would like to say that I have black nails with green polka dots and shamrocks. Thanks Bobby Jo. I would also like to point out that I am being green this St. Patty's by RECYCLING. Ah ha. Couldn't resist. I made a construction paper leprauchan which, Willy apparently found frightening as he barked at it all night.
I started my first oil painting today. I will post a picture when I'm done.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELAINA! (My ex-roomie is the big two-one today)

Monday

2008-03-10T19:38:00.002-04:00

I started work today. You would not believe the pile of paperwork I had to fill out to work with coffee. I can no longer participate in any suspicious or questionable political activity. So, don't even ask. Okay?
It was a very enjoyable first day. My boss is laid back and hilarious. I get as much free coffee as I want. The brownies taste like what I imagine the chocolate river in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory tastes like. Speaking of Willy (nice segue, eh?) he is starting to get on my nerves. He bites everything. Does Super Nanny work with dogs?

Home is Where the Heart Is

2008-03-09T20:16:00.003-04:00

I finally realized what this means. My books arrived with the rest of our belongings this weekend. I put them in alphabetical order on a shelf. They look so beautiful.They're beckoning me to crack them open, devour each word. Read, reread, reread again. Now don't get me wrong, my husband has my heart and home will always be where he is. But, my books....my art supplies....my sewing machine....they give me permission to express my heart. I'm glad they're in my house. I'm glad my house is my home. I'm glad my heart is mine.
I start my new job tomorrow. I'll become a government employee (working in the coffee shop on the Navy base). Join me tomorrow for more rambling.

Oh happy day....

2008-03-06T17:03:00.004-05:00

The movers come tomorrow with our stuff. I am so freaking excited. Other updates: Willy's bark collar came today...I'm kind of tempted to test it out so I can know what I'm putting my dog through. Also, I decided to get my business up and running again. My Website

2008-03-05T13:49:00.006-05:00

Sitting and thinking about what I want to do is not as cool as doing it. But, I don't have a car....so, I made a video about doing it. Fair enough?

I Found Your Camera

2008-03-05T10:53:00.003-05:00

Alright, here's my contribution to Watercooler Wednesday.
I have been an huge fan of the community art project, Post Secret for a long time. Recently, I discovered a link via Post Secret that led me to the incredible I Found Your Camera blog. Have you ever been to a concert, and as you crowd surfed across the masses...your disposable camera slipped ever so gracefully to the ground....never to be seen again? Well, if I were more of a badass that may have happened to me too. And, if it did...I would hope the person who found it knew about this project. It was inspired by a Post Secret card, picturing a group of kids sitting at a table and reading, "I found your camera at Lollapalooza this Summer. I finally got the pictures developed & I'd love to give them to you." Some genious dude, Matt Preprost, sees this and starts a blog. He now responsible for tons of "Orphan Photos" finding their way home. Featured photos are from found cameras or memory sticks from all over the world. The internet's power, when put in the hands of artists, continues to amaze me. Check it out, maybe you'll find something familiar.

Mornings

2008-03-05T09:43:00.002-05:00

This morning was "one of those mornings." You know, the mornings you wake up with headache, remember your husband had duty and isn't there to kiss you good morning, ponder how weird and disturbing your nighmare was? And then, you go downstairs to take the puppy outside and he has destroyed one of your favorite posters, and peed everywhere? Then, he proceeds to throw up on your couch (Dear Lord, thank you for slipcovers, Amen)?
However, when I stepped outside to let Willy do his business, I realized how beautiful the morning is. I reminded myself to find the beauty in the ordinary. The fresh smell of last nights rain being warmed by the sun, the promise of a gorgeous afternoon. And even, the fact I was there for my puppy when he wasn't feeling well. Heck, the fact I HAVE a puppy, a couch for him to puke on and a home he can piss all over. That I HAVE a husband that, though he has to be away from home some nights, loves me unconditionally. So, I'm going to take a moment, open the mini-blinds, get a coffee warm up, and thank God for "one of those mornings."

Translation

2008-03-04T11:47:00.003-05:00

I want to take a moment to explain my blog title. Obviously Italian, "La vita è ordinariamente bella," translates into English "Life is ordinarily beautiful." I have always thought that beauty is most vibrant in simplicity. For instance, a flower sprung up in the middle of rubble. Or, a childs smile. A puppy's kiss...
Alright, I purposely picked cliche examples. It makes for a better challenge. Go find beauty in the ordinary, then tell me about it.