Music in my life... Winter edition

It is time, my friends, to update you on the latest and greatest in music. If you will remember, I did two posts awhile back on my favorite songs at the time and as time passes, of course, new songs are introduced into my life.

I have been on a bit of a country kick lately but also still have some mad love for my alternative beats, while still secretly enjoying rap music as I always have. Here are my top ten favorite songs of wintertime that I hope you will find enjoyable as I have over the last couple of cold months:

(and as always, these are in no particular order)
1. Timing is Everything- Garrett Hedlund... One of the best songs from the "Country Strong" soundtrack, although the actual movie itself was not that good. A little fun fact about Mr. Hedlund... He is an MN native with a killer voice, and looks to match. Specifically his hometown is Roseau, MN, which is where my grandma Marian grew up. Interesting.

2. Pursuit of Happiness- Kid Cudi. The reason I am a fan of this guys music is because he doesn't just rattle at the mouth with dumb rap lyrics, he can sing but doesn't overdo it, and his lyrics actually make sense and are interesting. I have been a Kid Cudi fan for a long time, as Dusty introduced me to his music right around February of 2009, a few months after we started dating. Any music Dusty suggests is generally worth checking out, as a rule.

3. Don't Let Me Fall- B.o.B. Most people know this artist because of his hit summer tune, "Beautiful girls... all over the world..." however, if you check out his lesser known stuff, there is much much better material of his out there. This is one of my favorites, and also was introduced to me by Nicole, my friend who has just started a blog. If you want to listen to another good song of his, check out "Ghost in the Machine"

4. Love Only Knows- Josh Groban. Every year at Christmas, our extended family does a gift exchange and this year, I ended up with the Josh Groban CD, "Illuminations." The majority of this CD is perfect, but this song is my favorite because of his voice, the soft guitar at the beginning, and the lyrics along with it.

5. Dirt Road Anthem- Jason Aldean. LOVE THIS SONG! He even semi-raps in it, and he's a country artist!

6. Dosed- Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have rediscovered this song recently and forgot how much I love it. I'm not a huge Chili Peppers fan, but I do love this one.

7. Say It Ain't So- Weezer. A classic Weezer anthem that will never, ever, ever get old.


8. Colder Weather- Zac Brown Band. I told you I was on a country kick! I love this song, I love this band, I want to dance to "Free" at my wedding, but I want to listen this song whenever I am feeling down and out.

9. O Children- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. If you went to see the latest Harry Potter movie, you will remember this song from the scene where Hermione and Harry share a dance together in the tent. I really like this song and I like that it didn't skyrocket to obnoxious popularity the second the movie came out, like so many songs in movies do.

10. This technically is not a song. But it's a video of a guy... singing a song, a guy in love... You just have to watch it. Breaks my heart, but also makes me so happy.


That's all I got for now. More to come very shortly, as Spring is just around the corner and with it will come many more songs, I'm sure.

Postcards: what to do?

As I have explained here before, I have done quite a bit of traveling over the past year. I'm not the only one though... Remember that little adventurous roadtrip that my dear boyfriend Dusty took over the course of September? He has traveled a fair amount as well. One thing that I have never quite been a fan of is souvenirs. They take up space in your suitcase, they are often kind of junky, and I tend to lose such things. I do however want to take away some kind of memento from my various travels so I have begun to collect POSTCARDS. Small, easy to pack, and something to stow away.

One of the things I love to receive are letters of any kind. One of the things I appreciated about Dusty over the month of September? He sent PLENTY of postcards. Almost one from every city and state he visited! Never mind that I purchased the stamps as a going away present, he was good about sending them! Anyway, I just came across a bunch of old postcards from the eastern US, Europe, and now, Hawaii. Now I'm not quite sure what to do with all of them?

I have this empty space in my bedroom that I'm thinking about hanging the postcards?



Would that look tacky? I feel like spicing up my room a bit and I've thought of everything from stringing lights to rearranging my bed. I have always wanted to do something with my postcards so I'm thinking of buying a wire with little metal clips to hang?

Regardless, I really do love postcards as souvenirs. And I love to look back at the little messages written on the back. On my Europe postcards I wrote a memory on each postcard to go with the city stop, and I obviously love reading what Dusty said on each one that was sent to me.

So, what do you think of my idea?? Maybe with the new blog my friends started, my artsy juices are starting to flow... I'm not really sure. Might as well test the waters!

Wednesday a la mode

Two of my very dear friends, Randi and Nicole, have started up a blog! These two wonderful ladies are both extremely creative and talented and I am really pumped that another couple of peeps in my life are taking the plunge into blogworld.

Randi and Nicole both entered my life on the same night freshman year of college. Bethel does this cheesy group date event every fall called "Gadkin" and after the evenings activities at Valleyfair, we went to my friend Katie's house to hang out with our dates. Randi and Nicole stopped by and two friendships were born. Randi is my friend from the east.... New Jersey. She has three beautiful sisters and is SUPER good with all things design, graphics, art, you name it. Nicole now attends the University of Minnesota as an art student and she has a pet cat (barf) named Rigs. But I love her anyway.

Oh.... Both Nicole and Randi also own Canon rebel cameras and this is why I am jealous of them.

Check out "Wednesday a la mode": wednesdayalamode.blogspot.com
Make sure you follow their doses of wisdom!


Super old picture of me, Rands, and Nic freshman year. Nicole is now a brunette, FYI

Aloha my friends!

I am back from one of the most relaxing, amazing, beautiful and tropical vacations of my LIFE! Hawaii was simply amazing. We (mom, Grandma Bev, my brother and I) all had a great time cruising the islands and after a week of submersion in paradise... I have a few thoughtful insights:

Oahu~ Always a favorite spot to visit if you are looking for someplace tropical but touristy. Not all tourist filled cities are a drag! My first trip to Hawaii was in 11th grade and we stayed on Oahu the whole trip. There is a lot to enjoy about this island: Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Mountain, and Pearl Harbor. I really enjoy this island because I really don't think there are many places in the world that are lined with high end shops on one street and beaches the next.


Maui~ Relaxing and resort-y. But very, very beautiful. I enjoyed Maui for being very relaxing and absolutely gorgeous. We spent two days on the island and basically just layed out and went to the beach. The beaches of Maui are gorgeous, and there are a lot of beautiful resorts that made for some really amazing views. I heard from many of my friends and family who have been to Maui that it is their absolute favorite island. To me, I'm sorry! But I would say it was the least favorite of mine. All the islands are gorgeous, but Maui just didn't have a draw that made me want to stay. If I could go back to Hawaii I would love to spend more time on the island of Maui because I'm sure that we missed out on a lot of the beauty that Maui has to offer.

My mama in Maui!

The Big Island~ One of my favorite stops on the cruise. We spent another two days here, on the Hilo side (East) and the Kona side (West). The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most natural, amazing, pretty places I have ever been. Hilo appealed to me because of the amazing sights... black sand beaches, lava formed landscapes, and amazing waterfalls. Kona was more of a cute little tourist town that had a really pretty harbor. My brother and I did a lot of shopping in Kona and were lucky enough to catch a pod of Hawaiian Spinner dolphins jumping at the pier for about twenty minutes. Amazing.

Akaka Falls-Hilo


Shore side shops of Kona

Kauai~ My. Favorite. Place. Kauai is the most naturally beautiful and tropical places I've ever been. I loved it for so many reasons. It's no wonder some of my favorite movies (Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Carribean, to name a couple) have all been filmed here. I can't really explain the beauty of Kauai without showing these pictures...





I would live in Kauai if an opportunity presented itself. I would work at Wal-Mart, a restaurant, and at a school to make ends meet if it meant I could call Kauai home.

So there you have it. We all had a great time together. My brother and I got into a few minor spats, but it was actually really fun to share a room on the ship. Grandma Bev, as usual was a hoot. She even got a little adventurous with her souvenir purchases!


There are so many special memories from this trip. I can't wait to go back, and mark my words, I'll be back soon!

Have any of you ever been to Hawaii? I'm curious to know what other people think of the different islands! It's good to be back!

Crying out.

I said it (I believe) the very first time I ever posted to this blog... I love to journal. I'll admit that I was much more faithful to the ritual of journaling when I was a teenager, but that is due largely in part to the fact that internet really took off more so when I was in high school. I had no other choice but to write, and write... until my hand would cramp and I'd have to take a break, and then I'd write some more.

Well, I want to start out by saying that this is kind of like my now-journal. I have very little time to actually write things out in a diary or notebook and when I do, I get bored of it too quickly and start to do something else. It's a task to physically write these days- isn't that sad?! Anyway, yes. This sort of venting/writing/thinking while typing is very important and special to me. I'm glad that I'm able to pour out my heart to a select few readers and mostly to myself. So I wanted to start this by saying "Thanks" to whoever you are. I know I joke a lot about having a desert blog... Ya know, lots of wide open space FULL of posts and kinda useless information that nobody really visits. And to top it off, I became so lax towards this thing because I became addicted to Twitter, and decided to go to Florida for Christmas, and then didn't have wireless at my parents house! But that doesn't matter. I truly appreciate having this blog, to vent and write and hope that some of the stuff I say is entertaining but also thoughtful to look back on.

That being said, it's been a really rough week. Have you ever heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short? Yea, I know, SAD! I think I have it. I wouldn't be surprised if every person living in the state of Minnesota has it. This weather is depressing, and it seems there is no end. And to top it off, for some reason, I have had a really hard time this week missing Dusty. That's not very easy to admit on here for some reason. But I lay in bed at night and it creeps up on me and hits really hard. I get really lonesome and really sad especially at nights. I really struggle with the internal thoughts that keep me thinking at nights: why did he leave, why did he move, when will he come back, why am I stuck here, etc. It's not healthy, and it takes a toll on me, emotionally and spiritually. I get really angry with God. And I block him out when I find myself in my lowest state.

Everyone that knows me well knows that I am extremely close to my mom. I love my mom to death and she is definitely one of my closest friends. But I have a hard time going to her when I am in a low place because she always forces me to think to the opposite side of the issue. I don't like being told to think something that goes against what I feel. You know what I mean? I tell her I miss Dusty and I'm mad that she's gone, and she tells me to think happy and to suck it up. And I don't like being told that. Does anybody, really?

It wasn't until tonight when I balled my eyes out, packing for HAWAII of all things, that I finally told my mom that sometimes, I just need her to see me as her daughter and to give me a big hug and just say, "I love you." And that's exactly what she did. And when she said that, I don't know what it was, but it was like I instantly felt okay, and like I knew I could be happy again. Maybe her words that she spoke to me earlier about choosing happiness clicked when she did what I truly wanted her to do in the first place, I don't know. But I felt a peace that I hope will last. I have been LONGING for that feeling ever since the day Dusty left Minnesota and I felt like I was completely alone.

I consider these next few days of relaxation and vacation as a double for really striving to CRY OUT to God. I miss God. Is that weird to say? I've been so wrapped up in the busyness of the holidays mixed with the stressfulness of preparing for student teaching, and work, and friendships, that I have really disconnected with God and it's no wonder those dark, sad feelings creep up on me in the midst of the disconnect. As humans, we can't help but go with our human instinct; to latch onto what feels best for us in the moment, rather than the hope and promise God offers us always if we just choose to trust him and follow him closely, like a best friend, a lover, and a father. I struggle with that thought, but I know that it's best.

I can't help but turn to music to shape my mood when I am just sick of feeling down and out. This is a song that I have clung to all night, and I want to share it on here for people who are reading:


Prayers for strength and hope for me this week. I need a vacation, that's for sure.

Thanks for reading. This blog really does mean a lot to me, and I really appreciate that I have people who are following me in the journey through reading my blog posts. I love you all! And I wish you all a wonderful restful weekend.

-Casey

OH boy.

Well, last Friday I met with Janine, the cooperating teacher I'm working with this spring at Mahtomedi High School, and got the rundown on what the next three months of my life are going to look like. Having the meeting both lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders, but also kind of freaked me out. I sat in an empty classroom and wondered how in the world I was going to manage being in charge of nearly 100 tenth graders. Not only that, but being held responsible for their learning US history? Kind of a scary thought?

I'm really nervous but trying not to let it get to me because I want to enjoy this time. On Thursday, I have another meeting with Janine to discuss the rough draft of my first unit plan on the Great Depression/1930's (YIKES!!) I'm also going to observe her teach for a couple of hours just to get a feel for what a day at MHS looks like. It's so weird... I can't believe that I am going to be given free reign to teach and learn how to teach.

Just in discussing things with some of the staff members I met, I do know that I am extremely blessed with this opportunity. I've met about five or six other people from the school who were SO welcoming and talkative, and genuinely excited about me being at the school. I start in about two and a half weeks. In that time I have to manage to complete another unit plan and also enjoy cruising the Hawaiian islands in the meantime- again, a lot to tackle in a short amount of time :)

I figured I'd give a quick update to people out there reading and also figure I better use the time to ask a few things of you, if you are reading:
PRAYER- please pray for me to let go of anxiety, use my time wisely, and accept suggestions and criticism without taking it personally. And pray that I enjoy myself too!

I left the meeting feeling good about my placement. Janine said something that kind of lightened the mood after taking in a LOT of information... "Teaching isn't reinventing the wheel, it's stealing and modifying. Not very Christ-like, but we steal." I guess that kind of makes sense? (PS... she is allowed to say that because she is a Bethel alum so she knew I would take the joke in good humor!)

2010.... Reflections on the past year!!!

Well... I have jumped on the "reflection" bandwagon because everything I've been reading about on the blogs seems to follow suit with looking back at the past year. What can I say, you all have inspired me (talking to my fellow bloggers, here).

Anyway, I was sitting by the fire just now at my parents (love it here) just thinking about this past year. Trying to remember everything that fit into it. Today we spent many long hours getting my dad packed up for his trip to Europe. He is co-teaching and leading a trip with Coach J (Katie and Maddie's dad) through out the European continent following in the footsteps of the BAND OF BROTHERS. While my entire family is beyond ecstatic for him to go, I am reminded that a short year ago, TONIGHT, I myself was laying in bed anticipating my trip to Europe as well. I can not fathom that it has already been a years time since that incredible experience. I have always hoped that some day I would be able to write about the Europe trip in relevance to SOMETHING, and here it is! For those that don't know, I was able to travel to Germany, Austria (my favorite country!), France, and England for 3 1/2 weeks with a Psychology J-term class at BU. I had never before been out of the country and so I approached the trip with both nervousness and anxiety, but a good kind. It was an amazing trip... I couldn't really tell you what I learned about Wundt, Adler and Freud, but I can tell you that I went on the trip knowing one person, and came back with a host of great new friends and acquaintances, and SEVERAL items crossed off my bucket list, including:

-Cruising down the Seine River at night by the light of the Eiffel Tower
-Visit to a concentration camp
-Seeing Wicked (and with a British accent cast at that!)

With the reflection of the Europe trip, I can say that this year was highlighted by quite a bit of TRAVEL. I was very privileged to be able to travel several places over the course of this past year, not just including the trip to the four countries, but also with three incredible Florida trips, and host of roadtrips across the midwest through the course of football season following Bethel in the playoffs. And the travel continues into 2011... in 12 days, my mother, grandma, brother and myself are off to Hawaii to cruise the islands! I am blessed that I was given these opportunities in 2010.

Two other words come to mind when I try to have a reflection on the past year. The first is CONNECTIONS, a theme I have seen especially in the start of this school year, my senior year. I have been beyond lucky to establish new friendships, as well as strenghtened old ones, and these connections have really helped contribute positively to a better "me." I have grown extremely close with girls that I didn't even really know last year, and also have been really happy in the way that my roommates and I have all grown even closer in our last year of college. Over the summer, I was blessed and lucky to live with two girls, Kristin and Tori, who moved in as acquiantances and moved out as dear friends. I work a job with people that I really like, something that not everyone can say about their workplace. I have really felt the connections that I have been blessed with in my life this year.

The second word that comes to mind is GROWTH. I never thought I could do half the things I did this past year... Saying goodbye to Dusty was such a struggle, but guess what? We're doing it! And have both grown IMMENSELY through it, at least I feel this way. School has become more of a breeze than it has a burden. I managed to get a 3.4 GPA this semester when my first semester of college, I got... well, let's just leave it at I have really improved as a student. I am learning what it means to pay bills and live somewhat independently through the time spent in my house off campus... it's really kind of cool how growing up, when approached with confidence and trust in God, of course, can really be a fun challenge, rather than a scary obstacle.

2010 was a pretty good year to me. Now for the fun part, if I had to highlight a "Top Ten of 2010" I believe it would go as follows: (and in no particular order)

1. PARIS!!
2. Watching Bethel beat St. Thomas the second time around
3. Dust and I being together for TWO YEARS :)
4. Visiting the new Harry Potter world at Universal Studios (I still need to post about that...!)
5. Chicago trip post-Thanksgiving
6. Countless times spent with the roommates (roommate dinner night comes to mind)
7. Favorite Dusty date: Valentine's day dinner with all you can eat crab legs and seeing the musical "RENT"
8. 4th of July in Jamestown with Dusty's family
9. Celebrating Jackie's birthday with SATC 2 movie and time with my girlfriends
10. Florida- all three trips and great times spent with Dusty and my cousin!

No new years resolutions for me yet.... I find them to be somewhat unrealistic. I did give up pop one year, for about four months and it was an uphill battle followed by a downhill relapse. I could never break up with Diet Coke.

Anyway, that's my version of the 2010 recap. Hopefully I whip myself into shape in 2011 and continue on with writing on here! Happy New Year everyone!!