bizarre

So.... I'm engaged....WHAT?!

It's so bizarre to think about.

I think since I've worked overtime since it happened it hasn't really hit me yet.
I'll look down and see the bling on my finger but for some reason it doesn't seem so strange anymore.
I think this is due to the fact that I've been awaiting this for quite some time.

Ok, so the story.

Thanksgiving day.
Family time.
Food time.
Harry Potter time. (which was awesome by the way)
On the ride home after the movie I was insanely tired, so the two of us didn't really exchange any words (which isn't out of the ordinary by any means for us).
At one point in the silence, he grabbed my hand and I actually remember thinking briefly, "What would it be like if he proposed to me tonight?" But then the thought went away.
We pulled into my driveway on this cold wet evening and I got out of the car to dash into the house.
Before I could even make it up the stairs, Corbin said to hold on, and handed me an envelope with a card in it.
"I want you to read this," he said.
This was weird I thought because he hates it when I read letters in front of him.
I opened the card and it was full with his writing.
My heart instantly began to pound.
This was something big.
I tried to read the letter carefully, but my heart was pounding so fast I could barely see!
At the end it said, "look up now."
I looked up and then it happened.
Me being me I screamed and ran away from him then ran to him then hit him then screamed again then ran away then jumped onto his car and finally back to him again to see the ring at last.
It's beeeautiful!!
We walked in to my awaiting family and we embraced in tears and laughter.
It was a great moment.

I still can't believe it happened, but hey, now I get to plan the rest of my life!
So excited for all of those that I love to embark on this journey with us.


So pumped to marry my best friend :)

Angel Falls

So, today I sit relaxing after a crazy past two weeks.
I worked 9 days straight, but to get a weekend off to spend with Corbonzo!
We decided to hike to Angel Falls in Big South Fork and camp for the night.
It was quite lovely.
On Saturday, it was really sunny and nice outside, but by the time we reached the top I was very hot and sweaty!

This is the river on the trail before we began the incline.


The hike was pleasant and really cool towards the end.
This is a weird rock formation thing that we hiked through. I said that it felt like an area in an aquarium.


Once at the top, we went to the overlook to rest and stare at the most amazing view. Sadly, I didn't capture any great photos because I couldn't really see my screen. It was so bright up there and very windy!

Here's one:


We camped behind the overlook in a cool little area, had a fire and were in the tent before 8 pm... that's right. We're 22 going on 82.

In the night we were rained on a little bit and in the morning I woke up freezing.
Outside it was beautiful and foggy and we got to hike down in the rain.
Nothing like an adventure with your favorite person in the whole world.

The End Draws Near

Kya and I ventured with my dad to explore autumn's affects on Carl Road. In doing so, we attracted 44 cows that became very intrigued by our presence. Kya loved it.



I can't believe that November begins tomorrow. It's really strange to think about. Just over two months ago I was unemployed and now I am fully immersed in my job. It's very busy, but beginning to feel more comfortable. I feel at peace. Seeing the leaves change color and breathing in the cooler air makes me realize that everything that once seemed chaotic is now going to be alright. I feel change in the air and it's a good thing this time. No more confusion or anxiety, just the pure thrill of something new. I want to grasp it so badly now, but I think I'll just sit back and enjoy my favorite time of year not being anxious in anything, but instead enjoying what God has given me. I need to continue to be more patient and days like this one with Kya will only seem more glorious.

I sure do love that pup.

Fall is Here!

So, I'm not really in the mood to write this, especially since I don't blog much anymore, but I thought I would anyway at 11:42 this fine Monday evening.

Life... is great.
Life is Good.
Sadly, this is a popular brand sold at "The Binks."

Holding the position of an Assistant Manager of a locally owned retail store is much different than I thought it would be.
I definitely have responsibility, but I find myself constantly wondering what it would be like if I was actually doing something that I loved.
This, for certain, is not what I'm meant to do.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am extremely content and feel very blessed when I wake up each morning, but...
what is it that I'm called to do?
I feel that I'm supposed to pursue my dream of cooking or opening a restaurant or helping people with their dietary needs, but how?
I'm not worried that I will not be guided in my quest by a large helping hand, but sometimes I have to be my impatient human self and question when I will know/ understand how to embark on my next quest.

On the other hand, I have met some pretty interesting people at work and enjoy being able to relax around them.
Corbin is now employed, so I like feeling that we have our "adult" lives underway and knowing that we are actually accomplishing things during the day.
Kya is here now when I return home from work and that is certainly rewarding.
I'm... figuring it all out.
Hey... how could I complain now that Netflix has added Season 6 of the Office and Season 4 of 30 Rock to instant streaming?!

Anyway, here's a recent photo I took for Corbin of the lovely fall stars at night.
This definitely is why I love where my parents live and hope that they will never move.
Hip hip hooray for fall weather!

WHAT

....has nashville become?!

i had an interview this past friday afternoon at a boutique in green hills.
i met with the sweet owners and had a very laid back interview.
after we had been talking for a few minutes, the lady looked at me and said sorry i have an important call i need to take.
her husband proceeded to ask me (while his wife took the call) if i knew of gwentyth paltrow.
i, of course, said yes.
turns out she was a client of theirs... and she was on the phone with his wife as i sat there.
THEN the lady came back in and was texting gwenyth a picture from her phone.

wow.
what an awakening to how insane nashville has become.
i'm still trying to adjust and now i know why it's taking a little longer than expected.

trying to figure everything out

I have no idea why I am writing about this know, but let's just not think about it.

This summer has been an interesting one, full of excitement, anxiety, loneliness, productivity, and discomfort.

It's definitely weird adjusting to being out of college. Friends are different, days are different... life is just.. different.
I'm getting used to it, though.
Sadly, the weather is putting a damper to my productivity, though.
This week has been recorded as the hottest week here since 2007... that's nuts!
Reason #3039 why I am more that ready to move out West.

Last week my dad and I biked 22 miles down the Natchez Trace and have to postpone until the weather lightens up. We've been getting better with our mileage and hope to start really increasing our distance once it begins to cool down some.

This morning was an odd one. I had a phone interview for an Assistant Director's position for a campaign agency supporting human rights groups. The interview, to say the least, was embarrassing. I honestly applied for this job thinking that no one would contact me back.. especially since the position would be in a city far away! I spoke with a lady and completely BSed my way through the screening saying how much I enjoy being a leader and taking control of situations... yeah right. Let's just say that after about 5 minutes, I think she was very ready for the interview to be over. Oh well.

Tomorrow I'm going jet skiing with Corbin just for the heck of it. Yeah, the economy sucks and I don't have a job, but I told myself to screw it and just go have a good time. Right now life is pretty inexpensive anyway. Other than Kya, the occassional dinner, and gas, there's not much else.

This post was worthless, but I'm bored enough not to mind at the moment.

success

Today I got back on track biking and successfully completed 21 miles!

It's really great riding out here and I'm loving my new bike.
I hope that I can start adding mileage on quickly and make it to 50 by the end of next month.

Only advice I have for myself from here on out....
Don't forget to raise the seat after your mother borrows your bike...your legs and butt will want to die.

Pray pray pray for job opportunities!!
Corbin by the end of the week will have had three interviews, so hopefully something will come from that.
It's all very exciting.

The pup is great and 4th of July weekend is coming up!
I miss my Knoxvillian friends, though :(

PS Julie if you read this, PLEASE come to nashville this weekend with Jeff!!!
Miss you guys like CRAZY.

Kya

So.... Kya is pretty much one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

Corbin and I got Kya this past Monday in DuQuoin, IL.
On the way there, we quickly learned that this city was in no sorts a bursting metropolis, but instead, as stated by Corbin, "the place where creativity goes to die." This was only said because on the way there we crossed a muddy river called Big Muddy River.

After driving through the countryside, we found the breeder's house and were able to meet our baby.

Kya is the best.
She slept the entire 4 hour drive home without making a peep and by the end of a long day she could already recognize who her owners were.
She is already crate trained and will hopefully soon realize the need to go to the bathroom outside...

I am so excited about this puppy.
I await the day that we can teach her how to do cool tricks and fetch the frisbee at the park.
Until then, I will gladly enjoy the moments of her playing with my cat, doing accidental somersaults while she tries to scratch her belly, and waking herself up from barking in her sleep.
She really is like a baby.
I am quickly learning patience and enduring occasional frustration, but it'll improve.
Then I will finally be able to sleep past 7 am and hang out with friends later than 9 pm!

First family photo:

(And.... about the pic.... this was a random stop on the way home. Largest statue of Superman. Thank you Illinois.)

it's here. it's now.

college is literally drawing to an end.
i can say that at this point i am feeling every emotion possible.
as i type this my heart is actually fluttering.
i feel so anxious, yet ecstatic, yet sad, yet angry, confused, passive, but nervous.
it's such an odd feeling that lately i haven't known what to do with it or how to react.
i want to feel at peace and relaxed, but i've never felt more stressed.
i want to be four years old again.
make a fort out of blankets and pillows and hide.
i want to hide deep where no one can find me.
age, the world... no one would find me.
i would just be hidden deep in my cave of comfort.
i hate feeling this way, especially since i've developed such awful habits when things are drawing to an end.
lately i've found myself getting in my car and driving until i cry at least once.
i have so many questions and i'm becoming too impatient to wait for answers.
why NOW do i realize that i have no clue what i want to do with my life?
why NOW do i realize that i have no common connections with my roommates and living here feels weird?
why NOW am i questioning love and happiness and God and existence?
it just seems so strange.
why am i writing this for the world to see, yet i find that i can't communicate it to an actual person?
this is such an odd time!
i'm not trying to sound pathetic or searching for pity... i think if you know me, you know that i'm a reasonably lighthearted happy person.
i think i'm just realizing that this age, this age that i thought would never come, is finally here...
and i need to embrace it.

aaaaand finals start now...
ready
set

go.

almost over

seriously?
really?
i am crawling out of my skin.
mainly this is because the air conditioning in humanities is breaking all of the "green" rules that UT apparently stands for.
i have mixed feelings these days.
i wake up ready to start the day.
i feel happy.
the sun radiates through my blinds like a soft kiss.
three weeks of this mundane life.
but what after?
Liz Kirk Part two: The Real World a.k.a. Life
WHAT!!!
i realized on friday after dinner with julie that i am beginning to cling to knoxville more.
who knew that that could ever happen.
the sun was setting over the downtown skyline and i began the realize that maybe i actually will miss this.
college life is bliss and for me it's coming to an end.
i may be somewhat afraid, but at the same time i am quite anxious.
i am putting a period on one portion of my life and capitalizing the letter of the first word on the next part.
it's weird.
big things are coming, i can feel it.
i need a change, though.
i am so happy here, yet i feel so stale.
my life with god is like old bread.
you eat it, but is not very satisfying.
it just tastes old and dry.
i hope that my life in nashville will be new and exciting.
full of opportunity and growth.
i turn to this new portion of my life with eyes wide open, ready to see what all is in store.

p.s. dear knoxville greenway, i will miss you dearly.

Laughter is the best medicine

Watch THIS

look at what technology is up to these days:
http://www.yikebike.com/site/gallery/video/yikebike-discovery-channel

i am radiating

with happiness.

it's drawing near...

spring break.
i need it.

you know, i'm actually more excited about it than i can express. this weather has left me feeling so tired and quiet the past few days, at this point any glimpse of the sun would be quite pleasant. this weekend was a nice treat, though. saturday i got to feel completely free for the first time in a while. it was such a treat. my friend from earth fare, sarah, (and how cool to still have friends from work!) and i randomly decided to journey to the atl for the day and shop...literally until we dropped. it was wonderful. i feel that i am so conservative with my money and always complaining about it. it has such a strong hold on me! am i poor? no. starving? no. do i spend money? nope. it felt good to go treat myself to things that i would never do on a regular basis. i wasn't worried about money and it felt so good. oh, and don't worry, i'm not broke now or anything...

sunday proved to be a freeing day as well. geeze, i guess i just really needed this weekend. i woke up feeling productive and accomplished little things here and there for a few hours then decided to sit on my front stoop and soak up the sun. it felt marvelous. this is why i am so anxiously anticipating the beach. feeling the sun being absorbed into every pore, waking them up from their long winter's nap. it's bliss.

not wanting to waste any of the day's beauty, i decided to find something to do. corbin beat me to it and we decided to study outside on campus. people are weird on these days in the ampitheatre... we didn't stay long and rode his motorcycle around. not knowing how to fill the rest of our day, he decided that i was ready. for what you ask? to have a lesson... on how to drive his bike. bah! it sounded crazy to me, but if he wanted to do it, then by all means count me in. that thing is scarier than it looks, by the way. it's heavy and is FAST. well, long story short, after a few passes around the parking lot in first gear with my hand never leaving the clutch, i drove on a back road and was able to put it in second gear! not going to lie, i felt a bit cool after that... well, until the battery died and taylor had to rescue us. minor detail.

this week school is going to kick my fanny. yep, fanny.
oh spring break... hurry up si vous plait!

come back to me

Much like Ethan, I am having serious withdraws from the sunlight. This lack of sun and knowledge that when I open the front door I will be slapped in the face with a winter chill makes it very difficult to get out from under my covers. Yesterday at approximately 8:43 am I was walking to class. 20 degrees. Lots of snow. If I breathed through my nose, my sinuses would instantly be attacked by a clump of snowflakes. If I breathed through my mouth, I would instead choke on these piercing flakes. The only part of my painful walk that I enjoyed was when several snowflakes landed on my eyelashes. I guess now I know what Julie Andrews was singing about in The Sound of Music...

Really, the point of all of this is to ask why, why sun will you not come and save me from this dismal weather?! I need warmth and some blue sky!!




Also, I'm frustrated in LOST. Oh well, at least I have the Office and 30 Rock to relieve my spirits tonight.

Found

Get it? Because LOST comes on tonight...wah waah.

So, today I was again forced to feel like a girl at a middle school dance. Beginning ice skating class. Yes, I have white skates on, I know, and yes I did skate, thanks. The complete awkwardness. "Guys, place your hand on the girl's hip with your right hand and hold her left arm out." This is how you get to meet random people. Standing in a line on the ice waiting for a guy to come up and introduce himself as he awkwardly places his right hand on your butt, and not on your hip. It's great, really it is...

Nevertheless, I am so content right now I feel that I am bursting at the seams. One exam over, another one about to get out of the way. No feeling of stress. Feeling stronger...in mind and body. Content. SNOW. I mean, seriously, there's really nothing to complain about. We live in such an amazing world.

"Sometimes..there's so much beauty in the world...I feel as if I can't take it."