Organization For the Disorganized Person

Well, what do you think of the new design? I'm loving it.  I was definitely ready for a change around here and I think that was exactly what this blog needed to freshen up.  I hope everyone is enjoying the face-lift. Over the next couple weeks I'll be making changes to my Facebook, Twitter, and IG accounts to make it all match. Let me know what you think of it all!  Since school started back up again, I've been working really hard to stay on top of everything.  Lucky for me, it's really working.  I'm not only on top of things, but I'm ahead.  If you know anything about me, you know that I'm a professional procrastinator so this is a pretty big freaking deal.  The reason that I have been so successful is simple:  Time Management.  To put it even more simply, my planner.  The other day I was sitting in class and someone saw me write my assignment in my planner.  He said, "I don't know how you use a planner.  I put stuff in my phone but then when the alarm goes off I just ignore it."  And this isn't the first time in the past two weeks that someone has commented on my use of my planner.  So, let me tell you my secrets on how I make my planner (and my phone) work together to keep my grades looking good and my time amazingly free and productive. 

If I'm being completely honest here, I'm probably one of the least organized people you've ever heard of. I can't keep my room clean for more than a week, but a planner has been just the ticket to keep this disorganized mess in check.
As you may know, I use a Plum Paper Planner. Some people like Whitney English Day Designers or Erin Condren Life Planners, but I'm into Plum Paper.  And here is what I do with it to make things work.

I use color coding so that I can see at a glance where I have the most work to do.  It helps me easily prioritize and gives me a place to start.  

The check boxes are a huge part of my success.  It is so satisfying to put a check in those boxes and show myself how much progress I've made.  For the past two weeks, I've been able to check every single box I've made. 

It's kind of hard to see (please pardon the quality, cropping iPhone photos is rough on the quality) But up at the top where the arrow is pointing I have the gym, breakfast, and my classes scheduled for a time.  By making sure that there is a time for everything, I keep from getting overwhelmed.  I even plan for time to watch Netflix and time for blogging.  It's especially important with the amount of reading I have to do this semester. 

When you're using a planner the number one most important thing to remember is this:  Actually use the planner.  You have to have it on you.  You have to leave it open.  And you have to actively write in it and interact with it or else you will never get used to it and it will be just like those irritating phone reminders that you ignore.  It's just a book filled with paper that you spend $35+ on.  

BONUS TIP:  Schedule your week in advance if you can.  The one I have pictured is next week.  There are a few holes in it because I'm not positive about a few assignments, but it is really helpful when you already have an idea of what your work load is going to look like so that you can be sure to plan around everything you have to do. 

On top of all of this, I work my phone into the mix as well.  You're probably thinking "Isn't the planner working in place of the phone?"  Nope!  I still use the phone to help me stay on track.  I have all of my class times and my work schedule in my phone.  It goes off 30 minutes before whatever I have scheduled starts.  It keeps me on track so that I always have plenty of time to get to class or to work.  There is event the cool feature on the iPhone where when you slide it down from the top it will give you an overview of what your day looks like the next day and when you have events scheduled. 

How do you stay organized?  Does a planner work for you? Do you manage your time well?  If not, I would highly suggest giving this stuff a try.  Trust me, if I can do this anyone can.  

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today I went off to basic training ...

and my whole life changed.  I remember standing in my recruiters office with my parents and my sisters holding back tears and hoping that the next six months would go by as fast as possible. 

I remember sitting on that air plane reading The Great Gatsby and not paying attention to a single word I read.  I was so nervous.  All I could think about was getting there and failing.  I will never forget getting off that bus and standing in formation with my bag.  I felt lost.  Out of place.  Awkward.  I was sure that I had made some kind of mistake.

But sure enough, as the days passed by and the waking up at 04 got easier, I became more and more confident.  I wasn't afraid to talk to Drill Sergeants and I really wasn't feeling any fear at all anymore.

 A couple weeks had gone by and we had been issued our rifles.  It was like that awkwardness I'd felt in the beginning just started all over again. I swear I couldn't even lock the bolt to the rear.  If you know anything about the M16 you know that isn't hard and it shouldn't have been, but it was for me.  I felt stupid and weak.

After a couple of days of practice though, I was finally comfortable with my weapon.  I mean, they hardly left our hands.  It would have been harder not to get good at handling my weapon.

So that was good.  I was feeling good.  I was getting to know the people around me and I was totally ready to kill it.  Then PT started.  Of course, we were doing PT all the time when someone did something wrong or not fast enough or not good enough, but it was much different when we started the real stuff.  PT wasn't really all that hard.  I sucked at push-ups but I was getting better.  I wasn't great at running, but it wasn't killing me, but every day it was cold and windy.  I was getting sicker every day and my entire battery seemed to be screwing up more and more.

But eventually it all just...started to get easier.  The ruck marching didn't hurt so bad and the packs seemed to get lighter.  My PT score soared from a failing 170 to 260.  We did our 16k ruck march and it was finally time for graduation.  I was told by the battery's XO that I was getting promoted.  My family was coming to graduation, I'd found an amazing friend in my bunk mate, and I'd finally made it through some of the hardest days of my life.

My whole family was there at graduation including my brand new niece who's birth I happened to miss in my absence.  That reunion was one that I will truly never forget.  I have never been so happy to see my family in my life.  And after family day and graduation, we said our goodbyes and I headed off to AIT.

AIT was a whole new set of challenges that made my life...interesting, but it was all a completely life changing experience.  I know that without those nights I sat up tearfully reading about my nieces birth, and without those days that I spent at sick call because I'd sprained my ankle, and without those days of feeling on top of the world I would be a completely different person.  I am so happy that I made the decision to join the Army.  It was a life changing experience that continues to enrich my life.  I love being in the Army and I hope that many others can find joy in their service.

Happy Army Birthday to me!

Loving Las Vegas

When I moved to Las Vegas, I didn't expect to love it.  In fact, I just expected to go to school and basically do nothing else.  Travis and I talk about it all the time...How did we even end up here?  Sometimes we'll be driving down the street and I can't even believe that this is the place that I've chosen to live at this point in my life. Maybe that's a little dramatic, but it just continues to surprise me.  As a non-native local, I've developed a few favorite things to do.

My Top 5 Favorite Things in Las Vegas

5) Sundays at the Arts Factory

Every Sunday I play some bluegrass music at the Bar + Bistro in the Arts District.  It's a three hour set that completely exhausts me.  It's hard.  But I love it.  When there's a big crowd of people and the energy is great...the mimosas are bottomless for $12 and bloody Mary's too.  I'm in love with the pancakes.  I eat them every week.  and I play and I love it. 

4)  The Fremont Street Experience/Downtown Las Vegas   
I don't know why I love it downtown so much, but I really do.  It's such a cool atmosphere down there.  It feels like I've stepped right into the past.  It's also kind of fun to see all the street performers, the zip liners, and the bad cover bands.  One of the best things about it?  The alcohol is a lot cheaper than it is on the Strip.  

3)  Atomic Liquor.  
This place is the oldest bar in Las Vegas.  Well...They have the oldest liquor license in Las Vegas dated 1956.  It's so named because during the times of Atomic Testing you could conveniently view the mushroom clouds from the patio at the bar.  I like it because it have this amazing vintage feel, cool bartenders, and it was the place Travis and I went on our first date...so I'm a little biased there.

2) The High Roller

I went on the High Roller when Travis and I decided to take his grandparents on it for their Christmas Present.  It was truly one of my favorite life experiences thus far.  That's not even just in Vegas.  Simply...period.  You can read about that experience here 

1)  The Mob Museum

You are probably things...seriously?  The Mob Museum? Of all the things to do in Vegas that is your favorite?  Well...Yeah.  It is.  It's a huge part of the history of Las Vegas and it is really cool to see it in that museum.  I went with my mom when I moved here in the fall and it was eye opening to see how...huge all that organized crime was...and most likely still is. 
I hope that in the next few months of living in Las Vegas, I'll come to find a lot more things that I love about living here.  There are plenty of things besides those 5 such as hiking at Mount Charleston, star gazing at red rock, the awesome outdoor shooting range in North Las Vegas, the luxury movie theaters, all of the chances to eat really good food...
It's pretty dang cool to live in a destination.  Stay tuned for the best Vegas trick you have ever heard of.  

My Thoughts on American Sniper

Last night, Travis and I went to see American Sniper.  

This movie is catching all kind of controversy right now.  After I saw it, I read a few pretty detailed reviews and other articles about it to see what people were thinking about it.  I know that a lot of prominent figures in Hollywood have had words to say over it and I was curious as to what other people were saying as well.

A lot of people are upset that the movie just isn't accurate enough. They aren't explaining the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. They're making people think that it was caused by 9/11. They're making Chris Kyle out to seem like he was remorseful. They're turning the war into a human interest story...

As someone who know that the War on Terror wasn't a direct result of 9/11 and as someone who can understand the want to defend the freedom of the American people I really enjoyed the movie...most of the criticism surrounding it is saying that they are leaving out way too many details about the war.  Well, film critics and random people alike, I've got news for you...This movie wasn't about the war.  It was about a person.  Chris Kyle.  It's called "American Sniper" not "A War on Terror and American Snipers In General:  An exactly factual documentary on the war in the middle east" 

Since when does Hollywood get everything right and always depict the story exactly as it happened? I feel like they are simply expecting something from a movie that rarely if ever happens.  I swear, people criticizing this movie are assuming that every single viewer will watch it and assume that all of that was real footage and Bradly Cooper is the same guy as Chris Kyle.  It's a movie.  They have to make people like it or it isn't going to make any money...so they're going to dramatize.  Why on earth would you expect anything else?  I'm not really trying to say that it's okay...but it happens with everything.

Example: The movie Captain Phillips.  A very exciting film based on a true story.  It's totally inspiring to watch Tom Hanks "save" everyone on the ship...when if you look into the story a little bit more, the crew members will tell you that Captain Phillips was being arrogant when they went too close to the shore.  That his moves were actually more detrimental than they were helpful...but it was widely liked film that didn't really depict exactly what happened, rather it told a dramatized story about a true event with a more specific protagonist.

So I choose to sort of take this one at face value.  The story in American Sniper is based on a true story about the most lethal sniper in American History.  It notes the issues that soldiers who go to war face.  It talked about readjusting to the regular family lifestyle and PTSD.  And it showed grueling images that state how war is hell.

Maybe instead of seeing all those "bad" things about the movie we can just allow it to symbolize all the brave men and women who have died in the line of duty and those who have suffered the consequences of fighting a war.  

Hard but Good

Well, it's finally here.  The start of the new semester.  I've feel like I've been waiting for it forever.

Last semester, I wrote myself a little letter that I sealed in an envelope. I wrote it for me to open on the day I finish school and I decided that I'd do the same for each semester.  Give myself a little something to look back on and remember where I was at in this particular place in time.

Dear Katie,

This is you.  Well you and Travis because pretty much where he goes, you go and vice versa. 

Today is the first day of Spring Semester 2015.  Just looking at your schedule you're feeling a little overwhelmed, but you're ready to get to work.  This morning, you got up early and went to the gym.  That in it's self was proof that you're a little bit ready to get this semester started.

 In September, shortly after fall semester started, you met Travis from whom you cannot separate yourself.  You're kind of in love.

You're more excited than ever to jump into classes that actually have to do with your major and you are doing well with your new years resolutions.  At first, you weren't sure you'd be able to stick to them, but 21 days into the new year, and you're doing pretty alright.  You're eating better, you're watching your spending, you're blogging to the best of your ability, resisting the early outs at work, and working towards bigger and better things every day.

Today, the future is uncertain.  You could end up a lot of different place by the time this semester is over, but you aren't afraid.  Today you have the best understanding of the fact that life doesn't always go quite like you planned, but you can roll with the punches.

We'll keep this one short this spring.  Just remember that no matter what happens, life is good.  Hard, but good. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

In my life so far, I have accumulated a lot of stuff.  I've tried lots of new beauty products, I've worn different brands of shoes, I've had multiple hobbies, and I've had lots of different experiences that have brought new things into my life. Naturally, as my life goes on, I've discovered a few favorites. Some of them are acutally quite new favorites.  New as of the new year even.  Lately I'm super in love with...   Lucky You perfume.    I've been wearing it for the past little while and it has gotten to the point that when I don't wear it, I feel like I smell weird.   My planner (of course)    I have been doing a little bit of planning online with a Google Calendar that connect to my phone, but I mostly did that so that I can share the calendar with Travis and he knows what I'm up to.  For all my personal stuff (due dates, class work, quizzes, blogging etc) I put in my Plum Paper Planner aka my brain.   My Younique Mascara    And no, this isn't sponsored and I'm not trying to sell you some, I just love it.  My sister got it for me for Christmas and I think I might never wear just plain old mascara ever again.  It makes my eye lashes...amazing.  I can't even expalin it. If you've tried it, you understand.    My Pandora Bracelet    I got this bracelet for my 20th birthday while I was in AIT.  My mom sent it in a package with my blanket and I was completely surprised.  It was such an awesome surprise and it remains my favorite piece of jewelry ever.   and I can't forget my wooby...I don't have a picture of it   My wooby is by and large my favorite thing in the entire world.  I got it for Christmas my sophomore year in high school, so I've had it for a little while...It was the last blanket that my grandma made for me so I hold it really close to my heart.  it's a bit tattered and could use a few patch up jobs, but I kind of love it just the way it is.  

Channeling My Seventh Grade Self

On Friday, I took some initiative and I got rid of all that stuff I said I would.  I can't believe it.  I followed through on some hard stuff just like I said I would. I'm already sad about Spotify.  It breaks my heart, but I will survive.  Hopefully.   I'm home in Salt Lake for drill and I decided to take advantage of the "free" time that I have.  I also started reading this book about retirement and the best way to save money for when I'm old and social security isn't a thing.  It's a pretty dang boring book, but I'm learning a lot and I'm pretty sure it'll change my future.  So that's pretty cool.  
That's not all I'm reading though.  It's not the focus of January, but I've made it a personal goal for 2015 to read more books.  I put it down on my 2014 list, but I didn't really follow through.  My year ended up being filled with the Military, a cross country road trip, and yet another big move to Las Vegas...so the book thing only happened via audio book during my road trips.  I "read" a whopping total of 3 books last year.  I used to love reading.  I used to read a book every single day...
This year, I decided that the only way to get myself to read a bunch of books was to make a list of books I want to read. I've been inspired by Bonnie, so of course, I stole a couple books off her list that I haven't read and I definitely should have. 
The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger  Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston  If I Stay by Gayle Forman  If I Go by Gayle Froman  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith  Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Bronte Rant by Chuck Palahnuik  1983 by George Orwell  A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess  Landline by Rainbow Rowell  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy Kaling  Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom 
And....I suppose I should start with these.  I'm working hard to make my life more enriched with the written word.  I could really benefit from some time away from Netflix and into the reading.  Any suggestions? I could use em!