Girl Meets World

One of my all time favorite shows growing up was Boy Meets World. Each episode of Boy Meets World came with a message, much like my other favorites: 7th Heaven and One Tree Hill.

This is why when I decided to start my blog I wanted to name it Girl Meets World.

This past year, The Matthews returned to the tv screen, in the form of Cory & Topanga, with 2 children in toe and I've never been happier! Honestly, I probably get more excited about new episodes than their intended audience. If you can watch the show, and not laugh the entire half hour and then cry at the end because of the lesson learned, I don't trust you-- because clearly you're way too level-headed for me.

When I was 18, I decided that I would get these two tattoos when I graduated college, alis volat propriis and alis grave nil, and that has come to pass. At 16, I thought that by 23 I would be engaged. I've learned that giving yourself arbitrary goals really only leaves you disappointed.

A year ago, I had thought of changing the name of my blog. Thinking that I would have enough of a grasp on life after college, to believe that I could transfer my attention. But honestly- I'm not done growing up. And I know I'm not done learning, that much I do know.

So updates to the design are pending... bare with me.

But the name stays.

xxoo

KJB

KJB's Post Grad Life

The saying goes nothing will ruin your 20s more than thinking you should have your life together.

And ain't that the truth!

I'm not sure what I'm doing, and there's something exciting about that.

After 12 years of primary/secondary education and 4 1/2 years of post-secondary education, I'm now at this point in my life where I get to decide whatever direction I want to go.

Since leaving my college town and moving home, I've really enjoyed my change of pace while I wait to hear back on my dream job. I'm catching up on shows, that I stopped watching because graduation was more important and bonding with my puppy brother.

Yesterday, I became really sad about the fact that all my school friends are together and all my home friends have moved away, then I calmed down and realized that this is the time for me to learn how to do things alone. 

So I'm gonna start looking for more jobs and apply for season two of House of DVF. Also- while I'm gainfully, unemployed-- I'm gonna use it to my benefit and visit my friends when I can- because one day I won't have the time and I'll look back at this time fondly. There's nothing like having time to do whatever you want to do.

But I can feel change is coming...

"The scariest moment is always just before you start." - Stephen King

xoxo

KJB

New Romantics

"I could build castles with all the bricks they threw at me."

I'm sure other artists get it-- but the commonality of all Taylor Swift fans is the fact that she sings about our lives when she sings about her own.

Like I don't know about any of you- but I know that the chances of my dating Harry Styles and Jake Gyllenhaal are slim to none- but because of Queen Swifty, herself, I can sing along as if I did.

So when I turned 22 I knew I had a song waiting for me. Much to the chagrin of my roommate at the time I listened 22 on loop my birthday this past year. And what I feel like everyday since it has played once or at least been quoted. So when faced with getting a year older- I was concerned. I love my birthday, ask anyone, and yet when faced with turning 23, I was concerned... Cause originally there were only two songs, Blink-182's What's My Age Again? 

"Nobody likes you when you're twenty three..."

And then Miley Cyrus and Mike Will came out with 23, but besides Michael Jordan's Bull's jersey-- there's no part of that situation I wanted to be a part of...

So I was left in between a rock and a hard place.

So while I was preparing my present for my best friend, I was looking for the perfect song and I found it... Taylor Swift's New Romantics. You're welcome. 

I believe I have found yet another accurate song Taylor Swift song to be the soundtrack of my life.

We're all bored, we're all so tired of everything
We wait for trains that just aren't coming
We show off our different scarlet letters
Trust me, mine is better

We're so young but we're on the road to ruin
We play dumb but we know exactly what we're doing
We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom
Honey, life is just a classroom

'Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

Baby, we're the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heart break is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We are too busy dancing
To get knocked off our feet
Baby, we're the new romantics
The best people in life are free

So ya know-- thanks for that T. Swift.

xoxo

KJB

Happy New Year, Happy KJB

"2015 will be a selfish year. My time and focus will be invested on me. On improving myself. I want to become a better person physically and mentally. I want to let go of my fears and learn to love myself."

I find the greatest things on Tumblr. And so- maybe selfish isn't right. But I know that everything in my life and everything that happened in 2014- happened for a reason and I'm a better person for it.

2014 Accomplishments:

*I accepted the body I'm in

*I accepted the ghosts of my past and let things go

*I accepted I am enough & didn't chase after anyone that made me feel otherwise

*I learned to enjoy where I am in life

*I learned and accepted you don't always get what you want and that's sometimes a blessing in disguise

*I fully enjoyed my last 2 semesters of college

*I have and made great (forever) friends

The saying goes some people are supposed to be around your whole life and others are supposed to only make an appearance. Sometimes that's a blessing in disguise. I love all of my current friends because I know that they want to be here, in my life. I've learned- stay away from people that make you feel less than or that you're hard to love. If someone wants to be in your life they'll make it happen. It might sound like I'm quoting Justin Long from He's Just Not That Into You-- it's because essentially I am.

For example: There was this boy- nothing ever happened, turned out it was a relationship friendship entirely in my head- which made it ridiculous and exhausting. Until I realized- this year, well 2014- that if he didn't want to be in my life, why did I want him there? So I unfriended, unfollowed, etc- I stopped checking up on him and I've never been happier. You don't always control what happens to you in your life, but you always get to decide how you're going to react to it.

I am a genuinely happier person now than I have any previous recollection of. I haven't won the lottery or lost a significant amount of weight but I am genuinely happy. I have fabulous friends and family and I have my college degree (admittingly- I'm still waiting for its arrival). I can say without sadness or remorse that my childhood is over, maybe- probably it has been for awhile, but commencement and the closing of 2014, really cemented it in my mind.

Today, mom & Jade went back to school. Next week, my friends go back to college and here I am, about to start the rest of my life. Maybe that's cliche, but I'm about to start my path towards, the future, and isn't that exciting? I think this year is where I learn to walk alone. Not be lonely, but rather- this path is entirely my own. Up until this point, I've gone to school and worked towards this point, and now it's finally here. I've applied for my dream job with my sorority and if I get to continue the process I have a few months ahead of me before I'll know the final outcome and if it's not meant to be, I'll start applying for jobs near and far that apply to my career path. God has a plan. In the devotional, we have had since at least 6th grade, on January 1st- Max Lucado said, "God had packed you on purpose for a purpose." I know that whatever I'm moved to do in life- be a buyer, like I went to school for; be a costume designer, like I've always wanted; or something I haven't even thought of yet- God has and will provide.

I feel like 2014- was truly my year, and that I found myself. So I can only imagine how 2015 is going to outdo itself.

My only goals for 2015: continue to be happy and enjoy the journey 

xoxo 

KJB

Year in Review

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

Here are photos from after the Christmas Eve Service and my Christmas Day OOTD:

All is Calm, All is Bright

 

Merry Christmas to all, & to all a goodnight

So this year-- our Christmas Day movie was, Into the Woods, it was incredible! I'm not sure when the Bailey tradition began but for the past few years, on Christmas Day the Baileys go see a movie, the last two were Les Mis and Saving Mr. Banks.

December 26th, mom and I had a marathon of the two Hobbit movies and then on the 27th, we went to see the newest movie, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. It was incredible- I probably cried more than would be expected.

My favorite Christmas gift- Sleeping Beauty phone case

December 28th, my favorite pretty girl turned one. Mom, my sister and I went to Akron for her birthday party.

Since the 16th, time seems to have ceased to make any sense. I genuinely don't even know what day or week it is without my planner and so I've missed a few posts, my bad. But even crazier- it's cliche but another year is coming to an end- the fact that 2014 is over, somehow seems wrong. 

2014, may be my favorite year of my life thus far. I learned you don't always get what you want, and sometimes that's for the best. 22 is easily my favorite age, I met Gavin DeGraw! I had my amazing summer internship at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. Sadly, we lost Robin Williams and Joan Rivers this year. We got a dog, my puppy brother, Harry. Amazingly, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, and One Direction came out with new albums. I graduated college and left Akron. I became an alumna of my sorority. I learned you determine the way people treat and you get to decide the type of people that you surround yourself with. I got two new tattoos (the two I've wanted since high school: alis volat propriis & alis grave nil). I say this each year- but I've grown a lot this year. Honestly- wouldn't it be worse if I couldn't say that, change or perish. Growth and change is important and I'm glad I finally learned that change isn't a bad thing. I am a better, happier version of the person I was in January. I learned how to be the person I've always wanted to be. I applied for my dream job, hopefully I'll hear back next week. Whatever happens, God is good and will provide. So I'm just gonna stay happy and not stress about things I have no control over anyways. It's crazy to think that 2015, will be my first year without school, and I'm so excited to see what can happen. 

“I urge you to please notice when you are happy.” — Kurt Vonnegut

When I was younger I had a lot planned for 23- consequently 2015 (marriage, or at least engaged, a home of my own), and I've come to terms that most likely that won't be happening for awhile. It's freeing to accept that you don't have any control in how the plan unfolds and all I can do is go out and experience life...

Now as I wait for 2015, I'm excited to think about all that can happen in a year, 365 days: Good, Bad, and The Ugly, but life endures! 

Happy New Year... almost! 

xoxo

KJB

KJB Does Adulthood

Last weekend* was a big weekend for KJB!

I graduated from The University of Akron on Saturday and there was a Christmas party with my sisters on Sunday.

 

 


Then on Monday, adult life began... I moved out of my sorority house and moved home. Saying goodbye to Akron was a traumatic experience. My first act as an adult come Tuesday, you'll never guess it-- this girl had jury duty! It was definitely an experience, that I get to have again come January 6th, yay me!

So Wednesday and Thursday, I'm not sure what I did- I know I slept a lot which was great because the last two weeks of the semester were rough... Then Friday, I finally ventured away from home with momma and instead of making it to Target and the grocery store, I got two tattoos. Tattoos that I've been wanting and toying with since I was 18, alis volat propriis and alis grave nil, it was spur of the moment and the first time I've gotten a tattoo alone. Friday was also the 5th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. It's always fun to see friends from childhood and some Akron friends showed up. 

 

The exciting thing about adulthood is while typically I both look forward to and dread my Christmas party- this year when it was over, there wasn't any dread of concern over it being over. Usually I now start to think about Christmas' fast approach and the looming semester, I woke up Saturday feeling free (cause now I can just look forward to my friend's daughter's first birthday)-- so adulthood looks good on me, I am able to sleep more again- my mind is finally resting and I'm just loving life... Check back in January when everyone goes back to work/school and graduation settles into my mind, but for now...

 KJB loves being an adult! Color me shocked! 

“I urge you to please notice when you are happy.” — Kurt Vonnegut

xoxo

KJB

*12/29/14: I have completely lost track of days and weeks, I apologize for being MIA.

KJB's "Christmas Break"

So technically as a college graduate, I don't necessarily have a Christmas break... But my mom is a teacher and obviously my little sister is still in high school- so both of them are on Christmas Break- so I've given myself a Christmas break.

So not only are the people in my family on Christmas break, but after the semester I just had- where the last 2 weeks were probably the most stressful and strenuous of my entire 4 1/2 years college career, and I finished a job application for a job I really, really want- I'm giving myself this time to enjoy this break.

So my Christmas Break has/will consist of:

• Watching YouTube videos
• Sleeping
• Eating
• Tumblr
• Pinterest
• Twitter
• Watching Christmas movies
• Netflix
• Catching up on the shows that I stopped watching this semester/season

I figure once everyone starts back at school in January- I can become a real adult... until then- I'm enjoying this time!

Happy Holidays!

xoxo

KJB

KJB Says See You Later

If you had asked me when I was a freshman how I felt about Akron, I would not have had nice things to say... At this time 4 1/2 years ago, right before Christmas break, I had decided not to transfer closer to home. But now at 22 years old and a recent college graduate, 12/13/14, I can honestly say that I love Akron and that I am leaving a proud alumna.

For the past 3 semesters, I have had the pleasure of living in the "prettiest house on campus" and I'm going to greatly miss it; the walks to class, my fabulous bed, my room with the perfect view, and the too perfect for words Alpha Gam couch:

 

For 2 of my 3 years my sorority gave me the very best roommates I could've asked for:

Life is found/lived at the end of your comfort zone. My time in Akron has been just that. First, I moved 2 1/2 hours away, then the friends I thought I had made the first two years in the dorms- turned out to be anything but that. So I left my comfort zone and joined my sorority:

The girl that I met on freshman orientation day, somehow became my life line and grand supreme best friend, without her I would be utterly and completely lost:

The girl I met at random on Preference Night became my other half:

A beautiful girl from the inside, out became my Ride or Die:

A girl I sat down to talk to on a whim at a Recruitment event at Starbucks became, my little my perfect one and only:

                      

 

 My first roommate and 2 quasi-roommates still manage to keep me sane and always laughing, 3 years and counting:

The girl, who've I've known longer as an alum than I did as an active. My tv companion, the girl who no matter what can get my anxiety and irrationalities in line: 

My adventure buddies, down for anything- be that a Saturday adventure or laying on the couch watching Frozen on repeat, playing Pinterest and "Look Who I Went to High School With" on Facebook; the kind of friends that want a "candid" laughing photo- and that's exactly what they get, with 15 minutes of genuine laughter:

                          

The kind of friends I always wanted and never knew I needed but would be completely lost without them:

The girl who swears more than anyone I know, and taught me it's okay to be passionate about important topics and that if you mean what you say- you can say whatever you feel:

My sarcastic, partner in crime, full of life & love & jokes:

 

The pretty, pretty princess that loves sitting in the dark and watching Jason DeRulo videos while looking on Tumblr and Pinterest wedding boards and talking nail polish and painting our nails:

 

 

My first beautiful secret squirrel:

My beautifully perfect Alpha Gam family continued on by the most wonderfully perfect people imaginable:

The only girls to truly understand my Taylor Swift obsession:

My three perfect legacies from my time as a Rho Gamma:

A best friend that taught me life is about more than a plan. Things don't always happen as you would want them to or as you imagined them but we are capable of absolutely anything. I was given the opportunity to spend time with her and her daughter and grow up along the way:

 

THE Be All End All of Pledge Classes, Fall '11:

 

When Carrie moves to Paris, in the series finale of Sex and the City, she says, "Today, I had a thought: What if I had never met you?" It's almost too painful and unimaginable to even fathom but as I pack up and set out on my way, with Akron in my rearview mirror I know that these people among so many more taught me how to be myself and 100% comfortable in my skin. 

Akron, this place, this time in my life will always hold a special place in my heart. I can say unequivocally these people are the loves of my life. Come hell or high water, these people will be here for me and I will be there for them. I am so glad to say that I am an Akron Zip. 

Close beside Cuyahoga’s waters, Stream of amber hue,
O’er old Buchtel Summit’s glory, Waves the gold and blue.
Hail we Akron! Sound her praises, Speed them on the gale,
Ever stand our Alma Mater, Akron hail, all hail!

Staying when all I wanted to do was leave is one of my proudest moment. You can't move forward while looking back, while it's bittersweet to be leaving college, I'm excited to see what this BIG WORLD has in store for me. So while this is the most kick ass chapter yet, it's time to turn the page and see what's next. 

It's the end of the beginning, and the start of something new.

xoxo

KJB

To grow up would be an awfully big adventure