N(ew) Y(ork) C(ity)

The Big Apple...


Grace (seen in a photo with me in Time Square) bought Kendall and I 2nd row seats for the Phantom of the Opera. I was amazing! I could see the sweat on their brows! Thank you so much for that wonderful gift Grace!


Times Square...Such a CrAzY PlAcE!!!


Kendall looking around TS.


I love all the colors and all the different people.


Kendall and I


Grace and I. We stayed with Grace at her families home. She is such an amazing girl and was such a blessing! Thank you Grace for showing me such a wonderful time in NYC.


The NYPD blocked off the streets leading to the bridge where we needed to go to see the fireworks. They were trying to mainstream the crowds. So, we thought we would sneak through a parking lot. Well, it had a fence. We decided to crawl through the fence. We were one of the first through. Then a mob built. The NYPD came. We left.


NY City Fireworks.


The fireworks were even better because they were reflected on the buildings! It was like we were surrounded with fireworks.


I kept thinking how mighty she looks!


Shoes worn by a child in Ellis Island.


This was one the first views of Lady Liberty that I had. She is something to behold!
Did you know that she is only two pennies think?


The Great Hall of Ellis Island. This room holds so much history. Truly the historical Welcome Center for the US.


I am so proud to be a US American.


Photo taken of a window ark in the Great Hall in Ellis Island.


As I walked through Ellis Island I couldn't help but think of how many people have walked on these tiled floors. How each of them had a story. Each of them had so many dreams.

Let's just say...it was a crazy busy and super fun trip!

It Was a Zoo-Rific Time

Several ladies from my ladie's bible study came up to Madison today with all the little girls in their lives! It was great to share this afternoon with them!

Mom's Dream

My mom just bought her first home and the gardens are breathtaking...





My mom is truly living a dream!

There is Something Wrong with This Picture...

I don't know why this event pushed my button, but deep down inside I am still very annoyed. It might be because when I finally am done with work and class and I head home I often have to search for a parking spot on a nearby street. (Parking is eighty dollars a month at my apartment complex, so I am doing the street parking right now). It sometimes takes me 10 to 15 minutes to find a spot and depending on its location I have tiresome walk to my apartment, five flights of stairs to take and a hall to walk down. I think that being in my shoes and seeing this right next to my apartment complex (seriously...no long walk with this spot) anyone would be a little upset...

Yes, you are seeing this correctly. There is a little yellow moped taking up 1 1/2 parking spots. Is it illegal to move it three feet to the right, yes! It is illegal to move it with the front end of your car, yes! (although I did think of doing this and saying opps...Didn't see it...maybe they shouldn't have parked there...I didn't of course). I wouldn't mind if someone else, who didn't have the same reservations I have, would come along and take care of this parking problem...

With all my love...

Many of my dear friends who have been studying at my college are have left or are leaving very shortly. Even though many of them have not been in my life for a very long time, it is hard for to me picture my life without them! Thankfully I will be able to visit most of them with I am in Northern Ireland and can't express my excitement for that! Here is a photo from our final night out on State Street! Thank you so much for making this semester so much fun and a time of many laughs and great growth! I love each of you!

Happy Day, Mom!

Dear Mom,

I am so thankful for you! You help me to live, learn and grow. You are my best friend. Someone that I am 100% myself around. You love in my bad times, you comfort me during the valleys and you cheer for me I am at the top of the mountains. I love you!

Your, Katie B

Niamh & Pj

My dear friend Niamh has been parted from her "special" friend all semester while she was studying abroad at my school. I edited these photos of the two of them as a special little gift! I am so excited

What Wonderful Friends...

I have some wonderful friends, who mean so much to me! My birthday started was welcomed by a paper which I worked on until three in the morning. It was filled with a long and tiresome day at work. It ended with a "surprise" party from my friends! The "surprise" was not so much of a surprise because they needed to borrow my pan to bake the amazing from scratch cupcakes that Audrey made! I received beautiful flowers (this is only the second time anyone has given me fresh flowers). I was also given the wonderful gift of a coupon to use when I am Paris and it is good for an entrance to a museum of my choice and my ticket to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower! I have been truly blessed with friends who I can laugh with, joke with and even cry with! I truly love you girls!!! Please enjoy my birthday flowers:

Fun Edits

A Weekend of Fun with Audrey and Niamh!

This weekend I took two of my exchange student friends to my moms home and had a wonderful weekend! Audrey (France) and Niamh (Northern Ireland) are two friends who I will be spending a good deal of time with next fall. On Saturday we had a night in talking with my mom and grandma. Audrey also went to Wal-Mart for the first time ever on Friday! She was shocked with the size (It was a super Wal-Mart). On Saturday Audrey made a a wonderful breakfast of french toast! It was seriously the best french toast I have EVER had, Food Network worthy. Later that morning my mom, Audrey, Niamh and I headed out to an Amish community in Cashton, WI. We were able to go into the little shops in the front of their homes and try many of the sweet treats like homemade donuts and turtles. We also stopped at a cheese factory where we were able to eat from fresh cheese curds (Audrey and Niamh's first time!). They were the best curds I have ever had, they were super squeaky! They saw the Mississippi River for the first time and saw the largest 6 pack in the whole world. Oh, and they ate at Applebees for the first time as well as I CULVERISED them! Did I mention they saw a lock and damn and went to Minnesota! No wonder why I was so tired this morning...we did a lot of stuff!

Pictures Coming Soon...

OJ and Applesauce

Trying to keep my eyes open and quite the little annoyance of a hungry tummy I turn toward a glass of OJ and some applesauce. Weird, I know, yet so delightful. I think it is me wishing in the summer and all the light refreshing delights it holds. Need to get back to work. Dreaming about this summer does not seem like the best plan!

I Am Your Peer Leader!

This past fall I was asked to be a Peer Leader for a forum of freshman. The forum is meant to guide them through their first semester of school and to give them insight into topical issues. My forum looked at global issues and perspectives. I met Kelsey on her very first day at Edgewood! She is now one of my best friends. It was Kelsey who got me to sign up for alternative break! Here are some photos from our time in Kentucky!