100 Day Photo Challenge: Day 31

Day 31 - A picture of what you wore today.

This is what I wore yesterday actually...  It's one of my favorite outfits.  I like to wear this shirt with either navy or yellow.

Shirt:          Grey and white patterned Tank - from Target
Sweater:     Navy with ribbon trim Cardigan - from Target
Scarf:         Navy and floral Scarf - from American Eagle
Pants:         Jeans - from Target
Shoes:        Grey suede Flats - from Target

As you can tell, I love Target.  lol  They just have really great priced clothes that are cute.  I don't know about you, but I don't like spending a ton on clothes, so they are usually my one stop shop.  It's nice to get a few choice items from specialty stores, but Target is great for simple basics.

Best,
Megan

100 Day Photo Challenge: Day 28

Day 28 - A picture of something you’re afraid of.

Even looking at this photo gives me the shivers.  I absolutely HATE snakes!  They are sneaky little creatures, and some of them can kill you within an hour.  Yeah, no thank you to that!  I am also scared of most spiders and bugs, or any animal that may attack me really.  lol  I guess I'm kind of a wuss, but I don't care.  I don't know who wants to be attacked anyway, so my fear is justified.  :-P

So this weekend I was in Nevada, and didn't have much free time to blog, so I took a bit of a break from writing.  I'm sure you all were crushed!  lol  Saturday was Grant's 10 year reunion from high school, so we went to that.  There wasn't a ton of people there and it wasn't all that exciting, but it was good to see a few of his friends that I know pretty well now and don't get to see very often.  We also went out to Joplin that morning to see the new Avengers movie which was pretty good!  Since it was also Cinco de Mayo we had mexican for lunch all together.  Sunday we had lunch with my parents, and watched some tv and talked for a while that afternoon, then that night we had dinner with Grant's parents.  It's so nice that they live in the same town, and I still can't get over that we have that in common (its so great!).

Well, since I am tired from the busy day at work today, I think I am going to catch up on some of my shows tonight.  Until next time...

Best,
Megan

100 Day Photo Challenge: Day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

I wish I could change the way that we live and effect this planet.  I am a huge advocate for recycling, and reusing.  It really is horrible the amount of trash and harmful chemicals we put into the ground and air.  If I was able to do something to impact my community, it would be to change the way that we produce things, use things, and get rid of things.  We need to be more conscious of the products we use, and insure that they are not damaging to the environment.  Using alternative energy is something that we all should be striving for as well, because we can't keep doing what we have been doing forever.

Best,
Megan

100 Day Photo Challenge: Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

How has a city had an impact on me recently you ask?  Well this city has given me a lot of ups and downs since I have moved back here, and it has made me grow and realize how important it is to work hard.  I have been given opportunities and have made the best of them.  Moving back to the city has also given me a lot of hope and aspirations for the future.  This photo in particular just reminds me how much I love this city and how I have always known that I wanted to live here.

I am back in Kansas City now, and just enjoying the rest of my day.  Tomorrow I start my new job, so I am excited about that.  Tonight I'm going to make my version of "white lasagna".  It's chicken, garlic, broccoli, Alfredo sauce, and lasagna noodles, with Parmesan cheese grated on top.  Grant really likes it and I haven't made it in a while.  Then we need to go do some grocery shopping for the week, and probably watch a few shows tonight.  GIRLS has started on HBO and its pretty funny and good.  Basically its about a few 20 something girls who have graduated from college and are looking for jobs and starting their grown up lives.  It's pretty good, you should check it out if you have HBO.  :)

Best,
Megan

100 Day Photo Challenge: Day 10

Day 10 - A picture of your favorite sport or favorite athlete.

I am not a huge sports fan by any means, and maybe its just because the season is just now starting and I'm more excited about going to baseball games right now that I'm choosing this over Mizzou football, but I love going to Royals games!  It's been a long time since I've been to a game; actually I think the last time was Janelle's 21st b-day celebration, which feels like forever ago since we're both almost 25 now.  We're getting old.  lol  But seriously I love going to Kauffman Stadium.  It gives me goosebumps, and brings back memories of going when I was little with my family.  It just has a certain nostalgia about it that I love, along with watching the actual game.  Baseball is a little slower paced and you can enjoy it a little more relaxed in my opinion compared to football.  Hopefully Grant and I get to go to a game or two this season.  It would be great to go with a group of people too.  I definitely want to go when my bestie is back in town.  :-P

Well I need to work on a few things for a meeting tomorrow at work, so I'm going to get to it.  Until next time...

Best,
Megan

100 Day Photo Challenge: Day 03

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Parks & Rec everybody!  gosh I love this hilarious show!!!

Had you asked me a few years ago, I probably would have said The Office, but now that NBC's Parks & Recreation has been soooo much better I can easily say it is my favorite show.  If you have not watched it yet, or are not caught up on the current season, you are missing out!  Probably my favorite part of the show is this man right here...

Mr. Ron freakin' Swanson.  :)

And now... a video tribute to the man with the stash.  (seriously the whole cast is awesome!  but I have a special place in my heart for Ron Swanson.)

 Monday, monday, monday...  glad that it's over.  Just gotta make it through the end of the week.  I've got a lot going on at work this week, so it should go by fairly quickly.  Time to get dinner started, so until next time...

Best,
Megan

Spring, Here I Come!

Ugh...  so remember when I had all these ambitions of refinishing my vanity and other little things for my room.  Well I haven't gotten very far on any of those projects.  I really really hope that I can be more motivated to get things done when I get home from work now.  Since I will be off all next week from work, even though I know I will be spending a lot of time at the hospital, I want to try and get that vanity FINISHED!!!

So as many of you who know me, know that I love making lists.  I just love anything to do with planning in general.  I'm going to try and make some sort of list that will inspire me or create a more positive attitude in me for the rest of the week.  I think it will be a great way to kick off my Mondays!  So this Monday I wanted to make a list of things that I would love to do this Spring/Summer.


  1.  Go to a Royals Game!

It has been soooo long since I've been to a game.  Honestly I think the last time I went to a Royals game was when Janelle was turning 21.  That's CRAZY!!!  I love going to Royals games, but living in Columbia, and working/going to school over the summers didn't leave time to come home for any games.  I HAVE to go to at least one game this year!  And maybe when my bestest friend comes to town we can indulge together!  :-D


  2.  Go to the Zoo

Just like number one, I have not been to here in a loooong time!  I'm pretty sure it's been much longer for this one though.  It's just a fun thing to do here in KC when the weather is nice.


  3.  Go to more Concerts!

Since going to my first real concert not too long ago, I have got the bug!  lol  I want to definitely take advantage of the Power & Light District's free concert series this summer since I am back here in the city!  I would love to go to a few other concerts coming to The Granada, and I would really love to go to the Buzz's Beach Ball.


  4.  Go camping!

I absolutely love to camp!  Now, I'm not one to sleep right on the ground or catch my own food and go all out.  I like my blow-up air mattress to sleep on, and bring canned food to cook.  I even really need to have a restroom facility and definitely showers if I'm there for more than a few days.  I like my creature comforts, but I love being out in the woods for a little while.  I really hope Grant and I get a chance to go camping sometime when the weather gets nice.


  5.  Take a Road Trip somewhere!

It's been since right after my senior year of high school since I've taken a road trip, and I don't know if that even really counts all that much since we just drove from KC to St. Louis.  But it was fun!!  Maybe not this spring/summer, but some summer I want to just take off west with Grant and explore.  I know we both love a lot of the national parks out west, and would like to go back one of these days (together this time).




  6.  DIY More!

I absolutely love anything Do-It-Yourself.  Well, I take that back...  There are A LOT of BAAAD Diyers, but there are a lot of  projects like this one above that I would like to try for myself and even for gifts to others.

Well I am going to try and get to bed, so I'm not so tired at work tomorrow.  It's probably going to be a long week, but at least I have next week off!  Have a nice night everyone!

Best,
Megan

Monday, Monday, Monday... oh how I despise thee

Where has the weekend gone?  And I even had Thursday and Friday off of work last week.  ugh!  This week I can feel is going to be a looong one.  Just gotta keep pushing through till Friday.

Recently I have been a little stressed out about a lot of things.  Most of which are out of my control, but I can't help but worry about these things.  For now I will just have to trust that everything will be okay.

Not coming up with anything too great to write about today, and I'm pretty tired so I think I'll just try again tomorrow.  Hopefully inspiration will come to me.

Best,
Megan

Front & Center!

Soooo  I have been a very busy bee lately.  This past weekend as you know was my mom's birthday.  I had also mentioned that we would be back in KC on Sunday because Hannah wanted to go to this concert.  So her friend ended up not being able to go, so who got stuck taking her then; me of course.  At first I was kind of indifferent about it, because I didn't really know the bands playing.  I knew Stephen Malkmus from the band he was in before (Pavement) but other than that I really didn't know how this would be.  And let me tell you, it was AMAZING!!  Now keep in mind I have never been to a concert (I know, I know...  for someone soooo into music this seems crazy, but since I am one of well one that likes the kind of music I do, its hard to motivate yourself to go to a concert alone.  Hopefully Hannah and I, and even Grant and I can go to some more concerts...soon!).  

Hannah and I get ready and head towards Lawrence to get there by 6:45ish.  We grab some dinner, and then head to The Granada.  The opener was The Nurses, and then the headliner was Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks.  So before leaving I heard one song from Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, and I liked it so I assumed it would be a nice show.  Since we got there so early, we got a spot front and center stage.  Like I was leaning on the stage, right up there, all up in their business.  So awesome!  I loved every single song The Nurses played.  They're really not well known, but I loved them!  (and I bought their vinyl LP at the end of the show! yay!)  They had a kind of more mellow style to them, which I am always attracted to.  Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks are a bit more up beat, and he goes into these amazing guitar solos.  I'll quit talking and let you enjoy some tracks from them...

The Nurses - Technicolor

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Stick Figures In Love

So the next day Hannah found pictures of us at the concert from people with The Granada.  This was so awesome!  I posted most of them below.  Click on the images to follow them to The Granada's Facebook Page and like them.  

This was a really great concert!  I had so much fun, and it was great spending time with my lil sis too!  This is definitely something that we both really enjoy and are passionate about; music.  I hope we get to do this a lot!

Alright, so the rest of this week so far has been pretty good as well.  At work I got put on a project to assist a few designers.  I have been working on pulling inspirational images, laying out the kitchen, and pulling specifications for appliances that will be in the kitchen design.  I enjoyed doing this a lot, and I hope that while I'm there I get to more things like this.  Today was really crazy because not only did I have to work on that project, but I also had to get another couple projects going for someone else and there was a huge event taking place tonight.  KU Med was actually hosting it, but they were using our showroom, so of course I helped get things tidied up and ready for the big event.  Crazy crazy day, but it was a good one at least!  Tomorrow I'm going in early to finish up the drawings to get ready to show them to the client.  I better be getting to bed then.  Have a great Wednesday everyone!

I would show my my jobs to my mother, and she would always say the same thing: “That’s nice dear.” And then she would say, “Did you write it?” or “Did you do the drawing?” or “Did you take the pictures?” I’d always answer “no,” then I realized the problem. My answer was then, “I made this happen. It’s called design.”  - Brian Webb

Best, 

Megan

My Leap List (and Monday's quick update)

Okay so before I get to my 'Leap List', here is a brief update of my Monday...  Back in Raytown, and back to work.  It seems like the days do go by fairly quickly now, and I am getting more and more things to do as the days go by.  Part of it I think is just learning what I need to be doing, or trying to study some of the products that they want me to know just by knowing the finishes or style of the doors.  After work since it was so nice, my dad was able to change the oil in my car and then we went and got some groceries.  Pretty uneventful day I guess...  I just hope this week goes by quickly, so I can spend time with Grant this weekend.

Okay so before I start this 'Leap List', I want to explain to you just exactly what it is if you haven't heard of it before.  Basically it is a list of things you want to do before the next big "leap" in your life.  I have always been a believer of having and keeping goals in your life, and this is just another way of setting goals for myself to achieve.  (these are in no real particular order, just what came to mind)

Megan's Leap List

1.  Find a Job I LOVE!

  So my "job" right now is less than appealing.  Not only is it unpaid, but it is residential and kitchens at that.  Now don't get me wrong, designing a kitchen for myself would be great, but when that is all you're doing for other people it gets boring.  I just don't see myself ever really enjoying doing something within the residential design world.  It's a whole other animal than I'm used to.  I don't really care if people think commercial design is boring or not (venting about someone who recently said this to me), it's what I enjoy.  I am glad for this opportunity, if only to further convince myself of where I need to be going in my career path.

2.  Travel More!

  It's not realistic at this very moment, but I hope that once number one is achieved I can take some weekends or some time to go back to the Grand Canyon, or go back to Yosemite, or even finally visit Seattle and Portland that I've always wanted to go to.  I also really really really wanna make a trip out to Colorado Springs a few times before Janelle's wedding!  I am so pumped about it!  :-P

3.  Get in shape again!

  So college life was great, going out for drinks, eating junk food at 1am at Stanley, etc.  Now its time to get back in shape and be healthy!  This is something I've wanted to do even while I was in college, but we all know how those college budgets are and how hard it is to keep with a good eating schedule while working and going to school.  I definitely wanna get toned up and lookin' good for my best friend's wedding!

4.  Buy a new car!

  Yeah, the old Impala is pushing 205,000 miles.  Its past due for me to get a new vehicle, but I'm not ready financially for one yet.  I just hope that it holds out until I get a new job and can afford a car payment.  I would really like to get another sedan, but smaller than my Impala.  I do like the Ford Escape, but it's pretty expensive and wouldn't get as good of gas mileage as say a Focus.  We'll see when that time comes...

5.  Get my own apartment!

  So moving back in with my parents after living on my own for a little over 4 years is not the most ideal situation.  But when you don't have a secure job yet, what else is there to do?  I can't wait to be able to be on my own again.  I love my parents, but having my freedom is just so nice.

6.  Get a puppy!

  Oh how I love dogs!  No other pets for me, just give me a dog and I'm a happy girl!  :)  I have wanted a dog for a very long time now!  Once I am on my own and established I could see myself having a dog.  Luckily while I'm living at home Ginger (our family golden retriever) is here for me to play with and love on!  :)

7.  Take the NCIDQ!

  I really want to be a licensed Interior Designer within the next 5 years, and in order to do so you have to pass The National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam.  Many people don't really know that Interior Design is a professional career that requires licensing in most states.  Design is not only about making things 'look nice', its much more about public safety and being responsible for the end users of the space you've created.  So don't just think it's all fun and games, we actually help you live a better life in buildings!  (or at least most of us do)

8.  Pay off a majority of my student loans!

  Ugh, that large number of student loans is lurking over my head.  I can't wait to start paying off that debt, and be done with it!  I know that I will probably be still paying it off by the time I get married (assuming I get married before another 10 years passes by  lol), but I would love to have a decent chunk of it payed off within the next 5 years.  Paying it off early would be great!

9.  Help out more in my community!

  So I know I am weird, but I really do enjoy doing volunteer work for my community.  I'm not just trying to do it to look good, I really do enjoy doing things that help people!  I have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity before and it was a really great experience.  Last spring I helped out at the Central Missouri Humane Society (granted it was for a class but it was so fun!), and got to walk shelter dogs.  I want to do more stuff like this in Kansas City and give back.

10.  Keep blogging!

  Since being inspired by my very best friend (since kindergarten) I have really enjoyed blogging almost daily.  I think its kind of therapeutic writing out my thoughts, or things about my day, etc.  I want to continue doing this throughout my life, and use it as a sort of written documentation of my life.


Okay, its time for bed sadly.  Gotta get my beauty rest and wake up fresh for work tomorrow.  yay (not)  So until next time...

Everything is designed.  Few things are designed well.  - Brian Reed

Best,
Megan