Day 30 of 30: Reflect & Forsee

Day 30 of 30: What are your goals for the next year?

1.       Hopefully in the next few months I’ll be able to confirm the dates & book my trip to Paris in May

2.        Pay off the rest of my car

3.       Survive my first year at my new job (I’ve officially survived my 1^st week on the job with no catastrophes!)

4.       Continue to deepen my relationship with Christ

5.       Smile more. Stress less.

6.       Take another step towards an international move

7.       Visit home and my extended family at least once

8.       Travel even more than 2014: I’ve visited ½ of the US, so I need to start working my way through the 2^nd half

9.       Deadlift 2x my bodyweight, beast out some strict pull ups and learn to do a 1-handed handstand

10.   Learn a new language (or become better at the ones I know)

11.   Try sushi

12.   Take on a new hobby (SUP anyone?)

13.   Start my side business (in the works currently)

14.   Serve on a mission trip, internationally or on the home-front

15.   Pour into the lives of others with the love of Christ

The past 30 days have fun exhausting but really fun blogging on a regular basis again. Thank you guys for the sweet comments and love you’ve spoken to me over the past month; what a fun trip. God has really blessed me with a love to write and share my thoughts with others, and it constantly amazes me that my seemingly blank words can speak to you in a deep way. Always remember you are a child of the most high God. You are blessed, you are chosen, you are adopted, you are accepted, you are redeemed and you are forgiven. Your identity is in Him. {{Galatians 2:19-21}

Day 29 of 30: Crossfit Chick

Day 29 of 30: Something that is a part of your routine that you really enjoy.

Daily tasks can become monotonous and boring; day in and day out doing the same exact thing. There is some comfort in knowing what to expect, but if you’re anything like me, after so much of the same thing, I start to go a little batty. One of the things that I love about my routine however is going to workout. I find working out therapeutic, a way to clear my mind and get out aggression or frustration. As I’ve moved over the years I’ve bounced from gym to gym doing the whole Rush fitness thing, Gold’s Gym, zumba, cycling, pilates, yoga, MMA, boxing- you name it and I’ve probably tried it. It wasn’t until a little over a year ago that I found my niche: Crossfit. 

What is Crossfit? Check it out!!! 

One of the reasons I love Crossfit is that although it has become a part of my daily routine, I never have to worry about being bored. Every day is something different, and with the exception of benchmark WODs, I rarely repeat the same exact workout twice. It’s tough. It’s challenging. It makes you want to puke or faint or die, but that’s what is awesome about it: the Crossfit program and coaches push you that one step further that you wouldn't push yourself riding it solo at Gold’s. It’s not necessarily about lifting heavy weight or running the fastest (although those are perks of the program), it’s really about testing your personal boundaries and seeing how far your body can go when you take your brain out of the equation. So yes, working out and hitting the box is part of my daily routine but it’s one of the things I look forward to most about the day, whether it’s at 5:00am or 6:30pm, it becomes a highlight of my day.

Day 28 of 30: Pet Peeves

Day 28 of 30: What are four pet peeves you have? 

1. Chomping on gum: It is evident now that not everyone was taught to chew with their mouth closed as a child. A 6-year-old is one thing, they don't know better; but a grown 36-year-old woman should have the common sense to close her mouth with the big wad of double-bubble. It's gross. 

2. People who continually use vulgar language: It's not attractive. The English language has so many elaborate and colorful words to use to express you absolute detest of someones outfit, how angry you feel, or how dumb someone is. Come on people, open a thesaurus. 

3. The helicopter coworker: The coworker that rolls their chair up behind mine and scares the ever-living-daylights out of me thanks to the white noise. It scares me every single time when someone pops their head into my cube and I'm so not prepared- give a girl some warning!

4. Using speaker phone for no obvious reason: You know you've seen it, the guy walking in the mall going on and on about something via speakerphone. My theory: unless you're in the car, trying to conference call people in, or you broke your thumb and can't hold your phone- don't use speakerphone in public :) 

Day 27 of 30: In the End

Day 27 of 30: If tomorrow was your last day on earth, what would you do with your time?

James 4:4 "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog- it's here a little while, then its gone". We are not guaranteed an extra day on the Earth. How do we know that today isn't our last day on this planet- what would you do, and how would you react?

I'm not sure if anyone is ever truly ready to say goodbye to the ones they love; it feels like there is never enough time to get all we want accomplished. I believe knowing that today would be my last day would change my perspective on whether or not I was able to finish all the tasks on my check list- the meaningless checklist that we feel like we must complete to have a 'successful' day. 

I wouldn't be scared to be completely transparent and tell the people I love that I truly and deeply love them. I would hope that they would already know how I felt about them, but I would just take an extra moment to articulate my feelings and express how much they have changed my life. 

Shocking I know, but I love to write, so I think I would sit down and write a letter to my family and just…write: write about my memories, write about the fun trips we shared, write about the hard moments that brought growth through pain, write about my unconditional love and thankfulness for them in my life.

I would take take that risk that I'd been holding back on: I'd tell that guy I love him. I'd cut and color my hair. I'd go bungee jumping. I wouldn't let the fear of the future hold me back. I would have a reckless abandonment that only God can give you and finally have peace about my decisions. I would want to stay up all night gazing at the stars and marvel at God's wonder and splendor.

Mostly, however, I would spend every waking moment with my family and friends and soak up their every-being and cherish the final moments I was allowed with them. Because in the end, it's the people and the memories we have that make our life truly worthwhile. 

Day 26 of 30: Call me Maybe?

Day 26 of 30: What kind of person attracts you?

People ask for your “type” but I don’t know if I have a type. There’s a physical attraction to a body type which is, obviously, important for a relationship but I think that what is really attractive is their qualities and characteristics that shine through. I mean come on, a guy can be hot, but if he’s a complete player and an absolute jerk- it’s such a turn off. Physical looks will change over time but a guys qualities, charm and personality are the things that will stay in the relationship.

For me, some of the most attractive qualities in a man:

Humorous: Laughter is contagious and there’s nothing more attractive than a man who can make me laugh and laugh at my (lame) jokes.

Genuine: I can tell when a guy is being sincere. I hate it when a guy is trying to be someone he’s not, or trying to be someone he thinks I want him to be. Be you. Be sincere. Be honest.

Relationship with God: Quite possibly the most attractive thing about a man is if he is in an active relationship with the Lord: seeking, praying, reading, worshiping Him with a reckless abandonment.

Spontaneous: I love spontaneous trips, random texts, silly dates. It’s great to have structure and established plans but it’s so sweet when a guy randomly wants to do something that you hadn’t thought about. I teeter between structure and crazy spontaneity, so having someone who compliments that is important in my life.

Adventurous: He has to be willing to take risks, try new things, go new places, and most importantly travel. I love to travel and it’s so attractive when he too wants to travel and explore the world…preferably together!

Family-oriented: I love my family and I want him to have a good relationship with his family as well. You don’t just marry the man, you marry the family- so it’s important  that he is willing to work on the relationships with his family and welcome the love of your family.

Ambitious: A man with ambition and drive is important because it shows the true sign of his character. It’s okay to be in a career you’re not in love with, but I need to see that there is drive and ambition to change things and take active steps to change it in the future.

Thoughtful: Little thoughtful things speak volumes. A note in a lunch. A encouraging text on a stressful day. A favorite drink made when you get home- it doesn’t need to be big, extravagant or expensive, I just want to see intentional, thoughtful acts because they speak louder than any sort of flashy jewelry or expensive dinner.

Day 25 of 30: Hot Pursuit

Day 25 of 30: Something you feel strongly about

When I get passionate about something, it's pretty obvious, I get fired up. I have a heart for people and an absolute tender spot in my heart for God's creatures. I hate seeing people left out or made picked on and it's one of the reasons I became a sorority mommy for two years during college- because no one was standing up for the girls who didn't wear Lilly Pulitzer or have monogramed everything…but I digress. 

If I had to choose one topic I was adamant about it would be how a woman is to be pursued by a man. Obviously besides treating a lady right, I believe it is so important for a man to pursue a woman’s heart. Biblically a woman is supposed to be pursued and a man is to pursue her heart. I love that saying “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in the Lord that a man has to go through Him to find her”. Courting may sound old-fashioned to some, but to me all it means is pursuing a woman’s heart and not her body. He should want to ask her questions, understand what she’s thinking and feeling, discover her deepest desires and dreams all while keeping the physical side separate.

Call me old fashioned but I still find it charming when a man comes straight up to me and asks me out on a date. I don’t want this “lets chill” or “hang out” thing; I want an intentional invitation to go somewhere one-on-one and learn more about one another (and I don’t think its too much to ask of a man- any grown man is completely capable of asking a woman out on a proper date).

I believe it’s important that a man pursues a woman and provides her with a solid foundation for their relationship. That begins with talking. Talking on the phone, through texts, in-person: all of these lines of communication allow a woman to open herself up to him on a deeper level than just a physical side. Women also have the responsibility to be pursued. Especially in the 21^st century when women are incredibly strong and powerful, its that much more important for a woman to slow down and let the man take the lead. It may not be in our culture anymore to let a man open the door, order for you, pull out your chair, and pray over the meal but it’s Biblically-based that women are to be pursued and sought-after.

Women, let a man court you and pursue you. Let him take the initiative to go out. Let him chase you, don’t just give in to any first guy who shows you attention. Let him go after your heart, not just your body. Let him be courteous and show chivalry and appreciate it when he does. Ladies you need to wear the Armor of the Lord and cloth yourself in dignity. You should allow a man to take a lead, let him pursue you and don’t chase him. Let yourself be open to God’s will and His plan for your life but don’t place yourself in a man’s path in hopes you will change his mind… it doesn’t work like that. Dance with God and He will let the right man cut in.

Day 24 of 30: Movie Date

Day 24 of 30: Whats your favorite movie and what's it about?

I love watching movies whether it's in the theater or at home. There's nothing like curling up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn and M&Ms with the lights off and watching a good movie. I couldn't choose just one movie so here is a few of my quick-picks:

Favorite Childhood Movie: The Lion King

Favorite Chick Flick: Father of the Bride 

Favorite Romance: Pride & Prejudice  

Favorite Action Film: Bourne Legacy  

Favorite Comedy: The Proposal  

Favorite Holiday Classic: White Christmas 

Day 23 of 30: Easy on the Eyes

Day 23 of 30: Who are 5 celebrity guys who you find attractive?

1. Matthew McConaughey

So Matthew's wouldn't be my initial go-to for looks, however, his sense of humor is what gets me and I find it incredibly attractive when a man can make me laugh. 

2. Jude Law

So Mr. Law with his British accent, jagged jawline, alluring academic look… Yup! For me a mixture of brains, academia, charm and good looks is a quadruple threat.

3. Chris Pine 

Chris Pine's eyes are so crisp and blue, you could absolutely sink ;) A guy with eyes that make you want to melt is definitely an attractive factor!

4. Zac Efron

Zac still has that boy-next-door charm which is incredibly attractive.

5. Ryan Gosling 

Well Ryan Gosling is and forever will be "Noah" so that's that!

Day 22 of 30: Plot Twist

Day 22 of 30: How have you changed in the past 2 months?

Well isn't this a fitting question considering the day? Over the last 2 months God has definitely been up to some big changes in my life. I've been unhappy at my job and just didn't know where to go. I started applying and just feeling it out. I received several inquiries and a few offers but none just felt….right. Then an opening came along at a company I've been eyeing for years; on a whim I applied and about two weeks later I got a call back for an interview. I went in for the interview and felt confident about it but just really felt like it was a stretch for me to be at this company. Two weeks later I got the second call back. Stunned, I went in for a second time. One week after that I was offered the position and had to make a tough decision: stay at my current place I hated but felt comfortable and liked the people I worked with, or take a leap of faith and aim for a new adventure. I chose to leap.

So as it turns out TODAY is my first day at my new job!! I have a strange mix of excitement and nerves all in one feeling: there's always that nervousness when you don't know what the future holds, but I am so excited for a new challenge and a new adventure. Sometimes I swear I have such a disconnect: I am content to stay in one place for a while and do my thing but then suddenly I want a change and an adventure. Hence why I have this unquenchable need to travel and have fun adventures (:

One of the things that really attracted me to this new position is the opportunity to travel both in the country and internationally. Not only will I be able to travel for my job, but the company is so large that there is potential for me to move internationally within the next 2-3 years.

So this morning I embark on a new adventure in my life. God has a plan for this and I'm unsure of what it is, but God's timing is perfect so I'll follow Him and trust in Him. The past 2 months have been a whirlwind of change and meeting new people. On top of the job change there's been a few new people and relationships that God has placed in my life. There are three people in particular I have met that I know God has placed in my life for a particular reason and this upcoming season makes me so excited to see where He wants to take me.

Don't settle for the monotony of life. Don't be scared to take changes. Be still and listen to God. Set out on a new adventure. Seek out His path for you and He'll take you to places you never would've imagined.

Day 21 of 30: Covert Affairs

Day 21 of 30: A show you are currently obsessed with.

After many years of watching Law & Order:SVU on late-night reruns, I can no longer do scary and bloody shows and movies. It just doesn't sit well with my spirit. However maybe it's my slight rebellious streak but I love a great suspense show: guns, secret service, government scandals and kick-butt high heels and I'm totally down.

I am absolutely in love with the USA Network original series "Covert Affairs". Covert Affairs is about a young CIA trainee, Annie Walker, who works for the DPD (Domestic Protection Division) as a field agent. The show is about thrill, government scandals, homeland security, romance and the thrill of the hunt- it definitely leaves you on the edge of your seat each week. The character of Annie Walker is so complex and just when you think you have her pinned down, there's a completely new component to her that makes her that much more intense, hard core and just cool as ever.

Plus besides her absolute kick-butt-take-no-prisoners attitude, her wardrobe and shoes are absolutely ahhh-mazing. Annie Walker holds it down for the the whole protecting the United States from imminent threats, no big deal.

Day 20 of 30: Oh the Places You Will Go

Day 20 of 30: 10 Places You'd Like to Visit

1. Paris, France

2. Berlin, Germany

3. Stockholm, Sweden

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

5. Budapest, Hungary

6. Oslo, Norway

7. Florence, Italy

8. Dubrovnik, Croatia

9. Gaza, Egypt 

10. Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Day 19 of 30: Love Your Parents

Day 19 of 30: How do you feel about disrespecting your parents.

I was blessed with such wonderful parents and I genuinely love them. It's one of the closest earthly examples of Christ-like love I will ever experience, the sacrificial and unconditional love of my mom and dad. I seek their wisdom and guidance. I know that they will love me, no matter what my decisions, and that they continually think and pray for me; it's a wonderful kind of love. 

That being said, I think it's so important for a guy to have a relationship with his family. Every family has the crazies, the drama and the black sheep of the family however, how a guy interacts with his family shows a lot of his character and what his future family could be. There is nothing worse than a guy disrespecting his parents and talking crap about his family, it immediately turns me off and I no longer respect that guy. I want to see a guy have a relationship with his family, value them, love them and continually seek to build that relationship.

I see TV shows where teens continually disrespect their parents, talk crap about their mom, scream and yell at their father, and then storm out of the house and peel off in their mom's car: it kills me. Our parents were created by God to train us, inform us, and provide us with tools to be successful, loving, and responsible people for the Kingdom. It's their responsibility for the at least 18-years they have with us to teach us how to survive on our own and prosper. So teens, think twice before you get pissed that your mom won't let you go to the mall by yourself: she's protecting you from situations that could be compromising. Don't get angry that your dad won't  let you go to the football game alone: he's protecting you from having a tempting situation. 

God commands us to honor and respect our parents, and it's one that shouldn't be forgotten. 

Day 18 of 30: The Traveling Cupcake: Unwrapped

Day 18 of 30: What is the Meaning of your Blog Name?

The Traveling Cupcake: I'm a 20-something writer with a day job. I love earl gray tea, cupcakes, all things British, traveling everywhere and anywhere, my puppy and curling up with a good book. 

The Traveling Cupcake name came about when I was moving to England. I knew I wanted to keep a blog of all my adventures while living abroad but I couldn't think of "the name". It's one of those things in which you don't want to make a rash decision like when you were 13-years-old and were making an AIM name and end up with "soccer_chix_xoxo99"…never a wise decision.

In the end the name just came to me and it fit perfectly, The Traveling Cupcake. I absolutely love traveling, eating amazing food, getting lost, finding my way, trying ridiculous things and having stories to tell my grandchildren one day.

So that is how the Traveling Cupcake came to be: a blonde girl, who loves to bake, traveling the world and looking for an adventure.

Day 17 of 30: Fluffy Buddy

Day 17 of 30: What kind of pet would you keep as a pet if you could?

Little known fact about Katlin, I absolutely love animals. When little girls were watching the Disney princess movies, I wanted to watch the Lion King and 101 Dalmations. My favorite place to go, to this day still, is the zoo. If it has horses involved I'm in. And don't get me started about a cute puppy on a walk- I'm all over it. 

My baby girl, Abby, is by far the best member of my family. I could never replace her, but if I had to get her a playmate I'd have to pick… a penguin! I love penguins, they're so cute and that little waddle is adorable. How could you not just want to go and give one a hug? 

The pros of having a penguin as a pet:

1) You have an excuse to always keep your house cold

2) You could wear scarves and sweaters every day inside your home

3) Train it to serve you, and it's like having your own personal butler

4) They can wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble baby wobble

5) You'd have a faithful companion to waddle after you all day

Day 16 of 30: Mainstream

Day 16 of 30: Your views on mainstream music.

Mainstream music. Hmm. I'm going to interpret 'mainstream' as music on the Top 40 chart. I have an eclectic taste in music, my iPod has a mix of Christian, latin, classic, french, trending top 40s, soundtracks, movie tracks, and country. I love music and depending on my mood just depends on what I'm listening to! 

I think music can determine your mood and set a tone for the day. A bright sunshiny day, driving down the highway and nothing is better that a great country song playing. A gray rainy day calls for Norah Jones and a cup of tea. Friday night heading to salsa dancing, then latin music is definitely in order. I've always loved music and enjoy listening to (almost) all music.

Mainstream Top 40 music is quite interesting, there is a mix of things I like and things I don't like. As a Christian, songs laden with curse words and crude language towards women just really doesn't do it for me. Some of the songs that come on my radio while I'm driving are so inappropriate that I have to change the channel. There's nothing worse than driving in the car with my youngest brother and having one of these raunchy songs come on the radio. Eek! However I really do enjoy Taylor Swift's new "Shake It Off" single, Philip Phillips songs, Norah Jones sad tunes, One Direction's ode to love and of course Blake Shelton's tribute to his horrible baking skills. Music is fun but it can definitely affect your spirit. It's important to realize these are just songs, and not to take them to heart and let them affect you and your spirit. Enjoy the song for its artistic nature but don't take on that lifestyle.

Day 15 of 30: Follow Along

Day 15 of 30: Your favorite blogs.

I have a few blogs that I love to follow and read, you should check them out:

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

Coco Rose Diaries - which reminds me living in England.

Danielle Walker, Against All Grain - make her GF chocolate chip cookies, they're absolutely delicious!!

Proverbs 31 Ministry - gain a little inspiration in your day.

Day 14 of 30: Memory Lane

Day 14 of 30: Your earliest memory

I grew up in Minnesota and at that point in time, we lived in a cute little house in a suburb of Minneapolis. I was probably around 3 or 4 and it was just myself, mom and dad (the brothers hadn't graced us with their presence yet). My parents worked so hard back then to keep the family afloat, my dad working 2 if not 3 jobs. In the winter months my dad would work incredibly late (or at least what seemed late to a 4-year-old) and on those nights mom and I would be alone. Mom always cooked dinner for the family but on those nights, the two of us would do something special that we never got to do- we got to eat in the family room! She would pull up my little Crayola craft table into the family room and we always ate Ramen Noodles. She would put in one of my favorite movies of all times, Father of the Bride, and we would sit in the family room at my little craft table and eat Ramen until dad got home. Dad would get home and he would be covered in snow and frost and the best part was that his mustache still had ice formations on it, ha. 

Those nights when mom and I got to eat Ramen Noodles in the family room and watch Father of the Bride were always a highlight in my childhood. Dad would come home, almost frostbitten and ate Ramen too and it was just a fun, silly memory that I'll always cherish. 

Day 13 of 30: Take Me Away

Day 13 of 30:  Somewhere you'd like to move or visit.

The list of places I want to travel is so extensive, I couldn't even begin to narrow it down. I want to make it a goal to visit a foreign country at least once a year and travel the world while I'm young, able, and not tied down to anything. 

If I had to pack up and move tomorrow, I would be torn between two places I absolutely adore:

1. A light and airy flat in Paris.

A wonderful, light, airy, teeny-tiny flat, maybe even a one-bedroom studio. I want to be able to walk to the corner market and buy seasonal fruit and fresh picked flowers, and then take an aprés-midi de repos at a little café on the street and enjoy a thé et croissant. That city lifestyle and the endless opportunities to experience the lifestyle of a city-dweller sounds absolutely charming.

Then there's the other part of me that would love to move to:

2. A small, historical cottage in the countryside of England

I want the old historical cottage with exposed beams, leaky faucets, a crumbling fence and foliage crawling up the side of the house. Romantic, charming, historical and inviting. I love several different areas in England including the northern Peak district and then of course, my all-time-favorite, the area surrounding Bath. That country lifestyle, the slow pace, the long walks into town, limited technology and being untouched by the outside world seems absolutely peaceful and serene.

Again, I have desires that pull me in completely opposite directions; a quiet country life and a fast-paced and dreamy city life. Maybe that just means I need to have both...

Day 12 of 30: Day in the Life of a Traveling Cupcake

Day 12 of 30: Bullet your whole day

4:50: Wake up..hit snooze
4:53: Face reality and actually get up
5:10: Leave for Crossfit 
5:30: The pain begins…CROSSFIT!
5:30-6:30: No pain, no gain: Crossfit time
6:45: Frantically shower & get ready for work
7:25: Leave for work
8:00 - 5:00: Long incredible day at work training in the new guy
5:01: Happy dance :) 
5:05: Battle the rest of the world driving down I-40
5:35: Arrive at home and take Abby for a walk
7:00: Meet my sweet friend for wine & dinner
9:30: Drive downtown and get ready for a fun night of Latin dancing
9:45 and on….dance the night away


My life is pretty typical and nothing too exciting :) but I'm going to follow this blog this as close as possible!

Day 11 of 30: Soundtrack to Life

Day 11 of 30: Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up.

1. One Direction "Little Things"

2. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova "Falling Slowly"

3. Hillsong United "All I Need Is You"

4. Norah Jones "Lonestar"

5. TI "Whatever You Like"

6. The Civil Wars "My Father's Father"

7.Christina Perri "Jars of Hearts"

8. Idina Menzel "Let it Go"

9. Xtreme "Te Extrano- Bachata"

10. Icona Pop "I Don't Care"

So in conclusion, I have an interesting collection of music; an eclectic mix at that. Latin, Christian, pop, R&B, acoustic, chill, musicals... I am surprised a Christmas song or two didn't pop up there because I definitely have Christmas rocking on my iPod. Music can transcend time; a song can take you back to a memory, a feeling, a season, a thought, a person, a party, a moment in time. Music is a therapy, an escape, a small bit of time to relax and unwind. I was blessed to have the gift of music when I was little, a gift passed down to me by my grandmother. Piano has run through my veins since I was little and I hope to pass on the tradition to my children one day as well. Music will always be apart of my life, from piano to broadway to latin music and everything in between: music is the soundtrack to life.