Favorite Things Friday: The Best of Thanksgiving Break

I feel a typical list of favorite Thanksgiving things would include photos of extravagant dinner tables, relatives snoozing in front of the football game, and smiling yet freezing friends standing in line at the mall at 3 am.

But not this list! This "Favorite Things Friday" is dedicated to some of the best and most random moments that occurred on my Thanksgiving Break back in Ohio.

1. SANTAAAA! I know him! Just kidding, that's my sister. I have always told her to quit using my phone to take beauty shots of herself that I up deleting later anyway, so I'm finally getting a little payback. However, Marissa and I had a blast the night before Thanksgiving watching funny YouTube videos of Glozell and Bad Lip Reading for 2 hours straight.

2. Bethany. My favorite evening I spent with this little buddy consisted of playing One Direction trivia before baking cookies and ballroom dancing to Christmas music in the kitchen. The kid is talented in all three areas.

3. Dewey's Pizza. It is tradition in the Burkhardt household to dine at Dewey's in Dayton on the night of my homecoming. "Going hard" is an understatement when it comes to us five consuming Dewey's, as we (nearly) devoured 1 large cheese pizza, 1 small buffalo chicken pizza, and 1 small veggie pizza. We had to practice for Thanksgiving dinner somehow!

4. Tree Decorating Boot Camp. On the day after Thanksgiving every year, the Christmas tree rises from the depths of the basement, and every year we smile and reminisce as we pull out ornaments from years past. THIS year, however, my sisters needed a little help in proper ornament hanging technique. I will not disclose the number of ornaments hung backwards, or ugly ornaments placed front and center, or fights over whose "special ornaments" would be placed where. It was hilarious.

5. Target shopping. And Justin Bieber of course. I visited Target three times over break; once actually on Black Friday.....at noon. :)

6. Post-Turkey Just Dance. Forget the food coma following copious amounts of stuffing and pie, the Burkhardt Babes got down playing our favorite Wii game of all time, under the usernames of Moonhead, Coconut Man, and Pea. Just Dance is something all three of us agree on despite our age differences, and I always look forward to laughing and dancing with the two of them to our favorite songs.

Happy Friday!

Hidden Gems: Marion Walkway of Lights

Christmas time is here once again! And, amazingly, Marion, Indiana is also known as Christmas City, USA! Don't believe me? Check out the Marion Walkway of Lights for proof!

Stretching over three miles beginning (or ending) at Matter Park, the Walkway of Lights will transport you to a wintery wonderland of professional light displays! Walk the trails with a cup of hot cocoa in hand or observe from the comfort of your vehicle for an evening of Christmas cheer with good friends. The walkway is open every night from 6 to 10 until New Years Eve.

Have fun!

Thanksgiving Break...

...starts tomorrow!

Obviously I need it. 

Here are some tips to make this Thanksgiving Break the best yet!

1. Be thankful! Seems cliche, but God deserves our praise and thanksgiving. Not just because Thanksgiving is approaching, but because He is so good. Use this time to get into the habit of cultivating a thankful spirit all year round.

2. Pay special attention to tradition. Every Thanksgiving night I sit around with my family and watch a movie while scanning newspaper ads and eating popcorn. Being at college makes me appreciate tradition more than ever before, and I savor each moment.

3. Try something new on the table. I hated sweet potatoes at one time. Then, one fateful Thanksgiving, my life changed forever.

4. Don't be guilt-tripped into participating in Black Friday. Wake up at 3 a.m. to breathe the same air as thousands of crazed, turkey filled individuals in Wal-Mart when I'm too broke to buy anything anyway? No thanks. I think I'll sleep in and then bake cookies.

5. Rest! Wednesday through Sunday is yours to spend relaxing with people you love. Enjoy it!

Favorite Things Friday

1. Super Nintendo. Mario, Donkey Kong, Frogger, oh my! I'm obsessed with the video game system living in our room that is even older than I am. Last weekend I spent a good amount of time on the couch with controller in hand trying my best to dodge bad guys and snag 1-up mushrooms.

2. Gingerbread Lattes. I didn't even know I liked gingerbread until last week! A perfect blend of spice and sweet, Starbuck's has created the creme de la creme of Christmas coffee perfection.

3. Bre. I had the opportunity to spend three days with this girl while the other six roommates were out of town last weekend. We had a blast watching movies, eating Ivanhoe's, and, of course playing Nintendo. Bre is a fun-loving, dependable friend and I super enjoy sharing living space with her!

4. Jesus. Recently He has been showing up in amazing ways. God has been teaching me what it means to be in a friendship with Him, as opposed to a boss-employee frame of mind I'm guilty of falling into. The invitation to be friends with the King of the Universe is what separates Christ-followers from those involved in any other faith. Other religions are just that: religion. But Christianity is a life-changing relationship. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

5. Jump5. My favorite group at age 11 had a major comeback last night. Joelle and I had an impromptu early-2000's-Christian-teen-group jam session while all the other roommates were out. And I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed or totally jazzed that I still know the words to every song.

Happy Friday!

Getting Cafeteria Creative

College food is something we all love to hate. After surviving crazed lunch ladies, unidentifiable mashes, and "mystery meat" in elementary school, cafeteria calamities are back with a vengeance. Recycled main dishes, limp salad bar lettuce, and slimy lunch meat leave our taste buds distressed and unsatisfied.

Sick of the same old same old? Thankfully, in a college cafeteria, a little creativity goes a long way. 

1. Slice up some apples and arrange on a plate. Pour caramel ice-cream topping over the apple slices, and top off with crushed peanuts!

2. Vanilla ice-cream + Rootbeer  = easy rootbeer float! Also works with Orange Crush and Mountain Dew!

 3. Fill a mug half-way with waffle batter, and add desired mix-ins (chocolate sprinkles shown above, found by the ice-cream). Microwave for about 1 minute and 30 seconds and grab a fork for a muffin in a mug!

Cest La Vie

And now for a slice of real life...

Behold! The face of the Prisoner of Jackson Library. 

I'm a slave to Marketing Principles tonight. 

Oh well. Such is life.

A fabulous post filled with useful info to come Wednesday!

Favorite Things Friday

Today's edition of Favorite Things Friday is brought to you by....

ALL THE ASIAN BABIES!

Try to NOT smile while looking at the adorable faces pictured above, I dare you.

Welcome to a glimpse into my future family. 

(And my current one. The bottom left picture is of my dad and my little sister, 13 years ago!)

快樂星期五！

Curiophany

I felt it for the very first time strolling down a swarming sidewalk. The chilly air nipped at my cheeks; a reminder that this was real. Taxi tail lights danced down the streets like guests at a ball. Echoing car horns and the click-clacking of millions of feet created a symphony of city sound. The smell of winter and fresh soft pretzels collided as bundled street vendors called out to the crowds. Items in store windows smiled and winked from inside their glass cages. My eyes desperately tried to savor every color and shred of light offered by massive billboards, like a frantic child during an Easter egg hunt. Gaze shifting upward, thousands of glistening windows decorating mile high buildings framed the velvety night sky.

I was sixteen when New York City swept me off my feet. 

The feelings I had towards Manhattan I couldn't describe. The mixture of wonder, excitement, curiosity and longing was left unnamed, because it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. And I never experienced this kind of affinity for a city again.

Until I visited Chicago.

During a weekend in the Windy City with my family, the strange concoction of feelings returned. The culmination of emotions left me planning my future in Chicago; picking out an apartment, nailing down the closest Starbucks, and watching my 25-year-old self walking to work in heels and a classy peacoat. 

And then I found myself in Los Angeles...

Shortly before I wound up in San Francisco. 

Each time I visit a new city, the pull returns. I picture myself doing life there, jogging through Central Park, shopping on Michigan Avenue, or grabbing lunch at Pier 39. I construct a future against the backdrop of the skyline while wondering about adventures to be had. 

This phenomenon, I decided, is known as curiophany. 

Maybe the only person on earth to have experienced curiophany. Or maybe there are others who find time spent in new cities more inspiring than any tangible item. One thing I'm sure of, however, is that I plan to let curiophany fuel the pursuit of my dreams. I will live somewhere incredible someday, and wake up every morning falling more in love with a beautiful city. 

Hidden Gems: Potters House and Tree of Life

In the Indiana town of Marion,
Although very small,
A magical land exists,
To be visited in the fall.

A land of gourmet chocolates,
Ice-cream, books, and coffee.
Colorful handmade treasures,
beg you to come shopping!

This wonderful world exists
Just behind a common door,
Hidden in plain sight,
Under the guise of a store.

Just a stones throw from campus,
If you hit Walmart you've gone too far,
The Potter's House/Tree of Life awaits,
So what are you waiting for?!

Each time I set foot inside the Potters House before meandering next door to Tree of Life, I'm reminded of the shop's magical qualities. The store sells a variety of trinkets and gifts, most of which are Fair Trade items crafted and sold by people in Third World countries to earn a living. Therefore with each purchase, you are helping someone in need! The Potter's House also donates 10% of all profits from Fair Trade purchases to St. Martin's Center, which provides food for the hungry in Marion!

Along with Fair Trade treasures, The Potter's House also sells two of my favorite things: gourmet chocolate and ice-cream!

A wonderland indeed!

After buying a brand new scarf and a pumpkin turtle to munch on (see above. Looks delicious.), head next door to the Tree of Life Bookstore to find a good read and a cup of coffee. Selling a huge variety of Christian books, bibles, music, and gift items, Tree of Life boasts of a chill atmosphere to browse or study. 

While McConn and even Starbucks are usually crowded and can be expensive if you're craving something fancy, Tree of Life has plenty of space to hit the books and good prices on drinks. 

Music to my eyeballs and taste buds! 

Address: 3700 S. Western Ave.

Have fun!

Favorite Things Friday Special Edition

Well, now that Halloween is over....

Welcome to Kate's Christmas List!

Christmas should be named the fifth and best season of the year. Therefore, why not start celebrating early to stretch it out as long as possible?! 

1. Mugs. As a crucial part of the coffee drinking experience, the value of a cute mug is way underrated. It is my goal to accumulate as many different kinds of coffee mugs in my lifetime as possible!

2. My own personal Starbucks. So I can get lattes all day every day. Just kidding. But a Starbucks gift card in a stocking would put a jolly smile on my face.

3. K-Cups. Previously featured in this post, K-Cups are quite magical in my sight. By now, my coffee addiction should be several shades of obvious. I love K-Cups in any and every flavor!

4. A filing cabinet. Call me crazy, but my tendency to collect things finds filing cabinets appealing. Such a gift would allow me to categorize and store the things that I have accumulated over my life that I can't bear to throw out (old notebooks, cards from friends, pictures, etc).

5. Anything from Target. 

6. All the cute cold weather gear. Knit hats, scarves, and mittens/gloves have been dancing in my head thinking of walking to class in the cold next semester. Aside from keeping me warm, I love the stylish aspect of fun outerwear! 

Happy Friday! 

Favorite Things...

Has moved to Fridays!

Check back tomorrow for a brand new special edition post of Favorite Things FRIDAY.