The Grown Up Life Wrap Up

I don't get time. And, quite frankly, I don't like it. Regrettably, I'd like to launch into a rant about how "It feels like just yesterday summer started..." and "it is almost August. How the Hello Kitty did that happen" and "it all goes by so dang fast." Ugh. So cliche. But so true.

I don't get time. Part of me is convinced its all a big joke. How else would an hour making cold calls feel like 3 days and an hour spent galavanting around downtown feel like a minute? I think time warps exist. Loosing ourselves in something we enjoy is the time-space equivalent of flooring it on an empty highway, where the not-so-fun stuff feels like trying to run with weights strapped to your ankles.

Today marks the last day living in my humble apartment abode, and the beginning of the last week of my internship. I've been an (almost) full-fledged adult for two months now, and I can say with confidence that the experience as changed me.

1. I've fallen even more in love with what I do. Content creation is my official professional love language. Whether its copy for an eBook, text for a blog post, or a pitch to a reporter, writing in the PR realm is my favorite way to get lost. My biggest PR accomplishments this summer have been crafting a blog post using thermodynamics as the main illustration (just as difficult as it sounds) and landing a story on the company in one of the top 50 newspapers in the country (that one still gives me goosebumps).

2. I've learned the science of sales. UFC's ain't got nothing on me. I'm eternally grateful for the skills I've been taught when it comes to sales communication. Talking to people is fabulous fun for me, and practicing how to steer conversations in different directions is something I know will be put to future good use.

3. My dad was right when he said, "never assume anything." "I'm just going to skip the chapter on sales," I thought to myself one day last fall, sitting at McConn with my marketing textbook. "I'll never need to know that stuff." Wrong. "I'm done with Spanish forever," I thought, walking out of Spanish 112 after my final exam freshman year. "I'm good with being mono-lingual." Wrong again. "I can go 85 on the freeway, no problem. They'll never take me alive!" I thought, pretty much every day. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

4. Never stop seeking friendships. In just two months, I gained a new member of my future bridal party. PB&J partners in crime for life.

5. Being one-track minded is way harder than I originally thought. I used to think the ability to only focus on one thing at a time was a positive, but I've learned it is something I'll struggle through the rest of my life. I've found that, in diving head first into work, other things get left behind, like the laundry that has been sitting in the dryer for 4 days and the several internship journals I have yet to turn in on Blackboard. Most importantly, though, I've learned that maintaining a relationship with God in the midst of life's manic pace is a hardcore commitment that takes work. And, to be honest, I've kinda sucked at it. Being intentional isn't optional. I know that now.

Without further ado, let's take a look at my summer bucket list from THIS POST.

(In no particular order)

1. Document my junior year {working on it}

2. Finish freelance "Words and Color" project {Halfway. After trekking back to Ohio I'm pulling it back out of the catacombs}

3. Read books. Lots of em {I've done pretty well. 1984, The Great Gatsby, A Simple Plan, Miss Peregrine's, The Stranger, On the Road.}

4. Make a significant dent in "642 Things to Write About" {Ooo, not so much. I need to get on that}

5. Catch up with old friends over lunch/coffee {Halfway.}

6. Learn a new trick on the trampoline {Not yet. How about....a full!}

7. Train for a half marathon {YES. Significant progress.}

8. Get super tan {I'm Venezuelan}

9. Move into the new apartment!

10. Buy a new professional wardrobe

11. Explore my brand new city

12. Learn a new language (Sales and Marketing speak)

13. Write several inspirational corporate blog posts

14. Cook an entire meal

15. Run the July 4th 5K with my Dad {It was pouring down rain. We opted out. Raincheck on that one.}

16. Dairy Shed

17. Tube it up at Dale Hollow

18. Make new friends

19. Go to a concert {Tim McGraw, Wilco & Bob Dylan, several concerts in the park, and soon JOHN MAYER!}

20. Collect data for my Senior Project {Starting that in August}

21. Talk to Jesus LOTS {Not as much as I should have. So sorry Jesus...we'll be catching as soon as I finish this, I promise.}

22. Go thrift shopping

23. Expect the unexpected {Oh, the irony.}

24. Carpe all diems. {A work in progress. Always. :) }

Imissionation: Where am I going in life

Thursday afternoon, I had the opportunity to meet with two Indy-based PR professionals who are rockstars in the industry. Wide-eyed and with pen in hand, I tried to make like a sponge and soak up every word they said while scribbling bits of the conversation in my trusty composition notebook (almost identical to the ones sitting in front of them. Take that, iPads).

Like gum to the bottom of a shoe, the advice they offered that has stuck with me since that meeting has been the cruciality of strategy in communication. Every word an organization utters, whether it be on a social media outlet, in a press release, or on the company website, must somehow fit into that organization's goals and vision for the future. You must have a plan in which every action fits. 

So that got me thinking. I found myself rewinding to stormy Tuesday night, grabbing a midnight snack with my best goons and talking about life. We were playing "The Question Game" (probably my favorite thing ever), and inquiring about random things. The question, "What is your mission in life?" came up. Dots connected. The same way a strategy must be implemented into a communication plan really should also be a factor in life. 

How often do I find myself just meandering through the day-to-day, with zero forward thinking and no rhyme or reason to my actions? 

I need a plan. And a mission. And imagination. 

I need imissionation. 

imissionation - noun

1. the culmination of one's life mission and vision for the future

2. an attitude which drives one to creatively seize the day

3. a rejection of complacency as to live life to the full

Here we go.

Main Mission:

To spread the love of Jesus in a way that creatively redeems the broken elements of a fallen world. 

I think sometimes, Christ-followers get stuck in the idea that we must either reject the world completely, or throw all caution to the wind and dance on ice with it. I believe, in following in Christ's example, we are called to engage with culture in a way that redeems it. God is in the process of redeeming all creation to Himself, and if we're not helping that process, we're hindering it. A Christ-followers reactions to most situations are the exact opposite of any old human's. With Jesus guiding you, people will notice a difference. And that is exactly what I want. 

Goal 1:

Put God first, others second, and myself third on the priority list. Always.

Goal 2:

Live up to the responsibilities God has given me in being a role model. 

My family is such a unique and beautiful construction. Being the oldest child (by 7 and 10 years), I'm humbled and honored by the role God has given me in my two little sister's lives. Its something I don't take lightly, because I have a responsibility to set a positive example and come alongside my parents in raising them to be Godly women. Burkhardt Babes for life.

Goal 3: 

Carpe all diems. 

I refuse to let opportunities slip through my fingers. My bucket list gets longer every day, and every day Today, Monday, July 1st (holy smokes its already July!?), I'm the oldest I've ever been and the youngest I'll ever be again (thanks for that, Eleanor Roosevelt). Time to get carpe-ing.

Goal 4:

Lifelong bestfriendship with the King of Kings.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Galatians 1:10

If any word, thought, or action doesn't fit in with the imissionation I have laid out, its got to go. Life is short, people! Live it up.

The Modern Apartment Renter's Guide to Neighbors

Do you hear footsteps above your head? What about below the floor boards? Does another front door exist 2 yards away from your own? If you have answered, "yes" to any of these questions, you have building sharers, more commonly known as neighbors. With the world's population increasing every day, space on the good ol blue planet is getting tight (actually, if you saw most of the state of Indiana, you may think otherwise. Fields on fields on fields). Therefore, instead of going the traditional, horizontal co-habitation route, some choose to stack living spaces, thereby creating apartments.

After living in our apartment for a month (our appartmentversary was the 19th!), we've had some time to casually observe our fellow home stackers. I've noted several species of neighbors that I feel are pretty common in most apartmenthoods.

1. The hateful pooch. Our neighbors up one and to the left's little pride and joy stands on the balcony waiting for someone minding their own business to walk by so he can freak out on them. Every time I see that little brown head pop out if the railing I prepare my ears for several minutes of manic barking. And he's not even cute.

2. The sweet old couple. Don and Lisa's front door is a mirror image of our own, minus their "Welcome!" sign and rocking chair (I'm not even kidding). Both always smile "hi" in passing, sometimes even stopping to make conversation! I want to bring them cookies sometime.

3. The angsty dude. Every morning, I see the same guy (about our age) take his dog out, and then again later. Every time, he seems to be in a bad mood. Maybe he's just not a fan of the dog, but some people just born party poopers.

{UPDATE! After this post was written, said dude introduced himself to Rachael and I. He's not actually grumpy, except when his dog eats an entire bottle of ibuprofen.}

4. The chic career woman. Pretty Asian Lady is always looking stellar when she leaves in the morning. I would guess she spends her weekdays working at Saks, as a realtor, or at a magazine. I think we would be great friends.

5. The Rando's. Either some of our neighbors are secretly shape shifters plotting to take over the neighborhood or different people are in and out constantly. Besides the regulars observed, we watch the population of a small country coming and going over the week. The Rando family is massive.







Overall, our neighbors ain't half bad (with the exception of Bob the Barker over there). Hopefully before we move out, I can test my hypotheses and learn more about our fellow vertical dwellers!

BBQ Chicken Pizza so easy, stranded islanders could do it

If I was stranded on an island (think Lost), and I stumbled upon a BBQ sauce tree and a herd of chickens, I would set up camp and prepare to spend the rest of my existence laying out on the beach, eating BBQ chicken, and hanging out with Sawyer.

Thankfully, the variations are barbeque chicken are endless. One of my personal favorites, easy on the wallet as well as absolutely delicious, is BBQ chicken pizza.

You'll need....
1 standard flatbread (we used the Flat Out brand)
Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce (you can use another kind but it won't be as good)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 can of chicken breast meat

Ready? Go!
Step 1: Load the flatbread with BBQ sauce.
Step 2: Layer on the chicken.
Step 3: Sprinkle mozzarella.
Step 4: Grill until crust is crispy and cheese is melty.
Step 5: Be prepared to fight off hungry neighbors.

See? So easy you could make one on a deserted island.

Happy Wednesday!

My "Resume" Part II

A little while ago, I was in the throes of internship hunting, wishing I could include some of my more obscure skills in my resume. Five months later, I'm loving getting my feet wet and hands dirty in the professional world and sprinkling bits of "buzz" while keeping my PR princess tiara straight. Therefore the time has come to update both my actual resume and the one I find both most entertaining as well as totally useless.

Katelyn Burkhardt

shingingintheuniverse.blogspot.com

Seeking to become a PR princess of an organization in which I can use my education, previous experience and leadership skills to royally manage all communication activities and have a lot of fun doing it. 

Relevant Experience

Fluent in the language of Movie Quotes

-Able to carry on complete conversations using only lines heard via the cinema

-Specialist in character voice impersonations

-Expert in dialects including Bridesmaids, Baby Mama, Hitch, and Pitch Perfect

Sock Bun Stylist

-Perfected the art of the sock bun

-Yep.

Big Spider Trapper

-Successfully caught and constructed a prison for a very large arachnid...

-...without gagging or spazzing out

-Calmed hysterical ten year old

Ice Cream Connoisseur 

-Sampled hundreds of flavors due to indecisiveness and cone commitment anxiety

-Self-proclaimed expert on the art of icy perfection

-Skilled in the art of flavor and mix-in combinations

iPhone Cat Photographer

-Successfully captured the essence of feline model pictured above

-Some say "embarrassing," I say "innovative" (there's a market for everything, people).

Hire me for all my practical and totally useless skills! 

The Polar Bear in My Lap

Why is letting go of insecurities so dang hard?

As soon as I start to relax, breathe, get comfortable, the jumbo polar bear that is insecurity lumbers over and sits on me.

Since starting college, I've struggled with the way I see my body. Satan saw a golden opportunity my freshman year when I entered the competitive world of collegiate cheerleading looking to prove my worth amongst a team of seasoned professionals. The more weight I lost, the tighter my new "pet" clung, and the heavier my heart felt. I was stuck trudging through each day with a bear on my back.

I've come miles and miles since that point, and I'm so thankful to God helping me shake off the big ol burden and move forward. However, it still catches up with me every now and then.

Finding worth and fulfillment in something (like external appearances) other than God is such a paradox. I know in my head that true freedom can only be found by giving insecurity a massive shove and being out the door hand-in-hand with the King before even hearing the "thud" of it hitting the floor. So why is that so hard to do? Why would I rather bury my face in the fur of the thing on my lap, holding on for dear life KNOWING that ultimately it will only turn around and eat me for breakfast?

It's a slow process, good people. Starting a new 9-5 job has left me skimping on reading my Bible and talking to my Father a little here, a little there. And Satan has taken this as an invitation to smack the polar bear on the butt and send him back my way.

I'm not strong enough to shove it back out the door. But thankfully, I have a Friend who is.

Time for some re-prioritizing.


{If you have ever struggled with body image, self worth, or any other insecurities, you're not alone, and I would love to have a conversation with you! Leave me a comment and we will be in touch. xoxo}

The Grown Up Life: 10 Facts about my First Go at Adulthood

One week ago today, I scrawled my massive signature across the document officially making me the renter of my first apartment.

I'm officially an adult! I thought, crossing the "t" on my last name. I've done it! I'm young, ambitious and ready to rock real life!

"Do you want me to take your picture signing the paper?" my mom enthusiastically asked, bringing the vision of a more sophisticated version of myself leaving a chic apartment successfully in skyscraper heels to a standstill. 

I guess I'm not there quite yet.

But nevertheless, I had a pretty fabulous first week of "adulthood."

This week....

1. I got a new roommate. Her name is Rachael and she rocks.

2. Several new words have invaded my everyday vocabulary including....

     -App Assessment (see also gold) 

     -UFC (short for upfront contract, not the fighting people)

     -List building (a little like being a detective, I think it should be called info extraction)

     -Cold calling (many I've made are pretty much hypothermic)

3. I learned there are more smartphones sold than babies born in the world on any given day! Shocking it took this long. I mean, babies are great, but can a baby find you the nearest Starbucks?

4. The refrigerator was no match for Rachael and I...we successfully cooked 4 dinners for ourselves! My most creative contribution? Salad with strawberries, cashews, and avocado. Food Network has already called twice (just kidding).

5. We were scouted to be hair models! The lady opened the door of the salon and said, "do you two want to be hair models? Hair cuts and colors are for free!" and we said, "sure."

6. Major adventuring took place. Turns out our neighborhood is overflowing with coolness and hidden gems.

7. We time traveled Wednesday afternoon. Back to the early 1960's for a company photo shoot. 

8. Nerd Alert: I got a library card! That list of books I want to read has been stagnant for far too long. Hopefully they don't do borrowing background checks....I have close to $10 in fines on my home library card. Oops.

9. I was able to hang with my company compadres on several occasions. So thankful I'll be surrounded by super cool people all summer long. So much talent up in that office.

Finally...

10. This week was chock full of change. Some have been great, others have been tough. I'm learning that there is so much to learn, and to be humble above all. Comparing yourself to others is super unproductive, and keeping a positive and teachable attitude is absolutely essential. Life is trial and error, stumbling before running, bellyflopping before diving. Above all, I'm trying to remember its not about me. All I have I owe to Him, and it is Him that deserves it all. 

Carpe Diem Project Update

Something about the mixture of a cloudless sky, pink lemonade, a brand new pair of shorts and eyes that actually feel awake makes me want summer as my home. If only I could live in the essence of summer, wear the sunshine as perfume, walk to the soundtrack of live music in the park, and sleep under the stars every night after a dinner of sweet tea, barbeque chicken and watermelon....

....until I got a massive sunburn and my allergies suffocated me and I weighed 400 pounds. But hey, a girl can dream, right?

Since my summer began a few short weeks ago, I've been attempting to carpe the diems out of the first chunk of my summer. This has meant...

-Limited social media usage
-Limited TV watching
-Lots of reading
-Lots of creativity

And the results are in!

1. I am able to fall asleep faster and sleep better at night. Reading before bed is much more relaxing than having a computer screen shoved in your face.
2. Books are no longer overwhelming. I thought the bookworm in me was long dead and gone, but by limiting my screen time, it was revived at last.
3. Creativity skyrockets when mindlessness plummets.
4. The project is doable. Once staying off mindless media was graced with the kiss of routine, the habit was broken.
5. Without the distraction of impulsive social media checking, I've been able to make some memories that DON'T involve status updates or relationship changes. I'd take a late night trampoline session, a crazy good suspense story, driveway track meets, random dance parties and ice cream runs over sitting on my badonk any day.

Tomorrow marks the start of phase 2. In less than 12 hours my first internship will begin! I am beyond excited for the opportunity to practice my PR prowess and do what I love. Stay tuned folks! Time to get down to business. 

Confessions of a Twenty-Something In-Between

I think I need to get my watch checked. Same with the mirrors. Something sketchy is happening, but I just can't seem to figure out what. See, I could have sworn that yesterday I was sixteen, living with little thought to what tomorrow would bring, let alone the next several years. But when my alarm went off at 6:50 this morning, I was 21, about to finish my junior year of college, and thinking ahead to being an adult. Curious, huh? 

As weird as it is being stuck between a kid and an adult, I am excited about what the future brings despite being faced with the giant question mark that will accompany my diploma at graduation. However, I feel a part of my heart will never pass the ripe age of ten. So what does this "second awkward stage" look like if you will?

Well, I must confess...

1. I'm really interested in branding and using social media to promote brand identity and stimulate brand loyalty.

2. Somewhere deep inside, I still want to be a ballerina when I grow up.

3. I'm going to publish a book someday. 

4. My first paycheck of my first job after college will go towards buying myself a puppy or a kitten.

5. Drinking a glass of apple juice on an airplane is a non-negotiable.

6. I actually enjoyed writing certain sections of my last research paper.

7. Last movie I saw in theaters: The Croods. 

8. I'm super pumped to be doing an internship this summer in an unfamiliar city.

9. However, I will desperately miss my trampoline while I'm away.

10. I'm saving every dollar I can in hopes of moving to the West Coast after I graduate. Besides the 20$ I just dropped for a concert ticket...oops.

In the end, I guess there's a little "kidult" in all of us. 

Deeper Waters

Ever since I turned 21, I've been feeling God's pull on my soul. Almost like once I reached this milestone, He looked at me and said, "Ok, Kate. Its time to dive a little deeper in your friendship with Me." 

So, after pacing the beach and sticking my toes in the tide to test the water, I've finally got my wetsuit on, holding my Father's hand for the plunge. 

Some things He has been teaching me:

1. I need Him. It is absolutely impossible for me to change my bad habits and hangups. I need His transforming power to flood my heart in order to make me more like Him. I can't do it by myself!

2. He wants all of me. To be unified with God, I must surrender all that I am to Him. EVERYTHING. My dreams. My desires. My life. I am not my own. How liberating it is to rest in the fact that God is in control.

3. I can always count on Him. He cares about even the smallest details of my life! He is so holy, but loves me enough to answer when I call. 

4. The road will be difficult, but worth it. I'm prepared for the world to hate me and what I believe. But that is ok with me, because I have His hand to hold, and He has overcome the world.

My "Resume"

With cover letters, resumes and applications for summer internships making my head spin, I officially feel like I'm growing up. Weird. And pretty scary.  I've become a pro at tailoring my resume to show my experience, but I always wish I could add some...err....skills and accomplishments that I am most proud of besides those related to PR. So, in order to get this desire out of my system, I have compiled my resume of awesome yet totally worthless information.

Katelyn Burkhardt

shingingintheuniverse.blogspot.com

Professional Summary

Seeking to become a PR princess of an organization in which I can use my education, previous experience and leadership skills to royally manage all communication activities and have a lot of fun doing it. 

Relevant Experience

(With photos to prove it)

Freelance Chalk Artist                                                                                                             Forever

• Once covered my entire driveway in sidewalk chalk
• Artwork lasted for several days before rain washed it away
• Everyone in the neighborhood was jealous

Starbucks Addict                                                                                                   January 2012-Present

• Once consumed Starbucks 4 times in 3 days
• Mastered the art of the complicated order
• Used skills to order a Pumpkin Spice Latte AFTER said drink was discontinued
• Kind of maybe almost a Gold member

Cupcake Extraordinaire                                                                                   September 2012-Present

• Have baked dozens upon dozens of cupcakes
• Mastered the use of an icing bag
• Accomplishments in include cinnamon roll cupcakes, cookies and cream cupcakes and Andes mint cupcakes among others
• Have never burned a cupcake

Mug Collector                                                                                                    December 2012-Present

• Exhibits excellent taste in coffee mugs
• Has a vibrant collection of rare and beautiful mugs
• Realizes coffee in a cute mug is necessary to start the day right

Accomplishments and Awards

High Score on Just Dance 4                                                                                               January 2013

• Beat my little sister's record for most points on "Beauty and a Beat"
• Appointed myself as Best Dancer in the House
• Justin Bieber's next back-up dancer

Who says growing up has to be so serious? :)