One and a half more days of school, and then ::dundunduuun:: finals. And I am tired. four hours of sleep since Sunday? Oh me, oh my.

My News Presentation class did group projects (yuck on the group part), and my group did a story about abandoned animals in Lubbock. I wanted to share a few pictures of these sweet, sweet animals.

Little kitt-ay

It took all I had to not take this guy home.

Fuzzy ears.

Me, oh my. This semester was so hectic, and I apologize for abandoning my blog. As the semester closes, I will find interesting subjects to discuss. I guarantee it.

I have not been cooking much because I'm stinkin' busy with school and work. Yep. I got a job! My internship at Fox34 turned into an associate producer opportunity for the daily agriculture show (on a side note, I know very little about agriculture). But life has been good in that area.

No recent concerts, art or anything creative...However, I would like to share this picture of my friend, Daniel:

I tinkered a little with the exposure, but this is one of those pictures that just kind of worked. The color of the lights are natural.

The last three weeks in Lubbock were fun, but incredible uneventful. However, I did move out of my apartment, and I'm currently homeless until August 15th.

I did do quite a bit of soul searching over my hiatus, though. I bought a magazine about writing novels and short stories. I think I could do it! Mom wants me to be like Danielle Steel, but I'd rather tell stories that are timeless. I'm currently reading Jack Kerouac's On the Road. It's very well-written. I like his short, descriptive sentences. I hope I'm inspired like so many others by this book.

I'm no longer in Texas. I'm on a family vacation in the Northwestern United States. I landed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming yesterday, and we drove through Yellowstone. I finally got to see Old Faithful!

Old Faithful a-blowin'

From there, we stayed in West Yellowstone, Montana in a cute little cabin.

Today, we drove eight flippin' hours through the beautiful state of Montana. There was not much going on, and no cell phone service I might add, but the scenery was breathtaking. Mountains, covered in evergreens, grazing cloud-spotted skies. There was a rocky river that peeked in and out of sight of the freeway.

Then, my dad spotted a bear.

We pulled over on the side of the freeway so my dad could take pictures. He's a regular Clark Griswald.

Needless to say, this will be a very interesting eight days.

Well, I've finally made it to Lubbock! And I couldn't be happier.

I was supposed to move into my new apartment, but that fell through. Blah, blah, blah. So now I'm here with nothing to do but party. Maybe I should find a job to keep me out of trouble...

Nah.

Estelline had a great show last night at Blue Light. It felt so good to be back with my friends. I was reunited with many good people, good drink specials ($1 wells, woot woot), and great music.

Hey, hey. Look what I got.

And it hurt. However, I did not cry, yack or pass out. It was a successful experience. I think it's beautiful and received some good feedback on it last night.

I find it strange that in this flat Texas town, I am happier than any other place in the world. Is it the freedom I have? Is it the fact that I'm more responsible for myself? Or is it the loving people I am surrounded by here?

Picking around on a piece of ground in your hometown.

I suppose I never closed out the trip in my blogs: Finished my French class with an A. Shabooyuh. Paris was overcrowded and had an abundance of souvenir shops. I wish it wasn't so touristy. I did love the Eiffel Tower though. So romantic. Slept for about seven hours of the 11 hour flight home, which was awesome.

I made it home broke, tanned and slightly more European than I started.

I've been in Tyler for roughly a week. Needless to say, I'm ready to get to Lubbock tomorrow! I enjoy the relaxation that Tyler provides, but I'm ready for freedom. This place is oppressive to me. I can't be bothered in Lubbock like I am here. I believe my flaws are more prominent while I'm in Tyler, like being put under a microscope and examined. In Lubbock, I don't feel like that; I'm far more independent and liberated from any blind criticism.

I was able to pack the Mini with everything I intended on bringing: my giant acoustic bass, my record player, the greater half of my record collection (roughly 80 of 145), and some clothes.

I'm hoping to get a job when I get to Lubbock. I'd love to work at the local record store (Ralph's Records), but I'm trying to feel if they'd hire someone that would need to take off almost all of August (family vacation, sorority rush, etc.). If the record store doesn't want me, maybe a local coffee shop.

Well other than reading Jack Keroac's On the Road and getting ready for the big move in Lubbock, nothing terribly interesting is going on in the life of Kat.

France, I love you, but you're making me fat.

From the French baguettes to the delicious countryside cheeses, I must've gained a million pounds in the past month. We leave Montpellier on Friday for Paris, where we will be wined and dined at the expense of Texas Tech. I'm excited for gourmet food, but all I need right now is a long margarita fast.

It has been a wonderful experience, though. I've met good friends, learned more French than I could hope for, and gained patience through the language barrier. I've written some poems, sketched a few buildings, and drank some delicious coffee.

Yesterday, Sherel, Nicole, Steven and I went to the beach. It was a bit overcast and cold but a relaxing day, nonetheless. Here's an excerpt from the poem I wrote at the beach:

Our Mother's most powerful and prominent feature draws me to you through Her power, Her beauty and Her love-- all of which have helped create and destroy the likes of man.

I don't know. I fancy the poem, I suppose. I don't write mushy stuff well (yeah it's one of THOSE kind of poems...), and I'm not sure how I feel about sharing the whole thing. Maybe one day.

My sandy feet at Palavas.

We've seen so much and done so many things; it's hard for me to keep up with this blog! I'm very sorry for neglecting.

Last night, my host mom and I had a bonding experience over sunburns and watermelon (or "pastèque" in French). I taught her to sift a bit of salt over the watermelon, and I think she liked it. I told her it was a Texas tradition. I showed her my sunburn, and she helped me apply vinegar to it; supposedly, that helps it not peel. I'm not a fan of the remedy because I smelled like I had been bathing in vinegar. If it works, I'm a convert for sure.

Kind of ready to get back to the States. I love it here, and I'm valuing my experience. I do miss everyone though. And my own habits of sleeping, eating, etc.
I've been seriously considering going back vegetarian. I did it for six months a couple of years ago. I can't do it in France because my host mom cooks for me, and I don't know how to tell her that I won't eat meat. Luckily, it's in moderation. There are many valid reasons for doing it: health, animal decency, clean mind and body. There are so many steroids and growth hormones in meat today that it's incredible. I'm sensitive to the process, too. I find it very disheartening to see and read about the cruelty inflicted on these animals.
Check out Paul McCartney's video about animal cruelty: (WARNING: Very graphic.)

Find out more at Meat.org.