Music & Lyrics

"Music is a moral law.
It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to
life and to everything."
-Plato


There is something magical about the crisp autumn air that channeled its way through the city today. So much possibility rested within it. There was the desire to dance along the street as the rain sang its song....if only I wasn't immobile due to this migraine. :( Its been two days now. Two days of feeling my head swell in pain, but I kept thinking of how soothing that rain was. There was so much beauty between the pitter-patter. Once the sun-less sky grew a deep hue of purple, I gathered my things and caught the next train into the city. I wanted out, I needed to find peace in my thoughts and warm my mind with a cup of joe so I went to the nearest Starbucks and grabbed the usual- tall bold, and began to write my dearest Hope. Randomly, my 'home-base' of a Starbucks was closing at 9h30pm v.the usual 1am due to renovations. So once more, I gathered my belongings, and held my warm coffee close to my chest as i strolled about Union Sq in search for a place to cozy up and continue my writings. I followed the tunes of the 3 cuties playing their ukelaylee (sp?) on the stairs edge. I was attracted to not only their style, but their great spirits. I continued their, amongst a crowd of fellow New Yorkers, and continued to write. About 5-minutes into my "alone time," a man turned to me, reached out his hand and asked for my name. "Kristin," I replied.
"Emanuel."
He was an italian man, 31yrs young, and filled with many interesting words on politics, religion, philosophy, and above all- of music. Emanuel and I exchanged our thoughts on all of the above for hours. Before I knew it, it was already 1am, and I was still sitting on the stairs with a man who was no longer a stranger to me. He came to the city around the same time as myself, and has one more month to fully grasp it before he heads back to Sicily. He is a musician, plays classical guitar, and came to learn and grow and hopefully gain inspiration through the music of the city. -- He's not too impressed, to say the least. But I certainly was with our conversations! Together we devoured all the topics, and really dug deep into the beauty and the language of music. The most amazing part of it all, was when he couldn't find the exact translation for his words, so I asked him to speak it in his native tongue. I said that perhaps there would be a chance I could help in finding the right word through his italian. So italian he spoke, and my eager ears listened intently. It was so beautiful, and to both of our surprise, quite simple for me to translate. I was taking his italian, translating to french, and then going from french to english. You know what the irony behind all this is, is that music is the same in every language. :) It was truly remarkable to be sitting on the cold steps at late hours of the night in NYC, with a perfect stranger as he spoke to me in italian, and I to him, in english. We challenged one another on the topic and found comfort in the the endless directions we could take it. He believes that there is no other music more pure and beautiful as that of classical music. there is a certain knowledge that lies within its notes and allows your mind to speak for itself. I'd have to agree. We are forced to allow our imaginations run free, and our minds get to work when we are carried by the melodies of Mozart and Bach, we are taken places that not even Lady Gaga herself can take us. I'm listening to Mozart myself tonight, and I plan to keep it going as I lay in bed. I want it to serenade me into a deep sleep and cradle my dreams.
I've been inspired by Emanuel, in more ways than one, and I want to challenge you to join me in this. But for this week, listen only to classical music. See where it takes you, how it speaks to you. If you can, throughout this challenge, keep (at least, if not something else) a pen and paper at hand...close your eyes, and translate in your own way the "lyrics" to this symphony. May it be drawing, or writing, or creating in some form, allow the music to take control. I'm so inspired, and I hope you are as well.
All the best,
Kit

Almost

This morning I woke up nearly in a panic with the thought, I'm almost 23. I'm not sure of all that I had dreamt last night because I wasn't even aware of how I felt about this single thought. But it got me thinking about who I am, what I've done... am I contente? I've been teetering with my answers all day long, and here I am, 3h30AM and I find myself unable to sleep and still debating my very thoughts. My feelings on this matter are layered, yes, no, yes, no. On the surface, life is incredible, it has the ability to have meaning and to constantly surprise us. I want to live life having no regrets... but does that mean that I'm not really living? I want to be a prime example to friends and family, and to my kids. As children we are always being told what not to do so that we are protecting all our values, - our interests, our bodies, ...our hearts. It's easy to cave in, but it's harder to stand your ground. I want to be an example, I want to be a good example, but I can't say that I am. Like everyone out there, I have my personal struggles-- my daily struggles. And I'm working on becoming a stronger person, but as the days go by, I feel I gain strength in one aspect of my life and grow weaker in another. Some times I really wish I were more rebellious, but I know that I'd regret the rebellious impulse, whatever it may be, some time down the road.

I keep and maintain a forever growing list of Things To Do Before I Die, and I can't even begin to tell you how happy this makes me. Some of the things listed are the amongst the simplest to accomplish, but its just the little things that make me smile, and some are so obscure and seem out of character, but when presented the opportunity, I refuse to turn away. I want to try everything, I want to do it all, I never want to stop learning, and I always want a good story. I refuse to die until this list is complete... and the irony behind it all is, there is a handful of "things" on this list that just might be the end of me. Ha. I have checked off a lot, and added just as much since I started this list nearly 7 years ago. So when I woke up this morning with the shortness of breath, I calmed myself down when I thought of this list. I thought of all the things I have done thus far, at only 22, and all the things I have ahead of me. I thought about my family, and just how beautiful they all are, and about my friends, my life- all that I have, I am so blessed. I am nearly 23, and when I close my eyes, a smile begins to grow across my face. Life is beautiful, and I want to embrace it. I feel I do. and though I know I shouldn't care of what others think of me, I'm beginning to realize that so many people don't think that I live. Me. Because I don't rely on substance to loosen me, and because I've never been in a true relationship or slept with anyone... that, in their eyes, means I've never lived. I am discovering my true self as the days carry on. Of course there are things that I desire to have or to be... things that I've never done or experienced that I someday hope to. Do I do them now? I'm nearly 23, this is my prime- and that, right there, scares the hell out of me. If this is my prime, then how come I've never had that opportunity? What's wrong with me? (-- and see how the teetering occurs? ) I have so much, I've done so much, I've seen so much... but at the same time, I am only just beginning. I'm going to try and see the beauty in this, and try not to get hung up on all that I lack. Someday my time will come, someday I'll get the chance... right?

So for now, I am nearly 23, what am I going to make of it?

Trial & Error

what to do at midnight?... Well, here in good ol' Wisconsin we can drink beer, go cow-tipping, OR raid the pantries and taste everything! Which is exactly what we did...well, Miou did most of the tasting ( in Maud-size portions of course :) ) It was so cute. We had just gotten home and we could admit that we were tired, but as usual, we just didn't want to sleep. To us, sleep is simply a waste of time. So we brewed a pot of coffee (extra dark, just the way we like it,) sat out on the deck staring at the midnight sky just talking. After that, we searched the house for food. Some was odd, and some familiar, and some just filled with great child-hood memories ( i.e. the marshmallows in lucky charms,) and we nibbled our way through the night. I love this girl. She just cracks me up!


Tonight we a dinner party at her house in Milwaukee, just us girls. And it was so sweet. Maud prepared us all home-made spring rolls, which I have never had before, and they really were quite good. And she even baked a cake for desert. It looked delicious but unfortunately my stomach couldn't handle an ounce of anything else.

Right now she is trying to fall asleep, tomorrow is a big day.... it's her last day. :( I don't know what I'm going to do when she leaves. I mean, i suppose that life goes on as usual, but I'll be on cruise control, just getting by. With Maud and Karin, life is good again. Real good. I love these girls so much. Our friendship, is such a great thing. Here we are, seperated by land and water, miles apart, and not seeing one another for years and when we are reunited it's as if no time had ever come between us. That is true friendship. We are all here for one another and honest with one another. We're friends.

I apologize, because my mind has so many thoughts going on right now and I can't seem to focus on just one thing. This entry will most likely be a short one, and probably very random. OLE!

Last night, Karin stayed the night. We were having such a 'blah' day. Not sure why, but neither of us were motivated to do anything. Well... I know why, but it isn't something we want to talk about because it only makes matters worse. The three of us are being split apart again. It's the hardest thing to even think about. I see the eyes watering up when we mention the slightest bit of it and I feel my eyes start to flood. It's hard. I'm so blessed to have such beautiful people in my life. I learn so much from them. I laugh so much with them, and I smile. Have you ever caught your self fake smiling? From time to time I'll slap one on because I know it's what people want, but I never really paid much attention to it. And Maud has pointed out that these are our "real smiles." I didn't know that one could see the difference, but she can, and now I can too. Up until Europe, I hadn't really smiled. School just killed me. I knew it was rough while going through it, but now looking back, I see how miserable I was. I felt as though I had little, if anything, to live for. School, homework, school, homework. That was all I could do. And now I'm back home, and I remember why I smile. Sad, huh? I'm getting so sad to leave back for school. Right now everyone is in Colorado to set Emily up for school and I stayed behind to spend time with my foreigners. I miss my family so much and I know I'll be seeing them in a few days here. But the house is so big, and dark, and quiet and lonely. I'm used to the bare minimum of 8 people and 2 dogs running around the house and now I'm down to....me. When Karin and I got home last night, we placed our purses on the table and just exchanged a look of disappointment. It feels weird. And that just wast a good combination with our "blah-ness." To make things better, I baked her some cookies. She wanted them for a midnight snack- literally. Haha. I baked the cookis around 9h30/10h00 and she waited till 12h00am on the dot. She kept looking at the clock sighing until the digits went from 11h59 to 12h00. It was worth it, so she said.
Today, she and I decided to have a somewhat productive day because we assumed that a storm was headed our way- BOY were we wrong! Today could not have been more beautiful, 76 degrees, gentle breeze, and the clouds were dreamy! What did we do all day you ask? We worked on personal projects. I just about finished a garment I am working on for my freelance, and Karin read her book. It was nice.

I am listening to my itunes right now on shuffle, and I am thoroughly pleased with the songs that are playing. :) well, I am needing to write in Mauds journal now. So overall, Lately I have felt happy ( to have my best friends at my side again,) and really sad ( to know they are leaving again,) and now I'm pissed because i am getting eaten by this mosquito that I can hear but can't see or kill! AHHH! Well, good night world. schalff gut!

You Gave Me Peace in a Lifetime of War

This was such a gorgeous sunset over the fields of delafield
The three pirates have been re-united once more. I can't even find the words to explain just how great it is to be with them again- and at the same time! Tonight we ate a very (filling) American meal for my little foreigners. Mom grilled some burgers, some corn on the cob, some french fries and a very green salad. All was delicious as usual, and now my stomach feels it's pain. I am getting so big! gah!
After our giant meals we needed some quality couch time, you know, to let everything settle- and whats better that to watch Troy?!?! Afterall, this is mine and Karin's tradition, and Maud's first time watching it.Pour little frenchie, she is still sick from me. I feel awful! She leaves for France this saturday already and Karin is next week. And Emily leaves for school early (early early early) wed. morning. The family is driving out with her and I am so torn if whether or not i should go. I've waited three years to see my pirates, but at the same time I haven't seen Matt for the longest time and I'm not ready to say goodbye to Emily yet. ...I'm never ready to say goodbye, it truly is the hardest thing for me. So now I'm at a cross, do I say goodbye now or extend our adventures? Ah, decisions, decisions.
So Nana had to go back to the hospital today. I'm so scared. I don't like to admit it, for reasons I'm unsure of. I guess what I want is to stay strong for the family-especially for dad.... I'm also in denial of anything being wrong. My mind is just incapable of grasping the severity of her illness. why is it that in life we must be confronted with such hardship? Does it really make us stronger? All I feel is small, weak, and useless. I don't who is reading this, or if anyone is for that matter, but whoever you are... can you please pray for Nana? Pray for her health, and comfort and the strength of my family.
As I struggle with these thoughts, Kadyn came up to cuddle at my side. He brings such comfort into my life. Being home is so good, I'm free from my insomniac-self, and surrounded by my family. I'm so blessed. I really am, and I never tell them how much they mean to me, at least not as often as I should. I need to change this. I have definitely learned over the past years, that life is much too short. Too short to fight over the little things.


Maud andKarin, and all the house is asleep. Everyone but Kadyn and I that is. The poor little guy, he's so tired, but he won't sleep till every last person in the house is silently sleeping. Unfortunately for him, I don't plan on sleeping anytime soon. The two of us are just sitting on the cold kitchen floor, of all places, wrapped up in quilt and a warm coffee at hand. I'm thinking of moving to the deck once I wrap this up, just to enjoy the night sky. Earlier in the week, Maud and I went over to Andy's house and we layed out on the lawn watching the meteor shower. I had always wanted to see one and never had until wed. night. It was incredible! Very surreal, and just absolutely breathtaking. It's one of those events that really proves God's beauty to yo. My eyes were open so wide!

Summer has really been going fast. I leave in just a few weeks already! I'm not ready to go back. I'm not ready to leave my family- we still have so much that we have to do together.
Last night I was up till 5am working on a jacket for my client back in Savannah. I'm almost done. and then after that it's onto the dress. I should really start sewing here in a bit, finish at least one garment! haha. I suppose my rambling is due for an end here. Well,good night to you.

Click, Click, Click

Good Morning World! it's 1h32am here in good ol' Wisonsin. Maud, Michael, and I just finished watching the movie 'Yes Man.' We figured 2hours ago that we would just fall asleep to it, but instead, stayed up laughing through the whole movie! I love this movie! like, a lo' a lo'! ( inside joke- reference to the Parent Trap)
Anyways, today started off a bit slow, we just chilled this morning and drank lots and lots of coffee--of course! we just sat on the deck drinking our coffee and enjoying eachothers company. I've missed this girl so much. Being able to talk face-to-face again is so great!
As we sat with our coffee at hand, the weather was going from hot to cold, sunny to cloudy, and then we decided that it was the perfect day for a photoshoot. Maud had kindly enough agreed to modeling my garments for me to help make my portfolio and it's incredible! It's like my clothes were made for her! Everything--EVERYTHING fits her perfectly! and she can make anything look good because she is french and absolutely gorgeous :) !!!!! We started shooting around 5hoo pm and expected to shoot all my garments before dusk----haha! ...right. We had so much fun, and such great lighting with the sunset that we took 1000 photos and that is only of 2 garments. The yellow chiffon baby-doll dress and my cream leather jacket. I don't even have to photoshop them! Perfect as is, and I owe all the thanks to my incredible model!! MERCI BEAUCOUP MA MIOU!!! I am going to post a couple, though it's hard for me to narrow it down to just a couple that I like, We both love them all. :) Please give me your honest oppinion, it means a lot to me!
o.k. my friends, I need to post the pix and then try to sleep because I am getting sick, and I can't swallow and now I'm coughing up a storm! I need to be 110% because it isn't everyday that your best friend travels across the world just to visit yoU! Life is amazing- people are amazing- I am so blessed!

Bon Reves!

Bon Matin Tout le Monde

It is now Thursday Morning. I'm over at Maud's house right now, woke up feeling really sick, but I'm starting to shake it off :). Today we are going to drive back home and kidnap Michael for the day. We don't know exactly what we are going to do, but no matter what it is I'm with my frenhie, so life is great! :) It's beautiful today. We just took Charlie for a walk and now we are getting ready to head on out. I'm so glad that Maud is here! I love love love this girl! I'm not ready for summer to end.

Happy Birthday Sarah Nicole

Today we had a FEAST ( no joking here,) a feast for Sarah's belated birthday bash. For what was supposed to be a stormy day, ended up being an incredibly gorgeous day. We just got the family together and ate a massive breakfast/lunch/dinner or what I will refer to as a "brunner." Like I said, this was a feast, this is Marci Hunzinger we are talking about here, and when she does something-- she goes all out. We just hung out at the lake house, shared some laughs, drank a good amount of the wine coolers and just relaxed. It was so great to be surrounded by family again. No offense to any of you who are reading this outside of the Hunzinger bloodline, but I can't deny the fact that I have the greatest family ever.
I'm going to keep this blog short, because I have to get back to sewing here, but to sum-up today's events, Emily has put on a little performance for you to enjoy. A tribute to MJ, if you will. Yep, that is my lil' sis. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!!!!!!!