Acceptance is Seeing with Your Heart.

In the kindergarten room at church there is a sign with a puppy dog wearing heart shaped glasses ... because well what ELSE would a dog wear? regular shaped glasses? I think not! Anyway ... so under neath this adorable K9 are the words.

Acceptance is seeing with your heart not with your eyes.

I read and reread that line over and over again.
Ya I understood it but did I really UNDERSTAND IT you know?

After working Pridefest this weekend I saw a TON with my EYES.
Did you know that you're allowed to walk around completely in your birthday suit as long as you have body paint on? I did not or else I TOTALLY would have changed my outfit. (I wish I could narrate my posts and let you HEAR my sarcasm...hopefully you've caught on by now). So I saw a ton of pasties and um a couple of penises and beautiful men in heels and chains and boas and women wearing mustaches and wings and just whatever they wanted to!

So yes I SAW somethings but I also in turn ... saw with my heart ... like the little Wishbone of a puppy in the poster wanted me to.

I saw families dressed in gothic attire, plaids, feathers, and pink mohawks waiting in line at the Ferris wheel. Mom and mom were taking turns entertaining their little 4 year old girl ... also dressed in goth ... never seen a cuter kid in a skull shirt.

Then there was the single older and rather attractive dad (with graying mowhawk)and his son. Little guy had freckles and blonde curls and a mouth on him ... poor thing bawled all the way around the miniature Ferris wheel.

What I'm getting at is that love is not tangible, neither is faith, but you know it's there.

I could see with my eyes that these families were not conventional but with my heart I knew that there was love. With my heart I had a deeper understanding of their lives are and what love really is.

That passion you can have for someone else. The involuntary butterflies in your stomach. The literal heart wrenching pain when you miss someone so much it hurts ... all of that is from an emotion, feeling you cannot describe or see BUT IT'S THERE.

I already believed in equal rights and that you should be able to legally marry whoever you like but after seeing the love that two people of the same sex can have for one another I REALLY wanted to write about. Just to be like I UNDERSTAND!

There are so many unhappy straight people that are married and why should they have the benefits and the title and the wedding when others who are in love can't?!

I don't know my politics so forgive me but when I saw the love caring passion happiness that every couple had for each other there this weekend I got a deeper understanding of what love can be and what it can do for you.

Love you cannot see or hold or throw or take away it's there whether you like it or not.

Just like God or whoever your higher power is is there. On those days when you think this really sucks ... when you take disappointment after disappointment ... or when everything seems to be clicking God is there.

I hope this sparks something in you.
Makes you think.
Helps to make you feel less alone.
Or something.
Just felt like writing. Sorry for the sporadicness.

<3 Kris.

The Other Day I Went to Seattle

I had the opportunity to venture around downtown Seattle the other day ... yay for public transportation never being on time.

So my writer/reporter/blogger intuition kicked in and I was like I'm going to take pictures of cool stuff I see. And while walking up and down Pike Street I did just that.



But sadly I am not as artsy fartsy as I think I am. I do not think my pictures alone do justice to what I was feeling, seeing, sensing, touching, and yes ... tasting while hoofing it up and down Pike. So we're going to add a little somethin somethin to this post.

MUSIC!

I had these bad boys on


And as I get this great photojournalism/photoblogging idea I hear trumpets and epicness that is "All of the Lights" - Kanye West etc in my headphones.



"...Want you to see everything ... want you to see all of the lights..." BASS DROP (ha)

"Fast cars ... shooting stars"


Even though it was not nighttime yet the city is always filled with lights to me.


Seattle retains an aura of mystery excitement possibilities.

Lights can stand for a ton of different things ... and as I listened to the lyrics lights become material things ...

Lights become synonyms to words like showy posh stature ...




Lights become architecture and nostalgia ...





Cop lights, flash lights, spot lights



Strobe lights, street lights



All of the lights, all of the lights



Kid Cudi comes in and reminds me ...

Get it right, aye
You should go and get your own



Right now in this moment in this magical city I am no one ... I am small ... whether I am there or not doesn't really seem to matter ... but I realized that I am a small piece of the city.

When I am put together with the rest of the movement ...

locals ...



city accents ...




atmosphere ...



the constants ...





I help make the city.



"If you want it you can get it for the rest of your life."
"If you want it you can get it for the rest of your life."

My strides up and down Pike take me on my own adventure / realization ... and I wonder how many others have crossed this same path and been so inspired? Been demoralized? Been overjoyed? Who has walked these streets and where are they now?

Then to further my random thoughts my brain goes "Who are you? Where are you now? This is it Kris ... right now in this moment you are who you are and living your life. There is no more waiting ... no more planning ... no epic moment to set you on your right path ... you're already on it. Take it...grab it...hold onto it and go."

My bus shows up and the song finished (yes I had it on repeat haha)

Turn up the lights in here, baby
extra bright, I want y’all to see this
turn up the lights in here, baby
you know what I need, want you to see everything
want you to see all of the lights


As always thanks for reading <3 Kris.

Tasty Chicken with Some Tomatoes and Oregano Salsa

Hey want to learn how to make this?


Yes. Ok. I lied. There is NO FRESH basil. 2 cloves of chopped garlic. OR Rosemary in sight. If you caught that good for you ... if not you're going to be fine because I will point out all my short comings in the EZ as pie (easy as eating pie not making it) recipe.

So I didn't have all the ingredients and as I was too lazy to go to the store I just added more oregano. Problem solved.



Those ingredients look like this ...



Yes. Ok. I lied. There is NO FRESH basil. 2 cloves of chopped garlic. OR Rosemary in sight. If you caught that good for you ... if not you're going to be fine because I will point out all my short comings in the EZ as pie (easy as eating pie not making it) recipe.

So I didn't have all the ingredients and as I was too lazy to go to the store I just added more oregano. Problem solved.

Here's what you'll need for the salsa.



Again I come up short. But I'm normal. I swear not everyone would want to cut up a pound of fresh tomatoes or even HAVE that many toms on hand. Come on now.

-So I used a can and a half of diced tomatoes...I reccomend draining them before hand...you'll see pictures as to why later. WAHWAHHHH.

-No shallot at all. (But if you're wondering WHAT a shallot even is ... like I myself was ... it's "A member of the onion family, but formed more like garlic than onions. Shallots are favored for their mild onion flavor, and can be used in the same manner as onions. A shallot looks like a small, elongated onion with a copper, reddish, or gray skin. When peeled, shallots separate into into cloves like garlic." Thank you kitchen Dictionary.

-I am anti jal op en os so I didn't use those guys. I'm hot enough on my own. BAhahaha

Other than that everything followed the recipe.

SWEET.

1. Put the first 8 ingredients in a plastic bag.
2. Add chicken and let those puppies (ewe um change that ... let the meat) marinate at least 30 minutes. (I did an entire day! Because I forgot I said I'd make dinner. HA whoops)

Onto the SALSA part of Grilled Chicken with Roasted Tomato and oregano Salsa
4. Heat oven to 400°F.
5. Cover a baking tray with foil.
6. Here's the instructions again just in case...


6. Spread tomatoes on tray; drizzle with oil. Add salt and pepper. Bake until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.


This is why I said you should drain the tomatoes. And also why I wish I HAD drained the tomatoes. That's what I get for not chopping up a pound of these suckers myself.

7. Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic and oregano in a bowl.
8. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray.
9. Heat over medium-high heat.
10. Remove chicken from marinade; cook 5 minutes.


11. Reduce heat to medium-low, flip chicken and add leftover marinade to pan. Cook 5 minutes.
12. Reduce heat to low. Cover chicken; cook 10 minutes.
13. Divide among 4 plates; top each with 1/4 of the salsa. Serve immediately.

OR ELSE YOUR PARENTS WILL TAKE THE GOOD STUFF FIRST!



Just kidding. I like having my guests go first. I think it's like proper too or something.

I added couscous to this too and that is the easiest stuff to make if you do the box kind.
YAY EASY!



This is a very simple, easy (did I say easy?), tasty recipe...I really recommend you try it!

Maybe make it for your dad on Fathers' Day?

Hope your weekend was splendid <3 KRIS.

Top Ten Favorite Songs (as of today)

I don't know about you boys and girls but I really like music.

I've come to find that it's the only sure fire way to boost my bad, grumpy, mood.

Don't get me wrong...I'd crack a smile if you gave me a hundred big ones but like that's going to happen.

So instead of filling up the emptiness inside me (...ok that was a little dramatic) with cookies and cream ice cream or hiding under my covers or being incredibly unpleasant to the poor souls that cross my path ... I put on my gigantic green head phones.



Here's what I listen to.

1. Give Me Everything - Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer)
-"LET'S FORGET GUYS TONIGHT! I JUSSS WANNA DANCE!"
-but seriously we are NOT guaranteed tomorrow so grab somebody sexy tell em HEY. shoot that line works on me.


2. Firework - Katy Perry (Wideboys Club Remix)
-BECAUSE BABY YOU'RE A FIREWORK...work...work...work...talk about confidence boost.


3. Did It On Em - Nicki Minaj
-I like the intro it's all twisted and sounds like something bad ass is going to happen. Nicki Minaj's music gives me that boost of attitude, makes me feel like I got 5 times cooler just by listening to her.


4. Lights - Ellie Goulding (Wired Dubstep Remix)
-I love her voice and the dubstep remix together...when I walk around Bellevue with this playing in my head it's kind of like I'm in another world. A more entertaining one.

5.For the First Time - The Script (8Barz Remix)

-such a happy song ... well in a way ... I like the story behind it. It's real because of the situation (losing jobs, growing apart, confusion in the relationship)but with a happy ending.


6. Beautiful People - Chris Brown and Benny Benassi (Radio Edit)
-the beginning beat makes me think of steel drums ... Jamaica (even though I've never been) ... and white sandy beaches ... then the words come in and beat drops and it's a roll your windows down go crazy in the car song.

7. I'm On One - DJ Khaled (feat. Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne)
-because it makes me just want to feel the beat and Drake's voice is so sexy.

8. Strobe - Deadmau5
- I NEVER GET OF THIS SONG! Just makes you want to move, do your runway walk (I know you've got one), or on the other hand just chill ... good concentration music ... with random bursts of raving.

9. Ecstasy - ATB
-really good work out song.

10. Haunt You - Flux Pavillion
-Haunt You is a great title because ... well ... the song has that unyielding woman's cry for vocals. To me it's like the woman is yelling or even moaning for help; begging. When she stops the beat picks up meaning she's running from whatever made her cry out.

Anyway thought this would be fun and also to give a little tribute to the music and artists that help me enjoy my day.

Thanks for reading! What do you guys like?

<3 Kris.

What I Learned in Church Last Week

Now that Easter is over, being a good wonderful charming (well shoot I'm always charming) human being is not in the forefront of my mind.

Last Sunday, Pastor Paul did me a favor.
He specifically said in his sermon, KRISTIN LEIGH (middle names mean business)YOU NEED TO BE BETTER THAN YOU"RE BEING BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN DOING SOME NOT-SO-GOOD-STUFF AND MESSING UP AND IT'S TIME TO CUT IT OUT ... LIKE NOW.

... well ... ok NO ... the sermon ... his LAST sermon at NCP mind you ... was not catered to me ... but it might as well have been. Pastor Paul may have given my direction a glance while reminding us to not forget God's love and his way and to not lose our own after Easter.

HANYVAY.

I've learned God can be subtle. OR AS OBVIOUS AS ... uh something really obvious.

When Jesus rose from the dead God was pretty darn clear. He rolled a GINORMOUS bolder away from the cave, put an angel by it and had all of Jesus's clothing on the floor.
Yup safe to say he has risen.

AND YET PEOPLE STILL DIDN'T BELIEVE.

And yes. I am or uh was one of those people.

I have liked the idea of God and Jesus and a higher power and that someone will always love me no matter what ... it's a really frickin good idea however WHY THE HECK WOULD SOMEONE DO THAT?

After all the crap I pull ... I mean really? And not even me there are worse people out there ... He still loves them too? WTF MATE. ( oh the memories http://www.ebaumsworld.com/. Class-ic.)

So this was explained to me in the children's message. By way of KUNG FU PANDA!




So first we watched the video.
So yes you do it too...it's only like 2 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x62c8gsnJOQ

Ok great. The little rabbityracoonythingwithwhiskers is TOTALLY me. Or well how I was acting and handling my life.
I CAN control what jobs I apply for ... I CAN control my resume/cover letter ... I CAN control my responses to my interviews ... I CAN control my efforts in my recovery ... etc So therefore I was freaking out and trying so hard to do everything I possibly could to NOT fail that I WAS failing.

Ya dig?

But that is one wise turtle. You have to set your fears aside and BELIEVE. Control is an illusion ... yes you can take steps toward a goal and well you should BUT fate and God and faith will always let happen what is meant to. He knows best. So basically you just need to ... CHILL BRO.

Side note....so Chad's not coming? Chad's not even real? (Bro Rape ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zvTRQr7ns8) Also a classic.

But seriously. I listened to this advice as best I could with the job thing and BADDABINGBADDABOOM. I got myself a frickin J O BIZZLE...WHO AM I? Jeezelaweeze. It's bed time.

I stopped applying for stupid reception jobs that I didn't really want but it would be cool to maybe work my way up in that company because they seem kind of cool on paper and have the name media in their title so I could pretend I'm doing something I actually went to school for but no not really at all. I stopped revamping my resume. I stopped trying so hard to network. And just tried being happy with what I had.

The next couple of days Holland America called me for a youth services position I applied for months ago. Had a grand interview which I didn't even have to try in (because it was so grand), had an equally awesome second interview and was offered a contract 20 minutes after hanging up the phone.

I leave for two one week tours to Alaska July 2nd.

YAY!

You only have two hands. When ones clutching sin and the others gripping worry you have no hands left to be useful.
LET GO.
You can't MOVE UP from the monkey bars of life if you're not willing to let go of the bar you're holding.
It's scary as all get out but you won't know until you try.

Anyway. I hope you enjoyed my interactive ish blog post.

Kris.

PS THANK YOU GOD FOR THE SUN THIS WEEKEND!