my name is karel. i'm 26 years old and reside in portland, oregon, although i'm from the east coast - new jersey and new york city, specifically. currently i'm a graduate student in school counseling. i have numerous artistic pursuits, including writing, graphic design, jewelry design, and knitting. (although i'm actually quite bad at knitting.) i have a failproof weakness for chef boyardee beef ravioli.
portland blog - my boyfriend brian and i document our adventures out west
sunshower design jewelry - my handmade jewelry business
scrawl - password-protected site for my writing (email me for access)
pdx hoods - coming soon!
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September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
new year's meme 2009, aka am i still a blogger?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
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The answer is: yes. No. I'm not sure. But either way, I wanted to do this meme because it's about looking back and you know I love doing that...
What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Broke a lease, bought a car, learned to drive stick, applied to, was accepted to, and started graduate school, visited Lisa in Edmonton, learned to rock climb and belay, caught a fish!! Wow, it was a big year.
Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes! I did! Maybe not exactly in the way that I'd described (uh, we do not live on the west side, and we may never) but done. Will I make more? Of course!
Did anyone close to you give birth?
This was last year's answer and I think it still applies: 'No, but I have been fortunate enough to stalk many a baby on Facebook.'
Did anyone close to you die?
Not emotionally close, but close enough in a way to shock me for a few days ... my boss from my last job at Portland Public Schools fell to his death in the Columbia Gorge this last summer. I didn't know him well, but I still couldn't wrap my mind around how it happened, and the broken hearts he left behind.
What countries did you visit?
CANADA!!!! Home of loonies, toonies, donairs and, at least where I was, 10:00pm sunsets. Seriously.
What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
You know what? I can't think of a single thing. How awesome is that? (I mean, I can think of things that I'll want to have in 2011... 2012...)
What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 3 and September 29 - big wakeup calls and pivotal points in my experience of loving someone, and what exactly that means.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Learning to drive stick. Seriously, people. I still feel awesome when I get on the road :)
What was your biggest failure?
Letting depression take over the things that should have been bringing me the most happiness.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oh, yes! Upper respiratory infection, bouts of eczema, sprained ankles, and a nasty gash/bruise combination on my knee from falling on an ill-fated night run. Oh and my eyes continued to bug the shit out of me until I finally saw the 11th eye doctor and was put on Restasis for a year. Month 3 and things are looking pretty great :)
What was the best thing you bought?
My little car, Grover :)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
New friends I've made through school, who have allowed me to remember who I am.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I think last year's answer also applies here: 'Ah, bureaucracy.'
Where did most of your money go?
If I have to be truly honest... home decor, kitchen supplies, and clothes. Yikes!
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Quitting my job and starting school!!!
What songs will always remind you of 2009?
Turn Around, Jonny Lang. Follow Your Lead, Hanson. Remain, Tyrone Wells.
Compared to this time last year, are you…
I. Happier or sadder? happier
II. Thinner or fatter? probably about the same
III. Richer or poorer? poorer :( shit, that was my answer last year, too... this is a very bad downhill spiral...
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Blaming Portland for not being New York
How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with Brian and with the Bartells, opening gifts, eating yummy snacks, and playing board games.
Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes, many times over again.
How many one-night stands?
ZEROOO
What was your favorite TV program?
X-Files, Army Wives, True Blood, House, HOARDERS!!!! Clean House. Freakin' love Niecy Nash and her crew. And House Hunters, My First Place, and Property Virgins. :)
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Uh... yeah. Sucks.
What was the best book you read?
Oh shit, last year's answer: 'I DON’T THINK I READ ANY BOOKS!! OMG' could be this year's answer! I know what my New Year's resolution should be...
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Tyrone Wells. Oh, and this kid:
What did you want and get?
New friends, a great neighborhood, more freedom (aka WHEELS), entry into the School Counseling program at PSU
What did you want and not get?
A graduate assistantship. When I didn't get that, a part-time job this fall that would have been PERFECT for my skills, interests, and schedule. Not bitter...
What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! Up! Slumdog Millionaire (I didn't see it til this year...)
What did you do on your birthday, and how old?
26 - Brian took me to play pool and bought me my own cue, and that weekend we had a potluck at our house. :)
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A graduate assistantship
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Comfort with eclectic style. Bargain :)
What kept you sane?
Haha!! The very same children aged 6 and under who drove me absolutely bats sometimes. Freaking love them.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (faint), Taylor Hanson (of course), Tyrone Wells, and Kit Karlson (of Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, better known as "Goose")
What political issue stirred you the most?
Universal healthcare...
Who did you miss?
My old self. And Brian, for a time.
Who was the best new person you met?
An adorable little baby who loves chicken nuggets more than any baby should, and his precocious, hilarious, adorable older sister.
Was 2009 a good year for you?
I'd say so. Could have been worse...
What was your favorite moment of the year?
Driving home from San Francisco after Thanksgiving, coasting on I-5 toward the east side of Portland, city lights coming into full view, and feeling like I was finally coming home.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Hearing words that I never thought I'd hear come out of Brian's mouth
Where were you when 2009 began?
On the couch watching X-Files with Brian. Yeah, we missed the stroke of midnight. Oh well!
Who were you with?
Brian, Scully, Mulder, and Luna
Where will you be when 2009 ends?
Not sure... either at a bar with a bunch of people I don't know and Brian, or at home with Brian. Or without him, maybe he'll want to go to the bar. Haha.
Who will you be with when 2009 ends?
See above
What was your favorite month of 2009?
June. Or December.
How many different states did you travel to in 2009?
Washington, California, New Jersey, New York, D.C. - I'm assuming this question doesn't include traveling through
How many concerts did you see in 2009?
Jonny Lang, and Tyrone Wells with Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers :)
Did you have a favorite concert in 2009?
Tyrone and SK!!
Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yes, but why on earth would I go blabbing about it?
What was the worst lie someone told you in 2009?
It was more of a perpetual withholding of the truth... but still, worst.
Did you treat somebody badly in 2009?
Yes :(
Did somebody treat you badly in 2009?
Yes :(
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
I would have applied for more assistantships and jobs at the beginning of the school year instead of thinking I was going to start my school placement right away. Ha!! Biggest lie ever!!
What are your plans for 2010?
Develop better friendships and do more brain-stimulating activities so that I continue to feel invigorated and challenged. Also, I'd love to find a job.
