*pokes*

Oh, hello friends!

First of all, I HOPE YOU'RE WELL. I know it's been an eternity, but I wanted to check in and update you.

I'm happy and healthy and designing full-time in Chicago. :]

This blog was such a huge blessing for me, and something I'm proud of, too. I cherish each and every person who I've interacted with here. Some, still good friends of mine. I want you to know that while this blog is, for the time being, not a priority... PLEASE stay in touch with me! I'd absolutely love to reconnect.

The easiest way to stay in touch is Twitter. 

I'd LOVE to hear from you. And, if you're interested, I will be keeping up with a blog with thoughts less personal, and more design focused over here.

Gosh, seriously. I feel like my friends and readers from this blog know me in a way most of my friends here don't. You've seen such deep growth within me during my college years. I can't say it enough, I love and remember y'all so much.

Anyway, enough sap. Let's reconnect, yeah?

Much love,
allysonkate

Wonderly Wonderful

Wonderly

I feel like I'm rolling with the punches right now in life. I've got an internship in Nashville this summer, I have no idea where I'm going to live, I have more things to accomplish in the next two weeks than I can actually humanly manage, and I just signed with the YouTube network Big Frame and more specifically, Wonderly.

That last one is particularly strange, friends. As I never really intending on making vlogging an actual thing I do. But, Wonderly is so so wonderful, and I love everything they are and everyone who's involved. 

No one knows about this blog anymore. You do, though. You. My friends. I don't share this link anymore, and I want it to stay that way. This is going to stay personal. I don't know how often I'll most, but I will. I will never stop. 

However, this also means I'll be trying to keep up with a weekly schedule here: Parsamend

Stay here with me, friends. But if you'd like, I'd love for you to go there, as well. 

Stay sane during finals. You can do it. I like you.

xx

Here.

I want to blog.

This month I've been listening to The National like crazy. For some reason it has been one of the only calmers for me lately.

I've finished 4 weeks of school now. I'd say I'm at the point of massive self-doubt. In my abilities. In my talent. Everything is discouraging. I have to consistently make an effort not to be discouraged. I just feel incompetent in every way.

But.

It's a work in progress.

I'm not unhappy. I want to make that clear. Just questioning everything, as you do in your mid-twenties, I hear. Everyone just seems so much better than I.

This is my last full time semester. I graduate next December, after a few classes in the fall. So... that I'm thankful for. Nearly all my friends are gearing up for graduation. I am thankful I'm not.

I'm going to VidCon... you know, that YouTube conference John and Hank started a while back? That one. I look forward to it each and every day. Speaking of YouTube, I've been keeping up on my channel recently, for those of you who didn't know that.

I miss writing.

I haven't been taking very good care of myself lately. May I blame winter? Senior year of college. Is emotionally the hardest, eventfully the craziest, and successfully the most rewarding year. I'm ready to be done. Except I never want to be done with college.

Life.

Guys.

xx

Little Victories: My Etsy Shop

- Entry from September 11, 2012

Well, I did it. Small steps towards bigger things, eh? :]

Introducing: Parsamend Prints

Feels

Edit: I wrote this a couple months ago and found it in my drafts. But it fits. So... here. :]

I believe

the skies

are doorways

home.

I think one of my favorite things about this video is that all the kids were his relatives. He paid them in pizza.

I've been doing a bit more reflecting these past few days than I have in months. My whole life has kind of been full steam ahead for the past year now, and I reflect so less often than I used to. Usually, this is an incredibly good thing. But I've changed so much recently without reflection that I almost feel disconnected from the Allyson who didn't have clear, aggressive career goals over two years ago.

I feel like this is also why I write less. Why I blog less.

I have less time in my head.

I don't even know what my emotional outlet is anymore. Huh. That's weird. Is it crying? Do you cry more when you have less emotional outlets like writing or singing or things as such?

I don't know. Maybe I've just been emotionless lately. The feels. I lack them. #INTJ

I just think I'm losing touch with who I used to be. And that's confusing to me. How are you supposed to explain that to someone you used to know. 

But I suppose it's okay, because we're all different... right? Humans are not meant to be stagnant creatures. But how are you supposed to remain close to someone who isn't experiencing your growth? 

And frankly, my dear, I am so ready for a glass of wine.

2012 Favorites: Albums/Concerts

Albums:

1. Mumford and Sons // Babel

Well, I certainly don't claim to be the only fan who claims that Mumford owns a piece of their soul, but gosh. I am very much certain there will never be a year in which they make an album that isn't my number one. 

2. Passion Pit  // Gossamer

This came out in early summer, and I still just let the whole album play out. It's just brilliant for every mood.

3. Coldplay // Mylo Xylo

Not my personal favorite Coldplay album, but another solid and brilliant record.

4. Sigur Ros // Valtari

Also soul owning. Seeing this live so soon. I may burst from elation.

5. Alt-J // An Awesome Wave

Okay. I can't believe this is top five, and maybe it's because it's still fairly new to me... but I am becoming increasingly obsessed with it as I listen. Just, give this guy a shot.

Highly Honorable Mentions:

Sleigh Bells // Reign of Terror

Stars // The North

Regina Spektor // What We Saw From the Cheap Seats

Ben Folds Five // The Sound of the Life of the Mind

David Byrne & St. Vincent // Love This Giant

Andrew Bird // Break it Yourself

*cough*

One Direction also Taylor Swift okay?

Concerts:

1. Needtobreathe // Dublin, Ireland

I still get goosebumps when I think about this night. I have never danced so much in my life. I just. Best night of my summer, best night in Ireland, best feeling.

2. William Fitzsimmons  // Madison, Wisconsin

3. Ingrid Michaelson // Dublin, Ireland (The Ps. I Love You pub)

4. St. Vincent & David Byrne  // Chicago, Illinois

5. Andrew Peterson // Green Bay, Wisconsin

Highly Honorable Mentions:

JJ Heller // Green Bay, Wisconsin 

The Hush Sound  //  Chicago, Illinois

Christmas Eve Musings

(Pretend it's still Christmas Eve. :] )

Today I am an only child. Today I am an only cousin. I’m in no concerts this year, no services, no big family gatherings, and presents won’t be opened this evening.

My biggest decision of the day was whether to watch Spy Kids or stay festive with The Santa Clause and recite every line.

Traditions shift. A few years ago I feel like this would have massively thrown me off. But that’s what you get for being the youngest by far, right?

I remember the first year traditions started to change. I was 13, in 8^th grade, and we spent Christmas in China. China was our present, so there weren’t really any gifts to open, Christmas Eve was in an apartment, and Christmas Day was with thousands cramped in one of the only legal churches. The service came with a two hour Chinese sermon and Santa on the altar.

From there, traditions just… shifted. Presents moved from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day.  Siblings had their spouse’s families to attend and we didn’t always leave for Memphis the week after.

Then, two years ago were in Memphis for my grandpa’s funeral. Christmas Eve was in an assisted living chapel and Christmas Day was spent in an airport.  I think people watching in airports on Christmas Day is the most interesting type of people watching I have ever encountered.

But. This isn’t meant to be a sad post. It’s a… hmm… growing up sure is a weird thing post.

Anyway, there are still peanut butter balls in the refrigerator, so all is well.

How have your traditions changed since you were a kid? Have they?

Merry Christmas, dears. :]