Ramblings of a Thirty-Something

I haven't been very good about posting in this Reading List column. Granted, I haven't been very good about reading, either. I'm currently reading two books and have another waiting for me at the library, but for the past few weeks, I have just been so tired at the end of the day that I can't even focus my eyes on a page without starting to drift to sleep. Which means if I, Kaitlin Fink, can't read, then I must be the epitome of exhausted. But I have managed to make it through the next three books on the list, and so I shall give a short review of them now. 4. The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank This is not about hunting or fishing, nor is it a guide. In fact, it isn't even a very good book. It's all about this character, Jamie (at least I think that was her name), and her experiences with relationships throughout her life. From her brother's first serious girlfriend to her own affair with a man some thirty years her

It's that time of year again. The sun is shining, the buses are running, the children are grumbling. Yep, school is back in session. Now, some things have changed--the students, a few teachers and staff members. And some things have not changed. Like my classroom. If you haven't been a long follower of my blog (or if you're not a follower at all and just dropped in for a casual look-see), then you probably haven't seen my epic post from last August about my awesome classroom theme. If you wish for some context, click  here  and you will be caught up (and fully aware of how incredibly amazing my classroom was and still is). If you don't want any context, that's okay. All you really need to know is that I'm a nerd, and my classroom is equally nerdy. I have a hobbit hole on my door, an outline of the Fellowship on my reading board, and leaves of Lorien as nameplates. I've kept some things the same, but I've added a lot of fun, new nerdy things to my

I'm not good with words. If you've read my blog before and are thinking, "What the heck is she talking about? She's great with words! I wish I could be as good with words as she is!", I thank you for your devotion and will clarify in a moment. If you've read my blog before and are thinking, "Yep. It's about time she realized that. Man, this has gone on long enough," then why are you reading this post? If you've never read my blog before, I shall continue with the clarification. I'm not good with words in the moment.  Being a socially awkward person in general, this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Give me an hour and paper or a computer, and I can write something that will adequately express my feelings in a succinct and thoughtful manner. Ask me to say something in the moment, and you'll get a mess. Either I'll say something completely confusing or I'll try too hard to be funny and we'll all be uncomfort

I had to steal a line from Ann-Margret, but her opening track to the 1960s film version of Bye Bye Birdie adequately describes how I feel at the moment. In seventeen days, I will be done performing and rehearsing and singing and dancing. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. I'm already feeling crestfallen about the whole thing (a character in the book I'm reading described herself as such, so I thought I'd steal from her, too). I mean, this has been my life for the past month and a half. I've woken up every morning either excited about rehearsal or unsure what to do because I didn't have rehearsal. I've fallen asleep to the tunes of A Healthy Normal American Boy, Baby Talk to Me, and A Lot of Livin' To Do more times than I can count. I've spent countless hours thinking about scenes and practicing dance moves and singing songs in the shower or car or while washing dishes. And I've made such great friends! As the eldest member

Way back, many months ago, I asked any and all readers who so chose to submit questions they would like answered on my blog. As everyone knows, not all great ideas are well received, and in response to my query, I received ten questions...all from the same person. I'm not complaining! They've been fun questions, and now that I've taken this road with my blog, I can continue down the road and move on to a new idea. But before I do that, I must answer the final three questions! 8. What are your thoughts on panda bears? I think panda bears are fantastic. They're adorable, and the way they eat bamboo is adorable. I'd just like to hug one, but I feel that might not be the best idea. 9. How can I convince you to travel the world with me so we can improve our foreign accents? By starting the sentence with:  "I just won the lottery! Would you like to travel the world with me so we can improve our foreign accents?" It would be pretty easy to get me to go

I know the title of this post makes it sound like I'm about to write about The Sound of Music , but actually, this post has nothing to do with my all-time favorite movie. Instead, this is another book review for my Quarter Life Crisis reading list. Book #3 is Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close. I started this book yesterday. I finished it yesterday, too. It's a very quick read, and it's very clear to see why it is included on this reading list. The book revolves around a group of friends and alternates between their points of view. They all met in college or through work, and while most of the stories involve Isabella, Lauren, and Mary, there are other characters thrown in just to keep things interesting. One might think it is all about them getting married due to the title, but it isn't just that. It's about these twenty-something women who have graduated from college who may or may not be working in their degree field, may or may not be dating a de

First, sorry. I've been busy. And this blog post will explain why. Second, if you think I'm about to post about finding my one true love with whom I shall have a lifetime of happiness, I am sorry to say you will be very disappointed. This is about another type of love I've found...a type of love I've rediscovered. I love performing. I always have. I've loved being in choir and chorus and band and pep band and music club and quartets and trios and duets and solos...I love it all. Yes, I'm insanely nervous before I start. Yes, I question my sanity ever second up until the music starts or I get my cue. But what I have always loved most of all is acting. I'm not a stellar actress. But I can carry a tune, and I'm very good at not being myself. I love doing accents (which comes in handy). I was in every musical my school put on from sixth grade (two westward expansion themed shows followed by The Bard is Back! , where I portrayed a "stage mom