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Tweet, tweet! I'm a Tweety Bird!

Some people disregard Twitter; they say it's just another social network or a time-waster. Yes, it can become addicting and yes it's a great way to connect, but for me, tweeting is rather natural.

You see, for as long as I can remember, my nickname has been Tweety Bird. Visit my house and it won't be too long before you hear "Tweeeeeeeeety Bird!!" It sounds comical, but I am exactly like the Bird sans the yellow body, orange feet and wings. Personality wise, we're spot on. Everything has to be juuuust right. Pussy cats may be imaginary, but I've been known to prance around the house saying, "I tat I tat a buuuuug!!" So how does this relate to Twitter.

Well, if you know me, you have probably noticed that when I am passionate about something, I tend to get rather animated. Whether I'm shrieking in disgust over a bug or defending some political perspective, I tend to flap my hands and dance all over. Literally. And my super awesome Dad calls this tweeting.

My twitter may only be four months old, but I've been tweeting long before that.

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arabic prep for my fall semester :D

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crummy picture, I know, but it was taken with my macbook.

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migraines are no fun, but a bottle of ibuprofen and poetry make it better...

gavin+ella.

gavin+ella.

(isn't Gavin's hair just the cuuuutest???)







I am normally not a huge fan of dogs, but this pup was amazing.
this is what I call the "Kristin-I'm-getting-annoyed-by-you-constantly-taking-pictures-of-me-so-put-that-camera-down" look.





"gavin, say 'cheeeeeese'...."

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I'm not feeling very creative today. Rare, I know. Every picture I've attempted to shoot lacks something. Perhaps it's the perfectionist in me; I am just too critical of my own photos. I notice a spec here or there. Someone's hand is out of place. The lighting isn't right or to my liking. The image isn't sharp enough or the contrast is off. The list is endless. I compare my work to the pros and end up insecurely analyzing my work and in the process, killing the joy that I once felt behind the camera.

I know I have made progress in my photography, but I'm not where I'd like to be. And I feel like giving up. I feel like quitting, throwing up my hands and moving on. But something tells me to keep trying, to stay motivated. To practice. And I think I'm going to spend the weekend doing just that. Afterall, practice does make perfect.

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I found another random picture of my cousin (who I introduced a week ago). I have also conquered a good portion of my reading list this summer (more on that tomorrow). Lots of good quotes that I've been copying into my journal :)

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When I was 11, my family took a roadtrip to Texas and it was torture. We drove through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma and after arriving in Texas, my brothers and I decided that Oklahoma the worst of them all. We were convinced that Oklahoma had nothing but hick towns filled with redneck farmers who drove John Deere tractors, corralling their cows. Little did I know that at the time, I was passing through the state in which one of my best friends resided in and that I would actually make another trip to that "dreadful state". Well, after a weekend of planning and adjusting schedules, my friend Katie is finally making a trip up here. To see me. For a week. Why anyone would actually want to come see a crazy person like myself is beyond me...but she is. I can't wait. I can already see a few late nights and Starbucks trips on the horizon ;)

let the countdown begin!

our first time meeting last August:

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it's been a rather relaxing day here. my brothers and I atop our car getting ready for the blue angels.

ice cream is always great ;)


PS - if you're interested, I became a videographer for the afternoon. Here are some videos of the Blue Angels. Enjoy!

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the Blue Angels paid a visit this afternoon *big grin*

Family Reunion

Finally. I have had a chance to swallow the amazing weekend I had last week. Haha. Stress levels were high prior to leaving. Our poor neighbors watched us from their patio as we unloaded and repacked our entire van three times. Yes, you read that right. That's how we roll in the Braun house. But it was a memorable weekend and one that I will never forget. Ever.

Some random observations and facts:

-Rednecks really do exist in Michigan.
-My Grandma can do the chicken dance, much to the chagrin of my cousins and I.
-At our table, we asked for cottage cheese, cranberry relish and cheese spread thirty times in one hour. I'm not even joking - we counted.
-Having someone try and break into your room is creepy.
-Browsing doll house stores are interesting.
-Pillow fights at 2am are the best, great bonding time.
-Stalking wedding parties at 3am is even better.
-Bavarian music is awful.

Now for some pictures.


grandfather and grandchild
and he thought he really was the total package. ah! to be a 14 year old again!

there was an overabundance of Ohio State stuff...and NO Michigan stuff. That is WRONG.

the gluten free sign caught my attention. I was rather surprised, several bakeries had gluten free item.


My brother, Jason, wrote a poem about my grandpa. It made me cry, and I rarely do that!
great-grandma and great-grandchild (my grandma and second cousin)


a rare picture of me. I was only in one other. hah!




where we stayed:




Auntie L, my mother, Auntie D

the chicken dance: