The Starving Baker

This past Friday I had the opportunity to attend a leadership lecture through my Catalyst Self-Development class presented by Dr. Tim Elmore, the founder and president of Growing Leaders.  And this could not have come at a more perfect time. This last semester has been absolutely crazy to say the least. Classes and organizations are back in full swing and sometimes I have to remind myself to simply breathe and take a moment to relax. My days have been full of a packed class schedule, countless amounts of meetings, work, and not very much down time. Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. I definitely love to be busy, especially when involved with the great classes and organizations I am fortunate to be a part of today. But sometimes it does get quite overwhelming when looking at a three page to-do list, and that is why I could not be more grateful for the words of wisdom which were presented by Dr. Elmore.

Dr. Elmore has a series of books with Habitudes, which are images that form leadership habits and attitudes. These really powerful images are often common scenes we would experience in our life, which makes them easily relatable and memorable. These images include guardrails, coffee cups, glaciers, and train tracks. All symbolize such great lessons, but it was the picture of the starving baker that really stood out to me. Take a look at the picture that was shown to us below.

Habitude: The Starving Baker

Dr. Elmore then described the scene of this baker. This baker was new to town and was by far the best baker anyone had ever had baked goods from. His bagels and doughnuts were absolutely delicious. The line was always super long, no matter what time of day you went to check it out. Finally you give in and wait in line so you can see what this bakery is all about. You finally get your bagel and it is absolutely delicious. It was worth the wait. However, you realize something different when eating your bagel. You notice the baker is really thin, looks absolutely exhausted and malnourished, and looks as though he has no energy to keep baking, even though he truly loves what he does for living. This baker was starving.

You see, this baker was so busy feeding/serving others and keeping everyone else happy that he wasn't able to take some time to feed and serve himself. He thought he would be okay, but he was slowly starting to lose love for what he was doing because he was just hungry and tired. This baker forgot to feed the most important person first- himself. 

Just like when the airplane attendant tells you to secure your mask before securing anyone else's, it is not to be selfish or self-absorbed. It is because we are not able to help others unless we save ourselves first. 

This can apply to so many scenarios in every day life. In life, especially college, it is so easy to get into the swing of things that you forget to take a few moments to feed (either literally or figuratively) yourself. K-State has over 450 organizations, all with such greater purposes, that it truly is difficult to narrow your involvement down to what can fit in one week. I have joined so many organizations that I am absolutely passionate about to the point that I have meetings on a daily basis. And I am so glad I did, because I am serving organizations greater and larger than myself. 

And yes, it gets overwhelming and tiring (just like when the baker starts to lose his love of baking because of hunger). Not because we hate it, but because we forgot to feed ourselves first. 

So this week when I had 2 tests and a quiz, 3 interviews, a trip to the state capitol, lots of classes and meetings, and all the little stuff in-between it would have been really easy to just breakdown from exhaustion, or in the baker's case, hunger. But remembering this starving baker kept me strong. Rather than just pushing though like normal, I took some time to myself. Blogging, pinterest-ing, life conversations with great friends, and laughing are quite possibly my favorite ways to "feed" myself. It allows me to remember my passions and love for the organizations I serve and the major I am studying. 

It is easy to get carried away with life, so when you feel like you are about to lose it, remember this starving baker. Take a moment and feed yourself. It really does make such a difference on the outlook of your crazy schedule. 

Thank you to Dr. Elmore, Growing Leaders and K-State Blue Key for such a beneficial and inspiring leadership lecture. This is a lecture I will definitely never forget about.

Living a life of purple, passion, progress & purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis

Future Me, Thank your Past Self!

If you read my blog post about new years reflections and resolutions, you know that I made a goal to blog post 2-3 times a month. If you keep track of the days, you know today is the last day of January. If you read my blog, you know I have only written one blog this month. And if you know me, you know I am someone who always does my best to keep up with the goals I make for myself.

So here is my not-so-great, last minute somewhat unorganized blog post on the month of January so that I can stick to this resolution of mine! And I guess I should clear it up that I am not just writing this because I have to. There has been some pretty cool events and some amazing memories throughout this last month that definitely deserve their own blog post. :) 

First off, I had the opportunity to attend the Los Banos FFA's January chapter meeting to host a recruitment presentation in the search for Miss May Day 2015. I enjoyed the opportunity to attend my old FFA chapter's meeting and see the direction my chapter has taken, speak as Miss May Day 2014, and talk to potential contestants for the 2015 pageant. It is so hard to believe my time as the reigning Miss May Day is almost up, but it has been such an honor to serve our county fair and I have enjoyed each opportunity I have had to wear the crown that so many inspiring women before me have worn. I am now so excited to see who will wear the crown next and advocate for the agricultural industry at our county fair. 

Miss May Day recruitment presentation 

Throughout my four weeks back home I enjoyed the time I had to catch up with family, scrapbook my first semester at K-State (sorry to my family for basically covering our entire dining room table with scrapbooking materials throughout our whole break!), and of course having the freedom to lay on the couch and watch tv with my dog for as many hours as I possibly could! I truly forgot what that was like, and I was definitely falling in love with my winter break.

Pieology with family to finish off my break! Couldn't quite fit us
all in one picture so this merge will have to do I guess :)

But the four weeks of laziness could not last forever (nor would it to.. I would start to go crazy with nothing to do!), and before I knew it I was hopping on a plane to head back to one of my favorite places, Manhattan! I was so excited to be able to reunite with my best friends, sorority sisters, new roommate, fellow AgEd majors, and everyone in between! The people of K-State make up my second family, and four weeks without them was extremely difficult.

Off to Manhappiness!   

My new roomie is just about as awesome as it gets! 

And once I settled back into my second home the craziness began right away! From Sigma Alpha events, SGA meetings, AgEd Officer Retreat, work, catching up with friends, classes and homework, college life definitely does not wait for anybody! I am so blessed to have some pretty amazing people by my side, because I am not too sure I could do it all without them. 

These two lovely ladies are my people! And I love my people. Nothing
beats the endless amounts of laughter, sarcastic comments, genuine personalities,
and the "I am always here for you" friendship the three of us have built. 

I love my Sigma Alpha sisters :)

Sigma Alpha Grape Juice & Cheese Social

The sweetest dessert with an even sweeter friend :)
Blessed that SGA brought us together!
This here is my very first Cookie Bake ever.. worth the wait!

We are heifers and we are proud! 

AgEd Club meetings are our fave! 

I would be lying though if I were to say these first two weeks back in Manhattan were just 100 percent peachy and full of rainbows and unicorns. It sure has been great, but I cannot fail to mention I spent the entire second week of classes feeling sicker than ever. I suffered a terrible cold which made sitting through classes nearly unbearable, a terrible cough which probably made my roommate hate me throughout my nightly coughing attacks (sorry Lizzie!), and a terrible headache that made for a stressed out Kaitlyn. I also spent the first weekend back in Manhattan adjusting to the elevation change. I had to suffer through elevation sickness during the beginning of the fall semester, and apparently I was back home over break long enough to make me have to endure it again during the spring semester. In case that sounds surprising to you, I guess you should know the elevation in Los Banos, California is about 100 feet, while here in Manhattan, Kansas it is just over about 1,000 feet. So not a huge difference, but enough to make my head feel like one million pounds. 

Enough with the negatives though. :) Fortunately, after one week of feeling sick I am now just trying to get rid of this cough and should be up to health standards by mid next week at this rate. Yay!

And I have just one more exciting moment to share before I sign this blog complete.. this may just be my most exciting moment of the semester! ;) So each month I write an inspiring quote on my whiteboard calendar which I look at millions of times each day. My quote of the month for January was, "Do something today that your future self will thank you for." Well, I may have only actually done this once that I can point out for sure, but even one time makes a difference! I stayed up just 10 minutes later last week to finish my Crop Science assignment rather than waiting till the night before to do it, and then crashed since I felt sick. And then two days later I sort of forgot (blame the cold) that I had finished the assignment so I began to freak out because I did not have much time left to get it done. 

Now what is so exciting, you ask? I pulled out my Crop Science notebook, and guess what... the assignment was finished! Thank you past me, you really helped out your future self. :) *why yes that is it.. I apologize if that was a disappointment for EXCITING news, but in that moment I was unstoppable. And I definitely need to do that more often.

What can you do right now that your future self will thank you for? Trust me, big or small it will be worth it!

For example, I am just positive our future selves will
love this picture! ;)

Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis 

Jumping for June in January

Anybody who knew me at this time last year knows that I was so excited I would be experiencing a true midwest winter right now. A winter filled with snowfall, salt on the ground, Willie the Wildcat snowmen, chilling teeth chattering temperatures, and my heater on high all the time. I would spend each day last year telling myself I am not allowed to call 45 degrees cold because I would soon experience 4 degree weather. I prepared myself to the best of my Californian ability by wearing thin clothes back home as though that would be any help at all to my halfway across the country move. And I was pumped.

Well, let me tell you something. We now have about a day and a half left of January, and I have walked around campus to see people in shorts playing basketball, students in short sleeves walking to class, and citizens jogging around Manhattan! In J.a.n.u.a.r.y! Why yes, my first winter in Kansas has actually had days here that are warmer than back home in "sunshiny" Los Banos, California!

Throughout these winter months I have experienced just two snowfalls. One snowfall where the "snow" melted as soon as it hit the ground, and one snowfall where I moved back home for winter break the day after. And yes, that has been my extreme midwest winter.

Now maybe I am  jinxing myself and next week we will probably see the biggest blizzard to hit the Little Apple, but hey, at least I have a pair of nice gloves and warm headbands that I got for Christmas! I am "totally" prepared. Or another scenario, maybe I'll come back next fall in August ready for a few warm humid weeks and I'll be welcomed with Christmas in summer or something like that. In Kansas, you never know what you're going to get! But I can attest to the fact that there really is no place like home. :)

Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis

2014 Reflections.. 2015 Resolutions!

The 31st of December is famous to countless, "New Year... New me!" posts, resolutions which sadly hardly ever last past the month of January, the easy resolutions such as "order more pizza", flipagrams and collages, and commercials advertising some killer gym membership deals. And yes, I too posted some "easy resolutions" and a photo collage. Perhaps this is not a bad thing, but a way to reflect on the memories from the past year and some goals for the new year.

Without looking at the past, it is hard to learn from the obstacles, relationships, challenges, and amazing moments which occurred. Without looking towards the future, we lose an opportunity to create goals which would better not just ourselves but those we surround ourselves with. So make the cheesy flipagrams and collages (personally I love them!), promise to order yourself more pizza deliveries (we only live once, right?), and make some resolutions (if anyone could stick to that goal, it would be you!)

For me, I love reflecting on my last semester of high school where I raised and showed my last goat as an FFA member, was crowned as Miss May Day, retired from my last FFA officer position, graduated from high school, and walked across the stage at Loftin Stadium. A whole lot of lasts happened during the first half of this year, but they are memories that will last a lifetime.

But this year was not just home to a bunch of lasts. A whole lot of firsts happened this second half of the year. From spending six weeks of my summer at Kansas State University, moving to Kansas, living on my own, meeting so many new people who have become really close friends, joining Sigma Alpha, being selected as a Student Governing Association Intern, and being slated the 2015 Ag Ed Club Public Relations Officer, there is so much to be proud of and reflect on.

It is these memories that remind us who we are, what we live for, and where we will devote our time and passions. It is also these memories which help us decide where we would like to improve within the next year. So I only find it fitting to post my top 5 resolutions for the new year as well:

1. Hear my alarm.
   1a. Wake up when the alarm goes off (my roommate will appreciate this one!)
   1b. Do not press snooze (consciously or subconsciously)
2. Continue to step out of my comfort zone, that is where the great stuff happens! (thank you to my K-State orientation leader for giving us that quote!)
3. Have coffee or hang out with someone I do not normally hang out with at least once a month... new friendships have so much to offer :)
4. Keep in touch with older friends... mail more letters, post happy birthdays, the occasional text or phone call. Old friends are important too!
5. Write 2-3 blog posts each month.

So post your resolutions and your reflections for everyone to see! Create, share, and encourage! Our resolutions do not have to turn into duds and our reflections hold some of our greatest memories.

Happy New Year!!! :)


Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis

Don't Blink...

Today I completed my very first semester at Kansas State University, and I am not quite sure how that is possible. These 15 weeks have flown by faster than what seems like just 15 days is supposed to. Although I guess I should not be too surprised, as the old saying does go something like, "Time flies when you are having fun!" I cannot remember the last time I had considered school "fun" before K-State, but I am so glad I can call it fun now!

This semester I have made the best friends I could have ever asked for, joined amazing organizations full of people with the same passions as I, lived halfway across the county experiencing a whole different way of life, took classes I am truly interested in, and was really truly happy the entire time. They say in college that you are going to meet people who walk though life the same way as you, and  I can confirm that this could not be more true. The friends I have made here are already people who you would think I have known forever, and for that I am truly blessed. We came from completely different backgrounds and states, but together we are one in the same.

Celebrated my 19th birthday with the "bestest"friends ever!

LOVE YOU ROSES!!!

My first winter in the Little Apple was not complete without carriage rides! :)

This month I was also installed as the 2015 Public Relations Coordinator for the Kansas State University Agricultural Education Club. I am so excited to be a part of this organization with a leadership role, and cannot wait to work with this team full of passionate AgEd majors!

AgEd Leadership Team 2015

And as if this month wasn't crazy enough, I also flew back home for a short 4 day trip back to Los Banos to serve as Miss May Day in our annual Christmas Parade! Serving as Miss May Day is such an honor, and I could not be more proud to participate in a parade near and dear to our communities heart. It was also so great to be reunited with family back home, and I am so excited to be able to spend a month back home now that I remember what it is like to live in complete craziness! ;)

      

 

After this crazy month, I came back to campus to finish off my finals. A couple exams, several papers, and a few projects made for a "fun" finish!


So yes, I guess you can say if I learned one thing this semester, and this month in particular, it would be to blink as little as possible... because you might just miss a life changing opportunity.


Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis 

My Great Big Purple K-State Family!

        When going through the admissions process at K-State, there were two factors that really stood out to me. The first, as I am sure you can guess, was the purple pride. From purple handwritten notes all the way to purple K-State luggage tags and postcards mailed to me, I was overwhelmed with purple (in a good way of course!). It wasn’t long before I too began to think purple, love purple, bleed purple, and look for every product possible in purple. In fact, even as I am typing this, I am using my laptop with a purple case, a purple keyboard cover, and a purple cord connecting to my phone to keep everything nice and charged. Purple has become a way of life for me, so much that anytime I post a picture related to K-State and purple I use the hashtag, “#mylifeinpurple”. So feel free to check those pictures out on Instagram, and purple can become your favorite color too! I also cannot fail to mention that I am now just about able to wash a full load of laundry with only purple clothes! And I don’t know about you, but I think that is pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

       But my decision to K-State was not just based on the color purple alone (I’m not that crazy, I promise!). One of the largest reasons I chose to make K-State my home was the K-State Family everyone talks about. And I am so happy to announce that this is just not a campaign to recruit students, but it is a real thing that I am so fortunate to be a part of. The K-State Family is truly remarkable. From the student section at sporting events, the agricultural students and faculty, the advisors, my friends, and everything else in between, I have truly felt like a member of a huuuuuge family where everyone treats each other like you are their very favorite cousin, or sister, or aunt, or really whatever member of the family you would like to be. 

        Need some help with homework? Someone is there to study with you. Can’t figure out how to work your air conditioner or heater in drastic Kansas weather? Yep, someone down the hall is more than willing to help you. Dehydrated at a football game and need water immediately or you are going to faint (yes, this happened to me.. not a fun experience by the way)? Someone is there to take you to a water fountain and make sure you are okay even though kick-off is about to start. And most recently… need a home for Thanksgiving break because you can’t fly back to California that week? Yep, you guessed it, the K-State Family and an amazing friend opened up her home and family to me! 

Lizzie (my friend and sorority sister who so generously allowed me to live with her for nine whole days in Missouri with her family), is by far a prime example of why I am so glad I made the move to K-State. Without even having to ask, she opened up her home and family to me so I would not have to stay in the dorms that week. The experience was truly one of a kind, and I am so grateful to have such an awesome friend who would allow me to spend break with her! From the road trip to and from K-State, baking cookies, two delicious Thanksgiving meals, The Grumpy Cat movie, shopping, and lots of hanging out in between, my fall break was everything I ever could have hoped for and more all thanks to an exceptional member of my great big purple K-State Family.
       K-State has been so much more than just school to me. K-State has become my other home, my second family, and my daily dose of purple! 

Cookie baking! Love homemade goods! 

Car rides 

Sigma Alpha love on Thanksgiving

Living a life of purple, passion, progress, and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis

The First Snowfall!

Being born and raised in California, it is a pretty rare occurrence to actually see some snow (or rain, cold weather, or winter for that matter), unless you live up north in the more mountainous areas. That being said, moving to Kansas was a pretty exciting adventure for several reasons, but I think one of my most favorite reasons was knowing I was going to be able to experience all four seasons in one year.

So far I have been able to experience a very humid summer with beautiful greenery surrounding Manhattan and the K-State campus, the leaves on our trees transition from green to the gorgeous colors of fall, and most recently and perhaps the most exciting... snow!

I have been fortunate enough to have seen snow before in California for weekend family trips up North, but I have personally never been able to see a snowfall. Anytime we took a trip to play in the snow it would all already be thick on the ground with no chance of snowfall. (Although I guess I should mention I have seen Disneyland's fake snowfall in front of the castle, and that was pretty magical too!)

But this Disneyland fake snow had nothing over the real stuff I experienced in Kansas! I honestly could not hold in my excitement when I looked out my dorm room window last Saturday morning and saw snow covering the cars in the parking lot and snow still falling from the sky. I was so excited I practically jumped down the ladder of my bed, which is way too tall by the way, just to get a closer look! "The first fall of snow is not only an event, it's a magical event."

My first snowfall was absolutely everything I hoped it to be and more, and I had to celebrate with a super-duper awesome snowball!

To really get into the holiday spirit and to embrace everything winter is beginning to offer, I treated Lizzie to her very first Starbuck's holiday drink ever (#whitegirlprobs, Lizzie!hahaha), and we enjoyed the cool winter weather with our red cups, great friendship, and the movie Frozen!

Unfortunately the snow did not last too long, but I know I should take advantage of this somewhat warmer weather before the weather is constantly below the freezing point with a freeeeeezing windchill factor. After all, I still have a whole winter ahead of me! 

Living a live of purple, passion, progress, [the four seasons], and purpose,

Kaitlyn Alanis