Christmas season...

As Christmas approaches at an alarming rate, I must say that I need to FINALLY finish up my shopping. I only have a few things left to buy. I don't know about you, but if I have someone who is difficult to buy for, like my Mom, then I usually keep putting it off. I guess I like the excitement of last minute hustle and bustle. As for me, there's one thing I really have my eye on...And it's this...
I have reason to think that Santa has hooked me up. More to come...

Snow love

This morning I woke up to this...

I LOVE winter!

Christmas cooking...

Tis' the season to be cooking...

I'm Thankful for...

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I'm feel that I should post a list of things that I'm most thankful for. Honestly, this page could be neverending, but I will post only the most important things. (In random order...)

1. My incredible relationship with Jesus Christ. You've never experienced love until it comes from this guy.
2. My family. I know that they are always there if I ever need them. Amazing.
3. My incredible boyfriend Ben. Without him, I truly would be lost.
4. My car, Meredith. She runs, she has air conditioning, and a keyless entry. What more could a gal want?
5. Kally Kappes Barnett. If it weren't for her, my ANTM dreams would have never made it onto film.
6. Madison, my Maltese, she's happy to see me no matter what kind of day I've had.
7. Being blessed enough to live in a country with a rich history based on the bible. If only we could get back to those roots. Also living in a place were we are a free people. I will always be thankful for the people serving our country. God be with them.
8. All of the seasons. I have to admit that fall and spring are my two favorites. But, I will always have a love for snow!
9. Hot hot hot showers and baths.
10. Food. Whether it's home cooked, a Rafferty's salad, Primanti's sandwich, or dessert from Andy's Candies. YUM!
11. Science...I love learning all that junk!
12. THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS! And the city of Pittsburgh in general...awesome!

Political Analysis of a 3 year old...

I went to a dinner at Ben's church on Saturday night, where I got into an interesting conversation with a well informed 3-year old named Walker. He ran up to me and said..."Are you a republican?" I told him I was, and then he informed me of the following...
Did you know that Democrats...
1. Pee on puppies
2. Pop little kids balloons
3. Poop on the floor

I'm wondering if this is what we have in store now that a Democrat is in the highest office. I feel sorry for the White House staff who has to clean up all the poop on the floor! ( I can't believe I just blogged the word poop.) Finally analysis that is brutal and honest!

Don't know about you, but I'm voting for Walker 2012!

Christmas has arrived early!

The kitchen "gingerbread" tree.
Nativity that my G-ma Porter made. (The angel hasn't been hung on top of the manger yet.)

Christmas is my family's favorite time of year. My parent's have been listening to Christmas carols since mid-October, and I woke up one morning last week, to find the kitchen Christmas tree had been put up. My Mom usually puts up the kitchen tree first, but little did I know that over the next few days...these would also appear...

Ryan's "Rudolf" Tree

The office tree. (Because no home is cozy until you have a tree in your office).

In the last two pictures, I think it's funny that inside there is this beautiful tree, and you expect to see some snow on the ground, but nope...no snow. Kentucky never gets snow, but I'm wishing, hoping, and praying for a white Christmas this year! It's never to early to put in that kind of a request!

Kermit the Frog, and Miss Piggy...

I walked into my zoology lab this morning, not really focused on zoology, but more so on my biochem exam I was having later in the day. I had studied all weekend for biochem, and still felt unsure of the information. (I think I did okay. Definitely a B.) Needless to say, my mind was thinking about biochemical pathways, and I neglected to prepare myself for lab. Anyway, I sat down, and pulled out my lab material, only to hear that today we would begin dissecting our frogs. Ugh! First a squid, then a shark, now a frog? I understand the importance of dissecting animals, and learning how they work. But for the record, I don't like to do it. I HATE the smell of formaldehyde. I can smell it hours after class ended, and I wear gloves! Well, the pleasant thing about today was that we not only had to look at external anatomy, but we had to skin our frog! I repeat, SKIN THE FROG! I thought, "What? Skin Kermit the Frog? A childhood icon? A cute, innocent, harmless frog?" Ironically, the next animal we dissect is a fetal pig. A frog and a pig? Is that someones idea of a twisted Muppet joke? I'm still feeling guilty about my poor froggie. All this to get a stupid degree.

My thoughts exactly! (Not advocating PETA!)

Crazy? Insane? Nope, just TONS OF FUN!

Through the years, Kally and I have taken some of the most insane pictures. I would put our pictures up against anyone's for creativity, and weirdness. Many people have not understood our desire to spend an entire day, first destroying the apartment getting ready, and then by taking goofy pictures. We have always been inspired my America's Next Top Model, but we take it to such an extreme, that it turns out to be funny instead of artistic. (Case in point, the rock star photoshoot, mine to the left, Kal's to the right). Regardless, we have had a blast. Some might think these photos look Halloween costume worthy. But in reality, the most tame photo (at the bottom) is the only one that is a costume. Only we would have youth cheerleading costumes at our immediate disposal. It just makes me laugh. I'm gonna love showing these to future children.

Construction Zone...

The newly white kitchen cabinets...still working on what kind of countertops.
The color of the kitchen...soooo cute!
Hallway looking down to three bedrooms, bathroom, and hall closet.
Outside of house...
Future baby's room

Ben taking a lunch break @ Los Marichis...isn't he handsome?
The really cool hardwood floor in the entrance...it's hard to appreciate b/c it's so dirty.
Downstairs living room...to the left is the office, to the right is another bathroom The upstairs living room


Ben shopping @ Lowes

Me w/ a GIANT pumpkin @ Lowes

I went to Ben's last weekend to help him paint his new house. We had a lot of fun. There is still much work to be done, but it's really going to be nice. On a quick trip to Lowes we discovered a pumpkin festival going on in the parking lot. I had to have my picture taken with this GIANT PUMPKIN! Needless to say, I had been at the house all morning, and I look pretty scary. All in all it was a fun weekend!

Wanted...A SERIOUS European Travel Buddy...

Okay, so out of frustration I'm posting this ad. I have longed to go to Europe since I could remember. Being an adventurous person, I have always wanted to experience new, and exciting places. The problem is, that I can't find ANYONE serious enough to go with. People want to go, but when it comes down to serious planning, nobody seems interested. I understand that everyone has lives, and families, and before I start my own I really want to experience some European culture. Is this to much to ask people? It's not Zimbabwe...or Timbuktu. It's Europe...home to extremely old societies and architecture. Famous pieces of art, and cultures very different from our own. Who would pass on the opportunity to see a town that hasn't been restored since the Thirty Years War? Or to tour castles where royalty once resided? I know my home won't be complete until I have my very own cuckoo clock from the Black Forest. Sigh. Until I find someone, I'm still going to plan. I will go by myself if I have too. I can be stubborn...and I'm not giving up!

7 things...

7 Things I plan to do before I die:

1. Travel all over Europe
2. Scuba dive w/ Ben
3. Actually learn all this science crap, and graduate from MSU
4. Get married, and have a few babies!
5. Have a career I enjoy...most likely in medicine.
6. See more of the world, Australia, The Great Wall (China), Tahiti, more Caribbean.
7. Read all the books on my book list...it's HUGE!
(There are so many more things it's killing me not to add them all!)


7 Things I do now:

1. Read, read, read...until my eyes and brain can't take it anymore! Textbook reading isn't fun.
2. Occasionally sleep.
3. Listen to music.
4. Any chance to hike, and I'll take it.
5. Dreaming of my camera...Sony Alpha 200...it will be mine in a few weeks! ;)
6. Watch Gilmore Girl reruns...I own most of the seasons, and it's the only television I get to watch.
7. Stare endlessly at my Periodic Chart hanging on my wall. One day I will have it completely memorized! haha.

7 things I can't do:
1. I can't make everyone realize that McCain is the right choice.
2. Make Kally love or even like dogs.
3. I can't own a Goldendoodle right now, because I'm too busy.
4. Can't see Ben enough, living in separate states sucks!
5. I can't make all the Browns/Bengals fans repent of their football sins, and become Steeler fans.
6. Can't believe the amount of information on my zoology lab exam next week. Daunting.
7. Can't believe how OCD I sometimes am. haha.

7 things that attracts you to the opposite sex:

1. Honesty.
2. Has a relationship with Christ, and is willing to be open so that our walk together with Christ, will be daily strengthened by each other.
3. Fun personality
4. Adventurous.
5. Chivalrous.
6. Have the ability to give a certain look from across a room that will make my heart flutter. (Corney, but I'm serious!)
7. Patience.

7 things that I say most often:
1.Go to the ball! (Soccer)
2. Be aggressive! (Soccer again)
3. What do I need to know for the quiz?
4. You're amazing!
5. I love you.
6. What are your plans for the day?
7. I miss you.

7 celebrities that I like:
1. Ben Roethelisberger
2. Troy Polamalu
3. Hugh Laurie
4. McDreamy
5. Umm...I'm struggling with this.
6. Johnny Depp
7. Jared Leto

7 favorite foods:
1. Kielbasa... prounounced "Ca...boss...e", trust me I'm from the Burgh.
2. Smoothies
3. G-ma Porter spaghetti
4. Strawberry pie...and also cherry pie.
5. Rafferty's chicken salad with honey mustard/hot bacon dressing. Don't knock it till you try it!
6. Kappes Cinnamon rolls!
7. Andy's Candies Chocolate!

I promise I am still alive...

Hello all. It's been a super busy month, and I have neglected my blogging. BUT...that all ends tomorrow. I will post some pictures from soccer, and Megan has tagged me in a 7 things post. SO...I guess I will participate. More to come...

More photography...

This was taken awhile ago at Cades Cove. If you've never been there...GO! It's miles and miles of nature, and beauty!

Another one taken awhile ago at Abram's Falls. I can still hear the water! So Peaceful!
I love the way the green and blue colors bounce off each other!
I love this picture. This rock wall was in the backyard of a really old cabin. I couldn't help snapping is picture. Something about it was interesting. History mixed with nature.

Rain, Quizzes, and Fall...

Hello all. I'm in a reflective mood, and thought I would post. After tomorrow, I will have successfully survived my first two weeks of fall 08 semester. Classes are going well, but I must admit that last Friday, I felt like I had been in class for a month. I have quickly realized why MSU's biology program is one of the highest ranked in the state. Quizzes have become a daily, event in most classes. My first quiz of the semester came in the form of a zoo lab quiz. Zoology is my last 200 level required class for the degree...easy, right? Wrong. The micro-exam was 4 pages, with a practical section. All I can do is smile, and take it one day at a time. It's a good thing I like all this science stuff. ;)

In other news, the RC girls soccer team had their season opener on Tuesday night against Bath Co. The final score was 7-0 RC! I was so proud of the girls. They have been working hard, and I know the season will be successful. (Last season the RC team only scored 8 goals the entire season.) I'm ready for the fall weather to begin. I want the trees to change, and the temperature to drop. It really gets me in the mood for sports! Well, I must run...I have to work, and need to take a quick nap! Toodles!

Teagan Andrew...my virtual child.

Okay, so I'm taking a developmental psychology class, to fulfill one of the few gen ed requirements left for my undergrad degree. Classes begin tomorrow, so I thought I would get a jump on the setting up the various accounts my teacher requires for the online class. Well, to my great surprise, I am required to raise a virtual child. Yep, I'm a Mommy. My new son was born today, and is now 8 months old...I know I'm a super Mom-You don't have to tell me. He's not very cute, actually he's quite ugly. BUT...I still love the little booger. I'm sure my time with Teagan Andrew will be so much fun, and I will learn so very much about child rearing. (Hopefully you can sense my saracasm!) Until then I must run...I think I hear Teagan crying...

Alumni Game 08

Grrr...Don't mess with this! haha.
Both teams after the game!
The "Oldies"
Pouty face? Random...we WON!
The Alumni before

The Alumni game this year was a blast! We won 4-2, and actually had enough players to form an entire team. The downside is that we played without subs. And when you're 25, and seriously outta shape, it's quite an accomplishment to be running for four 15 minutes quarters. Let alone defend, make plays, and score when you're playing gals half your age. BUT...it's tons of fun, and I'm sure I won't be walking for...well...probably a week! Haha.

Lack of creativity...

So, I feel it's necessary to apologize to all my faithful readers...(I know who both of you are...) because I have had a lack of posting lately. My summer schedule is border line insanity, and I don't have much time for anything but school. To give you a taste a week...
I spend 27 hours a week in class.
Usually around 24-36 hours a week at work.
8-10 hours studying in my "free time."
10 hours a week driving to and from Ashland for Chem class.
AND a few hours with soccer...but that # will be going up now that dead period is ending.

So...I thought I would spare everyone the exhilarating thrill of learning about acid/base solutions, and osmotic pressure. (I'm taking Chem 112, and physiology Summer II). Sometimes I wonder why I did this to myself. I just hope I'm not socially retarded when it's all said and done. If you need me, I'll be in the library...sleeping.

Beach Photography...

I couldn't resist snapping this. The fact that nobody is in the pic is a miracle.I could wake up to this every morning. These blue chairs have been at Coral Beach since we started going 17 yrs ago. I'm sure they've been changed out. But they are a staple.

On my last morning I got a bit creative, and started snapping pics. Here are a few for you to enjoy.

Myrtle Beach...

I can never get tired of the beach. Relaxing by the water, feet in the sand, listening to the waves crashing. Ahh. It makes you never want to return to normal life. We had such a great time this year at Myrtle Beach. I had originally planned on staying till Thursday, so that I could make it back before my first Chem 112 lab and lecture of Summer II. But, in the end, I stayed the entire week. Why not? It was just the first day of classes. I couldn't have missed too much, right? This was my 17th trip to SC, and I relived so many memories. A favorite was the time Kally and Megan and I sang "I love Rock n Roll!" Hopefully I will return to the serenity of the ocean soon! The link will take you to all the photos from the vacay...http://picasaweb.google.com/kristennporter

USS North Carolina

My youngest brother Ryan, (10) is obsessed with all things WWII. He can rattle off just about any stat. And I'm confident that he can tell you in detail what happened during most of the battles right down to where each family member served. My Gramp Keller went with us, and it turned out to be an emotional experience for him as a veteran. So, when the opportunity presented itself to take a tour of the USS North Carolina, we knew it was a must. I was truly amazed at how large the ship was. We were only able to tour 9 levels, and I honestly can't imagine how much larger it had to be. It was a floating city! Everything a person could ever need had a special place on this boat. I'm so thankful I got to experience it. And I'm also extremely thankful for the amazing men and women serving our great country!

Taking aim on the 16 in big guns.

Ryan and I tried out the sleeping arrangements, which were surprisingly comfortable.

The fam on deck...Dad is missing because he was snapping the photo.

I took this and wondered how many times it was used to aim the Chicago Piano gun.

You can see the rest of our photos, including the freaky operating room on the ship...http://picasaweb.google.com/kristennporter

Nicodemus

I want a dog. I want a labradoodle. The problem is...I don't have a lot of free time. With full time school, work, and coaching...I just don't know if I can commit to the responsibility. Sure I could take a dog with me to the soccer fields, but I don't think MSU would like it if I brought my dog to school. I'm going to wait and see if I can find an apt close to campus, so I could frequently run home and spend time with Nicodemus. Yep...I've named a dog I don't have...Nicodemus is the perfect name for my future labradoodle. Maybe someday soon...

Madison the chemist dog!

I wish I was this excited about chemistry hmwk.
Oh now this is familiar...

I walked into my room today after breakfast, to find Madison asleep on my chemistry homework. I couldn't resist the temptation to snap a few pictures. She's so cute, even if she doesn't understand thermodynamics!