Top 5 Indie Artists

Since I have such impeccable taste in just about everything, I figure it's my duty to share my favorite things with Bloggerworld from time to time. I've done these posts in the past, but this month I'm dedicating it strictly to the indie music scene. Be excited, people.  Be excited.

If you know me well enough, you know how much of a music addict I am.  I'm constantly listening to something...in my car, at work, at home.  I love a vast degree of genres and can usually find something to match the mood I'm in or help me get in a better mood when I need it. Besides Zumba music, I've been really into the more obscure, indie scene lately.  Here's where I tell you my Top 5 favorite artists on my radar lately.  Jot these down if you don't know them.  If you're not into indie, well...your loss.  

Fun -- I think the name says it all. Most of their songs are tap your feet kind of fun, but they also have some mellow tunes. Lots of energy, great harmonies, and they throw in some interesting instrumental mixes sometimes. Their hit song We Are Young has been on a few tv shows and made it to the top of some of the Billboard charts.  I also love their song Some Nights.  

Good Old War Catchy vocal harmonies, very acoustic-driven, and definitely something you can sing along with.  Has a flair of folk to it but more on the pop side of folk. Favorite songs: Better Weather, Over and Over, Coney Island, Loud Love.

Freelance Whales What instruments are they using? I found myself asking that question a few times when listening to Freelance Whales. If you want to hear some amazing musicians, listen to these guys! It's very quirky but in a good way with a very sweet spirit to the melodies and harmonies. Almost a mix of electronic and acoustic. I can't really nail these guys!  If you're a fan of Fleet Foxes, you'll LOVE Freelance Whales.  Favorite song by far is Location.  But Generator^First Floor & Generator^Second Floor come in a close second. 

Joe Pug Get ready to be blown away from Joe's amazing, soulful voice.  I could listen to him all day long.  He totally reminds me of Bob Dylan, but with a way better voice.  Very acoustic and man, do I love that harmonica!! He leans more towards the country/folk side of indie. Favorite song is definitely Hymn #101, but coming in close is Nation of Heat.  Listen to this guy NOW. I have a feeling he's gonna make it more mainstream eventually.

Youth Lagoon - not a band but an artist, Trevor Powers.  I can't even describe the joy of listening to this odd mix of music.  It doesn't fit in any category I can think of but if you know Sigur Ros, well...you're in for a treat. He doesn't even really have a website, so I'm directing you to Facebook. Check out my two favorites Cannons and Afternoon. Two of the BEST songs ever.  

My Big 30 Goal

On April 21st, I'll turn the BIG 30. I've decided to do something bold for my 30th.  I'm organizing a fundraising campaign through charity : water and asking my friends and family to help me celebrate this milestone in my life by making a donation to this great organization. 

When you turn on that faucet at home, I bet you're like me and you never think about the kind of water coming out. You expect it to be clean enough to drink.  But for millions of people around the world, the idea of easy access to clean, drinkable water is a complete dream. Women and children travel long distances to unsanitary ponds, rivers, streams because that's their only option. The water they drink causes diseases and can even cause death.  

I know by now that many of you have seen pictures from organizations like charity : water that build wells for people in rural villages.  There are a lot of great organizations out there doing some amazing work in order to bring safe drinking water to villages all over the world.  These wells serve as a lifeline to people. Instead of walking long distances to get dirty water, they're walking less and getting clean water.  When I was in Rwanda a little over a year ago, I snapped this picture of women and children at a well. I couldn't help but wonder where they had been going before that well was built...there was no river or lake or pond within miles of the road we were on.  

I chose charity : water as the organization I wanted to fundraise with after carefully researching it's model.  I loved what I saw and I wanted to jump on board.  100% of what you donate goes directly to a project.  I know that's hard to believe but they prove it on their website. They also have a great section with stories from the field. Hear directly from people about projects going on all over the world. I also encourage you to watch the infographic video below. It gives a great overview.




If you'd like to help me in my fundraising effort, go to my charity : water campaign and make a donation. I set a $3000 goal, which means if 100 people donate $30 then I'll reach my goal. You may not be able to give $30 and that's totally fine. Give what you can and know that every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund clean water projects in developing nations. Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll be able to see the communities we've helped!

Please join me to make this birthday count. 

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop" -Mother Teresa. 

10 down, 2 to go

It's just around the corner folks...the big 3-0. I started my 30 before 30 list 10 months ago and I've completed 17 of the 30 so far. Not too bad, in my opinion. There was one point not too long ago, though, where I had only 3 accomplished and I was wondering if I'd even reach 10 by my 30th.  I've surprised myself by getting over half of them completed now.  There are a few more on the list that I know I'll cross off in the next 2 months but I also see a few that just aren't going to happen.  For example, #11: Do 100 consecutive push-ups in a row.  What was I thinking?? I really have no desire to do that now, unless it's girl push-ups and then I'm pretty sure I could do it.  

I think the point of the list wasn't just to complete ALL of it but to also push myself to try new things or to better myself in certain areas of my life.  I feel that 29 has been a big year of growth for me. I've improved as a designer and photographer since working for ICG. I challenged myself to try new things like Zumba. And I've learned a lot more about myself and what I really believe in life.  

Part of me feels really weird about turning 30.  I don't feel like I'm old enough to be 30 or that 30 is even OLD anymore! But here I am, 2 months away.  I know some people would think "Wow, you're almost 30 and still single and don't own a home and blah, blah blah.  Aren't you worried?". Well what I'd say to those people is that everyone's path in life is not some cookie-cutter design.  I've never looked at my life and thought that I had to follow the same path as everyone else.  I've also never felt that I had to hit certain milestones in life (like marriage, home, kids, etc) by a certain age.  Overall, I'm a happy, fulfilled person and I always take life as it comes.  God has brought me a lot of joy in my life without hitting those "milestones". After graduating college and starting life on my own, I've lived in Germany, traveled to Honduras & Rwanda, went back-country camping in the Rockies, hiked throughout Yosemite, walked across the Golden Gate bridge, rafted down the Colorado river, and I could keep going.  Would I trade any of my life experiences for something else?  Never.  My experiences as a single woman have given me many wonderful friendships that may have never formed had I not chosen to be adventurous on my own.  Yes, part of me wants those "milestone" life experiences someday.  But I'm not the type of person to sit around and let life pass me by until those milestones happen in my life (if they ever do). 

I think God has blessed me with boldness in my singleness. I am less afraid to try new things and more open to new opportunities.  I'm not looking at 30 and dreading it.  I'm looking at 30 as a continuation of this adventure called life.  It's full of ups and downs but overall it's a blessing to be on this journey.  

Open Doors

This video is just beautiful to me.  I'd love to sit and chat with this man for hours and hear his life story. He seems to have the right idea when it comes to human relationships.  Open your doors, sit down and chat with people.  Beauty in the real...


This Is My Home from Mark on Vimeo.

Random Whatnots Update

It's time for another random whatnots update.  Yes, I know you're excited. My life is just SO thrilling, right?!

First, let's start off with the biggest and most exciting news. I'M GOING TO GERMANY IN MAY! It's been almost 5.5 years since I've been back to visit and let me tell you, it's been TOO long.  I've practically forgotten my German in that time period.  I'm in need of some serious refreshment courses, people!!  I don't want to get there and be like, uh wie bitte?? ALL the time.  I cannot wait to hit up all my favorite spots in Dresden and see how much it's changed.  And I can't wait to visit with all my friends I haven't seen in ages.  It's going to be a fast and fun trip and you better believe I'll be taking a ton of pics.  Now if May could only get here sooner!


I'm going to the OKC ADDY awards gala event this Saturday.  My company submitted over 50 entries and we know we've won 42 awards from it...just not sure if they're bronze, silver, or gold awards.  Some of those are Orange Leaf submissions so I'm really thrilled that stuff that I worked on has been recognized!  It's a good feeling :) We're all a bit curious to see if we'll be in the running for Best in Show.  It will be a fun night regardless and I'm kinda thrilled to get all dolled up.  I don't get to do this very often :)  I'm even going to a stylist to get my hair all fancied!  Woot!

I haven't tweeted, facebooked or anything about this next topic. Mostly because, well, I know a lot of people I know might not agree with my decision.  But I can't and won't live my life wondering what other people will think of me all the time.  I did this for ME and ME alone.  Since it will eventually be obvious I figured I might as well get it out that I got a tattoo.  I've been wanting one for a long time and had been thinking about what it would be for a while.  I finally worked up the courage to do it and started designing it last month.  I sent the design over to an artist and he made it even more awesome!  He did a fantastic job with the shading and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.  This verse has meant a lot to me in my life so I wanted to keep it close to me where I could see it all the time.  Like it or not, it's there to stay!!

I'm kinda wanting to do an Oscar's watch party on the 26th.  How fun would that be?  Anyone interested??  My place is rather small but I would LOVE to actually watch it with a group for once...never tried it but sounds fun!  Speaking of the Oscars, I'm hoping to see The Artist this weekend, since I'm guessing it's going to be a big winner that night.

For those who may think after my last post that I've become some awesome looking Zumba girl, well here's a pic to prove that I'm not always looking so coordinated.  I gotta work on my skilz a bit!!!  And maybe kick it up a notch with the enthusiastic facial expressions.  I look a bit dull here.  But my company hooked up with Co-Motion, where I do Zumba, to shoot a commercial for John Holt Chevrolet.  I'll post a link once we get it up on YouTube but it was really really fun to shoot and the final outcome is awesome!!


I went to visit my sister early this month in San Antonio.  Had a blast with them and getting to spoil my little nephew.  We did a photo session at a train museum, since B loves trains so much.  He was just so in love with it the entire time but we kinda had some challenges getting pics from him.  Apparently sitting for his auntie was the LAST thing he wanted to do :).  I plan on keeping this pic around for when he gets older to show just how much of a stinker he was!

Well that's about it.  Life keeps moving and moving.  We won't talk about what big event is coming up in April, yet.  I still have a few months to enjoy before that day rolls around. :)

Zumba Obsessed

Ok, I'll admit it. I talk about Zumba a LOT on Facebook. Probably more than most people I'm friends with care to hear about in one week...or even one day (unless they're Zumba-obsessed like me, of course).  But I just can't help it people. It has quickly become a passion in such a short time for me.

I started taking Zumba about 8 months ago or so.  I was at Gold's Gym, exercising on the elliptical and one of the Zumba classes was going on in the cardio room.  I had seen them in there before but never really watched them.  I couldn't help but notice how much fun they all seemed to be having.  It sure looked like a lot more fun than doing the stupid elliptical machine that never goes anywhere and only does ONE movement the entire time.  But I thought, I'm probably not coordinated enough for it.

I mean, I took dance back in the day. Check out my awesome pic as evidence. I know how to point my toes and hold my hands ballet style, but 1989 was a LONG time ago and well, I was never any good at it.  (On a side note: I'm rockin' those poofy 80s bangs!!)

I wasn't sure I was brave enough to try Zumba on my own but I picked up a schedule anyway.  When the next class I could make it to came around, I decided to give it one try and see if I could handle it.  I figured there were women of all ages in there doing it, surely I could keep up with them.  First class was hard but I had SO much fun and wanted to keep trying it.  Plus, our instructor was this awesome, enthusiastic woman and she made the class just a ton of fun.  (All those who know the amazing Kelly know what I'm talking about after taking one class with her!!).  So I kept at it and was going several times a week at Gold's.  I wasn't awesome but I wasn't horrible either.  When Kelly opened her new Zumba home at Co-Motion a few months later, I followed her over (really, was there a choice? she's just too freaking amazing!) and started going there more and more.  That's where this obsession really began!

I'm now a regular at Co-Motion and attend classes sometimes 5-6 times a week!  I'd classify that as slightly obsessed. I realize I talk about it a lot and such but it's become such a joy to my days/weeks that I can't help it.  It's the best way I've found to relieve any stress I may have in my life.  Zumba is the only workout where I don't watch the clock like a crazy person until it's over. If I look at the clock, I keep hoping time will slow down so we can keep dancing!  I'd like to say I'm this amazing dancer now, but let's be honest, I'm closer to the Jim Carrey side of this picture.  I know I've improved some but let's just say I won't be teaching it any time soon!

I think one of my favorite things about taking Zumba is that I've met so many awesome people through it...enthusiastic, loving-life, happy, fun and friendly people.  I don't just go now because I enjoy the workouts (which I do EVERY time) but also because I'm also a part of this great Zumba community. These are fantastic women who are all so different but all so amazing.  Some are students, some are young professionals, some are stay-at-home Mom's, and some are even grandmothers.  But they're all fabulous women who encourage me, laugh with me and shake it with me every time.  I've never found any other workout where I've had this type of community.

Sometimes it still surprises me that I've taken up this obsession.  I never would have thought a year ago that I would be so enthusiastic about Zumba.  It just goes to show that you should always keep trying new things. I love that I have something that I look forward to after work almost every day.  I love that I've brought some of my friends into this obsession as well and they're starting to become regulars at Co-Motion.  I love how it makes me feel great about myself after every session I go to.

If you've ever wanted to try Zumba but thought you might not be any good at it, I say NO MORE EXCUSES!  Try it once (and if you're in OKC, try it at Co-Motion with me!).  I guarantee you'll have a great time!

my sister, my friend

For some reason tonight, I sat down at my computer and felt compelled to write a blog post about my sister.  Perhaps it's because I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving and I miss her a ton!  And perhaps she's also on my mind because I'm going to visit her, my bro-in-law and my amazingly adorable nephew in a few weeks. Whatever it is, I'm feeling sentimental so I decided to write it all down and share it.

Growing up I guess you could say we had our differences.  She was into dance, I was into sports.  She loved to play piano, I loved to draw.  She spent hours fixing her hair and makeup perfectly and I, well, I didn't know how to fix my hair very well until I was 18...maybe.  And makeup?  Forget about it.  I don't even think I owned my own container of mascara until college.

We were polar opposites in many ways and we fought like cats and dogs at times. I annoyed the crap out of her and she confused the crap out of me. I remember that one time I sat on the stairs while she had her friends over and I recorded their conversation on a tape recorder. She was royally hacked off (and rightfully so!).  But I did little stuff like that to bother her. It's just what little sisters do.

But no matter how much screaming, yelling, hair pulling, or even hitting we ever did, we always found a way to forgive each other and it usually didn't take long. We did the note system most of the time. My goodness, I would love to read all of those notes now!  We had so many precious moments growing up together.  We did silly stuff like slide down the stairs in our sleeping bags or come up with secret songs with each other.  I have no idea why but we came up with a song called Feet To Feet. We'd lie with our backs on the couch, feet together, and sing this song while moving our feet back and forth. Maybe we were bored, I have no idea!  I also remember many nights when we'd be lying in bed in our separate rooms and we'd talk to each other across the hall before falling asleep.  She always made me say goodnight & I love you to her every time before falling asleep...because you never know what could happen and she wanted that to be the last thing we ever said to each other :)

I've always looked up to my sister (even though physically, I look down at her!).  She's more grounded while I am the type that has my head in the clouds quite often.  Besides my parents, she's the one I call right away with any big news. When I don't know what to do in a situation, she's my go-to person for advice. She is my lifeline, I suppose you can say. In my idea of a perfect world, we'd live next door to each other.  I would come over and play with my awesome nephew every day and she would come over to bake with me or help fix my hair for a hot date! ;)  Unfortunately, that's not the case.  We haven't even lived in the same state together for years.  But that just means that any time we have together is completely 100% cherished.  I have learned that I cannot take for granted the time we have with each other anymore.  It just goes by too quickly and so I try to savor the moments.  I'm thankful I took up photography as a hobby quite a few years ago.  

I love to collect great quotes and I came across this one while looking up some about siblings:

  

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers & sisters.  We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes.  We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time." - Clara Ortega

This just says it all for me.  Outside the touch of time.  It's so true.  Our lives have taken different paths. We're not always able to be with each other.  But I know that she's always a phone call away.  And I know that the next time we're together it will feel like no time has passed at all.  I can always be myself around her, as ridiculous as that may be.  And we can still be silly together, even though we're both "adults" now.  Our relationship isn't defined by only being sisters. We're also friends.  We're definitely different from one another but it's our differences that makes our relationship so great at times. I learn from her and she learns from me.  

I sit here tonight at my computer and I pray a prayer of thanksgiving for my wonderful, beautiful older sister.  I am so blessed.  

Now grab your box of tissues, Kristie.  I know you're crying. ;)