So so grateful

These last weeks have been a blur, and while I've been trying to remind myself to slow down, breathe and enjoy- I find I'm saddled with this sense of urgency. I'm not sure where this comes from, but I know that I have this drive to do as much as I can with the time that I have.

I'm not dying or anything, I just think this way.

So many great shows and visits have already happened this month, and the biggie- the culmination of an 18-month project - was my CD Release Concert on Saturday night. It was amazing.

I was pretty flipped out for the days before. I had rented a large room, had paid a large amount of money, and was hearing from more and more people that couldn't come.

This led me to start freaking. I even developed a twitch in my left eye for the two days before the show. Not great. Also- really hard to focus on things with your eyeball shaking.

Anyway, I tried to keep reminding myself that there were elements I could control- like the music. I had asked some friends to play with me, and I knew that as a trio, we were going to put on a great evening of music.

I just had to trust that the rest could fall into place.

And it did! I am so grateful- it was a beautiful evening. And I paid attention, breathed, and enjoyed each moment of each song.

It was a great night of music, I sang new and old songs for new and old friends, and we raised money for a wonderful local charity- Operation Hope.

Thank you to all who came, and all who wished they could be there, your support means so much to me.

Love, Kristen

Ps- if you want to order the new album, click here!

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St. Olaf

I'm not sure I knew how good I had it when I was at St. Olaf. I knew it was great, and I felt lucky to be there, but visiting this weekend just reminded of how wonderful those four years were for me.

At St. Olaf I was encouraged and challenged to write and put out my first CDs. What other musicians get to spend the first four years of their songwriting careers in such a supportive environment?

I also took my first service trip to Oaxaca as a first-year at Olaf. At 19, I met Gaby, Nacho, Flor...my entire Casa Hogar family.

Going back to St. Olaf was a full-circle moment for me. My passions were inspired, nurtured and encouraged there. I am so fortunate to have had such a wonderful college experience.

California reflections...

So here's what I've learned about traveling to new places: You romanticize a place when you only visit once in a while.

You can find your people anywhere.

You can find jerks anywhere.

Being a musician, or having a job that let's you travel and reconnect with friends is awesome.

I love the west coast.

I still love the east coast, I just know it better, so the flaws stick out a bit more.

When I see something in someone's house that I think is awesome and a great idea- I'm going to steal it from now on. :)

And here are my favorite photos from the trip:

Windy San Francisco.

20140529-122638-44798009.jpg Redwood Park

20140529-122657-44817677.jpg Oakland pups

20140529-122905-44945922.jpg Trails in Ojai

20140529-122824-44904955.jpg Beach time

20140529-122955-44995368.jpg Baby seal in Santa Barbara

20140529-123028-45028153.jpg Devil's Canyon in Utah

20140529-123307-45187626.jpg Crazy jogging path in San Rafael Reef, also Utah

20140529-123401-45241407.jpg San Rafael Reef (worth the scary jog for the photo)

20140529-123441-45281747.jpg My friend, Holly, had the most beautiful setting for her wedding!

20140529-123539-45339197.jpg Cows in Fort Collins

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I also romanticize my hometown. Now that I no longer live in Green Bay, I love it. You know, absence makes...

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That's what I have for now. Why do you love to travel and see new places?