Prove Real.

I've moved!

2009-06-03T18:51:00.008-05:00

The blog I've had for nearly 3 years is moving to a new online home! You can now follow my life's adventures on www.KellyWithLime.com. So update your bookmarks & blog link lists and join me over there. There is even a new post about about recent visitors. I look forward to seeing you over there!

PS. My photography also has a new blog home at Kelly Ry Photo so come visit there too! I'll be (re)posting old shoots and new ones as they occur.

BAM still here.

2009-06-01T15:52:00.001-05:00

In case you're wondering where I've been and whether you should notify the police, rest assured I am still alive! Family has been in town since last Tuesday and depart back to sunny Portland tomorrow. Until then we're running in between raindrops and heading out soon to see UP! and have dinner.

Happy Monday!

Up late. Should be asleep. Much to do.

2009-05-26T00:26:00.003-05:00

Got home from work about an hour ago but although 11:30pm is much later than I ever used to go to bed (10 was typical, 9 a lovely treat!), I always seem to be both exhausted and yet wired from such mentally and emotionally taxing work. And after 5 days straight I am especially taxed. But there are emails to check and farms to harvest and plant again and now posts to write.

Tomorrow I get to see this face (doing "Blue Steel") and these toes.

And with her she brings her delightful parents. (All of them doing "Blue Steel")

I can't wait!

So now I'm headed to bed so that I can wake up at a decent hour to complete my long list of To-Do's. Nighty night!

Google is so cool.

2009-05-22T23:48:00.003-05:00

In honor of Mary Cassatt's birthday

Happy Birthday, Abby!

2009-05-21T09:37:00.004-05:00

Abby, dear friend, wishing I was there to celebrate you on your special day, sharing a piece of Ina's coconut cake (even though I don't like coconut cake, but I'd do it just for you!) and a cup of tea. What great conversation we'd have.

Have a wonderful day. You deserve it!

(Image here)

Random things

2009-05-21T09:13:00.003-05:00

I woke up groggy this morning. Not sure why. I know I slept deeply and dreamed vividly, so perhaps that has something to do with it. I dreamed that I was at work having to yell at different students to stop whatever wrong thing they were doing.

As I lay in bed I remembered I was unable to get on Facebook last night and couldn't replant at my virtual Farm Town farm - 8+ hours went by without earning me money! A travesty in the farm world. When I was plowing my fields just a few minutes ago the screen went white and a message popped up saying I had spy & adware on my computer and it offered to find and delete it for me. Um, no thanks. So now I'm using Norton to scan for viruses just in case whatever happened in those moments brought the plague to my computer. That wouldn't be good.

After a few days off I have to work today. The few days off weren't enough and I'd like a lifetime more of them pretty please. I'm especially loathe to work this evening because tonight is the season premiere of So You Think You Can Dance (known hereafter as SYTYCD), my absolute favorite reality show ever, and it's doubtful that Fox will have episodes online for me to watch later.

My home is a disaster. You'd think having the month off from school would leave me with plenty of extra time to either clean or keep things clean. It hasn't. Unfortunately. But on the plus side, I'm expecting visitors of the family variety next Tuesday so it has to be clean by the time they arrive. Too bad I have to work every day until they get here. Wasn't very smart of me to use my time so inefficiently.

A friend from school had some folks over for dinner last night and as a result I have apartment envy. She lives in a more industrial part of town in a former factory building converted into cool lofts with high ceilings and great floor plans. And the rooftop deck, oh don't get me started on the view she has. Amazing. My place is charming (and tiny) and all but sometimes I sure do long for more space and a rooftop deck with a fabulous view.

As I look over what I've written, if it were Christmas time the appropriate finishing words would be, "Bah Humbug." It's one of those days.

Another sponataneous adventure: Michigan

2009-05-19T19:40:00.004-05:00

I had the opportunity to go on another spontaneous road trip adventure, this time to visit Julia in Michigan. I arrived just in time for an afternoon snack of a Michigan specialty, Schuler's cheese dip.

While Julia was in class I saw a movie (Earth - Breathtaking!) and wandered around downtown Kalamazoo's train tracks.

On the drive back I wandered around Michigan farmland and came across several small vineyards and orchards. I wished I had a blanket and a picnic basket, but then that might have been trespassing.

Review

2009-05-16T22:14:00.003-05:00

Sometimes for fun I'll go back through old pictures. Much of the time I w ish I could retake many (ok, most) of the pictures with my current photography equipment & knowledge. But sometimes I am reminded of shots I love that I took with a simple point-and-shoot camera and I remember why I love photography. I realize more and more it's about getting an image of a moment with meaning. This one below, taken at Audrey's baptism almost a year before I picked up a DSLR, will always remain one of my favorites.

Take me out to the ball game!

2009-05-16T11:15:00.001-05:00

I'm off to my first Cubs game of the season!

(Quite honestly it will probably also be my last of the season considering I generally think watching baseball is like watching paint dry, but when in Rome and all.)

Liz got us hooked up with great seats just 10 rows or so behind the Cubs dugout so we're off to consume hotdogs, nachos and whatever other junk food is to be had at Wrigley Field.

In search of an adventure: Utica, IL

2009-05-15T11:11:00.002-05:00

When I didn't get called in to work yesterday, the blue skies and beautiful spring weather beckoned for a spontaneous adventure. My friend (and fellow classmate) Cait was up for a little road trip as well so we decided to do some wine tasting out in Utica, in north-central Illinois. We soon discovered that all of the grapes are actually grown in southern Illinois so we ended up at storefronts that do the tastings instead. Despite the lack of vineyard exploration, it was fun to taste some great wines, soak in the beautiful sunshine and get out of the city. Just perfect for an adventure.

Update: Second Shooting

2009-05-13T09:04:00.003-05:00

Meeting was successful and I'm hired to officially second shoot for her for a wedding in late September. Unfortunately that was the only wedding left that she needed an official second shooter for but in a few weeks I am going to work as her "assistant" (for less money) for one wedding where I'm mostly there to carry bags, hold equipment, etc, but am allowed to take pictures as well. The possibility is there for additional "assistant" jobs, so I'm hoping more of those opportunities will come my way!

Second Shooting

2009-05-12T15:40:00.004-05:00

For several months now I've been playing email tag with a local wedding photographer about the possibility of working for her as a second shooter. Between my crazy work and school schedule and her schedule, we've been unable to meet and discuss this. When it turned out I didn't have to work today I called to see if by chance she was free to meet up tonight and she was. We decided on the meeting time and location and she said to bring my portfolio. And then I remembered.

ACK! I don't have a portfolio!

A quick run to Target for 1-Hour prints, an album, black paper and sticky squares and now I've got a poor-man's portfolio. The hardest part was choosing which photos to include that showed mostly wedding related images, but some versatility as well. Now that I have something I imagine I'm going to re-do it before too long.

Spring, Spring, Come Again!

2009-05-11T19:21:00.009-05:00

I survived my first Chicago winter with temps in the negative degrees for days on end. And then spring came. And then it sort of went away again. So now temperatures in the 40's feel downright frigid. Glad to hear spring is due to return tomorrow!

Sometimes it sucks to be an adult.

2009-05-11T13:10:00.004-05:00

Anybody with me?

I've been without medical insurance for several months now and I feel as though I'm breaking the law. Relatively healthy, I've had one procedure that I can recall in the past 10 years or so; all those monthly insurance premiums paid essentially going to waste except for annual check-ups and the occasional prescription. And yet I can almost guarantee that if I continue without insurance it would be my luck that I'd come down with a serious illness or require major medical attention, all while living on student loans and my part-time job. So rather than tempt fate as I am currently healthy, this morning I applied for medical insurance and am awaiting approval of my PPO $2500 deductible plan for $155/month.

An extra $155/month expense is not what I was looking to add to my monthly budget.

Sometimes it sucks to be an adult.

Happy Birthday, Bailey!

2009-05-09T07:05:00.000-05:00

Oh, my dearest, darling, niece Bailey. How I love you for so many reasons. Seriously, there are a bazillion because you are wonderful, smart, beautiful, a superstar on the soccer field, helpful and kind.

Remember a few years ago when you requested a lemon cake for your birthday and as I share your love of lemon cake I eagerly offered to make it for your mother only I didn't stop to clarify exactly what kind of lemon cake you were wanting and so you didn't really like it but you were so sweet to not saying anything to me.

I hope you have a wonderful day and a spectacular 14th year! I love you bunches.

(Image here)

Happy Birthday, Kirsten!

2009-05-07T07:10:00.001-05:00

To one of the best mothers I know, sister dear, I hope you have a wonderful day just for you, free from playing taxi, PTA savior, baker/cook.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(Image here)

Adoption: I HEART

2009-05-07T00:12:00.002-05:00

I don't remember when I first had this thought, but at some point many years ago I thought about adoption and what an amazing gift it is for all involved, and how someday, I'd like to participate in it. Knowing now several couples who have adopted from both near and far, I continue to be an enthusiastic supporter. So when I found out that friends of Liz's (who I have met on several occasions since moving here) were bringing home Ariana, a precious little girl of 9 months, I was eager to offer my congratulations to the new family. My congratulations came in the form of taking some pictures at the Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory in honor of Ari's first birthday.

My heart absolutely melted in seeing how bonded Ari already is with her new momma & papa. It's a mutual admiration society between those three!

(Go HERE for a little slideshow with the rest of the images.)

Visitors: Denise, Matt (& Diane)

2009-05-05T10:04:00.004-05:00

Despite the making of new friends in my new hometown, there is just nothing like long-time friends with whom you can relax in an entirely different way. Denise & Matt's visit to my new home town and a weekend spent in the Illinois "countryside" with Denise's mom & extended famil was just what I needed to gear up for my last week of spring semester and finals (which, by the way, are all over and I have off from school for the next few weeks!).

Here is a peek at our time together, which included Chicago sightseeing, piano-playing with Grandpa Fred, a visit to the famous Rochelle, IL train park and family togetherness.

(See more in a slideshow HERE.)

Project365: It is Finished.

2009-05-04T01:07:00.007-05:00

You may remember that just over a year ago I started a little project; a project to document my life through a photograph each day. Although the blog focused on that purpose has not been updated in several months, that did not mean I stopped the fun! A handful of days are missing but here is the final collection. It was a challenge at times to remember to take a picture let alone take a decent one; almost half of these were taken with a cell phone camera. But the point was to push my creativity, photographically and it certainly did that.

If you decide to watch the entire slideshow, I suggest a cup of coffee and a comfy chair. It's a long one! (Click the image)

Wishing For Spring

2009-04-29T09:33:00.003-05:00

The thing about living in a place that has distinct seasons is that you reach your threshold with one just as another is about to come. I'm done with winter and wishing for a sunny spring.

Weekend with Fred

2009-04-28T08:33:00.003-05:00

I'm smack in the middle of finals this week but wishing that I could go through all the photos I took this weekend of Denise & her family. In particular, the times Denise spent with her grandfather Fred as he played the piano, his fingers stiffer than they used to be. They were sweet moments to be a part of.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

2009-04-27T07:52:00.004-05:00

To a great brother-in-law, wonderful father to my niece and supportive, loving husband to my sister. Wishing you a wonderful year with many adventures.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(If I were in Portland right now I'd buy you a bacon-maple bar at Voodoo Donuts to celebrate.)

Back from the 'burbs (bearing gifts!)

2009-04-26T18:51:00.006-05:00

In addition to their loving presence, Denise & Matt brought me a little gift from California. For at least three (wisely rationed) meals I'll enjoy the Mexican food of my childhood. With the recent trend for airlines to charge extra for baggage weight, this gift was extra precious.

Off to the 'burbs!

2009-04-24T12:36:00.005-05:00

Yesterday Denise & I roamed the city playing tourist before we met up with Matt for drinks in the Hancock Building lounge followed by a gluttony of Giordano's pizza & cupcakes from Molly's Cupcakes. This afternoon we're off to the 'burbs to visit her family for the weekend. Until then, a couple of the love-birds.

It was a rainy, foggy Sunday.

2009-04-21T11:26:00.004-05:00

It's Tuesday

2009-04-21T10:09:00.002-05:00

That means I'm at school from 9am-7pm.
That also means I tune out a professor who tends to ramble and go off topic.
This then means I browse random things online, including my pictures on Flickr.
This Tuesday means that I tonight get to see the dear faces of two of my dearest friends.
This Tuesday also means that I have just 8 more days until I am finished with this semester.
This Tuesday has me imagining future travel plans and hoping that I will find time and money to go.

I'm a little obsessed.

2009-04-17T17:18:00.004-05:00

It's Here: A Day in the Life of a Peep on Easter

2009-04-13T21:59:00.001-05:00

(Click the image)

More to come: A day in the life of a Peep on Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T16:43:00.005-05:00

A Peep and its friends asked me to come with them to church yesterday, and then to photograph them as they gallivanted along Michigan Ave and had lunch at Grand Lux Cafe. This Peep wanted a professional photo of him during Easter worship service but I declined to pull out the big guns while worshiping the Lord and used my camera phone instead.

More Easter Day adventures to come.

Risen today!

2009-04-12T08:13:00.003-05:00

Procrastination

2009-04-11T18:18:00.003-05:00

As my last second semester of my last first year of grad school enters its third last week I have several projects and long papers due. One particularly long paper + power point presentation is due on Tuesday.

So naturally I'm procrastinating.

If you're looking to procrastinate with some online TV/video watching, here are a few suggestions:

Premier episode of SOUTHLAND, a new drama about the LAPD. Watching it makes you understand why so many police officers are alcoholics or have terrible family lives.

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love talks about creative genius. Interesting.
The first five episodes of Castle with Nathan Fillion who plays a mystery novelist bored with his own success.
One man's quest to experience the health effects of eating McDonalds for every meal for thirty days, Super Size Me will make you want to go take a walk.
Catch up on past episodes of In Plain Sight, a peak into the world of witness protection.
I also recommend pretty much anything from The Office for some laughs or Bones for some fascinating who-dunnit & X-files-esque sexual tension or Legend of the Seeker for a little sci-fi/LOTR-style action or The Little Princess for a childhood flashback or The City or The Hills for a little reality show guilty pleasure.

Happy procrastinating!

Recipe Wanted: Pinto Beans

2009-04-10T17:45:00.002-05:00

In the hopes of filling the hole of my much-missed California style Mexican food, I picked up some dry pinto beans at Whole Foods this afternoon. Only problem is, my past attempts at making homemade beans have failed, leaving me with bitter beans no matter how many times I soak and rinse them before cooking.

Anyone have a good recipe? Preferably no suggestions requiring a slow cooker as I can't seem to find mine though I do have a Le Creuset dutch oven, so hopefully that will suffice.

Hana Matsuri

2009-04-09T08:35:00.003-05:00

As part of an assignment for a class on diversity a couple friends (Andrea & Caitlin) and I recently attended a Sunday service at a Buddhist temple and participated in a meditation session. Lucky for us it was a special service in honor of Hana Matsuri, or the birth of the Buddha. As the legend goes, the man who came to be regarded as the Buddha was born to a King and Queen in a little kingdom in northern India. While traveling, his mother went into labor and gave birth to him in a garden while a soft, warm rain fell upon his face. Buddha went on to reject his princely destiny to instead be a messenger of peace with many followers. In honor of Hana Matsuri it is tradition to ladle sweet tea over the head of the baby Buddha statue, symbolizing the rain that fell on the day of his birth.

(Although I imagine visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand or Japan would have been amazing, I doubt they would have let me take pictures inside. :-)

Hello there.

2009-04-08T17:34:00.004-05:00

Every Wednesday this semester I have a 3-hour morning class and a 3-hour night class, with a 6-hour break in between. While this makes for a long day I planned this deliberately to force myself to stay on campus and use the 6 hours for studying and completing assignments. As you can imagine, it's a long 6 hours but fortunately there are a few of my school friends who have a similar schedule and we typically find a study room together and (try) to hold one another accountable for actually working. I'm getting ready to wrap up today's study session and just received the following IM from a friend in a study room down the hall:

"Study Break!"

Happy Wednesday! Hopefully your day was just brightened like mine.

(My favorite is the self-spank.)

Craving satisfied (& rekindled)

2009-04-06T20:41:00.003-05:00

I finally had the chance to return to that delicious Viennese cafe I'd talked about a couple months ago and again the food did not disappoint! This time a Croque Monsier and a pot of Strawberry Creme tea.

Delicious.

(Thanks, Liz for humoring me in my request to go to Julius Meinl, even though you'd just been there a 2 days before.)

Have you heard the one about the parking tickets?

2009-04-05T20:59:00.005-05:00

(This is not a joke.) The one where I got 6 parking tickets in a period of about 4 weeks? Two of which were for having "smoke" tinted windows? Suffice to say I figured it was better for my wallet (not to mention my stress level and the feeling of being targeted by those parking ticket cops) to simply have the tinting removed rather than risk additional tickets.

Three hours and $90 ("If you pay cash we won't charge you sales tax..." says the guy as he pockets my $90 cash) later, my windows are clear as the day I drove my Honda Accord off the lot a little over 2 years ago.

But getting to the point of the post, the tint shop I chose to use happened to be in an area of town that I'd been meaning to visit: Pilsen. Pilsen was to be the embodiment of this California-bred girl's dreams. What dreams, you ask? Well, I'll tell you: good Mexican food. Suffice to say I've been disappointed with the Mexican food I've had since moving to the mid-west. But Pilsen, I'd been told, would fix all that & satisfy every craving. Essentially, "Welcome to the Mid-West's Mexico." So even though it was only 10:30am when I dropped my car off for what was supposed to be an hour long procedure, I decided it was lunch time.

But alas, although this food was indeed better than other places I've had since last August, it was no Rudy's (Oh, Rudy's, how I miss your bean & cheese burrito, no salsa!) or La Adelita (your enchiladas - one chicken, one cheese, no rice, extra beans!). There's just something different about the way they do Mexican food out here in the land-locked mid-west states. Not quite sure what it is, but I sure do miss my Mexican fix. (Even the canned pinto beans are different. They don't sell Sun Vista. GASP!)

But getting to the real point of this post: after eating an early lunch I wandered around Pilsen and snapped a few. A lonely chair sitting beside an alley dumpster caught my particular interest.

With many old, interesting buildings, colorful graffiti and other Mexican restaurants for me to try out in search of the best Mexican food in Chicago, I'll be back with a purpose.

PS. If you curious about the parking tickets, they were for the following offenses: no Chicago city parking sticker, parking on a curb (that had been covered with snow when I originally parked, and was revealed to be a curb when it melted), "abandoned vehicle" (after it'd sat parked in the same spot for 8 days. 7's the limit), expired California plates (I had my IL plates but didn't have the wrench needed to replace them), and, of course, the 2 (2 weeks apart) for tinted windows. Fun!

Ginger's Visit: The Evidence

2009-04-04T21:56:00.003-05:00

A few weeks back I had the joy of a weekend visitor, my dear friend Ginger. Although Ginger & I have plenty to talk about, she is probably the person I feel most comfortable sitting with in silence. That's always the mark of a solid friendship, I think. After pulling an all-nighter in the maternity wing of a hospital, acting as a doula for a friend in labor, Ging just made her morning flight out of Long Beach. Although I had to work a couple of the days she was here, we still managed to relax with a restorative cup of coffee/tea, sleep late, enjoy a delicious steak lunch at Gibson's, take the Sear's Tower elevator to the 99th floor for an amazing view, have pre-dinner cupcakes at Molly's Cupcakes, and, of course, inhale Ann Sather's amazing cinnamon rolls.

Great friend + plenty of laughter = Rest for a stressed grad-student's soul

I adore this picture of Ginger, huddling against the cold afternoon wind as we waited for the bus.

(The opposite view of here.)

President Obama was home for the weekend and stopped to say Hello.

Ginger was a good citizen of the Earth & picked up the flying newspaper as we sat along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Laughter. Always lots of laughter with Ging.

Thanks Ging. For your visit and your friendship.

There is evidence.

2009-04-01T11:16:00.003-05:00

My dear friend Ginger came to visit a couple weekends ago. There is photographic evidence of that fun time together. It will be shown here. Promise. (Eventually.)

(Have I mentioned how exhausting grad school + work can be? Very.)

Ireland - the collection

2009-03-30T21:51:00.002-05:00

It's taken a couple weeks but finally you can join me on a tour around Ireland. From the streets of Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, Afternoon Tea at Adare and frolicking with sheep on the Dingle Peninsula, I can't wait to go back! Thanks to Molly, Adam & Brennan for their wonderful hospitality (meatloaf & chocolate chip pancakes).
(Click on the image or go HERE.)

Do you Earth Hour?

2009-03-26T10:45:00.003-05:00

If the global warming argument doesn't sway you, consider it an excuse to turn off the lights, light some candles, open a bottle of wine and enjoy a peaceful evening.

I'd rather be...hanging out with sheep.

2009-03-23T23:18:00.003-05:00

That should be my license plate frame.

I'd rather be trailing after this mamma and her two babies.

Or having a staring contest with this guy. (Or gal. I can't tell. I wasn't going to look and be the first to crack.)

I'd rather be most anywhere else except spending an entire day working on a take-home midterm.

Oh, Practicum.

2009-03-23T11:03:00.003-05:00

How I dislike you and your process.

I've mentioned previously that part of my clinical training includes 3 years of "Practicum" training (sometimes referred to as 'externship') followed by one formal year of Internship. I've just been through the application process for my first year of diagnostic/assessment practicum, and let me tell you, it is NO fun.

NO FUN AT ALL.

It's a process that's filled with anxiety and wondering and rejection and...Kind of like applying to grad schools, jobs or dating.

Yeah, no fun at all.

Today was "Match" day. The day that all the practicum sites are to contact their top choices and offer them a position for the coming 2009-10 practicum year. I bet the phone lines between 9-9:15am were crazy as that's the time the sites are allowed to finally call students (according to the rules of the organization that governs practicum regulations).

At 9:00am I got a call. Much like the process in applying to graduate schools, I got one call and I accepted. After much deliberation over the weekend, weighing the pros and cons, I had decided that this site was my top choice. Nice how that all worked out, eh?

Still could do without all the anxiety and wondering and rejection though.

Weekend Visitor

2009-03-19T21:11:00.006-05:00

.
.
.
Hoping for sunny weather while my dear friend Ginger is in town for the weekend.

On the agenda: a whole lotta nothin'.
(The good kind of 'nothin')

Yay!
.
.
.

Driving in IE

2009-03-18T23:14:00.002-05:00

Although there were a couple occasions where I (or Molly or Lauren) had to remind myself (quickly) that I should be driving on the left not the right (made all the more complicated by the manual gear shift on the left), I'm proud to say we returned our trusty Opel Corsa back to Irish Car Rentals in one piece with no damage whatsoever. Hurray! And despite the occasional fear expressed (or politely held back, though the grimace, gasp, arms thrown out to the sides as if to grab onto something, or imaginary foot-on-the-brake kind of gave it away), we all managed to survive my driving on the other side of the road (or "wrong side" as some might say).

(Side note: My modest pride at this accomplishment increased when I read the log upon returning the car where there were pages and pages of cars that had recently been returned with extensive damage. Strangely enough, damage was mostly on the left side of the vehicles, which doesn't make sense to me considering you drive on the left...Anyone have a theory on that one?)

This might make my day if it happened to me.

2009-03-18T08:02:00.002-05:00

null - Watch more free videos

The tin

2009-03-16T20:53:00.005-05:00

Across the Atlantic - at least in rural Ireland - the folks there are a trusting lot. You pump your gas and then you pay; no pre-authorization or card swiping necessary to guarantee you won't pump and run. Young farm-girls let you wander their fields of sheep with a simple request that you be sure to shut the gate behind you when you leave. And local pottery-makers advertising their wares with hand-painted signs on small country roads display their pots with a brief note requesting you leave money in a tin for any items you take with you. I like that.

I realize I'm no longer a child when...

2009-03-15T16:20:00.002-05:00

... for example, I am eager to sleep in my own bed after being away for a while. As a child I never wanted the party to end. At sleepovers I was always eager to stay at friends' as long as possible, for as many nights as we could get away with. Being away always seemed much more fun than being at home.

At some point over the last several years though, I became an adult. And now I hear myself uttering the words I remember my parents saying when we begged them to extend a vacation, "I just want to sleep in my own bed."

As much as I love traveling (Ireland was great!), I always enjoy being home.

Chicago did it's part in greeting me with blue skies and temps in the high-50's.

The Winn Family (in Ireland)

2009-03-13T18:03:00.002-05:00

Of course while I was here, I had to snap a few of Molly, Adam & Brennan. They're too cute not to!
(Click the image to go to a slideshow or go HERE.)

Afternoon Tea

2009-03-12T05:25:00.003-05:00

The other day the ladies had afternoon tea at the lovely Adare Manor. (It's a lifestyle to which I'd like to become accustomed.)

Bunratty

2009-03-10T08:48:00.003-05:00

We're happy to be here.

In Ireland

2009-03-09T07:18:00.002-05:00

Just got back from a weekend in Dublin where, among other things, we toured the Guinness Storehouse Factory. (Never seen so many men willing to go on a tour of something before.)

This afternoon Lauren & I are planning to visit King John's & Bunratty castles while Molls & B recuperate at home. Dinner with their friends tonight. (It's beautiful here. Rainy, but beautiful!)

Happy Birthday, B!

2009-03-08T06:43:00.002-05:00

If we had more money and more free time I'd suggest we meet up in Paris for your birthday and try out all of the bakeries across town, and then maybe head into the countryside for some further taste-testing. All in the name of science and exploration and finding the best bread for our bodies, of course.

To my sister,
I wish you a WONDERFUL DAY
and much success in your bread-making!

(Image from here.)

I awoke early this morning.

2009-03-04T06:55:00.002-06:00

School today. My long day. I'll leave the house around 7:40am and get home around 9:40pm. Yeah, long day.

Yesterday I stayed home; took a "sick/depressed" day. It was one of those days when I just didn't feel like getting dressed and making the effort to go to school when all I really wanted was to stay in my pj's, catch up on some online TV and be a lazy bum. Yes, these are the early signs of depression (but, according to the DSM-IV, only if they last 2+ weeks :-). If you think of it, please pray for clarity and purpose. I'm lacking both at the moment.

So today I'm off to school, but tomorrow I'm off to see these two.

Last time we toured the wilds of Yellowstone. This time, the emerald hills of Ireland. Let's hope noone gets stuck in a seatbelt (Lauren) or almost-gored by a bison (Kelly).

It's Sunday night.

2009-03-01T20:54:00.004-06:00

Still plugging away at that box of clementines. Delish!
Just emailed off a proposal to photograph a wedding in October. Waiting to hear back about another one at the end of May. We'll see!
Finding myself drawn to rusty chains and locks recently. So rustic!
Didn't get a lick of homework/studying done today as planned. Bad Kelly!
I woke up today and pulled the blinds to find a winter wonderland had descended sometime during the night; it's been snowing almost all day. Love the snow on days when I can stay cozy inside!
Wondering why peeps rarely comment on my blog anymore. Thoughts/suggestions? Am I boring you with my narcissism?

I shouldn't work for the weather channel.

2009-02-24T11:42:00.004-06:00

On a couple occasions in the last few weeks, I've been accused of misleading others with regards to the weather. Apparently my definition of "lovely outside today" is different than my friends. One Sunday a couple weeks ago I texted a friend, "Brunch? It's LOVELY out today!" And so we met at Orange and stood outside in the sunshiney, blue-skied morning waiting for a table to open up. Me: bundled up in my coat with a scarf and gloves, and my toasty Uggs. Her: coat, no gloves or scarf, and a pair of ballet flats without socks. As she stood shivering she said, "I thought you said it was lovely outside!?"

To me, lovely = beautiful blue skies with fluffy clouds. It does not guarantee warmth.

(Sorry for misleading you Lisa!)

So when it was again a "lovely" (but cold; low-20's) Sunday and I knew I'd be spending most of the day inside at work, I took my camera and an early train to the South Loop neighborhood to wander around.

TJ's. FINALLY!

2009-02-23T16:59:00.004-06:00

A practicum interview out in the suburbs today gave me the excuse to drive and run errands more easily accomplished by car than bus or train. It was fate when leaving the interview I passed a Trader Joe's! Oh, TJ's, how I've missed you. I felt giddy walking in; so much so that a woman near the entrance gave me a strange look as if I question my sanity.

I restrained myself and picked up only the true necessities:

2 kinds of trail mix (Oh My! Omega Trek Mix and Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix)
Dijon Mustard
Butter
A BBQ Chicken Pizza
A box of clementines (of which I've already eaten 5...or 7)

and these tasty morsels...

What are you favorite TJ's treats?

The Search for the Best Cupcake in Chicago is Over

2009-02-20T18:18:00.002-06:00

Carrie's Campfire ~ Molly's Cupcakes

(And they didn't care if I took pictures.)

Winter in Chicago

2009-02-20T18:03:00.000-06:00

Testing

2009-02-19T09:22:00.003-06:00

I see a big white blank area in the middle of my blog.

What do you see?

UPDATE: Now that I've posted this, I can see everything again. Just in case, I'm leaving this up. Blogger is so strange sometimes.

Comfort the Sick

2009-02-18T14:47:00.004-06:00

What small comforts or treats make being sick a little more bearable for you? Right now these two are helping.

Along with a little online TV watching.

Too much Vitamin C?

2009-02-18T11:31:00.003-06:00

For all you homeopaths out there, can I ingest too much Vitamin C? What will happen if I do? If so, what is too much?

Trying to kick a cold by drugging it up with cold medicine and double-doses of vitamin C (2000 mg/day) + drinking OJ. Is taking Vitamin C after you get a cold like shutting the barn doors after the horse has already escaped?

500GB

2009-02-16T09:34:00.003-06:00

I have a teeny-tiny laptop and I love it. Twelve inches, just over 3lbs, it's great for taking with me to school and on trips. The down side is hard-drive space, which was pretty much filled up within the first 6 months. I've had an 80GB external hard drive that I've been using for working files, while archiving other things on DVD's but I don't really like that solution, as it makes accessing different files & folders at once a pain in the butt. So a trip to Best Buy for a new external hard drive was in order, where a very helpful man suggested I buy a larger non-portable external hard drive for daily storage/use and keep my 80GB portable drive for taking with me on trips. That works for me!

Let's see how many RAW image files it takes to fill up this 500GB hard drive.

Promontory Point

2009-02-15T19:27:00.003-06:00

Every time I go to work I pass Promontory Point. I had this vision to photograph the area covered in a blanket of snow, but with the recent warm temps melting all the snow away I grew impatient and decided to explore the area yesterday afternoon before work. The day was grey and a little hazy with occasional patches of blue skies so I helped the photos along with a little creative editing (dodging & burning - a selective darkening/lightening technique) to up the drama factor. While I don't ever want to rely on Photoshop to improve my technical skills, it's fun to add a little umph & drama to what might otherwise have been a boring photo.

For fun, here are some before & afters.

I HEART

2009-02-14T09:46:00.002-06:00

There are many people back in LA, almost too numerous to count, that I love and adore and miss. Another thing I miss: frequent trips to Trader Joes. Yes, we have them here but it's not the most convenient and I have yet to go. I miss my good nuts and trail mixes the most. And so in honor of missing TJ's, here's a fun little video for my fellow fans.

I've never been a snacker.

2009-02-12T20:36:00.004-06:00

That is, until I started grad school.

I've always been the type to prefer to save my calories for 3 decent-sized meals rather than snacking in between. I find snacking lessens the appetite to the degree that it makes the actual meal less enjoyable. And that's a shame! I want to really enjoy that sandwich or chicken teriyaki or (the occasional) salad. With hours of class to sit through with 10 minute breaks here and there, I found that bringing a selection of snacks helps to keep me focused and in a state of learning. It had been forever since I'd been to the grocery store but a recent trip to Jewel (the Albertson's of the Midwest) stocked me up so now I can just grab a few snacks to stash in my backpack for later.

Stocked in the bowl: 100-Calorie Sandies (bits of delightful vanilla-crunchyness!), Fiber One Peanut Butter Bars (YUM!), 100-Calorie Snack Mix (the perfect salty pick-me-up!), Honey Oat Crispy Granola Bars (oh, the crispy, honey goodness!), Peanut Butter Crackers (so cheap but so good!), and for a real treat, Snickerdoodles (oh the soft cinnamon & sugar!). I like these snacks. In the fridge you'll find cups of natural applesauce, grapes, tangerines and carrots.

I didn't use to be a snacker. Past tense.

Walk with Carol

2009-02-10T13:12:00.004-06:00

Carol and I met for lunch yesterday and an impromptu photowalk around the neighborhoods of Old Town and River West, both really cool neighborhoods with unique styles. One classic elegance, the other industrial/urban. Both areas sparked my interest for future photo shoots.

Lunch at Corner Bakery fortified us for our walk.

The cool thing about walking with other photographers is realizing how different we see the things around us.

While taking pictures on a bridge we met a budding photographer who we talked cameras, lenses & ISO with for a while. These are always fun and educational chats.

We passed so many cool doors and windows. I tried several angles and distances trying to capture this particular doorway, but to no avail. So Carol gave it a try.

While waiting for the bus, I played with capturing bokeh from the lights of the oncoming traffic.

City by cellphone

2009-02-08T18:00:00.022-06:00

What did the world do before cell phones with cameras, I ask you? Apparently I use mine more than I realized. Bored on the bus the other day I began to go back through my phone's album and had fun seeing the randomness of so many of the photos. From breakfast at work or at school while studying for a test, to intriguing bus passengers, a row of Ugg-wearing students, artwork on the walls at work, my view out a window, on the street or in class, or a self-portrait, here's a slice of my life.

Enjoying the 55F sunshine on my face yesterday.

Most of all, I love how photography has opened my eyes to see the world around me in new and unique ways.

A craving that won't go away

2009-02-08T16:24:00.008-06:00

Several weeks ago I was rushing to an appointment and had no time to make lunch at home so I stopped into a place just a few doors down from my meeting to grab a quick bite. Darling Viennese cafe with the most delicious fresh, warm croissant with Boars Head ham and a deliciously nutty emmentaler cheese. So simple. So tasty.

I'm still thinking about this sandwich weeks later, it was that good.

Discoveries by Bus

2009-02-06T22:37:00.003-06:00

In taking a new bus route the other day we paused briefly before this great fire station. I whipped out my camera as quickly as I could as we drove past it (you can see the reflection of the bus interior). So retro! I'm thinking this could be a fun location for a photoshoot... :-)

Photography Exhibit: Faces of Thailand

2009-02-05T22:00:00.003-06:00

At a photowalk around Lincoln Park last August I was able to meet several great people whose passion for photography is equal to or greater than mine. Among them, Carol & Tiem, a husband and wife wedding photography team. Our conversation that day also revealed that Carol was about to begin her 3rd year in the same doctoral program at my school that I was about to begin. Small world!

Born in Bangkok, Carol recently debuted a collection of photographs from her travels in Thailand in the new wing of our school at the Merchandise Mart (2nd largest commercial building in the US after the Pentagon!). The exhibit titled Faces of Thailand was a captivating companion to the school's book of the year, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman, an excellent book about a Hmong child, her parents and American doctors, and the cultural missteps that can happen in trying to provide care to different cultures. Carol's photographs were lovely and sweet, exotic and thought-provoking. A reception was held this evening to debut the collection, complete with Thai food and beverages. While I was too late to partake of the food (due to that aforementioned printing problem), I was able to chat a bit with Carol & Tiem and of course snap a few pictures. (Makes sense at a photography exhibit, eh?)

The artist. (Being silly.)

A glimpse of the exhibit. I never could decide which photograph was my favorite but this man-on-elephant drew me back.

Cupcakes make the frustration go away

2009-02-05T21:23:00.005-06:00

Printing all of my practicum application materials at school turned into a mini-nightmare this afternoon requiring me to make a return trip to the office supply store to purchase 2 more boxes of nice paper. I was seriously about to go all Office Space (naughty language warning!) on the printers at school.

Something good did come out of this extra errand; I discovered a new cupcake shop in town, Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique. And since they had mini cupcakes, I bought a few to share with a friend who was just as frustrated back at school as I was. Many of the flavors were picked over due to it being late in the day, but I was able to try the Vanilla-Vanilla (always my personal fave), Vanilla-Chocolate & Red Velvet. Yum!

Just as I thought I was going to get away with taking pictures inside their shop one of the ladies asked me why I was taking pictures and who I was with. Busted, I quickly explained that I had recently moved from LA to Chicago and that I had a blog where I shared my discoveries in my new city (partially true, right?). I promised I would not be profiting from the photos, they were simply for my blog readers' enjoyment. So enjoy!

I LEGO NY: So clever I almost can't stand it

2009-02-05T11:21:00.005-06:00

Came across these today and I think they are so clever! I HEART LEGOS!! Someone should do a Chicago set. Even the photos as a collection are fun and would be adorable in a child's room. A few of my favorites include:

Practicum Applicaton Process: Not so much fun

2009-02-05T10:12:00.009-06:00

I'm getting ready to mail out Practicum applications to 7 sites tomorrow for the 2009-10 practicum training year, which begins late summer. Practicum is essentially an entry-level internship where you gain practical experience working in a clinical setting (for free) doing various tasks such as conducting client assessments (using intelligence and personality tests, as well as other measures to identify ADHD, Autism and other organic conditions), doing intake interviews and possibly even some therapy.

I applied to a variety of sites from a residential treatment center to social service agencies and private practices. The application process is competitive and stressful, as I read and re-read and re-re-read my CV, cover letters and writing sample to check for mistakes. Once applications are mailed sites may call you for an interview immediately, or they may wait several weeks (no stress!), but no site may offer a student a position until the official offer date of March 23 at 9am. Suffice to say none of you may call me on that date at that time as I'll be waiting by the phone hoping to get offers from my top choices.

Although I look forward to gaining additional practical experience, adding in an extra 16-24 hours a week of unpaid work, along with a full course load and part-time job will surely prove to be challenging. Ah, the life of a grad student!

On a less-stressful note, a drop in fuel prices made airline ticket prices drop too, so Lauren & I are headed east to visit the Winn Family and the Emerald Isle in 1 month. Can't wait! (Perhaps the occasional snippets of free time in the grad student's life aint so bad after all.)

M, I want to take lots of pictures like this and this so arrange all that for me, ok?

"Is this real life?"

2009-02-03T21:08:00.001-06:00

Kind of hilarious. I have vague memories of being really wacky after getting my wisdom teeth out.

Starved Rock - a field trip

2009-02-01T22:30:00.007-06:00

As much as I enjoy my job and the interesting experiences it offers, it sure does cramp my style. Since moving to Chicago I've had the opportunity to shoot with a photography group a couple of times, but have had to miss several cool photowalks due to work. But yesterday I was free and able to join a group out at Starved Rock State Park near Utica, IL, about 90 min south-west of Chicago. While everyone else brought their big glass to shoot (in the photography sense, of course) the bald eagles that flock to the area in the coldest days of winter, I focused on the people and landscape instead, shooting solely in manual mode to work on my technical skills of exposure. Clear blue skies and warm temps (relatively speaking) in the upper 30's made it a wonderful day to be outside shooting with others who love to shoot. Although I enjoy going out on my own with no agenda, it's great fun to be with other photogs who talk shop, share tips and are willing subjects.

We got out of the city a little later than planned due to a dead battery. A taxi was kind enough to give us a jump (we gave him 5 bucks).

Little boys everywhere, watching the eagles and sharing information with their fellow Boy Scouts & "God Squad" members. This one shared his Skittles with me. This one had a mouth full of Starburst.

The walk through the woods was gorgeous. Fellow shooters bearing all their gear.

Quality telephoto lenses can cost minimum $6000 so several people rented them for the weekend ($75/weekend is much cheaper). Although I would've liked to snag an eagle shot, I just wasn't willing to risk the liability of renting one of those puppies and having something happen, not to mention the anxiety I'd have about carrying a ginormous lens around the ice and snow. Every now and again I'd turn around to find one of these (or several) staring at me.

Fellow shooters Marla, Kevin, Charlie, Ed, Gerard & Bill. (A group shot here. We laughed when realizing that despite the $40k+ in fancy camera gear among us, the group shot was taken with a good ol' point & shoot camera)

We drove around to several places trying to get close to the eagles in different settings, often as they swooped down to catch fish. Well, the others did that, I worked on getting my exposure right for the bright snow. Not an easy task, let me tell you!

On our way out of the park we passed an old abandoned barn that was worth the trek through the powdery snow to take a peek in.

You can see a selection of eagle photos by some of the others in the group here, here, here and here. So majestic and beautiful!

Be Careful What You Take Pictures Of

2009-01-30T18:54:00.005-06:00

Apparently these photos could've gotten me whacked.

You see, a couple weeks ago I was in a not-the-best-part-of-town at night seeing Australia at a small movie theater that charges $3 for a ticket (it was the only theater in the city that was still showing the film). Waiting for my bus at the run-down 'Logan' Blue line El stop I noticed a pay phone dangling by its cord. Interesting urban picture, I thought, so naturally I pulled out my camera and took a few shots. As I stood up and put my camera away a car pulled up, filled with men. Windows rolled down despite the freezing temperatures, each and every one of them was staring at me as I stepped away from the pay phone. I looked at them, they looked at me, I turned away and continued to wait for my bus. I tried to play it cool as I looked around my surroundings and pretended I wasn't scared (even though I was a little). The car slowly rolled forward, windows still down, all 6 guys packed into the Ford sedan staring at me as they slowly circled the El station. My bus pulled up and I boarded with a sigh of relief, while noticing the car stop to wait, still staring at me through the bus windows, until it finally drove away in the opposite direction as my bus.

Come to find out from Ginger, my resident gang expert, that a dangling pay phone is typically a sign of a drug drop location. Well isn't that lucky of me!

For Sale on Etsy

2009-01-29T16:15:00.006-06:00

After much encouragement (thanks to all my fans), I've chosen a dozen or so of my photographs to make available for sale on Etsy.

Check out my shop!

To add additional options for my customers, I am currently featuring a selection of works by Molly Winn of Sugar Hill Photography, which you'll see in the shop as well, or under the special section She Saw Sugar.

Now go buy something.

Or not.

We'll still love you if you don't.

Maybe just mention me somewhere, help get the word out. (Remember grad students are POOR.)

:-)

(If you think I'm missing ones that may be interesting for others to purchase, please let me know.)

My stuff on display

2009-01-26T15:22:00.006-06:00

For a while now I've wanted to display some of my photos in my place. I debated whether I wanted one extra-large photo, 1 large + 2 mediums, 4 mediums, 6 smalls, etc, etc. I finally decided on the 6 smalls and chose 6 photos that for various reasons stick in my head as favorites. So I bought some frames with cream mats from Bed Bath & Beyond.

And now I just need to arrange them.

This is the arrangement I'm at now, but if you have a different suggestion, offer it up! To make it simple, let's call the top left photo #1, top middle #2, top right #3, bottom left #4 and so on, and let's call the top left position A, top middle position B, etc. Got it? Good. Now tell me in what order you think they should go, or tell me you think it's fine just the way it is. If it makes any difference, this collection will likely be hung in the empty space above this table.

Muchas Gracias.

Loyola Walkabout

2009-01-23T09:39:00.007-06:00

Get out I did yesterday afternoon. I hopped on the first bus I came to and headed north, a direction I hadn't gone much, with a vague intention that the bus went to the Loyola University campus. When the bus driver had no idea which stop took me to Loyola, a kind teenager suggested I take the train instead. So I got off and hopped on the train and true enough, there was a stop right at the edge of campus.

I strolled around having no idea what was even there to see. One student suggested I visit the Student Information Center, a building of windows that you could see through to the lake.

Unfortunately for me the blinds were down on the windows to block the afternoon sun and this building required a Loyola student ID to enter. But from what I could see, the view was indeed lovely.

Sitting nearby the shiny new modern Information Center was an older building inscribed with the Latin words for religion, philosophy, learning and more, with beautiful (locked) patina'ed copper doors from the 1920's. I suspect it was the former library, now replaced by the modern glass building 20 feet away.

Before I headed south on the train, I stopped into the school's bookstore/coffee shop and had a snack.

It was while eating my muffin and drinking my lemon Italian soda that I met 19-year old Pedro.

Pedro joined me on the couch with his Statistics textbook and blue highlighter and we soon fell into conversation. As the first person in his family to graduate highschool and go to college, he is determined to work hard and make his immigrant parents proud when he becomes a highschool teacher. Although he still lives at home with his family in a nearby suburb to save money, he spends as much time on campus as possible to try and get the "real" college experience. "Maybe next year," he said, thinking about what it might be like to live on campus. Pedro proudly told me about returning to his highschool this past December as one of a handful of "Returning Scholars," former students who had gone on to college or university, and who wanted to share their expeirences with current highschool students to encourage them to pursue higher education. He told me how most of the male students wanted to know if the partying was good. Pedro laughed, and wisely told me, "They'll grow up soon enough. They'll learn that to be something you need school and you need to work hard." We talked about Central America, and the lives his parents had before coming to the States in their home countries of Guatemala and El Savador, and about my recent move to Chicago. Soon I said I should head home and do my own studying, and leave him to his stats text. As I walked away Pedro called out, "Welcome to Chicago, Kelly!"

Sunset through a dirty train window

I met Phil as I was waiting for a bus home after getting off the train.

Several of us stood in front of a run-down grill and taqueria, waiting for Bus 36. Not the best part of town, I hesitated to bring out my camera and take pictures. After furtively snapping just one of a building that vaguely reminded me of New York's Flat Iron building, a voice behind me said, "You can take my picture. I'm going to be famous one day, so someone should take my picture." Instantly charmed I took Phil's picture as the bus pulled up to the curb. Heading south on Broadway I felt a tap on my shoulder. Phil, holding out a little slip of paper with his address on it asked if I would mail him a copy of the photo I took. "Sure," I said, "Do you also have email?" He paused a moment and thought..."Is that the address I have to access on a computer?" He added that information to his little slip of paper and handed it back to me. As I stood up to exit the bus at my stop, Phil called out, "Remember me, Kelly, I'm going to be famous!"

The weekend

2009-01-22T13:25:00.004-06:00

My weekend starts late Wednesday night when class is over at 9pm. Although I suppose because I work most weekends, I don't actually have a true weekend. Oh, and that pesky homework stuff too, that's never ending and always hanging over my head. (This will always be the part of the life of the student that I dislike the most--knowing that there is always something you could be doing, whether researching for a future paper or reading ahead.)

Regardless, it feels like the weekend so I treat it as such and spend the day in a lazy way, sleeping late when I can, making a mess in my apartment and catching up on all the blogs I haven't checked for a few days. It's lovely. I'm going to go out for a while and take some pictures, maybe capture something lovely there too.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-01-19T09:58:00.001-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Pops! May you have many more rides ahead of you in the future!

School has started so that means...

2009-01-18T02:26:00.005-06:00

...Doing anything but school work.

Like a complete redesign of my Things She Saw website.

Yep, I'll do almost anything to get out of schoolwork.

PS. If you experience any problems, notice any typos or have constructive suggestions regarding the new site, please do let me know via comment or email. Still working out some of the bugs but it should--for the most part--be good to go. (Known issue: some issues connecting to The Blog, and the appearance of the blog. Not sure what's going on there...)

PPS. If a page with text seems to be cut off, look for a slider within that page (it may be a neutral color and not obviously visible) that will allow you to scroll down within that section to see the text below, not the main slider for your browser window.

Early one Thursday morning

2009-01-15T01:07:00.002-06:00

I didn't get home from class until late so my usual catching-up of emails, surfing the web, stalking blogs, etc, takes me into the wee hours of the morning. Like 1:09am. Among other things, I am:

Anticipating warm weather (Yes, I take a perverse pleasure in this craziness. At least it's not Tok, Alaska!)

Still madly in love with this furry guy (currently my desktop image to guard my heart against the winter cold)

Thinking Kirk Cameron is adorable (I love his preppy sweater! Six kids!)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Happy Birthday, GING!

2009-01-13T06:59:00.003-06:00

To one of the most adventurous, loving, loyal & humble people I know, Ging, I wish you a year that brings only good & amazing things, worthy of who you are.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, friend!

I really didn't mean to sleep the day away.

2009-01-12T18:38:00.007-06:00

I came home from working this most recent overnight shift and experienced what I've come to recognize is common following staying awake the whole night hopped up on caffeine. It's a strange combination of being physically and mentally tired, but also awake physically and mentally awake in a scattered way. (Side note: I doubt I consumed more caffeine than the average coffee drinker in a single day so I ask, how do you coffee consumers deal with that feeling? Are you just used to it?)

And so after getting home a little before 10am (after an interesting morning where one child tried to bite me on my leg--good thing jeans are thick!), I checked email, IM'd with a couple friends and after an hour or so, eventually reached the point where my feeling sleepy was greater than the feeling of being awake in a scattered way. I changed into summer pj's (all the better to not get too warm in under my down comforter), searched for my eye mask and never found it, and rolled a couple "Pretty in Pink" ear plugs into my ears (side question: does anyone else have one ear - for me it's my left - that's harder to get an ear plug into?), and hunkered down under my covers enjoying the total silence. I usually fall asleep fast but this must've been a record as I cannot even remember the seconds after closing my eyes.

And then I woke and it was dark outside, and I sleepily thought to myself, "With that level of darkness outside, it must still be early enough in the morning that I don't have to get out of bed yet. Hurray!" (Isn't that the best feeling, when you realize you can sleep another hour or two??) And then another couple seconds passed by when I realized that the darkness out the window in my front room (which are easily visible from my bedroom; remember, I live in 409 sqft) looked less like a middle-of-the-night dark and more like an evening dark. Groggy, knowing I could easily fall back asleep if I just ignored that awareness and the urge in my bladder, I shuffled from my bed to the bathroom where there's a clock, wondering what time it was. (Side note: I read somewhere many years ago that keeping a clock in your bedroom - at least a big glow-in-the-dark kind - disturbs your sleep, as subconsciously you're much more aware of the time and worrying whether it's time to wake up. Ever since then I don't keep clocks in my room except my alarm-activated cell phone which doesn't glow, and I sleep much more peacefully.)

It was after 6pm!
I really didn't mean to sleep the day away.

I had all these grand plans for the day to clean my place before heading off to the last first day of my last second semester of grad school tomorrow. The dishes need to be done, the trash taken out, my backpack organized, and most of all, laundry, as I have exhausted all but my oldest (and smallest and most uncomfortable) underwear supply. But you see, now I don't feel like it. I don't feel like loading up the laundry basket with 4 loads of laundry (when there are only 3 washers), walking down the stairs and out my building, down the courtyard path way in the snow to the laundry room where there (once again) are only 3 washers and not enough to do all 4 of my loads of laundry at the same time (and no, the other loads aren't small enough to fit it all into 3; I considered that). But alas, I must. This is when I really miss having a washer IN my apartment.

So, I wish you good evening, friends! (It's like good morning, but for us graveyard-shift-workers--an interesting breed of people if you've ever worked with them--it's time to start our day.)

PS. Interesting: I've heard from someone in Chicago and someone in Denmark, that my cards have arrived. The first I expected, the latter, uh, no. Did my fellow Americans on the left coast get theirs? The Danes are efficient and all, but dang!

Overnights

2009-01-11T20:52:00.003-06:00

Heading off to work my last overnight shift of the winter break. I'll occupy the next 11 hours with 2 books, 1 movie, my computer and a few photo-related tasks to accomplish. Oh, and 2 Red Bulls and 1 Diet Coke. (Gotta mix up the types of caffeine or I feel lightheaded.)

Oatmeal cookies count for breakfast...

2009-01-11T10:59:00.001-06:00

Right?

I discovered my milk was bad so I had no other choice.

No, seriously.

Going through the photo files

2009-01-10T10:05:00.006-06:00

It may come as no surprise that I frequently have my camera with me. It may also come as no surprise that I like to capture random things. (One of the comments I hear most often as I'm snapping away, "You're taking pictures of the food??" Yup. I sure am.)

Snowy Saturday mornings are perfect for going through all the photos I didn't even have time to look at after downloading them to my computer due to December busy-ness. For your amusement, here is a bit of the randomness.

Self-portraits in the reflection of a bus-shelter

A witty (& poignant) ad on the bus ("Soup. Food shouldn't feel like a luxury.")

Candied nuts at the Kris Kindle Market

This women apparently didn't realize it was snowing outside and left her winter coat, hat & mittens at home.

Beverages: Fighting a cold with a tall glass of OJ & a late-night craving for a Rootbeer Float

My birthday present from Mom & Dad: a pair of winter boots

A cookie's fortune fulfilled the next day ("A small lucky package is on it's way to you soon." Thanks, D!)

Fondue party

Art around town: American Gothic has left the farm

Breakfast special #6 from Arnold's (GREAT pancakes.)

The kids had their video games to play in the car; I had my camera.

Christmas Break is for movie-watching

2009-01-10T09:07:00.003-06:00

I watched 5 movies in the last 4 weeks. That's about 5 more than I've seen since I moved to Chicago.

Winter

2009-01-09T22:05:00.003-06:00

Bargains

2009-01-09T20:41:00.007-06:00

Lauren is fun to shop with. Lauren can be dangerous to shop with due to her good taste. But not this time! Bargains were found, baby, bargains.

Much needed lampshades for my poor lamps that have stood shade-less in my windows for months, marking me the the poor-white-trash of the building. ($9 at Urban Outfitters! While not ideal for my future dream home, they are just right for my current space.) AND a rug from Crate & Barrel for less than 1/3 the normal price! It's so wonderful to walk on barefoot.

It took me a few months...

2009-01-09T19:48:00.005-06:00

But I finally figured out what to do for my holiday card this year and they are in the mail, headed for YOU!

A few (cost) compromises prevented my vision from being fully realized, but overall I'm pleased and think this may become a tradition.

(Most of my blog readers are already on my Christmas card list, but if for some reason you don't get one within a few days, drop me an email as it was surely unintentional. If we're new friends (or not-Christmas card exchanging friends) and you'd like to get on the list, comment or email me; I've got extras!)

Hello Lauren!

2009-01-07T15:22:00.003-06:00

Saying goodbye to family in Atlanta meant heading back to Chicago and saying hello to my friend Lauren who left sunny So Cal to brave the cold mid-west to ring in the new year with me. Fortunately for her the weather was mild with temps in the low-30's most days and blue skies much of the time.

It was lovely to sleep late.

We did a little shopping and took photos of ourselves wearing our new purchases.

As is common when we're together, we just take lots of pictures of ourselves, regardless of any new purchases.

If you stay up late enough you just might need a little snack. And then you need a Red Bull in the morning.

We returned to Orange Cafe for a tasty breakfast of Pan-Seared Oatmeal, Flight of Pancakes with a Honey Theme & Fruishi. YUM!

Anyone who knows Lauren knows of her love of blue jeans. So when I discovered a boutique in Lincoln Park called The Blue Jeans Bar, a visit was in order. (And a purchase, of course.)

After shopping all day we enjoyed a casual dinner at my local watering hole, B.O.B.

Since I couldn't make it snow for Lauren's visit, we found a patch for her to play in that hadn't melted in the freakishly warm (in the 50's) week before New Years.

(Cold Red Bull in the snow! We're crazy like that.)

Once we'd spent what our budgets would allow, we headed out for an afternoon at the lovely (free!) Lincoln Park Zoo. (Where of course we took a few more pictures of ourselves.)

Ah, public transportation!

We invited Liz over for a last minute Fondue/Champagne party. Lovely combination!

The cheese was extra stretchy that night.

Lauren made her famous Scotch-a-roos (scotcheroos?), which went nicely with the champagne. (Although champagne goes well with just about anything, no?)

We played Therapy (Liz kicked the future therapist & the para-therapist's butts. Maybe I should rethink my career... :-)

Before Lauren headed home Monday afternoon, a visit (ok, a second visit) to Ann Sather was requested. (Their cinnamon rolls are darn addicting!)

And then it was time, sadly, for her to head home. Oh, how I wish I could've moved all my friends with me to Chicago! Thanks, La, for ringing in the new year and braving winter in Chicago to visit me! (The sacrifice has been noted. :-)

Adios Atlanta

2009-01-04T10:01:00.005-06:00

My final days in Atlanta were great, with lots of fun activities. We...

Caught a double feature of Bedtime Stories & Yes Man, and hung out at Petco to try and get Dude and some of his friends that my aunt is currently fostering, adopted.

We played Pictureka and watched Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D.

We Skyped some more with Audrey & her parents and Audrey showed us how she likes to get nekkid.

We drove around and looked at Christmas lights.

We laughed as Benny (the cat who hated and hissed at me) climbed up in the Christmas tree.

We took a few Licitra family photos

And a group self-portrait

We toured some of Atlanta's famous dive restaurants, like Varsity for some chili-cheese dogs

And OK Cafe (where I had the Chicken Pot Pie)

We took a trip to Ikea's moving walkway

And then things really started to get good when we went to Waffle House for breakfast. YUM!

And then we headed to Wild Animal Safari where you ride in a minivan painted like a zebra with no windows, armed with bags of special food to get up close and personal with the wild animals. This furry thing didn't seem to hunt anything except my heart, which he easily won. Isn't he precious?!

The animals would put their heads through the car windows in search of food while their drool dripped down on you. My aunt was prepared though and had armed each of us with a waterproof windbreaker.

Hello zebras!

And hi to you, funny-face

This one isn't quite tall enough to reach the window, but he's trying his best to show you he'd appreciate a nugget of food too.

A stop at Dairy Queen was in order. (Cotton Candy Blizzard for me!)

A quick trip across the Georgian border to Alabama was also on our list. (Illegal fireworks....Shhh!)

Before flying home the next morning, we finally made it to Mr. Fuji's Hibachi restuarant, which my cousin Lindsey had been dying to take me the entire time I was there. It sure was tasty!

Thanks Laur, Joe, Lindsey, Michael & Gramps, for letting me crash your Christmas! It was such a great, relaxing and memorable time.

Ingredients for a 2008 New Year's Eve

2009-01-02T00:45:00.008-06:00

Turkish food, Champagne, Friends, Noisemakers, Belly Dancing.

merry NEW year!

2009-01-01T10:24:00.002-06:00

HAPPY birthday!

2008-12-31T13:04:00.006-06:00

(Said in a most Frosty-like voice.)
*
*
*
*
To one of my
dearest friends,
Denise,
I wish you a
wonderful day
and an even more wonderful year
ahead.
*
*
*
*
(Image from here.)

Favorites: Mr. & Mrs. Hoeg

2008-12-27T17:42:00.006-06:00

Finally, wedding photos are edited and ready for Mr. & Mrs. Hoeg to see! For everyone else, I've selected a handful of my favorites from the wedding weekend. Click on the photo below to be taken to a Flickr slideshow. Enjoy! (See below the photo for a side note on Danish wedding customs that you will see depicted in the photos.)

Side Note: This is a wedding of a Danish couple that recently took place at Sophiendal Castle in Skanderborg, Denmark. Explanation of a few interesting customs may be helpful in understanding some of these photos. For example, the groom is in charge of choosing the bride's bouquet, which is a surprise to her when it arrives on her wedding day. At the party/reception, whenever the bride leaves the room for whatever reason, all the female guests line up to give the groom a kiss (and vice-versa when the groom leaves the room). The bride & groom must dance the Bridal Waltz before the clock strikes midnight as the guests gather round clapping in time, moving closer and closer as the dance comes to an end until the couple can no longer move, surrounded by their friends and family. Soon after the waltz the groom is captured, one shoe removed, and the toe of his sock cut. (And no, I don't know why that last custom exists.)

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T14:52:00.007-06:00

Every year I am amazed at the silent way that Christmas suddenly passes. One minute the fury of shopping, wrapping presents, traveling and cooking abounds, and in the next minute, it's all over. Done. (You have 364 days to get ready for the next round!) Here's a peak at what the last 24 hours looked like for us.

Christmas Eve included church, a party with neighbors, the traditional opening of the Christmas pj's and ended with leaving a note and treats for Santa.

Christmas morning dawned with presents a'plenty for everyone.

Favorites of Lindsey's were...

Michael was excited for...

Everyone else got gifts too, but as anyone with children knows, it's fun just to watch the kiddos open their presents.

Presents were eventually all opened.

Breakfast of cinnamon rolls, fruit salad & Sister Schuberts sausage rolls was eaten.

An elusive smile was captured (kitty cats help bring that out in 13-year old Michael).

Drums were played. (Loudly, but surprisingly well.)

The Price Is Right "Showcase Showdown" was battled out.

New slipper socks were enjoyed, cozy and cute while wearing comfy Christmas pj's.

New scooters were ridden wearing new furry Crocs. (A fall or two may have happened, but the smile stayed on!)

The table was set, and dinner prepared and finally eaten. On the menu: Turkey, Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Mac-n-Cheese, Cranberry, Walnut & Blue Cheese Spring Salad, Baked Garlic-Tomato-Cream Pasta, Green Beans with Dried Cranberries & Bell Pepper, Stuffing, Crescent Rolls with Blackberry Jam & Christmas Jello Salad. For dessert: Dutch Apple Pie with Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream, Mini Eclairs & Cream Puffs, White Cake with White Frosting, White Trash & Assorted Chocolates. We didn't go hungry last night!

A Skype webcam chat with the much-missed family in California followed by a couple rounds of a fun new boardgame-- Last Word-- finished off a very Merry Christmas.

Hope yours was just as fun and filling as mine!

Yesterday we made White Trash

2008-12-24T08:49:00.002-06:00