3.12.12

Bath Time

I think this has to fit in the "intentional" category for the month of March.  I had to make a point to give Bella a bath today which is something she is less than thrilled about.  She was pretty stinky from all of her puppy play dates and walks.  As I was finishing up, her sad little peek over the side of the tub melted my heart.  I was pretty excited with how this Hipstamatic print turned out.  I love the blues of the background and the contrast of her black fur against the white tub.  Another thing I love is that Bella no longer smells like a foot!

3.11.12

 

Victory

Today I had the wonderful chance to hear both Dane and our talented friend, Laura, sing.  I'm sure I've said it before, but I can't explain the joy I feel when I hear Dane sing.  A year ago we were visiting doctors, prepping for surgery, and figuring out medicine. Watching your loved one going into surgery, routine or not, has to one of the scariest things a person can experience.  You're heart knows that everything will be ok, but all of those little fears start to creep in your head.  Now that we are on the other side of it, and I know he is back to normal, I think of each time he sings as another victory over last year. 

3.10.12

 

 Who couldn't love a face like that!

So I made it six days since my last Bella picture. But seriously, after I snapped this picture I knew I had to include it in my project.  I feel like I made a good choice when Dane is looking over my shoulder saying, "It's so cute!"

Bella has this constant need to roll around on her back.  When she was a puppy she would roll on her back towards one of her toys.  I'm pretty sure only fellow dog owners can understand how much a dog can take over your life and capture your hear. There are certain faces that Bella makes that I've been working hard to capture.  (Annnddd with that statement, I'm pretty sure I'm turning into the crazy dog lady...whatever.)  Her upside down face is one.  The other is the elusive scrunchy face she makes when we first get home.

3.9.12

 

Art School

This is exactly why I love going to an art school.  Where else can you get off an elevator and find a hallway full of random sculptures? Grad School has been an amazing experience already.  I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented, fascinating people.  While everyone in my class has different interests and ways of seeing, they are all incredibly respectful of each other and take a genuine interest in their fellow classmate's research, questions, and ideas. I truly hope that we are all able to keep in touch after this crazy journey is over!

P.S. Social Theory classmates...did you catch my Berger reference. ;)

3.8.12

 

Full Moon

I truly wish my camera could take better night pictures.  The moon tonight was so beautiful reflecting off of the lake.  The two little dots beside it are airplanes getting ready to land.  It's so frustrating when I can't capture something beautiful that I see.  Then again, maybe some beautiful moments are just that, moments.  

3.7.12

 

End of the Day

I will admit, this picture was taken right before bed as I realized that I had failed to take a picture today.  The 366 days of pictures blog I read recently posted about how many people have dropped their new year's resolution by March.  While there have been a few times I have been dangerously close, and gotten incredibly far behind on my blog. I'm trying to pull through and keep it up.  I keep reminding myself that at the end of the project I will have not only kept a resolution for a whole year, but also have a really interesting view of my life.

3.6.12

 

Hershey's Jackpot!

Tonight, my art history class met at the Museum of Contemporary Art to view the current exhibition, This Will Have Been Art, Love, & Politics in the 1980's . This class is centered around appropriation artists.  Appropriation artists created works that used direct images from other artists, pop culture, magazines, etc.  What was great about the exhibit was that at the beginning of the decade, society was trying to synthesize and begin living with the positive steps of the civil rights movement.  On the other hand, at the end of the decade they were trying to grapple with the AIDS epidemic.  If you are in the Chicago area, I definitely recommend checking it out!

While I was waiting for class to start, I roamed around Michigan Avenue.  On a whim I decided to stop by the Hershey's store.  The moment I walked in the door, a guy was handing out samples of candy.  While I almost settled with that, I decided to save them and get a cookie instead.  Best choice of the night.  (Yeah, I know...it's pretty sad when a cookie is considered my "best choice" but I'm ok with it.) After waiting for a lady in a long fur coat to take an extremely long time to hand pick her cookie selection and then pay for them.  (I totally could relate to a little kid at this point.) Finally, I picked out my cookie and handed the cashier my money.  She had to tell me twice that she wasn't charging me for it.  It was the end of the day and she wanted to get rid of them.  Jackpot!!!  Those little surprises in life can be so sweet!

3.5.12

 

Arts of Life

Today I had an amazing opportunity to observe at an organization for adult artists with disabilities known as the Arts of Life.  The artists I met today were absolutely heartwarming and incredibly talented.  They had such joy and excitement when I asked them about their artwork, some were even calling me over so they could explain what they were working on.  I left energized and excited to start researching my thesis, which is based on how art programs addresses the needs and rights of youth with disabilities. What a wonderful experience to see talented artists doing what they love!

3.4.12

 

Walking Bella

These up and down temperatures are so tricky!  Just when I think spring is almost here, the temperature drops and I have to bundle Bella up so she doesn't shiver as we walk.  The nice thing about Bella is that she forces me to get up and move when I'm absorbed in my homework.  

I will be honest, the main reason I snapped this shot was to capture the long perspective of the track.  Bella just happened to mosey into the frame.  What can I say...I have a diva dog.

3.3.12

 

Coffee Designs

The little designs that the barista pours into a coffee cup are like the cherry on a hot fudge sundae.  I mean let's be a little honest, we eat with our eyes.  Which would you rather have, a plain cup of coffee or this one? 

I was waiting for my order at this cute little shop near our apartment and I couldn't help but snap a picture of this pretty design.  The barista gave me an odd look, probably because it wasn't my order, but her smile after I explained that it was really pretty to me was as pretty as the design she created.  It reminds me of a music class I took during my undergrad when the professor played a percussion piece that was beautiful.  After we listened to it, he explained that it was created by postal workers enjoying their job.  The ways in which we make our everyday life more beautiful or interesting are absolutely fascinating. 

3.2.12

 

Spring is almost here!!!

I love the anticipation of spring.  Seeing these little flower buds for the first time this morning practically made my giddy with thoughts of lighter jackets, bike rides, and flinging open the windows.  I especially love the little bud on the right, pushing through the old leaves and dirt.  This transitional period between winter and spring is full of amazing juxtapositions.  New flower buds pushing through dead leaves. Warmer temperatures melting last weeks snow.  These little beauties of nature are like little metaphors of hope and excitement.

3.1.12

Intentional

Each month the blog where this project originated will have an inspirational word for the month.  March's word is: intentional.  I couldn't think of a better way to showcase this word than a picture of my gym bag.

Oddly enough, I do enjoy going to the gym.  I say oddly, because I wasn't exactly the star athlete back in high school.  Lately though, going to the gym has become an intentional process.  If I make it twice a week, I'm ecstatic. Even though I used to be so much better about exercising regularly, I accept the fact that at this point of my life, it has to be a little more intentional.  With grad school, the gym, and cherishing my time with family and friends, I'm starting to think this year is all about accepting and bettering my relationships both with my family/friends and myself.

2.29.12

Peanut. Butter. Eggs.

My mother-in-law knows me well.  Every Easter she'll send or save me my favorite candy, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs.  I am very fortunate to have married into an amazing family.  While most dread a visit to or from their in-laws, I look forward to it

What's even better is the look on people's faces when I tell them that I excitedly go on a week long vacation to Michigan with not just my mother and father in-law, but all of the Thomas family.  They seriously have to be one of the funniest, laid back groups of people that I have ever met.  Between game nights, fish frys, and campfires, the week goes by way faster than I want it to.  From the moment I met them, I felt like I had always been a part of the family. 

Which reminds me...only 4 more months until the Thomas family will head up to the U.P.!

2.28.12

Caribou Coffee

Tonight, this is one of the few things getting me through my art history class.  It's an interesting class, however, working all day and then going to class for three hours at night makes for a long day!  I said from the start that these posts were going to be more about finding the beauty in each day so that's all the complaining I'll let myself do. 

The beauty of today is that I am able to leisurely go get coffee and then go to a class that will help me get my masters degree.  That is more than some can ever dream to do.  When I get overwhelmed or frustrated, Dane will remind me that what I'm doing is helping our family.  While our family only consists of the two of us and our sassy little Boston Terrier right now, I believe that each class I attend, each book I read, and each paper I write will help create a bright future for us.

2.27.12

Sleepy Pup

Warning: The following post is incredibly biased...mainly because I'm pretty sure I have the most adorable dog in the world.

I'm pretty sure Bella has a mission in life to do at least one adorable thing everyday.  All I can think every time I take a picture of her is a) I probably have more pictures of my dog than my husband and myself... b) When we have a kid, I'm going to need to get a gigantic external hard drive.

I mean seriously...she's sleeping and stinking adorable.  Yep, I said in the first picture of the year I took of her I said that she would be gracing my blog posts many more times throughout the project.  I'm wondering if now I should limit myself to one picture every other week...

2.26.12

Married Life

I think Michael Giacchino hit the nail on the head when he created the score for Up.  Particularly with the song married life.  In 4 minutes and 10 seconds, he was able to capture all of the ups and downs that comes with marriage.  

While Dane and I haven't been married long, we've had a few low, lows and, thankfully, more high, highs.  One of the things I've found the most wonderful during the downs, is having a partner that can focus, communicate, and help create a plan.  I'm also incredibly thankful for his strength, support, and love. On the flip side, it's wonderful to have my best friend around all the time to celebrate the highs and achievements in life.  The thing about the lows in life, is that they make the high points so much more exciting and rewarding.

Dane and I have been fortunate and had more ups than downs, a course that I hope continues. However, I'm thankful to know that whatever life holds, I have one of the best people standing next to me that can support and cheer me on.

2.25.12

Success!

The first annual girls ski trip was a success!  After an incredibly silly detour to get McDonalds breakfast.  We made it to Cascade Mountain in Wisconsin.  After getting my ski equipment picked out I had reached that moment where I realized I had no idea how to get from point a to point b.  

With much help from my lovely instructors, April and Nicki, I was able to maneuver my way over to the bunny hill lift.  I was in line. There were people behind me.  There was no going back.  Now I'm sure most reading this are probably thinking, "Really, you're nervous about the bunny hill?" The thing is this is where my mom's ski career came to an end, so yeah... I was a little nervous.  After testing the softness of the snow right after I got off the lift (my wonderful instructors told me that the first fall doesn't count), I was able to make it down the hill.  

When my confidence was up enough, I made my way over to the green hill.  Again, my lovely instructors helped me get going.  I may or may not have been screaming, APRIL NICKI APRIL NICKI, half way down the hill.  Only a minor fall or two later, I made it down successfully and was ready for lunch.

After lunch, Nicki and April were able to get me down a blue hill successfully.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself at this point.  I had achieved my own personal goal of making it to a blue hill.  When we switched to the other side of the slopes, Nicki decided to go down a black diamond hill.  April and I settled on a green.  When we made it down, Nicki, with her wonderful honesty told me I could probably handle it if I didn't freak out.  

After making it to the top of the lift again, and then seeing a future X Games participant (I'm pretty sure he was only about 7) fly down the chosen black diamond I decided to go for it.  I am proud to say I was able to make it down twice with out falling.  

I have to give major credit to my amazing ski instructors Nicki and April.  They are both amazing teachers who were able to encourage me to go farther than I thought possible.  I'm already looking forward to next year! 

2.24.12

Bella and Lyla

It's official...Bella has a new best friend.  Lyla is the adorable rolly, polly puppy that just joined our dear friends, Kyle and Nicki's family.  They have played non-stop since Lyla entered the apartment.  It's definitely going to be a busy weekend keeping track of these two for the guys!

I've been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time.  Nicki, April, and I are going on a road trip up to Wisconsin to go skiing.  I should also point out that Dane keeps telling me to come back in one piece, unbroken.  It's important to know that my family doesn't exactly have a great track record with skiing.  (Sorry, Mom!)  Hopefully, I'll have some positive posts to publish in a few days!

2.23.12

Lent

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent.  It seems a little odd to be talking about Easter in February, but it's such a special holiday for me.  While Easter has always been important, it was this time about two years ago I chose to really take ownership of my faith.  While that is a topic I'll probably explore more closer to Easter, for now I'm going to enjoy this time of preparation.  Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting. Basically this means try not to go crazy and eat huge meals with snacks in between.  It never fails that on these days I am starving.  However, I try and remind myself that my hunger for one day is far, far less than many people struggle with in a lifetime.  While one day of hunger is uncomfortable, it reminds me how many blessings I have in my life.

2.22.12

Figures

It never fails, I will be walking to the train to go to class and the train will come barreling down the tracks and all I can do is watch it pass by.  I'm sure many can relate to this feeling.  It stinks.  Luckily, I leave early so I'm not late!

While I wouldn't consider a ride on the "el" luxurious, I do enjoy the time a little because it forces me to sit.  It allows me to clear my mind and get away from the busyness of everyday even if it is only for 40 minutes at a time. It also gives me a chance to finish up any homework!