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.!