You have enough. You do enough. You are enough.

I read this book a lot in high school. Was thinking about it recently. I think I'll dig it out again.

It's so warm and pretty right now. Almost too warm for me - 80s are my comfort limit! If it were any hotter or just a little bit more humid, I'd be complaining. Supposed to be a warm (70s) and sort of rainy week. I love thunderstorms. I'll be working on my last Masters paper all week, kind of holing up - but I don't mind for some reason. The paper actually shouldn't be too difficult - I have the bulk of the work done. Then I'm a "Master". ha!

This weekend was so epic, it was just beyond. I have the best friends in the world, truly. We threw a party for my friend/future sis-in-law at the Westin, it was so fun. We had a suite/adjoining room and had a dance party, hot tub soak, laughing, talking, etc. We also went down to the river, shot a bunch of photos, went out to dinner. One of those nights you don't want to end. Then a good family friend got married the next day, it was sincerely the best wedding I've ever been to. So unique and heartfelt.

Of course I have more pics on flickr, but not too many because I'm getting close to 200 photos on that and then I have to pay for a pro account, which I suppose is worth it but I don't want to. Two of my classes were cancelled today, which is sweet since I'll finish at 1 o'clock and I can get some things done that were sorely neglected this weekend. I'll pretty much be catching up on sleep all this week but it was worth it.

* More Pictures*

Summer Reading List

This looks awesome. I think I'll go on an Amazon shopping spree in a few weeks.

Also, the dress I bought at Anthropologie a week ago for $168 went on sale for $80. I called the store and they're going to credit my account.

thisclose

Deleted some bad photo software off my computer so I was finally able to download some lovely pics Libby sent me after a wedding/photo shoot last month. I am so so so so so close to finishing my Masters portfolio. And so close to going to Michigan this weekend. I know it's in the journey, but the destination of the weekend needs to come faster.

Enter.

Playing around with the template on this thing, cause I'm bored. I can't quite get a header to work the way I want it. Almost done with my Masters portfolio.

spring.

There is nothing better than a perfect spring day. Except maybe a perfect summer day. Impossible call to make.

Fence picture frames. Marshall won his doubles match

Gorgeous tree called redbud, I don't think we have them in Michigan.

Lilacs, one of my favorite flowers for sure. Tulips, Lilies, and Roses being others. I'm classic, I guess.

Treelines and Telly Lines

It's Mine.

Somewhere, Anywhere Dress from Anthropologie>>>Love it. Which wedding to wear it to this summer? San Francisco outdoor, North Carolina mountains outdoor, or Lake Michigan beach outdoor?

Probably more expensive than any dress I've bought, including any prom or homecoming. Oh, overpriced boutiques.

finally

Yessssssssssssss. 2nd attempt on Diana camera much more successful. Got one b&w, one color developed. Next step: flash for indoor fun.

Brothers in the snow. My fav of both batches.

go here go here go here go here
for more.

To Sir, with Love

Watched this today. What an amazing movie.

What I Wore to School Today

Shirtdress = perfection. Essentially a just really long shirt, but it covers your butt so its totally legit to wear in public.

With my tights all shriveled up like the Wicked Witch of the West. Tights are the best

they're like a Snuggie for your bottom half.

Before and After

That was then....(what it looked like when I left two weeks ago)

This is now, upon my return to St. Louis. Spring has spring! Vibrant green grass, flowering and budding trees....I used to dislike spring because it could never make up its mind. Too much of a tease. Warm cold, wet dry, windy calm. But now I appreciate the sense of renewal and refreshment that I feel in spring.

How can a week go by so fast? School starts in two days, numbers same as below. Countdowns are out of control in spring. I'll be walking amongst these buildings....


Oh. And guess who's getting married..........

Yes.

I wear a uniform

When I drive long distances. Yoga pants (which I bought specifically for a drive from Detroit to D.C. two years ago), a hoodie, and something underneath. I have to be comfortable when I drive and really don't care about the fact that I look like I'm in my pajamas at rest stops or McDonalds. It's bittersweet leaving Michigan, but it used to be just bitter when I left, so I guess I should be grateful.

short term goals, and numbers

1. Work for an hour every day on lesson planning for the next 5 days
2. Work for two hours every day on my grad class papers
3. Get this shit done by noon every day so I have the rest of the day to read, veg, and watch movies
4. Maybe take a hike every day to get back in shape for the gym. to be determined.

1 week til I'm back in Saint Louis.
9 weeks of school left
7 weeks til Mexico school trip
2 summer trips to prepare for
3 summer weddings, including one I'm planning

Yikes.

two thumbs up

Since I've been on break I've had the time to catch up on some movies. I actually got 2 of them from the library, and one from netflix. I think I'll do more netflix next week. I love foreign language films, and there always seem to be plenty to find on DVD, since not many of them are released in theatres here and therefore I don't see the trailers for them.

Monsieur Ibrahim turned out to be a good, not great film. The young actor who plays Momo was incredible, and super hot (for a minor and all). I didn't care for the ending but a lot of people would like the "twist" at the end. The neighborhood it takes place in is a fascinating look into a different part/time of Paris. French with subtitles.

Jellyfish was fantastic. Slow-moving, but intricate and layered. It's about 3, really 4 women in Tel Aviv and how their lives connect in various places, seen and unseen. Great images and interesting shots of the city as well. It was sad and humorous, which I always admire in films. Hebrew with subtitles

This one I didn't like, and I usually love Italian films. It was strange and depressing, and I usually have a higher tolerance for both those qualities in foreign films, although they're subjective words I realize. The kind of depressing that isn't redeeming - just a reminder that some people live sad, hard lives.

stuff

Yesterday I went to visit my friend Holly and her adorable son Hendrix. Holly is my first friend from high school to have a baby, although I'm sure some others aren't far behind.

happy baby

very sweet and gurgly
I also went antiquing a bit and found these two bracelets for 12 bucks each
there was so much more that I wanted
but I'm really trying to refrain from buying things until I have a bigger apartment or house, because it just looks cluttered otherwise. I need wood floors and 2 bedrooms and a bigger living room.



************

tonight I made dinner for my family, which was only spaghetti but took awhile anyway. I found this amazing chicken garlic basil sausage at the store and put it into the sauce and salad.

Tomorrow I'm going to make the shortbread chocolate chip cookies that I made last weekend again. Buen Provecho.

I love this man.

europe 2010. I want to make it happen

It's been too long.

Here Comes the Sun

Although my St. Louis winter has been much milder and more pleasant the the Michigan winters to which I'm accustomed (I picked a good year to move - it's been brutal in Michigan), there's one thing that stays the same in the Midwest - the sun don't shine for about 4 months a year. I appreciate the milder temps and don't miss the snow (I hate driving in it) but most days have still been cloudy and gloomy looking. I thought it would be the same in Michigan, where I've come for 2 weeks for spring break, but it has been sunny and gorgeous. It's even gotten up to 50 degrees, which means all Michiganders are basically ready to go streaking through the streets.

One of my indulgences when I come home to my mom's house is cooking. I enjoy cooking, but I rarely do it in St. Louis. I get free lunches at school and I eat out a couple of times a week for dinner, so basically my grocery lists consist of ingredients for breakfast smoothies and something frozen from Trader Joe's or the Schnuck's deli. I just can't justify buying so many ingredients for one person, and I hate leftovers. My mom's kitchen is stocked much more than mine, plus she always asks for a grocery list to get things for my brother and I when we come home. Yesterday I made orangeade - yes, like lemonade, but with oranges. My favorite restaurant in East Lansing that used to make it closed. I found a recipe online that I tried - I boiled sugar and water and sealed it into Mason Jars a couple of days ago. Then yesterday I added fresh squeezed oranges (that I made my brother do), water, and the simple syrup concoction. It was pretty good, although next time I'll use 5 oranges, not 4. I also made these incredible shortbread chocolate chip cookies, but it didn't take a picture of them. I got the recipe from a coworker at school - it's so nice to have a new cookie recipe.

Today I went to the library and I'm going to read some books on the red gingham couch in the SUN. I love my life.

I do.

I recently helped a friend photograph a wedding. It was actually for an old childhood acquantaince whom I hadn't seen in a long time. She was so gracious and welcoming to involve me her in day. I was exhausted, but it was an amazing day and I learned a ton. These are a few of my favorites. More on my flickr, of course

so click here~~~~~~now.

Watch Out for the Po-Po

Found this software through my friend Victoria's lovely blog, it makes photos look like polaroids, which is great for the vintage photo craze I'm currently in~I pick up my Diana photos at the camera store today. Can't wait/am kind of scared....look for more polas and eventual Dianas on my flickrNew York from 40 floors up. Summer '06

Libby in Spain or somewhere a few summers back

G. Love at the Pageant in St. Louis several weeks ago

My current favorite picture, I love our hair matchiness in this

Fin. For now.