Cousins

I made it all the way to Roanoke today. There was plenty of time for food, games and a very silly photobooth session with Robbie and Bella. Check out our "giraffe" impersonations...

Thing I'm Thankful for #2 & #3

#2: My mother's tarts, a Thanksgiving dessert staple.

#3: My mother.

I should mention this isn't in rank order otherwise my mother will be angry with me..

Thing I'm Thankful for #1...

...I will start with my Mom's Ginger soup. Warms my insides.

Alicia in DC

This weekend, our beloved friend Alicia came into town. Here's a photo from the reunion brunch.

Ever heard of the 30's housewife?

Before the iconic 50's housewife, there was a 30's housewife. Yes, even during the Great Depression, American marketers were trying to figure out the "housewife demographic." One company released this pamphlet in 1934 about "Mrs. Allen," the iconic 30's housewife.

The thesaurus...

...cares about hair. Notice number 8.

Winter skies in the District

The sky tonight is simply gorgeous. Check out these colors

New sheets

These new sheets came in the mail. I'm gearing up to live off campus starting Dec. 1.

The 11th way...

...post to the blog a picture of your roommate taking a picture of how she wasted time during the day.

10 ways to be semi-productive while avoiding papers

1) Use Photobooth to take photos of yourself yawning (see above)
2) Think through each purchase at Whole Foods
3) Redo your calendar with snazzy colors and post-its
4) Brew coffee several times
5) Prepare snacks from scratch
6) Watch the Office, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style and Pushing Daisies
7) Put stuff away. Then, make a mess. Repeat as necessary
8) Go shopping for things you don't need
9) Catch up on e-mail and facebook
10) Rock out to Billy Joel

Bonus: Make plans for tomorrow and the next day so you can continue to avoid writing those papers.

True story: All ten worked for me today.

A new take on blogging...

...called "Bloggingheads" by The New York Times (link). Interesting concept, and discussion (one above is on Clinton serving as Secretary).

Maybe the webcam feel is to play up the idea of citizen journalists even though these guys are from prominent political mags. I guess it's further expansion of news with the web capabilities though.

Maybe I'll do video logs of Florence?

What coffee mugs dream of

Counter Culture coffee is pure deliciousness. No need to trek across town to pick up a bag from an indie coffee house. It's available at Balducci's. Hooray!

Austin, Texas (a poem by Kwame Alexander)

i
would
Climb
The hills of Mt. Bonnell at dawn blindfolded
Swim
the Colorado at noon ..........barebottomed and
Dance
a poet's salsa at midnight ..........barefoot
along the pavement
Of your soul
To get closer to this poem
to that fresh air music
of people coming
and going
in Austin, Texas


Kwame Alexander is a poet who's actually from D.C., not Austin. I heard him at Ebenezer's Poet-a-tete a few months ago. This poem captures a bit of the magic of ATX.

Today in Class...

...while discussing underlying messages and meanings in design and advertising, my professor said the following of the above advertisement for TAG body spray:

Have any of you lost control over yourself because of someone's smell?

I couldn't help but laugh.

Fun way to waste time...

TV on DVD. Also known as the best way to pass the time when there are things that you could be doing, but of course watching one of your favorite shows is so much better! To be able to watch my favorites without incessant commercials but with the occasional commentary is nothing short of extraordinary. But...that's just my heavily biased opinion. :)

The pen is mightier

especially if it's Stabilo. These pens elevate taking notes in class to an art form.

Squeal-worthy TV

So amazing! They are so cute, and this was just too amazing...plus Michael Scott is always an added bonus!

The Rockies

One of the best parts about being in Denver is the mountains. I can look out my window (well part of it...most of it is the ginormous building going up right next to mine) and see the Rockies. Sunset over the mountains is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring things I've ever seen.

Has anyone else had an experience like that, when you're looking out at something and it hits you just how magnificent our Creator is?

A picture that makes you think...

...ever take one? this is mine.

Latte Love

There are several outstanding coffee shops in D.C. I'm a fan of Tryst, Baked & Wired, and Big Bear Cafe (near Howard). Any other faves? recommendations?

The amazingness that is a Bicycle built for 2

Okay...So my mom got a bicycle built for two this summer and let me tell you, riding in the front is TERRIFYING! But the back isn't that bad, its actually pretty amazing, you all should try it some time!

Oh, and btw, thanks for the lovely picture of me on skype Tanya :)

An Italian Discovers the U.S.

"Then there's Thanksgiving Day (we don't say thanks in Italy--if we're satisfied, we merely refrain from complaining)"

I just read this book. It's a light and insanely funny take on life in America. I loved it! I found a copy at a quaint used book shop in Adams Morgan.

What's the last good book you read?

When in France...

...please follow instructions. (hung in the bathroom! courtesy of my brother's travels in Paris with my camera, and not deleting them off it.) haha.

Just kidding

Judy Grimes is stinking hilarious...just kidding, just kidding, just kidding.

Collect your thoughts...

Just paste text into wordle.net to make "word clouds" like this one.

New favorite show

I pretty much love "Pushing Daisies" on abc. It's got a stellar cast, snappy lines, and artsy colors. Has anyone seen it?

It's so cold outside...

...my hair became my scarf.

Skyping with Linds

...and trying to imitate her mom's expressions.

My workspace

Notice what hangs above my desk... an essentials list. haha.

Dorm cooking

Salmon, with garlic and herb seasoning, baked asparagus and brown rice.

The latest fad: apples, lemon juice, coconut & honey.
Healthy and delicious.

Coldplay concert on 10/31

...at the Verizon center. So good.