A friend showed me this short film last night and I can't stop thinking about it. So beautiful, and so well done.
Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Overplanning my summer
(As usual.)
Now that graduate school is over, it feels like summer has begun! (Even though it's still a way's off). In preparation, I've been making one of those ridiculous lists (Melissa has helped) of everything I want to do.
- Either learn to play my guitar, or give it up
- Read more (and not just articles online, but REAL BOOKS)
- use my sewing machinge
- throw dinner parties
- go rock climbing
- take more photos
- hike
- try mountain biking, even though I'm afraid
- picnics in the park
- take a cooking class/try to make something complicated once a week
- swimming!
- bake more (I love baking)
- hang things on the wall (I've been in my new place for 3 months and it looks like I just moved in)
Any suggestions?
Sunday, April 14, 2013
A grateful Sunday
This weekend was a rollercoaster.
This whole month has been a rollercoaster.
I have gone from extreme highs (lovely Melissa's wedding) to extreme lows (sobbing because I don't think my department is going to let me graduate) and I'm exhausted.
I've been working all day on my documentary, and while I've made a lot of progress, my laptop keeps randomly shutting down. Seemingly for no reason. And so I've been on the edge of tears of frustration all day. Also, there was a spider.
But then a bunch of wonderful somethings happened.
First, my dad sent me a video of my parents' puppy playing with a squeaky toy.
Second, I got an amazing email from a professor I really admire, that went a little something like this...
Joanna: I remember I liked your essay on Coppola's Virgin Suicides, but this one which looked at all of her films was masterful. Elegant prose, wonderful insights, perfect organization. The argument was totally convincing, the details from each film exemplified the points being made--it's good enough to be considered for publication. If it were possible I'd give it a Pass with Distinction. My congratulations on a job well done!
I can't even tell you how much I needed to hear that. Given how much BS I've been dealing with from the rest of my department, this email was a beacon of hope to me. Reassurance that I'm doing well, and that someone cares that I'm working my tail off.
Third, I clicked on a friend's link on Facebook to a blog post by a friend of hers who had just lost a baby at 34 weeks. And it changed my night.
I'm grateful because Beth (my coworker) gave birth to a health baby girl last week and didn't have to endure the pain of losing her. I'm grateful because this woman who I don't even know shared the story of her faith in the midst of this crisis. You could say I've experienced a crisis of faith lately (and by lately, I mean over the past year) and reading her words was humbling to say the least.
Fourth, Despicable Me is on.
So there's my grateful list for today.
The other thing? I just have to make it through 6 more days and I leave for London. I'm a lucky girl.
This whole month has been a rollercoaster.
I have gone from extreme highs (lovely Melissa's wedding) to extreme lows (sobbing because I don't think my department is going to let me graduate) and I'm exhausted.
I've been working all day on my documentary, and while I've made a lot of progress, my laptop keeps randomly shutting down. Seemingly for no reason. And so I've been on the edge of tears of frustration all day. Also, there was a spider.
But then a bunch of wonderful somethings happened.
First, my dad sent me a video of my parents' puppy playing with a squeaky toy.
Second, I got an amazing email from a professor I really admire, that went a little something like this...
Joanna: I remember I liked your essay on Coppola's Virgin Suicides, but this one which looked at all of her films was masterful. Elegant prose, wonderful insights, perfect organization. The argument was totally convincing, the details from each film exemplified the points being made--it's good enough to be considered for publication. If it were possible I'd give it a Pass with Distinction. My congratulations on a job well done!
I can't even tell you how much I needed to hear that. Given how much BS I've been dealing with from the rest of my department, this email was a beacon of hope to me. Reassurance that I'm doing well, and that someone cares that I'm working my tail off.
Third, I clicked on a friend's link on Facebook to a blog post by a friend of hers who had just lost a baby at 34 weeks. And it changed my night.
I'm grateful because Beth (my coworker) gave birth to a health baby girl last week and didn't have to endure the pain of losing her. I'm grateful because this woman who I don't even know shared the story of her faith in the midst of this crisis. You could say I've experienced a crisis of faith lately (and by lately, I mean over the past year) and reading her words was humbling to say the least.
Fourth, Despicable Me is on.
So there's my grateful list for today.
The other thing? I just have to make it through 6 more days and I leave for London. I'm a lucky girl.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Easter Sunday
I have been overwhelmed this week with gratitude for the lovely people in my life. Friends and family who support me and love me, coworkers who are so patient and funny, and random nice people (like neighbors) who make me smile when I run into them.
Finishing exams has been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and it's been so easy to be happy and content. I wish I was better at feeling that way during times of stress as well, but I definitely let myself get anxious when there are big things at stake. (You know, like finishing my masters.)
In an effort to get better at relaxing, I want to take some time occasionally to write down things that make me happy, so I don't forget to appreciate the little things.
Tonight, I'm grateful for:
- sunny, warm weather and the opportunity to enjoy it
- friends who are like family to me
- new friends that I can't wait to get to know better
- Midasman, always
Finishing exams has been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and it's been so easy to be happy and content. I wish I was better at feeling that way during times of stress as well, but I definitely let myself get anxious when there are big things at stake. (You know, like finishing my masters.)
In an effort to get better at relaxing, I want to take some time occasionally to write down things that make me happy, so I don't forget to appreciate the little things.
Tonight, I'm grateful for:
- sunny, warm weather and the opportunity to enjoy it
- friends who are like family to me
- new friends that I can't wait to get to know better
- Midasman, always
Thursday, March 28, 2013
words of Frosty wisdom
Robert Frost is sort of my favorite. (And by sort of I mean I can recite "The Road Less Traveled" from memory.)
Remember those graduate school exams I had that I was super freaked out about? Well they're over. And like the majority of things in life that we dread...they weren't that bad.
The only obstacle between me and graduating is my portfolio presentation. Most of it is done, but I need to make one last short in the next three weeks. And while I'm completely freaked out about getting it done and making a project I'm proud of, I also know that life will go on. The project will get done, I'll graduate, and then I'll go to London for a while.
And everything will be fine.
ps: Do I have the greatest people in my life or what? So much support the past couple weeks from even unexpected sources (random people at work, you are lovely) and of course from the people I love.
Monday, March 25, 2013
music monday - TSwift
Because tomorrow my comprehensive exams start, and I'm freaking.
...and if I don't pass these exams then I don't graduate my masters program.
...and the study guide is 400+ terms, at least 100 of which I've never heard of.
Because yesterday was a fantastic day, and even if nothing comes of this new thing I've got going on I'm really enjoying it for now, and it's good to be reminded that nice guys are out there.
Because this whole album (which came out on my birthday!) got me through a horrendous breakup.
Because TSwift is clearly my spirit animal and someone understands all my feelings despite being so very young.
Because I don't care if everyone I know makes fun of me and my un-ironic obsession with Taylor Swift.
Because this song makes me happy, and I could use a big dose of that right about now.
...and if I don't pass these exams then I don't graduate my masters program.
...and the study guide is 400+ terms, at least 100 of which I've never heard of.
Because yesterday was a fantastic day, and even if nothing comes of this new thing I've got going on I'm really enjoying it for now, and it's good to be reminded that nice guys are out there.
Because this whole album (which came out on my birthday!) got me through a horrendous breakup.
Because TSwift is clearly my spirit animal and someone understands all my feelings despite being so very young.
Because I don't care if everyone I know makes fun of me and my un-ironic obsession with Taylor Swift.
Because this song makes me happy, and I could use a big dose of that right about now.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
future Mrs. P
One of my favorite people is getting in just over a month, so yesterday we threw a semi-impromptu bridal shower.
The reason the lovely bride to be looks like a pirate in the photo above is thanks to a Brazilian game wherein the bride has to guess what the gift is, and if she guesses wrong the person who gave it to her puts makeup on her. If she gets it right, the giver gets painted.
I made a Vine video of how everyone looked, it's in the tweet below.
Oh and that tiny pup is Piper, Jolyn's dog, who I fully intend for Midas to fall in love with. We've already planned their wedding.
I was pretty proud of how it turned out, especially since it came together in about a week, and I have a three day client summit that ended the night before.
The spread: croissant sandwiches with chicken salad or turkey and cheese, salads with strawberries, almonds, and feta
Treats: peanut butter mousse bars (that I made from scratch and then found out Jello makes a box mix for), cupcakes that Kimber made, and brownies that someone never made it over to the table.
Decorations: purple and white tulips in stainless steel planters, green chinese lanterns, purple fans, and purple and pearl sixlets
The reason the lovely bride to be looks like a pirate in the photo above is thanks to a Brazilian game wherein the bride has to guess what the gift is, and if she guesses wrong the person who gave it to her puts makeup on her. If she gets it right, the giver gets painted.
I made a Vine video of how everyone looked, it's in the tweet below.
Mel's bridal shower!!! vine.co/v/bDrDMU0puAz
— JoPickle (@jospikol) March 23, 2013
Oh and that tiny pup is Piper, Jolyn's dog, who I fully intend for Midas to fall in love with. We've already planned their wedding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)