tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317782442024-03-08T03:37:45.026-07:00the amateur(sort of good at a lot of things)Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-25395819636674842132013-09-11T18:35:00.001-06:002013-09-11T18:35:14.869-06:00Lucky girlNot going to lie, September is kind of kicking my ass. <div><br></div><div>Work is super busy, I'm traveling a ton, and I miss my puppy and my favorite person. </div><div><br></div><div>But I'm lucky, and here's why...</div><div>1. Even though I had to travel for work this week, I'm with my parents! (Did get scolded for not calling at least once a week though.)</div><div>2. I have a job that trusts me enough to send me to moderate a panel at fashion week (eek!)</div><div>3. My dad recommended this awesome book that I read in one night: <i>Brain on Fire</i></div><div>4. My favorite person handles my random texts pretty well...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qYlYmv7ZIrs/UjEMQKzUyrI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ZLW7C7DTqmY/s640/blogger-image--330863790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qYlYmv7ZIrs/UjEMQKzUyrI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ZLW7C7DTqmY/s640/blogger-image--330863790.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>See that? Not even a flinch. </div><div><br></div><div>September will be tough. But the best things in life are worth it, right?</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>How many days until October again?</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-42518606856943186312013-08-20T20:48:00.000-06:002013-08-20T20:48:03.847-06:00This guy...So, out of the 8 readers of my blog I email with most of you semi-regularly, so I've probably told you about C. And the other person who reads this is his sister, so...she knows (hi Carlye!)<br />
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But for those of you that I haven't emailed lately (sorry!)....this is Chris. Or C, as I've been referring to him here lately.<br />
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In short, he's smart and handsome and kind and makes me laugh.<br />
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In long (not an actual phrase), he's the peanut butter to my jelly, the guy who rescues me from bats in my apartment, who checks for criminals when I call him in the middle of the night scared. He's the guy who opens my car door every time, surprised me with concert tickets, and listens when I vent. He's the most unselfish person I've ever met, and he makes me happier than I've ever been. When I ask him to tell me something funny, he always has something to tell. He loves bananas. And doesn't mind when I make him take a million couple selfies because I always think I look weird. He's handy and he loves Midas, and he made a pact to never tickle me.<br />
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Never in my life did I think I'd be so lucky. Never in my life do I think I'll be able to be as wonderful as he thinks I am. But I am willing to spend every day trying.<br />
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Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-3681265333950144592013-08-13T22:44:00.001-06:002013-08-13T22:44:47.943-06:00That time with the bat<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Imagine it's 3:30am on a Saturday evening (so technically Sunday). You've already had one animal emergency because your dog (OK, my dog) accidentally swallowed a huge piece of rawhide. </div>
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I woke up from what I think was some kind of dream and saw what I thought, in my bleary half awake state, was a big moth flying the ceiling perimeter of my bedroom. Maybe a bird. I wake the dog and the boyfriend and wander into the hall and realize....it's a bat. There is a bat in my bedroom.</div>
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We try in vain to get the bat to leave, and he disappears into the kitchen. We (dumbly) assume he made it out the same way he came in, through a hole under the sink my landlord swore didn't go to the outside.</div>
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Fast forward two days. </div>
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I'm about to fall asleep watching <i>Friends</i> (my nightly routine) and suddenly, the bat is back. </div>
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But really, the bat wasn't back. He'd never left. Luckily, I have an amazing man who came and captured the bat (see below) and comforted Midasman and me. OK, just me. Midas was unaffected. </div>
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Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-83769241775079947402013-08-12T22:21:00.000-06:002013-08-12T22:21:26.473-06:00Best Intentions(or, your average Monday night)<br />
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Sunday nights are rough for me (Chris can attest to this). I love my job, but it's such an adjustment every Monday to go back to work and be without the man for two days (yup, I'm that sappy).<br />
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But by Monday afternoon, I have made an ambitious list of what I'll do that night. Usually it's working out, grocery shopping, laundry, and cooking for the week.<br />
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Know what I end up doing? Watching last week's Pretty Little Liars and <i>maybe</i> doing a load of laundry.<br />
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And tonight was no different, although I did force myself to make some chicken to put in a sandwich tomorrow. At least I made a grocery list. That counts, right?<br />
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Oh, and there may have been a secret stealthy stop to Chris's apartment to leave a treat.<br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-11462546084874440782013-07-29T21:38:00.000-06:002013-07-29T21:38:38.161-06:00A good Monday night is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
workout done by 7:30 (love my new Nike running shoes)</div>
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delicious homemade dinner</div>
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Pretty Little Liars on my dvr</div>
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clean, happy puppy in my lap</div>
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Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-76555687245067755702013-07-22T21:02:00.000-06:002013-07-22T21:02:19.034-06:00Midsummer Dinner PartyI made new friends! C already knew them, but they're new to me so it counts. They're lovely and different and I can't wait to get to know them better.<br />
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But that's not what this post is about. It's about how I had them over for dinner and what I made.<br />
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I'm one of those people who dreams of throwing dinner parties for friends every week. Sort of....Ina Garten style. (Doesn't she seem to know the best people?) I was pretty happy with how this came off.</div>
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Clockwise from left: caprese salad, <a href="http://kitchenconfidante.com/banh-mi-vietnamese-style-sandwich-recipe" target="_blank">banh mi sliders</a>, <a href="http://www.sassyradish.com/2012/03/deconstructed-bahn-mi/" target="_blank">pickled veggies</a>, and strawberry crisp</div>
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We're hoping to make weekly dinners a tradition, and I can't wait for next week. </div>
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<span id="goog_1022517174"></span><span id="goog_1022517175"></span><br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-3790738035621277692013-07-15T21:59:00.000-06:002013-07-15T21:59:05.134-06:00Getting out of numbersA certain someone I know has this one phrase he uses...'getting out of' things. For example, he has an iPad to read on because he's 'getting out of books'. And he got rid of all his tshirts with logos on them because he's 'getting out of print'.<br />
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It's kind of a lame joke, but it makes me laugh.<br />
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I decided to get out of numbers. Specifically, numbers on the scale. Specifically, my weight.<br />
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Remember that mini meltdown I had? That night I chose my mental health over a number. And I feel so. much. better. It's really refreshing to not know what I weigh, and not care about it. I want to focus on feeling healthy, not skinny. On being strong, not thin. On being balanced in what I eat, instead of exclusive.<br />
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Honestly, self acceptance is more challenging than any diet for me, but I'm excited.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-80442743789626061132013-07-09T21:40:00.000-06:002013-07-09T21:40:35.691-06:00How to Drive Yourself Crazy1. Get cheated on.*<br />
2. Spend several months eating your feelings and using the cheating as an excuse to stop working out, live on french fries and ice cream and be generally lazy.<br />
3. Panic when you notice you've gained a few pounds.<br />
4. Travel a lot for work. Make sure these trips include sampling the local fare (the fattier the better) and taking clients out for dinner and drinks every single night. Also try not to sleep during these trips.<br />
5. Meet the man of your dreams.<br />
6. Get back on the scale and realize the few pounds has turned into several pounds.<br />
7. Start working out twice a day and being really strict with what you eat.<br />
8. Surround yourself with things that will make you feel fat.<br />
9. Forget about the important things in life so you have more time to focus on working out and obsessing over what you eat.<br />
10. Have a mini breakdown to the man of your dreams on a Sunday night and realize that you are driving yourself crazy. That there is so much more to you than how much you weigh, and that being a size 4 instead of a size 2 is not the end of the world. Realize you sound bratty when you complain about being a size 4.<br />
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More to come on this, in which I try to recover from the self-inflicted crazy.<br />
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*Don't actually get cheated on, if you can help it.<br />
<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-7509381607403053082013-06-24T21:46:00.004-06:002013-06-24T21:46:55.393-06:00Tonight, I<div style="text-align: center;">
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went for a jog with Midas monster</div>
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had a sorority committee call</div>
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made lemon garlic chicken with broccoli</div>
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cooked quinoa for the week</div>
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made homemade hummus for the first time</div>
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washed allllll the dishes</div>
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did an ab workout</div>
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forgot to text C back</div>
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texted C back</div>
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washed, dried, and cut all the lettuce in my fridge for lunch</div>
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started working on Holly and Garrett's wedding film (!)</div>
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And it's not even 10! Time for reruns of <i>Friends</i> until I fall asleep. </div>
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Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-17525771009646738022013-06-13T23:21:00.001-06:002013-06-13T23:21:58.436-06:00On the eve if a road tripA few thoughts running through my head:<div>1. If my dog knew he wouldn't see me for a week he definitely wouldn't have turned down my offer to snuggle. </div><div>2. I should pack, I leave in 9 hours. </div><div>3. One of my favorite episodes of Scrubs is on, which is clearly a sign that I should stay up and watch instead of sleeping or packing. </div><div>4. The dressing rooms at Target make me want to cry, as does my inability to find a maxi skirt that suits me. </div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-33671085548062266642013-06-10T22:44:00.000-06:002013-07-20T17:56:48.008-06:00Don't call it a comeback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Or, ya know, call it a comeback if you want.<br />
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Dear, sweet readers of this tiny blog,<br />
I am done with graduate school. I have a masters now.<br />
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And I live in my own apartment, just me and the dog. I have this amazing job that challenges and inspires me, and an amazing man who does the same. (Plus he's pretty handsome.)<br />
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I am a lucky girl. Pinch me.<br />
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But you know me...I am never satisfied. It's one of the things I like most about myself.<br />
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So in the coming months, I'll be challenging myself in (hopefully) many different ways, and documenting it here. Because that's one challenge: write more on the blog so years from now when I'm boring I can look back and remember when.<br />
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And that's it. Challenging, no? If you have any ideas of what I should do, leave me a comment, I need all the inspiration I can get.<br />
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Love, Jo <br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-61000367492473556792013-06-02T21:52:00.001-06:002013-06-02T21:52:13.813-06:00Adios, weekendI actually whined in the car about this weekend ending. Groaned, even. Because while nothing extraordinary happened in the past three days, it was one of the best weekends I can remember having. And while I love my job, nothing can really replace that weekend feeling.<br />
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This particular Sunday night, I'm grateful for<br />
- Diet Coke, delicious and functional<br />
- gorgeous weather<br />
- Liberty park<br />
- someone who makes me believe there are still good people out there<br />
- <i>It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i><br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-24044667486676422192013-05-19T21:55:00.000-06:002013-05-19T21:55:20.437-06:00Since I'm technically an MFA now...Nuit BlancheA friend showed me this short film last night and I can't stop thinking about it. So beautiful, and so well done.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9078364?badge=0&color=e3e3e3" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/9078364">Nuit Blanche</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/spyfilms">Spy Films</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-78849497141186157602013-05-12T18:20:00.001-06:002013-05-12T18:20:18.715-06:00Overplanning my summer<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">(As usual.)</span><br />
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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. </div>
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- Either learn to play my guitar, or give it up</div>
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- Read more (and not just articles online, but REAL BOOKS)</div>
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- use my sewing machinge</div>
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- throw dinner parties</div>
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- go rock climbing</div>
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- take more photos </div>
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- hike</div>
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- try mountain biking, even though I'm afraid</div>
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- picnics in the park</div>
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- take a cooking class/try to make something complicated once a week</div>
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- swimming!</div>
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- bake more (I love baking)</div>
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- hang things on the wall (I've been in my new place for 3 months and it looks like I just moved in)</div>
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Any suggestions?</div>
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-54707707895535134862013-04-14T21:36:00.002-06:002013-04-14T21:36:46.429-06:00A grateful Sunday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This weekend was a rollercoaster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This whole month has been a rollercoaster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But then a bunch of wonderful somethings happened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">First, my dad sent me a video of my parents' puppy playing with a squeaky toy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Second, I got an amazing email from a professor I really admire, that went a little something like this...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>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></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">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. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;">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. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">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. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fourth, <i>Despicable Me</i> is on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So there's my grateful list for today. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The other thing? I just have to make it through 6 more days and I leave for London. I'm a lucky girl. </span></span>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-75591262844685680182013-03-31T22:48:00.002-06:002013-03-31T22:48:24.947-06:00Easter SundayI 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.<br />
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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.)<br />
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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.<br />
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Tonight, I'm grateful for:<br />
- sunny, warm weather and the opportunity to enjoy it<br />
- friends who are like family to me<br />
- new friends that I can't wait to get to know better<br />
- Midasman, alwaysJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-91812076786350004692013-03-28T21:34:00.003-06:002013-03-28T21:34:46.575-06:00words of Frosty wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Robert Frost is sort of my favorite. (And by sort of I mean I can recite "The Road Less Traveled" from memory.) </div>
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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. </div>
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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. </div>
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And everything will be fine. </div>
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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. </div>
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-23233626534999986172013-03-25T21:02:00.003-06:002013-03-25T21:02:38.527-06:00music monday - TSwiftBecause tomorrow my comprehensive exams start, and I'm freaking.<br />
...and if I don't pass these exams then I don't graduate my masters program.<br />
...and the study guide is 400+ terms, at least 100 of which I've never heard of.<br />
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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.<br />
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Because this whole album (which came out on my birthday!) got me through a horrendous breakup.<br />
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Because TSwift is clearly my spirit animal and someone understands all my feelings despite being so very young.<br />
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Because I don't care if everyone I know makes fun of me and my un-ironic obsession with Taylor Swift.<br />
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Because this song makes me happy, and I could use a big dose of that right about now.<br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-24759430198557170822013-03-24T14:10:00.000-06:002013-03-24T14:10:08.413-06:00future Mrs. P One of my favorite people is getting in just over a month, so yesterday we threw a semi-impromptu bridal shower.<br />
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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.</div>
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The spread: croissant sandwiches with chicken salad or turkey and cheese, salads with strawberries, almonds, and feta</div>
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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.</div>
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Decorations: purple and white tulips in stainless steel planters, green chinese lanterns, purple fans, and purple and pearl sixlets</div>
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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.<br />
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I made a Vine video of how everyone looked, it's in the tweet below.<br />
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Mel's bridal shower!!! <a href="https://t.co/LfMfJBZ2wM" title="https://vine.co/v/bDrDMU0puAz">vine.co/v/bDrDMU0puAz</a><br />
— JoPickle (@jospikol) <a href="https://twitter.com/jospikol/status/315534628360445954">March 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
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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.<br />
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-76065928357329952132013-03-18T21:59:00.004-06:002013-03-18T21:59:46.488-06:00I can do hard things...right?Please bear with me while I engage in some major white girl problems whining.<br />
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My fabulous and wonderful job is sending me to London for two weeks at the end of April!<br />
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But...this means that in the next four weeks I need to...<br />
- attend a 3 day work summit thing<br />
- throw a bridal shower for one of my favorite people the next day<br />
- take comprehensive exams for two days straight on everything I've learned in three years of graduate school<br />
- MAKE A FILM<br />
- continue do my job 50+ hours a week<br />
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and for the bonus round...<br />
- lose the 12 pounds I gained post breakup (oops!)<br />
- try to have a life<br />
- spend time with the best man in my life (Midasmonster, obviously)<br />
- put in several hours a day waiting for the phone to ring<br />
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All of this begs the question: I can do all this, right? I can push myself to the breaking point for four weeks, and make it out fine on the other side. After all, I just have to PASS the exams, not ace them. I just have to MAKE the film, not win an academy award for it.<br />
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Better or worse, it's all over in four weeks. And then I get on a plane for London.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-87410458875669877362013-03-11T22:10:00.000-06:002013-03-11T22:10:10.979-06:00music monday - Macklemore featuring Mary LambertA friend showed me this performance from the Ellen show, and I've been listening to it nonstop since. <div>
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OK, so that's only three days, but still. I love it.</div>
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Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-34738409593440041052013-02-23T21:30:00.001-07:002013-02-23T21:30:13.064-07:00Super productive SaturdayToday I...<br />
- bought a washer and dryer (such a grown up!)<br />
- tested two dessert recipes (one awful, one great)<br />
- unpacked and organized a good bit of the new place<br />
- did my taxes<br />
- ate waaaaay too much<br />
- went thrifting for my new side table and some kitchen accoutrements<br />
- spent a lot of quality time with Midasmonster (ps, I'm posting from my phone and it knows that's what I call him)<br />
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Not bad for a snowy Saturday, right? Tomorrow I tackle food prep for the week, ugh. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qrHBmB0y2Lw/USmXUV515PI/AAAAAAAAAUg/N5jURXeUutQ/s640/blogger-image--514330226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qrHBmB0y2Lw/USmXUV515PI/AAAAAAAAAUg/N5jURXeUutQ/s640/blogger-image--514330226.jpg" /></a></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-14834999704189995322013-02-11T21:00:00.003-07:002013-02-11T21:00:34.067-07:00that time I started P90XBecause I hate myself and love myself at the same time.<br />
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Because after talking to Blair in Palm Springs about her amazing abs I was pretty much convinced.<br />
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Because a week or so after that a trainer friend told me that if people were disciplined and did P90X, she'd be out of a job.<br />
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So I figured, it's worth a shot, right? I've been dying to start working out again, but I feel guilty leaving Midasman at home at night when I've already been gone all day. I loved doing Body for Life, and I kept up with those workouts long after I stopped doing the diet (interval training is the best for cardio), but they require a ton of equipment. This is (hopefully) the solution.<br />
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Today was Day 1 and I have to say...what's the big deal?<br />
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Just kidding. The only reason I survived the workout without dying is because I could do many of the exercises on the floor. It's a little hard to do floor work when a tiny puppy is crawling all over you and trying to lick your face until he gets to the tootsie roll center.<br />
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Despite the Midas monster's interference, I managed to get a really good work out in, and I'm sure once he gets used to it I'll be able to do floor work.<br />
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Or I will spend the next 90 days with puppy tongue up my nose during plank, and doing push ups with him on my back.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-61558846977026756592013-01-29T20:33:00.000-07:002013-01-29T20:33:04.863-07:00that time in Palm SpringsBefore I got the plague this past week, I spent a lovely weekend in Palm Springs with two old good friends, and one new good friend (at least I now consider her one!). <br />
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The weather was perfect, the food was fantastic, and the company was even better. I can't imagine a more relaxing weekend than reading by the pool, nights in the hot tub, and more good conversation than I've had in ages. This may sound strange, but it was an inspiring weekend.<br />
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It's easy, living so far away from what I'm used to, to become disconnected from the way I used to live my life, the goals I used to have, etc. Life in the west is truly different from everywhere in the country. And being reminded of that was refreshing.<br />
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Anyway, I know the title suggests a specific story, but really, it was just that <i>time</i> in Palm Springs that I needed and loved. Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778244.post-34709550860931203172012-12-29T19:05:00.004-07:002012-12-29T19:05:53.824-07:00oh, hello there<span style="font-family: inherit;">In order to avoid packing my things to leave PA tomorrow, I thought I'd blog for the first time in...ages. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2012? Amazing. It feels like the longest and shortest year in a long time, and I'm both sad to see it go and excited to see what 2013 holds for me. Or rather, what I'll make of 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I do know that I'll be spending a lot of quality time with this guy:</span></div>
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Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12497236830987209722noreply@blogger.com0