Just finished the book this weekend. So much joy and sadness all at once. But goodness wins, it always does.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Reverence
"I think this is how we are supposed to be in the world – present and in awe”
Go read the rest of this quote:
http://katieandemily.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/bird-by-bird-by-anne-lamott/
Go read the rest of this quote:
http://katieandemily.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/bird-by-bird-by-anne-lamott/
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
K-Zoo
After Chicago, we hopped on the east-bound amtrak for a 3 hour train ride to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Oh Kalamazoo, it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Our friend Bernardo moved here to live with his friend who is attending Kalamazoo College. A small, idyllic midwestern university with brick buildings, the majority of students discovered it through the book Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools You Should Know About Even If You're Not a Straight-A Student. It's a beautiful, small college town, home also to western michigan university. We spent two nights in "K-Zoo" and just relaxed and enjoyed the autumn chill. Our first morning we ventured out to Richmond, MI to a farm where we partook in a corn maze (that we totally got lost in), and apple picking, apple cider and fresh apple doughnuts. Then a scenic drive through the town followed by relaxing at the house where we made apple crisp, banana bread, and a delicious dinner from scratch.
The house where we stayed, along with 6 boys and chester the wonderful dog.
The view from our table at breakfast.
I loved the city of Chicago, and Kalamazoo gave me that taste of a slower more peaceful pace of life that I crave so much being in LA. It was a wonderful getaway and I'm already planning our next one!
I loved the city of Chicago, and Kalamazoo gave me that taste of a slower more peaceful pace of life that I crave so much being in LA. It was a wonderful getaway and I'm already planning our next one!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sweet Home Chicago
A couple weeks ago the husband and I went to Chicago with one of our best friends. One of my new favorite cities and another destination checked off my list. Although one that I definitely plan to revisit many times in the future. As usual I did not take nearly enough photos, but I've come to the realization that for me this means I'm so completely in the moment and soaking everything and just being present, which is always my goal when I travel. We were only in the city for one night, and we started planning a bit late in the game. When it came down to the wire and all the hotels were booked or outrageous, we decided to throw caution to the wind. Our plane didn't arrive until 10:30 which means we didn't actually get into the city until nearly midnight, so we rented a locker at Union Station ($12 for 24 hours and it fit ALL of our luggage) and decided to spend all night conquering this foreign city. It was an adventure I will never forget.
Let me say, Chicago is probably the cleanest city I have ever seen, rivaled maybe only by London, and felt completely safe. Their public transportation is AMAZING, maybe even more convenient than the underground? This is undeniably a metropolitan city, home to what was once the tallest building in the world, yet it felt small in scale, and easy to get around and see everything.
Upon our arrival we met a friend of our friend at a great college-y bar called Mother's Too. Beer pong table and steady stream of fun music (including the ghostbusters theme song). After last call we hit up what seemed to be a popular hole in the wall eatery, no tables only a line formed at the counter where they offered burgers, dogs, greek and mexican food. We then made our way to a 24-hour diner (White Palace) where we could hang out away from the cold wind (windy city, hello!). Of course we had to order breakfast even though we had just eaten, we felt bad sitting there for 2 hours and only drinking coffee. It was unfortunate that we weren't hungry, the food was amazing.
By now it was 5 AM, time to head toward Navy Pier at Lake Michigan. Of course by the time we got there it was still about an hour before sunrise and it was even colder being by the water. So we wandered a few blocks to an open Starbucks. We sat in the warmth (and super cozy chairs!) combatting the oncoming sleepiness with coffee, we still had a full day of exploring ahead of us! Our goal was to re-create Ferris Bueller's Day Off, unfortunately the Cubs weren't playing and there was no parade. But next we made our way back to Navy Pier for the beautiful sunrise:
Next up, Milennium Park. Visited the big reflective bean sculpture thing (technical terms), 7 AM is best time to go, there were literally 3 other people there. Usually the tourist photos I see have hundreds of people around. The City is so beautiful from that view point.
After wandering around Milennium Park, catching a glimpse at soldier field, we wandered all over the city. Took the metro to Wrigley Field. Then on to Sears (Willis) Tower. As an engineer, I have a deep fascination and appreciation for skyscrapers. Going to the 103rd floor at Sears is the tallest point I've been (besides being in an airplane). Taller than the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building. (and yes Bernardo and I leaned our heads against the glass just like in Ferris Bueller). Such an amazing view:
Sears Tower has these very cool (super thick and reinforced) plexiglass boxes called the Ledge at Skydeck. You can literally step out over the streets below. I was super excited to do this, but taking that first step out made my heart race a little!
Woohoo!
After this we hit up the Art Institute of Chicago. Loved the impressionist paintings, they really are so much more impressive up close. Then we just had to partake of some deep dish pizza before making our way to Union Station toward our next destination.
Let me say, Chicago is probably the cleanest city I have ever seen, rivaled maybe only by London, and felt completely safe. Their public transportation is AMAZING, maybe even more convenient than the underground? This is undeniably a metropolitan city, home to what was once the tallest building in the world, yet it felt small in scale, and easy to get around and see everything.
Upon our arrival we met a friend of our friend at a great college-y bar called Mother's Too. Beer pong table and steady stream of fun music (including the ghostbusters theme song). After last call we hit up what seemed to be a popular hole in the wall eatery, no tables only a line formed at the counter where they offered burgers, dogs, greek and mexican food. We then made our way to a 24-hour diner (White Palace) where we could hang out away from the cold wind (windy city, hello!). Of course we had to order breakfast even though we had just eaten, we felt bad sitting there for 2 hours and only drinking coffee. It was unfortunate that we weren't hungry, the food was amazing.
By now it was 5 AM, time to head toward Navy Pier at Lake Michigan. Of course by the time we got there it was still about an hour before sunrise and it was even colder being by the water. So we wandered a few blocks to an open Starbucks. We sat in the warmth (and super cozy chairs!) combatting the oncoming sleepiness with coffee, we still had a full day of exploring ahead of us! Our goal was to re-create Ferris Bueller's Day Off, unfortunately the Cubs weren't playing and there was no parade. But next we made our way back to Navy Pier for the beautiful sunrise:
Sunday, July 10, 2011
tumbling along
until I have:
a) some travels to post
b) a break from life and learning how to be a grown-up
you can find me tumbling away here
a) some travels to post
b) a break from life and learning how to be a grown-up
you can find me tumbling away here
Sunday, June 12, 2011
a moveable feast
Cousin and I saw Midnight in Paris yesterday. Let me start by saying Woody Allen manages to capture the best, often underrated, simplest and most beautiful aspects of a city and push them to the forefront. (like with Barcelona and New York City). His movies are always a hopeless romantic's best fantasy. But I think what hit me most about this one (more than blowing my savings and buying a ticket to paris), was:
a. Nostalgia is not inherently a bad thing but with it must come a healthy foundation in the present and willingness to look to the future.
b. I need to take more risks. I need to step away from my comfort zone. One of my biggest fears is complacency.
Hmmm. Time to contemplate.
Also a round up of some of the gorgeous stills:
c. be more cultured. read more, learn art history and figure out how to look way cuter next time I'm in Paris.
d. walk in the rain.
a. Nostalgia is not inherently a bad thing but with it must come a healthy foundation in the present and willingness to look to the future.
b. I need to take more risks. I need to step away from my comfort zone. One of my biggest fears is complacency.
Hmmm. Time to contemplate.
Also a round up of some of the gorgeous stills:
d. walk in the rain.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Goes to Paris
I haven't forgotten about my wanderlusting, in fact i've got a few trips queued up over the next few months that i'm excited about. But I've been taking some time to enjoy being a newlywed and working on this whole being-a-responsible-adult thing works. But I had to post about this:
Do you know Jordan at Oh Happy Day? She is super cute and has the most precious family ever. Well they decided to up and leave San Francisco a few months ago to move to PARIS for a year. (jealoussssssss....) But! This is super awesome lady has put together a giveway - 7 days for 2 people (hotel and airfare covered) in her new city of Paris! Ahhh amazing! You know I've been once and had a blast, but a) I need to go back and spend more days there and b) I need to do Paris as a fancy lady, not as a backpacker! Jordan will personally be your host for a day or two and show you all her favorite spots, as a local. Um, yes please!
so ENTER the contest! (and then take me as your plus one if you win =D)
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