the life during, the life after...

Job hunting is a really good but pretty much depressing distraction from homework. It's difficult to think about translating everything I get excited about [words, paper, words on paper, color, good design, learning, cooking, creating, helping, finishing projects, organizing, etc] into something I'll do 40 hours a week. And it's even more difficult to think of something that includes the first elements, I have the resume for, and will make enough money not to have to sleep on my family's couch for the next two years.
I'm solidly into The Thinking Period [cf. ford, richard. "the permanent period," the lay of the land. percy, walker. "the search," the last gentleman, the moviegoer.]. Or maybe I should call it The Possibility Period [cf. percy, walker. "endless possibility is really bad," the last gentleman] Maybe so much thinking will translate into more frequent blogging. I try to use this think to record significant parts of life I'd like to remember [with fondness,without embarrassment] at some later date.
Ultimately I know that who[se] I am, not what I do, defines me. But let's be honest, what I do is still pretty important.

mostly for milicent...

I took a few shots when Xt and I were walking around Ann Arbor. Sadly, we didn't arrive in time to do much roaming before the show, but more trips are always being planned with various friends. It truly is invigorating to be in a city again. I have come to enjoy the quiet community of a small town/campus, but I get this crazy rush when I hit AA, Lansing, Toledo...I know, not exactly the top on your list of inspiring American cities, but pretty good after Hillsdale. I like that AA is really artsy and college-y. It makes me wonder what type of person I would be if I had gone to a funky huge public university rather than a preppy private school. I don't think I would have developed like this or been able to appreciate weird art as much if I was around it all the time. I've learned to appreciate both worlds. But anyway, here are a few shots from the center of AA, just off the U of Michigan campus.

The Maynard parking garage. Somehow, I never get a discount, though.

Giant ants on the wall of an alley.

I'm so sad that this place was closed. It looks sweet. And it's all about my favorite color.

Wheatgrass = art. I'm a fan.

two girls and a show...

Christine and I sold our souls for a little pre-fall-breaking and tickets to see Nickel Creek in Ann Arbor.

Holding the golden tickets. We were tenth row, center stage.

Oh, the first band I discovered and loved. You play a pretty good show, chaps. [and by pretty good i mean freaking amazing, except for the weird people sitting all around us who smelled like gin and stale popcorn]

I'll give you three guesses on the name of this theater.

Relaxing after the show at Ashley's.

somewhere north...

You and me

Like a boat out of water...

Yes, I spent Fall Break with three blondes!

You don't even want to know how many takes it took to get this.

somewhere north...

We made pretzels and played a lot of Mexican Train and 13 Solitaire. I lost pretty much all weekend.

We took walks in the woods.

And ate Gelato in Petoskey. It was windy. I tried Ginger Gelato. It had an awesome bite. Also, we spent a lot of time at this sweet little independent bookstore. It was not as overwhelming as Powell's and the salespeople had time to talk about mutually loved books.

Hannah, Amy, Christine, and I

somewhere north...

Fall Break in northern Michigan with Amy, Christine, and Hannah.

Amazing colors

Lake Louise

It was stormy Thursday and Friday, so we stayed inside huddled up by the fire, playing games and reading. Oh, and eating a ton of good food, of course.

Home sweet Log Cabin

a new title for my resume...

After two months of waiting, Jitters finally has a new espresso machine. As of today, I am officially a Barista. The quest for perfect latte foam begins. I made myself a double tall latte, and if you come visit, I can make you one too!

Speaking of resumes...I'm already job-searching for post school. It's closer than you [i, we] think! So far, I have options for the summer [om again, teaching english abroad, assistant to my neighbor's travel-journalist daughter, being a nanny in europe, missions somewhere, a part time job and lots of books/grad school prep, etc] and then will probably be back in Portland after that.

So, what should I be when I grow up? Or at least for the years between now and grad school?

exciting news...

Nickel freaking Creek!
I thought I was going to have to miss out on their Farewell for Now tour, but it looks like I'm actually headed to my fifth Nickel Creek Show in Ann Arbor on October 16th!

Alison, Eisley, and Nickel Creek? This has been such a good music year...

artsy monday...

The rain makes funny patterns as it collects on my screen. I can remember playing with water on screens when I was younger.

Sometimes when I look out my window I can almost pretend I'm in an entirely different place.

That and the rain and Quartetto Gelato make me want to collage. Artistic days make artistic projects happen.

for stephanie...

These boots are made for wearing.