vogue-ish...

Hey, if you're going to get that dressed up, you might as well take crazy pictures.

Feathers [abbie and becky]

Definitely the cast of a British Mystery Novel. Or maybe Gilligan's Island: The Millionaire, The Millionaire's Wife, The Movie-Star, and Gilligan. [paul, becky, em, and buck]

Hottest Baristas in town. [em and cherrie]

What else is a door frame good for? [becky and em]

such devoted sisters...

Abbie is here to visit me!

We made food at Mary's house, then got dressed up for the President's Ball.

We made crazy faces, cause we're so cool.

We're kind of ridiculous. And not very good at the coy wink.

case of the tuesdays...

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I picked up my cap and gown today. And I'm eating oven-roasted beets with rosemary, olive oil, and feta. And I'm going to a Mark Helprin lecture and book signing tonight. And my sister is coming on Friday!

beautiful words...

I'm a big fan of the whole aesthetic package. Wonderful, terrible words put in a truly beautiful manner. Leave it to Lewis to extract and form my aesthetic philosophy [though i like mine a little wider than his eliot-exclusive views] I think this is why I love my new ESV Bible. After struggling through three semesters of Greek, I have a bigger appreciation for the language that God put into the hearts and pens of His children.

Something sparked Hebrews 12 today, and I read it like I was reading it for the first and ten thousandth time [but it was more like somewhere in between]. These are words to absorb, to dive into. Build your whole life on terrible beauty and good translations.

Paul talks about heritage, discipline, and the pain which perfects us, then he jumps into this: Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. [12-14]

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” [18-21]

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. [22-24]

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. [26-29]

you never let go
you never let go
you never let go

warmth...

It's mid-February, and spring is nowhere in sight. The icicles melt a tiny bit, then the footprints freeze on the sidewalks again.

Last week, we had a series of weather events which lead to some sweet unintentional art all over campus. The sidewalks were really snowy, people walked on them and compressed the snow, then it rained and melted off most of the uncompressed snow, leaving raised ice footprints all over the sidewalk. I felt like a detective, following footprints around all day. [i should have taken pictures, i know. darnit, em, you have a camera and no excuses] Maybe it's a good reminder that we walk in the footprints of others, making a path for those behind us. Tradition, but in the present, and ever looking forward [hebrews 12].

All I ask is that spring arrives by the time we get back from Spring Break, which begins a month from today! San Diego plans are coming together nicely. The Agenda so far: sleep, mexican food, sun, books, mexican food, people, beach, mexican food, shop, and forget about Agendas for a week.

Until then, I will be wearing my new coat. This is the coat that takes me from mild-mannered midwestern college student to high powered art/lit critic. It was on a ridiculous sale and instantly christened with an amazing set of memories. [i like to wear items which remind me of sweet times. see: london scarf, glasgow dress, intern sweater, etc.]

I'm no Urban Outfitters model, but this is the back:While we both wait for spring [and summer, naturally, cause that's the whole point of spring,] I suggest we both spend a lot of time listening to sweet music.

valentine...

My 2008 Playlist for Love:

I Want You to be My Love [over the rhine]
My Beloved Monster [the eels]
One Sweet Love [sara bareilles]
More Love [dixie chicks]
Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop [landon pigg]
If You Find Yourself Caught in Love [belle & sebastian]
Someone to Love [tofer brown]
I Believe in Love [dixie chicks]
Love Song for No One [john mayer]
My Lovely [eisley]
Ocean Sized Love [leigh nash]
Nicest Thing [kate nash]
October [rosie thomas]
Simple Love [alison krauss]
How Sweet It Is [james taylor]
My Funny Valentine [over the rhine]
Let's Never Stop Falling in Love [pink martini]
Have You Seen My Love? [rosie thomas]
International Love Song [caedmon's call]
Love is Still a Worthy Cause [sara groves]
Love is Different Than You Think [caedmon's call]

Love is more than one day. Love is more than romance.
I enjoy having a warm, happy reminder that I am loved. February is a long dark month.

if there's ever an answer,
it's more love.

achilles revisited...

My portrait will never hang
in a library of books and ideas and history.
It is enough to exist,
suspended in a moment of joy,
on the front of a refrigerator.

new friend...

When I opened the humidifier from my totally awesome Grandma, I started cracking up. I have to admit, I wasn't really expecting something so...lovable.

He makes the cutest little bubbling sound.

And his instruction manual certifies him as "adorable."
I'm totally hooked. You can get your own adorable and useful friend here. I'm just waiting for this trend to transfer into other small appliances. When do they come out with a line of cute toasters?

snowtography...

Please note that the pond got a little excited; that little bench is a real trooper.

No cardinals out today, but I'll see if I can book one for the next shoot.

shnownanigans...

Christine and I headed outdoors today for a little snowtography. If my camera batteries hadn't died, there would be more to these clips, but I think you get the basic idea. Here's hopes for new batteries and another four inches tonight...


falling behind: a classic stealth [schrute] strategy


aaand the attack. you can see the terror in her eyes!

february resolutions...

In case you missed out on January, or have forgotten already, here's a new opportunity to be resolved.

I just discovered that Sovereign Grace Ministries has a bunch of books on sale for $5 this month [and free shipping]. And even better than that, for all us broke college students, they have all the chapters available for free pdf downloads!

I think I'm starting with Spiritual Disciplines and The Great Salvation.

In the month of love, what better to dwell on than the immense love of God? [get ready for my valentine playlist. it's sweet]