I'm sorry...I have to rant a bit right now. I am just really angry about how whenever a celebrity is unfaithful to his/her spouse, the individual with whom he was unfaithful with, i.e. mistresses, shoots to fame with her photo on the cover of magazines and cover story, professional photo shoot within the magazine, and an entire article dedicated to an interview/story with said mistress. At this point, I am talking about Sara Leal, the 22-year old Ashton Kutcher allegedly had an affair with. She is set to be the cover story of Us Weekly. However, I'm not just talking about her either. What about Rielle Hunter, the woman with whom John Edwards fathered a child while his wife was dying of cancer? Or Bombshell McGee or whatever her name is, Jesse James' lover while he was married to Sandra Bullock? And in many cases, these women are made out to be the victim in the story. Sara's photo on the cover this week makes her look sad and serious.
I'm sorry, but I just can't sympathize. Even if Sara is telling the truth when she says "she thought Ashton was separated," she is not the victim in the story and should not become famous for it. Even if she has good intentions and regrets hurting the wife, she has no reason to be the star of the story. Acting in scandalous ways during which one knows what he or she is doing should not be made into a sob story. Is this cruel-hearted or closed-minded of me? Maybe so. I just had to get this off my chest. This is why I get disgusted with Hollywood.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Things I don't get
The title says it all. Here are some things I just don't get.
I don't get...
1. Men who wear their pants lower than their butt. Why is it still cool? Why was it ever cool?
2. People who thump the basses in their cars so everyone else can feel the bass in their own cars. Not only does it make me so mad, but I genuinely just don't get it.
3. Houses that have more bathrooms than bedrooms.
4. Leashes for children. Okay, well, I "get" the point of them, but I still just don't get them...why would anyone need a leash for their kid?
5. The excessive use of profanity, especially in adults.
6. Accessory dogs. When people buy little dogs for the purpose of carrying them around in their bags/purses.
7. Ugg boots with shorts/skirts. Are you warm, or cold?
8. Shaving off your eyebrows and then penciling them in.
The end, for now.
I don't get...
1. Men who wear their pants lower than their butt. Why is it still cool? Why was it ever cool?
2. People who thump the basses in their cars so everyone else can feel the bass in their own cars. Not only does it make me so mad, but I genuinely just don't get it.
3. Houses that have more bathrooms than bedrooms.
4. Leashes for children. Okay, well, I "get" the point of them, but I still just don't get them...why would anyone need a leash for their kid?
5. The excessive use of profanity, especially in adults.
6. Accessory dogs. When people buy little dogs for the purpose of carrying them around in their bags/purses.
7. Ugg boots with shorts/skirts. Are you warm, or cold?
8. Shaving off your eyebrows and then penciling them in.
The end, for now.
Monday, August 15, 2011
CAMP-an inspiring film that "could be"!
My brother will be working on this film if it reaches its goal of $135,000 in donations. Their goal is the deciding factor for whether it goes into production or not! Right now they are at just over $30,000, and only have 20 more days to reach their goal. The film is inspired by true stories. Read the information and synopsis, and if you can, please donate whatever amount of money you are able and willing, $1 or more. I think this looks like a wonderful film that will likely inspire and provide hope for a lot of people. Please, anything helps! Plus I'd really love to see my brother doing what he loves...being on film crew!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jacobroebuck/camp-inspired-by-true-stores-from-camp-for-foster
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jacobroebuck/camp-inspired-by-true-stores-from-camp-for-foster
Friday, August 5, 2011
One sappy post
I've basically settled into the fact that I'm married now. Mostly. There are still some things I'm not quite used to. The other day I was signing something and mistakenly began signing "Rupprecht." I also occasionally refer to things in our apartment as Jake's or ask him what food "he" has. It still sounds weird (but in a good way, music to my ears:) to call him my husband, or hear him refer to me as his wife.
Some of the greatest things (so far) about being married is not having to say goodbye to him at night, not having to cook for one (we shared a lot of dinners before marriage, but of course not all the time), and his goodbye kisses every morning when he leaves for work. I'm usually half-asleep when he kisses me goodbye, but I cherish them nonetheless. I am also loving our routine we've established this summer. Surely it will change once school starts for me in a couple weeks, but we watch a movie or at least some TV episodes every night before bed. This might seem boring or like it would get old for some people, but we're very much utilizing Netflix this summer, and it's been a great way to just be together and wind down.
I feel very blessed right now. We don't have a ton of money or a nice house to start off our marriage, but we do both have jobs and we have a place to live. So what if it's a small one-bedroom apartment? Of course eventually we'd like something bigger, and hope to have a bigger savings account than we do now, but our little home is perfect for us right now, and we have the abilities to start saving up.
And I know that no marriage is perfect, and no marriage goes without kinks. And we'll have some bad times. But there's no one else that I'd rather undo those kinks and navigate over the bumps with than my husband.
Some of the greatest things (so far) about being married is not having to say goodbye to him at night, not having to cook for one (we shared a lot of dinners before marriage, but of course not all the time), and his goodbye kisses every morning when he leaves for work. I'm usually half-asleep when he kisses me goodbye, but I cherish them nonetheless. I am also loving our routine we've established this summer. Surely it will change once school starts for me in a couple weeks, but we watch a movie or at least some TV episodes every night before bed. This might seem boring or like it would get old for some people, but we're very much utilizing Netflix this summer, and it's been a great way to just be together and wind down.
I feel very blessed right now. We don't have a ton of money or a nice house to start off our marriage, but we do both have jobs and we have a place to live. So what if it's a small one-bedroom apartment? Of course eventually we'd like something bigger, and hope to have a bigger savings account than we do now, but our little home is perfect for us right now, and we have the abilities to start saving up.
And I know that no marriage is perfect, and no marriage goes without kinks. And we'll have some bad times. But there's no one else that I'd rather undo those kinks and navigate over the bumps with than my husband.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The powers of technology
I often find myself complaining about soooo much new technology and advances and iPad 4 or whatever and all these new gadgets that everyone needs, yet they fared perfectly fine with their non-smart phones. I also rant whenever Facebook has another facelift and changes everything from viewing photos to how you can post things on friends' walls. However, I recently gained a new appreciation for new technology, Facebook specifically, due to the Las Conchas fire burning so close to my hometown. 11 years ago with the Cerro Grande fire, the only ways we had for communicating with others around town and for out-of-town family getting in touch with us to make sure we were okay were phones and face-to-face. Yes, there was Internet then, and instant messaging, but nothing like Facebook.
I couldn't help noticing the last week and a half how much Facebook has changed the way we keep in touch...okay, that's the understatement of the decade I'm sure, but specifically, how it has changed the way a community communicates in times of crisis. Sure there was plenty of emotional support and mutual feelings of loss and sadness and hope during the Cerro Grande, along with much volunteer work, but I observed and was amazed by how quickly and effectively the community came together via Facebook, how quickly news spread and updates were given, and how much support has been shared through this network. Out-of-town friends and family could know what was happening immediately, people could know where their friends and family were going upon evacuation, how close the fire has come to different locations...but mostly how community members came together to share grief, fear, and hope on a wide and large scale. A simple status like "We need more lunches made for the firefighters" brings countless volunteers; pages are created to show support and gratitude for the firefighters, police officers, and national guard, and to keep community members updated on the status of the fire.
Facebook can't stop the fire or protect the town or mountains, but it can sure change relationships throughout and among Los Alamos and other surrounding communities for the better.
I couldn't help noticing the last week and a half how much Facebook has changed the way we keep in touch...okay, that's the understatement of the decade I'm sure, but specifically, how it has changed the way a community communicates in times of crisis. Sure there was plenty of emotional support and mutual feelings of loss and sadness and hope during the Cerro Grande, along with much volunteer work, but I observed and was amazed by how quickly and effectively the community came together via Facebook, how quickly news spread and updates were given, and how much support has been shared through this network. Out-of-town friends and family could know what was happening immediately, people could know where their friends and family were going upon evacuation, how close the fire has come to different locations...but mostly how community members came together to share grief, fear, and hope on a wide and large scale. A simple status like "We need more lunches made for the firefighters" brings countless volunteers; pages are created to show support and gratitude for the firefighters, police officers, and national guard, and to keep community members updated on the status of the fire.
Facebook can't stop the fire or protect the town or mountains, but it can sure change relationships throughout and among Los Alamos and other surrounding communities for the better.
Monday, June 27, 2011
On a lighter (and hilarious) note...
My last post about the fire was a downer. It is very saddening, but I do have something pretty dang funny to write about, and I think it will cheer me up and anyone who needs a laugh right now.
I've discovered I married a sleeptalker. Several nights he's woken me up with his talking, and so far it's been nonsensical. Not long ago I woke up in the middle of the night and came to the realization that he has been working at a call center too long. His mumbling was along the lines of, "Don't stress about your phone plan. Don't worry. We're here to accommodate you...we're here to accommodate you..."
He's said some other funny things in his sleep, but nothing compared to last night.
I woke up to this noise (sort of a whistling, but more airy), and saw Jake with his hand in the air, moving it back and forth. It made me think he was dreaming he was playing with a toy airplane. But then he started talking. Here's what came out of his unconscious mouth:
Jake: "Look at the floud." (Yes, floud, pronounced like "cloud")
Me: "What?"
Jake: "The floud. I see a floud."
Me: "A floud? What's a floud?"
Jake: "You know! A floud, a ring floud. Like where we put our rings. It's big and black."
Me: "A ring floud? Like a ring pillow?" (me thinking of our wedding rings and the ring pillow for the wedding)
Jake: "No, a floud!"
Me (as I burst out laughing): "You are dreaming! What the heck is a floud?!"
Jake: "No I'm not!! I see it outside! It's black like a cloud!"
Me (still laughing uncontrollably): "You're dreaming! You're talking nonsense!"
Jake (now hurt with me because I don't understand): "No!" (in a whiny voice, and he rolls over away from me).
It took me a few minutes to stop laughing into my pillow. Before I fell asleep, I vowed to remember every detail of this conversation so I could tell Jake about it in the morning. This morning, he didn't remember any of it of course. Funniest thing I've ever heard in the middle of the night.
Maybe I should write down all his unconscious pearls of wisdom. Hope you enjoyed it this one :)
I've discovered I married a sleeptalker. Several nights he's woken me up with his talking, and so far it's been nonsensical. Not long ago I woke up in the middle of the night and came to the realization that he has been working at a call center too long. His mumbling was along the lines of, "Don't stress about your phone plan. Don't worry. We're here to accommodate you...we're here to accommodate you..."
He's said some other funny things in his sleep, but nothing compared to last night.
I woke up to this noise (sort of a whistling, but more airy), and saw Jake with his hand in the air, moving it back and forth. It made me think he was dreaming he was playing with a toy airplane. But then he started talking. Here's what came out of his unconscious mouth:
Jake: "Look at the floud." (Yes, floud, pronounced like "cloud")
Me: "What?"
Jake: "The floud. I see a floud."
Me: "A floud? What's a floud?"
Jake: "You know! A floud, a ring floud. Like where we put our rings. It's big and black."
Me: "A ring floud? Like a ring pillow?" (me thinking of our wedding rings and the ring pillow for the wedding)
Jake: "No, a floud!"
Me (as I burst out laughing): "You are dreaming! What the heck is a floud?!"
Jake: "No I'm not!! I see it outside! It's black like a cloud!"
Me (still laughing uncontrollably): "You're dreaming! You're talking nonsense!"
Jake (now hurt with me because I don't understand): "No!" (in a whiny voice, and he rolls over away from me).
It took me a few minutes to stop laughing into my pillow. Before I fell asleep, I vowed to remember every detail of this conversation so I could tell Jake about it in the morning. This morning, he didn't remember any of it of course. Funniest thing I've ever heard in the middle of the night.
Maybe I should write down all his unconscious pearls of wisdom. Hope you enjoyed it this one :)
Deja Vu
Eleven years ago, Los Alamos and White Rock (my hometown) were evacuated due to a raging wildfire, the Cerro Grande, blazing in the beautiful Jemez Mountains. Now, a raging wildfire has once again prompted evacuations (for now, just voluntary), and my parents and my sister, brother-in-law, and niece are staying in Albuquerque.
This feels eerily similar. I am five hours away, yet I still feel the exact same stress I did at 2 in the morning the night my family packed up our most precious belongings and our pets and drove to stay with my grandparents in Nambe for 6 days or so. The drive took about 6 or 7 hours, which usually is only about 25 or 30 minutes. The traffic stayed on our street for about 4 1/2 hours. Which was kind of good, because we kept remembering things we should have packed and walked back to the house to retrieve them. This stress I feel is very specific, and I have only felt it these two times.
The Cerro Grande fire burned 47,000 in about 2 weeks. The present one, the Las Conchas fire, has gotten up to nearly 45,000 acres, and it's only been 24 hours. My heart is breaking. I love those mountains; they're just as much home to my family and I as our own house is. I know that fire is somehow good for nature; it provides the means for new life and growth. But it still deeply saddens me.
One of the saddest, most haunting, but also most beautiful sites I have ever seen was a few days after we came home after the Cerro Grande fire. It was not completely out, but contained enough that residents could return home (the lucky ones, at least. Too many homes were lost). My family and I drove up the middle road from White Rock to Los Alamos. Burned trees and ground everywhere. Closer to when we got to Los Alamos, I looked out my window and there, standing among the trees that were now black sticks, with the sunlight casting a dazzling yellow light, was a lone doe staring at us on the road. It broke my heart, but it was still beautiful. I was the only one who saw it. I imagine the deer was confused, lost perhaps, not knowing what to make of the new scenery (which may not have been the case at all, but that's how I thought of it). That site still haunts me.
I should feel grateful that I'm not there right now (it would probably upset me even more seeing it live rather than just through pictures), but I would give anything to be with my family. I feel so helpless here.
We need rain, desperately. And less wind. It cannot be said enough.
This feels eerily similar. I am five hours away, yet I still feel the exact same stress I did at 2 in the morning the night my family packed up our most precious belongings and our pets and drove to stay with my grandparents in Nambe for 6 days or so. The drive took about 6 or 7 hours, which usually is only about 25 or 30 minutes. The traffic stayed on our street for about 4 1/2 hours. Which was kind of good, because we kept remembering things we should have packed and walked back to the house to retrieve them. This stress I feel is very specific, and I have only felt it these two times.
The Cerro Grande fire burned 47,000 in about 2 weeks. The present one, the Las Conchas fire, has gotten up to nearly 45,000 acres, and it's only been 24 hours. My heart is breaking. I love those mountains; they're just as much home to my family and I as our own house is. I know that fire is somehow good for nature; it provides the means for new life and growth. But it still deeply saddens me.
One of the saddest, most haunting, but also most beautiful sites I have ever seen was a few days after we came home after the Cerro Grande fire. It was not completely out, but contained enough that residents could return home (the lucky ones, at least. Too many homes were lost). My family and I drove up the middle road from White Rock to Los Alamos. Burned trees and ground everywhere. Closer to when we got to Los Alamos, I looked out my window and there, standing among the trees that were now black sticks, with the sunlight casting a dazzling yellow light, was a lone doe staring at us on the road. It broke my heart, but it was still beautiful. I was the only one who saw it. I imagine the deer was confused, lost perhaps, not knowing what to make of the new scenery (which may not have been the case at all, but that's how I thought of it). That site still haunts me.
I should feel grateful that I'm not there right now (it would probably upset me even more seeing it live rather than just through pictures), but I would give anything to be with my family. I feel so helpless here.
We need rain, desperately. And less wind. It cannot be said enough.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Candles
Here are the three candles I made yesterday and today.
This one has three wicks in it. Clear gel with orange-ish gem stones. I like this one so I'm keeping it for myself :)
This is the one that I talked about in my last post, you know, the one that looked like urine? I dug out the gel and remelted it, added some red, and made it orange instead.
This one I put into a cute little tin that my mom gave me for this purpose. It has blue gel, silver gem stones at the bottom, and a green ribbon around the lid.
I kind of want to sell these (and a lot of others, obviously) at an arts and crafts fair sometime.
This one has three wicks in it. Clear gel with orange-ish gem stones. I like this one so I'm keeping it for myself :)
This is the one that I talked about in my last post, you know, the one that looked like urine? I dug out the gel and remelted it, added some red, and made it orange instead.
This one I put into a cute little tin that my mom gave me for this purpose. It has blue gel, silver gem stones at the bottom, and a green ribbon around the lid.
I kind of want to sell these (and a lot of others, obviously) at an arts and crafts fair sometime.
Truthful Friday!
I haven't done this in a while, make a list of some random "truths" about me. They can be about me in general, or about me specifically in this minute.
1. I decided today that I want to make it a goal to visit one national park in the US each year. Maybe sometimes it will be just with Jake, maybe with some of his family or some of my family or later with our children. So far I've been to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Hawaii Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, and Grand Canyon (although I hardly remember it; I was very young). I may have been to Arches and/or Canyonlands; we've been to that area near Moab but not sure if we were actually in the parks. Only about 50 to go :)
2. I have mixed feelings about being a housewife for the time being while Jake is working and I'm waiting to start teaching my online class next week. I am definitely appreciating the break and it's actually been kinda fun being a homemaker, but I do go a little stir-crazy when I run out of things to do.
3. I am very nervous about my second year in grad school. Because it means thesis (or comps; I'm leaning toward thesis but the thought of it stresses me out). I feel like I should be starting it now...
4. I changed my mind (again) about where I want to live. Oregon.
5. I'm totally obsessed with our wedding pictures right now. We got our prints a few days ago, and I've been filling sooo many frames with them. Our apartment is bombarded with wedding pictures. That's normal, right? Being obsessed with them for a while? I'm sure eventually I'll take some down and replace them with other photos...
6. I already want to go on another vacation. Going from beautiful tropical humid weather and sandy beaches and warm ocean water to dry, hot, desert and wildfires isn't fun.
7. Yesterday I went on a gel candle-making frenzy because I was trying to distract my mind from something. One came out really cute, one I'm going to finish today, and one came out the color of pee. So I put a pinkish-colored ribbon around it to try to make it look less like pee. Now it just looks like decorated pee. Darn.
8. There are some people who I really like and who are really awesome but are just awkward to talk to one-on-one. Or maybe I'm the awkward one and I make it awkward? Or maybe just certain personality types, when placed together in a one-on-one situation, combine to make awkwardness. My advisor is one of them. He's an amazing professor, smart, funny, and enthusiastic, and I have no problem speaking up and sometimes joking with him in class, but it's totally different when I meet with him in his office or something.
9. Have you ever had a panic attack? I have, three times in the last three years. They're crazy. Out of nowhere, you feel a sense of doom, like you're not going to make it much longer, and you start trembling and hyperventilating. Luckily, each time I've had one, someone else has been there to get me out of it. Yes this is probably pretty personal, but it's a truth.
10. I'm not a very graceful swimmer. I mean, I CAN swim, I can keep myself afloat and move as needed, it's just not pretty. Which is sad, because I used to be, when I took swimming lessons at the pool when I was younger. I could gracefully do the front stroke and back stroke and could dive straight and evenly. I lost all that. Now when I dive, I flop over and my legs flail.
And now a few photos from the honeymoon!
1. I decided today that I want to make it a goal to visit one national park in the US each year. Maybe sometimes it will be just with Jake, maybe with some of his family or some of my family or later with our children. So far I've been to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Hawaii Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, and Grand Canyon (although I hardly remember it; I was very young). I may have been to Arches and/or Canyonlands; we've been to that area near Moab but not sure if we were actually in the parks. Only about 50 to go :)
2. I have mixed feelings about being a housewife for the time being while Jake is working and I'm waiting to start teaching my online class next week. I am definitely appreciating the break and it's actually been kinda fun being a homemaker, but I do go a little stir-crazy when I run out of things to do.
3. I am very nervous about my second year in grad school. Because it means thesis (or comps; I'm leaning toward thesis but the thought of it stresses me out). I feel like I should be starting it now...
4. I changed my mind (again) about where I want to live. Oregon.
5. I'm totally obsessed with our wedding pictures right now. We got our prints a few days ago, and I've been filling sooo many frames with them. Our apartment is bombarded with wedding pictures. That's normal, right? Being obsessed with them for a while? I'm sure eventually I'll take some down and replace them with other photos...
6. I already want to go on another vacation. Going from beautiful tropical humid weather and sandy beaches and warm ocean water to dry, hot, desert and wildfires isn't fun.
7. Yesterday I went on a gel candle-making frenzy because I was trying to distract my mind from something. One came out really cute, one I'm going to finish today, and one came out the color of pee. So I put a pinkish-colored ribbon around it to try to make it look less like pee. Now it just looks like decorated pee. Darn.
8. There are some people who I really like and who are really awesome but are just awkward to talk to one-on-one. Or maybe I'm the awkward one and I make it awkward? Or maybe just certain personality types, when placed together in a one-on-one situation, combine to make awkwardness. My advisor is one of them. He's an amazing professor, smart, funny, and enthusiastic, and I have no problem speaking up and sometimes joking with him in class, but it's totally different when I meet with him in his office or something.
9. Have you ever had a panic attack? I have, three times in the last three years. They're crazy. Out of nowhere, you feel a sense of doom, like you're not going to make it much longer, and you start trembling and hyperventilating. Luckily, each time I've had one, someone else has been there to get me out of it. Yes this is probably pretty personal, but it's a truth.
10. I'm not a very graceful swimmer. I mean, I CAN swim, I can keep myself afloat and move as needed, it's just not pretty. Which is sad, because I used to be, when I took swimming lessons at the pool when I was younger. I could gracefully do the front stroke and back stroke and could dive straight and evenly. I lost all that. Now when I dive, I flop over and my legs flail.
And now a few photos from the honeymoon!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Movies!
I think it's time I update my movies-I-want-to-see list. There are a lot of good movies coming out, and I'll forget them all.
Flypaper
50/50
Breaking Dawn
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2
Moneyball
Cowboys vs. Aliens
Horrible bosses
The Vow
Turtle
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Raven
The Darkest Hour
Flypaper
50/50
Breaking Dawn
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2
Moneyball
Cowboys vs. Aliens
Horrible bosses
The Vow
Turtle
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Raven
The Darkest Hour
Saturday, June 11, 2011
All for love
All for love. The title of the song for our first dance as husband and wife.
Jake and I have been married for two weeks, and I'm not sure if there is any better feeling in the world. I am so happy to be starting the rest of my life with him, and look forward to everything the future holds for us.
I wish I could describe the wedding in full, but it would take hours! I'll break it down as best as I can.
On Thursday before the wedding, I had my bachelorette party with my 4 bridesmaids (my sister, matron of honor, and my three closest friends). We had appetizers, drinks, and games at my sister's house, then went to Santa Fe, shared a pizza on the plaza, and then went to a bar called El Corazon where we had drinks and latin danced!
The next day, me and two of my bridesmaids got manicures and pedicures, then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was later that day.
Finally, THE DAY arrived. I slept surprising well the night before. I thought I'd be up all night, but I think the two Tylenol PM and extra strong herbal Sleepytime tea helped :) Erin sent me this text message that morning: "Good morning (almost) Mrs Stupka!...YAAAYYY IT'S FINALLY HERE!!" My cousin's fiance, Lindsey, came to my parents' house and did all the bridesmaids' and my hair and makeup. We all headed to the church, and got dressed and put on our jewelry and last-minute beauty touches in the office. My bridesmaids and flower girls and mom all looked beautiful! My dad came into the office close to ceremony time, and cried upon seeing me for the first time, all dressed and ready. I had been really relaxed the whole week, up until I heard the processional music at 1 PM and Joan saying "It's time for you all to start heading down." That's when my heart started beating harder and my knees started shaking and I had to tell my dad to not let me fall down.
My something old: A golden pin in the shape of a music clef, with three pearls. It used to be my great grandma's, and I pinned it on my bouquet.
My something new was, well, several things: My dress, veil, shoes, headband
My something borrowed: My mom's original wedding ring that I wore on my right hand
My something blue: The jewelry set my parents got me for Christmas for this occasion; the earrings and necklace have my birthstone, blue topaz.
"Butterfly Waltz" was the song the wedding party and I walked down the aisle to. I saw my groom standing at the end of the aisle, a huge smile on his face, and tears pooled in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. My dad walked me down, pulled the blusher veil back from my face, kissed me, hugged my groom, and handed me over to Jake, who had tears coming down. The ceremony was beautiful, and the whole time I felt happy and complete.
The reception was just as amazing, but in a different way. So much fun and happiness and celebration. Plenty of dancing, good food, tons of laughter, and good feelings generating from everyone. Seeing everyone there made me love them all more!
At 10 PM, Jake and I left the reception through a shower of bird-friendly rice and into a decorated car, off to the beginning of wedded bliss. We stayed the night at Sunrise Springs Resort in Santa Fe. The next morning, I got this text message from Danielle: "Congrats Mrs Stupka you looked so beautiful! I am beyond thrilled for the two of you! Have an amazing honeymoon!! :-)" And an amazing honeymoon we had! The day after the wedding, we headed to the airport in Albuquerque. We first had to fly to Los Angeles, oddly, and had dinner at the airport. We left LA at about 9:45 PM, flew overnight, and landed in Miami at about 5 AM. Around 9 or 10 AM, we left Miami and made it to St. Lucia at about 1:30 PM, then were taken by van to the Sandals Grande St. Lucia. What a beautiful, amazing, fun, and relaxing place! Our room was beautiful, complete with flower petals and champagne; nothing too fancy and not a huge suite, but perfect for us. That week we did plenty of watersports (snorkeling, Snuba diving [yes Snuba, not scuba], jet skiing, hobie cats, and of course, swimming), a rainforest biking trip which ended with a refreshing dip at the foot of a waterfall, ate tons of delicious food, had some awesome drinks, and soaked in the beautiful Caribbean island. Last Sunday we flew to Miami and stayed the night in a 5-star hotel near the airport (free for us, thanks to Jake's dad's credit card rewards points). Monday we got into Albuquerque and went to my parent's house where we opened all our wedding gifts, and of course, did laundry for free for the last time in a while. Tuesday we came to Las Cruces, where I moved in with my new husband :)
Since then we've been organizing all our new gifts, packing up a lot of old stuff for Goodwill and a soon-to-be-college student my mom knows, and relaxing and enjoying the beginning of our new life together.
This post is a very limited description of all the fun and happiness that our wedding day and honeymoon held. Perhaps some pictures will tell the story better than words can, but you will have to wait for those! I have many photos from friends and family, but I'll wait to post some pictures until we get the professional ones in. Of course, you will have to check Facebook once we have them, but that will have tons more pictures that I'd post on here :)
For all who have given their support and faith and love to us during this time, thank you! We are so happy right now and grateful for everything many of our family and friends have done for us. I am so obviously in the honeymoon phase right now, and I'm totally diggin' it! I am head over heels for my husband!
One of the photos from our complimentary photo shoot in St. Lucia
Jake and I have been married for two weeks, and I'm not sure if there is any better feeling in the world. I am so happy to be starting the rest of my life with him, and look forward to everything the future holds for us.
I wish I could describe the wedding in full, but it would take hours! I'll break it down as best as I can.
On Thursday before the wedding, I had my bachelorette party with my 4 bridesmaids (my sister, matron of honor, and my three closest friends). We had appetizers, drinks, and games at my sister's house, then went to Santa Fe, shared a pizza on the plaza, and then went to a bar called El Corazon where we had drinks and latin danced!
The next day, me and two of my bridesmaids got manicures and pedicures, then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was later that day.
Finally, THE DAY arrived. I slept surprising well the night before. I thought I'd be up all night, but I think the two Tylenol PM and extra strong herbal Sleepytime tea helped :) Erin sent me this text message that morning: "Good morning (almost) Mrs Stupka!...YAAAYYY IT'S FINALLY HERE!!" My cousin's fiance, Lindsey, came to my parents' house and did all the bridesmaids' and my hair and makeup. We all headed to the church, and got dressed and put on our jewelry and last-minute beauty touches in the office. My bridesmaids and flower girls and mom all looked beautiful! My dad came into the office close to ceremony time, and cried upon seeing me for the first time, all dressed and ready. I had been really relaxed the whole week, up until I heard the processional music at 1 PM and Joan saying "It's time for you all to start heading down." That's when my heart started beating harder and my knees started shaking and I had to tell my dad to not let me fall down.
My something old: A golden pin in the shape of a music clef, with three pearls. It used to be my great grandma's, and I pinned it on my bouquet.
My something new was, well, several things: My dress, veil, shoes, headband
My something borrowed: My mom's original wedding ring that I wore on my right hand
My something blue: The jewelry set my parents got me for Christmas for this occasion; the earrings and necklace have my birthstone, blue topaz.
"Butterfly Waltz" was the song the wedding party and I walked down the aisle to. I saw my groom standing at the end of the aisle, a huge smile on his face, and tears pooled in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. My dad walked me down, pulled the blusher veil back from my face, kissed me, hugged my groom, and handed me over to Jake, who had tears coming down. The ceremony was beautiful, and the whole time I felt happy and complete.
The reception was just as amazing, but in a different way. So much fun and happiness and celebration. Plenty of dancing, good food, tons of laughter, and good feelings generating from everyone. Seeing everyone there made me love them all more!
At 10 PM, Jake and I left the reception through a shower of bird-friendly rice and into a decorated car, off to the beginning of wedded bliss. We stayed the night at Sunrise Springs Resort in Santa Fe. The next morning, I got this text message from Danielle: "Congrats Mrs Stupka you looked so beautiful! I am beyond thrilled for the two of you! Have an amazing honeymoon!! :-)" And an amazing honeymoon we had! The day after the wedding, we headed to the airport in Albuquerque. We first had to fly to Los Angeles, oddly, and had dinner at the airport. We left LA at about 9:45 PM, flew overnight, and landed in Miami at about 5 AM. Around 9 or 10 AM, we left Miami and made it to St. Lucia at about 1:30 PM, then were taken by van to the Sandals Grande St. Lucia. What a beautiful, amazing, fun, and relaxing place! Our room was beautiful, complete with flower petals and champagne; nothing too fancy and not a huge suite, but perfect for us. That week we did plenty of watersports (snorkeling, Snuba diving [yes Snuba, not scuba], jet skiing, hobie cats, and of course, swimming), a rainforest biking trip which ended with a refreshing dip at the foot of a waterfall, ate tons of delicious food, had some awesome drinks, and soaked in the beautiful Caribbean island. Last Sunday we flew to Miami and stayed the night in a 5-star hotel near the airport (free for us, thanks to Jake's dad's credit card rewards points). Monday we got into Albuquerque and went to my parent's house where we opened all our wedding gifts, and of course, did laundry for free for the last time in a while. Tuesday we came to Las Cruces, where I moved in with my new husband :)
Since then we've been organizing all our new gifts, packing up a lot of old stuff for Goodwill and a soon-to-be-college student my mom knows, and relaxing and enjoying the beginning of our new life together.
This post is a very limited description of all the fun and happiness that our wedding day and honeymoon held. Perhaps some pictures will tell the story better than words can, but you will have to wait for those! I have many photos from friends and family, but I'll wait to post some pictures until we get the professional ones in. Of course, you will have to check Facebook once we have them, but that will have tons more pictures that I'd post on here :)
For all who have given their support and faith and love to us during this time, thank you! We are so happy right now and grateful for everything many of our family and friends have done for us. I am so obviously in the honeymoon phase right now, and I'm totally diggin' it! I am head over heels for my husband!
One of the photos from our complimentary photo shoot in St. Lucia
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 30 (finally!!)
Post a picture of someone you miss...
I miss my grandpa Bob, who passed away when I was in 8th grade. It's strange, I've been missing him during the last year more than I did in high school and the first four years of college. Maybe because so much is happening with me. I wish I had known him more. He spent a lot of time with us, but during the time he was alive I was always too young to really want to get to know him. I loved being around him; he was the most ruthless tickler I've ever known. He was nearly blind, but would somehow find us kids and corner us, mercilessly tickle-torturing us until we were about to pass out. He had a most distinctive laugh, too. I can't even describe the laugh in writing. He was gone too soon, but I still think about him a lot, and I know he'll be there watching and smiling at my wedding in two days.
Love you, Grandpa!
I miss my grandpa Bob, who passed away when I was in 8th grade. It's strange, I've been missing him during the last year more than I did in high school and the first four years of college. Maybe because so much is happening with me. I wish I had known him more. He spent a lot of time with us, but during the time he was alive I was always too young to really want to get to know him. I loved being around him; he was the most ruthless tickler I've ever known. He was nearly blind, but would somehow find us kids and corner us, mercilessly tickle-torturing us until we were about to pass out. He had a most distinctive laugh, too. I can't even describe the laugh in writing. He was gone too soon, but I still think about him a lot, and I know he'll be there watching and smiling at my wedding in two days.
Love you, Grandpa!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Day 29
Post a picture that can always make you smile...
Gross, right? This was near the end of our Yellowstone trip last summer. My parents, Jake and I were outside our camper playing cards and snacking. I don't remember who started it, but it ended with chocolate-covered teeth and faces. My dad and mom had some all over their mouths and decided to kiss and make it worse. My mom, in this picture, is laughing so hard she may pass out. Before this, we were taking pictures with my dad's ring, trying to put on "NOOOOOOOOOO" faces Lord of the Rings-style...
We keep saying that at this point, we had had too much fresh air and nature, and it was getting to us. This picture always makes me smile because 1) it's funny, 2) it reminds me of my parents' love for each other and their never taking anything too seriously and making sure to incorporate silliness into daily life, and 3) it reminds me of that trip in general. So amazing.
:)
Gross, right? This was near the end of our Yellowstone trip last summer. My parents, Jake and I were outside our camper playing cards and snacking. I don't remember who started it, but it ended with chocolate-covered teeth and faces. My dad and mom had some all over their mouths and decided to kiss and make it worse. My mom, in this picture, is laughing so hard she may pass out. Before this, we were taking pictures with my dad's ring, trying to put on "NOOOOOOOOOO" faces Lord of the Rings-style...
We keep saying that at this point, we had had too much fresh air and nature, and it was getting to us. This picture always makes me smile because 1) it's funny, 2) it reminds me of my parents' love for each other and their never taking anything too seriously and making sure to incorporate silliness into daily life, and 3) it reminds me of that trip in general. So amazing.
:)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Day 28
Post a picture of something you're afraid of...
I almost didn't even post a photo for this one because I was too afraid to Google spider images. I can't even look at pictures. But I decided to google "cartoon spider" and came up with that guy, who isn't so intimidating. Even some of the cartoon spiders, though, were still too realistic for me and gave me the shudders.
It might be a typical female thing, but I have a serious phobia of spiders. If I see one in my house, I'm pretty much set up for a nightmare that night. Not long ago, I woke up with a scream because of a spider dream. Sometimes I hallucinate via dreams that one is dangling above my bed, and then I can't fall back asleep. Once in a while, I can work up the courage to attempt to kill one in the house (with as long an object as possible), but if I miss or don't squash it hard enough and it starts scurrying, I panic, so usually I yell for other people.
I do, however, understand that spiders are good (mostly) so if I see them outside I usually just leave them alone (and steer waaaay clear), unless it's a black widow. Sometimes I feel that spiders can sense fear, which is why I seem to be the one always finding them in the house.
*Shudder*
I almost didn't even post a photo for this one because I was too afraid to Google spider images. I can't even look at pictures. But I decided to google "cartoon spider" and came up with that guy, who isn't so intimidating. Even some of the cartoon spiders, though, were still too realistic for me and gave me the shudders.
It might be a typical female thing, but I have a serious phobia of spiders. If I see one in my house, I'm pretty much set up for a nightmare that night. Not long ago, I woke up with a scream because of a spider dream. Sometimes I hallucinate via dreams that one is dangling above my bed, and then I can't fall back asleep. Once in a while, I can work up the courage to attempt to kill one in the house (with as long an object as possible), but if I miss or don't squash it hard enough and it starts scurrying, I panic, so usually I yell for other people.
I do, however, understand that spiders are good (mostly) so if I see them outside I usually just leave them alone (and steer waaaay clear), unless it's a black widow. Sometimes I feel that spiders can sense fear, which is why I seem to be the one always finding them in the house.
*Shudder*
Monday, May 23, 2011
Day 27
Ugh! I must finish this challenge before the wedding! That means once a day this week. Even in all the craziness, I MUST finish it like I said I would before Saturday.
Post a picture of yourself and a family member...
Of course I couldn't just post one again. These two pictures are of me and my immediate family members. The first is my dad, sister, and I taking a nap in the most creative way (I look like I may be faking though) and the second is me with my mom and little brother in the hospital after he was born. I have some memories of being at our old house during these years. I don't remember these situations specifically though. I remember my little brother as a baby and helping to take care of him, but I don't remember when he was born. I love my family sooooo much and each member in it means so much to me. No matter what, they'll always be mi familia.
Post a picture of yourself and a family member...
Of course I couldn't just post one again. These two pictures are of me and my immediate family members. The first is my dad, sister, and I taking a nap in the most creative way (I look like I may be faking though) and the second is me with my mom and little brother in the hospital after he was born. I have some memories of being at our old house during these years. I don't remember these situations specifically though. I remember my little brother as a baby and helping to take care of him, but I don't remember when he was born. I love my family sooooo much and each member in it means so much to me. No matter what, they'll always be mi familia.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Day 26
Whew! I am back after a whirlwind two weeks! It's been so crazy with work/school/moving/wedding. I was on a roll with the 30 day challenge for a little bit, but alas, life called. But school and work are over for the time being, which gives me a lot more time to be able to blog again. Just a brief update on life before I go on to the challenge. All my belongings and furniture are all moved into Jake's (and I suppose I can call it mine now, even though I'm not living there yet) apartment. What a transformation! It went from bachelor pad to comfortable, tiny home for two in a matter of days (MANY thanks to my parents' help, who both went to Las Cruces this weekend to help). Plus my dad made a BEAUTIFUL coffee and side table that he designed himself and crafted in his garage, as a wedding gift to us. So now I am back in Los Alamos, waiting out the last three weeks until the big day! It's going to get here in a flash, I can feel it! Which is why I need to finish up this thing and get to the 30th photo challenge! I'm on 26 now, and if I can't finish them before I'm married, well, I'm a hopeless case I suppose.
Post a picture of something that means a lot to you...
I wasn't really sure what picture to post for "independence," because I google imaged it and just got images of the constitution or American flag. Which is all great, but I wasn't talking about national independence. My personal independence means a lot to me. So this photo was the closest I could find to "my" independence. Those who know me know that I am fiercely independent...not to be confused with separated! I am very close to people I love and don't know what I would do without them. However, I do not like asking for help if I can help it, from simple things like opening a jar of pickles to complicated things like what to write my thesis on. I love being my own person and not letting anyone tell me how I should be or what I should do. I get giddy from figuring things out on my own. It means a lot to me to not be completely dependent on someone else, and to not be one of those people who just want and/or let others tell them what to do. But I've learned more and more, probably mostly in the last year, that no one should go through life 100% independent. It's obvious in a few aspects of my life that I've learned this; for one, getting married. Two, I realized I can't survive graduate school without the help and support of my colleagues. And three, I wouldn't even be the independent person I am without my family and friends. A marriage is about interdependence, not being dependent. My cohort in grad school, we're interdependent. And family? Interdependence! So while my independence in some walks of life means a lot to me, I don't want to end up completely at one extreme.
Post a picture of something that means a lot to you...
I wasn't really sure what picture to post for "independence," because I google imaged it and just got images of the constitution or American flag. Which is all great, but I wasn't talking about national independence. My personal independence means a lot to me. So this photo was the closest I could find to "my" independence. Those who know me know that I am fiercely independent...not to be confused with separated! I am very close to people I love and don't know what I would do without them. However, I do not like asking for help if I can help it, from simple things like opening a jar of pickles to complicated things like what to write my thesis on. I love being my own person and not letting anyone tell me how I should be or what I should do. I get giddy from figuring things out on my own. It means a lot to me to not be completely dependent on someone else, and to not be one of those people who just want and/or let others tell them what to do. But I've learned more and more, probably mostly in the last year, that no one should go through life 100% independent. It's obvious in a few aspects of my life that I've learned this; for one, getting married. Two, I realized I can't survive graduate school without the help and support of my colleagues. And three, I wouldn't even be the independent person I am without my family and friends. A marriage is about interdependence, not being dependent. My cohort in grad school, we're interdependent. And family? Interdependence! So while my independence in some walks of life means a lot to me, I don't want to end up completely at one extreme.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 25
Post a picture of your day...
How about a couple?
That's Jake unpacking some of my stuff that I brought to his place; the first is the work in progress in making his apartment more wife-worthy. This week Jake and I started gradually moving the stuff from my apartment to his, so I won't have as much to pack and move during finals week and the weekend after finals when I have to move out of my apartment. Bringing just some of my things over this weekend has gotten me really excited for being married and living with him! He definitely has a bachelor pad; lots of random furniture, no pictures or anything on the walls, no nice plants...just bringing some things this week has already made it more homey :) Every time I have run out of my things to put away and organize at his apartment, I get sad because I have a lot of fun doing that. It will be nice to to not have a lot of little things to move later; just the furniture to worry about when my dad comes to help move me. My furniture is better than his ;) So that was my evening at least; preparing for marriage! The rest of the day before this consisted of my sitting around and watching TV, and I didn't think that would make for a very exciting photo today...
How about a couple?
That's Jake unpacking some of my stuff that I brought to his place; the first is the work in progress in making his apartment more wife-worthy. This week Jake and I started gradually moving the stuff from my apartment to his, so I won't have as much to pack and move during finals week and the weekend after finals when I have to move out of my apartment. Bringing just some of my things over this weekend has gotten me really excited for being married and living with him! He definitely has a bachelor pad; lots of random furniture, no pictures or anything on the walls, no nice plants...just bringing some things this week has already made it more homey :) Every time I have run out of my things to put away and organize at his apartment, I get sad because I have a lot of fun doing that. It will be nice to to not have a lot of little things to move later; just the furniture to worry about when my dad comes to help move me. My furniture is better than his ;) So that was my evening at least; preparing for marriage! The rest of the day before this consisted of my sitting around and watching TV, and I didn't think that would make for a very exciting photo today...
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Day 24
Post a picture of something you wish you could change...
I was trying to think of something deep and reflective for this one, but couldn't come up with one. I'm sure I could, but I wanted to do another blog post NOW because I've gotten behind again. Bummer, too, because I was on a roll there for a little while. Anyway, about the photo: I wish I could change my vocabulary. Specifically, I wish I could expand it. I may be in grad school, but I have to resort to Thesaurus.com constantly when writing papers to make myself sound smarter and more worthy of grad school. I consider myself a good writer; I use nice transitions, know my grammar, make the papers flow well, and know APA style like the back of my hand (almost)...but if it weren't for the invention of the thesaurus, I would be using much simpler vocabulary and my papers would be far less impressive. Also related, there are a lot of words that I've seen written, but am unsure if I've ever heard them out loud, or at least I can't remember. This results in my using them with incorrect pronunciation rather often, and then people laugh at me. Rude! I've heard before that if you read one page of a dictionary every day, you'd be super smart. Maybe I should try that...
I was trying to think of something deep and reflective for this one, but couldn't come up with one. I'm sure I could, but I wanted to do another blog post NOW because I've gotten behind again. Bummer, too, because I was on a roll there for a little while. Anyway, about the photo: I wish I could change my vocabulary. Specifically, I wish I could expand it. I may be in grad school, but I have to resort to Thesaurus.com constantly when writing papers to make myself sound smarter and more worthy of grad school. I consider myself a good writer; I use nice transitions, know my grammar, make the papers flow well, and know APA style like the back of my hand (almost)...but if it weren't for the invention of the thesaurus, I would be using much simpler vocabulary and my papers would be far less impressive. Also related, there are a lot of words that I've seen written, but am unsure if I've ever heard them out loud, or at least I can't remember. This results in my using them with incorrect pronunciation rather often, and then people laugh at me. Rude! I've heard before that if you read one page of a dictionary every day, you'd be super smart. Maybe I should try that...
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 23
Post a picture of your favorite book...
The Secret Life of Bees is one of my favorite books. I first read it during my freshman or sophomore year of college after taking a chance and buying it at Barnes & Noble, and loved the inspirational messages in it. It's a story of faith, courage, strength, loss, forgiveness, family, and finding out who you are. I loved how the author related the behavior and struggles of honey bees to life in general and to the main character's journey. I think this is a book that girls and women of all ages can enjoy and relate to in some way or another. So if you haven't read it, go ahead and pick it up at the library sometime! It's a wonderful "alone time with a blanket, tea, and cookies" book :-)
The Secret Life of Bees is one of my favorite books. I first read it during my freshman or sophomore year of college after taking a chance and buying it at Barnes & Noble, and loved the inspirational messages in it. It's a story of faith, courage, strength, loss, forgiveness, family, and finding out who you are. I loved how the author related the behavior and struggles of honey bees to life in general and to the main character's journey. I think this is a book that girls and women of all ages can enjoy and relate to in some way or another. So if you haven't read it, go ahead and pick it up at the library sometime! It's a wonderful "alone time with a blanket, tea, and cookies" book :-)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 22
Post a picture of something you wish you were better at...
I wish I was better at playing the violin. Okay, I'm pretty decent at playing the violin, I won't lie. But I still wish I was better. I've been playing it since I was 9, and played it consistently through all of high school, so I have the experience and a decent amount of skill. However, I haven't played it much since then. Once in a while, I pick up my violin and play it, and the way it makes me feel makes me wonder why I don't do it more often! And I don't have an answer for that. So I wish I would pick it up more, which would lead to my getting better and better at it!
I wish I was better at playing the violin. Okay, I'm pretty decent at playing the violin, I won't lie. But I still wish I was better. I've been playing it since I was 9, and played it consistently through all of high school, so I have the experience and a decent amount of skill. However, I haven't played it much since then. Once in a while, I pick up my violin and play it, and the way it makes me feel makes me wonder why I don't do it more often! And I don't have an answer for that. So I wish I would pick it up more, which would lead to my getting better and better at it!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 21
Post a picture of something you wish you could forget...
Something I wish I could forget is my most embarrassing moment, that happened to me in 8th grade. It's not the kind of embarrassing that I look back on and laugh and find funny now. It's not something I brought upon myself, not something silly or stupid I did, like trip and fall, walk out of a bathroom with toilet paper stuck to my shoe, or fart in front of someone. I still look back on it and remember how small I felt, how I wanted so badly at that moment to literally disappear and not show up again until everyone who was there had completely forgotten about it. It's still something I refuse to talk about when someone asks about my most embarrassing moment. I think maybe two people know about it, and I told them soon after the event because I needed to get it off my chest because I felt so distraught about it. You could probably say I'm traumatized by it. So no, I am not going to write what happened on here, but I will say that this is what I definitely, for sure, absolutely want to forget.
Something I wish I could forget is my most embarrassing moment, that happened to me in 8th grade. It's not the kind of embarrassing that I look back on and laugh and find funny now. It's not something I brought upon myself, not something silly or stupid I did, like trip and fall, walk out of a bathroom with toilet paper stuck to my shoe, or fart in front of someone. I still look back on it and remember how small I felt, how I wanted so badly at that moment to literally disappear and not show up again until everyone who was there had completely forgotten about it. It's still something I refuse to talk about when someone asks about my most embarrassing moment. I think maybe two people know about it, and I told them soon after the event because I needed to get it off my chest because I felt so distraught about it. You could probably say I'm traumatized by it. So no, I am not going to write what happened on here, but I will say that this is what I definitely, for sure, absolutely want to forget.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Day 20
Post a picture of somewhere you would like to travel...
Oh geez, just one? If you go to my blog post on November 7, 2010 then you could take a look at a handful of the places I'd like to travel. For the sake of the photo challenge, though, I choose...
Kekova, Turkey!
This wasn't even on my blog's list of places I want to travel. Recently I was reading an article of the best Mediterranean islands to visit, and Kekova was one of them. According to the article, it is uninhabited and it is "possible to paddle a kayak over ancient ruins." This seems like a wonderful place if one is seeking a trip with lots of adventure and beauty without being surrounded by thousands of tourists. Maybe for Jake's and my first wedding anniversary/my graduation in 2012... ;)
Oh geez, just one? If you go to my blog post on November 7, 2010 then you could take a look at a handful of the places I'd like to travel. For the sake of the photo challenge, though, I choose...
Kekova, Turkey!
This wasn't even on my blog's list of places I want to travel. Recently I was reading an article of the best Mediterranean islands to visit, and Kekova was one of them. According to the article, it is uninhabited and it is "possible to paddle a kayak over ancient ruins." This seems like a wonderful place if one is seeking a trip with lots of adventure and beauty without being surrounded by thousands of tourists. Maybe for Jake's and my first wedding anniversary/my graduation in 2012... ;)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 19
Post a picture and a letter...
I wasn't quite sure what this one meant. A picture of someone and a letter that person wrote to me? A picture of someone and a letter I wrote to them? I suppose it's whatever I want it to mean. So I choose a picture of someone and a letter that I have not yet written to them.
This will be my third post about my new niece, but what can I say? I am head over heels for her!
Dear Little Arwen,
You are so beautiful and I am overjoyed that I got to spend a whole week holding you, playing with you and being delighted over your darling features and adorable facial expressions. For the two weeks after you were born, and before I met you, I was a little nervous about seeing you for the first time. I didn't know how to be an aunt! How was I supposed to react and what was I supposed to say when I held for the first time the first baby of my sister to whom I am incredibly close and whom I have never known as a mother? But all these questions didn't matter anymore when your mama placed you in my arms. It didn't matter if I knew how to be an aunt; what mattered was that I immediately loved you so much and that I was going to be part of your life.
As you grow up, there will be lots of good times, but some hard times too. Sometimes you will want to give up what you're doing and sometimes you'll question who you are and where you should be, but no matter what, just know that there will always be people who will love you. Your mother, who has been an amazing mommy to you from the beginning, your daddy, who takes to having a daughter so naturally, your grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, etc. etc., and me! I promise to be someone you can trust and rely on, and come to when Mom is being too strict ;)
For now, just work on growing bigger and healthier; you will probably look so different when I see you next. Savor this time when you don't have to worry about things. I will see you in May, precious Arwen.
I love you with all my heart,
Auntie Erika
I wasn't quite sure what this one meant. A picture of someone and a letter that person wrote to me? A picture of someone and a letter I wrote to them? I suppose it's whatever I want it to mean. So I choose a picture of someone and a letter that I have not yet written to them.
This will be my third post about my new niece, but what can I say? I am head over heels for her!
Dear Little Arwen,
You are so beautiful and I am overjoyed that I got to spend a whole week holding you, playing with you and being delighted over your darling features and adorable facial expressions. For the two weeks after you were born, and before I met you, I was a little nervous about seeing you for the first time. I didn't know how to be an aunt! How was I supposed to react and what was I supposed to say when I held for the first time the first baby of my sister to whom I am incredibly close and whom I have never known as a mother? But all these questions didn't matter anymore when your mama placed you in my arms. It didn't matter if I knew how to be an aunt; what mattered was that I immediately loved you so much and that I was going to be part of your life.
As you grow up, there will be lots of good times, but some hard times too. Sometimes you will want to give up what you're doing and sometimes you'll question who you are and where you should be, but no matter what, just know that there will always be people who will love you. Your mother, who has been an amazing mommy to you from the beginning, your daddy, who takes to having a daughter so naturally, your grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, etc. etc., and me! I promise to be someone you can trust and rely on, and come to when Mom is being too strict ;)
For now, just work on growing bigger and healthier; you will probably look so different when I see you next. Savor this time when you don't have to worry about things. I will see you in May, precious Arwen.
I love you with all my heart,
Auntie Erika
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Day 18
Post a picture of your biggest insecurity...
This one was tricky. I wasn't quite sure what my biggest insecurity was, and how I would post a picture of it. Then when I was working on my three papers that are due soon for school, it hit me: success. Not really success itself though; I don't necessarily fear being successful (actually I take that back...in some ways I do. It's hard to explain). But the road to success is what I'm insecure about. And I'm not entirely sure why. I've done really well in college, was accepted to the graduate program that I'm in within days of applying, found out that I was the top choice of the department for being a graduate TA, and so far have gotten A's in everything I've done in grad school. This all isn't to brag (honestly!), but to explain why it's weird that I am insecure about these kinds of things. I have surprisingly little faith in myself when it comes to succeeding and have far too many episodes that consist of "I'm going to fail this paper", "I want to drop out of grad school!" and "I'm going to disappoint [insert any of my professors here]". I think part of the reason for this insecurity is that I never pictured myself going to graduate school. It all happened very quickly; my adviser practically forced me to apply, then forced me to apply for the assistantship, then a few days later I was accepted to graduate school, then a couple weeks after that I was offered the job. I also didn't picture myself doing original research, and here I am beginning my thesis quest. This may not make sense to those reading this, but it's not really even failure that I'm insecure about. Like I said, it's the road to success and the idea that I can't handle it.
This one was tricky. I wasn't quite sure what my biggest insecurity was, and how I would post a picture of it. Then when I was working on my three papers that are due soon for school, it hit me: success. Not really success itself though; I don't necessarily fear being successful (actually I take that back...in some ways I do. It's hard to explain). But the road to success is what I'm insecure about. And I'm not entirely sure why. I've done really well in college, was accepted to the graduate program that I'm in within days of applying, found out that I was the top choice of the department for being a graduate TA, and so far have gotten A's in everything I've done in grad school. This all isn't to brag (honestly!), but to explain why it's weird that I am insecure about these kinds of things. I have surprisingly little faith in myself when it comes to succeeding and have far too many episodes that consist of "I'm going to fail this paper", "I want to drop out of grad school!" and "I'm going to disappoint [insert any of my professors here]". I think part of the reason for this insecurity is that I never pictured myself going to graduate school. It all happened very quickly; my adviser practically forced me to apply, then forced me to apply for the assistantship, then a few days later I was accepted to graduate school, then a couple weeks after that I was offered the job. I also didn't picture myself doing original research, and here I am beginning my thesis quest. This may not make sense to those reading this, but it's not really even failure that I'm insecure about. Like I said, it's the road to success and the idea that I can't handle it.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Day 17
Post a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently...
Okay I cheated again and posted two pictures. I couldn't decide, as always. The first photo is of my new niece, Arwen. My sister and her husband welcomed their first child into this world two weeks ago today. As I was in Las Cruces and had so much to do for school and work, I was unable to come up and see her until yesterday, and I'll be here all week for spring break. This tiny baby has had a huge impact on our whole family. You'd be surprised at how much you can calm down and let go of burdens and stress once you have a tiny baby curled up on your chest.
The second photo is of most of my colleagues and I at a bowling party for a birthday. Grad school has also had a huge impact on my life since I entered it last August. It is so much different than undergrad school. I am surrounded by people who are way more in the same boat as me than I've ever felt anyone be...did that sentence make sense? Especially with my fellow graduate teaching assistants. I can very much feel the understanding that we all have for each other. A couple weeks ago I was doing a lot of griping because I was going through a hard time with school and life in general, and at first felt guilty for complaining so much in front of my colleagues because they have things to deal with too. But I came to realize, after their words of empathy and understanding and offers of help, that I had no reason to feel guilty and that because we're all in the same boat, we all can complain to each other without feeling guilty. My confidence has been impacted by grad school as well, and find myself saying what I want to say more often, rather than what I think people want to hear. We are all so different, yet get along so well and clicked from the beginning. It's been probably the most challenging phase of my life, but will also be one of the greatest and most memorable.
Okay I cheated again and posted two pictures. I couldn't decide, as always. The first photo is of my new niece, Arwen. My sister and her husband welcomed their first child into this world two weeks ago today. As I was in Las Cruces and had so much to do for school and work, I was unable to come up and see her until yesterday, and I'll be here all week for spring break. This tiny baby has had a huge impact on our whole family. You'd be surprised at how much you can calm down and let go of burdens and stress once you have a tiny baby curled up on your chest.
The second photo is of most of my colleagues and I at a bowling party for a birthday. Grad school has also had a huge impact on my life since I entered it last August. It is so much different than undergrad school. I am surrounded by people who are way more in the same boat as me than I've ever felt anyone be...did that sentence make sense? Especially with my fellow graduate teaching assistants. I can very much feel the understanding that we all have for each other. A couple weeks ago I was doing a lot of griping because I was going through a hard time with school and life in general, and at first felt guilty for complaining so much in front of my colleagues because they have things to deal with too. But I came to realize, after their words of empathy and understanding and offers of help, that I had no reason to feel guilty and that because we're all in the same boat, we all can complain to each other without feeling guilty. My confidence has been impacted by grad school as well, and find myself saying what I want to say more often, rather than what I think people want to hear. We are all so different, yet get along so well and clicked from the beginning. It's been probably the most challenging phase of my life, but will also be one of the greatest and most memorable.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 16
Post a picture of someone who inspires you...
My fiance inspires me. He inspires me to work hard in grad school. He inspires me to not give up in grad school (all 418 times that I've wanted to). He inspires me to continuously grow to be a better human being. He inspired me, in the past, to let someone love me again and to take a leap of faith and allow myself to love someone in the way that got me hurt before. Actually, to love someone in a much better way than what got me hurt before. He inspires me to love life so much I want to scream. He inspires me to believe in the future and in us.
That is what he does best! :)
My fiance inspires me. He inspires me to work hard in grad school. He inspires me to not give up in grad school (all 418 times that I've wanted to). He inspires me to continuously grow to be a better human being. He inspired me, in the past, to let someone love me again and to take a leap of faith and allow myself to love someone in the way that got me hurt before. Actually, to love someone in a much better way than what got me hurt before. He inspires me to love life so much I want to scream. He inspires me to believe in the future and in us.
That is what he does best! :)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 15
Post a picture of something you want to do before you die...
Oh how many amazing things I want to do during my lifetime. What I chose for today's photo challenge will probably come as no surprise to those of you who know me well. When I was two or three years old, I went on my first trip to the Rio Grande zoo with my parents and my sister. I don't really have any memories from this trip, but we went over to the giraffe enclosure and got some cracker treats to feed them with. Being very small, my dad had to hold me over the fence to feed the giraffes. There is still a picture at my house of this moment, my first encounter with these magnificent animals and love at first sight! Ever since then, I've loved giraffes so much; you should see my room at my parents' house. My dream is to own a giraffe, but since that isn't very likely, a close second would be to travel to Nairobi, Kenya and stay at this wonderful and charming lodge called Giraffe Manor, surrounded by giraffes who stick their heads through your bedroom windows looking for attention or treats and lounge around the property. I would do anything, ANYTHING to have this experience!
Oh how many amazing things I want to do during my lifetime. What I chose for today's photo challenge will probably come as no surprise to those of you who know me well. When I was two or three years old, I went on my first trip to the Rio Grande zoo with my parents and my sister. I don't really have any memories from this trip, but we went over to the giraffe enclosure and got some cracker treats to feed them with. Being very small, my dad had to hold me over the fence to feed the giraffes. There is still a picture at my house of this moment, my first encounter with these magnificent animals and love at first sight! Ever since then, I've loved giraffes so much; you should see my room at my parents' house. My dream is to own a giraffe, but since that isn't very likely, a close second would be to travel to Nairobi, Kenya and stay at this wonderful and charming lodge called Giraffe Manor, surrounded by giraffes who stick their heads through your bedroom windows looking for attention or treats and lounge around the property. I would do anything, ANYTHING to have this experience!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Day 14
Post a picture of someone you cannot live without...
There are many people I cannot live without. But my sister is on my mind the most today because very early this morning, she gave birth to a 5 lb. 6 oz. baby girl, Arwen Louise. I'm sad that I can't be there in Los Alamos, but with all the school work I have to do in the next two weeks, it would be irresponsible. But in two weeks it will be spring break, so I will be able to see my sister, her husband, and my new niece.
Where would I be without my big sister? I wouldn't be who I am today, that's for sure. Sometimes when it seems like no one can say the right thing to me, whether I am going through a difficult time, a good time, or just need some encouragement or reassurance, she gives me just the words I need. I think that sums it up the best.
Love you sister:)
There are many people I cannot live without. But my sister is on my mind the most today because very early this morning, she gave birth to a 5 lb. 6 oz. baby girl, Arwen Louise. I'm sad that I can't be there in Los Alamos, but with all the school work I have to do in the next two weeks, it would be irresponsible. But in two weeks it will be spring break, so I will be able to see my sister, her husband, and my new niece.
Where would I be without my big sister? I wouldn't be who I am today, that's for sure. Sometimes when it seems like no one can say the right thing to me, whether I am going through a difficult time, a good time, or just need some encouragement or reassurance, she gives me just the words I need. I think that sums it up the best.
Love you sister:)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Day 13 Photo Challenge
Post a picture of your favorite band or artist...
One of my favorite artists is Mat Kearney. His soulful and mellow voice never gets old to me. My favorite album of his is City of Black & White. The album before, Nothing Left to Lose, has some amazing songs as well, but several of the songs on that album are combination rap and rock songs that I'm not particularly fond of. He has some songs on Nothing Left to Lose that are just rock, and I love those ones, and On City of Black & White he doesn't do that at all. His lyrics are deep and honest and original. You should listen to him if you haven't yet.
One of my favorite artists is Mat Kearney. His soulful and mellow voice never gets old to me. My favorite album of his is City of Black & White. The album before, Nothing Left to Lose, has some amazing songs as well, but several of the songs on that album are combination rap and rock songs that I'm not particularly fond of. He has some songs on Nothing Left to Lose that are just rock, and I love those ones, and On City of Black & White he doesn't do that at all. His lyrics are deep and honest and original. You should listen to him if you haven't yet.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Day 12 Photo Challenge
Post a picture of something you hate...
I hate the fact that there is so much poverty and hunger, true hunger, in this world. I hate that people, from infants to the elderly, are so skinny not because they spend hours working out, pay money for liposuction, or intentionally crash diet, but because they can't even afford to pay for a little food. I hate that it isn't easier to make a huge difference in the lives of these people or in the areas most affected.
The reason it took me a while to post something for the day 12 challenge was because I couldn't come up with something I hate off the top of my head that was good enough to post. That's because I was trying to think of petty things like foods I hate or activities I hate doing, but nothing seemed worthy of a blog post for this 30 day challenge.
I know there are ways that may seem simple to help out; you've seen the commercials: "Only 20 cents a day could feed a child" and so forth. But it's not as easy as that because of the way of life we're all used to. We are so set in our ways and routines that doing something like that seems out of the way. Or we assume someone else will do it.
I got a taste for helping out in the summers of 2003 and 2005, when I spent a week per summer with a group from my church at an orphanage in Honduras, giving my time and energy to various activities that needed to be done around the ranch. I loved it so much, and feel the need to do more. I'd like to go to other places too, perhaps Africa. Jake and I have talked about going on a mission trip sometime after we're married.
So out of the hate for this fact of life grows a desire and passion for actually doing something, not just donating a few cents a day, but involving myself in the lives of those who need the love and support of those who have it financially better.
I hate the fact that there is so much poverty and hunger, true hunger, in this world. I hate that people, from infants to the elderly, are so skinny not because they spend hours working out, pay money for liposuction, or intentionally crash diet, but because they can't even afford to pay for a little food. I hate that it isn't easier to make a huge difference in the lives of these people or in the areas most affected.
The reason it took me a while to post something for the day 12 challenge was because I couldn't come up with something I hate off the top of my head that was good enough to post. That's because I was trying to think of petty things like foods I hate or activities I hate doing, but nothing seemed worthy of a blog post for this 30 day challenge.
I know there are ways that may seem simple to help out; you've seen the commercials: "Only 20 cents a day could feed a child" and so forth. But it's not as easy as that because of the way of life we're all used to. We are so set in our ways and routines that doing something like that seems out of the way. Or we assume someone else will do it.
I got a taste for helping out in the summers of 2003 and 2005, when I spent a week per summer with a group from my church at an orphanage in Honduras, giving my time and energy to various activities that needed to be done around the ranch. I loved it so much, and feel the need to do more. I'd like to go to other places too, perhaps Africa. Jake and I have talked about going on a mission trip sometime after we're married.
So out of the hate for this fact of life grows a desire and passion for actually doing something, not just donating a few cents a day, but involving myself in the lives of those who need the love and support of those who have it financially better.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Day 11
Post a picture of something you love...
These two pictures sum up something I love very much: breakfast! I didn't always love breakfast so much. In fact, the first three, maybe four years of college I would rarely have a big breakfast, if anything. Usually I would just have a piece of toast or some yogurt; I was just never that hungry in the mornings. I'm not sure when exactly this changed, but since last semester, possibly part of the summer before, I began eating more in the mornings. I think one reason is that I eat meals more regularly throughout the day and have dinner earlier and at a more consistent time than I used to, so I wake up hungrier. In fact, more often than not, I wake up ravenous, ready to eat anything in my path. My breakfast of choice that I can easily make is scrambled eggs with cheese, a piece of toast with strawberry jam, coffee (particularly Cafe Britt Tres Rios), and if I have any, sausage or bacon. I'll only stop when the doctor tells me to. I've been scouring the Internet for great breakfast recipes, should I ever (heaven forbid) get tired of eggs and toast. And not just cereal will do; it has to be something hot and filling and that will give me energy for a few hours. It's gotten to the point that if I don't have a sufficient, filling breakfast, I get rather grumpy.
So there you have it. I loooooove breakfast.
These two pictures sum up something I love very much: breakfast! I didn't always love breakfast so much. In fact, the first three, maybe four years of college I would rarely have a big breakfast, if anything. Usually I would just have a piece of toast or some yogurt; I was just never that hungry in the mornings. I'm not sure when exactly this changed, but since last semester, possibly part of the summer before, I began eating more in the mornings. I think one reason is that I eat meals more regularly throughout the day and have dinner earlier and at a more consistent time than I used to, so I wake up hungrier. In fact, more often than not, I wake up ravenous, ready to eat anything in my path. My breakfast of choice that I can easily make is scrambled eggs with cheese, a piece of toast with strawberry jam, coffee (particularly Cafe Britt Tres Rios), and if I have any, sausage or bacon. I'll only stop when the doctor tells me to. I've been scouring the Internet for great breakfast recipes, should I ever (heaven forbid) get tired of eggs and toast. And not just cereal will do; it has to be something hot and filling and that will give me energy for a few hours. It's gotten to the point that if I don't have a sufficient, filling breakfast, I get rather grumpy.
So there you have it. I loooooove breakfast.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Day 10 and weather madness!
The past few days have been pretty crazy due to the arctic storm that has affected many states. With amazingly low temperatures and snow, rain, and sleet, it has caused quite a scene of drama. I know that New Mexico doesn't have it as bad as other states, like Illinois, but Las Cruces experienced its record low temperature two days ago and NMSU has been closed for three days straight. Espanola is out of gas. Governor Martinez declared a state of emergency for the whole state. Las Cruces has also implemented rolling blackouts for a couple days now, in order to help save power and to ease the stress of the electrical system, which was definitely not prepared for this. So the last two nights have consisted of me quickly making dinner before the next blackout, hurriedly taking a shower so I didn't have to take one in the dark, and sitting around with as many candles I could find, not knowing what to do with myself. It's like the pioneer ages all over again. Last night I made pancakes for dinner, and one blackout happened when one pancakes was still on the pan, only one side cooked. It was pretty funny actually. This morning I woke up to no working water in my apartment. Good thing I'm off to Los Alamos today. With all this chaos, though, I consider myself lucky because I do have an apartment with a heating system, food and water, and plenty of extra blankets in case my heating did stop working altogether. My heart breaks for the homeless and for those who cannot even afford to heat their homes. So while this blizzard has provided some excitement to our monotonous lives, I still pray for those who suffer more because of it.
Now onto the photo challenge.
Post a picture of the person whom you do the most crazy things with...
This is my brother Stuart. In this picture he is attempting to shoot cans with his BB gun behind his back. Now Stuie and I have done a lot of crazy things together, but this particular day of BB gun-shooting came to mind when I read this day's photo challenge. It was about three years ago, and he and I were raking in the backyard and decided to set up cans in the pile of leaves as targets. After shooting at these for a bit, one of us (I can't remember who; it could be either way if you know us) decided we needed more excitement and was like "Let's shoot each other in the butt!" And, being crazy, the other was like "LET'S!" I volunteered to be shot first, so I walked across the lawn, bent over a little, and prepared for the sting. The sting came, but in the wrong spot, the back of my leg. Oh man it hurt. So I jumped around laughing, in pain, and demanded he do it over and shoot me where he was supposed to. So he did. Jumped around and laughed and squealed in pain again.
So then it was his turn, and he started chickening out! I would not settle for this; if I (a female) got shot voluntarily, he would too, darn it! After telling (not asking or begging) him that he would do it, he finally gave in, trudged across the lawn, and squatted a little, being sure to do the sign of the cross. I took aim and pulled the trigger quickly before he had the chance to back out again. His reaction was about the same as mine. We gained some welts in awkward places.
Good times. See following videos.
Now onto the photo challenge.
Post a picture of the person whom you do the most crazy things with...
This is my brother Stuart. In this picture he is attempting to shoot cans with his BB gun behind his back. Now Stuie and I have done a lot of crazy things together, but this particular day of BB gun-shooting came to mind when I read this day's photo challenge. It was about three years ago, and he and I were raking in the backyard and decided to set up cans in the pile of leaves as targets. After shooting at these for a bit, one of us (I can't remember who; it could be either way if you know us) decided we needed more excitement and was like "Let's shoot each other in the butt!" And, being crazy, the other was like "LET'S!" I volunteered to be shot first, so I walked across the lawn, bent over a little, and prepared for the sting. The sting came, but in the wrong spot, the back of my leg. Oh man it hurt. So I jumped around laughing, in pain, and demanded he do it over and shoot me where he was supposed to. So he did. Jumped around and laughed and squealed in pain again.
So then it was his turn, and he started chickening out! I would not settle for this; if I (a female) got shot voluntarily, he would too, darn it! After telling (not asking or begging) him that he would do it, he finally gave in, trudged across the lawn, and squatted a little, being sure to do the sign of the cross. I took aim and pulled the trigger quickly before he had the chance to back out again. His reaction was about the same as mine. We gained some welts in awkward places.
Good times. See following videos.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Day 9 Photo Challenge
Post a picture of the person who has gotten you through the most...
Okay so this is actually a photo of two people (obviously) but both my parents have gotten me through the most from day 1 of my life. From the obvious parental duties like feeding, raising, providing me with all I need, and teaching me, to the less obvious things like helping me out financially when I'm supposed to be a grown-up and do that myself, finding the perfect wedding dress (mom), and taking time in his day off to wash/polish/vacuum/change the oil in my car and teach me how to check tire pressure (dad). And of course the list is a million times longer than this. Their love, wisdom, support, and even humor have never failed in helping me succeed and grow and heal in everything I've done. No words can describe how grateful I am for how much they've done for me and nothing I ever give them can demonstrate that gratitude. There's no telling where I'd be without them. Well, obviously non-existent, but you know what I mean. Not all parents do this much for their children after birth :)
I love you Mommy and Daddy so much, and can't express how much you both mean to me!
Okay so this is actually a photo of two people (obviously) but both my parents have gotten me through the most from day 1 of my life. From the obvious parental duties like feeding, raising, providing me with all I need, and teaching me, to the less obvious things like helping me out financially when I'm supposed to be a grown-up and do that myself, finding the perfect wedding dress (mom), and taking time in his day off to wash/polish/vacuum/change the oil in my car and teach me how to check tire pressure (dad). And of course the list is a million times longer than this. Their love, wisdom, support, and even humor have never failed in helping me succeed and grow and heal in everything I've done. No words can describe how grateful I am for how much they've done for me and nothing I ever give them can demonstrate that gratitude. There's no telling where I'd be without them. Well, obviously non-existent, but you know what I mean. Not all parents do this much for their children after birth :)
I love you Mommy and Daddy so much, and can't express how much you both mean to me!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Day 8 Photo Challenge
Post a picture of something that makes you laugh...
Something that always makes me laugh isn't just this particular photo (though it's hysterical too) but Photo Booth, which comes on Macs. I have so many great pictures I could post from Photo Booth. I never get tired of using the silly effects to make myself and others have giant, oddly formed heads, one bulging eye and one squinty eye, a tiny pinched mouth, or facial features that are swirled in a spiral. I think anyone who doesn't get a kick out of sitting in front of the computer camera and seeing their faces all distorted into something side-splittingly hilarious must have something stuck up their you-know-what. One time I thought my grandma was going to stop breathing because she was laughing so hard at seeing her face on the screen with all these awkward pinches and bulges. To sum things up, if you're ever in a negative mood and could use a good laugh and a few happy tears, grab your Mac (or find someone who owns one) and just go crazy with the effects on Photo Booth ;)
Something that always makes me laugh isn't just this particular photo (though it's hysterical too) but Photo Booth, which comes on Macs. I have so many great pictures I could post from Photo Booth. I never get tired of using the silly effects to make myself and others have giant, oddly formed heads, one bulging eye and one squinty eye, a tiny pinched mouth, or facial features that are swirled in a spiral. I think anyone who doesn't get a kick out of sitting in front of the computer camera and seeing their faces all distorted into something side-splittingly hilarious must have something stuck up their you-know-what. One time I thought my grandma was going to stop breathing because she was laughing so hard at seeing her face on the screen with all these awkward pinches and bulges. To sum things up, if you're ever in a negative mood and could use a good laugh and a few happy tears, grab your Mac (or find someone who owns one) and just go crazy with the effects on Photo Booth ;)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 7
Post a picture of your most treasured item...
This is my goat. He's had various names including Goaty, Harry, Mr. Goat, and Squirt (because he was white like the soda Squirt...don't ask). I've had him since I was seven years old and he would be the first thing I'd grab if there were a fire. My dad bought him for me as a gift for doing well in school. Sure he's lost some luster and fluffiness over the years and his gray horns, nose, and hooves are slowly flaking away so the interior material can be seen, but that's only because he's very well loved and has been there with me from childhood to teenage years, from my singledom to my current soon-to-be newlywedness, and will undoubtedly be there when I have my own kids all the way until I'm a old prune. By then all his stuffing will probably be gone and his head will hang even more limply than it does now, but he'll be there nonetheless. I cherish his matted fur just as much as I did when it was lustrous and flawless and fluffy as a long-haired cat; maybe even more now. And yes, I still hug him at night and talk to him when no one else is around to talk to.
Who needs teddy bears when one has a raggedy old mountain goat like this?
This is my goat. He's had various names including Goaty, Harry, Mr. Goat, and Squirt (because he was white like the soda Squirt...don't ask). I've had him since I was seven years old and he would be the first thing I'd grab if there were a fire. My dad bought him for me as a gift for doing well in school. Sure he's lost some luster and fluffiness over the years and his gray horns, nose, and hooves are slowly flaking away so the interior material can be seen, but that's only because he's very well loved and has been there with me from childhood to teenage years, from my singledom to my current soon-to-be newlywedness, and will undoubtedly be there when I have my own kids all the way until I'm a old prune. By then all his stuffing will probably be gone and his head will hang even more limply than it does now, but he'll be there nonetheless. I cherish his matted fur just as much as I did when it was lustrous and flawless and fluffy as a long-haired cat; maybe even more now. And yes, I still hug him at night and talk to him when no one else is around to talk to.
Who needs teddy bears when one has a raggedy old mountain goat like this?
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