That'sNice

a little something I've been working on, in my spare time.

2011-04-18T12:28:00.000-05:00

i talked. in front of people.

2011-02-16T16:28:00.000-06:00

more deets here.

Open for business

2011-01-26T12:59:00.000-06:00

I love you, but goodbye.

2011-01-20T20:55:00.000-06:00

Life is so crazy. Have you ever had moments of just pure cluelessness or loss of control concerning your own life? I hope each and everyone of you have at least one moment in your life when you just completely lose control. It's terrifying when it happens, or even when it's about to happen. Yeah, I think it's the build-up that's just absolutely ulcer-inducing. But... BUT.... the afteraffects are pretty awesome, if you're willing to recognize it.

You see, I've freaked out an average of, oh, daily since we last spoke, and here's why:

In early November, I quit my job in Chicago. A job that I've loved and mostly enjoyed for the past 4.75 years. Then packed up my apartment and my life into a rental truck and shortly before Thanksgiving 2010, I drove that rental truck nearly 600 miles to my mom's house in Iowa, where I would live for an undetermined amount of time while I helped care for her. (She has MS and is currently going through Chemo treatments for cancer spots on her lungs and liver.) On that drive from Chicago to Iowa (which took almost 12 hours), I found out that my dad was very ill and that the doctors didn't expect him to live through the day.

My dad had been in a motorcycle accident in July of 2003, and since then he has been residing in a nursing home because the massive head injuries he received in the accident left him unable to walk or communicate. Then, this past November, my dad came down with pneumonia, which was why he was so sick that day that I drove my rental truck to Iowa.

When I arrived in Iowa, I went to visit with him, but he was unresponsive. He passed away 6 days later, November 29, 2010.

Funeral planning for your parents is coming, I don't mean to be intentionally dark or depressing, but it's a reality of life that I was aware of, but never fully grasped...though, how can you until it's upon you? I didn't expect my dad to pass away when he did, even though he was so sick, and had been only a shell of himself for the past seven years. A lot of emotions came to the surface when he did die, emotions that I had largely been holding inside since July 5, 2003 when I really lost my dad. This is not the situation most people will find themselves in. I hope that your parents live long, healthy, vibrant lives, and for most of you, that will be the case. Some of you, however, know what I mean as you've lost parents or loved ones long before it was their time.

Regarding my dad's death, life on the surface is not much different for my sisters, my mom, or I. We had long ago sold the farm and moved into a new home that my dad has never stepped foot in. I've graduated from college, moved away, got engaged...all without him. What is different, however, is this overwhelmingly concrete realization that he truly is never going to get better. He will never walk up the farm driveway from his workshop, or wave his distinct wave from inside his pick-up as we meet eachother along the highway. He is never going to smile his smile when I crack a joke, or insist he was watching that football game when we try to change the channel (even though he was clearly napping). His soul has now left his broken body, a body that had ceased to be my dad over seven years ago. His personality, his strength, his good qualities and his bad, they've all been gone long ago, this I know. But the finality of death is just so... final.

Early in the morning on November 29, 2010, my dad's pain ended as he was made whole again. For the rest of us, however, on November 29, 2010 our pain became more real and I was left feeling just a little less whole.

The time since the funeral has been difficult, for the obvious reasons, but on top of dealing with the grief of my dad's death, my mom's health began to decline and she came down with severe pneumonia as well. It's taken well over a month, but she is now beginning to feel better. Less coughing, more strength. It's a simple blessing.

There have been many, many more moments since the funeral, and really since I left Chicago, where I have been reminded just how out of control of my life I truly am. At the time, it was, and sometimes still is, really hard for me. During those moments of being faced with a challenge or a big-life decision, I have fought and struggled to maintain control of the direction I thought my life was supposed to be headed. But it was in those moments, those stressful, sleepless nights, when I realized that I have no 'real' idea what my life should look like anyway, but someone bigger than me does. That's so liberating! I guarantee that his blue-prints for me are far more grand than I could ever create.

Right now, this is what he's got on my plate:

1) Caring for my mom.
2) A new full-time job that's starting at the end of this month, that I'll be able to do from my mom's house for the first 6 months! (and then if possible I'll relocate to the twin cities. Yay Science Museum of Minnesota!)
3) An amazing fiancé who is super supportive, even though we live 800 miles apart.
4) Five freelance projects
5) An amazing Niece and Nephew who crack me up on a regular basis.
6) A cat who sleeps on my feet at night.

what chapter would I be on by now?...

2010-11-11T15:57:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone.

How ya'll doing?

Yeah, me too.

Life is funny, right? Just a few months ago, I posted something about celebrating my 4th year of life in Chicago and working at the Museum. I love it, it loves me.... blah, blah, blah.

And then... just two months ago, I announced that I was engaged! Crazy! Awesome! Exciting!

And, most recently, I posted about my lovely little apartment on Chicago's NW side. So cute, so me, so Chicago.

Ahem.... now I have some more news.

All three of those things are changing. Well, not the engagement, I'm still engaged. But our relationship is about to go through a bit of an adjustment in the coming months. Alright, can't stand the suspense I see, well, here goes...

I've quit my job. I'm leaving Chicago. I'm giving up my apartment.

KABOOM.

I think most of you reading this knew that this was happening. If not, I'm sorry that you're finding out this way, but here are some details:

The Museum was and still is going through some cut-backs, so I took a voluntary buy-out incentive to quit my job. My last day was this past Friday. So far this week I've been living the very strange life of a newly unemployed, hard-working Iowan, which basically means I'm still trying to work. Which is fine and good because I'm focusing all my attention on freelance work right now and my hope is that the Museum will be a client in a few months. I'm also trying to focus on freelance work because I can do it almost anywhere and that's good because....

I'm leaving Chicago. I'm packing up my apartment and heading back to my roots in northwest Iowa. I'm doing all of this for slightly selfish reasons, but also because my mom has been going through chemo for the past few months (on top of the MS she's had for 21 years) and I just really want to be with her. Spend time with her, help her, anything.

I find myself pretty fortunate considering the circumstances. The Museum is going through layoffs and my mom has cancer and MS, yet I'm in a position in life to deal with it the way I want to and need to. I have no mortgage, no kids, no (major) debt, no responsibilities except my cat. I quit my job but I will bounce back and I'm planning on getting as much out of these next few months as possible. I know they're going to be difficult. The adjustment period alone could last more than a few months (i.e. there are no thai or sushi restaurants in Sioux Center :P), but I'm looking on the bright side. You have to, right?

The post I wrote back at the end of May is still very relevant to me, especially this part:

"I'm now 26. And, save for a few things that could be better, I love my life. I love my career and my city. I love my new friends and old friends. I love my upbringing and I love my values. And more than anything, I love and appreciate my family. I know that there are a lot of people who are blessed to grow up and grow old in the same community their entire life, but for me personally, I have been blessed to grow up and then grow up even more in completely different communities."

Interestingly, that statement in the first line where I say, "save for a few things that could be better" refers to exactly why I'm making the change I am. I've struggled with being away from my mom for a few years now. I can't cure cancer or MS, but what I can do is be a daughter. Her daughter. No training required.

My Home

2010-10-25T12:07:00.000-05:00

operation: engagement

2010-09-12T19:42:00.000-05:00

JZ proposed on a rooftop terrace at The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN. And I said YES! It was incredibly sweet, exciting, and nerve-wracking! A date hasn't been set yet, but we're so excited and happy.

heartbreakingly funny

2010-08-10T12:25:00.004-05:00

decor greed

2010-08-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

I want this rug to go with my orange chairs.

And this bedding, just because ikat rocks.

designer humor

2010-07-09T13:59:00.001-05:00

"Yeah, that's not what I was looking for at all."

David Thorne is a genius.

Four Years

2010-05-28T13:21:00.003-05:00

This coming holiday weekend marks the fourth anniversary of my move to Chicago. In May 2006, I was fresh out of undergrad, a shiny new art degree in hand and confident that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. In the past four years I have experienced and learned many amazing things about myself, my career, and what it means to grow up. There have been good times and bad times. Friendships that came and went, new relationships begun, loved ones who entered the world and some who left it.

I'm now 26. And, save for a few things that could be better, I love my life. I love my career and my city. I love my new friends and old friends. I love my upbringing and I love my values. And more than anything, I love and appreciate my family. I know that there are a lot of people who are blessed to grow up and grow old in the same community their entire life, but for me personally, I have been blessed to grow up and then grow up even more in completely different communities.

Thank you to my family and friends for the support you have given me in the past four years. I know things haven't been perfect, but it's been a journey I'm happy to have made knowing you're there.

Tuna

2010-05-25T17:26:00.003-05:00

When I was younger (errr...up until about 2 years ago), I thought Tuna were small fish. As in, really tiny. I think it's because the canned variety came in such small containers and I didn't have a cut of fresh tuna until I was out of college.

Anyway, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is highlighted in Wikispecies' "Species of the week" and so I learned that the average weight of an Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is 550lbs and the average size is 6.5ft. Also, did you know that it's warm-blooded? I saw one of these giant creatures at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium last fall and was mesmerized by their iridescent scales.

What a beautifully surprising world we live in. It's good to be reminded that I have so much more to learn.

Logorama

2010-05-25T16:56:00.002-05:00

Logorama from Marc Altshuler - Human Music on Vimeo.

I know this is kinda old news, but if you haven't seen the film Logorama, do it now.
It won a much deserved Oscar in the Short Film category. If you hold any particular brand close to you heart you may be offended, but the music and sheer creative genius behind this is amazing.

via Made It Pretty

Alumni spotlight

2010-05-09T22:52:00.000-05:00

I've been selected for the May Alumni Spotlight on the DC AIGA blog. (Dordt College, American Institute of the Graphic Arts). Click on over here to read about my work since graduation and to see a few design samples.

mayday

2010-05-01T19:46:00.001-05:00

I had such a wonderful day today. I think my body knew that it was the first day of May because I was up at 7:30am this morning (feeling great). This led to a crazy productive day.

Before 11:30am, I....

• cleaned my apartment (yep. cleaned. at 7:30 am)

• had breakfast

• installed my air-conditioner

• showered

• read the headlines (and a few articles. can you believe what's going on in the gulf right now?? it's disgusting and sad)

• went to the bank

• went to a rummage sale

• went to another rummage sale

• got groceries (fresh fruit and cheese. mmmm)

• snuggled with my cat

• made lunch.

The time is now 11:30am, and I need a nap.

The day was so great! I've been feeling pretty lethargic lately so it was nice to get out and make a great saturday for myself.

I scored the cutest picnic basket at one of the rummage sales today:

I can't wait to take him out for a spin. Hopefully several spins this summer.

Speaking of this summer. JZ completes his first year at Law School this coming week, after which he'll be coming back here to Chicago for a summer internship! Yay! The long distance thing has had it's ups and downs, and while I'm 99% excited to have him back in the city, I'm also a little nervous about the adjustment. Mostly though, I'm looking forward to the time we can spend together (having picnics!)

(picture at the top: i made those strings of pendant flags for myself. They make me happy)

Pajama Monster!

2010-03-31T10:34:00.000-05:00

I can't say I never win anything.

I just won FluFfy the Pajama Monster from the delightful blog la la lovely!!

Yay!! She looks so squeezable!

26

2010-03-08T10:50:00.000-06:00

My birthday is tomorrow. That's right people. I'm turning 26.

Since I love celebrating my birthday, I jumped the gun and had a celebration this past weekend. Good times were had: photos were bombed, ice cream cake was eaten, strikes were bowled. I love my friends.

something's not quite right here...

2010-01-29T13:38:00.001-06:00

Last night I dreamt that I met Daniel Burnham. Awesome you say? It would have been had he been dressed in something other than khaki pants and polo t-shirt!

Seeing the early 20th century architect in such lame digs was quite a letdown.

ooo, nice shoes.

2010-01-21T14:34:00.002-06:00

Why thank you.

iPod Cozies... now available!

2009-12-03T22:32:00.006-06:00

You do know that handmade is the way to go this Christmas, right? And every other gift-giving opportunity! Skip the big-box store and buy something from the person who made it!
Like these for example:

iPod Cozies:

Now available!

Created and hand-crafted by me. Knitted from 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. Comes in your choice of three colors: Golden Yellow, Deep Turquoise, or Heather Grey.

These iPod cozies are perfect for protecting iPhone and iPod Touch screens from scrapes and scratches. They're also great for digital cameras!

iPod Cozie for iPhone or iPod Touch: $13
iPod Cozie for iPod Nano: $11

For order info, please email me at: thatsnicedesign [at] gmail [dot] com.
(iPod not included)

Giving thanks.

2009-11-25T10:42:00.000-06:00

Dear nearest and dearest Holiday of mine,

Thank you for reminding me to be thankful. Thank you for being about abundance and harvest and a celebration of the gifts we have received. Thank you also for allowing me to take a day off from work to eat insane amounts of guilt-free food with friends and loved ones. You really are swell in that regard.

But hey, no-thanks-to-you for not extending through Friday all the way until Monday. Seriously. What's the deal? You do realize that Black Friday has pretty much become it's own holiday and has sorta stolen your spotlight, don't you? Are you just going to sit there and take it? Can't you extend your holiday sacredness into two days? Or better yet... all the way through Monday? You could implement the first FIVE-DAY weekend and everyone would love you even more!

No, I know... you're probably right. Keeping a 'giving-thanks' holiday like yourself contained to a one day, semi-mid-week celebration allows for us to isolate it and not just throw it into the 3-day weekend category that's been over ridden with mattress sales and one-day only car sales. You sure are a class act, Thanksgiving. Thank you for being so humble.

I just wish Black Friday would back off...

look what I made!

2009-11-22T12:27:00.000-06:00

The bag that I started knitting nearly two years ago is finally finished.

I took a lot of photos in CA

2009-11-18T20:34:00.000-06:00

See a few of them here.

Does this look like a work trip to you?

2009-11-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

Well, it was.

I just got back from CA where we stopped at the Huntington Library in LA, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, and Green Gulch Farms and Cal Academy in San Francisco. These photos were taken Wednesday evening when I dipped my toes into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life.

I am now trying to recover from a lost voice and massive head cold.

a New York minute

2009-11-07T21:04:00.000-06:00

Hey crazy kids! Thanks for stopping by. If you've noticed something different about my blog, it's because I've reverted back to an original header design. This time, however, I've added the apostrophe to the title. Not having it was bothering me. This feels better and so does having the turquoise back.

Do you want know what I've been up to lately? Sleeping. I didn't know a person could sleep as much as I have in the past 24 hours. I went home from work on Friday feeling a little peakish, and fell asleep around 4:30pm. I woke up today, this morning at 8:30 am. That's 16 hours. Then, I went back to sleep and slept until 2:00pm.

I'm feeling much better. I think I was feeling ill because I was overly exhausted. My trip to NY was so good, but so tiring. 5 museums in basically 2 days is a lot to absorb. But, it was great! If you want to see pictures... pop on over here. A few colleagues and I went out to NY to do some research and to visit with staff from other museums.

I'm heading out to California on Monday morning to continue the museum research. Hopefully I can keep my energy up!

fall colors

2009-11-01T11:48:00.004-06:00

I took this picture on my way home from work. It makes a great screensaver.

winter(?) update??

2009-10-12T11:32:00.001-05:00

This is ridiculous. Heat's on, slippers on, coats on....

I wish I could hibernate for winter, wouldn't that be cozy? No snowy, windy commutes... ahh the thought. Another reason why hibernating would be awesome is because the Chicago Transit Authority (public transit system) is considering a fare increase. Again! It was mere months ago when my monthly pass was increased from $75 to $86. Now, they're proposing $110. Sigh.

It's almost like the CTA is promoting hibernation...

fall update

2009-09-24T13:33:00.001-05:00

My last few posts have left a few of you (mostly my mom) wanting more details. I haven't done a proper update in a while and I'm afraid it's time. I've conveniently divided my life into a few categories (kinda sad). Maybe you'll find one of which interesting?

Work: is going well. Quite busy, but with the nation's unemployment rate creeping up on 10%, I'll take busy. I'm currently working on an upcoming exhibition that opens in February and right now we're at the beginning-to-middle design stage. I'm working out a plan for what the graphics will be and what those graphics will look like: color palette, images, typeface, etc. Fun stuff. The topic is Chinese Rubbings. The Field Museum has the largest collection (7,000+) of Chinese Rubbings in the western hemisphere and we're choosing a few dozen of the most impressive to display in the year-long exhibition. I'm also working on a handful of other projects like brochures, directories, guides, invitations, and signs. So many graphic design needs for this institution!

Relationship: is going well despite the long distance. JZ and I talk regularly on the phone which is always good but sometimes a challenge because our schedules don't always align. For the most part though, this is going really well. We're learning more about our individual communication styles and I'm learning how to speak more and express more verbally. (I'm usually more of a listener). Next weekend I'm heading up to MI to visit him for the weekend. Amtrak will get me there in just under 5 hours (hopefully :)

Leisure: now that I'm basically living the single life ;) I can spend my free time doing whatever pops into my head. Fall is my favorite season and I've been busy collecting interesting leaves and seeds from my neighborhood. They're currently being pressed in my dictionary while I come up with something 'artsy' (as jz would say) to do with them. With the onset of fall also comes my renewed desire to knit. A couple posts ago, I shared my recent project which I'm nearly finished with. I have to find some hardware for the handles and felt the wool, but I'm almost there! Another project that I'm engrossed in is a calendar design project. I'm designing my own. I know, it seems crazy since every fall/winter there are millions of calendars available for sale, but I like structure and creativity needed to make my own.

Health: on the mend. I got quite sick a couple weekends ago, but I don't think it was the swine flu. I think it was just a major head and chest cold. I'm still coughing, but at least I feel like a human being again.

Lila: as sweet as ever. She likes my new apartment and the extra space has made her more relaxed. Her new favorite hiding spot is under my entryway cabinet which I often have pillows propped up against. I think it makes her feel sneaky. I've also realized that having both a cat and a knitting hobby can be quite challenging. For example:

Yes, she's laying on the directions. Not helpful. I do love her though, especially when she snuggles up next to me in bed. I think she just does it to steal my body heat, but whatever. I'm a pushover.

Family: My aunt and uncle on my mom's side were in a motorcycle accident about a month ago and as you can imagine, it was not easy to hear this news. Brought us all back to July of 2003. Thankfully, my aunt and uncle were spared any internal brain injuries and their bodies are healing. My aunt received the worst from the accident (when their rear tire blew) with a cracked pelvis, crushed elbow, and a few facial fractures. She's finally returned home from the hospital and it sounds like it's going pretty well. I think about their family a lot.

Well, I know that wasn't everything, but at least it was something. I hope you're all enjoying your September!

peace one day

2009-09-21T15:23:00.001-05:00

adidas v puma no more.
see, we can just get along.

I'm a knitting machine!*

2009-09-15T22:54:00.004-05:00

My current project:

*This is what happens when I'm sick for an extended period of time

sick

2009-09-12T19:28:00.000-05:00

when i blow my nose, air shoots out the corner of my eye.

seriously. that's how congested I am.

What does it mean to be pro-life?

2009-09-09T13:26:00.003-05:00

Health-care for all or only a few? Anti-abortion or pro-choice? environmentally conscious? Social justice? Equal rights?

via the Matthew 25 Network.

From their website:

The Matthew 25 Network is a growing community of Christians who insist on a new kind of Christian engagement in our nation’s political process. The core of our political passion rises from Matthew 25:40, in which Jesus tells His followers, “I tell you the truth, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Out of this political passion, the Matthew 25 Network advocates for the public policies that stand for the least of these and to support the political leaders who will champion these policies.

The Matthew 25 Network is sensitive to the fact that Christianity has at times been used in our nation’s politics as a weapon of division and fear. However, our Christianity is one of hope, compassion, and accepting community. We recognize and affirm the freedom of religion established in the same Bill of Rights that permits our participation in government. E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many, One: we work from our many beliefs towards one peaceful and just nation. “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, [we strive] to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

color-palette-ify

2009-09-08T23:18:00.000-05:00

The discovery of this website made my day oh so happy.

tunes

2009-09-08T11:12:00.003-05:00

currently listening to two new albums.

Ingrid Michaelson

David Bazan

the questioning of Bazan is balanced, a bit, by the hope in Michaelson.

life is all about balance, isn't it?

Laborless long weekend

2009-09-06T19:00:00.002-05:00

spotted: Lila lounging

Stefan Kanchev

2009-09-01T00:34:00.009-05:00

While perusing FFFFound recently, I came across graphic artist Stefan Kanchev's 'others' portfolio and was blown away by the use of shape, pattern, positive/negative space, and color... all of which blend and flow so effortlessly together.

I love beautifully inspiring things.

"Make no small plans, they have no magic to stir men's blood" – Daniel H. Burnham

2009-08-29T09:56:00.008-05:00

For those of you in Chicago, you may be familiar with the impact Daniel H. Burnham had on the city (and the country) back in the late 18- early 1900's. Daniel Burnham was an architect and urban planner who is credited with designing America's first skyscraper in Chicago, along with several other historic buildings in the US including the FlatIron building in New York and Union Station in Washington, DC. He was also very influential in the success of the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago, from which several Chicago institutions got their start, including The Field Museum and The Museum of Science and Industry.

But what Daniel Burnham is perhaps most famous for, is his 1909 Plan of Chicago, a book wherein he outlines plans for the development of Chicago. It was the first of it's kind designed to guide the growth of a major US city. In the book, he stresses the importance of the people and their use of the city. At the forefront: the Lake. He's quoted as saying, "The lake by right, belongs to the people." He also strongly believed that every Chicago citizen should be within walking distance of a park.

This year is the 100th anniversary of Burnham's Plan of Chicago and the city is currently celebrating The Burnham Plan Centennial.

As part of the celebration, The Field Museum is hosting a small exhibition called Burnham Memorial Design Competition. The exhibition is on display now until November 1 and consists of 19 modern day architects' designs for a Burnham Memorial to someday be built on the Museum's north terrace. The exhibition also discusses Burnham's impact on the city and contains two original artifacts from Burnham himself: a copy of the 1909 Plan of Chicago, and a large framed blueprint of Daniel's vision of the lakefront. I'm proud to say that I had a small part in the completion of the exhibition and encourage you to attend if you are in the city.

life is good.

2009-08-29T09:49:00.004-05:00

Happy Saturday morning to you all!

I'm sitting here, at the jumbo-tron, having a cup of coffee and enjoying the cool breeze coming in my window.

Today is a good day.

To update you all on my last post.... jz is no longer at Urbana. After 2 days of classes, he got a call from the University of Michigan telling him that they've taken him off the wait list and have a spot available for him.

So... he moved to Ann Arbor the next day to start orientation there.

Crazy, but so exciting! I'm totally going to buy some UM gear.

absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

2009-08-16T21:00:00.005-05:00

Well, the inevitable has finally happened. jz has moved away to Urbana to start law school and I already miss him like crazy. It's a pretty awesome feeling to miss one person as much as I miss him right now. It's exhilarating and awful at the same time. I love him so much. If anyone has any insight on what can help a long-distance relationship, please use the comments section to share your thoughts or wish us luck. This could be a long three years.

I have a lot to report.

2009-08-10T10:27:00.007-05:00

I survived camping in Kentucky. JZ and I had a great time and thankfully, very nice weather. Only a few raindrops during the night. Also, Mammoth Caves are pretty awesome. I recommend them.

My apartment is officially warm! Not temperature wise necessarily (more on that later), but amongst friends. I held my first apartment party at my new place this past Friday. It was a full house, but oh so
wonderful. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Remember way back in February, when I said I wanted this for my birthday? Well, I bought it yesterday and it's beautiful. It's also larger than both my TV and my freezer door. sweet.

Chicago finally had a couple of real-hott-humid days this past weekend. I think the high was somewhere around 95 both Saturday and Sunday. Not a big deal you say? well, it was. Our summer has been non-existent this year which undermines the defense most Chicagoans give during the winter when we're asked why we live here. "Because of the Summer", we say. Well, now we'll have to say, "Because of the relatively short spring that leads to fall!" :P

Interestingly enough, Seattle has had quite the unusual summer as well, but in the opposite way. Following an incredibly hot streak, on Wednesday, July 29, Seattle recorded it's hottest temperature ever. 103 degrees. And I happened to be there for work on that very day. Quite the warm welcome.

Lila has lost weight! I took her to the vet on Saturday for her rabies and distemper vaccine, and she dropped about 1.5 pounds since last Christmas! Woohoo! She's down to 11.7! She sure is a nice cat, even though she's a little husky. Here's a semi-recent picture of her

kentucky

2009-07-23T16:09:00.005-05:00

Oh hey, look at that. The last time I posted I was about to go on vacation. Well, now I'm back, but am about to leave for another small vacation to Mammoth Caves National Park.

It's in Kentucky.

We're camping.

In a tent.

Wish me luck.

PS: Sorry to abandon you again Lila, I promise to snuggle with you when I return.

the weekend's done, but my vacation's just begun

2009-07-06T15:00:00.002-05:00

Doesn't that sound nice? Yeah, I think so too. I'm back to work today after one very long holiday weekend, but I'll only be here for 3 days. Then...I'm heading to Iowa for 5!!
That's right Iowa, FIVE DAYS. Can you handle it? More importantly: can my little nephew handle the onset of his crazy aunt's cheek-pinching-fingers??

He's turning ONE on Thursday :D

new addition

2009-07-02T09:57:00.003-05:00

Two mid-century additions to my apartment. I think they're fabulous.

A big thanks to Hope who came to Chicago to visit me last night and left again this morning :) What a quick but wonderful trip! I really enjoyed our bagel this morning.

liking this

2009-06-30T13:07:00.000-05:00

New place

2009-06-28T18:30:00.011-05:00

I have successfully moved to my new apt. Hooray!
I'm still working out a few furniture arrangement issues, but this is the initial setup. That's Lila on the floor there, being dramatic as usual.

There are a lot of reflective surfaces in this apt (glass cabinets, french doors) which I love, but Lila seems to have a raw distaste for. I think she'll get used to it eventually, but for now, there are plenty of 4 am wake-ups to her scratching at her own reflection.

My dining area is being used as my office. Someday I'll get an actual table.

I love the kitchen. I think it's my favorite part (note the dishwasher :)

Awesome walk-in closet with a built in wardrobe:

Come visit sometime. I'll pull out the air mattress for ya.

rain

2009-06-16T21:38:00.003-05:00

I think it's fair (albeit a complete exaggeration) to say that by tomorrow morning Chicago and it's suburbs will be underwater. It has been all-stops-pulled POURING since about 1pm today. I seriously don't think this will end well... whenever it does. The rest of the week is forecasted at 110% chance of precipitation. I sooo hate commuting in the rain.

moving!

2009-06-08T11:04:00.002-05:00

After 3 glorious years in my current studio apt, I'm moving on .... to another studio apt :)

I know, I know, I thought I'd be able to grow-up and afford a 'big girl 1 bedroom' too, but alas, I again chose location over more personal space.

Don't be fooled, however. This apt is rad. I'm talking vintage built-in cabinets with glass doors, a huge walk-in closet with built-in shelves and beautiful dark wood french doors, a bright shiny bathroom, large east facing windows with luscious dark wood trim, and, wait for it.... a dishwasher! cha-ching! A studio with vintage charm AND a dishwasher? jackpot!

I think i'll go buy some more dishes :)

I don't yet have new pictures of the place (I'm moving in later this month) but I just wanted to let ya'll know that after a month of searching for the perfect place, I think I found it :) Plus, It's cheaper AND utilities are included.

twelfth night

2009-05-30T22:03:00.004-05:00

this past thursday j and I went to the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre to see their production of The Twelfth Night.

it. was. amazing.

i was told that that there was a water element to the set, but i didn't really believe it 'til I saw it. there was a giant pool on the stage! no wait, the pool WAS the stage! and yes, the actors dove in and out of the water in their full Elizabethan costumes! crazy? yes. sitting in the front row? even crazier (read: splashy) :)

happy bday j.

2009-05-05T09:44:00.004-05:00

I'm back from Philly! And yes mom, safe and sound :)
I have gobs of pictures to share, but it might take me a couple days to get them all organized: AAM Conference, Liberty Bell, Old City Hall, Benjamin Franklin's grave, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Masonic Temple, Reading Terminal Market, Rittenhouse Square, Love Park, Battleship New Jersey .... was I really only there for 2.5 days??

Stay tuned...

In the meantime ... there's still 4 days until the MS Walk, so you still have time to donate! $1, $2, $5...every little bit helps! donate here
cheers

AAM Conference

2009-04-29T21:20:00.004-05:00

Pretty excited about tomorrow. I'm flying out to Philadelphia to attend the American Association of Museums' annual conference. Not only will I be spending time with 5,000+ museum professionals from around the nation, but I'll also get to spend some time wandering around a historic city! Philly, the city of LOVE. Since I've never been there before, I've requested a list of 'must-sees' from friends and strangers. This list includes places like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Mutter Museum, Giana's Pizza and Grille, Independence Park, Christ Church and Burial Ground, and Eastern State Penitentiary. I also came across a Philly design guide courtesy of Design Sponge. I'd love to have time to check out some of those local spots, because, is it true? There are NO taxes on clothes or shoes in Philly?? Maybe I better bring an extra suitcase...

Panda Falls Down

2009-04-29T21:10:00.003-05:00

hehe. my blog is random, I know, but this post is just a necessary sequel to this. What is it about pandas that just make them so cute?

smiles for a rainy monday

2009-04-27T13:15:00.011-05:00

A collection of awesome images from around the web. These are making me smile today.
clockwise top left: my dream furniture; colorful maps; cat in a hat!; awesome envelopes; boredom?; spring flowers; touché

I'm Walking!

2009-04-25T19:43:00.003-05:00

For the first time ever, my sisters and I have formed a team and are walking in an MS Walk on May 9. Our team, Team Faith, is in honor of our mom who has been living with MS for 20+ years. It's really exciting to be a part of this. My sisters and I are still collecting donations, so if you're interested in contributing to a cure for MS, head on over to the National MS Society website, or click here to be brought directly to my donation page! I'm so excited!

2009-04-13T11:05:00.002-05:00

I wish I would have taken more photos this past weekend but time just went too fast. It feels like I blinked and it's monday already.
Despite the quickness of the trip, Iowa was good. The drive there and back was good and the time spent with family, friends and bf was good. Really good. More details later.
Now I'm back at work with bags under my eyes. ick!

2009-04-06T22:21:00.003-05:00

Hi friends.

- Still looking for the perfect apartment.

- I'm going to Iowa this weekend for Easter.

- Bringing my BF with me to Iowa...to meet the fam!

- Wednesday morning I'm speaking at a Chicago Semester class about vocation. my vocation.

- That event will will take place exactly 4 years after I was in the same vocational class and I'm still trying to decide if 4 years is enough time to go from being the student to being the teacher on such an issue.

- It snowed here in Chicago yesterday. can I get an ICK?!? ick.

- The Aztec World closes in just 12 days. TWELVE DAYS PEOPLE! You're running out of time!

- Recently discovered that my favorite bowling place has half price bowling on Sundays.

- tonight I bought a used copy of Walden and an old book about plants with fantastic illustrations.

- My cat likes scrabble.

Cut&Paste

2009-04-06T22:15:00.003-05:00

coolest. design competition. ever.

geek out about type

2009-04-04T12:16:00.007-05:00

Tonight, I'm going to check this awesomeness out with a fellow designer.
It's like Iron Chef for designers! sweet? yeah I think so too.

bath time interrupted

2009-03-30T18:57:00.002-05:00

mommmmmmm!

correspondence

2009-03-30T18:43:00.004-05:00

To: AT&T
From: "Your Friend at [my address here]"

Dear AT&T,

Please stop sending me fake checks in the mail for "Up To $300".
And please stop calling me your friend.

Regards,
-s

apt apt

2009-03-27T16:50:00.003-05:00

my anxiety for all things planned in advance has been rearing it's ugly head lately. soon I'll be faced with the decision of moving to a new apartment or renewing my current apartment's lease for another year. sigh. every spring I go through this...and every spring, out of laziness and indecisiveness, I decide to resign the lease for my current apartment at a grossly inflated price.

but I say NO MORE! three years is long enough!

tomorrow morning I have my first appointment viewing a possible new abode. I'm done with the studio! on to bigger and possibly cheaper(?) things...like a 1 bedroom. alas, the 'cheaper' aspect means staying in my current neighborhood is an unlikely thing. I'm movin' north baby! so friends, family, the next time you come visit me you may have to travel farther to get to downtown, but at least you'll have a couch to sleep on instead of a crummy 10 year old air mattress!

Unknown Legend

2009-03-23T10:28:00.005-05:00

She used to work in a diner
Never saw a woman look finer
I used to order just to watch
her float across the floor
She grew up in a small town
Never put her roots down
Daddy always kept movin',
so she did too.

Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair
flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with
the very air she breathes
The air she breathes.

You know it ain't easy
You got to hold on
She was an unknown legend
in her time
Now she's dressin' two kids
Lookin' for a magic kiss
She gets the far-away look
in her eyes.

Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair
flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very
air she breathes
The air she breathes.

After watching the movie Rachel Getting Married Neil Young's song is so much sweeter.

armadillo's pillow

2009-03-20T13:21:00.002-05:00

used book stores. mmm :)

o'berthdey

2009-03-16T12:01:00.008-05:00

When I was little I paid no attention to St Patrick's Day. None. The only time I remember thinking about it was when I arrived to school on patty's day not wearing any green, which as you know, constitutes a pinch. Now that I'm older, I can't help but notice St Patrick's Day because it's celebrated for 2 weeks straight here in Chicago. Also, my birthday is on the 9th so for the last few years, green hats and green beer have adorned my birthday celebrations.
No, I'm not complaining :) I have amazing friends who help me celebrate in a non-Irish way....bowling!!

wknd

2009-02-27T14:01:00.005-06:00

It's the weekend (almost). My plan is to relax and celebrate because the annual report is at the printer! woot!

I'm also going to relax and celebrate simply because it's the weekend, and I've had a hellish week.

ps: i turn 25 very soon. know what I want for my birthday? (psst here's a hint)

no room for cream

2009-02-06T14:08:00.003-06:00

I know Becca has said it before, and it's definitely crossed my mind, especially in this economic climate. but, looks like Starbucks can no longer be my backup plan for employment. CRAP

Never Let Me Go

2009-01-29T13:20:00.003-06:00

I recently finished this book, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and well, it was amazing. Fantastical and mysterious while addressing a complex issue from an insider's point of view.
I didn't know a single thing about this book when I picked it up, which made the progression all the more fascinating. More of Ishiguro's books are now on my list.

top 10 of 2008

2009-01-19T17:57:00.002-06:00

My friend Laura challenged her friends to do this at the onset of the new year: write down your top 10 happenings of the previous year. These can be anything but try to be specific. So think back, way back to last January, February, and March and write them down. It's guaranteed to help you see the blessings in your life and is much more fun than setting resolutions for yourself.

So, here's mine. (fashionably late)

10. Netflix
9. Traveling to Munich with my sister
8. Designing and completing The Aztec World at the Field Museum
7. The adoption of my dear cat, Lila
6. Barack Obama
5. The first spring sunrise of 2008 (it happens every year, you'll know it when you see it)
4. Improving my knitting skills (among others)
3. Fantastic concerts: Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Eef Barzelay, Rue Royale, Andrew Bird, Phosphorescent, Rogue Wave, Dr. Dog (among several others)
2. July 3 fireworks! (and the whole summer, really)
1. Building a new relationship (JZ) / Welcoming new life (nephew Noam) (these tied for first)

DC

2009-01-19T17:30:00.004-06:00

i love productive days off. laundry, cleaning, errands, freelance, cooking...blogging (finally) :) Things seem to have settled down a bit since the holidays and it's good to be able to catch up on some things that were neglected.

and hey, tomorrow is inauguration! woohoo! I won't be attending the festivities in DC, but I was able to check out the scene at the National Mall last weekend while visiting John. The Capitol's west lawn was being prepared for the millions of people who will be attending this year's swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address. I've never seen so many lawn chairs!

While in DC we also checked out a few museums: The National Gallery of Art, The National Museum of the American Indian and the Air and Space Museum. The National Gallery was my favorite on this trip (both the East and West buildings are phenomenal) but the National Museum of the American Indian was beautiful in it's own way. I felt the architecture of the actual museum out-shined the display of the artifacts. (I'm having some troubles posting more pictures, I'll try again later.)

I got some really exciting news last week from my boss. This spring I'll be attending the American Association of Museums annual conference in Philadelphia! I'm very excited about it. Museum exhibitors, designers, curators, and administrators from across North America gather for this event every year and this will by my first year attending. Lots of great minds and ideas to share and be shared. I can't wait.

2009-01-13T12:05:00.003-06:00

Hey guys, Lila here. I'm just keepin' the keys warm while Sarah gets a glass of water. She hasn't blogged in a while so I thought I'd quickly say 'hi' from the both of us. I'll tell her you all miss her and that she needs to blog again soon. ciao!

supersized

2008-12-11T19:48:00.002-06:00

You know what's annoying? big croutons.
Sure they're tasty and are a nice alternative to crackers for an afternoon snack, but in a salad? with a fork? Am I missing the technique or are fingers an approved method?

There are, of course, lots of annoying things in this world, least of all croutons, but they randomly came into my head today. This morning, actually. On my way to work. With not a large crouton in sight.

Happy belated thanksgiving to you all.
Sarah

one nation.

2008-11-16T22:18:00.004-06:00

I'm a bit behind on this, I do realize, but I'm going to post about it nonetheless.
Election day is finally over! Hooray for that and hooray for change.
History was made 12 days ago and I was able to participate in the celebration first-hand at Obama's election night rally in Grant Park. i took lots of photos

finito!

2008-10-28T15:51:00.005-05:00

Well friends...the exhibit is finally open. And I'm proud to say that it's received nothing but rave reviews and encouraging words thus far. I don't like to beat a dead horse, (what an incredibly horrible cliché) by talking about it all the time, but I'm really excited about the completion of 19 months of work :) Click HERE for some pictures of the process.

Next thing that needs to be wrapped up: this election.

amen?

mosaic of me

2008-09-25T09:42:00.007-05:00

The above mosaic of images represents my visual answers to the questions below.
1. What is your first name? (sarah)
2. What is your favorite food? (cheese)
3. What high school did you attend? (Unity Christian)
4. What is your favorite color? (turquoise)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (George Clooney)
6. Favorite drink? (coffee)
7. Dream vacation? (greece)
8. Favorite dessert? (banana cream pie)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (wise)
10.What do you love most in life? (relationships)
11.One word to describe you? (silly)
12.Your Flickr name? (sarahcfranken)

To create your own 'mosaic of me' image: Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

Here are the sources of my selections:
1. Before the world was made… the innerlight of Sarah.K was!!! :))), 2. Day 158/365: Grilled cheese - yummm, 3. Watering the Wall of Indifference, 4. frame, 5. 9. The original., 6. coffee & the city, 7. Downstairs to the volcano, 8. Mini Chocolate Banana Cream Pies, 9. Black Hmong woman Song…, 10. SCALA, 11. May & Momo, 12. light values

Signs of Hope and Change

2008-09-05T19:56:00.004-05:00

I have never gotten political on this blog before and I don't really intend to start now, but I have to share this video with you. It's powerful, it's concise, it's the message Obama is trying to send out: that we're all in this together and we all have a responsibility when it comes to bringing about the change America needs. We are our brothers' keeper.

Music by one of my favorites, The National.

interesting commute.

2008-09-03T12:24:00.003-05:00

I waited for the bus for 25 minutes this morning, which is an unusually long time to wait, especially during rush hour.

Since the number of people waiting for the bus compounds every minute a bus fails to appear, the final tally of people who swarmed the door was comparable in size and fervor to the group of people protesting the republican national convention last night.

Pretty intense.

When I finally got my turn to step on the bus, it was already standing room only, which was fine by me since I had a good view of the lake and the constantly changing landscape of cars riding next to the bus.

One driver was texting with BOTH hands and steering with her knee.

Then a very expensive looking Mercedes SUV pulled up and the attractive young man driving was. rocking. out. Complete with head banging, lip-syncing, and full-on-two-handed-air-drumming (don't forget the cymbal crash). What struck me as the most comical was the beautiful young lady sitting next to him looking unamused, annoyed, and very tired. Poor girl.

In the back seat of an upcoming subaru sat a teenager (looked to be around 13) reading the Wall Street Journal, while his intelligent looking parents sat up front having a very heated discussion.

The next car contained a lady talking into her bluetooth headset while animatedly flailing both her arms about. So much for a hands-free device I guess.

Make-up applying, coffee drinking, cell phone talking, radio adjusting, head banging commuters....and that doesn't even include the people on my bus.

sangria!

2008-09-02T09:25:00.008-05:00

Then Labor Day came and went
And we shed what was left of our summer skin.
— Death Cab for Cutie, "Summer Skin" (Off their 2005 album, Plans)

In celebration of the unofficial end to a truly fabulous summer, I made some sangria yesterday and invited some friends over to drink with me on my roof. It was a lovely dark night, the company was pleasant, and the sangria was delicious. Here is the recipe I used:

Ingredients:
2 bottles red Spanish table wine
1 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup simple syrup, or more to taste (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, cooled)
Orange slices
Peach slices
Blackberries
Pomegranate seeds

Directions
Mix all ingredients together and let stand in a tightly sealed container or pitcher for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator before serving.

map schmap, photo schmoto

2008-08-25T16:34:00.003-05:00

A photo I took in Cologne, Germany was selected to be a part of Schmap.com's online travel itinerary for Cologne (specifically the chocolate museum)! Click here to check it out. It's at the top right corner.

What I think is really cool is that if you click on the photo from that link, it takes you to my flickr site :)

in the sea of humanity

2008-08-19T20:47:00.008-05:00

Hey guys. Guess what? There are a lot of people in this city.

Of course I knew this before, but never has it been more evident to me as it was this past Sunday afternoon when Paul, Joanna and I decided to brave the crowds at North Ave Beach to watch the Air and Water show.

Yikes.

I've watched the air and water show before, but then I was a safe distance from the launching point and therefore a safe distance from the sea of humanity that congregates there. Actually getting to the beach was half the battle! It seemed like there were more people coming than going, which made us fearful that the enormous beach was actually overflowing and the people we were meeting on the way were actually fleeing to a location less populated.

We persevered nonetheless and miraculously managed to find a really good spot. Though in the sun, it had a good view of the parachute dropping point and it also provided us with some nice neighbors to chat with.

If you've met Paul, you might be able to guess what kind of day we had. By the time we left, we were saying "goodbye!" "take care!" "see you next year!" to the groups of people around us. Paul even gladly gave up his seat (which we hauled all the way from the car) to an elderly lady who was watching the show with her grandkids. What a guy. I should also mention, Paul gave $10 to the car parking attendant, on top of the already steep parking fee of $30, and told him to buy something nice for his kids. Can you believe this guy?

So, despite the sea of people, it felt more like we were in a small town watching a 4th of July parade than in Chicago watching one of the largest air and water shows in the nation.

Many of you might not have thought twice about the events of the day, but for me, it was huge! It's been pretty rare for me to experience (or even see) that type of community amongst complete strangers here in the city. Quite refreshing.

Opening Ceremonies 2008

2008-08-08T20:13:00.008-05:00

To see some really AMAZING photographs of the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing, click here. They're all so beautiful! I'm watching the Opening Ceremonies right now, and am being blown away by the artistry of the costumes, music, theatrics, and lights. Yay olympics!

my current project at the Field Museum

2008-07-30T14:19:00.005-05:00

This is the identity Lori and I designed for a new exhibit opening this fall. Lori and I and a team of about 8 other people have been laboring over the design of the exhibit for over a year and a half already and things are really starting to be put into motion. The month of august is filled with deadlines for our graphics. This is when things begin to get really exciting.

The Aztec World opens October 31, 2008 at the Field Museum.

so much excitement

2008-07-10T15:57:00.003-05:00

1. My first baby nephew, Noam Lee Groeneweg, was born last night, July 9, 2008. He is 6lbs 11oz. 20 inches. Congrats Becky and Brian! Can't wait to meet your new little one! (I'm already the favorite aunt, don't deny it Hope :)

2. Sister Dana is flying to Chicago after spending a year nannying in Germany and I get to be the first family member to welcome her back to the states! (she has like 4 friends coming to pick her up in Chicago and all 6 of us (plus my cat) get to spend 2 nights in my tiny studio.)

this is what 7 people and a cat look like trying to sleep in a studio apartment:

3. I just met Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from TLC's What Not To Wear. AND they know that I'm the genius designer behind the very important graphic used on the set.

Yeah, that's right. Be jealous people.

i wanna be an aunt...

2008-07-09T20:58:00.002-05:00

...and I'm so close! my sister Becky has been in labor since 1:30 this morning. that's right, 1:30 THIS MORNING! That was 19.5 hours ago...

stay tuned...say a prayer.

We're going back

2008-07-06T21:45:00.004-05:00

Let's just back the train up a bit. Is it seriously July 6 already? Cuz that's what my computer, ipod, wall calendar, cell phone, day planner, alarm clock, tv, dvd player AND today's church bulletin are all trying to tell me...

Yeah, I don't know where the month of June went either....can we back it up a bit and recap what's been happening? (That was a rhetorical question) good! here we go...

The month of May ended on a good note because, as I mentioned a couple posts ago, it included that road trip to Iowa to see my family. That trip was good because it included things like seeing my pregnant sister (due in just ONE week!), a memorial day parade, hanging out with a bunch of great friends, and everyone's memorial day staple: a pancake breakfast. When I got back to Chicago things seemed to be pretty normal, besides the usual after-affect of being home: homesickness. The awful feeling of homesickness got worse when, on June 2, I found out that my cousin, Angie, died very suddenly. This news came a little over a month after I received news that another cousin of mine, Kevin, had also died very suddenly. Kevin was 44. Angie, only 34.

It's hard to explain how I felt. devastation is close, but doesn't seem quite right. It really is beyond words when you lose someone so unexpectedly, someone you thought you'd share the next 40+ years of life with on this earth. While I wasn't very close to Kevin, nor did I know Angie really well, I am very close with Angie's family. Her parents and sister are my closest relatives and I hurt for their lost the most, and still do. I was able to make it home for the funeral. A completely different trip home than the trip I took just two weeks prior. Angie was such a beautiful person who surrounded herself with so many beautiful people who loved her. She will be missed, never forgotten.

A couple days after I returned from Iowa, June 12 to be exact, my good friend Sarah came for a visit from Grand rapids. What a blessing it was to have her here especially coming back from a pretty intense trip to Iowa.

The 10 days Sarah spent here in Chicago were filled with some great times. Birthday parties, street festivals, concerts, picnics in the park, game nights, good food, plenty of movies, and many many good conversations. A week after Sarah got here another great friend, Abby came in from Seattle for an architecture educators conference. Another blessing! So many friends! We had a great time hanging out at the Field Museum and going to see one of my favorite bands, Rue Royale play at Martyrs. More good food, good conversations, and plenty of laughs.

If you've been keeping track (or even if you're still reading this...) we're about up to the week of June 22. Which is the start of probably my two busiest weeks this summer....

June 22 (S): Sarah and Abby leave town

June 23 (M): work and then a picnic with friends in the park, followed by a concert (Brendan Losch, Weather Underground, and Cotton Jones Basket Ride) at Schubas. (a little too late for a school night but a good show nonetheless)

June 24 (T): Working late, followed by another AMAZING concert: Eef Barzelay, who is the lead on one of my favorite bands: Clem Snide. The show was amazing. amazing. amazing! :)

June 25 (W): After work I attended an art show by photojournalist, Ryan Spencer Reed (a former Calvin student). He's spent the past 4 years in and out of Sudan, photographing the genocide that's been going on in western Sudan. Very powerful work, very difficult subject. I encourage you to check out his website.

June 26 (Th): I visit Anti-Cruelty Society. I had decided to get a cat about a week before and on this day I found a new friend who I've already introduced you to: Lila (pronounced LEE-la). I didn't get to take her home that night because she had to be spayed, so Thursday night was spent at PetSmart stocking up on things I had no idea if she'd need or want: scratching post (doesn't use), toys (not interested), kitty treats (they make her throw up.) I did do pretty good on the basics though: litter box that she has had no problem using and kitty food that she really enjoys.

June 27 (F): Day 1 with Lila. Kinda weird, but it's gotten so much better since then. It's taken her about a week to come out of her shell and now I'm discovering she has what most cats have: a bit of an attitude. aka: she's a bit of a Diva. About 99% of the time she's the most lovable cat ever and insists on sitting/sleeping as close as possible to me. But the other 1% of the time she has no problem letting me know when I've left her alone too long or when I'm not giving her the attention she wants: she sits in the middle of my apt the floor and intentionally faces the opposite direction from me.

June 28 (Sa): Another picnic with friends in the park (gotta love free concerts downtown!)

June 29 (Su): Brunch with Paul, Joanna, and Laura at Twisted Spoke. Yum!

June 30 (M): White Sox game with 15 friends!

July 1 (Tu): Nothing! stay home...

July 2 (W): Sarah Pegman's birthday dinner at Joy's Noodle. Happy birthday pegster!

July 3 (Th): Work, followed by a shopping extravaganza with Sarah Pegman. We're throwing a 4th of July Party by the lake! Thursday night we also went downtown to the Field Museum Campus to watch the fireworks show.

July 4 (F): Happy fourth! Our all day party in the park. It was a beautiful day and was even more beautiful to spend it with some of my best friends. We played frisbee and 500, and ate lots and lots of delicious food. The perfect day was completed with some more fireworks and then probably one of the most graceful wipe-outs i've ever had. There was a really big crack in the sidewalk....and now i have 11 really intense bruises all up and down my legs. doh!

July 5 (Sa): Relaxing in the morning, then out to Ravinia Park to witness a live taping of Prairie Home Companion with everyone's favorite, Garrison Keillor. More food, more friends, more picnics.....please, can we hold off on the picnics for a while?

And now here we are, Sunday, July 6. If you've made it this far through my post you must really love me, or just be incredibly bored right now. Hey, it's ok, I've gotten really good at distracting myself too... Today I went with Becca to Loop Church because she was ordained as an elder in the church. A very exciting day indeed. Following the service and brunch at The Bongo Room, I came home and immediately took a 4 hour nap (I know it was beautiful day, but have you noticed how many picnics I've been at lately??) I'm a little concerned that Lila is not going to sleep a wink tonight. She's still napping...

I could probably give you a rough draft of what the rest of my July is looking like, but I know you've enjoyed yourself enough already, just by reading the above, so i'll let you wait in anticipation for the next play-by-play. I'll try update more frequently than once every 2 months....

goodnight

PS: I know how much you guys love pictures, so click here for a few more pictures.

Introducing: Lila!

2008-06-26T19:08:00.003-05:00

I just got home from the Anti Cruelty Society where I just adopted a new cat! Isn't she cute? I have to wait until tomorrow to take her home, but it's official :)

This is what the animal shelter said about Lila (the shelter had named her Precious, but I renamed her Lila):

"Precious is a super sweet and friendly 3-year old brown tabby. Her fur has gorgeous and unique markings that almost appear swirled, she is quite awesome looking! Precious also has the most amazing bright eyes! Precious came to us when her family was moving and couldn't take her along. With her endearing personality and calm demeanor, we are sure to find her a home in no time. Precious deserves to have a home where she can play the days away and snuggle up close to you each night. Please come and meet this very beautiful and sweet girl."

good music is cheaper than therapy

2008-06-25T12:02:00.008-05:00

and almost just as effective...especially when my favorite music includes the vocals and musical genius of Eef Barzelay.

I got to see Eef live last night at Schubas. This was the first time I've seen him live and I was blown away. He was funny, entertaining, and his music....well....his music speaks for itself (there's a reason why he's my favorite). Eef just released a new solo album, Lose Big. (He's also lead vocals for Clem Snide.)

Here's the music video for Lose Big. He performed this song last night, and it's even better live. awesome.

Here's a little video about Eef behind the scenes. I love his quirky personality.

Illinois to Iowa

2008-05-28T22:02:00.006-05:00

I finally got to see my sister's pregnant tummy this past weekend. Finally. It was the first, and only time that I'll get to see her pregnant with my first nephew and that makes me sad. I'm already wishing i was back in Iowa so i could spend more time with her and everyone else. Even though it went really fast, the long weekend with family and friends was spectacular.

That was the first time since moving to chicago (exactly TWO years ago this past monday!!) that I drove to Iowa instead of flying. And let me tell you, that 9 hour drive is just as long as I remember it being. Thankfully I didn't have to make it alone, Becca's company made it a great roadtrip. I even mixed us a soundtrack for the occasion (which we probably listened to 11 times) :P

The drive was really pretty, especially crossing the Wisconsin/Minnesota border:

color me happy

2008-05-20T11:05:00.006-05:00

I bought myself a brand new box of colored pencils this weekend. I like colored pencils, a lot. Just looking at all the colors makes me happy. And since I got the big box, I'm pretty much beside myself with glee. They've already begun to spur the creativity and inspiration I was looking for.

Parisian excursion

2008-05-18T11:11:00.007-05:00

One more post about my trip to Germany and France and I'll promise I'll at least try to be quiet about it for a while.

For most of our excursion to Paris and Munich Dana and I were pretty good about knowing where we were and how to get where we wanted to go. But there was this one night in Paris....

It was Friday night and we had spent ALL day wandering around the city. Climbing the eiffel tower, searching for food, exploring the Louvre and Musee de Orsay, the arc de triumph, Notre Dame, Pompidou Centre. We were exhausted but it was almost dark and we really wanted to see the eiffel at night. So to kill time we picked up some beers and hung out on the plaza of the Notre Dame. Here's a tip: if you're looking to relax after a long day, it's best not to be a couple girls drinking beer in public. It didn't take more than 2 minutes for us to be approached by a nice looking French fellow, who actually was really nice and really funny and just seemed like he wanted to talk to us in English. Two minutes after we said "au revoir!" two other guys approached us. Their names are Kristoph and Philip and they barely speak English. Somehow, and by total accident, I may have told them (and they somehow understood) that we were planning on going back to the Eiffel tower to see it lit up at night. Perfecto! they would join us! But...they didn't have a metro pass so they insisted that we WALK all the way back to the Eiffel tower. A mere 3.6 miles on feet that had already seen way too many miles that day. But, they were charming and sweet and since I wasn't about to get in a car with them, we set out.

Did I mention they barely spoke English?? Yeah, and we don't speak french. So not only was the physical distance exhausting but most of the time we had to rely on hand signals and sign language to have a conversation with these guys. Pretty soon I was just nodding and saying 'oui' not at all sure what I was agreeing to.

We finally get to the Eiffel somewhere around 1:30am. We half-heartedly take some pictures because by this time I couldn't have cared less if we had been staring at a brick wall. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration. The Eiffel at night is a breathtaking sight.

I think Kristoph and Philip got the hint after we repeatedly ignored them and pretty much told them that nothing more was going to happen between us that night. So we said 'au revoir' and Dana and I walked over to a piece of lawn and collapsed.

No, the story is not over yet, remember when i said we had been really good at knowing where we were, where we were going and how to get there? Sit tight.

Around 2am we decided it was definitely time for bed. We walk 10 minutes (kill me now!!) to the metro, validate our tickets and promptly find a seat on the platform with a handful of other night owls. After 5 minutes, an announcement is made telling us that the trains are no longer running. It is 2:15 after all. We sit there expressionless, neither one of us knowing what this means for our commute home.

Enter in French men #1 & #2 (I don't think we ever got their names...)

Apparently these two fellows saw our blank expressions and asked if they could help. Turns out they were headed in the same direction we were! Perfecto! They would help us get to the correct bus and help us get home. Fabulous. So, we left the train station and walk out to a bus stop that I mistakenly thought was a shuttle bus. I don't know what made me think this. I blame the pure exhaustion and lack of knowledge of French terminology. Whatever it was, I thought it was free, or I thought the train tickets that we validated would be good on the bus system as well. Nope! Totally wrong. We were on the very packed bus for maybe 10 minutes before it stopped and 8 large men in uniforms got on and ask to see everyone's tickets. I don't know about dana, but I was trying to make myself as invisible as possible. No luck. Our tickets were deemed "No Good" on the bus and we were fined 40 euros ($60). The whole situation created quite a scene considering it was now about 3am and we were 2 young american girls on a bus filled with african and french men going home after a night out at clubs. I held it together for a while before I started tearing up. Nothing too serious, just enough for me to create an even bigger scene and to cause Dana to be completely embarrassed that she was traveling with me.

#1 & #2 were still on the bus with us, but they weren't offering any help until they decided it was time for us to get off the bus. We got off but we're not home yet, we just have to wait for another bus. Amazingly, the SAME group of bus police end up on that bus and ask to see everyone's tickets again! of course they remembered us so they pretty much left us alone. The night continued on like this. i think we ended up taking 3 buses and on our trip home we were able to see the Arc de Triumph, the Notre Dame and the Pompidou centre for a 2nd time.

We finally collapsed on our beds at 5:30 am.

Ahhh.... Paris....

I finally got all of my pictures posted to my flickr site so please check them out and let me know what you think. I also created SIX albums on facebook so if you have something against flickr you can check them out here and here for Germany. Here and here for Paris. And here and here for Munich and castles.

Germany and Paris: A Summary

2008-05-14T12:54:00.009-05:00

What an amazing trip.

I'm reeling with memories, happiness, and unbelievable exhaustion, as is my sister I'm sure. I have yet to figure out how to best explain my trip on this blog, so for now, I'm going to leave you with a very brief summary:

• cathedrals
• stairs
• museums
• chocolate
• architecture
• art
• food
• walking
• pictures
• laughter
• trains
• castles
• mountains
• parks
• beer
• shopping
• heights
• coffee

I'm working on getting my photos organized and will be posting them to my flickr site soon. I can't believe I took some of these (including the one you see above!)

airlines: always entertaining

2008-05-02T15:02:00.003-05:00

After an extremely stressful morning trying to re-confirm my flight (it had somehow been DELETED from the airline's online system...) preparations for my journey seem to be falling into place. I leave for the airport in just 1 hour! And tell you what, after this morning's stress and trying to wrap up 8 different projects at work, I'm SO ready for a vacation. Thankfully the airline was able to retrieve my reservation so I'll soon be on my way to Germany. woohoo!

Deutschland: 3 days!

2008-04-29T12:53:00.006-05:00

I leave for Germany in 3 short days and I can hardly contain my excitement!

I'll be staying in Dusseldorf with my sister's au pair family for most of my trip and will be taking day trips to surrounding cities in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. Stay tuned for pictures!! :)

FFFFound!

2008-04-26T23:35:00.002-05:00

Sometimes when I'm exploring the gobs of websites devoted to photography, design and architecture I feel like I'm about to implode with inspiration (which is actually a daily occurrence). If you're looking for inspiration like me, or if you just like looking at cool things, pretty things, colorful things, dramatic things, challenging things...then you should do yourself a favor and head on over here.

But wait, before you go here's a tip: When you find an image you like (it won't take long), click on it and then see where the next image takes you, and where that image then takes you, and the next, and the next, and the...

let me know how you cope with the sense of imploding.

Oh, and a warning: Just know that when you head on over to that site you should be prepared to lose the rest of your day. enjoy!

King Corn

2008-04-23T13:16:00.005-05:00

This trailer for King Corn hits pretty close to home. I grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa where we grew acres and acres of corn. Since the countryside was saturated with them, cornfields were just a part of the scenery to me...something I rarely noticed or even thought about, not to mention worrying about where the corn actually went or what it was used for after combining it every fall and taking it to town every spring.

I'm definitely renting this movie and following it up by reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. A book that I hear will change the way you think about food, much like the way Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me did.

If you've seen King Corn or read The Omnivore's Dilemma, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

fotos on flickr

2008-04-23T09:14:00.003-05:00

Hi friends.
I just set up my very own flickr account. So, check it out and let me know what you think. I'll be updating and reorganizing soon.

recent knitting project: finished!

2008-04-21T22:23:00.006-05:00

I am PRIT-TEE darn excited about this one. Just finished it yesterday. (it's a baby blanket).

change is good

2008-04-21T21:53:00.004-05:00

Let me know what you think of my new color scheme. it might change tomorrow so you better come back and see.

....what? you think this blue and grey is too depressing? seriously, leave a comment.

earthquake in the midwest?

2008-04-18T11:53:00.003-05:00

yes. illinois had an earthquake. and I felt it at 4:30 this morning. But at the time, since I was sleeping, I couldn't coherently figure out what it was. I seriously thought it was just extremely strong winds that was making my 4 story, solid stone apartment structure shake. Yes, wind. Hey, who woulda EVER thought Chicago would have an earthquake? ?? We are the windy city after all, and I was sleeping....

anyway, my mom called me this morning and asked me if I felt the earthquake and immediately i remembered the strong "winds" and kinda freaked out. that was SO crazy.

Apparently I'm really sensitive because only 1 other coworker felt the earthquake and only 3 people felt the aftershock at work, even though, while it was happening, I was like "OH my GOSH, do you guys FEEL that??"

It's quite a weird sensation and it actually made me feel woozy and nausous. Besides those physical side effects, I'm having some mental side effects as well. It's kinda scary and foreboding. Kinda like the way I felt when Heath Ledger died*. Like, "wow, I didn't see that one coming....i wonder what other unsuspecting, earth shattering (sorry for the pun) events are coming our way.

*I'm not obsessed with Heath Ledger in anyway. I was just beyond shocked that he would overdose. He seemed like such a clean cut nice guy. Just goes to show that people can put up fronts and you never really know what could be going on under the surface.

i love type

2008-04-18T00:16:00.003-05:00

Do you love type? Do you know type? Find out here.
I only got 26 out of 34. I need some more practice.

Can I just say that I love seattle?

2008-04-17T22:40:00.017-05:00

What a great weekend it was to be in Seattle. It was snowy here in chicago (yes, snowy) but it was beeeeea-u-tiful out in the pacific northwest. it only sprinkled a little on the day I left and it was 75 and sunny all day saturday. It was so fantastic to hang out with Abby and see Rachel again. We did a lot of somewhat random things, but it definitely made the weekend unforgettable. And again, Seattle is beeeeea-u-tiful!

The weekend consisted of:
1. delicious food: fish tacos, french pastries, gourmet pizza, mango quesadillas, risotto cakes, savory vegetarian chili...yum!
2. a road trip to see fields of tulips. unfortunately, the tulips hadn't 'popped' yet, but the daffodil fields didn't disappoint.
3. a quilt museum
4. a glass museum
5. fabric stores, yarn stores, bookstores, pottery stores, oh my!
6. lots of laughs
7. IKEA
8. architecture
9. money handouts. some lady randomly gave me $1 on the street.
10. fantastic views. "well hello there mountains"
11. Pike place market
12. Flying fish
13. endless cups of seattle coffee
14. Glorious blisters on my feet from all the walking.
15. Calatrava, Chihuly, Koolhaas

The amazing new seattle library, designed by Rem Koolhaas (it was really kool ;)

Wanna see more pictures? Click here or here

i can tie my tie all by myself

2008-04-15T18:38:00.002-05:00

hey!

hey you!

yes, YOU! the one reading this blog!

I know what you're thinking. you're thinking, man, i wish this girl would get RID of that nasty blogger template with the putrid ochre background and disgusting brown font! For pete's sake, isn't she a graphic designer??

Ok ok, you're right. I'm gunna work on it. Actually, I've been working on it (or at least thinking about working on it) for quite some time. But yeah, I named this blog what I did for a reason.

So, stay tuned. I'm conjuring up at least 50% of my creative energy and honing it in on sprucing this place up.