back to the grind

I am back in school, so you probably won't hear much from me.  I did it again- loaded up my plate, bit off more than I can chew, etc.  I have another Graduate Research Fellowship this term, which is great because it pays the big bucks, but it sucks up a lot of time.  On top of that, I am taking 4 classes (one of which should be 6 credits).  I have considered dropping one, but they are all so interesting, and most of them count towards the Ecological Design Certificate.  Here is the lineup:

Community Design: examination of the changes in suburban neighborhood design over the past 100 years  as a result of changes in technology, governmental policies, life styles, demographics, and values. Special emphasis will focus on the review of appropriate housing/neighborhood models for the future, given demands for increased density and responding to diminishing natural resources.


Housing Design: examine issues in housing design and production in two time frames:  the factors and constraints which drive housing in the United States today (and the externalities which are often ignored), and the changing forces which will drive it in the future.

Enclosures: basically detailing buildings and lots and lots of drawing

American Architecture through a Historic Preservation Perspective

I am also taking swimming and yoga.  See you in 10 weeks!

I found this photo in my phone. I don't remember when this was, or where we went, but by the looks of it, we had a great time.  

On a last minute whim, and with thanks to generous parents, I am spending the weekend before school starts in beautiful Coronado.  I will be laying in the sand, storing up on vitamin D, and trying to relax before I start my last hectic year of graduate school. 

Haven't posted much here because I have been over here, posting about my week of raw food. Take a gander if you wish.

another sewing project

I bought this shirt because I like the pattern and it was on sale, I did not however like the sleeves: too many stripes, and too clown like.


So I did a little altering, and voila, not so stripey.

HELP!

I really hate cleaning, and I am not very good at it. Sure most people don't like cleaning, but I haven't liked it since I was in preschool and I got in trouble because during "clean up time" I only walked around and pretended to pick up. I was picking up invisible objects and walking them over to the basket and pretending to drop it in. So it's in my blood, the whole not cleaning thing.

But here's my dilemma, I really hate a messy house. So I need some advice from those people whom actually "don't mind cleaning" or even better, those who find it cathartic. How can I motivate myself to clean the house?

I have figured out that my issue lies in the fact that I feel cleaning is a complete waste of time. The hours I spend cleaning could be spent taking violin lessons, or learning Japanese, or doing a fun project. So, any advice? Because at this point I am looking up house keepers on Craigs List, and I would prefer to hold off on hiring someone until Dan and I are both fully employed.

Thanks!

About two years ago, Dan converted his fixed gear back to a ten-speed, it was then that I had a suspicion that the fixed-gear craze was becoming too trendy. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw this...


urban outfitters has their own fixed-gear shop? haha.

I got a little side tracked on my Teux Deux list. I went to buy fabric to upholster my chair, but they were sold out of the fabric I wanted. Not wanting to leave empty handed, I bought a purse pattern and giraffe-print fabric.

It's been about 4 years since I have sewed from a pattern, but I relearned it quickly enough, and made this:

model it!!!

I'm not an animal print kind of gal, but for some reason the giraffe print really spoke to me, maybe it's because they are on the list of "Coolest Animals on the Planet"!!!!!

In other news, I am right on track for my reading list.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Good Earth
Pillars of the Earth
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Hunger Games

Now on to Count of Monte Cristo and Catching Fire.
Thank you everyone for your book suggestions!

...as the flashes blinded us in the photobooth.

Anyone catch the Death Cab reference, anyone...man, used to love Ben Gibbard. Anyway, all I wanted to say is that I hope the 'wedding reception photo booth' trend never dies.

more creative friends.

Dan and I spent a nice evening with our friends Dana and Eric. Dana happens to make jewelry, and I happened to purchase three lovely pieces.

these are green chalcedony

and these white onyx

and this, a vintage button ring

Some of her pieces can be found on etsy, or her blog..for a steal I might add.

My Teux Deux

Let me start this post by first introducing you to something wonderful- (if you haven't already been introduced) the website Teux Deux. This website is perfect for lovers of to-do lists and good design, two of my favorite things. I have been using it for a little over a year now and have converted many people over to its simplicity.

I love to-do lists so much, that despite my obsession with Teux Deux (and setting it as my homepage), I still like to write out my lists. Below is my list for projects to finish before school starts.
Some are more important (make my portfolio), others are quite ambitious (upholster wing back chair), but I am determined to accomplish as much as possible, despite only having 20 days.

I have another list: books to read before school start
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Good Earth
Pillars of the Earth
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Hunger Games

It's a lot of pages, but with the help of audible, I am almost through Pillars and Memoirs, and would like to add one more to my list. Do you have any other book suggestions?

We had a great Saturday with Nick, Kaitlin, and their pup April. We began the day at the Eugene celebration,



And ended with camping on the coast.

nyc.

Given how busy we were with wedding business and pampering, I didn't take many photos of our trip to New York, but here is a quick summary of our trip, brief sightseeing, and some documentation.

Our Apartment

An evening showing of Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (Very good, but I could be bias, I am a sucker for oldies)

Afternoon walk on the High Line: I had been looking forward to visiting the High Line for quite some time, and it did not disappoint. The design details are amazing, but what I found most interesting, was the pedestrian experience. So much of New York is experienced by walking at ground level, you really only relate to the building's first or second story, but the High Line, gives you a new pedestrian experience, and allows you to relate to the buildings in a new way.




The bridal suite

The wedding

goodbye...hello

goodbye

hello...

big change! i like it! my neck feels cold, head feels light. i know there will be days that i miss my long locks, but i have no regrets, it feels great.

ps. how ridiculous are the series of images, my favorite is the indoor-sunglasses shot.

For my pa.

As per my dad's request, here's my project from last term: an Hotel in Tapalpa, Mexico.