christmas gifts exchanged

When I got wind that Graham and I were trading gifts this year, I groaned (how romantic of me). His birthday is on Dec. 4, and I regretfully placed all of my creative talent into his gift, completely forgetting that Christmas was just around the corner. In all seriousness (or lack there of), it was a dilemma.

As we sat on the floor holding our holiday cheer (in perfectly wrapped boxes), I was anxious to see what he had prepared. After all, he had not said a word about his gift nor did he drop any hints (c’mon!). I soon discovered a single issue of the New Yorker in my box followed by the words “Congratulations, you have just received a year’s subscription to the New Yorker complete with complimentary confetti.” Okay, so maybe not those words exactly, but it sounded so joyous in my mind.

Thus, I dub him the ultimate Christmas gift-giver this year. It was all kinds of lovely.

photobooth bested us today.

a gem

“Nothing exists, don’t fool yourself, for a wise man like you can see through walls but doesn’t seem to care to leave the building.”

Like a stray feline you’ve placed yourself back into the warmest corner of my mind. Taking up the spaces that hoarded the frustrating notions, the heart wrenching realities of a lack of devotion and I’ve lost track of the bad as your hair tangles around my veins. And you’re just like that. You just are.

Is it the way you sweeten the bitterest of tea from the largest hive that buzzes for blood? Your courage.

Your courage, my love: that could touch such broken glass, me scattered among the sheets, you laughing and breathing, me dreaming and dreaming.”

-Lucas Regazzi

Photo and excerpt via 1000scientists

recent happenings

Since I am not taking a class this month, I have been able to do all the things I’ve wanted to do since last semester. It has been absolutely wonderful. Things like leisurely reading, writing and job searching has taken a back seat for quite a while now, and I’m finally bringing it back to life. One of my many projects includes Congratulatory, a blog I created featuring inspiring images (for those picture lovers out there!) If you have a spare moment, check it out. It may not be for all of you (dad – I’m thinking about you as I type this) but it’s still worth a look at things I find interesting. If you have problems with the link, let me know!

Dad and I leave on Wednesday for our big road trip west. He says it’s 32 hours long, and believe me, I’ve cringed a few times thinking about how long that will be in the car. But I DO have a long list of cd’s we’ll be listening to, things to read out loud and many (oh so many) conversation questions. We are re-living the road trip we took the summer before my freshman year of college, and as long as he doesn’t make me cry regarding my driving the last half hour of the trip home, I’m good.

I would also like to mention – what’s up with the weather lately? C’mon Indiana.

Hyde’s Books

Over Christmas break, Graham and I ventured down town to an old book store we discovered last spring. I was looking for a particular book, which I found hidden away in the (very slim) Oscar Wilde section. I then proceeded to spend the rest of my time wondering through the poetry section and … possibly a small, laughable glimpse at the wildly inappropriate love novels with titles like, Love’s Secret Sniper and The Love Bum (OR perhaps His Woman) Eh? It was a dream. And I’ll tell you what, the last photo is THE dream (look at how delicately I’m touching the ladder).

Ryan

My friend Ryan surprised me the other day and stopped by Barnes and Noble to say hi and give me his Christmas present (I love when he gives me gifts!). The yellow shoes are right up my alley. Also, he has been helping me refurnish a desk I purchased at a yard sale in September, and I can’t wait to show you before and after pictures soon.

I hope all of you are enjoying your Wednesday. I finally travel back to Upland this evening, which means I have a lot of packing to do. Getting on that stat.

Wishing you a happy New Years!

life lately

What I’m loving this week

I have fallen in love with Anthropologie’s alphabet stamp set. My dear friend Ryan kindly lent me his this past week and I’ve shamelessly used it for everything. It is so classy and makes for the perfect final touch to a brown paper package or a card. I knew the moment I used it for the first time that I had to get one myself, so I drove to Anthropologie last night and bought one. I recommend it to all of you!