10 Years Ago

As we continue to move forward from the devastation that changed each and every one of our lives, I can feel only be gratitude to those who have been fighting for us, attempting to make a difference, and to those who gave their lives in doing so. I've lived a very full decade since. In a hundred years from now, I don't think I'll ever feel any differently. Always remembering.

Young Blood by The Naked and Famous

Once you get past the hipster-tude of this video, I hope you will agree that this song so perfectly fits the last of this summer heat. It almost makes me forget how gloomy today's weather was and that instead of summer vacation, I've already been in school for a over a month now.

2011 Season Opener: A Time Course Study

So I survived (and passed!) my first unit of exams. I took a much needed half-week plus long-weekend to decompress. It was filled with meeting up with many old friends (like H, JJB, and a big part of 1313/1315 S. State), an unexpectedly raucous post-exam party, girls' night out, Polomba/Grenier tailgating, and Michigan Football. As you may have heard, the game was rather interesting and here are my captures of its progressions:

Sunny and HOT tailgating and game opening

Things getting weird and dark

Then, evacuation #1 (which the majority of us ignored) - see the new jumbo screen?

And then evacuation #2 (which we were not allowed to ignore)

 

In rain and shine, a good time was had by all. I hope everyone had an equally exciting Labor Day Weekend. Happy last weekend of summer!

Photographic Images with Contrast

Mostly I'm staring at views like this all day. Colored writing utensils askew, Anatomy Atlas within an easy reach, and my notes perpetually open with more information that I have yet to learn. Sadly, the Amaretti Almond Crunch Haagen Daaz is not a frequent (nor long-lasting) participant in my study sessions, but seriously should be.

But on a good day, I get to look at this on my drive to school and back home. And I've been lucky to enjoy many good days lately.

(Photo taken with Instagram on my iPhone)

Quotability

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'"

Mary Ann Radmacher

PS. I took this photo of the London Eye back in 2008 and used this Polaroid software on it!

Stage Fright

I really have nothing to say during the closing hours on the eve of my first day of classes. I'm calm but tired, nervous but hopeful, ready but so not ready. I remember reading Connie's poignant thoughts as she was about to embark on her own journey to law school and I recall being so moved at her fear, longing, and hope. These are emotions that I too now know.

It is so crazy to think that these were her feelings from only about 11 months ago. In less than a year, my little bear has changed so much and, to put it lightly, she has kicked absolute ass (top of her class, Law Review, etc., etc.). If I am but a fraction of the woman she is, I will be living a dream.

"Tomorrow is the beginning of an odyssey that will change my life, and I am feeling very small indeed."

Conmonster

In My Father's Garden

I've gone to my Dad's garden only a few times this summer. I usually whine and complain when I go because of the uncomfortable squatting, dirty hands, and damp shoes involved. But I selfishly reap all the benefits of my father's near-daily dedication and care; we've been eating his vegetables since early June. We've had broccoli, sweet potato greens, spinach, cucumbers, dill, sweet peas, zucchinis, yellow squash, chrysanthemum greens, and a whole slew of other Chinese vegetables. There are more pumpkins, winter melons, and cauliflowers (and even one broc-cauliflower!) growing. Right now the tomatoes are just starting to turn red and soon we'll be harvesting bags and bags of them.

June

August