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| August 21, 2009

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Speaking of all nighters… lots of memories made in this building. I can’t believe two years have passed since we were on the steps.

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Our good friend Ben and my sister will be starting here soon. I think BJ and I will have to fly up one weekend and revisit all our favorite spots. We haven’t found a shrimp tempura roll as good as Mikado & Beth swears by their fried rice. Kind of unusual that our favorite sushi place is in a landlocked state.

I felt like I was going crazy today because I couldn’t figure out my projector. I need both my projector and monitor to work when they’re plugged into the computer. Sounds simply right? I had it figured out last year, but I’ve spent at least 3 hours reconnecting wires. If I want one to work, I have to unplug and restart the computer. Grrrrr. Help!

I’m going to have to go to school tomorrow morning to finish up on some cleaning and preparation for Monday. I’m looking forward to seeing Post Grad with BJ and my sisters. I can’t believe summer is almost gone…

6:45am

| August 20, 2009

workshop_sketch2Quick sketch during today’s workshop.

With 3 more days until the start of school, I set a goal to be in bed by 11pm. If I had it my way, I’d probably push it back to 3am. I guess I associate the wee hours with a lot of good memories: ones where relationships were built, adventures were taken, and better work was produced. Especially in college. But since I have to be at work at 6:45am, this is something I’m going have to commit to. Wish me luck…

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| August 18, 2009

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This is how I feel about cleaning. (Probably what my back looks like too. Gotta be vigilant about my posture!)

It’s been a long day and my feet are starting to remember what a school day feels like. The classroom is getting closer to being in order, but sometimes it feels like a mountain load of unfinished tasks.

cute overload

| August 16, 2009

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Lots of birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations this weekend with the family. Tomorrow, I go back to work. Hmmm.

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| August 15, 2009

deaconIn memory of Deacon Bruno, the world is a little less colorful without him. We miss you.

BJ and I both wanted to collaborate together, and while we had several designs almost finished, time was running out and we couldn’t get anything printed before he flew up to PA. I worked on this a little more last night and I think I finally found a way to make my drawing a little less bare, because B was right: Deacon was not a minimalist. I’ll post BJ’s design once he finished. If anyone would like a copy of the final print, whether it be a prayer card or poster, please email us. We’ll be more than happy to send it out.

Higher resolution of this drawing is available here.

a blessing

| August 14, 2009

silence_hillstreet

Early in the wee morning, I dropped off BJ at the airport. I miss him already and wish I could be there with him and our friends to celebrate D’s life. So I’ve been dragging myself out of bed today, and I know… I know I need to go to school and shape up my room, but I just don’t feel like it. blah. Can’t believe this is my last weekend before work officially begins. 

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Sunday, we’ll be hitting our 4 year mark, and I wanted to paint something special for BJ. Picking Philip Roth wasn’t too hard a decision, I’ve been hearing about him since we’ve met, and BJ always finds a reason to buy more of his books. “I have it on audio, but not in print…. I don’t have this edition…”  I gave it to him yesterday, after the poor guy was drenched from head to toe from the rain downtown. 4 years have gone by so fast, and we feel very blessed.

For the painting, I used watercolor on stretched linen canvas. I wanted to just DO IT, to get over my hesitation and doubts and paint! It also allowed me to work fast, cutting down on the drying time because I’m a little, okay… super… impatient. Some of the tricky parts of working with wc & canvas happens when I need to paint on top of previously painted areas. The bottom layers would totally disappear  because the paint was only sitting on the surface of the canvas rather than being absorbed like it does on paper. I can’t count how many times his eyes would dissolve before my eyes! Sometimes it was a blessing– especially when I needed to correct proportions.

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| August 12, 2009

I am on a shopping ban for one month with the exception of groceries, gas, and school related purchases. We just have too many bills, deposits, and traveling to do this month. AHH, but then I came across this again on jcrew.

erez

Before I got engaged, I saw this dress and fell in love with it. Simple and elegant, and almost the opposite in terms of style of what I ended up buying. For our reception I already have an ao dai, but I would like  to find a dress to wear at the end of the night, especially if we end up going out together. Gotta be practical though.

erez-1My sister, Christine, ordered a bridesmaid dress from jcrew and it arrived today. It looks awesome on her. Plus, it has pockets so double yay!

While I’m on the topic of weddings, I love Cheri’s garden reception! It’s a dream. She also added more flag necklaces to her etsy shop.

bon appetite!

| August 11, 2009
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Look, it's just like me & bj

Remedy for a bad mood: Julie & Julia

Last night, B, my sister and I went to see J&J and it was a perfect way to end the day. I laughed throughout the whole movie, and 2.5 hours whizzed by  like it was 30 minutes. If only there were more scenes with Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. I was in love with their love if that makes any sense.

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Ah, Paul!

Meryl Streep gave an amazing performance as always, but Stanley Tucci really won me over. Besides The Devil Wears Prada, I am not too familiar his work and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for the future.

Another great review by A.O. Scott for the  nytimes.

photo-37Do you think BJ will wear one of these with me?

the gap

| August 9, 2009

bj_tooth

I think I’m going to miss the gap! B is such a good sport about it, but he won’t have to wait much longer. He has an appointment tomorrow. (Had to protect you from his crazy eyes)

 

intimate, bittersweet style

| August 7, 2009

marceldzama_studio_smallMarcel Dzama’s studio space. Vanity Fair.  December 2006

After leaving college, I like many of my friends have found it hard to continue doing our own work. Whether it is lack of space, materials, time, etc. there are many reasons that may interfere with the development of our art and craft. For me, it’s all of the above as well as the lingering thought that what I will make is not good enough, not serious enough, not thought out enough…. Well the fact is, I don’t have to present this in front of faculty, I’m not on a crazy deadline so what am I so afraid of? Like I tell my kids, you gotta make “bad” art to make good art. You have to start somewhere even if it’s a doodle.

So I’m excited that some of us are getting together to collaborate a little. Being assigned projects and having other people work along with you is a huge motivator. Hopefully we can continue to do this and get others to join in. I tore out this magazine page awhile ago (horrible, horrible tearing skills. I must of been impatient) and to me, it captures beautifully the spirit of making. Go create!