i'm here

I'm sorry oh blog...

Just because I have been ignoring you does not mean I have forgotten you. I have been very busy with various activities, including a visit from my mom and sister, a trip to NYC, a work trip to Columbia, SC, a weekend house guest, and lots o' work. Please forgive me and see the pictures below as evidence of my stated activities.

cold days and children's books

Today is the coldest day yet. I went out to grab a coffee with a friend and it hurt to breathe as I made my way across the ice to the train- and yesterday it was 45 degrees. That's Chicago for you I guess. I'm so happy to be on break. I can spend time wrapping gifts, cooking, and all that other wonderful homey stuff that falls to the wayside during school. 

I went shopping for children's books today for my niece and nephew and had such a hard time deciding. There are so many that I remember as a child that brought such magic to my imagination. I want to give that to them. I think its exciting but I'm sure we're just the boring aunt and uncle who bring books on Christmas. Oh well- thats the justice of childhood.

I settled on The Velveteen Rabbit by Margaret Williams and Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss for Isaak, and Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans for Annika's first book from us. 

Oh how I loved The Velvetten Rabbit. I felt so much for the toy who just wanted to be loved by his boy. I was always a little to empathetic towards my own toys and animals, to this book really struck a chord with me. It's definitely a favorite. One year my sister and I were given stuffed velveteen rabbits; a girl for Katie and a boy for me. I used to get mad when Katie always got the girly stuff because I was labeled early as a 'tomboy,' but was so happy with this gift because he was more like the rabbit I had know in the book. Oh Christmas! Makes me so nostalgic.

thanks

These past few weeks I've been so happy and grateful for my life. I think this past year I've been living is such a way that brings me worry, stress and dissatisfaction. For some reason recently I've been able to let it all go and just started to learn to be happy and content. I still worry about being good enough for school and finding a good job, but when I'm at home making food or cuddling with Aaron, all those concerns wash away. I've just been realizing how secondary all that other stuff is. I hate to admit these things sometimes because its sounds so housewifey, but I know I'll always work and be independent. I think I'm just allowing myself to completely enjoy those things that are separate from my intellectual life. Here are some things that have brought me joy these past few days:

-yummy tiger shrimp at salpicon

-homemade clothes... I really want a sewing machine.

-hank and lainey getting along

- these earrings that I won!

-The Lord of the Rings. I watched the final movie last night and got inspired to read the trilogy over Christmas Break

-Christmas Break!

-Aaron, Katie, and Mom and how well they get along

-Feeling at home finally

-Working for hours and feeling like I've accomplished something

-hope for the future

-Grace Chicago and the new friends we've met there

- the Windy City Gay Chorus 

Ok so I don't usually get this personal in my blog, but I felt compelled to share. Tell me some things you're thankful for. I love Jessica's blog because knowing what makes her happy makes me happy too. You should do the same!

this weekend

Good morning! I woke up feeling so sick. Yesterday I was feeling something coming on and despite all the juice drinking, supplement taking and fizzy sick drinks I've become sick. Ug. Oh well. It's a beautiful morning and I have the whole day to stay at home and work on finals. 

So the weekend has come and gone, and I had such a great time with my mom. It was a short trip but we did a lot. Here are some highlights: 

Lunch at eleven city diner

Dinner at Salpicon

Aaron made Panetone

and Hank and Lainey had the run of the place

mom is almost here!

Mom's in town tomorrow. So excited. When I think about it I'm amazed by how little I see her. She moved to Hawaii weeks after I went to college so it went from every day to a few times a year. And I missed her last visit when I was in D.C. this summer, so needless to say I need some mom time. Should have a fun filled weekend of shopping, eating, chatting, and Blue Man Group (not the support group for men). 

getting in the mood

I woke up to a white city this morning. There's nothing like the first Chicago snowfall. All is white. There is an erie quiet. For a short time everything looks clean, as it should be, and perfectly in its place. I can't wait to head down to Hyde Park this morning. It's going to be so beautiful I know it. Here is the view from my balcony. 

This weather gets me in the mood for the holidays. I'm happy that 

Finals are almost here, hence break is almost here

My mom comes in less than a week

I didn't get sick even though I had a sore throat 

I have Hank to keep me company

I found a great new clam chowder recipe. 

thanks

Thanksgiving has been great. Not only did we have an awesome Birthgiving party, but I was able to spend time with family in Sycamore. Its starting to feel like winter and the gravity of that really hit me out in the country, with the barren fields and leafless trees silhouetted against the gray sky. So beautiful. Below are some highlights of my Thanksgiving: 

aaron asleep on the train

pie

aaron, nanny, and I

changing leaves

the prefect leftovers sandwich 

good morning

Good morning. I'm happy that...

thanksgiving is almost here

I get to see my mom in 2 weeks

Jon Garda is here, a great visitor

I'm almost done with a great book

the sky is gray

we have a bowl of fragrant pine cones in the kitchen

I get to go to New York for New Years Eve. Steve is moving out to work for Esquire, but we get to help him move. I've never been to NYC and can't wait.

(Aaron and Steve reading Esquire on our bed)

back to blog, leaving DC, meeting Uncle Jim

comment from Aaron":
"i have some ideas for possible future posts...
-Work, work, work... what I have been spending my time on
-This city is driving me crazy
-The dark corner we call home
-Shower curtain maps... a great idea
-Monuments at night
-An urban oasis and camping without a car (good idea, bad idea)
-Welcome class of 2012 to the University of Maryland
-Waiting, wanting and searching for Applebee's
-What to do when you don't have a car and have to ship 8 boxes?
-Conversations with the Dean
-Conversations with a Moral Theologian
-Conversations with a Security Specialist
-Wise Millers
-Books I have read (and carried)
-DC dwellings
-Salad recipes
-Books found on the street
-Tennis
-The Republican National Convention
-Reflections on the summer and myself
-Sauvignon Blanc, check it out
-Meeting another Pannella
-Things that a coffee shop should have...
-My watch
-Lykke Li
-France
-Not grown up yet
-DC style (or lack there of)
-Jon and Hate plus 8
-Animal Planet
-Daley daily
-Art museums, the greatest hits"

This list came from a comment from Aaron in my last post. He has a number of ideas that I think all deserve a post. There are so many ideas, but where to start? We leave DC in a few hours and there are definitely a lot of things to reflect on. I am really happy we came but we had some really hard patches. But our last few weeks here have seemed to make up for all of that. We've been given the opportunity to live a beautiful Georgetown home (more on that later) and I feel as though my work here has been successful and appreciated. One of the most notable recent occurrences has been getting together with my Uncle Jim (a point on Aaron's list).
He is my Dad's brother, and they never got along. Because of this I only remember meeting him once in my life, and I'm fairly certain this is the first time meeting my two cousins. My uncle looks so much like my dad and is similar to him in many ways. Its like this is how my Dad would have been if he didn't drink or smoke. In fact its hard to imagine some one so like my dad without those characteristics. And he went to college and owns businesses. I wonder how two people with the same background could have such different lives. I heard new stores about my dad, and really enjoyed getting to know my cousins Sean (15) and Ross (12). But we never talked about my dad's death. Jim didn't come to the funeral and doesn't talk to the rest of the family. As far as I know he doesn't even know how his brother died.

Sean looked very much like Katie. And he is so smart and academically competitive and seemed to have a mind like Katie too. How awesome to see two people who have never met be such clear relatives.

The family, Jim, Karen, Sean, and Ross, live in Annapolis. I called them on Saturday and the only time they could see us was the next day. They took us out for incredible crab and walked us around the town. It was quite beautiful. I'm glad to know there is more family out there and that they are willing to include me in their lives. I was afraid to call him, but I'm glad I did. I'm glad I didn't let that fear keep me from this great day.

fun

I finally transferred my photos from my old computer to my new one, and came across some great ones. 

Ozzie the dog. Poor guy. We took him for a week the intent to adopt. But despite his sweetness, he had a poop and deafness problem that we didn't the the tme to fix. Hope he's doing well

Not Katie's best day. 

Jill and at at the First Friday party at the Museum of Contemporary Art. We were being cats. Jill is much better than I clearly. 

Aaron being awesome as usual.