paintings i'd like to own someday...part 1?

I'm constantly seeing paintings that I fall in love with. But most of them aren't necessarily "hang in your house someday" paintings, they're more like, "stay in the church and come visit often" paintings. So leaving out some that I really love, here's a few that I would pretty much die to see in my house someday. You know, if the museums just decided to let me have them...

Rembrandt's The Jewish Bride

the impasto on this painting is incredible. 

it's what makes it a painting in every sense of the word. 

nothing can compare to seeing this painting in person. seriously. nothing.

Rembrandt's Supper at Emmaus 1629

Caravaggio's Fruit Basket

Vermeer's View of Delft

i also have to say that nothing can compare to seeing this in person. 

it has a luminosity that no one can describe.

it's literally like the painting is lighting up the whole room.

What do all of you decorate your houses with? Art? Pictures? Paint? If my house could be like a 19th century Salon, that would be really cool.

 

it's what day??

it's October 26th. didn't October just start?? the weeks are seriously flying by. but what can i say, time flies when you're busy studying. Is it scary that I've actually sort of enjoyed going to class and doing my homework? because it sort of scares me....I believe this week I even told someone grad school was fun (maybe even twice?!). yeah, whoa.

I'm not gonna lie, it's no walk in the park. I feel like i'm constantly doing homework. reading, writing, study study study. I miss out on a lot of fun, which makes me sad sometimes, but it's pretty much mandatory that I do homework every night, no exceptions (well except for Sundays, that's my "no homework allowed" day. I have to stay sane somehow!).

On a completely different note, I have taken no pictures for a couple weeks, tisk tisk. But, i have been looking at lots of art :) I'm probably going to be writing my thesis on this painting by Guido Reni:

St Joseph with the Infant Jesus, 1635

I actually wrote a little post about this painting (and others) a while ago. Funny how a few months later I found myself writing my senior thesis on it. And now....I may just continue that into my master's thesis. either way, this image will always hold a special place in my heart.

On another completely different note, I get to see the boyfriend next week, yay :)
(yes, he is back)

GNO

"Girls Night Out" for those not properly associated with The Office :)
(not to be confused with GAI, "Guys Afternoon In")

A few of my wonderful past roommates and I got together for a long overdue dinner. I was the "matriarch" of the apartment in our 9 months together a few years back. Seeing how far we've all gotten makes me feel like such a proud mother (...in a "we're still basically the same age but also not" sort of way). They are each doing such amazing things and I feel so lucky to call them friends.

We ate (a lot), talked (even more), and had a whole bunch of fun.

I'm not quite sure how to put in to words all that has happened this week.
Everything has changed. I feel like literally everything is up in the air.
Every day has been a roller coaster of emotions.
But, I'm beginning (only barely) to see a faint light at the end of the dark tunnel.
I don't really know how to talk about it yet, so I'll hold off until things settle a bit.

mish mish

The time has come. I have been both dreading and anticipating its arrival.

My most favorite person in the world, who just so happens to be my boyfriend and best friend (and future husband ;) is leaving for two whole years. to Columbus, Ohio. to serve as a missionary. that means no more phone calls. no more visits. only letters. for the both of us who love and obsess over talking to each other at every possible moment, these two years are going to be quite the experience. But I know that they are going to go. and hopefully it will be more happy than sad. we're going to get through this separated by more than 1700 miles, but we'll be connected through our love and letters. I can't believe this day has finally come. I'm so excited to go through this new adventure with him. I'm so incredibly proud of him for taking such a faith-filled step. all for the benefit of our future and happiness (which i can't wait for).

so please bear with me for the next two years as I mush and gush about how much i miss him and what a wonderful job he is doing.

 just look at these sweet awesome sweatshirts he made for us :)

my week away

My week with Jantz was the best. but pretty much every week with him is the greatest week ever. I only got pictures of the last half while we were in Colorado.

I made oreo truffles. 

jantz even helped, and his turned out the best  

(i've accepted that, even though i LOVE baking, and i'd like to think it's my specialty, that boy can cook, end of story)

i may have gotten some on his face 

(and he didn't even retaliate. wtf right? haha. he'll get me back, don't worry)

driving to the Rockies game. i like watching him drive.

we got sweet awesome seats (5 rows back from 3rd plate). 

Ubaldo was pitching, our fave!

sometimes he makes special faces in pictures

and sometimes i do.

on sunday after his amazing talk in church. 

(ps, i bought him that tie in florence)

him and his sister were making these faces the whole trip! 

our last day we went to lunch at On the Border (and got our meal for free, woot).

 

my favorite picture of us. 

loved the trip.

love him :)

pedro

There is a guy at my work that looks exactly like how Pedro will look in ten years. 

 

seriously.

I'm not sure if i should think it's weird or awesome.

probably both.

pre-post

I had a blog full of pictures all ready to post about my week out of town (which was the BEST), but then by some awesome happening, i erased all the pictures. poopy i know. so until i upload them all again, i'll give you this picture that jantz and his artistic skills created (well, i took the picture, he just awesome-ified it)

i think we're pretty awesome 

(in case you couldn't tell)

cows?

i'm sure you're all well aware of the very large picture of a cow on my blog :) i've thought about it for a while and i think maybe i should replace it with something a little less, "in your face".

I don't really know why there is a cow there in the first place, other than i used to really like cows (also for reasons unknown) and somehow it just stuck. I've been trying to think of how the cow (and my title) really makes any sense at all. And I think I've come up with a pretty "sense" making reason.

Cows go moo. there are millions of cows in the world. they all look the same. they all eat the same thing. they all make the same noise. kind of like humans you think? i'm just one in all those millions who's trying to be heard. I'm just "mooing", if you will (that sounds real special haha).

convinced? i won't be offended if you're not. i feel like i've changed the name and look of my blog so many times that i need to just stick to one. Any suggestions on a new title? A new image? if you've got a good one i might just take the plunge and redo things even more :)

one week of school = one week of vacation. sounds about right

This week has seriously flown by. Holy cow. I've had a few breakdowns this week, but after many talks and much complaining to the amazing people in my life (aka mom, boyfriend, roomies), I finally feel a little bit better about things. I think maybe, just maybe, I can make it. Grad school may take me to the edge of insanity, but when I'm done it will be so worth it (at least I hope so....haha)

On another note, I'm super excited that it's Friday. I get to pick Jantz and his fam up from the airport tonight and then spend the whole week with them. They leave on Thursday, but, I get to fly back with them and spend next weekend out there! yay!

I would pretty much be ok if the weekend never ended. so pray that this week goes by super slow for me :)

Song-of-the-Week: The Only Exception by Paramore. All you need is one person to change all your ideas and rules about love.

P.S. Impromptu Painting-of-the-Week:

death of the virgin by Caravaggio

such a spectacular painting. i stood in front of it for so long. just marveling at its beauty. 

it's SO different in person (so go see it :). and love it.

schoolio

the dreaded/anticipated grad school has finally arrived.

and i'm surprisingly super excited

the question is, whether i'm really going to commit myself to the hard work, sleepless nights, endless research, and really create something that i'm proud of.

no more coasting

no more going with the flow

no more mediocrity

only dedication, quality, going the extra mile

and most of all, excitement about all of it.

i have to admit, i'm scared to succeed. terrified even. i'm way too ok with just "doing my best" and being ok with whatever results come out of it. because if i don't put my all into something, then i know i can't expect amazing results. i've always hated this about myself.

so grad school can not longer be just a means to an end. it is now a challenge. to myself. to make expectations high, and do all i can to achieve them. which means believing in myself like i never have before.

but i can do it right? it is possible?

way back when

I was looking through some of my old posts today

and I decided to go all the way back to the beginning.

July 15th, 2005.

WHOA

that's 5 years ago people.

i don't even know if i could pick 5-years-ago me out of a crowd.

(ok that's a little extreme)

but really. i was just a little girl then.

i knew nothing about life.

nothing about who i was.
nothing about love (especially about love).

nothing about the journey i was about to embark on.

i was so innocent and naive.

you may be tempted to go find my first post and read it,
but for my sake, don't do it :)

but, looking back isn't for nothing.

i can see how far i've come. how much i've learned. how much i've experienced.

and you know what?

it makes me excited for all that i have yet to learn.

and it also gives me something to look back on and laugh. a lot.

muffins muffins

After much lusting, I finally made "Muffins that Taste like Donuts" (enticing name i know). They were pretty delicious, they barely lasted the weekend.

and, i documented the whole experience :)

my dinner whilst making muffins. college student? i think so

the ingredients

my AMAzing kitchen aid

 mixing it all together

 some suga

 all ready for the oven

 almost done

 after a dip in some melted butter and cinnamon-sugar, they look like this

and then they were eaten all gone :)

a pet peeve

when someone is writing on a whiteboard and, 

instead of using the provided eraser, 

they for some unknown reason 

erase with their finger/hand/any part of their body.

Does this bother anyone else?
I mean, the eraser is there for a reason.
Do you know how many hand oils you leave on the whiteboard?
Not to mention all the dry-erase marker residue that is left on your hand? (and sometimes people forget and touch their face, leaving marker all over their face.)
It could all just so easily be avoided if they would just use the eraser.

Ok I'm done ranting for the day :)  

Do you guys have weird pet peeves?

a little jungle book

i should preface this by explaining that sometimes when there's a break in conversation

i'll randomly sing or hum 
"...I will go and fetch the water..." from the Jungle Book
but only that line. because those are the only words i remember.
because sometimes awkward singing is better than silence.

so...Jantz sent me this cute text the other morning:

"I will go and fetch the water :)"

It doesn't seem like much, but it made me molto happy (look, some italian skills shining through).
it just goes to show how lucky i am to have a guy who not only loves me despite some odd behavior,
but he knows just what will make me smile.
and it pretty much made my day.

a funny

How is your week going? 

Mine is going exactly as it usually does on a Tuesday, which is almost as bad as a Monday (we are only sometimes friends), only a little better.

But actually..............today has been really good so far (other than work is going super slow). I've been letting the little things get to me recently (good little things=the BEST and very ok. bad little things = the WORST),

but today i'm all about the big picture.

Now I can't wait to go home, 

talk to the boyfriend about happy things, 

eat some dinner and chocolate, 

and hopefully watch How I Met Your Mother with my awesome roommates. 

Oh and bask in the fact that I am done with homework and school for three weeks.

AND, you should all read this because i think it's funny, and also so true.

Song-O-the-Week: She's in Love with the Boy by Trisha Yearwood. I hadn't heard this song in so long until it randomly popped into my head last week. So naturally I had to remind you all about it.

one year

Sunday marked one year of being with this guy:

(is it creepy that i love to watch him sleep? it just makes my heart melt a little bit.)

he's pretty much the most amazing person i've ever met.

and he makes me smile every single day.
he constantly amazes me,
be it with how hard he works
or how many times a day he lets me know how much he cares.

we've stuck together through so many obstacles,
and you know what?
not once has he ever lost sight of the future.
of our future.
he gives me such good perspective on life.

i don't know where i would be
without his love and encouragement.
i can't wait for many more years
of celebrating love and happiness with
my very best friend.

love you tons and tons

Birthday Girl

Today is my amazing
froommate's
(friend + roommate. that's right derek, i have stolen your word)

BIRTHDAY!!!

She really is freaking amazing. I'm oh so lucky to have her as a roomie.

just look at how cute she is.
she's just as sweet as she looks, even when i make a mess in the kitchen :)

us at my surprise birthday last year.
only a really great friend would befriend your mom
to participate in a surprise party.

she loves food, just like me

oh and she's gorgeous

Ria, I hope this day is full of fun and happiness.
I love you to pieces!

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y

my first official meal in who knows how long

This is a little late, but last Sunday I made dinner. A real dinner. Like with pots and pans and spices.

unfortunately i thought of taking pictures only after everything was all cleaned up and put away. and let me tell you, if you had seen the kitchen right after everything was done, you would have been appalled. I made quite a mess (i haven't cooked in a long time alright? i'm not accustomed to all the multitasking yet). Don't worry, it didn't get this bad, only pretty close...despite the appearance of the stove, the food looked delish (if i do say so myself). The chicken looked the best. with the spices and browning from the pan. very nice. and the pasta, well, was pasta from a box, but it tasted good, so, whatevs. i was pretty proud of myself

before i began my cooking adventure i delved into more familiar territory, baking (i heart baking). I made oreo truffles. which, truth be told, is not baking, because nothing goes in the oven. but boy were they delicious. and now i can't wait to go home to eat one :)

(not mine, but close enough :)

Next time I'm taking pictures for sure.

i like

i kind of love this buckle ring.
the end.

what've you been doing?

I feel like I've been majorly slacking on my dear blog. SO much has been going on and I haven't really written about any of it. Don't worry, I'm in the midst of repenting. So here's a short recap of my current events...I went to EUROPE!!!! (ok i know that wasn't a secret, but i'm still in shock that it actually happened. best. decision. ever.)

(this is what my desk looks like when i do homework)

I started a French Reading summer class. boo. it hasn't been too difficult, mostly just takes up a boatload of my time. i don't know how i'm going to survive grad school this fall...

I also started back at work in the lovely CTL. As much as i love it here, it's been rough sitting at a desk all day. I get so restless and uncomfortable from being in the same position for hours. But at least i'm not getting up at the crack of dawn to run around all day (wow working in a bakery sounds a lot like being a mom haha). And I can't wait to be a TA again in the fall!

I moved in with two coolest roommates ever! We've had so much fun already. I pretty much love them to death! We live in a freaking nice apartment with lots of room and a huge balcony. love. it.
And best of all I got to see my wonderfully amazing boyfriend for two whole weeks!!! We got to spend every waking moment together. I even "helped" him make the best steak dinner ever. soo delish. he will definitely be doing the cooking in our house... We got all dressed up and went to Cheesecake Factory (this became tradition months ago). We even got two cheesecakes after our delicious spicy cashew chicken. because he loves food (almost) as much as i do. so good. oh and i loved not having to drive (he still opens the door for me every time, so precious). Saying goodbye to him made me so sad. I miss him soo much, but i'm ever so grateful that we have phones that allow us to talk all day :) i love that boy to death.

So that's my story :) what've you all been doing???

Song-o-the-Week: One Time by Justin Bieber. It was only a matter of time before he made an appearance on my blog. don't worry i'm not a creeper, i just like music. This is a cool acoustic version.

hurry up day!

So here i sit at work. I can't wait to go home today. It's just one of those days (wait, everyday is one of those days...). But today I get to go home and eat a delicious leftover Cafe Rio salad (the sweet pork one of course). I like them the day after almost as much as the day of. Weird? probably. but i just love them!

yum

I do have to do homework all night though....that is not so fun. but the good dinner part totally outways poopy homework.

Oh and I found out that I get Friday off! I know i know, the 24th is on Saturday, but BYU is cool like that and wants to make sure we get our fair share of Utah pioneer holidayness. so, woot. now i can finally get some things done. like hang up pictures...and make a super-awesome-lovey-dovey anniversary present. and sleep in, yay!

And since I still haven't posted on Italy, here's a picture of the Contarelli Chapel, by one of my all time faves, Caravaggio. I love his tenebrism and use of color and especially his drama. Seeing this in person was definitely a dream come true :)

(more to come soon)

Precious

in case you didn't know, i LOVE italy. and i definitely love hugs.
and this video is so cute. plus one for the italians.

Free Hugs in Sondrio, Italy