To Suffer With

It's been hard not to have a heavy heart since 2 pm on Monday afternoon. I don't know what it is, I've gotten older and "understand more" or tragedies like the Boston Marathon Bombings occur more regularly these days. Either way, when tragedy strikes it stirs up all different emotions.

I've been on a Brene Brown kick lately. If you haven't read/watched/listened to any of her stuff, it really is worth checking out. (Her website is right here.) I'm currently reading The Gifts of Imperfection. She explains the three foundational pieces of embracing a whole hearted living, one being compassion. As I sat in Starbucks yesterday afternoon, watching the rain pour down (again,) in the midst of checking my twitter feed to get the most recent updates about the bombings more often than I'd like to admit, I was struck by her words.

Brene Brown writes, 

"Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. 

It's a relationship between equals... 

Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity." 

My prayer is that we may be a people of compassion, understanding that in moments of deep tragedy, and also in the mundane moments of everyday life, we're just like our neighbor.

Things I Learned...

... This weekend.

1. Blue skies make an already wonderful day even better. It has been the worst weather here in Chicago the last couple weeks. It's been cold and really rainy. But finally, on Sunday blue skies appeared. I was lucky enough to get to spend that lovely day in the city at Dose Market with my future sister in law. If you're in the Chicago area, it is a must! 
2. I tried on a handful of things yesterday at Anthropologie. Apparently I only like two things right now, stripes and a melon color palate. 
3. I feel like over the last couple months I've been learning a lot about expectations. When are they good? Do we ever communicate them to other people? How have they hurt me? What are my expectations of others, myself, of God? I finally have been able to put into words how I feel about them... I really believe expectations rob joy in our lives. 
4. I love Chicago sporting events. In 24hrs I went to the Chicago Bulls game with my mom (when they beat the NY Knicks in over time!) and the Chicago Cubs game with some coworkers (when they beat the SF Giants!) Even if you're not a huge fan of those teams, it's hard not to be when you're at the United Center or Wrigley Field. It's contagious. 
5. I'm grateful my job allows me to see friends from all over the country. This weekend there was a conference in the Chicago area which brought friends of mine from Michigan, Colorado, Kansas, and Indiana all to one place. Fun to see folks that you don't always get to see. 

March Twenty Thirteen

March Madness. 

Spring Break in Naples, FL.

Two weddings. 

New Justin Timberlake album. 

March was a good month.

1. Land of Hope and Dreams - Bruce Springsteen
2. Just Give Me a reason - Pink feat. Nate Ruess
3. Mirrors - Justin Timberlake
4. I Have Made Mistakes - The Oh Hellos
5. Hoping For Home - Trent Dabbs
6. Gone, Gone, Gone - Phillip Phillips
7. Dance in the Graveyards - Delta Rae
8. Capsized - Matthew Perryman Jones
9. Fragile Bird - City and Colour
10. Joy to You Baby - Josh Ritter
11. The Valley - The Oh Hellos
12. Carry On (acoustic) - Fun. 

Any good tunes for me to listen to??

Things I Learned...

... the last couple months.

First off, I want to apologize for my absence the last couple months. To be totally honest, life got the best of me and my energy needed to be poured into the things that were in front of me, not on the internet. But alas, I am back and excited for what's in store for my life and echo grace as spring is finally here and the many things I have to look forward to the rest of 2013. 

1. It is never a bad idea to re-read one of your favorite books. One of my favorite authors is C.S. Lewis (it's who my cat Clive is named after!) When I was a senior in high school and then a sophomore in college I read Mere Christianity. I picked it up again two weeks ago and it's been just as refreshing as I remember. Grateful how words that I've read many times can still speak boldly into my life.
2. The best place to spend a Saturday night is Ikea and Chilis. It was Saturday evening at about 7 PM and my roommates and I didn't have a ton to do so we hopped in my car and headed to Ikea. I seriously could spend hours there. I dare anyone to walk into that place and walk out with nothing, it is impossible. And hard not to be there and think of this movie.
3. After watching countless youtube videos, I finally learned how to do a sock bun. It has changed my life. Okay, that's dramatic. 
4. Technology is a wonderful thing. In the last week I've been able to video chat with two of my good friends who live in Lawrence, KS and Princeton, NJ. Don't get me a wrong, I'm a huge fan of snail mail and writing letters but there is something so refreshing about being able to see the faces of my friends.
5. I still love Mad Men. Two years ago Chicago was bombarded by a massive snow storm known as the snowpocolypse. AKA I was locked in my house for two days and I decided to start watching Mad Men (and watched two seasons in two days.) Over "spring break" this year I got myself all caught up and ready for the premier of season 6. My thoughts without giving things away? Peggy Olsen is a babe. Joan is still my favorite. Don is always doing wrong but somehow it works. And Pete is the worst, absolutely the worst.  

Things I Learned

... This weekend.

1. I think I'm officially as some people may say, a "cat lady." This morning I looked at my camera roll on my phone and realized that 80% of the pictures I've taken since I've been home from Florida have been of Clive. Example: picture about. Little Clive was just loving the oscillating fan in my bedroom, how could I not document that??
2. Antique stores are the best. For Christmas JJ is in the process of making me a craft desk out of old refurbished wood (woo ho! don't worry, more to come on that when it's in action.) He bought the old wood at this antique store in town and we decided to go look around on Saturday. It was like etsy but a store. There were 30 different "vendors" in the store in little sections. It was awesome, I could have spent hours there. My take aways? A beaded vintage clutch and antique ring. 
3. Chicago winters are brutal with no snow. The last couple months it's been chilly in Chicago but nothing unbearable... and then January 20th happened. It is like negative degree windchill! And there is no snow! Snow would at least make this frigid tundra worth it.
4. Sometimes neon green & neon pink nail polish is a must. I'm usually not the first to pick the bright colors for my nails or toes but because of the weather (note above) it only seemed necessary to go with neons this go around.
5. I only need to see 3 more of the best picture nominations this year! (Amor, Dijango Unchained, and Zero Dark Thirty) I'm really looking forward to seeing them before the Academy Awards in a couple weeks. Right now, my favorite noms are Silver Lining Playbook, Argo, & Les Mis... Who knows though, I'm sure that'll change tomorrow! So many great movies this year. 

December Twenty Twelve

It is still unbelievable to me that another year has come and gone. 

And with that being said, another playlist has come and gone. 

1. Distance - Christina Perri feat Jason Mraz
2. Orphans, Kingdomws - Brooke Fraser
3. One Foot - Fun.
4. Big Parade - The Lumineers
5. I'm on your side - JJ Alberhasky
6. Heart's Content - Brandi Carlile
7. O, Holy Night - Sleeping At Last
8. Scream & Shout - Will.I.Am feat Britney Spears
9. Something to Look Forward to - Ari Hest
10. Mountain Song - Trent Dabbs 
11. Little Drummer Boy - Sufjan Stevens
12. All This And Heaven Too - Florence & the Machine
13. Where the West Wind Blows - Green River Ordinance
14. Someone - Future of Forestry

Merry Christmas [Part II]

Happy New Years from yours truly! (a bit late)

date brunch with JJ

JJ got me a polaroid camera for Christmas! It's the best!
Here are some of my Florida holiday captured on film. 

Life doesn't get better than the beach and diet coke.

sweet alfie boy.

Nothing like one last shot of palm trees and some Florida sun.

2013 is really happening. After my 10 days in Florida with my family I returned home for a couple days and headed right back to Florida for work. I feel like I have not really been present in my life here in Chicago. I'm ready to be back in my (chaotic) rhythm of life.

Here are some last snapshots from my time in Naples. I'm excited for what is in store this coming year. And just as excited to document it here.

Looking forward to the journey.