tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11790422547488506272024-03-13T15:59:06.595-04:00an academic brideone dissertation. one job. one wedding. one year. let's go!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-75596994900021668242013-07-23T15:19:00.000-04:002013-07-23T15:19:02.371-04:00Announcement: the academicbride is moving!To my loyal readers, and visitors directed here by a Google search for "T-rex jokes," an announcement:<br />
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The academicbride is changing locations. I became embarrassed about this blog title/URL approximately one week after I picked it. Unsure of how long I would keep up blogging, I didn't bother to make a change. Now that I'm no longer a bride, I'll be blogging at a new site:<br />
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<a href="http://owleyedathena.blogspot.com/">owleyedathena.blogspot.com</a><br />
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Please bookmark the new site, and visit me often! See you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-31196725681299537972013-07-09T13:53:00.001-04:002013-07-09T13:53:59.779-04:00the pleasures of the small conference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At the end of our honeymoon, Dave flew back to the US, and I headed up to the University of Leeds for a <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/arts/homepage/400/hercules_conference_2013" target="_blank">conference</a>. I've been trying to get to smaller, more focused conferences, so I was quite excited when <a href="http://academicbride.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-bit-of-good-news.html" target="_blank">my abstract on Disney's Hercules was accepted</a>. This was my first paper on a "classical reception" topic, and I was a bit nervous to present an analysis of the movie in the company of much more experienced reception scholars. <br />
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I shouldn't have worried. Because the conference was so small (50-odd attendees?), people were so friendly! Introducing themselves in the elevator, offering thoughtful remarks during discussion, approaching after talks to continue the conversation, asking real conversational questions over dinner. I didn't know that <i>conferences could be like this</i>. I had a blast. <br />
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But perhaps most important of all is a revelation that came out during my panel. A classicist from University of Vermont was presenting on two children's TV shows about Hercules from the '90s – Disney's "Hercules: The Animated Series" and the "Young Hercules" show on Fox. Do you remember who starred in "Young Hercules"? None other than RYAN GOSLING.<br />
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I find this irrationally hilarious, and hope you do too!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-79477682058182737602013-07-08T13:18:00.000-04:002013-07-08T13:18:01.587-04:00London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By the time we arrived in London, we were a bit tired. We forgot to plan any down-time or relaxing afternoons for our time in Spain. Oops! We'll remember for next time. We took London at our own pace and still had a great time. <br />
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We "watched" (behind a giant crowd of much taller people) the changing of the guards, and then visited Westminster Abbey. Despite the drizzly weather, we got great views of Parliament and Big Ben from the London Eye!<br />
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I really wanted to have a traditional English afternoon tea, so we went to the Horseguards Hotel. Dave proclaimed himself "very fancy" for drinking fancy tea and eating fancy pastries at a fancy hotel while a HARPIST played classical music around the corner. We made it a little less fancy – when the servers graciously offered to bring us a second sample of anything we particularly enjoyed, we asked for seconds of...everything. Keepin' it classy, folks!<br />
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Our special treat was a performance of "Wicked"! All I knew beforehand is that everyone liked it and told me that I would, too. They were right! I was a little rusty on the actual "Wizard of Oz" movie, so Dave rented it from Netflix when we got back, and we watched it last night. What a crazy story!<br />
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We rounded out our time in London with hours at the British Library and British Museum, a walk through Regents Park, and dinner on Brick Lane. I loved the yellow roses in the park. Thanks, London, for a great end to our honeymoon!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-40815785252619208332013-07-07T16:51:00.001-04:002013-07-07T16:51:58.591-04:00Madrid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was hard to top Sevilla's warmth and charm, but Madrid had plenty to offer. We went for late-night freshly-fried churros dipped in hot chocolate, gorged on paella, and walked around the packed squares at night. And we saw amazing works of art at the Prado and the Reina Sofia museums. No photos allowed, unfortunately, but here's a little sample of stuff you can see in Madrid (all works I recognized from my high school history textbooks!):<br />
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Hieronymous Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights"</div>
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Diego Velazquez's "Las Meninas"</div>
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Francisco de Goya's "Third of May"</div>
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Pablo Picasso's "Guernica"</div>
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I remember reading the label in my textbook that "Guernica" is in Madrid and thinking, "Guess I'll never see <i>that </i>painting in person." Haha, high school self! You will indeed see that painting in person!</div>
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We also visited the Royal Palace. I had no idea it would be so splendiferous, in the same league as Versailles and the Schönbrunn!</div>
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I want to live in a palace!</div>
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And to close out my posts about Spain, a picture of Dave with the symbol of Madrid – a berry-eating bear:</div>
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As a creature that loves to sleep in the winter, eats berries in large quantities, and loves fish, I have long over-identified with the bear. I have been known, on occasion, to exclaim, "I am a berry-eating bear!" while consuming an entire package of raspberries. So how could I not also embrace Madrid? Thanks, Spain, for a wonderful trip!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-53358107089405287452013-07-04T16:07:00.001-04:002013-07-04T16:07:16.285-04:00Sevilla<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The honeymoon posts are not over yet! Sevilla was our favorite city in Spain. It had medieval charm, good food, and fascinating history, yet was manageable, clean, and friendly. You can take romantic walks through the old Jewish ghetto or along the river at night:<br />
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Here's the iconic Giralda bell tower by the cathedral:<br />
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We climbed to the top for a beautiful view of the city. It was mostly a twisting ramp, rather than stairs, so that a muezzin could ride his horse to the top, five times a day, to deliver the call to prayer (back when it was a minaret). We could see the cathedral from our hotel rooftop:<br />
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Inside the cathedral (one of the largest in Europe) are the remains of Christopher Columbus himself!<br />
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The royal palace, built in Moorish style for Christian rulers:<br />
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I LOVED the mix of cultures reflected in the building program and decoration. If I were a medievalist, I would totally want to focus on this kind of thing!</div>
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We ate paella in a quaint square, next to a fountain, under the orange trees. (So charming...until a bird pooped on me! Hmph.) We even caught a flamenco show. Our time in Sevilla was too short, and we can't wait to go back someday!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-21728923260919826502013-07-03T17:38:00.000-04:002013-07-03T17:38:01.095-04:00a rose by any other name<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I went to the Social Security office and applied to change my name. I am dropping my middle name entirely, adopting my maiden name as a middle name, and taking Dave's surname as my own. This was a much harder decision than I had anticipated. Every woman in my extended family has taken her husband's last name, regardless of professional accomplishments or age at marriage. I had never really thought it was a big deal.<br />
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But as Dave and I prepared to marry, it did become a big deal! It's not that I'm so advanced in my career (ha), or that I feel dominated by male hegemony (my maiden name being my father's, after all). It's just that, my name has been my name for so long. And I (duh) identified by it. And I liked it. And I had nicknames associated with it. And I met people from other cultures that don't apply this practice – like <i>all of China</i>. Isn't it kind of <i>weird</i> to change your name in the middle of your life? My parents gave me the combination of my first, middle, and last names on purpose; isn't it strange to override that later?<br />
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Yet there were reasons to change now, too. We hope someday to have children, and it would be far more convenient for our family to share one name. I haven't published anything and I'm about to start a new job, so at the moment I have the opportunity for a fresh start. And it is, I admit, compelling to share a single name with my husband – it shows we're really a team now!<br />
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So, reluctantly, I filled out my forms and started the process. It shouldn't be a hard transition – my new last name rhymes with my old name, and I'm not losing my old name entirely. I guess it's time to practice that new signature...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-26636524424916030492013-07-01T11:26:00.000-04:002013-07-01T11:26:13.988-04:00the great ganache debacle (2013 ed.)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday, a friend celebrated his 30th birthday with a potluck dinner. He asked me to bring the birthday cake, and I agreed! Foolishly, perhaps, given my travel schedule and inexperience with making birthday cakes. It was to be a vanilla sponge cake filled with coffee/Bailey's flavored whipped cream:<br />
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Ready to be refrigerated, before the final step of covering with chocolate ganache.</div>
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I had thought that the ganache would be the easy part. If you thought that making chocolate ganache consists of dumping chocolate and cream in a pot and melting them together, I can now tell you from experience that you'd be wrong. The ganache was oily and refused to be spread; it somehow was simultaneously dragging too much on the surface and too slippery. I called every number I knew to reach my mom: cake emergency! I managed to scrape off the failed ganache, leaving this beautiful masterpiece:</div>
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Mmmmm...delicious.... </div>
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The leftover scrapings. My mom told me to save it to use later. Ideas, anyone?</div>
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Sidenote: I include these pictures because I wish that food bloggers would show us more failures and mistakes. Not just <a href="http://epicpinterestfail.com/" target="_blank">epic Pinterest fails</a>, as amusing as they are, but more run-of-the-mill mistakes. Otherwise, how are we to know how to recover? Fortunately, I have the ultimate resource in my mom. =) Still, I got so stressed out that I got failed ganache all over the kitchen. I was rather proud of myself when I looked down and saw that I had managed to avoid getting ganache on the front of my new yellow t-shirt...until I realized that I had succeeded in smearing it all over my BACK. Still not entirely sure how that happened.</div>
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It's a good thing that the cake's surface was meant to be covered up! That meant that I could try again, this time with better technique (steam the cream first in the microwave, add the chocolate, let set and then stir occasionally) and consequently, better results:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PRcMtvv1pp8jFbquL21uoqaqIFaMK_54B_kawvi8tOg-C2mFCkmwvWaB2u-3DHhJM7vg9CYuMckF-xm3osNYXNH7PfuqMc62RQjhLtI21JrmhLKH_UBRrVm-HG7V2nEm1J7tXQFmOQVi/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PRcMtvv1pp8jFbquL21uoqaqIFaMK_54B_kawvi8tOg-C2mFCkmwvWaB2u-3DHhJM7vg9CYuMckF-xm3osNYXNH7PfuqMc62RQjhLtI21JrmhLKH_UBRrVm-HG7V2nEm1J7tXQFmOQVi/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Special thanks to Julie for the beautiful cake server!</div>
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People seemed to enjoy the cake, and I gained some valuable experience. I'll just have to keep practicing, I guess!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-15898725760684540272013-06-30T13:19:00.002-04:002013-06-30T13:19:24.967-04:00(very minor) home improvement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am happily back in Ann Arbor and tackling the last of unpacking. This has actually been the most difficult stage – the rate limiting factor now is a lack of space to unpack into, not lack of time to unpack. As I moved in, I sold the bulk of my furniture; we resisted buying new stuff for the house since we know our home here is temporary. But we still have too many possessions, especially since we have to save a spare set for when I move to NY and set up a separate household. This has been especially difficult for the kitchen.<br />
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Dave made me very happy by setting up last night our newly purchased Ikea items. This spice rack over the sink has freed up a ton of cabinet space for pantry items!<br />
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Dave would like you to know that his arms always look this muscular. ;) </div>
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And here is our new "buffet/credenza/sideboard":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOZJMWaeKrhJmu6F9v0afscTc_itlBmyWzfZCISdFenUsoJ8MUVZMerRKSucZTj3qQxPRrltozQeQgg7SIjcVw_s3EOckPSGwffa1ahqOgyuPsh11KdLDFnCJtopHh9XsZ92cEvK0laN9/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOZJMWaeKrhJmu6F9v0afscTc_itlBmyWzfZCISdFenUsoJ8MUVZMerRKSucZTj3qQxPRrltozQeQgg7SIjcVw_s3EOckPSGwffa1ahqOgyuPsh11KdLDFnCJtopHh9XsZ92cEvK0laN9/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really wanted a piece of furniture we could use to display our china and open up more cabinet space for food and utensils. Since we'll probably resell on craigslist, I set a strict budget of $150, which proved to be rather challenging. (Can anyone explain to me why furniture is SO expensive??) So we were quite happy to find this bookshelf for $99, and I think it suits our purposes quite nicely.<br />
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As satisfying as these little projects were, I found them kind of exhausting. Ummm, how do people actually FIX UP AN ENTIRE BROKEN HOUSE?? I have no idea.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-11451694318191620482013-06-27T06:59:00.000-04:002013-06-27T06:59:35.287-04:00Cadiz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Confession: Dave said that he always imagined his honeymoon would mainly consist of sitting and relaxing on a beautiful beach. I promised him that Spain has tons of beautiful beaches! It would be the perfect place for seeing history/culture AND enjoying beach time!<br />
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Well, we spent a total of about 1.5 hours on a beach during our 10-day trip. But it was indeed a beautiful one:<br />
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We went to Cadiz, that old Phoenician port town founded by Heracles (like so many old cities in Spain). It was shockingly, unseasonably cold that day – in the 60s and very breezy! Locals hurried past in fleeces, scarves, and sweatpants. It was indeed too cold to go into the water, but we were generally happy not to be melting in the usual heat. </div>
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Don't be distracted by Dave's awesome farmer's tan – this picture is meant to display the Cadiz cathedral in the background.</div>
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Our trip to Cadiz was brief – we just drove our rental car down for the day from Sevilla. But it was a lovely respite from hardcore sightseeing. And who doesn't love to feast his/her eyes on the blue-green sea?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-68040828499701423682013-06-25T19:09:00.000-04:002013-06-25T19:09:03.225-04:00the colors of paella<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Dave, he loves paella. He loves to eat it, he loves to make it. So it's no surprise that we ate a LOT of paella while we were in Spain. We ate paella in nearly every city we visited (none in Granada, twice in Madrid), so that we could taste the different regional variants. I present to you "the Colors of Paella" (to be sung to the tune of <i>Pocahontas</i>' "Colors of the Wind"):<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-58491264004149359962013-06-25T17:08:00.000-04:002013-06-25T17:08:34.469-04:00Granada<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After an intense few days in Barcelona, we hopped a short flight to Granada. I remember learning about the Alhambra in high school, but I just assumed I would never see it – after all, when would I ever make it to Granada?? 16 June 2013, it turns out!<br />
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We rented a car, dropped off our bags at a "basic" hostel, and immediately headed to a viewpoint to see the Alhambra bathed in the sunset.<br />
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The site itself was even more stunning. The Generalife Gardens were amazing! The greenery, fountains, and blooming flowers were so soothing on even a mild afternoon – I can only imagine the relief they provided in a pre-air-conditioning-era summer.<br />
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My skills as a photographer are insufficient to capture the wonders of the Nasrid Palaces. But I tried my best:</div>
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Every inch of the walls in the public reception rooms were covered with these beautiful decorations. </div>
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A domed ceiling with stucco "stalactite" decoration</div>
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I've never seen Moorish architecture like this before, and I loved it! The intricacy of the decoration, the use of light, the demarcation of public and private – wonderful. I only wish I knew more history of that area and era to help me appreciate it more.</div>
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Granada also has some impressive Christian sites as well. Did you know that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried there? No pictures allowed, unfortunately. I know this is silly, but I had almost forgotten that they were <i>real people</i>. An unforeseen consequence of reading too many children's books about the discovery of America?</div>
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The city also has quite the impressive cathedral.</div>
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Check out that organ!</div>
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It's a shame we only had one night and one day in Granada – there was plenty more to explore! But I'm glad we saw what we did. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-77745388783375064522013-06-19T18:44:00.003-04:002013-06-19T18:44:35.914-04:00Spain adventures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hola from Madrid! Our honeymoon started a week ago, when Dave and I met up at our gate at JFK. A kindly woman switched seats so that we could sit together – all the way to Barcelona! We went on a sightseeing tear, really packing it in over just a few days. Here are a few highlights:<br />
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JAMON. DELICIOUS. At La Boqueria market.</div>
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Barcelona's cathedral</div>
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The salamander fountain at Gaudi's Park Güell </div>
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The amazing ceiling of Gaudi's cathedral, La Sagrada Familia. I love how the columns imitate the spreading branches of trees. We learned a ton about Modernisme architecture – I really liked its obsession with sunlight and imitating natural forms. Its aversion to straight lines, though, was disconcerting at times.</div>
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Happy newlyweds on the roof of Gaudi's Casa Battlo</div>
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Interior of La Palau de la Musica Catalunya </div>
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Sardana dance – a spontaneous, traditional Catalonian dance in the square on some Sundays! It was outlawed under Franco, but it's made a comeback! </div>
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View of the harbor from the cable car to Montjuic</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-33711238563537759022013-06-07T21:55:00.000-04:002013-06-07T21:55:28.069-04:00mini-honeymoon in Cape May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Before we leave for our next trip, I want to post some pictures of our time in Cape May!<br />
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It's a bit of a blur to me now – just coming down off of the wedding high, catching up on rest, and getting used to being together, just the two of us. What I do remember is that it was cold, windy, and raining. Not exactly beachy weather! So we had to find some other ways to have fun:<br />
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We took a trolley tour of the historic area of Cape May, which is dominated by old Victorian houses.<br />
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The trolley dropped us off at Dr. Emlen Physick's house, where we took a tour of the interior. No pictures allowed! <br />
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The rain somehow made the flowers more vibrant.<br />
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This is a defensive tower built during World War II, part of a system of towers guarding the East Coast.<br />
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And the lighthouse. We arrived by bicycle, ten minutes after it had closed. Maybe I should have pedaled faster...we'll just have to go back again some other time!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-20010281896109879172013-06-07T13:41:00.000-04:002013-06-07T13:41:04.972-04:00Shakespeare in the Arb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Somehow, the pace of life has not yet returned to normal! This week we've been frantically unpacking and settling into our place together, frantically making all the arrangements for the honeymoon, and frantically trying to write my conference paper for the end of the month. But last night we took a break to see a performance of "Much Ado about Nothing" in Nichols Arboretum, a huge and beautiful nature preserve running alongside the Huron River in Ann Arbor. I've been wanting to see a performance of "Shakespeare in the Arb" for years now, but I always seem to be out of town in June. This is presumably my last summer in Ann Arbor, and moreover, my good friend Brianne was part of the cast!<br />
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It was a cool and cloudy evening, but still pleasant for enjoying the show. The performance was mobile – at the close of certain scenes and acts, we all got up, picked up our chairs and blankets, and followed a woman bearing a flag to the next stop. Unusual, but also novel and lively!<br />
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Sarah and John joined us. Relaxing on our picnic blanket at the start of the show:<br />
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My conference paper remains unfinished (and I depart for NYC tomorrow), but I'm glad we went. I've become so accustomed to worrying constantly about my to-do list and my productivity level, and I want to get out of that habit. Life is short, let's enjoy some moments together, right?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-87986634858314259412013-06-03T17:16:00.000-04:002013-06-03T17:16:15.709-04:00movin' on up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Saturday, I turned in the keys to my apartment and finished moving my things into Dave's place. Excuse me, OUR place! I'm usually very sentimental about these sorts of things – I like to take a video tour of the old place, celebrate the "last meal" or "last night," etc. But this time, I had no excess emotional energy for nostalgia. I completely forgot to take pictures of what it looked like before I started to move, so here are some old pictures:<br />
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Because this is the first place where I lived by myself, without roommates (or my parents), I consider it my first "grown-up apartment." I was so happy to move into my own place after spending a year in Athens in a dorm. I'll miss my cozy little studio downtown, but I'm very excited about one thing in particular at Dave's place: DOORS. Maybe now my bedding won't always smell like stirfry! Here's how the place looked by Friday night:<br />
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Goodbye, exposed brick wall! I never knew why you were so special, but I'm glad you earned me compliments. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some boxes to unpack...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-46378176447468012272013-05-28T10:44:00.001-04:002013-05-28T10:44:46.856-04:00WE DID IT!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Sunday, 26 May 2013, Dave and I got married! I'm writing now from Cape May, New Jersey, where we have retreated to relax, decompress, and try to wrap our minds around what just happened. More to come later – we're off for an historic trolley tour now!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-76775422766878615062013-05-18T18:22:00.000-04:002013-05-18T18:22:34.897-04:00the Wilds <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On our way to the east coast to prepare for the wedding, Dave and I made a stop in Ohio, at <a href="http://www.thewilds.org/" target="_blank">the Wilds</a>! It's a 10,000 acre conservation/wildlife area, reclaimed from an old strip mining site in rural eastern Ohio. They specialize in facilitating captive breeding of species that are extinct in the wild. Exciting and important stuff. Dave and I love the zoo, so this was a perfect place to celebrate Dave's, how shall we say, "milestone" birthday! <br />
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Upon our arrival, we took a 2.5-hour safari bus tour. Our guide, Lee, was either <b>really</b> bored of giving this tour, or maybe high. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEjrz9CD-KVSABUW4yuZe1H7ixwa8tFP2_MDOgJADQf_e9DarjhSXURLoNeTAyHf8iP-G3aszGUZC3G4G7MnZs9otktQUK-s_IcSFuO3XGddlCtJaBNP-y1zteSGxOOtEFIohxZ-lPMsy/s1600/IMG_4234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEjrz9CD-KVSABUW4yuZe1H7ixwa8tFP2_MDOgJADQf_e9DarjhSXURLoNeTAyHf8iP-G3aszGUZC3G4G7MnZs9otktQUK-s_IcSFuO3XGddlCtJaBNP-y1zteSGxOOtEFIohxZ-lPMsy/s1600/IMG_4234.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Our favorite animal that we saw was the Szechuan Takin:<br />
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What a ridiculous-looking animal! Lee said that he looks like a creature out of a Dr. Seuss book. I think that he looks more like Acheloos, the river god defeated by Heracles in a contest over Deianeira. He is often depicted as a large-horned bull with the face of a man:<br />
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Heracles broke off one of his horns in the fight, which became the horn of plenty symbol. Okay, end of mythological excursus. We spent the night in a yurt! It was our first experience with "glamping" – glamorous camping, of course! I've stayed in a yurt before, but it wasn't very glamorous. In fact, it was at a national park in Uganda, and there was neither electricity nor running water on the site. So this was a big upgrade:<br />
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The view was really stunning. I don't know how much money it took to go from strip mine to this, but I think it was worth it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgB4U7GH0oTTarmNFnfEYB57P0qiE_YrUdLPUKJMyReXQPLukmsMGPt0g6ydqMD_wvaTvx8Y7AOwg9yqJICZcdesbow0RiT0-xTyj1YAIriskz1fBdwWlD7WyoWU1FDiC7unn_sO7tm-W/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgB4U7GH0oTTarmNFnfEYB57P0qiE_YrUdLPUKJMyReXQPLukmsMGPt0g6ydqMD_wvaTvx8Y7AOwg9yqJICZcdesbow0RiT0-xTyj1YAIriskz1fBdwWlD7WyoWU1FDiC7unn_sO7tm-W/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Those of us who were spending the night at the park ate dinner in the same dining room. The couple next to us were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary! And next to them was another couple, celebrating their 54th anniversary. Dave asked them for advice, which I dutifully share here:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>"If it's not really bad, don't say anything."</li>
<li>"Yeah, keep your mouth shut!"</li>
<li>"It's easier to leave than to stay and work it out. But it's worth it."</li>
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The next morning, we took the Wildside Tour. It ended up being a private tour of the site by pickup truck with an animal management expert. Since we didn't have to stick to the main roads, we were able to get much closer to the animals. We fed Mickey the Giraffe:<br />
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And pet Gobi the Bactrian Camel:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBK8AOdQ7IaHoXnrYkiM28xNo62eIv9voKQnPLCZO-9xGEQtv8gjbUpOc53EvM18KKc6HXhjUHUP7GfLrVCOrKBTKbI6LGOhR75Qpxeq8iFIbLIbZxC5ZtL8BwsWGaENQJWnddYoDqfDq/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBK8AOdQ7IaHoXnrYkiM28xNo62eIv9voKQnPLCZO-9xGEQtv8gjbUpOc53EvM18KKc6HXhjUHUP7GfLrVCOrKBTKbI6LGOhR75Qpxeq8iFIbLIbZxC5ZtL8BwsWGaENQJWnddYoDqfDq/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And drew near to cheetahs and Przewalski's horses and rhinos:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2TOmpkwBMn4g4R7dzKkMK45Rvq90tgCCLUlRaofmuelxXXx6r-A2LrqBdDHIfXwUgg6il7DzyaJVvYWbVEBX4pfK-xs5iRtOvZeodpOPV2XKuorDujTYT2XFTazJL7ObSsTtQaPOKse_/s1600/IMG_4374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2TOmpkwBMn4g4R7dzKkMK45Rvq90tgCCLUlRaofmuelxXXx6r-A2LrqBdDHIfXwUgg6il7DzyaJVvYWbVEBX4pfK-xs5iRtOvZeodpOPV2XKuorDujTYT2XFTazJL7ObSsTtQaPOKse_/s1600/IMG_4374.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLp_4XFX6NeesER3GmLxG4ipEIH4l2jS7xz8m28MpkDoU70egoBPAE1Jt-DUXpaCZBWCMDgbzKPzofMmLbdVcnULDkyPMFkyIUwnNX_agAPW_7zMeLGpB9pvaDn2fuKV4Mp2eR1UgVYGL/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLp_4XFX6NeesER3GmLxG4ipEIH4l2jS7xz8m28MpkDoU70egoBPAE1Jt-DUXpaCZBWCMDgbzKPzofMmLbdVcnULDkyPMFkyIUwnNX_agAPW_7zMeLGpB9pvaDn2fuKV4Mp2eR1UgVYGL/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It wasn't cheap, but compared to, I don't know, dropping 12 grand on a real safari in Tanzania, I'd say it was pretty affordable! We'd love to go back sometime and see what new things are going on there. Maybe an anniversary trip?? ;) </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-7441796429202296292013-05-15T01:04:00.001-04:002013-05-15T01:04:46.106-04:00local "landmarks"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since I returned from New York/Philly on Sunday night, I've been occupied with moving from my apartment into Dave's place. It's just across town, and I have a car, so I've been able to make many trips with my trusty Camry. But once I live in Dave's (our!) place, I won't be running on the same paths anymore. Here are two of my favorite "landmarks" on my route to the Huron River:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA5loFsmczm0_Twgc_p5wr42EaCYlalhMLjh-ZJsTKOjkNnaVat30afXYxv84wPqRQtz7addwQlWfCzdc6pUVSE8UNM-qcuclO3DQMv3HV8iO_DwYY4EUmYL9hKzCxrL-51_xlMS75xMk/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA5loFsmczm0_Twgc_p5wr42EaCYlalhMLjh-ZJsTKOjkNnaVat30afXYxv84wPqRQtz7addwQlWfCzdc6pUVSE8UNM-qcuclO3DQMv3HV8iO_DwYY4EUmYL9hKzCxrL-51_xlMS75xMk/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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I've never understood what this sign means: "Hippies Use Backdoor: No Exceptions." Is this supposed to be insulting to hippies? Or is it positive, that some secret exchange can occur at the backdoor that only hippies have access to? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG8RzEXckxEqZmeAnIrGzNUQJDhIn2IUGDEyBAraQRhA6WpXpP75llnSh-alIK8ki9SzzxvUfcjj0ZMj0Ui3OZwgMJ17jgqiT0ubBrDS9Ch8tMEN9-vNDY11MIuNT3pm1P-6BAYmOdgCX/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG8RzEXckxEqZmeAnIrGzNUQJDhIn2IUGDEyBAraQRhA6WpXpP75llnSh-alIK8ki9SzzxvUfcjj0ZMj0Ui3OZwgMJ17jgqiT0ubBrDS9Ch8tMEN9-vNDY11MIuNT3pm1P-6BAYmOdgCX/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I will also miss being close to this banana stand (if that is, indeed, what it is). It's out there year-round, but I've never seen anyone manning it. This seems as good a time as any for an Arrested Development gif:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGTfBmtns8-wOaCBeKZv8xglY21k5dyndNvDhKsyr3E4AmE6jZ1DdmpstTeHsENChYJDAttibVr_wGDk4TdmaDEy0hmm_M6-v7Ql4kMbpWrIwujY3vfHxqq-1m-io14oQXupjqNqDlQ7O/s1600/tumblr_mkefwd6mAJ1s9e4pyo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGTfBmtns8-wOaCBeKZv8xglY21k5dyndNvDhKsyr3E4AmE6jZ1DdmpstTeHsENChYJDAttibVr_wGDk4TdmaDEy0hmm_M6-v7Ql4kMbpWrIwujY3vfHxqq-1m-io14oQXupjqNqDlQ7O/s1600/tumblr_mkefwd6mAJ1s9e4pyo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-5488171889386588932013-05-13T23:09:00.000-04:002013-06-03T19:10:15.628-04:00new beginnings on the horizon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week, I traveled to NYC to begin getting oriented in my new job. It was a real eye-opener! I think I was very naïve when I accepted the position, and now I have a much better sense for what the real demands of the job will be. In short, I felt extremely stressed and totally overwhelmed. How can I possibly manage the administrative workload alongside the obligations to develop new courses for my own teaching portfolio and publish, publish, publish?<br />
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I don't have any answers, and I think how I learn the answer to that question will very much govern my experience over the next three to four years. A few important things I already know: I will need to learn how to handle a stressful job without bringing it home, without allowing it to make me unhappy or worried all the time. I will need to learn how to set shorter term, more manageable goals – baby steps, if you will. I will need to learn how to use the resources at my disposal to be a more effective leader and to trust others to help me with the work. And I will need to learn to be brave.<br />
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As overwhelmed and torn as I felt last week, it was not all doom and gloom. Campus was looking beautiful in the spring sunshine:<br />
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This building is my department's home. Sure, it looks stately from the outside, but on the inside, it sort of looks like a cross between a high school and an asylum. Ah well.</div>
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I stayed with my lovely friend Benet and got a little taste of Brooklyn life – running in Prospect Park, watching hipsters on the L, trying in vain to find a U.S. Mailbox. More to come, I'm sure – I'm mulling a new blog, one for my post-bridal life!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-51151581284332474962013-05-13T22:47:00.000-04:002013-05-13T22:47:03.456-04:00Graduation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I finally did it! After seven years of school, I walked in my graduation, way back on May 3rd. I was surprised by how emotional I felt. In my department, graduation is generally pooh-poohed. Although four people in Archaeology walked, I was the only representative from Classical Studies. Here I am freshly hooded and diploma-ed:<br />
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I got to shake hands with President Mary Sue Coleman, my first time meeting her!<br />
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The last person to receive a degree was this elderly man who needed help getting out of his seat, up the ramp, and across the stage. He received a PhD in Chemistry, a standing ovation from the audience, and a bear hug from Mary Sue (zeugma, anyone?). I don't know what his story is, but I felt so moved. In my department, if we had to fill in the blank in the phrase "my ___________ PhD," we would all pick the same modifier, "my worthless PhD." It's almost as consistent a pairing as "hardy mums." And yet here was an old man who clearly DID think there was worth to his degree, and never gave up until he achieved it!<br />
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The whole Lu clan came to town to celebrate:<br />
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Proud parents </div>
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Big brothers </div>
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New additions </div>
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Where I get my "famous" sense of humor </div>
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The one who dries my PhD-induced tears</div>
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We had gorgeous weather the whole weekend! We visited nearby Chelsea, shared dinner with my advisors, played in the park, and walked around town. It was actually really nice to mark the close of these years, my life in Michigan, and my formal education (let's hope!).</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-36998167370806170562013-05-01T16:01:00.000-04:002013-05-01T16:01:50.023-04:00Brilliant Earth, reviewed (spoiler alert: I'm mad)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know what else gets two thumbs down? <a href="http://www.brilliantearth.com/" target="_blank">Brilliant Earth</a>, a jewelry purveyor that specializes in conflict-free Canadian diamonds. I was excited to find exactly the wedding band I had imagined on their website, the <a href="http://www.brilliantearth.com/Whisper-Diamond-Ring-Platinum-BE266/" target="_blank">Whisper Diamond Platinum</a> ring. I also found almost exactly the same ring on Blue Nile, their <a href="http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-wedding-ring-platinum_9719" target="_blank">Petite Cathedral Pave Diamond</a> ring. They're both 1.6 mm wide, but the ring from Brilliant Earth has three more gemstones, larger carat total weight, and costs less! What could possibly go wrong?? I ordered both, as the wedding day draws nigh and I hadn't seen either in person.<br />
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Both rings are sparkly on top and platinum on the bottom. Both rings are quite thin. And yet...the Brilliant Earth ring is not even close to being the same size as the Blue Nile ring!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPI9N6rlSGcKitsWTXFMhwJ5k1uEjcqxM6umQLC-XSyobbj63hArdYyoU5gzZrfpraOeMM8Y1UmWzLuvke2_Pwkl_LnvkDFqqktX44GhOKOMGSIhmsq_U0bYFNGnbMsjxrXYVduWpSJ5x/s1600/IMG_4232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPI9N6rlSGcKitsWTXFMhwJ5k1uEjcqxM6umQLC-XSyobbj63hArdYyoU5gzZrfpraOeMM8Y1UmWzLuvke2_Pwkl_LnvkDFqqktX44GhOKOMGSIhmsq_U0bYFNGnbMsjxrXYVduWpSJ5x/s1600/IMG_4232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Blue Nile ring is on the left; the Brilliant Earth ring is on the right. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJHqhyphenhyphenev_vIUUqCWDr3vtzNmrF-7_RFLZBBh7gbofgrViGXfS39tMwArGB-rp7bI0u3X3wEKEQ-CPLDxe1lIxSdtbM1D0tagcA0x31ro7fszDNrGWVDzhxjODvqZ1CvShNLMNUB3I89kO/s1600/IMG_4231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJHqhyphenhyphenev_vIUUqCWDr3vtzNmrF-7_RFLZBBh7gbofgrViGXfS39tMwArGB-rp7bI0u3X3wEKEQ-CPLDxe1lIxSdtbM1D0tagcA0x31ro7fszDNrGWVDzhxjODvqZ1CvShNLMNUB3I89kO/s1600/IMG_4231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Blue Nile ring is closer to my hand; the Brilliant Earth ring is closer to my fingertip.</div>
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A comparison against a ruler reveals that the Brilliant Earth ring is barely 1 mm, if that. When I called customer service, a young woman put me on hold to consult her colleague, and when she returned, she informed me that the ring is, indeed, 1.6 mm as advertised. Except that it's not. </div>
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How strange, then, to discover that the Brilliant Earth website was updated in the few hours between our phone call and Dave's email to customer service! I bet when you visit the link to the ring above, the website will tell you it's 1.3 mm! But don't worry, I've screen-capped the earlier advertisement of 1.6 mm that fooled us. I can't tell whether I'm more pleased at the prompt, more honest update of their site, or annoyed that they haven't updated the rest of the ring's statistics – I believe that the carat total weight must also be revised down, given the even tinier width of the diamonds. So much for your "ethics," Brilliant Earth! I know that all of this isn't the end of the world; we're returning the ring and getting a refund. But this episode reminds me of how much I've come to trust online shopping: I expect that the ring on a website really is the width advertised, or really does contain the weight of diamond promised. It's not Ebay or Craiglist; this is supposed to be a somewhat reputable company! Could we have imagined ten years ago that we would have such high expectations for the trustworthiness of basic online shopping? </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-71139264780285177062013-04-30T22:14:00.003-04:002013-04-30T22:14:55.324-04:00the world is full of imperfection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, yes, I know that the world is inefficient, broken, and full of typos. And I'm not supposed to get worked up about it all the time, but move through life with a Zen-like acceptance of imperfection. But sometimes, I just can't handle it.<br />
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Take, for example, this Cooking Light cookbook that I'm looking forward to using. It's a lovely wedding gift from family friends:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eVjYVL326_EQuXpg1Pt7zL92wXMtlnxOw9FyQ_B2uIGpQpoZrBnXPAMoA7cRNpnPeNBNUGfdMxlR95rnd2AahMNVJxCAPUUFEabkxiZuof-Kp196-WRDymqOSFpFDfDqTj-vL4BV01m4/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eVjYVL326_EQuXpg1Pt7zL92wXMtlnxOw9FyQ_B2uIGpQpoZrBnXPAMoA7cRNpnPeNBNUGfdMxlR95rnd2AahMNVJxCAPUUFEabkxiZuof-Kp196-WRDymqOSFpFDfDqTj-vL4BV01m4/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Eager to identify some new recipes I want to try, I opened the book and began to flip through the pages. Imagine my horror when I discovered this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzErxJrBYBfgNCgyulJ9C-2caoBVvWu7aSnbh8takVbhYJYNoOhj_6bkzrVgOWqqMynubrP2nZK7H5A0sTYa2sctS6m6vylG2ZU_cD9g4t45zEzT0OlBvpYI0TWM5z5A8dMDBdYVAkrim1/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzErxJrBYBfgNCgyulJ9C-2caoBVvWu7aSnbh8takVbhYJYNoOhj_6bkzrVgOWqqMynubrP2nZK7H5A0sTYa2sctS6m6vylG2ZU_cD9g4t45zEzT0OlBvpYI0TWM5z5A8dMDBdYVAkrim1/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Yes, the cover was bound upside down on the cookbook, and the whole thing is backwards. <a href="https://www.oxmoorhouse.com/storefront/" target="_blank">Oxmoor House Publishing</a>, I give you two thumbs down!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-5276039850076933362013-04-30T10:09:00.002-04:002013-04-30T10:09:48.255-04:00a wedding errand weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Everyone knows that wedding planning demands a great deal of time and requires a lot of decision-making. It's particularly difficult when planning a wedding from a distance! My mom has done an awesome job of helping us plan, but some things simply must be done in person. Right after my eye surgery (which I think went okay? At least I'm not yet "One-eyed Klu"), we drove to PA and arrived very, very late. Up until last week, it was practically still winter in Michigan – it snowed <i>heavily </i>last Wednesday. So I was delighted to see<i> </i><b>life</b> and <b>blooming flowers</b> on the East Coast!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41aV14D0nCG08m_j-mJW2HJALP-on_kVRWTXSr10La_ZV4KdsIGwKkWUpWK285fyn1cHdJOUsLfERMLmNUGxFEghtOTmKdqP7-lQX18x1ZVBO4UcUjmNciSeNxxeNSL1_nR5HHUHPC0TD/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41aV14D0nCG08m_j-mJW2HJALP-on_kVRWTXSr10La_ZV4KdsIGwKkWUpWK285fyn1cHdJOUsLfERMLmNUGxFEghtOTmKdqP7-lQX18x1ZVBO4UcUjmNciSeNxxeNSL1_nR5HHUHPC0TD/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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On Saturday, we headed to New Jersey for my bridal hair/make-up trial! No pictures here, but I liked the work of the ladies at <a href="http://www.manestopsalon.com/" target="_blank">Mane Stop Salon</a>. Looking forward to getting gussied up with my bridesmaids there on the morning of the wedding! We headed to the cake tasting next at <a href="http://www.dibartolobakery.com/" target="_blank">DiBartolo Bakery</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeICjWpIFbafBHkG-nl9toX7x2cY3HbKCObjFusCNph6GVbHXsSdbyoOONQArngwe_hnS62P7VYGWRVlzKYuVCIwVUUUCIlCbdmewKrKLZbrGMWnymFuZBocwn2WjARzJbQhyOfkfZubh/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeICjWpIFbafBHkG-nl9toX7x2cY3HbKCObjFusCNph6GVbHXsSdbyoOONQArngwe_hnS62P7VYGWRVlzKYuVCIwVUUUCIlCbdmewKrKLZbrGMWnymFuZBocwn2WjARzJbQhyOfkfZubh/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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If you click on the link, you can see what the Bakery used to look like, just a few weeks ago. Apparently its makeover will be featured on the Food Network's "Bakery 911" show sometime this summer! The cake was okay.<br />
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And speaking of blooming flowers, here's a sneak peek of the Florette in her flower girl dress! We found a ribbon at Michael's that matches the bridesmaids' dresses – voilà! a sash:<br />
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After a meeting with the DJ on Monday, we hit the road again for Michigan. I graded the last of my students' final papers in the car, which nearly became the proverbial straw on my camel back. Because I taught two writing-requirement courses back-to-back this year, I've had a pile of papers to grade every week since...early September. I don't know how Dave survived 10.5 hours of my moaning "EGGGHHHHHHH" and throwing my head into the window. My favorite line from this batch: "As demonstrated by the actions of the Gettysburg Museum of Los Angeles..."<br />
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Only a few days to squeeze in some work before graduation festivities begin later this week! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-6278008958297758042013-04-25T12:57:00.002-04:002013-04-25T12:57:36.051-04:00Woe to the Blind<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I still haven't forgotten the feeling of helplessness that overwhelmed me when I failed my first test: a vision exam at the nurse's office in elementary school. When I went to the optometrist afterwards, he slapped me on the knee and proclaimed, "Welcome to the club!" "What club?" I asked, desperately hoping that it was the Cool Club. "People who wear glasses," he replied jovially. How disappointing. And thus I became the first person in the whole third grade to wear glasses. <br />
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Dave scanned this picture for the wedding slideshow because he said it "was not too bad."</div>
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My glasses-wearing years were not exactly the best. I took more than one basketball to the face during that time, permanently skewing my glasses frames. When my parents let me get contacts(!) in eighth grade, one of my best friends exclaimed, "Whoa! You're pretty??" (HAHAHA!) I thought that was all bad enough, but the worst was yet to come. I am so near-sighted that my retina is stretched dangerously thin over the back of my eyes, leaving me at risk for retinal detachment. I had my first laser surgery just over ten years ago to sear the retina against the back of my left eye. My doctor shot laser beams from a headset into my eyeball. The future is here! From my perspective, it looked like a climactic battle from an episode of Transformers – pew pew pew! <br />
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I'm thinking about all of this because I have two eye appointments tomorrow. The first is for an updated prescription from my optometrist. Last year, she told me, "Well, the bad news is that your vision's worse; the good news is that you're not legally blind, yet." The second is with the retinologist, who will be doing a quick laser procedure, again on my left eye, to seal off a new little hole in my retina. Dave will pick me up from the appointment, and we'll immediately hit the road for PA/NJ for a weekend of wedding appointments. (My student health insurance cuts out in less than a week, so I'm trying to squeeze in all kinds of healthcare.) This will be my favorite kind of roadtrip: Dave drives, I nap! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179042254748850627.post-61086885078418622862013-04-22T13:17:00.000-04:002013-04-23T00:15:00.747-04:00the bachelorette<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What a great weekend! Shuen and Julie flew into town on Friday, and we had a whirlwind weekend of good eating and drinking, chatting, and exploring! Though Julie's flight was severely delayed, we still enjoyed a relaxing evening at home on Friday:<br />
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On Saturday, we tried out the new <a href="http://www.thewafelshop.com/index.html" target="_blank">Wafel Shop</a> in Ann Arbor. The process:<br />
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The delicious result:<br />
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After that, it was time for our horseback riding lesson. We drove out to <a href="http://www.rushlowsarabians.net/Rushlowsweb/Home.html" target="_blank">Rushlow's Arabians</a> for a group lesson. The lesson was in an indoor barn: <br />
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Safety first, everyone!<br />
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We each rode a different horse (Eli, Hostess, Keebler, Rampage) and learned how to direct our horse to walk, trot, stop, and turn. No action shots, though – cameras weren't allowed during our lesson!<br />
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Here I am with my horse, Rampage. He was described as a grumpy old man who hates being around other horses. No one will be surprised to hear that we really got along: </div>
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Rampage is looking at you, and no, he is not amused.<br />
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It was really fun and totally unfamiliar and we all said we'd love to go back and do it again!<br />
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Then it was off to a wine tasting, paired with some snacky foods at <a href="http://everyday-wines.com/" target="_blank">Everyday Wines</a> in Ann Arbor. We learned that a good Pinot Gris can, in fact, be paired with baklava with resounding success.<br />
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There was more eating and drinking and dancing with my friends from school – Beth, Brianne, Emily, and Charlotte – before collapsing after a long day.<br />
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On Sunday, we made a solid brunch at home (more waffles, please!) and spent the afternoon shopping at the outlets. Thanks for a great weekend, girls! Can't wait for the big one in May. =) </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4