You might not have known...

Kate recently tagged me in her blog to share 7 facts you may not have known about me. Here are the rules: I have to write 7 little known (or unknown) facts about myself and then tag 7 other people to do the same. I don't actually know seven other people who haven't been tagged AND still write in their blogs, so here we go anyway!

1. I really resented my parents when we moved from Jersey to Maryland when I was in 4th grade. I don't remember being angry but it still hurts my mom when she thinks about it. I'm actually quite glad about where it finally led my family.

2. I love tearing out the bookmarks from Real Simple and actually using them in my current reads. I have a couple great ones with pigs and one with flowers that I've used for my last four books. They're so bright and cheery.

3. I, in an "I'm not crazy" kind of a way, believe that PA in trying to pull Mike and I back. Our family is there- sans my immediates, and a large portion of our friends are there. I call it the Pennsylvania Pull.

4. I'm terrible at correspondence. Awful. I hate the phone and see it as a necessary evil. I don't like checking email. I love writing letters but haven't actually had much time. I believe part of it is a result of moving so often. Constantly restarting- which requires much effort and therefore less time for your past. But while I don't call or write often, my friends are often what occupy my mind.

5. I don't see myself teaching for 30 years. I want to always have art and crafts be part of my life but I'm not sure how. Some days I want to open a "paint your own" deal of a shop. Sometimes I want to create adorable but sleek accessory pins. I have several in mind and wish I had some time to work on them. I'm ambitious, but there are only so many places in education you can go, and I will never become administration. I also want to earn a master's but am torn between art history and studio art- not art education. This is not a realistic dream for the time being.

6. I really wish I had a house. Selfish and simple. I become very jealous when I see other people who have a place that's all theirs. Even if I find the house completely repulsive I think, "wow, they're doing so much better than me. What have I done wrong?"

7. I love the fact that I know so much useless information. It is this information that helps connect the world together and relate point A to point B. It's amazing when you can pull out an obscure movie refrence and relate it to a current book topic. Just silly that way I guess.

I heart Plants

I also heart my Nikon D40. Now I'm still shaky on the aperture/shutter speed/ anything technical in photography- I was really good with my simple Pentax SLR- but I think I have a great eye for composition. Always have in just about anything- it's why I was good in theatre too. Great sense of the overall picture. During intersession Mike's family came down for a weekend. We did many things but one of my favorite is the NC Botanical Gardens right down the road in Chapel Hill. It's such a lovely place and it's still in bloom- thanks North Carolina! Well I took along my trusty and loved D40 to just wander and get lost in the beauty that God has given us. Excepting for the mosquitoes, I loved wandering by myself. I enjoy and realize nature's potential best this way. I want to share some of my pictures. Just a few of my favorites!

Intersession was nice.

Intersession was a nice break from school life. I had two weeks off and two work days. So much was accomplished and I had a relaxing time with myself. Waking up when the sun was shining was a novel idea. Reading became a priority during these two weeks. I was able to read the Lost City of Z by David Grann. Grann is a writer for the New Yorker and his book comes out this February. It is the story of Col. Percy Fawcett- Amazonian explorer extraordinaire. Truly a remarkable story with seamless writing that shifts reader from past to present. I highly recommend this book about the wild and life changing adventures of a man who sought to map the dense jungles of the Amazon. Exploration was his love and ultimately his downfall. Classic history-lovers book. I absolutely consumed this book! (A picture of Col. Fawcett to the right)

I also recently finished the white corridor by C. Fowler. It is part of the Bryant and May detective series. Its end was unexpected and closed neatly but it was tedious to wade through, a very complex and convoluted plot. Not my favorite read thus far. I just began reading Vanished Smile: the Mysterious Theft of the Mona Lisa by R.A. Scotti. Excellent and vivid thus far!

In addition to reading I was able to travel home to see my family. I enjoyed a day visit with Molly, baked the boys cookies and cupcakes, watched my brother in a Rugby game at the academy, and visited Sarah in Pasadena. Very busy and very fulfilling trip. Lots of miles driven!
I always love going to the Naval Academy. Quite beautiful and lush but slightly magical. Very few people know the hardships encountered just to earn qualification to apply. I am so proud of my brother and I think, alright I know, I become overwhelmed when I go. His opportunities in life will overshadow mine. I know this. I've been a couple times this fall and I hope to be going to the Army/Navy game in Philly this year. So some pictures from the yard.

Home for the holiday

Yesterday was the start of my two-week mini break. Our intersession is a much needed break from everything at school. Mike can not leave his responsibility of the store so a much needed trip to Pittsburgh is out. Instead I am heading to DC today. I will be staying for several days and will be seeing lots of lovely people. I've already got a busy schedule, but let me know if you'd like to see me. Yay holidays!