so sweet

oil spill symposium

what it looks like when you get there before everyone else...

super heady scientists

we were mesmerized by the cameras

Yesterday I had the opportunity of attending a day-long (or rather long day) symposium on the Gulf oil spill from last April. What an experience!  There were scientists, spokespeople, professors, representatives, etc. from all over- the NY Times, National Geographic, CNN, NPR, the Coast Guard, NOAA, various universities, BP!  So for the whole day, Sam and I got to hear all these peoples' perspectives on the oil spill! Way cool!!  Thank you, UGA.

the challenge.

this is the quote that is at the bottom of every reminder email
(the clouds are from a beautiful Montana sunset)

I've decided to try another 21-day meditation challenge... it started on Monday.  So far so good!  I recommend it to any and everyone!  And it's definitely not too late to start- just start back at day 1 to ease into it.

sweet melanie!

Meanwhile, fun with Trader-Joe's oreos and almond butter!  yummy!

roomie love

decisions...

alumni game

It's a known fact that I am painfully indecisive.  But today was a big day- I am officially NOT playing lacrosse this season.  Tryouts were this morning and... I wasn't there.

It's still a bit sad for me to think about the team, but I'm just glad that I made a decision and am sticking to it!  The past couple months have been filled with meditation, yoga, and seeking advice over the issue (thank you to those who have been putting up with me!).  I've come to the realization that I would like lacrosse to be in the peripheral at this point in my life and the team isn't where I can find that.

Best of luck this season!!



This is totally unrelated but I wanted to share with you the new Iron & Wine album that is to be released on the 25th! Happy listening!

the king is dead

Today, the new Decemberists album was released- the king is dead.  I have to say, I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be.  I'm not quite sure what it is though... maybe it's just because it's so different from their other stuff.  But I do like the slightly shorter songs- especially compared to 12+ minute long "the island" from the crane wife album.  Needless to say, it's a good beginning to a wonderfully musical 2011.  I've attached some of the songs below for your listening pleasure.  

I think my favorite is 'june hymn' but I couldn't figure out how to get a good recording of it on here.  Sorry!  This stuff is still so new to me :)

snow dayzz

snowy game of football

'Puking' snow in Athens!  Enough so that the roads had to be plowed with small bulldozers and school was cancelled for 3.5 days! It turned into 3.5 days of playing in the snow, watching movies, kayak sledding, and quality bonding time!  Needless to say, the #1 party school has kept busy.


Reminded me of this ridiculous video:

failed attempts

So my goal for the break was to get bored. Didn't go so well.

our sweet bible study boys growin up

My days were spent:
cooking and baking--cookies, bread, the broken oven :(
skiing in Telluride--snowboard world cup and dubskin concert
climbing at Stone Summit
a white christmas!
playing squash at the club--plus basketball and the steam room
big meals
revisiting Lovett--all school chapel, the boys bible study
watching 127 hours--i love james franco!
long walks
laxing on denny field
yoga
eating at chateau de saigon--highly recommend it
enjoying company at watercolor/seaside, fl--bike rides, fireworks, beach games, poker, late night swims
mountain biking
making new art projects
planning trying to plan my life
chinese massages
making decisions or lack thereof--and driving others crazy with it
watching stupid movies in our freezing basement
feathering
watching sports--hawks, thrashers, lots of football

Might I also add that I am writing this still sore from our great, cheap chinese massages yesterday, and teary-eyed from the car ride back to school.  I packed up the car, played at the club, and said goodbyes.  My ipod was on shuffle and then 'ready, set, don't go' came on.... and that's when I lost it.  I don't even like billy ray cyrus!

claire smallwood

I recently read an article from Women's Adventure: "Women of Winter: Claire Smallwood."  So I will admit, I have a friend crush on the extraordinaire.  She just does it all!  Freeskier, chef, artist, traveler, linguist, and most importantly, role model.  I reached out to her not expecting anything in return, but I was so pleasantly surprised to see her response in my inbox!  I am still trying to soak it all in, but I am nonetheless beaming.  Yay for a woman taking her own path!

Here's her own website: http://www.clairesmallwood.com/

By the way, she asks me to spread the word about SheJumps down in my neck of the woods far away from the big mountains out west.  So, please join the network, ladies!  It'd be great to have that sort of community around here!

watercolor

everyone!

minus big rich

all the 'teens'

The Hempels invited us for a last minute opportunity to go down to Watercolor, FL for a few days.  What an offer?! Dad decided he had to hold down the fort and play golf, so Mom, Nate, and I hit the road for some days filled with rain and sun, family, friends, bikes, football, new years, and lots of fun.  We ended 2010 with a delicious meal, live music, crashing a proper party, and began 2011 with a countdown and fireworks on the beach with the sound of waves crashing in the background.  CHEERS!!!