Hi, my name is Liesel. Welcome to my blog.
I am a twenty-something graduate student and newlywed living in the Midwest. For the first time in my life, I am able to understand and fully feel the effects of a recession including tightened budgets, unemployment, and rampant fear. I come here to vent and deal with the frustration of it all. This is also a chronicle of my life with my husband, Barrett, and the three jerks: our dogs, Molly, Mikey, and Joey. I love feedback so please feel free to leave a comment or send an email.
I’m currently reading…
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
by David Wroblewski.
I gave this book to both my mother and my mother-in-law for Christmas. I know, that means I had not read it yet. But it was on Oprah's Book Club and I'm all about letting Oprah make big decisions for me.
I was watching a video recently, on Postsecret.com, and was struck by the profound impact music can have on our emotions. It still blows me away that we even consider cutting music and arts programs from schools. I cannot imagine what life would be like without music. Whew, already off on a tangent. Anyhow, I did a search on iTunes and found some instrumental music that inspired me to make this video. If you are a frequent visitor here, although lately the posts have been sparse, then you know it is no secret that Barrett and I love our dogs. The D90 has allowed me to capture photos I would not have otherwise been able to get and I thought the action shots I have taken fit the music perfectly. (FYI, many of the photos are old and taken long before the addition of the D90 to the family. It gives you a nice contrast, though, if you’re considering getting one and want to see the difference. It is stark.) Enjoy.
Also, if you’re wondering about the title of the post, I have a giant paper and presentation due this week that I have yet to start. I despise Final’s Week.
I know it has been some time since I last posted and to the several people who routinely stop by, I apologize. You have been diligently coming here every day and have wasted your time. I am going to try to post more often, if for no other reason than to share some photos with you. You see, this post is inspired by my husband. My very sweet husband who was evidently taking notes when he read this post, the very first post I published on this site. Though his notes must have been vague because he went above and beyond when instead of this:
he surprised me with this:
This weekend was both my 26th birthday and our 1 year anniversary. I, naively, believed that we were not doing gifts this year, what with the whole one year of unemployment from which we are still trying to recover. I, uncharacteristically (as my sweet husband pointed out), did not even present him with a card on time. So, needless to say, I have some ground to make up.
In the mean time, I figured I would update ya’ll since Barrett is likely sick of being inundated with the endless photos of the dogs I have been taking. I have taken over 400 photos of them since Friday evening. And yes, I mean 400 not 40. The saddest part? We were out of town all day Saturday. And, and, we did not pick the dogs up from the kennel until 3:00 in the afternoon on Sunday. Let it suffice to say that I was a wee bit late to work today.
Without further ado, some of my favorite shots.
That’s all for now. I am obviously still learning about this camera. I hope you will join me for all the lessons I am sure to be sharing as I go. It is a gorgeous camera and at the moment, it seems a bit intimidating for a beginner like me. I used to use a manual Canon, but it was eight years ago and the type of camera that took film. It’s been awhile. I remember terminology, but that is about it so I still feel like a beginner. Good thing I have willing models to practice!
Hi guys. I just wanted to write a quick post this morning to let those of you who are checking in daily know that things have been a bit hectic around here since I returned from California. While on vacation, I learned that I was expected to return to my graduate assistantship position this week instead of next week like I had anticipated. In addition to working out interviews to set up my internship site for the year and getting ready for the semester, I have to be there 20 hours this week. So, my summer is officially over and the standard craziness is on the verge of beginning. My average week will look something like this: 20 hours in the GA office, 20 hours of internship, six hours of commute time, and 3 1/2-6 hours of class time. That comes to about 49-52 hours of time each week dedicated to school. Add in regular life duties and time with Barrett, things are going to be busy.
In addition to that, after spending 11 months unemployed, submitting well over a hundred applications, it seems as though the clouds have lifted, or rather to keep with the metaphor, the clouds have rolled in and it’s pouring on Barrett. Since he accepted his current position, several options in terms of employment have become available. We are thankful for the abundance of opportunities available to him but it means a lot of debating and slow decision making around here. Which takes a lot of time.
All that considered, this little blog here won’t be getting as much time as I would like. I will try to post as often as I can, but wanted you to know why I may be a bit erratic. I encourage you to sign up for email updates of new posts or subscribe in a reader via RSS to save you the trouble of checking daily.
Hope you are all gearing up for the school season, football season, a round of holidays, etc. Whatever you look forward to, or dread, in the Fall season. Fall happens to be one of my favorites. Speaking of holidays, I noticed that a nearby Hobby Lobby started displaying their Christmas decoration IN JULY. Which made me want to gouge my eyes out with a dull stick. Ridiculous.
Today is your 30th birthday. I have been blessed to have known you for all almost 26 years of my life. Shocking, I know. It seems crazy to say that though. 26 years. It has gone so quickly. You are my big sis in every way but as we discussed how we do not fit in to birth order theory, it occured to me that we have been eachother’s bigs. From the beginning, we have always known what the other needed in rough times and good and have seamlessly slipped in to the necessary roles at the necessary times. You have held my hand through tears and been the shoulder I look to first. There have been so many times when I have thought you would be the only one to understand my feelings at a given moment and so many times I have been right. So right.
You are a pioneer in my eyes. An eager participant in anything new. The first to have an open mind. I am the first to hold back, to researve action or reaction. As a result, you have helped to shape my understanding of the world. You have held my hand and helped me along. You have taught me to be freer, to be less serious, to take myself less seriously.
I am lucky enough to bear witness to who you are today, on your birthday. I am struck dumbfounded that you have managed to hold on to a childlike curiousity of the world, a willingness to see everything through new eyes though you have lived in places that have the propensity to make a person cynical if inclined. By 30, most people tend to feel the burden of others’ expectations for where one ought to be by this time in life. But you have not been fettered by society’s expectations, or rather, the midwest’s expectations. You have freed yourself of those bounds and instead look to 30 with anticipation and excitement. A dance party for your 30th birthday! Turning 30 under a gorgeous moon taking a dip in the ocean! Everything with an exclamation point at the end. Or the beginning. Whatever makes you happy at the moment.
And now, now as I watch you get ready for your dance party! with sea water in your hair, you seem so radiant, so blessed, basking in the warmth of being surrounded by people who love you.
