day 13: reminds you of childhood (re-do)

[I wasn't satisfied with my daily photo yesterday, so I cheated a bit and snapped this one this morning. However, I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier because this article was published in the NYTimes yesterday about the resurgence of 1990's cartoons. Perfect. Read more here.]

first ladies campaign

When I was at the Smithsonian a couple weeks ago, I made sure to hit the First Ladies exhibition. I was, of course, mesmerized by the beautiful dresses and fashion of them each, but found these campaign pins so fascinating! For some reason I had never thought specifically about the First Ladies having to campaign as well...I liked the thought of them being such a "team" with their husbands.

day 13: reminds you of childhood

[I must say, I was really stumped by this one - hence the delay in posting as I said I would. But quite frankly there is nothing in New York that reminds me of my childhood. However, I did have quite a few rainbow stuffed animals as a kid...not much has changed.)

hand-painted packing list

So beautiful...and useful. Wish I had the time or patience to do this! Maybe my next trip...

[found here via Design*Sponge twitter page]

washington dc

I recently spent 3 days in our beautiful nation's capital, as I mentioned earlier. Katherine and I went down to visit a couple of friends (and I went to, er, sight-see for the 5th time). We stayed with a friend of Katherine's from college and she hosted us with such wonderful hospitality! We ate brunch at a fantastic place called Founding Farmers, which I particularly enjoyed because of all the southern fare. Then we toured around, went to the Holocaust Museum (which I highly recommend while going in with the expectation that it will be a tremendously heavy experience), ate dinner at a great burger spot (Good Stuff Eatery) and went 'monument hopping' Saturday night. Sunday we made the most of our short time before we caught the bus and went to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which was soooo great!

I was a little sad to board the bus back to NYC, but alas vacations can't last forever. Since I took almost 200 pictures in the short weekend, I'll spare you and only add my faves here.

Fried green tomatoes and chicken & waffles. Can you go wrong?

Julie at her summer job: the Treasury Department!

True tourists: the Capitol at night!

I heart Alabama!

Good Stuff Eatery: 5 different flavors of mayonnaise to try. (And beautiful in rainbow order!)

Honest Abe, still the same from the last time I saw him...

Hello landmarks of DC!

3rd longest escalator...in the world? Yes.

God Bless America!

I should have won scrabble on this word alone!

There she is. And everywhere we turned: The Washington Monument!

opening night

Last week my money became one of the $476 millions of dollars in ticket sales for the final movie in the 8-film Harry Potter series. We waited in line with the thousands of other people to see the midnight opening of the show, and, boy, was it ever worth it (and, boy, were the fanatics out)! I had a long and tiring day on Thursday and actually contemplated skipping out on the 12:01 am showing- gasp, but would have regretted that decision terribly. Our group turned out as normal (minus Maggie, plus Julie) at the theater by my apartment and enjoyed the last time of watching a midnight showing together!  

a little hold up

This weekend I've been off my normal routine just a bit... so, naturally I lost track of my 30-day photo challenge and have been waylaid on getting those posted. They'll return tomorrow (with day 13) and hopefully some really great shots.

day 12: sun flare

"Harry Potter, Jesus, and Me"

I recently stumbled across this article on twitter a few days ago: Harry Potter, Jesus and Me. It was after midnight when I found it, but I couldn't stop reading until almost 1 AM. I love this "staged" letter to JK Rowling that Andrew Peterson wrote regarding the emotions evoked in him while reading the Harry Potter series. I wouldn't mind writing the same letter to her.

Dear Ms. Rowling,

I think it’s remarkable what you’ve done. I love your imagination. I love your characterization and your sense of humor. I love that you’re telling a story about choosing the right thing, even when it’s hard. I love that you’re telling a story that is full of wisdom, a story that reminds me how evil Evil is. Most of all, I love that your story reminds me that light is stronger than darkness, that the best way to love is to lay your life down, and that Death will not have the final say. By the way, I’m a follower of Christ, and I see him in your story. I don’t know if that’s intentional or not, but you should know that he’s in there. In fact, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to say that reading your books has helped me to praise him even more for his courage, his sacrifice, and his strength to conquer the hosts of hell to save us.

day 11: silhouette

can't believe it's almost here!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is coming out this Friday, er, technically Thursday at midnight (which, of course, happens to be when I'm going)! I can't believe it's finally here, but I cannot wait... I'm a little more nervous about the midnight showing this time since I'll have work the next day, but it will be completely worth it. And what boss wouldn't be thrilled about me participating in such a monumental, end-of-an-era event?!

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson are pictured above at the New York City premiere last night just a few blocks from my apartment! Wish I had been there.

day 10: animal

[I didn't take this today, but it was too good not to use! And, I did take it recently and edit it for today's post.]

gerda weissmann klein

Kat, Julie and I went to the Holocaust Museum this weekend while Kat and I were visiting. We watched this clip at the end of the tour about how Gerda Weissmann Klein met her husband Kurt Klein, an American soldier, on liberation day. This museum was both incredibly overwhelming and moving, something everyone should go visit at least once.



[I got this video from Katherine's blog, thanks Kat!]

ny2dc

I returned a few hours ago from a glorious weekend south of the Mason Dixon Line!

Katherine, Michelle and I took a quick trip down for the weekend to our nation's capital to visit friends. This was my fifth time to visit DC, and I have come to the conclusion that I will forever be enamored with this city. Its old southern charm, summers that feel like Alabama, and wonderful, accessible history of our nation made me (for only a second) wonder if I should just skip my bus back to NYC...

More pictures to come from our quick 42-hour rendezvous in DC!

day 9: fresh fruit

day 8: sunset

[66th Street and Broadway, NYC]

day 7: high angle

[Union Station, Washington DC]

a day in the life

If you're wondering what my job is like, take a look at this video. This pretty much describes my daily routine...

day 6: books

look who's famous!

Check out this picture from the Tuscaloosa News! Tate got his very own picture in the newspaper on Tuesday from his participation in the Tuscaloosa 4th of July celebrations! He looks like one smitten kid.