Turkey

My good friend is traveling through Turkey and sent me these photos today. Who's jealous?

A Graduation

Last night I helped out as an usher at the graduation ceremony for the class ahead of me. I learned that
a) I would like to be graduating myself
b) Graduation ceremonies in a graduate program feel somewhat silly
c) Auditorium lighting makes it hard to get a good photo

Buffalo Mountain

I'd rather be...

An Afternoon Roll

Camera Phones

Camera phones are actually pretty nice, but I guess cell phone companies don't really want you to know that. If you don't have internet access on your phone (me!), you can either a) choose the option to send your photos to an online Verizon album, log in and download them in a cruddy, downsized version or b) buy a microSD card to pop in your phone, store photos on and transfer them to your computer using a tiny adapter. And it's not that expensive!

If you couldn't tell, I'm a little gleeful. As we speak I am transferring photos to my computer... particularly my RAM photos.

The interior of one of the air conditioned tents (before we set up stretchers and privacy sheets, etc).



A lunch that didn't stay down...



The line volunteers waited in for above mentioned lunch.



Packing up the truck... looking for light boxes to load on the heavier items.



Much better resolution group photo.



The gorgeous sunset on the way home.



Miles of pink sky.



My classmate... determined to get us home!

Gocco Love

For our anniversary, I bought and framed three prints for my husband that I found on Etsy. The store advertises, "Romantic screen prints of world cities & more."



I'm not usually one for cutesy gifts, but I thought the prints were a nice combination of different and meaningful. I bought one for Richmond (where we met), one for UVA (where we decided we really liked each other) and one for Alexandria (where he proposed).



I just hung them up today above the bed. Getting a good shot proved difficult due to the windows in the bedroom and our complete ham of a dog.



Is it possible for a dog to really like getting his picture taken THAT much?

Soon

Happy Two

Celebrating year two of our journey together.



Enjoyed an anniversary dinner outside at Shebeen Pub & Braai, a South African restaurant.



Rogue Dead Guy Ale and some much needed water kept us cool.



We shared Durban spiced chicken and Sosatie, a lamb dish.



Then I thought we should take a family portrait to mark the occasion.



But luck wasn't on my side.



Biscuit was not amused.



I resorted to holding the camera at arms length - not an easy task with a DSLR.



There was also an unexpected gift.



Cheers to many more years.

From our wedding script:

"A true marriage is an act of transformation, a profound mystery as two loves are blended into one. This is not a loss or giving up of oneself, but rather a giving over of self to something greater. In this process you will each be challenged to discover, again and again, new depths and possibilities in yourselves and each other.

This wedding ceremony, and the vows you will speak to one another today are the gateway into this mystery. In a sense, the whole of your lives has brought you here, to this moment, and together you now join together to create something wholly new and transcendent, something that has never existed before … your unique marriage. In this act you open yourselves to an even fuller experience and expression of the vast miracle of love.

No ceremony can create a marriage. Only the two of you can do that … with love patience, dedication, perseverance … through supporting and believing in each other … through tenderness and laughter, cooperation and play … through learning to forgive, learning to respect and appreciate your differences, and learning to make the important things in life matter and letting go of the rest."

Dog vs. Ground Hog

Who knew that ground hogs could climb?

RAM

Just back from RAM.

Tug 'o War

When a summer thunderstorm with heavy rain comes rolling through, Biscuit doesn't get his evening walk... an unwalked Biscuit is no fun for anyone.



So how about a game of tug?



I know there are dog people out there who cringe at the thought of humans encouraging this type of behavior in their dogs. I like to think it depends on the temperament of the dog.



When tug gets boring, chasing a tennis ball is always endless fun.



Wouldn't it be nice to take such pure enjoyment in small things?



Let's try it.

Purple Polka Dots

Thank you, Target, for the new umbrella for rainy days.



Bright and fun or migraine headache?