February 26, 2010

My grandfather died when I was four years old and he was buried in the cemetery a block away from my grandparents’ house. At that time, my grandmother purchased a double plot and had her name and birth date engraved on the headstone along with my grandfather’s dates of birth and death. My parents later bought my grandparent’s house so my grandmother could move to a warmer climate. So looking back at my childhood, my grandfather’s headstone with my grandmother’s missing date has always been present in my memories. I would walk through the cemetery on my way to school, play hide-and-seek there, and talk to my grandfather while wondering what date would be used to complete the headstone. My grandmother eventually stopped visiting my grandfather because her engraved name and birthday would mock her, waiting for the final date. Now I know.

And the final verdict is. . .

Illinois!!! I received my first choice for internship which I am very excited about. So this means that after four years of marriage, Jay and I will actually live together. We will be moving in with each other at the end of July. However, even though we have been married for many years, this move will create some adjustment problems for both of us, since we both have developed our own habits. For example, we cannot agree on what type of milk to buy. Jay drinks fat free milk and I drink any kind of milk except for fat free. Neither one of us wants to budge on this issue. We may have to purchase our own milk until Jay gives into me because I'm not budging. :)

My Uncertain Future

Before I can become a licensed school psychologist, I need to have an internship for a year. I applied to several places around the country, but with how the internship placement services works, I will only be matched with one site. In 13 days I will find out where I am placed for next year. My possible places (in order of preference) are:

Illinois (I would actually be able to live with Jay). This is Jay at Halloween in Illinois.

Dallas, Texas

New Orleans, Louisiana

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ode to Black and White Photography!

There are certain advantages to the digital age of photography. I requested a CD of my black and white photos so I could share them all with you. Attached is a link to many of the photos I took over the summer.

http://picasaweb.google.com/carrots202

Death to Ritz Camera

Today, I finally made the ½ mile trip to Ritz Camera to pick up my black-and-white film and photos of my summer exploits that has been loitering in their storage for the past month. Usually, when looking at photos that I had developed by Ritz Camera, I am greeted with the lingering scent of dark room chemicals that makes me oh so happy. Not today! I was greeted with pixilated photos that only digital processing can make. So I have to ask “Et tu, Ritz Camera!” You have also gone the way for the less time consuming, cheaper, and lower quality digital processing of black-and-white photos!!! I waited an extra week for my photos to be processed, paid extra money. Things I felt were small sacrifices in return for beautifully developed resin coated black and white images! Now, I am expected to make the same sacrifices but in return I receive lower quality photos! Never!!!

P.S Does anybody know of photography processing places that does not develop black and white photos digitally? I am running out of options :(.

Chicago

Jay and I went to Chicago last weekend to visit my dear longtime friend Rikki, and her husband Patrick, who were visiting Chicago for a conference. We had lots of fun-eating pizza, visiting all types of museums, spending time on top floors of tall buildings, etc. Here are some of my favorite lovely pictures from that trip.

Us at Millennium Park in front of "The Jelly Bean"

Here is the love of my life! Isn't he a cutie!

We also spent some time at the Adler Planetarium. Patrick and I would make very cool astronauts.




There were some very funky mirrors at the planetarium. I felt like I was in a fun house.

We also visited the Art Institue, and Jay took a picture of my favorite Georgia O'Keefe so I could have one at home.

My little sister and my cat

Here they are by popular demand. My cat Yezmae and my little sister Kennise! I also had to post my real little sister.

I like old cheese

I really like really old cheese. They have this place by my house called the Wisconsin Cheese Mart. They have this 7 year aged cheddar that sounds really good. So if anybody is looking for a Christmas gift for me (hint hint) I would love some really old moldy cheese!

Jay set up a blog for Crystal

Hi everybody. This is Jay. I set up this blog for Crystal because she needed one. If you think she needs one too, then take the survey on the right or email her and tell her.