Playing with matches

My friends and I played with "Morning Glories" and long exposure settings. Here's what we came up with.

Happy fourth of July all my fellow Americans. Hope you had a fun, safe holiday, and celebrated the birth of our great nation with the mass consumption of hot dogs, and the brilliant glow of fireworks.

-Jess

National Park

So my goal of blogging once a week hasn't really been going that great. But I have been crossing somethings off of my summer to do list. For example, visting a national park. This weekend I went to Moab and visited Arches National Park. It was so fun!! Here are some photos of the trip:

Mmm. S'mores. One of the best aspects of camping.

Delicate arch at sunrise. So beautiful and peaceful. Landscape Arch in Devil's Garden. Under one of the "o's" at Double O arch.

I had so much fun going to Moab. It was so beautiful in such a rugged way. We met people from Japan and this man from the Check Republic, who couldn't have been younger than eighty, hiking around the park. I loved spending a weekend admist such unique natural creations.

Summer To Do List

So I am a list maker. I have a theory that if you write something down then it is not floating around in your head. Your thoughts are documented. It is said that the weakest ink is better than the strongest memory. I believe that. And so lists scatter my purse, cubicle, and room. I was thinking about all the things I wanted to do this summer and I decided to make a list of them. Here goes:

Go to one local restaurant a week
Buy one vintage inspired outfit I will love
Make a terrarium
Fram Cam's print
Learn Spanish
Join a soccer or kickball team
Write a song
Go star gazing
Go park exploring
Learn how to do something new
Visit an art gallery
Go on a photo shoot
Read a book in a park
Go to at least one movie at the Capitol
Watch: Breakfast at Tiffanies', Casablanca, and Roman Holiday
Buy ingredients and cook something new
Buy one piece of local art to decorate house
Go to at least two concerts
Follow the World Cup
Run in a Road Race
Write a poem
Blog at least once a week
Fall in love with a new artist, musician, author, and photographer
Go hiking at least four times
Visit a national park
Go on a bike ride
Volunteer at IRC
Meet someone new

I will be attempting to achieve all of these this summer. If you would like to join me any or all of these activities feel free to give me a call. Let summer begin!!!

Video (again)

Jess and Lucia: "Go analog baby, you're so post-modern you're diving face forward into an antiquated past. It's digusting, its offensive, don't stick your nose up at me"

Europe Part 2

It was long time coming, but without further ado, here is my second half of my trip to Europe.

This was yummy pizza that we ate. It was huge. I got eggplant in mine.
Beautiful Venice!!

My mom and I on Piazza San Marco.

We went to Murano looking for glass blowers and we couldn't find any. But we found a kind shop-keeper who allowed us to go out back and see the masters at work. It was a great experience and I learned alot about a unique art.

This was my favorite island Burano. It is where the lace-makers dwell. It was so picturesque with laundry hanging and bright, multi-colored houses.

Sunset in Venice.

On the grand canal.

Gelato everywhere. I was in love.

The Rialto Bridge and me. At dinner this Italian man harassed us until we bought a rose from him. Scott bought one for all of the girls.

View on the Grand canal .

On the waterfront.

Venice. I felt like I was just walking around in a dream. It is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. It is so romantic, and charming. I loved traveling everywhere by boat. They have a whole system there very similar to our bus system but instead one travels by boat. I loved eating gelato and hot chocolate as thick as pudding. I loved the art of the architecture and the bright pink buildings. I loved the girls on the water bus who were laughing at me because I kept dozing off on the long boat ride. I don't think they knew that they lived in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Maybe they did. I loved people watching on the public transportation. It is the same as here but a little different. I blushed when I caught a strangers eye, just like I do here. I loved the constant sound of water lapping against the stone of the buildings. I loved the old buildings: churches dedicated to saints to stop the black-death, palaces for the powerful rulers of Venice, the towers with the triangle tops. I loved the way light danced on the canal water at night. Venice.

Beatles Rock Band

So I love the beatles. They make great music.

And I love Rock Band. The joys of pretending you are in a band.

And I love French people. They eat snails.

But. Do you know what I love most!??!?

The combination of all three. Awhile back I went over to my friend Jeremy's house. Jeremy is from France. He also happens to own Beatles Rock Band. Lucia (my roomate), Jeremy and I pretended we were in a band. It was hard core. Lucia and I switched off playing the guitar and the drums and Jeremy was our lead singer. You have not lived until you hear all of the Beatles songs in a French accent.

"Let's come togezer right now, ovair meee."

Words cannot describe my delight in hearing this new take on my old favorites. If you have friends from France, make them play Beatles Rock Band. It will be an experience you will not soon forget.

-Jess

Graduate School!!

I just wanted to annouce that I am going to be in the graduating class of 2013 for the University of Utah's Occupational Therapy Program!! I am really excited for this next phase of my education! More information about the program and what exactly occupational therapy is to come. . .