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July 31, 2011

I'm not going to just any camp...

 
(yearbook source)                            (yearbook source)

I'm going to Yearbook Camp!

Remember when I told you I was changing schools? Part of my new assignment is acting as Yearbook advisor for at least the first year. I'm sort of excited and sort of terrified about the position, to be honest.

I'm excited, because it's such an amazing class that can showcase a lot of talented students and teach them computer skills for the future. Plus, it's all about design! I get an excuse to talk/learn about photography, design, technique for an entire year! woo!

I'm terrified because I was an editor of the yearbook my senior year of high school and it wasn't an easy job. I wasn't head editor, thankfully, because my job was enough! Being responsible for the yearbook is a huge assignment. You need to make sure the yearbook is the prime example of the previous year of school---you can't miss a beat. It needs to be cool with an edge, but neutral enough so no one will look back in 25 years and say "what were they thinking!?" I'm also worried about walking into a classroom full of high school Liz's. You know... 20 high school girls that are exactly how I used to be in high school! I mean if there's a version of Liz I really want nothing to do with ... it's high school Liz! Oh well. I'm hoping that the kids who have already signed up for yearbook will be motivated, creative, and pretty savvy. If they aren't... then I have about a month to get 'em in shape before we need to start whipping out pages!

Fortunately yearbook camp is held at Gettysburg College, a small, private liberal arts school very close to my house. I have the flexibility of staying on campus if need be, but honestly, I've been out of the house so much this month, I'm dying for some time in my own bed! I'm looking forward to YB camp because I think it'll refresh my memory and also show me the skill set needed to be a strong advisor. I know it'll be a lot of work-- but I'm really excited!

So, off I go until Tuesday! See you then! :)

How are you spending your Sunday?

xo,
Liz

July 30, 2011

July 10, 2011

As you know, I've been traveling a bunch this month, but finally got time to upload the photos that have been stacking up on my dslr since the beginning of the month.

Here's a look into our Anniversary weekend!

My gift to Cory was a trip to two Buddhist temples, one to attend a cultural festival and the other to participate in meditation training (more on that later...). Because the temples were both in the metro area in Virginia, I thought it would be nice to stay the night in Dupont Circle, our favorite DC neighborhood. I booked us a room at the Topaz Hotel and have nothing but excellent things to say about our experience!

We enjoyed drinks and dinner out on the town and then woke up early for breakfast and cupcakes! We also visited our favorite bookstore, Kramerbooks. It was the perfect weekend :) Here's a look into the first half of our weekend. The second half is in instax form, so I'll post those as soon as I can :)








I feel so happy thinking back to this weekend! :)

xo,
Liz


July 29, 2011

Headed Home


We're headed home from Rehoboth Beach tonight. Cory finished his conference this afternoon, so we'll be headed home with the setting sun :)

Here's a look into what I cary along with me in the car on extended drives. Lots of yarn, instax film, magazines, GRE study book, and my makeup bag... because I hate wearing makeup in the car and will do it right before we get to wherever we're going. Maybe that's weird...?

I am so ready to be back home! :)

xo,
Liz

The key to my... art project?

When Cory and I were driving from Myrtle Beach to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, we took the back road. We knew it was risky, but it just seemed like the perfect day to spend a day in the car with the windows down and the music turned up.

About a hour north of Myrtle Beach is Wilmington, North Carolina, one of my favorite towns... ever. It's a small southern town with a great artistic flair, plus it's where Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill were filmed ;).  Cory and I decided to stop in Willmington for brunch, which ended up being the perfect opportunity to spend time outside in the local farmers market and soak in extra sunshine and fresh air.

As we returned to our car, Cory and I instantly noticed there was something a little different about the chainlink fence placed next to our car. It was covered in keys! Keys?! Why keys? We had no idea, but we thought it was so cool.



Come to find out, it's actually a community art project, Keys with a View. We were so impressed by this project and the simple beauty of the project that we dug around until we found a key that we had no need for in the car! I thought it was so cool to add to this community project!




Are there any community art projects where you live?

xo,
Liz

July 28, 2011

This is what I'm craving...

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Are you craving a season change as bad as I am?

... or am I just crazy?? :)

Salisbury University: a campus tour




When Cory and I realized that we would be leaving for Rehoboth on Monday instead of Sunday, we knew exactly what we wanted to do first: stop by campus.

You may not know, but Cory is 5 years older than me. Even though we both graduated with teaching degrees from Salisbury University, we have never actually been on campus together at the same time (for school or even a visit)! Between our respective years of graduation (2003 & 2007) a lot had changed on campus and we often discuss how different (but equally awesome) our experiences were on campus. I was so excited to get back to campus because I knew there had been a lot of construction regarding new buildings and amenities since I last visited in 2008. I enjoyed stopping by campus SO much that I wanted to share with you a little tour of where I spent some of the best years of my life! :)


The first noticable change I encountered was the loss of a huge parking lot. That's right. The biggest parking lot on campus has been completely covered with this gorgeous new business school. When I was in school, the business school was held in the oldest and original building on campus, Halloway Hall. As a frield to many a business major, I frequently heard complaints about how campus desperately needed a building dedicated to just business... and now they have it! This building is actually brand new, just built throughout the last year, so it will be open to classes beginning this fall. It's quite large and gorgeous inside (we peaked inside the windows!).

The tunnel connects the main campus to the athletic fields and additional parking. Having never lived on campus (because I went to a different college my freshman year), I never used the tunnel outside of Homecoming events or grabbing lunch across the street. However, it hit me with a sense of nostalgia when I saw it. Funny how the smallest things will do that to ya...


To me, the best addition to campus since I've left is the new school of education. Originally founded as a teaching college, Salisbury has produced some incredible teachers. Personally, when I encountered my student teaching experience and even my first year as an actual professional, I felt over prepared. The faculty is realistic, down to earth, and challenges you to embrace the hard stuff when it comes to teaching. Within this building there is a library full of books for children, luxorious classrooms, and quality equipment for the communications department.

Here's another peak inside:


A different change that has come to campus that made me jump for joy, but also shocked me, was this:


I'm not a smoker, nor have I ever been. I actually get pretty sick whenever I'm around cigarette smoke (upset stomach, etc.), so this statement pleased me. However, I thought of some of my friends hanging out sharing a cigarette between classes, trying to decompress after an intense morning or exam. I can only hope that the Relay for Life or Coalition Against Cancer had a part in making Salisbury a smoke free campus. They did so much work with state legislature to pass anti-smoking laws when I was involved, I can only imagine the hand they played with this.

Many of my English classes were held in Fulton. It's primarily used for arts and theatre classes, but English and Business found ways to squeezing in as well :).

The other change I noticed was that all 4 dorms that are placed on the quad had new entrances! The new foyers really added something to the regular brick buildings that stood when I attended SU. The other interesting change is that the entrance to Wicomico has been switched so it's on the quad as well. It makes sense, since it was the only dorm that did not have an entrance on the quad!

SU's campus is actually a national arboretum, so there are very specific rules and regulations the campus must follow when caring and planting new flowers and trees. The pergola connects the majority of campus to the university's student center and Commons (dining hall). It's quite beauitful year round and so peaceful!

When I first moved to Salisbury, I needed to find a job on campus through work study in order to pay my rent and bills. I picked up a few shifts at Gull's Nest, a local sandwich shop and grille on campus. This is the patio outback.

I spent a majority of my time in the Guerrieri student center during my junior and senior years. One of my claims to fame was my time spent on the executive board of the SU Fishing Club. Fishing?! What?! Yeah, I know. I wasn't much of a fisher(wo)man, but I was really into getting the club involved in fundraisers and volunteering. I made sure the club members always had something to do to stay out of trouble, or ways to give back to the community. I was also on the excutive board for Relay for Life throughout my senior year, so between the two, I was pretty busy answering emails and messages in our offices (that are in this building).


I would always try to schedule my classes in the morning so I would have the afternoon and evenings free for work. If I could, I would schedule my classes with a little break between them so I could sneak in a nap in this place. It's the perfect location for studying, quiet reading, or like I said, a nap!


The most shocking, and maybe even the best, improvement is the additional of Seagull Square. This beautiful building holds new apartments, shops, and restaurants. It's gorgeous and right on the edge of campus. This will give campus the additional living space they so desperately need!

Wow... it was so nice going back to campus! I really love Salisbury. It's a great school for people who want a mid-sized school that will offer an incredible education. I know it sounds like I'm selling it, but there are so many Salisbury alums I know that are brilliant and have offered much to research and society, it's hard not to wear the pride of your degree on your back.

I hope you enjoyed this tour! I'll be back with more photos of our trips soon!

xo,
Liz

July 25, 2011

Icon: Eve Arden

Last night when I was making a late night run to the store for some Nyquil for Cory, I happened to have the local NPR station out of American University tuned on the radio. I noticed they were playing an old time radio program, and I really love those sort of things, so I decided to tune in a bit.

It didn't take long to figure out that the main character, Miss. Brooks is a lively, quick witted teacher who is bombarded by people trying to "help" and "fix" her, even though she is just fine the way she is. I was happy to hear the program still on when I returned from the store, so I drove a little slower than usual to listen to the final moments ;).


Not realizing at the time, but when I did a search on the internets, I realized it was the popular radio program Our Miss Brooks, which was very popular between 1948-1957. Miss Brooks, the character that I adored so much, was played by the stunning Eve Arden.









If you're thinking to yourself, that lady looks oh so familiar with me, but I'm not very familiar with that era, it might be because Ms. Arden played Principal McGee in Grease!


I just love it! Apparently the radio program is available on CD and you can bet that it's going on my list!

Happy Monday!
liz

July 24, 2011

Weekend Musings

Life is so funny. I'm the kind of person who can get really wound up in whatever I'm working on and need a friendly reminder that sometimes, life just isn't that serious.
(fyi: the photos used in this post were taken with my droid phone)

This past weekend my best friend, Lisa, came to visit from New York City. It's always a treat to have her here; she hasn't been since our wedding last July. She even treated us to a cupcake themed housewarming gift including yummy Magnolia Bakery cupcakes fresh from NYC! Yes! We had a lovely weekend together despite the humidity and insane heat. We visited the pool, went antiquing and thrifting, and had a few drinks at my favorite local bar.
Pom mojito. Mmmmm

And of course, we ended our night Saturday with a dinner at Nido's (my fav Italian joint in town) and hulu action back home with a few bottles of wine. Pretty perfect, if you ask me.

Girlfriends.

Today, we woke slowly and left for brunch before taking Lisa back to Baltimore to catch her bus. As we were heading toward brunch, Cory and I were reviewing the itinerary for his upcoming work conference in Rehoboth, Delaware. Something puzzled me... we weren't supposed to check in until Monday? Hm. Okay, we could just find a place to crash tonight, not a big deal. We have loads of friends and family in the area. Because something just didn't feel right, I looked up the conference on my phone and realized that the conference doesn't actually begin until... Tuesday! Which is why our county wasn't providing room and board this evening. Silly, silly. So we're all packed up and have the housesitter all set...
with no where to go! lol

Unfortunately, Cory is really suffering with a head cold, so we decided to take Lisa to Baltimore and head back home. Our compromise was that we would go see the new Harry Potter and take it easy at home tonight. I'm happy to say my husband is currently asleep at 9:30pm.. which is exactly where he needs to be in order to get better before this conference!

Finally going to see harry!

So, we'll head out early tomorrow, probably spend some time roaming the Delaware beaches and taking it easy. I'll be at the beach all week while he's at the conference... or going around the Ocean City boardwalk taking photos ;).

Have you had a moment when life just made you giggle a little?

xo, Liz

July 20, 2011

Plannin' a roadtrip...


If you've been reading this blog for a while, you have probably realized that Cory and I have ants in our pants when it comes to traveling. We love little weekend trips or roadtrips in general. Fortunately, we have a bunch of incredibly talented and gifted friends whom live all around the country. We try to take them up on offers to visit as much as we possibly can! Traveling on a teacher's salary is tricky, but definitely not impossible. Usually once we know where we're headed, we look for hostels or affordable places to stay that are near where we want to explore.

With that being said, last fall we took a roadtrip to Auburn, Alabama with two of our closest friends, Rich and Beth. We had such a great time although I never posted the photos to prove it! Gah... I need to get better about that. Anyway.. it's that time for us to start planning our next trip to Auburn and I'm puting out an all call!

The map above shows our typical route to get to Auburn. Last year we stayed in Greenville, S.C. on a Thursday night, drove into Atlanta on Friday and explored the Little 5 Points neighborhood before heading into Auburn. It's nice being able to leave on Thursday and hitting up a few sights along the way. If you see a spot on the map that includes something we absolutely must stop and do, please tell!

I'm pretty open to any suggestions (shops, bars, restaurants, you know... fun stuff), but they must meet a few requirements:
-cannot be more than 20 miles off the beaten route
-Must not be too expensive
-can accommodate 4 people

I'm excited to see what ya'll come up with for us to do! :)

Liz

July 18, 2011

The Great Gatsby Book Club 3


Hi! I haven't forgotten about you book clubbers out there, I promise!

Essentially, I needed to wait to hear from John Green before we could go on. Fortunately, his review of The Great Gatsby appeared online today. I strongly encourage you to spend the next 5 minutes enjoying such a brilliant author discuss another brilliant author from the past.


What do you think?

Comments?

As you finish the book, pay close attention to how the men begin to view one another. How do the men see and treat one another? How does this differ from the way the women are viewed and treated? Any similarities?

Follow the link for more Gatsby Book Club posts!

<3

July 13, 2011

Granny Square... cookies!?

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Okay, this is one of those things that as soon as I see it, I hop right over to the blog and post it!

I just saw this How To from Sugar & Meringue over at Craftzine and am a smitten kitten.

Maybe this year for Christmas, I'll be making crochet cookies instead of Christmas cookies! But really, why should I wait unitl December... looks like I'll have something to add to the To Do List for when I get back home!

So fun!

Liz

July 12, 2011

a little fyi..


I just wanted to pop in and tell you that Cory surprised me by taking an extra day off work (he's teaching summer school) this week, so we're heading to the beach early!

That's right! Starting at 2pm today, I will be traveling around the east coast to three different beaches! We'll be in South Carolina tonight until Saturday, the Outer Banks in North Carolina with my parents until the following Friday, home for a quick weekend and visit from my gal pal, Lisa, until we head out to Rehoboth Beach on Sunday for Cory's AP training.

Don't you fret though, all of these places will have wifi (or I'll hurt someone), and I will try to post as often as the relaxation allows me :)

Take it easy,
Liz

I'm feeling Plummy

Confession:
I obsess over colors.

My favorite color of all time is definitely green, but lately I have really been feeling the plum & mustard combo. Good news, the new school I'm teaching at this fall happens to have purple & gold as their school colors. Meant to be? Maybe ;).

Here's a peak as to what I have my eye on in the plum world via Etsy.

1. Droplet earrings from Green Ribbon Gems.
Earrings Handcrafted of Purple Amethyst Czech Glass Wire Wrapped Tear Drops on Handmade Sterling Silver Earwires

2. These pretty poms from Pom Love
Mixed Up Purples... 10 poms

3. This pretty skirt from Zoe Chen.
Plum Knee Length Skirt with my Drawing-The bird and the falling leaves-size Large

4. Look at this gorgeous dress from River of Romansk!
Classic Berry Plummy Mauvey Purple Plum Chantilly Havisham Romantic Chiffon Secret Garden Twilight Pleated Frolic Dress

5. One of these might just have to be my autumn bag, such an affordable price from Tippy Thai!
Water-Resistant Nylon Pumpkin Bag in Deep Plum
Plum Canvas Bag - Abby

6. I am totally in love with this necklace from Brooklyn Thread!

Plum Agate & Brass Necklace

Have you seen anything particularly pretty recently?