290th Day

Recipe for a beautiful way to celebrate twenty four years.

Renoir and Chagall! Then cupcakes.

Followed by a delicious dinner with lovely friends.

Perfection.

Day 290 {Friday Flashback}

This afternoon I went out to supper with my grandpa. So ice cream was a must. When I was little I followed him around wanting to do everything he did...and we always eat ice cream together. I think I was really proud of that carrot. And don't ask what I was wearing. Apparently I had a problem wearing actual clothes when I was young.

Day 289

I'm about 75% German, but tonight I raised a glass (or a bottle rather) of Guinness to my only Irish ancestor (that I know of). But of course I couldn't tear myself away from my precious annotated bibliography. Here's to my great-great-great grandmother, Kathryn Galloway.

289th Day

Yea iphone photobooth app.

288th Day

RBC Reunion = Love
2008 - 2011
The lovely Chelsea is spending her spring break in Chicago!

Day 288

Four down...one more to go. I am so over copy editing papers for the Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research.

287th Day

Two of my favorite things: mail and fresh flowers. Mailed fresh flowers. Brilliant!

When I was younger my mother would frequently leave fresh flowers from her garden on my bedside table. I loved waking up to her surprise flowers. I could think of no more perfect place than by my bed to put such a lovely, thoughtful, and unexpected gift.

Day 287

Sometimes I seriously wonder if I really am an adult. Especially considering my love for Teddy Grahams (but only of the chocolate chip variety). I may be graduating from college in 2 months (from today!!!!), but I'm pretty sure part of me will always be the six-year-old kid who eats Teddy Grahams and Goldfish for a snack.

Day 286

I rocked my TOMS for the first time today. They are seriously the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned. And I feel good knowing that somewhere in the world a child has shoes because I bought this pair. I can't wait until 5 April -- it's One Day Without Shoes. I will definitely be going barefoot!

And in completely unrelated news...I think my very short and very blonde hair is under control now.

286th Day

Scenes from a day of freedom: Writing notes at my favorite cafe, Argo Tea. After returning library books I visited the lake front at Northwestern University to check on the painted rock (it's "Birthday" by Marc Chagall - there is also a song by the Weepies entitled "Painting by Chagall") where my friend, Braxton, proposed to my friend, Laura. (She said yes and they got married in May 2009.) I had lunch with Evy and during the tour of her office building we found a lovely stained glass window for our alma mater. Also, the flowers I bought last week are still alive!

Now to crack open the bubbly for celebration of my freedom and for Enrique's 1st birthday!

Day 285

So I went to get my hair cut/highlighted yesterday...

285th Day

*enter trumpets*

It's the Final Countdown.

Day 284

I helped my sister make Oreo truffles for her Calculus class. Apparently Monday is Pi Day (you know, March 14 -- 3.14) and they get to bring treats. My truffles were either too big, too small, too lopsided, or too crumbly for my sister the perfectionist. But they still tasted delicious!!!

284th Day

I'm so tired of this view of the apartment.

ohmygoodnessi'msoclosetobeingdone!

!

Day 283

Home sweet home...

283rd Day

Two of my most prized possessions. The Pittsfield Saukee sweatshirt was once my father's and the red and black beaded necklace was the only piece of jewelry my great-great grandmother ever owned. I couldn't help but show my hometown pride today because the Pittsfield Saukees boys basketball team is playing in the Final Four IHSA state tournament in one hour! It's been twenty years since we've been this far and even though we're the comeback kids, "I believe that we will win!"

"Wave the flag for dear 'ol Pittsfield, red and black our colors grand. Ever shall our team be victors, known throughout the land. With our captain brave to lead us, without a fear we'll stand. Wave, again, that dear 'ol banner, for our hero's every man!" Good luck tonight, Saukees!!!!!

282nd Day

Happy Birthday, Starbucks. My afternoon was a little sweeter because of your 40th birthday. If you live near one check out the video and go get your treat tomorrow!

Day 282

On the way home...

Do you know how long it takes to drive from one side of North Carolina to the other? Way too long. We should be back in Illinois by dinner tomorrow!

281st Day

I don't really have anything to say about this photograph. That's how exciting my day was. 

Yay comps!

Day 281

The U.S.S. North Carolina

I love Spanish moss! It's my favorite.

Wilmington has some of the most amazing architecture I have ever seen.

Day 280

We finally made it to the beach!!

The water is so cold!!!!

On the River Walk in Wilmington...beautiful!

280th Day

Hello, my name is Book.

Day 279

Visiting UNC on a beautiful Monday morning!

Only I would get my picture taken in front of a library.

The trees are blooming on Franklin Street and there isn't a cloud in the sky!

279th Day

Today is International Badge Day. Members of Greek letter fraternities and sororities across the world will dress to their badge today. Sadly, I don't plan on leaving the house today so won't be dressing to the pin, but I took time today to find my Alpha Xi Delta quill and ribbons of double blue and gold and reflected on my time as a member.  I also found my great-grandmother's pins from her time as a Sigma Alpha Iota at Illinois Wesleyan.  We didn't know that Venise was a member of anything like that until my grandmother found these pins in her old jewelry. Venise didn't graduate from IW, but rather attended three other universities over a span of six years (it took this long because of finances and farm work) before she earned her teaching degree and began her tenure as a French teacher in Milton, IL. I love that I share something like AXiD in common with her. 

Day 278

Road Trip Day 2:

It was snowing in the mountains! And then it started raining...

Until we arrived at our destination -- Chapel Hill!!!!

278th Day

The quickest way to my heart: fresh flowers. 

No, an admirer didn't win my love with these; I bought them for myself as a, "Paige, you can make it through this week long exam!" present. If anything, at least I'll have pretty flowers to stare at if/when I get frustrated. 

277th Day

I don't think I can say this enough, but I am so proud of my brother. I am proud of the performer he's become, the man he's becoming, and the friend he is to me and many very lucky people. I was especially happy to hear his (and the Scotsmen's) rendition of "Hooked on a Feeling." I have such fond memories of the two of us rocking out to this song as kids on the many road trips we took with our grandparents. Bless them for putting up with our singing. 

Day 277

Day 1 of our road trip:

Breaking out the map to get through Ohio.

We stopped for the night in Hurricane, West Virginia. This is the first glass of sweet tea (times 4) of our trip. I'm sure there will be many more to come.

276th Day

My Friday morning treat: a cinnamon donut from the catering truck I pass on my commute (don't worry, I had yogurt and granola at home). The darling Ukranian man told me this morning that I looked like I was related to the Osmonds.  I don't see it, but I think he meant it as a compliment. At least I hope it was meant that way.

Day 276 {Friday Flashback}

In honor of my road trip to North Carolina that will begin tomorrow, here are a couple photos from the last road trip I took. We went to Texas...and Paige found herself. Well actually, I found it on a map. And then we went to Arkansas so I could find myself too (in the hometown of none other than William Jefferson Clinton)!

275th Day

Who's that dancing in my morning tea? 

Oh, just Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor.  Singin' in the Rain is my sick day movie, my happy day movie, the movie I watch when I can't decide what to watch, the movie I can put on in the background and clean to, and the movie that reminds me of home. 

Do you have a movie like that in your life?

Day 275

I have so many sweaters (mainly of the cardigan and turtleneck variety) that it should be a crime. I love it when I find one I haven't worn in a really long time...and today was one of those days!

274th Day

The last book and a lovely mocha. Sixty-five books in two months. 

Day 274

Note to self: When I move out and find a place of my own, pick one with a dishwasher. Washing dishes might be my least favorite thing.

Day 273

I usually don't eat anything green -- except Granny Smith Apples. And Shamrock Shakes or mint chocolate chip ice cream. That's about it. I don't mean to -- I just don't like anything that color!

273rd Day

Another sunny afternoon and

sharing a slice of banana cream pie with a darling friend. 

272nd Day

Sunshine in the city at 5:30p.m.!