Changes

this year i want to:
. get back into my workout schedule and finally take up running
. cook all the time and explore with recipes
. take more time wandering the streets of London. really get to know the city
. be positive for one straight hour every day (apparently i'm a downer, who'd would've thought)
. journal more frequently. get to know myself
. stay on-top of my school work
. do something i don't like, but i should do: like talk to people at church who i don't know, or give someone a call just because i have the time

"You have done what you could — some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." -ralph waldo emmerson

happy new year friends! may this year be even better than the last.

the highlights

dear michelangelo,
i love your work more than words can say. you really were the master.
x


Moses


Tomb of Pope Julius II (including Moses)


Pieta


Michelangelo's Tomb adorned with "painting", "sculpting" and "science"


The Bearded Prisoner


The Risen Christ (hands and face not by Michelangelo)


David


The Sistine Chapel

these photos were all taken by me, except the last four.

A Little Teaser...

I got back from my lovely holiday holiday in Rome. I so enjoyed my time with my family and getting to see all of the art, history and culture in Rome and Florence. I still have a lot of things to settle down: laundry, unpacking, catching up with my 1000+ Reader posts, and somehow sticking in a church New Years Eve Celebration. Wish me luck.

But, here is a little something to wet your whistle:

Christmas Countdown Finale pt 2

merry christmas everyone.







have a wonderful day. spread the love.

Christmas Countdown Finale pt 1

one day 'til christmas!

4.07

here's a bit of james taylor:

4.06

another classic. this week is full of classics.

4.05

go Elvis!

4.04

this is one of my favorites.

A Christmas Thought

here's a little thought for today:

there is enough rage and hate in this world. the only way to stop this is through love. you cannot fight fire with fire. you have to extinguish fire with water. so, extinguish rage with love.

"i heard the bells on christmas day
their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, good will to men.

"i thought how, as the day had come,
the belfries of all christendom
had rolled along th'unbroken song
of peace on earth good will to men.

"and in despair i bowed my head:
'there is no peace on earth,' i said,
'for hate is storng and mocks the song
of peace on earth good will to men.'

then pealed the bells more loud and deap:
'God is not dead nor does He sleep;
the worng shall fail, the right prevail,
with peace on earth good will to men.'

till, ringing, singing, on its way,
the world revolved from night to day,
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
of peace on earth, good will to men!"

- Henry Wadsworth Longsfellow (one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.)

photo from here.

4.03

thank you sufjan for putting these on your christmas album.

4.02

let's not forget how amazing these people were to be worthy to be Christ's parents. These songs really make me want to watch the Nativity, especially the second.

4.01 part 2

sorry, i just found this and couldn't wait to post it.

laugh your mouth off.... got it?

Week #4

one week to christmas! ONE WEEK!!!!

now we get down to what the real meaning of christmas is. what is it all about? Christ. As simple as that. This is "Back to the Basics."

helpful hints

dear future husband:

if you own a velvet blazer, i won't be able to take my hands off of you. also, i get very distracted with velvet in the room, so you could probably win any argument. just saying.


also, if we were to get these sheets from toast, i would never get out of bed. (my mom said you would like that. sometimes she's a little silly.)

just thought you should know.

x leslie

A Little Bit of Magic

Yesterday, my mother and I went shopping down by Notting Hill. We were on this super charming street. Everything was so lovely, then at lunch in a darling store/cafe, it started snowing. It snowed huge, fluffy, white flakes of snow. It was so yummy. I immediately started kicking myself for not having Fritz with me. But my mom had her iPhone, so I snapped a couple of photos with that. (so sorry the quality is terrible.)





The highlight of the shopping trip was our stop in TOAST. I once said that my dream job would be to work at the London Anthropologie. I lied. My dream job is to work at TOAST. We walk in, and the are playing the Traveling Wilburies, then a little bit of Simon and Garfunkel, you know, my music. I was touching EVERYTHING, wishing that I could wear mustard and that my wallet would somehow be full of 100 quid notes. Alas, my wishes could not come true, and I had to sit there and watch my mom buy items that I have only dreamed of. Tears. Seriously, tears. However, my mom did get the TOAST cookbook for my stocking. The sales clerk told us that their office party cooked some of the things out of the book, and they were delicious. (How lovely is that? An office party with homemade flapjacks and some cool cocktail with Bailey's and champagne? Yum.)

3.07

dear santa:



x leslie

3.06

this song will make you cry. If it doesn't, you have no heart. i cry whenever i listen to it. no joke, i was on the tube, listening to it, and i had to wipe a tear away. some guy looked at me like i was crazy. it was great.

Christmas Thought

For a great quote on the Christmas season, go here.

thanks ahlin for sharing.

photo of my christmas tree taken by fritz

3.05

i just discovered this song, and i really like it, even if the singers have really odd hair...

share christmas!



ps: happy birthday ruthie dear!

A Christmas Thought

Last night was my church's Christmas Broadcast where the leaders and prophets gave little spiritual thoughts, thoughts to bring us closer to Christ this season. I had some great thoughts after these great messages. You can listen or view the broadcast, which I really recommend if you haven't already.

The central theme of the program was "Spread the Love." During this Christmas Season, we should be centered on spreading love, and trying to find Christ in our lives.

It can be so easy to be stressed or distracted by the commercial side of Christmas, or to be frustrated that others distress the meaning of Christmas with whatever. If you feel like this, President Monson's message will be the one for you.

He shared a beautiful story, that I call "The Story of Gate 67." It is such a sweet, touching story. I felt my entire body got chills, and I teared up- so much so that they spilled out. I won't re-tell it, because I wouldn't do it justice, just listen to President Monson's message.

I will paraphrase the strong message from the story. I hope it helps us all feel the Christmas Spirit this week: "Hostility and frustration can all disolve into a glow when there is an act of love among strangers."

Remember that, and spread the love.

ps: i know that a few days back, the link for the Crosby/Bowie song was messed up. it's all fixed now, so you can go back and listen to it. it is one of my favorite christmas songs, and bing is just so adorable!

Dreaming of far-away lands....

I don't know why I love the Sofitel Hotel chain, don't know why. Possibly it's because they have a map, you can search to find destinations. Their hotels are absolutely stunning. Here are a couple that I really like: Morocco, China, Egypt, Amsterdam, and Ile Marius. Have fun looking through these photos and dreaming about beautiful, far-away lands...

photo found here.

3.04

"i wanna re-learn what i already know!"

my heart leaps up when i behold a rainbow in the sky

.. or something like that. All I can say is that there is something just so beautiful about the English countryside.

This past week I spent a few days in Birmingham, just over an hour north of London, with my friends Corrine and Emma. Training through the country is one of my favorite things to do. The English Countryside is just beautiful. I love it during winter, when the bare trees form silhouettes against the grey sky. (uh oh, i'm getting poetical.)

While I was up there, Corrine took Emma and I to this farm in Birmingham and a wildlife preserve. It was lovely. It made me think of my childhood in new hampshire, which was perfect.



corrine leading the way with jack.







emma petting a calf. look how beautiful her eyes are!



corrine's russell terrier, jack.



as always, more photos on my flickr.

3.03

Oh, Sufjan. You're always questioning the commercialism of Christmas. What would I do without you?

3.02

today's subject: war. oh, and peace.







enjoy!

Week #3

TWO WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

For this week, we're going to focus on what I call "Christmas Angst." These are the songs that question how society treats Christmas. I mean, every season needs a time of self reflection. Doesn't it?

Faith Hill, not Jessica Simpson:



Think about what Christmas really means. We'll discuss that next week.

2.07

this music video makes me think of the music video for "i gotta feeling," but dylan's still got more class than BEP.

2.06

the last ten seconds makes me laugh. it's hilarious.

2.05

I don't know if I think this song is cute or just creepy...

I think it's a little creepy.

2.04

you have to watch it here. Embedding wouldn't work. Sorry.

Watching this makes me laugh.

ha ha ha!

2.03

today is going to be blue or sad christmas....

enjoy:

One of My Flaws

photo found here

Am I the only person who feels like I am terrible at communicating? Sometimes I feel like conversation is so hard to do. I prefer to text people than to call them. I feel like I run out of things to say. A few years ago, I had a good friend and we used to talk on the phone nearly every night. I had no problem talking to him. Maybe it's because he was basically me, but as a guy. But, I don't know. Sometimes, I feel like I just can't be bothered to make conversation. How terrible is that? I could be much better friends with people if I were to just ask them about themselves and just communicate.

I'm so jealous of my sister. She has a weird knack for talking to anyone, at anytime. She always makes friends so fast. Yes, Katherine, I'm talking about you. When we're together, I let her take charge in the talking, and I do what I do best: listen. I am a really good listener, just not always a good talker.

If you find I'm a little lack in my communicating skills, I'm sorry. Don't give up on me. I want to be better. Once you get me going, I can be quite talkative, I promise.

if you do want to talk to me: email me, facebook me, or skype me. there are SO many options!

2.02

this first song goes out especially to jen and emily. do you girl's remember shouting this song out on the top of our lungs every morning, driving to school? I do. It' makes me happy.



this next song is one that i just discovered, and i like it quite a lot:

Week #2

HEY, only three more weeks til Christmas! Can you believe it?! This next theme is "Fête de Noël." (Christmas Party) These are the fun songs you'll be hearing in stores, on the radio, or that you won't be hearing at all, but i think you ought.

To start it out, I give you:


and just so you won't get freaked out by Saint Nick:


enjoy!

Celebrate Good Times!

last final taken. NO MORE CLASS!

how'd did i celebrate? Oh, that's right, i went to Angelina's and drank the best hot chocolate in the world. 7 euros is such a reasonable price for the perfect celebration. And, it's so delicious!


magnificent setting


i want these cups


such good hot chocolate (sorry it's blurry)

1.06

Trying to stay positive

but having a REALLY hard time.





These three images is what will be on my art history final tomorrow. It is a time line with all of the art works that MIGHT be on the final tomorrow. The final spans from 1590 to 1900. I think this might be a bit much for a final, especially since we spend half a term on JUST the renaissance. Shoot me. This is what the final will consist of:

• 10 minutes of True-False (if false, give reasons)
• 10 minutes short answer. Some of these include name artist and date or subject. Otherwise, answer in complete sentences.
• 5 ten minute essays
• One extra credit question

I hate to sound like a broken record, but SHOOT ME!

i love art history, just not when it's tainted by my crazy teacher!

LESLIE, stop ranting and get studying.

1.05

if i wrote a christmas song, this guy would be it:


don't be offended, London, i do love you, but you just don't have snow, and i miss snow.