The Summer Book List!

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Hannah

Time to look forward to the Summer Book List! No I know that my mother is already eagerly anticipating the yard work to which I will be enslaved, and there is that whole wedding thing to plan (but seriously – if I can’t plan ONE DAY in 7 months, there’s a problem), but I am hoping for some quality pool time to work on my non-existent tan and read some good books.

Here’s the summer reading list for this year:

  1. Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin because I have heard tons of good things about it, the cover is cool, and Liz has a copy I can steal.
  2. The Brothers Karamozov by Dostoyevsky because if I put it on the list every summer I will eventually read it.
  3. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller because I have heard nothing but positive things about it, and you know, I do kind of think about marriage every now and then.
  4. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall because I started it and never finished it so I feel like a poser with it on my shelf.

This list is currently pathetically short because my brain is fried from the semester. Please comment below with some good books to add to my summer reading list! And people, this is not the time to get all intellectually snooty and recommend Dante’s Inferno. We are talking Hunger Games type of book here. (Please refer to last year’s summer reading list for inspiration.) This is summer. This book will need to get cozy beside my spf 30 and my towel with the smiling suns on it.  Let’s be realistic.

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When you really love someone, you have to take up the causes they think are important…

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Hannah

Image… Which sometimes means taking the regular shiny adult toaster off your wedding registry and replacing it with the Pittsburgh Pirates toaster. The one that burns the Pirates “P” into every slice of toast.  The one that your fiancé didn’t even know existed but you searched out on your own and added, despite the fact that it is objectively masculine and doesn’t match your pretty mustard yellow kitchen stuff. Image

Because if you haven’t had a winning season in a while, you should at least get to have P’s burned into all your toast.

(James, my beloved and loyal Pirates fan would like to point out that the Pirates did in fact win the game against the Nationals in the photo above. This is despite the fact that some foolish girl in the stands gleefully declared several innings in that they might even have a perfect game. Apparently that is bad baseball karma, and the Pirates instantly relinquished said perfect game, but came back to win it all. The foolish girl would like to emphasize that things like bad baseball karma and rules should be explained to her in advance.)

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What to do with all the stuff

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Hannah

I hate moving.

Between endless runs back and forth in rush hour, endless waiting for delivery people who never come, ill timed plumbing issues, and a million little things to do, I feel like this: Image

Don’t get me wrong – I really really love our new apartment. But I HATE the frustration of lugging things across town in my Honda because NO ONE has a truck in this city.  I hate being in between two places, therefore never really knowing where anything is. Currently, my life is in 6 piles. Why does it seem that every summer involves cataloguing and piling up my life? The current stacks are:

  1. Things to pack up and move to the apartment.
  2. Things to pack up and take home for good.
  3. Things to pack up for summer in Kentucky.
  4. Things to pack up for honeymoon where the weather will in no way resemble Kentucky summer (but I’m not telling where… : ) ).
  5. Things to get rid of. (Why do I have so much stuff?????? Every time I get rid of something, I then feel justified 2 of something else. James compared my situation to that of our federal government and their ongoing debt. Cutting 1 billion dollars does us no good when we then add legislation that costs us 2 billion. In theory this was to make me feel guilty. Instead it just made me sympathize with the Feds. But James no longer has any high ground, because we moved his stuff in the apartment over the weekend and I am pretty sure that he has more clothes than me and 6 times as many books. But I still have more shoes, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to marry him. )
  6. Things to take home and put in the dress-up box in the basement. The fact that I am pulling things from my current closet and allocating them to a costume box somewhere shows us that something is seriously wrong with fashion today.
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Wild ponies + S’mores – Good weather = Camping

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Hannah

Two weeks ago I went camping at the beach with wild ponies and ate s’mores for every meal.

I have been waiting my whole life to type that phrase.

The past 2 weeks have been consumed with paper writing and exam studying, but before the craziness began, there was a blissful weekend camping. Our good friends Charlie and Ellie live in Baltimore and months ago they mentioned that they love to go camping at Assateague Island in the spring. James is always sold on camping, Eagle Scout that he is. I was sold when they told me that ASSATEAGUE ISLAND HAS WILD PONIES ALL OVER IT. Remember that horse stage that little girls go through, the one where they rent Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken every weekend and they wear the ugly horse shirts? I am still in it (minus the shirts).

The night before we left James and I went to the store to buy food. It was here that our exceedingly different definitions of camping came to light. In my mind, camping means excessive amounts of s’mores, songs around the fire, stargazing, and wearing French braids. S’mores might be one of my favorite foods of all times, so it just isn’t even worth camping if they are not a part of the equation. For him it means lots of hiking, consumption of beef jerky, and carrying all of one’s possessions in a backpack. Let me emphasize: I am not a wuss. I really really do love hiking. But the Stone family is more the hike-all-day-then-stay-in-a-cabin sort (except for Zach). When I gleefully announced to James that we could make cinnamon rolls in a dutch oven, he looked at me like I had burned down the forest.

Assateague Island was the Hannah version of camping, the type where we parked and then lugged our stuff a couple hundred yards to set it up on the beach. Now usually camping at Assateague means frolicking on the beautiful beach in the sun and trying to hide your food from the ponies who will eat anything.  But all of Saturday, the weather turned freakishly cold and foggy and the beach looked like this:

This did not deter Josie (world’s best camping dog!) from trying to catch entire waves in her mouth, fighting with crabs, and swimming. 

In theory, this would be miserable. But because we put our phones in the car, had no watches, and could never look at the sun to gauge what time it was, we had the most relaxing day ever. Here was the schedule: wake up. breakfast. post breakfast s’more. nap. read. nap. read. rebuild fire. mid-day s’more. nap. read. excursion to seek wood and hunt down wild ponies. rebuild fire. fire’s ready s’more. fire might go out soon s’more. make dinner. post dinner s’more. this-is-the-last-one-of-the-day s’more.  Eucre in the tent. Fall asleep to the sound of rain on the tent and waves on the beach. In a word, it was one of the most relaxing weekends ever. 

Look—wild ponies!

Sunday dawned bright and sunny, though still cold, but we did get a final sunny walk on the beach.I also succeeded in my first Jump Shot since the foot incident.

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Marriage doesn’t fix things.

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Hannah

ImageI’m pretty sure marriage is going to be great.

I am ready to be done with saying goodbye to James in the evening or having to drive across town to see him. I am ready to start our life together. But I know it won’t be perfect, despite the fact that I get to marry my best friend, the very best of men.

Back during my year in Kentucky when I would go on long yoga walks with Amanda and pine about getting engaged, she would tell me over and over, “Marriage doesn’t fix things.”  And even though I still have no first hand experience, I know she’s right. All marriage really does is put two very fallen selfish individuals with an untried idea of love under the same roof. Marriage means a forfeit of independence, and an end to individual decision making. Marriage won’t fix the fact that I like to buy lots more clothes than James, that he thinks the floor is an appropriate spot to store laundry, or that we have very different tastes in a whole number of things. In fact, marriage will probably exacerbate our differences. But it also gives us the time to work them out. Through the grace of God, marriage will act as a crucible to burn out (hopefully) all that is selfish, unloving, and ungrateful in us both.

This past week James and I got the keys to our apartment (!!!!!) and this weekend we headed over to paint the bedroom before starting to move stuff in. Before painting, we brushed prayers for our home on the walls. We have painted benedictions into the foundations of our home. So may they be in our lives. Image

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Gravity gets me down

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Hannah

Hi, my name’s Hannah, and I just can’t seem to master that thing called walking.

I fall a lot.

Maybe it is a tall thing, that whole further from the center of gravity reality, but whatever the case, I fall, have always fallen, and will always fall. But usually it ends up with me just looking really stupid in front of my students/friends/random passerbys.

This time, it ended with my foot looking like part of Glimmer’s body after she was attacked by Tracker Jackers (thanks to Bethany, for the comparison).  Here is a progression, because I am sure you are dying to see it. (Actually, I think higher of anyone reading this than to actually think that. I just want some more sympathy, as it is healed enough now that people no longer pity me.)

I was getting off the shuttle on campus, turned to thank the bus driver, missed the step, and ended up in a pile of tears, blood and swollen foot on the pavement. Luckily, humanity still is capable of goodness so I was helped to a place where I could begin taking copious amounts of Advil. And because this is the East Coast, no one helped up the mess that was myself. Like the story of the Good Samaritan, only minus the Samaritan. I’m pretty sure one guy took a photo with his cell phone before making eye contact with me and walking away.  I hobbled and crawled to my office building, where my co-workers (who are all that is kind and good in the world) took me for x-rays.

I would like to add here that I am not the type to suffer in silence. Nope. I was crying (the ugly cry, the type where you are huffing and puffing and snot gets in your mouth) for majority of the morning, which is probably why the nurse originally thought it was broken. Nope – just a loud sufferer.  The result was one week on crutches (stay tuned for a blog ranting about the DC metro system, where none of the elevators EVER work), another week and a half in a brace, and a couple more weeks of no running or strenuous activity.

Still, I know that I am fortunate because my stupidity and reoccurring battle with gravity only caused a lot of inconvenience, rather than a broken ankle. For that I am blessed. I am also blessed to be loved by James, who gallantly showed up offering to make me anything I wanted for dinner  — chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, etc. Instead I feebly dictated that I wanted roasted eggplant salad with toasted almonds and hot goat cheese dressing.  It was so good that I am considering having a relapse.

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JUMP SHOT

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Hannah

I think that the world can be divided into two types of people: those who take pictures of Important Stuff when they travel, and those who take pictures of themselves in front of Important Stuff. The Stones fall into the latter category, with the exception of artsy photos. My dad used to joke that all of our travels growing up will be remembered through pictures in which we are obstructing a clear view of what we traveled to see.

My personal favorite way to insert myself into pictures of important things is through the Jump Shot. Why would you want to stand calmly in front of a building when you could be launching yourself ridiculously into the air in the foreground?

And everyone, aware of it or not, has an inner jump, one that comes out when they are forced to launch themselves off a park bench and into a photo. Some do the Starfish, others the Flail, others the Ninja, Surfer, Cheerleader etc. Mine is the Electrocution Response JUMP. (If you don’t know what yours is, stop now and jump off of the nearest thing. I encourage you to have someone photograph it, post it as a comment, and I will christen your inner jump.)

Of course, if you have something to jump off of, the Jump Shot is easy. Just get the person taking it to crouch below you and it will look like you are sailing over some Important Thing.

But if you have to do the Dead Jump, it can get tricky. Here are some steps.

  1. Agree on the Point of Jump. Are you doing 1,2,3, JUMP, or are you doing 1,2, JUMP. Many a Jump Shot has being ruined by not deciding ahead of time on this element.
  2. As you count, start sinking down pulling all appendages in on the 1,2,3.
  3. Hurl yourself into the air on JUMP, making sure to kick your feet out and up, as this maximizes the appearance of height.  Your photographer will probably just need to take continuous shots to get THE shot, and then you end up with a play by play like this.ImageGo forth and JUMP.
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Paris: To See, To Sit, To Eat

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Hannah

ImageAll of these recent posts brimming over with love for DC might tempt a reader to forget that city which holds first place forever in my heart (KY cities excluded because home is a different story.) Paris. This summer I am not going back, and I am more than a little sad about that. But, I am getting married which will probably be better than Paris.

However, lots of you ARE going to Paris this summer (lucky. do I hate you or love you? not sure.) and have emailed me asking about great places to go. Here is my “must see/do/EAT” list for that most wonderful of cities.

To See: I am leaving some of the obligatory touristy things off here because, no duh, you should see that big tour thing, and the arch thing, and the church thing. But here are some others:

  1. Gardens at the Rodin Museum: Yes the museum is really cool too, and has great sculptures. But if you are pressed for time or money, skip the museum and wander in the gardens. You will still get to see some of the big things and have a much more relaxing time.
  2. Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore: Even though it has become touristy and is usually crowded, it is still so much fun to sqeeze into this quirky store where books feel like they might just tumble down and cover you. Plus, all the coole Lost Generation people used to chill there so you are walking in the steps of literary giants.
  3. Louvre: I know I said that I was leaving off the touristy things, but I am making an exception, because I think that too many people visiting just get overwhelmed by the Louvre (or just by how hot it is – worst ac/ventilation system ever) and don’t really enjoy it. Block out a big chunk of time. Relish the Dutch still lives. Feel more confident after walking through the Rubens Gallery. And if you have the slightest artistic talent, sketch away and fell like part of it. (Side note: If you study art ANYWHERE and have some sort of letter that looks remotely official saying you need to do research, many museums will let you in free! Not the Louvre, but Rodin and the Musée D’Orsay at least) Then slowly wander the courtyard and listen to the musicians who are always there.
  4. Walk. Unless you are going way far away from the metro, just walk. Paris is so beautiful on foot that it is a waste of you time if you just pop up at monuments and miss all the beauty in between! My favorite thing to do was always just to take off walking and see where I ended up.  One of my favorite walks is to just walk a good chunk of the Seine, crossing every bridge and appreciating the city from every angle.
  5. L’Opéra Garnier: Check to see if there are tickets (or buy ahead) and go see a ballet/concert because it is so worth it to prance around the impressive lobby! Also, if you go to the Théâtre Chatêlet aboyt an hour before perfromances, any leftover tickets are 20 euros (if you are under 26!). Go see a show!!!

To sit: One of my favorite visitors in France was my father. We had perfect weather, and I made sure he saw the big important things, but the rest of the time we just meandered around the city, stopping and sitting in all the best places and letting the city move around us. The French like to just relax, and so should visitors. Here are my favorite spots to sit and soak it up:

  1. Luxembourg Gardens: Take a picnic and sit under the perfectly straight trees for a couple hours, or soak in sun by the fountains.
  2. Palais Royale: Though smaller than the Luxembourg Gardens, the gardens of the Palais Royale have a special sort of beauty and are a perfect resting spot after surviving the Louvre.
  3. Steps of Montmartre: Usually there are all sorts of mimes and musicians that congregate to this spot. I happen to find mimes fascinating and not the least bit creepy, so I love sitting there and watching the weird artsy types try to get a leg up in the world. Some visitors have not shared this sentiment.
  4. Parvis de Notre Dame: After dark, this area becomes alive with perfromers of all types and it is a perfect free way to end a day.

To Eat: Let’s face it, I’m a foodie. And Paris is heaven to foodies. Here are the things I crave.

  1. Mouffetarte, 53 rue Mouffetard, 75005: QUICHES. TARTS. SO CHEAP. No only is this place on one of the prettiest streets in the city, it is also crazy cheap and you can get it to go and take it to the Luxembourg gardens.
  2. Chez Julien (16 rue Mabillon, 75006)) and Chez Fernand (13 rue Guisarde, 75006): Around the corner from each other, reasonably priced, and offering delicious French food not too far from sites, these are the two restaurants that I tried to get visitors to take me to. Get the duck. Always get the duck.
  3. Ladurée: You can’t go to Paris without getting perfect macarons in a store that looks like the Platonic Ideal of a tea party. The big fancy one is on the Champs Elysées, but I really like the one at 21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006.
  4. Carette and Angelina’s: For a tea-time over priced snack, you can’t go wrong with the legendary hot chocolat at Angelina’s. However, I liked Carette’s just as well, and it is a much nicer spot, tucked away in the Place des Vosges, where you dine on perfect pastries in the outdoor colonnade (25 Place des Vosges, 75003).  And when you are done, you can wander the narrow streets of the Le Marais neighborhood !
  5. You should basically eat pastries from the boulangeries all the time. There isn’t really a specific one here, though my personal favorite is this one, at 16 rue des Fossées Saint-Jacques (75005), but it’s closed on the weekends.

If any of you who emailed me for this list end up going to any of these places – please let me know how they were! I shall live vicariously through your travels!Image

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A Tale of One Apartment, Expressed by Pics from Pinterest

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Hannah

Remember the Great Apartment Search? Well it is OVER. For the last couple of weeks I have felt like this:

Which has pretty much made me want to do this:

But today at noon we got the call saying that we will be moving into an adorably quirky apartment near Eastern Market with hardwood floors and a sun porch. I am so relieved that I pretty much feel like this:

I’m also pretty excited that we ended up finding a place big enough to avoid feeling like this:

I mean, it isn’t so grand as this:

Nor does it have quite as much light as this: 

Nor does it have sinks full of kittens awaiting us like this:

But it will be our first home. It doesn’t need to be mansion, or have so many windows that we live bathed in pools of light, or have sinks of furry friends. It doesn’t need to be fancy, or have all the newest furniture (which is good, because it won’t!). It just needs to be a space for us to start the life long process of two people building one home. 

(Pictures all from Pinterest. You can see all of my boards here.)

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Super Powers

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Hannah

If James could have a super power, he would want to fly. I, on the other hand, would obviously want to talk to animals.

When James asked me why, I explained how much easier life would be. (“Mouse, please don’t come out of your hiding place or I will be forced to set traps and kill your sweet self.” “Kitties, if you would stop pooping under my car, I would stop putting crushed red pepper flakes all over the driveway.”)  To this, the love of my life laughed at me and told me that he is pretty sure that animals would have nothing to say other than “EAT. REPRODUCE. FLEE.”

Obviously, he is wrong, which I know, because I attempt to talk to all animals I encounter, and I am pretty sure it is working. As evidence I offer the following pictures. I noticed an especially plucky little squirrel friend trotting along the steps and I called out to him in my pseudo creepy animal voice and HE CAME OVER.  Here you can see him about to climb into my hand and become my Best Squirrel Friend For Life.

Unfortunately, I was so excited by my super power that I screamed with joy, and my Best Friend took off.  My enthusiasm was too much for his pea-sized brain. I am giving you a close up so you can see my scream. Note that, despite the miracle at hand, James does not even shift his facial expression.

 Let the record show that if you talk, the animals listen.

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