better versions of ourselves.

via: here

"it is surprising how often we ask that we be a better version of our present self---in the full knowledge of just how difficult it was getting this far"

Tony Judt

The Memory Chalet

xo

alli

stories.

'without a story, we perish. stories define our lives: they teach us what is possible and good, help set our goals and limits, offer us role models and explain mysteries. without stories- myths and legends, folktales and sacred texts, romances and comedies and tragedies- our lives would be formless'

- marilyn farwell -

this morning brought...

a bit of research and attempts at writing

a new curiosity with joan didion and a search for her book, the year of magical thinking 

goosebumps from this video (and many others watched, which explains the attempts at writing part...)

Oh! Last night I made the mexican version of the chicken and pesto stuffed pasta shells that I made awhile ago, Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells and I am happy to report they are just as delicious.  I didn't have any taco sauce, but used the rest of the sauce from marinating the meat... and the salsa I used was white bean and corn, which I think added a great extra flavor and texture that I would have missed if I'd used regular salsa.  Just finished the leftovers for lunch! 

happy thursday!

xo

painfully vibrant.

weheartit.

There is an incredibly beautiful sunset out my window.  Today there was a clear blue sky, and the air was deliciously crisp.  The cold that makes you button up and wrap a scarf close to your neck, without the bitterness yet that winter will bring.  A peek up the hill on my morning walk to campus and I can see leaves slowly changing.  Farmer's Markets are buzzing, and there's the anticipation of everything lovely about autumn.

But.

There's something inherently melancholy about the whole thing.  The vibrant colors.  Painfully so.  The sun reflecting off an airplane in the fading blue sky.  The stillness between light and dark.  The silence of street lights warming up a street.

Perhaps it's the quiet ache brought on by nostalgia.  Reminders of memories and moments lived in past seasons.  Braided together with the present.

Do you ever feel like this during autumn?

xo

alli

Although I'm not quite sure this video would cheer you up, it might captivate you like it did me.  Nice song, and a pretty powerful video.

originally posted on dooce.

check in.

I'm still here!  And I have plenty to update you on.  Like how the half-marathon went, (finished in 1:55! the last three miles were SO hard! I couldn't walk down stairs for days!) what's been on my stove and in my oven recently, (creamy tomato soup, beef stew, carrot and ginger soup, and another batch of choc. chip zucchini bread) and the wonderful burst of fall weather we've been having.  I won't tell you about the cold that I fought off for days which finally got the best of me, (which is why i'm cutting this short and heading to bed) or the power outage that struck the moment I got out of the shower on monday morning which left me no choice but to go to work with wet hair (don't do that when you're sick btw).

Hopefully i'll give you a more appropriate and lengthly update soon, but for now i'll just tide you over with this quote which i really sort of love.

“Each of us stands at one unique spot in the universe, at one moment in the expanse of time, holding a blank sheet of paper”

- by... ican'tremember at the moment-

So what will be on your blank sheet of paper? Will you scribble in marker? Or write in dainty cursive letters in the middle? Or print methodic and deliberate script along the edges?

Back soon friends, enjoy Autumn, if it's Autumn where you are!

xo

alli

words of wisdom.

this has little to do with my tuesday...

besides the fact that working 9-5 at the bookstore,

this week and last,

has given me a new view of customer service.

(although i'm highly doubtful that's what ms. angelou was thinking of when she wrote this)

i find customers questions, comments, and faces,

to be (most of the time) less irritating, and more hilarious.

well, certainly funnier in the afternoon and not in the morning.

nothing's that funny in the morning.

xo

alli

via here.

love.

hi friends! 

back tomorrow from my rather prolonged winter/blogging break

:)

via: http://sayingimages.com/

hope.

nothing like emily dickinson

to get you through a rainy day.

some sigur ros on your ipod may help too, 

i found out.

this week has FLOWN by,

as all of them seem to be doing recently...

i started a very exciting community project this week,

and have been reading all about

postpositivism,

measuring beauty,

non formal learning in labor unions

and violence in education.

i'm just going to stop and 

appreciate for a moment,

that i can talk about all those subjects

in one masters program!

sometimes i think i'd like to be in school 

forever...

how has your week been?

xo

alli

ps. thoughts about the new blog layout?

still working out some kinks with the title and picture...

image via emilyabigail.

friday night inspiration.

hope everyone has a fabulous weekend in store.

it's finally going to cool down around here,

but unfortunately that means some rain first.

maybe i'll be brave enough to debut my 

blue and white polka dot rain boots

to find some fresh fruits and veggies at the market

(note to self: find and purchase umbrella)

then if the sun comes out on monday, 

i think we'll skip over to another national park

photos to come, i'm sure!

a+

alli

photo via make under my life