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February 22, 2011

dear old state

[see larger image on flickr]
it's penn state's 156th birthday today!

penn state has given me unforgettable memories, amazing friends, and life-long lessons...she's inspired me, motivated me, and made me so proud to be a part of dear old state.

"for the glory of old state,
for her founders strong and great,
for the future that we wait,
raise the song, raise the song.

sing our love and loyalty,
sing our hopes that, bright and free,
rest, o mother dear, with thee,
all with thee, all with thee.

when we stood at childhood's gate,
shapeless in the hands of fate,
thou didst mold us, dear old state,
dear old state, dear old state.

may no act of ours bring shame
to one heart that loves thy name,
may our lives but swell thy fame,
dear old state, dear old state."

- fred lewis pattee,
penn state's alma mater

 

February 16, 2011

phil was right

it's in the high 40's/low 50's here today.  the sun is shining.  the snow is melting.  you can feel the excitement on campus...the anticipation of no jackets, outside seating downtown, and studying on old main's lawn.

that cute, furry punxsutawney phil was right....spring is coming!

although i will miss my beloved snow and pretty winter scenery...i'm excited for warmer weather and spending more time outside :)

February 14, 2011

believe in love

[see larger image on flickr]

"all you need is love, love
love is all you need."  
-the beatles [listen / watch]

although part of me that isn't a fan of valentines day...its commercialization of romance and its tendency to make those without a significant other feel inadequate...there's another part of me that gets excited by the celebration of love.

love is about romance [which i'm hoping cupid can help me out with this year ;) seriously.], but love is so many other things too...

love is family, friendship, memories...
love is patience, and generosity, and kindness...
love is forgiveness, acceptance, and courage...

we sometimes forget to believe in love, but valentines is a day to remind us to believe - not only in the magic of romance - but in the beauty of our relationships with others...and with ourselves.

...hope you have a happy, happy valentines day filled with ALL KINDS of love!

p.s. i also did a little decorating around the apartment...flowers, chocolates, and doilies [oh my] :)

February 12, 2011

bokeh


i got a special surprise from laurie this week...a bokeh kit for my camera!


bokeh is a photography term that means "blur" in japanese.  it's a really pretty effect where all of the out-of-focus light in your photo turns into pretty circles [see my attempts on flickr].  now, what's really awesome is that when you put a bokeh filter with a specific shape over your lens and set your camera's aperture really low, then you can get the bokeh in the shape of your filter.  it's a really amazing effect!




i had tried to make my own filters out of scrapbook paper over christmas, but the effect didn't quite work.  so i'm really excited to try it with this kit!  now all i need are some pretty twinkle lights :)