Never Let Me Go

I recently finished this book, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and well, it was amazing. Fantastical and mysterious while addressing a complex issue from an insider's point of view.
I didn't know a single thing about this book when I picked it up, which made the progression all the more fascinating. More of Ishiguro's books are now on my list.

top 10 of 2008

My friend Laura challenged her friends to do this at the onset of the new year: write down your top 10 happenings of the previous year. These can be anything but try to be specific. So think back, way back to last January, February, and March and write them down. It's guaranteed to help you see the blessings in your life and is much more fun than setting resolutions for yourself.

So, here's mine. (fashionably late)

10. Netflix
9. Traveling to Munich with my sister
8. Designing and completing The Aztec World at the Field Museum
7. The adoption of my dear cat, Lila
6. Barack Obama
5. The first spring sunrise of 2008 (it happens every year, you'll know it when you see it)
4. Improving my knitting skills (among others)
3. Fantastic concerts: Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Eef Barzelay, Rue Royale, Andrew Bird, Phosphorescent, Rogue Wave, Dr. Dog (among several others)
2. July 3 fireworks! (and the whole summer, really)
1. Building a new relationship (JZ) / Welcoming new life (nephew Noam) (these tied for first)

DC

i love productive days off. laundry, cleaning, errands, freelance, cooking...blogging (finally) :) Things seem to have settled down a bit since the holidays and it's good to be able to catch up on some things that were neglected.

and hey, tomorrow is inauguration! woohoo! I won't be attending the festivities in DC, but I was able to check out the scene at the National Mall last weekend while visiting John. The Capitol's west lawn was being prepared for the millions of people who will be attending this year's swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address. I've never seen so many lawn chairs!



While in DC we also checked out a few museums: The National Gallery of Art, The National Museum of the American Indian and the Air and Space Museum. The National Gallery was my favorite on this trip (both the East and West buildings are phenomenal) but the National Museum of the American Indian was beautiful in it's own way. I felt the architecture of the actual museum out-shined the display of the artifacts. (I'm having some troubles posting more pictures, I'll try again later.)

I got some really exciting news last week from my boss. This spring I'll be attending the American Association of Museums annual conference in Philadelphia! I'm very excited about it. Museum exhibitors, designers, curators, and administrators from across North America gather for this event every year and this will by my first year attending. Lots of great minds and ideas to share and be shared. I can't wait.

Hey guys, Lila here. I'm just keepin' the keys warm while Sarah gets a glass of water. She hasn't blogged in a while so I thought I'd quickly say 'hi' from the both of us. I'll tell her you all miss her and that she needs to blog again soon. ciao!