Love at first sight...

This is the picture that made me fall in love with my dog Gates(he is the black one smiling on the left).  Up until I saw this picture, I had no intention of getting a dog.  My roommate at that time, had been searching for dogs and could not decide between the two.  They were brother and sister, but she had her heart set on a female dog.  She showed me this picture and it was love at first sight!  I called the breeder the following morning and set out for Western Kansas to meet my soon-to-be best companion.  Life is funny this way, sometimes you stumble across something or someone when you least expect it... I look forward to the future and the unknown, but sometimes it's nice to look back and remember moments like this. 

latest abstract piece

Excited for Fall!

As summer comes to a close, here's a list (in no particular order) of things that I look forward to this fall season.

1) Thanksgiving and catching up with family
2) Colored leaves and the crunching sound as you walk over them
3) Cozy sweaters and tall boots
4) Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks
5) "Watching" football with my boyfriend... reality=spending time with him while he watches football and I enjoy a good book and comfort food.
6) Carving pumpkins
7) Apple-picking and then making homemade apple pie
8) Halloween candy -our office always seems to have a plentiful supply on-hand
9) The cool crisp weather
10) Flag football
11) Celebrating birthdays -My mom, dad, boyfriend and a handful of my closest friends all have birthdays in the fall!

stay the course

Food for Thought...a Sandwich

Yesterday I volunteered to conduct an on-site intercept study for one of our clients at a gas station in Oak Brook.  As you can imagine, this was an interesting experience.  My best moment of the day was about a sandwich…I’m not sure what was meant by this gentleman’s remark.  I suppose it’s up for interpretation.

Scene: Gas Station

Liz approaches man to question him about his experience with the advertising playing on the gas pump’s TV screen.

LIZ: Hello sir, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?  There is a $5 cash incentive if you qualify and answer a few more questions about your gas station experience.

MAN: Well sure I’d be happy to help you out.

Liz interviews the man.  Reaches in her back pocket to hand the man his $5 after the interview.

LIZ: Here you are sir, I really appreciate your help and your time.

MAN: Umm no I really don’t need that $5… you keep it.

LIZ: Oh please do take it, I cannot keep it and really do appreciate your time and help with this survey.

Man looks Liz up & down.

MAN:  No you look like you need that $5 more than me…take it and go buy yourself a… umm please go buy yourself a sandwich!

I see this as one of two things and welcome your thoughts/comments…

1) The man looked me up and down & suggested a sandwich because he thought I was anorexic and needed to eat (this is obviously not true...look at my blog it’s full of food, clearly it’s always on my mind).

2) I needed the $5 because the man thought I worked at the gas station and couldn’t afford a sandwich.

I believe it was the latter of the two.

A taste of heaven...

This morning, Marianne kindly brought us donuts from the Donut Vault.  For those unfamiliar with this establishment, let me be the first to tell you that you are truly missing out... These donuts are by far the best I've tasted and I encourage those who have yet to try one to do so immediately!

Beware the line tends to wrap around the building and they have a limited amount of donuts made each morning.  This disclaimer is not to dissuade you from trying them, but rather to plan accordingly.

Papyrus

A quote from the desk of Ms. Julia Hauber

Paris at sunset

Ever since I can remember I've always dreamed of visiting Paris.  My dream turned into a reality when my dad and I traveled to Paris after the close of my study abroad program in Italy (Summer 2006). 

All of my preconceived notions proved true when I first stepped onto the Champs-Élysées and watched one of the most vivacious parts of Paris.  The high-end fashion, culture, arts and soft-spoken Parisian demeanor immediately drew me in. 

For those who don't know, I am an amateur artist.  I enjoy painting occasionally although I have never been formally trained.  My passion for the arts is enough to inspire and spark my creativity.  This is my painting of Paris at sunset....enjoy!

The beginning...

I've decided to join the millions of internet tech-savvy individuals and begin a blog.  Although I'm not currently traveling the world or going through some life changing event, after much thought and debate I've decided to use this blog as an open source to share my thoughts and experiences.  While this may seem vague and obscure to some, I'll do my best to create consistency with an overall theme of posts depicting my dreams, passions and/or creativity.

Thanks for reading...