tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90019297981981347172024-03-13T11:51:24.808-07:00Desert ChicGladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-77235241304027115922016-01-17T00:39:00.001-08:002016-01-17T00:39:55.893-08:00A New Year Wedding CelebrationOne of the first important things I did this new year was attend the joyful occasion of my dear friend Joanne's wedding celebration. She and Jose are such an inspirational couple. I love how simultaneously fun and nerdy and cool they are together. Being a part of the celebration felt like falling in love again!<br />
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They asked their guests to come in fancy vintage wear, from the decade of our choice. The happy couple looked amazing in their finery ... including Fluevogs, of course. :-) My little family and I did the 1940s, also with Fluevogs (no pic of my husband, alas, but he wore his fanciest Fluevogs, the black Wisdoms).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vYFP8E9A2730vj0orGygLk5HIEA8oW5e3YamxNfCsUE-8kwwcaB1PoE1FBhAOArOYzjE74b-hxGjl7LGaBM-dyf4MFb8_J67TiuPwz1hd1NALgN_1phidjI8lPiy40bqS31b773Khis/s1600/DSCN0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vYFP8E9A2730vj0orGygLk5HIEA8oW5e3YamxNfCsUE-8kwwcaB1PoE1FBhAOArOYzjE74b-hxGjl7LGaBM-dyf4MFb8_J67TiuPwz1hd1NALgN_1phidjI8lPiy40bqS31b773Khis/s1600/DSCN0143.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First dance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX-VrFe024o6XyWRrxvAUqdQzDnBHRvgITVSy4d8Z-MTpwZ7XlSxySuiRPREM8dFw6IIROBnbQRJBkY3WA0YgIio4ifgYLGghs0Kx3MnQC9vdxfEOOYGWU9TNA5evRcFQQbaEempaaxw/s1600/DSCN0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX-VrFe024o6XyWRrxvAUqdQzDnBHRvgITVSy4d8Z-MTpwZ7XlSxySuiRPREM8dFw6IIROBnbQRJBkY3WA0YgIio4ifgYLGghs0Kx3MnQC9vdxfEOOYGWU9TNA5evRcFQQbaEempaaxw/s1600/DSCN0137.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little guy and I hanging out. Yes, those are flamingos on my dress! He's wearing a WWII London evacuee costume (I know, so awkward, but I had to get him period clothes at the last minute). The googly eyes didn't come with the costume; those were from Shirl. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXc_csl7Wd907gGTpRPplwOfTsFwC2c6dX0_C1sBU-7dJVIH9xeeiik_utspCfGcvuBdhmFpKF5fQVg77V9YJLfz792xt4W382PjYdzrrTw7lcw2y4eQ9DUCRnoYa97-H10ljNquzwtk/s1600/DSCN0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXc_csl7Wd907gGTpRPplwOfTsFwC2c6dX0_C1sBU-7dJVIH9xeeiik_utspCfGcvuBdhmFpKF5fQVg77V9YJLfz792xt4W382PjYdzrrTw7lcw2y4eQ9DUCRnoYa97-H10ljNquzwtk/s1600/DSCN0162.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fluevog ladies after dancing. The bride replaced her Vogs with the most adorable bunny slippers.<br />
My outfit details: <b>Dress:</b> Tatyana via ModCloth | <b>Cardi:</b> LOFT | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Liz</td></tr>
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I must add, the music that evening was fantastic. Their DJ did an '80s mix with a few songs from other decades thrown in, and it was consistently good. I was on my feet sweating off the food and wine almost the whole time!<br />
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Congratulations to the happy couple. Here's to many more years of joy to come!<br />
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-11650707734986940812015-12-31T01:13:00.000-08:002015-12-31T01:28:59.158-08:00New Year's ResolutionsSo I shared this great video produced by Dr. Mike Evans on the effectiveness of New Year's resolutions exactly <a href="http://desert-chic.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-doctor-who-edition-2013.html" target="_blank">a couple of years ago</a>, but it deserves to be seen again: "You are 10 times more likely to stick with a change made at the New Year." There may be a couple of reasons for this. The video is quick and informative, so give it a (re-)watch.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rqbAsr6wN_I" width="560"></iframe><br />
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It seems that every time I make New Year's resolutions (serious ones that I write down rather than just tell people about offhandedly), I actually do stick to them for at least 6 months. And yes, changing habits a little at a time makes a difference.<br />
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This coming year, my resolutions focus on practicing and improving my writing. I've spent the past year helping students work on their writing skills. It's my turn to level up.<br />
<ol>
<li>I'm planning to start this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane---Day-5-Year-Journal/dp/0307951715" target="_blank">Jane-a-Day 5-year daily journal</a> that uses Jane Austen's writings as prompts for very brief daily musings. I received it as a present a couple of years ago, but I could never get my act together. I start it in 2016. It requires just a quick sentence per day, so it shouldn't be too difficult to keep up (and yet I'm still probably going to miss days here and there).</li>
<li>I've also decided that November is a bad time to write a novel when you're teaching three classes, hence <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> is not going to happen for me during their official month. But I'm happy to start a daily 30-minute writing habit, whether it's writing something new or revising/editing. But the writing habit has to be focused on a creative work rather than my journal, blog, or academic work.</li>
<li>However, it wouldn't be good to ignore my academic work. I have an essay that was accepted for publication (!!) so I'll be working on revising that once I get the readers' notes from the editors. I also want to write at least one essay on my new long-term project that I can submit for publication somewhere.</li>
<li>I've asked my significant other to get the writer's app <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php?show=features" target="_blank">Scrivener</a> for me as a present so that I can revise my writing in a more orderly manner.</li>
</ol>
Looking at this list, I'm excited. For #2, I don't expect to write anything publishable. I just need the practice so that I can improve. (I tell my students this all the time -- writing is recursive. So you need to write, revise, revise again, get feedback, write some more, revise again, get more feedback, revise again, get even more feedback, and, if you're lucky, finally edit.) I'll need to ask someone to read a draft, which will be scary, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.<br />
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I also have to add a #5: the usual resolution to improve my health. In my case, I've gained quite a bit of uncomfortable weight, which I'll blame on teaching. I'm not a freak about becoming skinny, but teaching really screws up my daily life. For one thing, it's crazy how sedentary it all is. I stand for hours at a time when I'm teaching. However, my campus is not only super small but it's completely flat. There are no acres of hills for me to run across just to make it to my next class or appointment. Also, I can't tell you how much time I spend sitting so that I can grade all the writing I have to assign. Whew.<br />
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For another thing, I'm always up super late working on my class prep. <a href="http://desert-chic.blogspot.com/2015/12/another-semester-done.html" target="_blank">I've mentioned before</a> that I need to work on not changing up so much of my syllabi. In any case, when I don't get enough sleep, it causes a cascade of problems: I get hungry when I should be sleeping, I'm more likely to choose poorly (sugary and/or carb-y things), and my body doesn't have enough time to repair itself which leads to bloating and inflammation. Long story short, I'm not healthy at the end of a semester. It's definitely time to harness the power of a New Year's resolution to change things!<br />
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Anyway, good luck on crafting your own resolutions! Here's to an amazing new year. May it be peaceful, kind, and righteous.<br />
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xo, Gladys</div>
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I will be changing things up again next semester, although hopefully not as drastically as before -- we will see. Classes don't start for at least a month so I have some time to decide how to retool my syllabi.<br />
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One thing I learned is that I shouldn't be afraid to rant when it's warranted (in this case, I was really angry about the Islamophobia that is happening everywhere). I actually had to stop myself because I realized I was yelling in the classroom. But it was the ranting that made a real difference for some of the students, and I know this because they said/wrote so. They felt that I really cared about the world, about them, and about our shared future. They called it being "passionate." Like last semester, I received some kind thank-yous from students, but this time around a few students gave me gifts and others wrote really thoughtful reflection papers on their progress as writers and thinkers.<br />
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Another thing I learned is that, along the same vein as the ranting, students really like to see my personality and glimpses of the real me. I have this problem with self-presentation, where I have two main professional personas that I default to. One is the more fun one that likes to talk "real" and sometimes gossip, and the other is my formal lecturer/interview persona. I need to fix the second version to make her more like the first, which is more the real me, anyway. But obviously I'd prefer a middle ground between the two when I relate to my students. Oversharing and being buddy-buddy could lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings when grading time comes around. At the end of the day, the power differential between me and my students is much too great for true friendship to develop during a class. It's sad but that's how academia is structured here.<br />
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Finally, I also learned that young students really love their music. On the last day of one of my classes, we had a potluck and it turned into an impromptu dance and lip-sync party! I didn't perform (um, no way), but I enjoyed how comfortable they were with each other. Students in that particular class have made friends with each other, to the point where they hang out and study with each other for other classes, too, and I actually think that's one good way to gauge the success of a semester of teaching.<br />
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Next time, I'll talk a bit about my upcoming New Year resolutions. If you celebrate a holiday this time of year, I hope your holiday celebrations and preparations are going well!<br />
<br />
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4Plui_avVwncjSmAmo1EVKcJ-f2qeBTBhDpUTKmQXABV-dhLhWGvH6DYWxOuw6kDKxpjxWeoSAvlyuez8IDUahBfZldX1Dn3uATVghScg3qqzk7CIsMvzs1pfnaTE8c9Fjn4l29NTOY/s1600/IMG_3483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4Plui_avVwncjSmAmo1EVKcJ-f2qeBTBhDpUTKmQXABV-dhLhWGvH6DYWxOuw6kDKxpjxWeoSAvlyuez8IDUahBfZldX1Dn3uATVghScg3qqzk7CIsMvzs1pfnaTE8c9Fjn4l29NTOY/s1600/IMG_3483.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Requisite tourist-y photo with the London Eye in the background (on the Jubilee Bridge)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWULa0gio7xSaJttE1CrEyZ99uQSnS1hd53skiKCbUU_48kpeQNtuIDs0HiRWpVgW5JYKlkDPaC6uNiGAwGFjNCOi4o3zViNmG28a1JWCYynte5wa128oKuEb61NM1BNbL-WF9ihBx2E/s1600/IMG_5986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWULa0gio7xSaJttE1CrEyZ99uQSnS1hd53skiKCbUU_48kpeQNtuIDs0HiRWpVgW5JYKlkDPaC6uNiGAwGFjNCOi4o3zViNmG28a1JWCYynte5wa128oKuEb61NM1BNbL-WF9ihBx2E/s1600/IMG_5986.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My younger sister and I got lost while trying to walk to London's West End, and we managed to run into the little cul-de-sac where part of the Philippine Embassy was. Of course we had to take a dorky pic. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7O7C5aA7ERD3JQOrvXZ8ddeQTWhDidIVl2fQN9RWmQvyA7YRdNdAUzXqoSVG5SL9cws9Vmuv0zLu-w7hMHQu3xtmDkC5cXGAYNPGLE_8HoxHPy5OtHo6PVTHkKEctur7v270-WH9zsI/s1600/IMG_3501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7O7C5aA7ERD3JQOrvXZ8ddeQTWhDidIVl2fQN9RWmQvyA7YRdNdAUzXqoSVG5SL9cws9Vmuv0zLu-w7hMHQu3xtmDkC5cXGAYNPGLE_8HoxHPy5OtHo6PVTHkKEctur7v270-WH9zsI/s1600/IMG_3501.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met my friend B at the Tate Modern Museum and afterward we walked across the Millennium Bridge toward St. Paul's Cathedral.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXiot3TuwksJaCm1dl1Aw7IkocKCYQVJeOpGjhrYG2eJK_Cnnd9_K2hmbcCcriNYL_TuGSH3-mhsGHMB4f53PVTB-ltBcOzk9aSWlIC0fJy-TV_ovjdPdKfPt9KuhAQj3PVnM2K4vlU4/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXiot3TuwksJaCm1dl1Aw7IkocKCYQVJeOpGjhrYG2eJK_Cnnd9_K2hmbcCcriNYL_TuGSH3-mhsGHMB4f53PVTB-ltBcOzk9aSWlIC0fJy-TV_ovjdPdKfPt9KuhAQj3PVnM2K4vlU4/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "street" performance in front of the British National Museum (not an actual street there)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6JlppCSOEyi0y8wzb_dQYAHehpgqGT6J14WfaGwkcmwYb0on0_JWVzKAQkXoUJWhA0syr0UXcbafHdkh2kKLtinnVttq2i891MfX1eGmiXI4Q2EZL8r5A-SmSXSF5fY2ZSS2vPSAnP4/s1600/IMG_6025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6JlppCSOEyi0y8wzb_dQYAHehpgqGT6J14WfaGwkcmwYb0on0_JWVzKAQkXoUJWhA0syr0UXcbafHdkh2kKLtinnVttq2i891MfX1eGmiXI4Q2EZL8r5A-SmSXSF5fY2ZSS2vPSAnP4/s1600/IMG_6025.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you surprised that we made it to Cardiff, Wales, to check out the Doctor Who Experience/Museum? Loved seeing a life-size police box in person.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrGoGD63B2bDkMkX1QoBmKPGQrTZmP5JgLtCoBF41DXtiVv_cCt_EQej8txsTwbDKDZddDff_t5ZjNZFo2GCN-DE-OG1tbCyzOnJKdYW1Qmsgc0gF8rqEZuUQ1MQ17-l8KxxOnRy2VLI/s1600/IMG_6035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrGoGD63B2bDkMkX1QoBmKPGQrTZmP5JgLtCoBF41DXtiVv_cCt_EQej8txsTwbDKDZddDff_t5ZjNZFo2GCN-DE-OG1tbCyzOnJKdYW1Qmsgc0gF8rqEZuUQ1MQ17-l8KxxOnRy2VLI/s1600/IMG_6035.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the site of so many great <i>Doctor Who</i> episodes (the Russell Davies years).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4yrJo9aXuMinU4ywTTErvzWtcQ55jmCft-TCFkZmx-q8XLH_lM4C9H-RoB2pIXPynmj5CDj12Ubmh0fplmA4IwONQ4U_xHwDIvs37CEyYMNVScw4T1ptqlOCJdxJ3qsBVLkS_D_3cdk/s1600/IMG_3511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4yrJo9aXuMinU4ywTTErvzWtcQ55jmCft-TCFkZmx-q8XLH_lM4C9H-RoB2pIXPynmj5CDj12Ubmh0fplmA4IwONQ4U_xHwDIvs37CEyYMNVScw4T1ptqlOCJdxJ3qsBVLkS_D_3cdk/s1600/IMG_3511.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken outside the Roman Baths in Bath. The walls activated my trypophobia a bit, but I made sure not to look too closely!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeBUqIeQZfwmOlYr46YuRhYiI1PE2Iah4NRFop_ZCWv0bEiBK2EhSiX7f0vzJQHcUqVoOOG8txS6iiqw3kfY4Rp7kNo8ZwIFY-3EGW2lz28Ze0AN1OaZ0Q0aqJ35ry2PVkGFuRN67gpQ/s1600/IMG_3527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeBUqIeQZfwmOlYr46YuRhYiI1PE2Iah4NRFop_ZCWv0bEiBK2EhSiX7f0vzJQHcUqVoOOG8txS6iiqw3kfY4Rp7kNo8ZwIFY-3EGW2lz28Ze0AN1OaZ0Q0aqJ35ry2PVkGFuRN67gpQ/s1600/IMG_3527.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Fluevogs (Arabella) by the bath</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiqV0AzDfzTSKyDavPybHfa-p_y4f0ePa5l594LbL2zPcIO6xLzdXqeHv42MFTOc9hTdkZf6AhyPLDLO8xpcty4lDkJDOjtR_PK-drfAym_gnAvVk1BGblGhNbuziyJz9EHGB0ffb0jM/s1600/IMG_6104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiqV0AzDfzTSKyDavPybHfa-p_y4f0ePa5l594LbL2zPcIO6xLzdXqeHv42MFTOc9hTdkZf6AhyPLDLO8xpcty4lDkJDOjtR_PK-drfAym_gnAvVk1BGblGhNbuziyJz9EHGB0ffb0jM/s1600/IMG_6104.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea time at the famous Pump Room</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrAj-mDH48ZtwO46fSqnabrLVL4lauUV6esMrUwYZNAv8mD5TNuX79yGWDj8-PpJYUp18TUv0eVz7IftQuyz63hS2zabEiAO_55eZ6Nug5r99N25VVmgUg1FdCtlHycgdwgCKkBTlhZo/s1600/IMG_6124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrAj-mDH48ZtwO46fSqnabrLVL4lauUV6esMrUwYZNAv8mD5TNuX79yGWDj8-PpJYUp18TUv0eVz7IftQuyz63hS2zabEiAO_55eZ6Nug5r99N25VVmgUg1FdCtlHycgdwgCKkBTlhZo/s1600/IMG_6124.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tea, this time in Edinburgh, Scotland</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsMxwVekJg4RavnyD_tJwbv70KLJBa6FaazQiJ7MYgdSaAK_G1gWRlUudjV8infjGZXMmv2oF9P2cLI3-I41KxmBkdMlId1U1NfX6d59CrQNc2MpFjSRR3FxcyL7Jx8nanSl37u4fHuo/s1600/IMG_6126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsMxwVekJg4RavnyD_tJwbv70KLJBa6FaazQiJ7MYgdSaAK_G1gWRlUudjV8infjGZXMmv2oF9P2cLI3-I41KxmBkdMlId1U1NfX6d59CrQNc2MpFjSRR3FxcyL7Jx8nanSl37u4fHuo/s1600/IMG_6126.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking up the Granny Steps towards the Edinburgh Castle</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-Vywn_yeNGJl_RyI8720fb6qwbZjCn70L2jDRrgmvZhuxEptRKzbiVpmvcrcE5j-b_jHaToIZv6ervVUs695FMDmnJfO31AyA2blNmrIauoKPd9pK7XOKQCI_xCewSkmkYIxtOmwJ4E/s1600/IMG_6181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-Vywn_yeNGJl_RyI8720fb6qwbZjCn70L2jDRrgmvZhuxEptRKzbiVpmvcrcE5j-b_jHaToIZv6ervVUs695FMDmnJfO31AyA2blNmrIauoKPd9pK7XOKQCI_xCewSkmkYIxtOmwJ4E/s1600/IMG_6181.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking selfies in front Notre Dame just to show we were there. There was no way we were going to wait in those huge lines to get inside. I know. We made really bad tourists.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfegMoRZkKbmZpXJG5QbS7ctzeeVMf27plEWxkTLTRHwVXUidP_NJ02meXOy8G1PD3gNpVAPgxy6wkMxHk_fqRb4yTyEMkQDtaExd0TeclTN_SHzpHOeF2nNbB-yjSaNP9kfnsB8LfZQ/s1600/IMG_6187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfegMoRZkKbmZpXJG5QbS7ctzeeVMf27plEWxkTLTRHwVXUidP_NJ02meXOy8G1PD3gNpVAPgxy6wkMxHk_fqRb4yTyEMkQDtaExd0TeclTN_SHzpHOeF2nNbB-yjSaNP9kfnsB8LfZQ/s1600/IMG_6187.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing at one of the many bridges in central Paris. Check out the locks.</td></tr>
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Sorry this was basically just a photo dump. I don't have much time to write a longer reflection on the trip, though, to be honest, I probably need to take the time to reflect on it more. I came back from the trip and had to start teaching less than a week later. I was pretty jet-lagged for the first few weeks of the fall semester and I'm not sure that I've quite recovered yet! But it was great to be there. I even saved my sister from getting pick-pocketed/mugged. I want to return with my husband next time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-4287843880281701942015-07-19T00:10:00.000-07:002015-07-19T00:15:12.313-07:00Happy Snapshots: Spring 2015This past June and July have been a little busier for me than in past years. I was able to meet a writing deadline this week, so I'm feeling pretty happy with myself. Note that I don't expect anything to come out of it; I did submit something for publication (academic), but it's the completion of a writing project that is always a victory for me, even if it's minor.<br />
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As I sorta promised, here are some pics from our Colorado vacation. We stayed at a rented guest house on a crazy-beautiful 17-acre place in Durango. This was the yard, you know, where a herd of deer would just hang out and eat the grass and gallop into the forest when they heard a car coming down the long driveway:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfSE3ZCmxJtaMP5iU3BCPN3V-CXHtKC-CVsLA64YzZSjmPIko1OUJvqO6o_5DuBp2w625O1FmXa8J4AdeUJzozrVRJbrAwIPifV-O9jRCmlyGy8XWwi7wvIyLYHaDcyxsGq5FLCZUjeI/s1600/DSC_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfSE3ZCmxJtaMP5iU3BCPN3V-CXHtKC-CVsLA64YzZSjmPIko1OUJvqO6o_5DuBp2w625O1FmXa8J4AdeUJzozrVRJbrAwIPifV-O9jRCmlyGy8XWwi7wvIyLYHaDcyxsGq5FLCZUjeI/s1600/DSC_0526.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herd of deer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh2ZFMT61kRFAl5WK__1gxjlq0h9909ZzZr9Bc2K5tS8oXs6mfWNhaFwMppFAerAlELrO_zdWnHKec9i5NTPqRnpQLyAMATdveSoAqzhntPMM1TgFVqTguUnvSg5GUw4q_8tfkN69bM8/s1600/DSC_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh2ZFMT61kRFAl5WK__1gxjlq0h9909ZzZr9Bc2K5tS8oXs6mfWNhaFwMppFAerAlELrO_zdWnHKec9i5NTPqRnpQLyAMATdveSoAqzhntPMM1TgFVqTguUnvSg5GUw4q_8tfkN69bM8/s1600/DSC_0583.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on a horse for the first time ever! My companion was named Cielo and he LOOOOOVED to eat. He was big and slow. (Btw, I wish I'd worn a better hat, but I don't have any cowboy hats.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWJG1ixMRzwRI6a4uJTdBr7J_R8ssiaUg4sLN8970cKFlUFT6eFyz-kmHElfSCSyt0Q6xtu2u5jRsBNXHYMCqyBldeAA4hKlKUv6sX8OuZeIa1B86h_mLXzTmP56XAOnEibI5qa96nEY/s1600/DSC_0587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWJG1ixMRzwRI6a4uJTdBr7J_R8ssiaUg4sLN8970cKFlUFT6eFyz-kmHElfSCSyt0Q6xtu2u5jRsBNXHYMCqyBldeAA4hKlKUv6sX8OuZeIa1B86h_mLXzTmP56XAOnEibI5qa96nEY/s1600/DSC_0587.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little guy (waving) on his horse named Burrito</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1rdpxdKoyXSdhMPoJ-gZxhMnHOGd2KoZgPefnzWQ69ezX7a_TLheFQUDxHIC6BgUw7sIbMWfblc3FfD-efJHZLYSgSgYZ4NknfCKEsaNj_qxvdm7HyP157KV9UoRhzcxRgN9wF8hNmc/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1rdpxdKoyXSdhMPoJ-gZxhMnHOGd2KoZgPefnzWQ69ezX7a_TLheFQUDxHIC6BgUw7sIbMWfblc3FfD-efJHZLYSgSgYZ4NknfCKEsaNj_qxvdm7HyP157KV9UoRhzcxRgN9wF8hNmc/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that he's still so cuddly.</td></tr>
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It was a nice vacation, although I was scrambling to finish grading during a good chunk of the week. I did finish grading on time, though. And it was a nice place to relax outside of reading student papers.<br />
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Here are a couple of other photos from earlier this year. This one with M and E was a selfie taken after we watched the musical play, <a href="http://www.lamiradatheatre.com/pride_and_prejudice.htm" target="_blank"><i>Pride and Prejudice</i></a>, at the La Mirada Theatre. It was really well-done and really fun. The three of us went as a birthday celebration for me. What a great ladies' night out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeG6elhG0vjtdZdeYQhDftN7cJhDxdcJZ8LS8opY0HkCzx5pz91EWT8mf0LOziXp8e0B6jfMypUg1suXZvch1ekLKFkzaBrsR3rJba1lQnpP5zhGeqJEGrmRd1NhN8LmBgYwCCUOaYaM/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeG6elhG0vjtdZdeYQhDftN7cJhDxdcJZ8LS8opY0HkCzx5pz91EWT8mf0LOziXp8e0B6jfMypUg1suXZvch1ekLKFkzaBrsR3rJba1lQnpP5zhGeqJEGrmRd1NhN8LmBgYwCCUOaYaM/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you notice that my front teeth look more prominent? I started wearing Invisalign braces back in February, and with the realignment, you can see that my teeth are wider than they used to look. Yes, I'm finally straightening my teeth in my thirties.</td></tr>
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Finally, this photo is of a pair of cool socks that my older sister got for me as a thank-you. They're all titles of banned books. What a super cool way to celebrate such great books!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOiRvUdmMk_76ln1OYrhunTFO5l209XYjl8Uqg7HDvvpTTTDA92RPHXsinEPBQwoKUnHcKFBtjSSrPh6ICqjDm0TNHlkHJ6nIeI_a1HgE8b8wq7MWqCla8VooljkEZZCQtUnCe-_t5qw/s1600/IMG_3410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOiRvUdmMk_76ln1OYrhunTFO5l209XYjl8Uqg7HDvvpTTTDA92RPHXsinEPBQwoKUnHcKFBtjSSrPh6ICqjDm0TNHlkHJ6nIeI_a1HgE8b8wq7MWqCla8VooljkEZZCQtUnCe-_t5qw/s1600/IMG_3410.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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So you see, I have been taking photos and doing other stuff besides teaching and grading. I wish I had more time for the blog -- it's a good way to practice writing and journaling -- but I hope this will do for now. Have a great rest of the summer!<br />
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Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-88131109363106377442015-06-20T03:16:00.002-07:002015-12-23T03:08:24.654-08:00Let's Catch UpI've successfully completed my first semester teaching multiple classes. I'm sure it wasn't my best work (sorry, guys), and I can understand the reasons some students didn't put the class higher on their lists of priorities (though why they bothered to keep coming to class boggles my mind). However, I'm really proud of the students I was able to reach. Some of them were just wonderful, and I'd be happy to see them again sometime just to chat.<br />
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Also, there's nothing like teaching writing to make me realize how much writing means to me. I was asked to teach again this summer, but I had to decline. This summer is for writing (as well as for reading widely in my favorite genres) once again. I have inchoate ideas that need to be harnessed into new, better-articulated projects; and I have one actual writing deadline that I don't want to miss.<br />
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Since school let out a couple of weeks ago, I've spent a week in Colorado for vacation and another week recovering from the vacation (isn't that how it always works?). Some highlights of the trip: I rode a horse for the first time (and didn't fall off), I learned a bit about the fascinating history of the ancient Pueblan people (formerly known as the Anasazi), and I found out how scary altitude sickness can be: we were at about 8,000 feet and my son nearly fainted early on during the trip. I honestly thought he was dying, and I was torn between trying to keep up his spirits and breaking down completely. I'd never seen him looking so pale and bloodless before, except when he was first born. Suffice it to say, it was an incredible relief when he revived by the time we got him to emergency services. And I will hereon make sure he is completely hydrated during our travels.<br />
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Now that I'm back home for the rest of the summer (until my next trip, which will be right before the fall semester starts up), I'm focused not only on my professional goals but also on a couple of personal ones, one of which is getting healthy again. Finishing my dissertation last year really derailed my exercise schedule, and I'm afraid that teaching this past spring didn't help much, either; even worse, I returned to some bad eating habits because I didn't have much time to cook regularly. I've been most consistent with yoga, in part because I treat it like therapy, but I need to incorporate more cardio. I also need to eat more vegetables. This summer, it looks like swimming will be back on the schedule, and summer vegetables and fruit are always much more appetizing to me than the fall and winter ones. Hopefully, I can break the bad eating habits, at least most of the time. I think taking an 80/20 approach has been most successful for me in the past. We will see how it goes in the next couple of months.<br />
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Pictures next time. <br />
<br />
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Gladys</div>
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Happy April! I didn't get around to posting another time in March. Teaching is still kicking my butt, but I'm getting the hang of it. Some days are better than others. In the past few weeks, I've had the added stress of being observed (by the department chair, no less). The observation for the first class went really well, but I had a second one today, and let's just say it wasn't as stellar. I get massive stage fright sometimes, to the point where my brain completely blanks. And I don't know when it will strike. UGH, the things I was babbling -- well, <i>now</i> I wish I could shut off my brain....</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite the stress and lack of sleep, I still manage to get dressed relatively decently and not be late for my 8am classes. Here are more teaching outfits featuring Fluevogs. I particularly love the Grace ankle boots -- they're so comfy! I wear them with skirts, dresses, and jeans because I like to put them on as much as I can. I went up a full size in them just so I could wear thick socks for maximum comfort. The Arabellas are also fantastic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5ltTnL78NQpVk_eCbtP6Uw9oz3LvFMecVRUCZmcQMBbFCB8tFKZWz_D7T-1pgtYcZcs75Ig3K347IuenGzFT8Wad6COkjyi_VjCd74MrDxhkkyQgpLIItEmFzGR4stmoySZQNEG0cmc/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5ltTnL78NQpVk_eCbtP6Uw9oz3LvFMecVRUCZmcQMBbFCB8tFKZWz_D7T-1pgtYcZcs75Ig3K347IuenGzFT8Wad6COkjyi_VjCd74MrDxhkkyQgpLIItEmFzGR4stmoySZQNEG0cmc/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQuD2mSDtSpkkqucAisSul5WQe545CKCdHnxVQVeAzdMGGT2P58reZuZy9xHVX7aT6u-Rnlw5jbkkPAAozqCLArOOV7y0_A7H8nMsZpg8VAOQccSrnvdfFweFC4eKZPBcVcmcLaasIrA/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQuD2mSDtSpkkqucAisSul5WQe545CKCdHnxVQVeAzdMGGT2P58reZuZy9xHVX7aT6u-Rnlw5jbkkPAAozqCLArOOV7y0_A7H8nMsZpg8VAOQccSrnvdfFweFC4eKZPBcVcmcLaasIrA/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top:</b> <a href="http://effiesheart.com/" target="_blank">Effie's Heart</a> | <b>Cardi:</b> <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/" target="_blank">ModCloth</a> | <b>Jeans:</b> Calvin Klein | <b>Cat socks:</b> Kohl's? Target? | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog <a href="https://www.fluevog.com/shop/4053-arabella-brown-teal" target="_blank">Arabella</a> (Integrity family)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyTOWDvs5Awx4sFk6LyqsrHWxfdhHMlVAOGLW6ZrIHCZ6DVFoIl6jZTe26Hkbkv8OkUfoTzpKFgXWbTUJWFzFaAwByicXspYb1rgRnQQklNQ1JSkXQ7D_fte3Ok2rma2fOTBnuIS9v5w/s1600/IMG_0495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyTOWDvs5Awx4sFk6LyqsrHWxfdhHMlVAOGLW6ZrIHCZ6DVFoIl6jZTe26Hkbkv8OkUfoTzpKFgXWbTUJWFzFaAwByicXspYb1rgRnQQklNQ1JSkXQ7D_fte3Ok2rma2fOTBnuIS9v5w/s1600/IMG_0495.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top:</b> ModCloth | <b>Jeans:</b> a.n.a. (JC Penney) | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog <a href="https://www.fluevog.com/shop/4248-grace-black" target="_blank">Grace</a> (also on sweet sale at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Fluevog-Womens-Grace-Chelsea/dp/B00K8PWNQQ/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi6XROZqL3KbCm9hO_Gbpvtyv8d63hD_-Cw8KdBifc5Co_9B1iIQgHnjNTlmlpEcNCfvIc6ifT8P4S7x921jhOrrVYrjeo43b8pyoWxgAhRkkHpmrlwqLAWJEBdiJytPrtHxguAsRvwI/s1600/IMG_0509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi6XROZqL3KbCm9hO_Gbpvtyv8d63hD_-Cw8KdBifc5Co_9B1iIQgHnjNTlmlpEcNCfvIc6ifT8P4S7x921jhOrrVYrjeo43b8pyoWxgAhRkkHpmrlwqLAWJEBdiJytPrtHxguAsRvwI/s1600/IMG_0509.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress:</b> <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/" target="_blank">eShakti</a> | <b>Leggings:</b> <a href="http://www.sockdreams.com/" target="_blank">Sockdreams</a> | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Grace (Enneagram family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D_FjmEEhOhZJcsKjEtxod4R7Tvd4yWdZ0xW9sKpNw45fjYicae9lp2SJ__T04KVvWaF6AjArQT6MHiihVyUF2eaml3unn2y98URTZ_W-NbdqowwbQz9LANMDhwazEx9NAuCf-RUJVfs/s1600/IMG_0518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D_FjmEEhOhZJcsKjEtxod4R7Tvd4yWdZ0xW9sKpNw45fjYicae9lp2SJ__T04KVvWaF6AjArQT6MHiihVyUF2eaml3unn2y98URTZ_W-NbdqowwbQz9LANMDhwazEx9NAuCf-RUJVfs/s1600/IMG_0518.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top and skirt:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Baskerville (GetUp family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3XcPrGi0J6UQ5-pIDOXusiqyh_W8lCGwC68gkuDeyi_ly1LKb7UulA-NIJyDaAE05GJGRuiPNWc23BklZUrgirmHtwwqbYw8LkUn1W52kliuIAhk1teBFNZacrvFAESR3D0Xw-7xSAo/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3XcPrGi0J6UQ5-pIDOXusiqyh_W8lCGwC68gkuDeyi_ly1LKb7UulA-NIJyDaAE05GJGRuiPNWc23BklZUrgirmHtwwqbYw8LkUn1W52kliuIAhk1teBFNZacrvFAESR3D0Xw-7xSAo/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top:</b> Kohl's | <b>Cardi:</b> Banana Republic | <b>Skirt:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Grace (Enneagram family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sooooo looking forward to spring break next week. I'm not going to Cancun; I'm going to sleep! I might also get a haircut. :-)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys<span id="goog_716542455"></span><span id="goog_716542456"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
P.S. Now that it's April, I'm dreaming of summertime. I need to get new bathing suits! I haven't gotten a new suit in a few years. I looked at ModCloth's selection -- they have a lot in my size -- but they don't look like they'd fit me well. I'm getting old, ha! I think I might try <a href="http://www.landsend.com/shop/womens-swimsuits/-/N-fxm?cm_re=hp-_-sub2-_-wms-swim-_-20150402-cta" target="_blank">Land's End</a> this year. The idea of tummy control is so soothing to me.</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-32040882517126953062015-03-08T23:07:00.000-07:002015-12-23T03:08:24.648-08:00Fluevog Outfits Working It<div style="text-align: justify;">
Work is kicking my butt! I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I'd start teaching at the local community college in February. Well, it's been four weeks since my start date, and here's what I've figured out so far:</div>
<ul>
<li>Class prep for three completely-new classes is ROUGH.</li>
<li>Navigating a new campus, especially at a college level that's different than where I went as an undergrad and grad myself, is also rough.</li>
<li>Nevertheless, I still enjoy meeting the students and learning about their lives.</li>
<li>This is my first time teaching lower-division courses, and I have to recognize and accept that not everyone is going to do well, no matter what I do.</li>
<li>The students who are doing well, however, make me really happy.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One personal perk of doing this job is that I get to dress up a little. I gave away a significant chunk of my closet in January and February -- in part because I gained weight last year and couldn't fit a lot of my clothes anymore -- and then I bought other clothes that fit me better and were more appropriate for work. So far, I've been loving <a href="http://effiesheart.com/" target="_blank">Effie's Heart</a> clothing; their jersey stretch fabrics are forgiving and flattering but also come in some wonderful patterns. I have a few items from <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/" target="_blank">eShakti</a> but the fit and fabric have been iffy, and while some are gorgeous, they're not especially appropriate for work (or at least I'm not comfortable yet with wearing the fit-and-flare/pinup style dresses and tops that I bought, even with a sensible cardigan). They've got some really nice items this season, however, so I might give them another try.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And of course, I've been wearing my Fluevogs to work! (Yay, they're finally getting more circulation outside my closet!) Here are some photos from the past month:</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRfNc3Ga4h_KuhA1TreYqPh5n_XEdGJTSUKOrF43QvGICxZzFJmettkkHeFRoxFqz0S21_nsWzpUGl6fScatDWR9L7otdITIJAVRSerFBzoDlqsZsZjDykMnLZ153m2l8WkyORQtK0D4/s1600/IMG_3323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRfNc3Ga4h_KuhA1TreYqPh5n_XEdGJTSUKOrF43QvGICxZzFJmettkkHeFRoxFqz0S21_nsWzpUGl6fScatDWR9L7otdITIJAVRSerFBzoDlqsZsZjDykMnLZ153m2l8WkyORQtK0D4/s1600/IMG_3323.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIRST DAY OF SCOOL: <b>Dress with fabric belt:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Cardigan:</b> Banana Republic | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Qtee (Mini family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pZ6EFk-wwnN8N2D01ZJ_-IhI-WsoX3VBwyZGkCfc0zOwrZfNXe1Nz3lFjWzY8R4EzFNdaRkw_B2RFbkDJ5S8ad6txHDDJJuTQLibNa6APgBNzGQzQ4UmhUQYsDQDn2HBAdspLNK_iNI/s1600/IMG_3324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pZ6EFk-wwnN8N2D01ZJ_-IhI-WsoX3VBwyZGkCfc0zOwrZfNXe1Nz3lFjWzY8R4EzFNdaRkw_B2RFbkDJ5S8ad6txHDDJJuTQLibNa6APgBNzGQzQ4UmhUQYsDQDn2HBAdspLNK_iNI/s1600/IMG_3324.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top:</b> <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/" target="_blank">ModCloth</a> | <b>Belt:</b> consignment store | <b>Skirt:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Barkerville (GetUp family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5stzo60dUvgGe1IyV9DBb6sVe71NQneMq6htcXwWL_6U7fRcR5O7dWr6YS2Ui_q7lZ3eMxVpVmiMza1JQXgJUU5sGrJ1JfMDC26SEJmRBOdfHVdxG73F628x67Q69q5GFjnNI2EuZO4/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5stzo60dUvgGe1IyV9DBb6sVe71NQneMq6htcXwWL_6U7fRcR5O7dWr6YS2Ui_q7lZ3eMxVpVmiMza1JQXgJUU5sGrJ1JfMDC26SEJmRBOdfHVdxG73F628x67Q69q5GFjnNI2EuZO4/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cardigan:</b> Banana Republic | <b>Tee (not shown):</b> Doctor Who shirt via <a href="http://www.teefury.com/" target="_blank">TeeFury</a> :-) | <b>Bracelet:</b> handmade from this fabulous <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunaBirdDesigns" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> | <b>Skirt:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Barkerville (GetUp family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipg2BAWEINTkUsllfCbGbN4DROO1eXDA2xqrcgLMW_-XLEZgJ-D0L5Sk2jVABQDzOKKpfDhqLWoySO1PPhnXQxKyMsttQVwtreqqItlNUD936BCENMkJtadCI2RgseZtFPUWgBDCpvnl0/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipg2BAWEINTkUsllfCbGbN4DROO1eXDA2xqrcgLMW_-XLEZgJ-D0L5Sk2jVABQDzOKKpfDhqLWoySO1PPhnXQxKyMsttQVwtreqqItlNUD936BCENMkJtadCI2RgseZtFPUWgBDCpvnl0/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ON A REALLY COLD DAY: <b>Top and cardigan:</b> ModCloth | <b>Jeans:</b> JC Penney | <b>Boots:</b> Fluevog Stella (LoFs family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI8RbgXBBQfc8iUhAiikq1WDWn3KM8ra7VdXiwyMXUnsfRQnlDsoVAoe2CmDi8Ym8F4Ds4DaiOXV5sOkOqVKtFTfUVY939IKLUaXBjaESLYZKiM-yqJhddJiOxvGIavMv3AlzSYkl9r8/s1600/IMG_3328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI8RbgXBBQfc8iUhAiikq1WDWn3KM8ra7VdXiwyMXUnsfRQnlDsoVAoe2CmDi8Ym8F4Ds4DaiOXV5sOkOqVKtFTfUVY939IKLUaXBjaESLYZKiM-yqJhddJiOxvGIavMv3AlzSYkl9r8/s1600/IMG_3328.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Skirt:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Tights:</b> Foot Traffic | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Masarek (Mini family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SF572GSCpneKoVd99VmZxxD6PBGjZreeEJktUWaJqZniy5jOWplj_jhc7gwyl1tUsT1tAbstJSzq_cmRcdf09qIVTW1qM77XrFmBVvkw7SbbS2bU_dwj2Be1a28WIXlCk7e_kCz9xNo/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SF572GSCpneKoVd99VmZxxD6PBGjZreeEJktUWaJqZniy5jOWplj_jhc7gwyl1tUsT1tAbstJSzq_cmRcdf09qIVTW1qM77XrFmBVvkw7SbbS2bU_dwj2Be1a28WIXlCk7e_kCz9xNo/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Tights:</b> via Sock Dreams | <b>Boots:</b> Fluevog PRI (Radio family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've worn more outfits than these, of course, but these were the ones that worked. The others are not shown for a reason! It's been a learning experience for me in more ways than one. :-)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wish me luck on the rest of the semester, although I hope I'll be able to post again before June!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys</div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D9001929798198134717%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-YjuTKNb3WmA%252FVP0yX2RzF5I%252FAAAAAAAAE1c%252FrtEQSOS7nMA%252Fs1600%252FIMG_3328.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 32px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4336px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D9001929798198134717%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-YjuTKNb3WmA%252FVP0yX2RzF5I%252FAAAAAAAAE1c%252FrtEQSOS7nMA%252Fs1600%252FIMG_3328.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 32px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4336px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-46770541198219724462015-02-07T16:55:00.001-08:002015-02-07T16:56:46.291-08:00Fluevog Visit<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I visited the Fluevog store in L.A. with dear friends Joanne, Mae, and Cheryl to try on the new Spring line ... and the new styles did not disappoint! It's especially fun this year. And there's a new shoe style called Gladice (the French version of my name) that I think is awesome, cute and striking with a kitten heel! I'll post a pic of the shoes here sometime. Here's a pic of me trying on a different but also cute pair of shoes: </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTzV7wCCzA6aryVRkRoHG1JK4noq7nIOObBWhKhhZKBZiyXR16gpBnp1-CjDa_y6rohLBgCMZfYBHgv6iMTzjN56Jg7ue5yUxbui84G9ocbYH0-6Z2_SSObK5RPIamRGql8CPiqS6nGE/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTzV7wCCzA6aryVRkRoHG1JK4noq7nIOObBWhKhhZKBZiyXR16gpBnp1-CjDa_y6rohLBgCMZfYBHgv6iMTzjN56Jg7ue5yUxbui84G9ocbYH0-6Z2_SSObK5RPIamRGql8CPiqS6nGE/s1600/DSC_0215.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress:</b> Effie's Heart | <b>Cardi:</b> Banana Republic | <b>Belt:</b> unknown | <b>Shoes:</b> <a href="https://www.fluevog.com/shop/4314-sam-cherry-blue-white" target="_blank">Fluevog Sam</a> (KKBB family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Btw, there are still some <a href="https://fortheloveofvogs.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/desert-fluereview-fall-2014-sale/" target="_blank">amazing shoes</a> from last season on sale. (I visited with Mae in early January.) It's totally worth checking them out at the same time as the new line. Get 'em before they're gone!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys</div>
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Hello there. :-) Happy holiday season. I wanted to make sure I posted one more time in 2014. Here's my Xmas day outfit, a couple of new favorite items in my closet.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ-_HY0j92vpRSAY5LCb4hxpCxN-btZgUtZHH437t16O-QApy2EwIIiXyiC1dWDU1tcGLaj2E5PdfCMcrbYbnDEUs3qONplOq8PpdEGPb6t7_qkwKtxKTtp48u2Fkn2vIcu911lfNk9E/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ-_HY0j92vpRSAY5LCb4hxpCxN-btZgUtZHH437t16O-QApy2EwIIiXyiC1dWDU1tcGLaj2E5PdfCMcrbYbnDEUs3qONplOq8PpdEGPb6t7_qkwKtxKTtp48u2Fkn2vIcu911lfNk9E/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress:</b> <a href="http://effiesheart.com/" target="_blank">Effie's Heart</a> | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Liz via <a href="http://www.raspberryheels.com/shop/produkty,en,all-new.html" target="_blank">Raspberry Heels</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzizAUC9fOm5_1-ueZ74SjH9q30HzfUJcs-4Ri3ngcRufIbNAkNmhpcbNHtkIkU2ozLUnwfoI8Xe3MKu_fKNdl8fzjcOp14jk6Kl4a96wkhzoqiIftTop5NpwwllEzbezxU0Pn1Q_JyU/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzizAUC9fOm5_1-ueZ74SjH9q30HzfUJcs-4Ri3ngcRufIbNAkNmhpcbNHtkIkU2ozLUnwfoI8Xe3MKu_fKNdl8fzjcOp14jk6Kl4a96wkhzoqiIftTop5NpwwllEzbezxU0Pn1Q_JyU/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabric of this lovely Effie's Heart dress is stretch knit and drapes wonderfully. I love how well-made it is. Plus pockets!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gg2F0FYOvsNgBWTfQvYtKgMFGZ_K99vDmH1gXnaMWWpsT7N02waa6lsuiZVH_-MzDqJtJbLsvJbBBpN7w6C2BumVCMGbvBrkYGBB41PUN-M_Wmq2GWR3sBEVqoSmN6lagJcboykYo4s/s1600/IMG_3271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gg2F0FYOvsNgBWTfQvYtKgMFGZ_K99vDmH1gXnaMWWpsT7N02waa6lsuiZVH_-MzDqJtJbLsvJbBBpN7w6C2BumVCMGbvBrkYGBB41PUN-M_Wmq2GWR3sBEVqoSmN6lagJcboykYo4s/s1600/IMG_3271.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these shoes. They're a limited-edition colorway that was only available at a store in Poland called Raspberry Heels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I know it's been a loooooong time since I last wrote something here. It's been a busy fall since I finished up school. Besides volunteering at my son's school and weekly yoga, I attempted NaNoWriMo in November and I interviewed to do adjunct teaching at the local community college -- I start in February! I'll be teaching three comp courses and am putting together the syllabi now.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiginm2Sv2KYa_LHCkV95uvZ5IOC_2IyqdWyiKmdO2_uBXaxLNxL032RTqQp1UcT7aDb5P3Dp0X1-ugcoEjhRk_icaMBtNTzYHFav-xGUF4LYXs31cQTEj-Ajf38GdN9fnAkBVmOHCTC6M/s1600/IMG_3262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiginm2Sv2KYa_LHCkV95uvZ5IOC_2IyqdWyiKmdO2_uBXaxLNxL032RTqQp1UcT7aDb5P3Dp0X1-ugcoEjhRk_icaMBtNTzYHFav-xGUF4LYXs31cQTEj-Ajf38GdN9fnAkBVmOHCTC6M/s1600/IMG_3262.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My siblings and siblings-in-law had an "ugly sweater" theme. Can't really see mine, but it's a Doctor Who sweater from <a href="http://www.teefury.com/" target="_blank">TeeFury</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The holidays have been more relaxed for us this year, which has been nice. Because frankly, I'm exhausted. I'm proud of all that I've accomplished this year, but it's been difficult in many ways, as anyone who's read or seen the news since the summer knows. I'm wishing you all a more peaceful, sane, just, compassionate, and happy new year.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqGOlzWieYLbyfWzdeyrNpic0YBq58gHI2j0a7yzVvUcSDvSU5ooLM3wCV4hEbyhD0qzfhEj5p4gbYSmbRGZqlS6ou_ddj-bGlSGdjmaBIfeROlxyoks5qZjdon66KzS4duVmw32igrU/s1600/IMG_3075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqGOlzWieYLbyfWzdeyrNpic0YBq58gHI2j0a7yzVvUcSDvSU5ooLM3wCV4hEbyhD0qzfhEj5p4gbYSmbRGZqlS6ou_ddj-bGlSGdjmaBIfeROlxyoks5qZjdon66KzS4duVmw32igrU/s1600/IMG_3075.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How silly is that title. But yay, I am done!!! I found out a couple of days ago that my dissertation was officially accepted by the university. I'm all but diploma at this point. I came back from my trip this past Tuesday, and since then I've been trying to catch up both on what I missed at home and on sleep. Still in a bit of a fog, to be honest (partly because I can't shake off the sleeping habits I acquired this summer, combined with having to wake up early to take my son to school), but I am definitely more relaxed than I was the past few months.</div>
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Getting the rest of the committee signatures last Monday was a nice experience. I had a lovely chat with two committee members. The last one was my other co-chair, and while waiting at the cafe for her I saw this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb3-Wu_MBDOSxp6rUWmyVuNnMkZNwAXkPkZpZANCCymr23kPW3xPeZTaDCtFAw0hrigOLYIy6B2K9sMJBaOA6QU05lWgJ_b4zMeaKhWeb_UHVDLfg0NNxd1ikaZMleLJnymnqwDURgmY/s1600/IMG_3076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb3-Wu_MBDOSxp6rUWmyVuNnMkZNwAXkPkZpZANCCymr23kPW3xPeZTaDCtFAw0hrigOLYIy6B2K9sMJBaOA6QU05lWgJ_b4zMeaKhWeb_UHVDLfg0NNxd1ikaZMleLJnymnqwDURgmY/s1600/IMG_3076.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Looks like the TARDIS has been moonlighting as a door somewhere, doesn't it? Haha. I thought it was pretty cool, seeing something like that while on a journey specifically seeking to become a doctor myself. ;-)</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Co-Chair and I spent quite a bit of time talking about how to turn the dissertation into a book. I was just following her lead ... that's the way she works, constantly thinking about the next step. It was flattering, I'll admit. She's not the easiest person to impress, and she was quite happy for me and called the project original. It was probably the best face-to-face meeting we'd ever had. I'm still not interested in getting a job as a professor and having to move away, but I'm considering applying for postdocs in the L.A. area. We'll see. Competition is incredibly fierce all around nowadays.</div>
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After that meeting, I had a fantastic dinner with Joanne and Dorothy -- both of whom are members of the <a href="http://fortheloveofvogs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">MotleyFlue </a>-- and we took these:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo-MBqPvq4jqX2CKQ7dynex1Fy07wi0pLoRxkQMUTRLxEXdEMB_zyxNpLb2-5Oh0U5jGzEgXTtl5Vzbp5XyLz1F3XJ_fjYIhScp-fXUt-Qwxa_xnv0PcrkLSd8Jw8NvnxTFonf2ldcww/s1600/IMG_3078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo-MBqPvq4jqX2CKQ7dynex1Fy07wi0pLoRxkQMUTRLxEXdEMB_zyxNpLb2-5Oh0U5jGzEgXTtl5Vzbp5XyLz1F3XJ_fjYIhScp-fXUt-Qwxa_xnv0PcrkLSd8Jw8NvnxTFonf2ldcww/s1600/IMG_3078.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_cBmllB5vgvKErnY_GKpxbiiWI1pZLBMhsJmYK31Qze-fAz2St_CNUhYiwnEsq4rWcf5_hIJDp9en6MhObMRiGm0kU5bfeHbA2IlwgCJZ1kOiFVnfE76ptrYR1zt8S-JqJPnCx-NSFs/s1600/IMG_3079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_cBmllB5vgvKErnY_GKpxbiiWI1pZLBMhsJmYK31Qze-fAz2St_CNUhYiwnEsq4rWcf5_hIJDp9en6MhObMRiGm0kU5bfeHbA2IlwgCJZ1kOiFVnfE76ptrYR1zt8S-JqJPnCx-NSFs/s1600/IMG_3079.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Of course we had to take the requisite Fluevog shot, courtesy of Dorothy. I wore my new burgundy/black/pink <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Fluevog-Womens-Sandra-Fuchsia/dp/B00FYL1YVE/" target="_blank">Sandras</a> and Joanne wore her blue <a href="https://www.fluevog.com/shop/3076-guide-blue" target="_blank">Guides</a> (which I also have). Our pose in the second photo is due to a private joke, but it actually turned out to be a good photo of us, which is hilarious since we were totally hamming it up! Anyway, I had such a fun time with these kickass women. (I have to say, I'm so blessed to be surrounded by amazing women in my life, from my friends to my all-women dissertation committee to my mom and sisters. I have some great men and boys in my life, too, but I definitely have close relationships with more women than men.)</div>
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Also, the food in the Bay Area is reliably excellent. That's one thing I miss about living there. If you ever get a chance, try Isla in San Bruno (yummy Filipino food) and Paisan in Berkeley (American). And the quality of the Thai food in San Francisco, even the small hole-in-the-wall places, is outstanding.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, I don't have anything big lined up for the fall, but I'll probably look into applying for postdocs. I also want to work on NaNoWriMo in November. I can't wait to go back to a very different genre of writing! Cheers!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCVvY1XVuipVrUIq3r4ApuKvDGThEqk07YDdIQoD9GpqLpETgCeTDELVTaTT9hjRz1YUO_JHIfQb80aNBjzPg5C0ZurQue1iSIBAB5pOA5pkiuYJcuvKvWUX5ByJisnXq6IME5PQTLDI/s1600/DSC_9060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCVvY1XVuipVrUIq3r4ApuKvDGThEqk07YDdIQoD9GpqLpETgCeTDELVTaTT9hjRz1YUO_JHIfQb80aNBjzPg5C0ZurQue1iSIBAB5pOA5pkiuYJcuvKvWUX5ByJisnXq6IME5PQTLDI/s1600/DSC_9060.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a blast with my funny boy during a hike at Yellowstone National Park in June</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I drove half the day to my university yesterday. I'm here on a mission: to get my committee's approval signatures for the dissertation and submit all paperwork to the graduate office. So far, two signatures down, two to go! I had a lovely long chat with one co-chair over coffee yesterday. Though I don't expect to go into academia, she suggested that I think about turning it into a book manuscript and publishing it at an academic press somewhere, and then offered some leads. (My reaction: Wow! Really?) Anyway, hopefully everything will be done by Tuesday. Cross your fingers that it all works out. It's still sinking in that I'm almost done. I'm really going to be a "Doctor" soon. Whoa....</div>
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Random but here are bonus photos of my outfit for a 1950s theme birthday party from <i>all the way back in May</i>. Man, I have been neglecting this blog.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaA10wljplZaI1mY3DstY1CgZJLLgAY2jk40r_YoB_Lp32OVwpZklMRJ_PDuWHn2QXTeTvIbCusJMMwvOOnYGyiWKkiSVdqQRZ_xkP2T11GN6o76RVoC25QlE7LdRXxbpj08A1_mLcJ0/s1600/DSC_8234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaA10wljplZaI1mY3DstY1CgZJLLgAY2jk40r_YoB_Lp32OVwpZklMRJ_PDuWHn2QXTeTvIbCusJMMwvOOnYGyiWKkiSVdqQRZ_xkP2T11GN6o76RVoC25QlE7LdRXxbpj08A1_mLcJ0/s1600/DSC_8234.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegEXaqJmG7vcdruA1Yf4qHxh_oNCMLX8SZl1K9vyyoAMEtpFEUG7n-7246i7j1FJV2DdwRb3cdIHDPcIA4GkqIM3nIMpDUFbXOWkz6ozG6Eqv7LSyorSubS4qAKEDWxCYC6eRvwo_FnE/s1600/DSC_8277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegEXaqJmG7vcdruA1Yf4qHxh_oNCMLX8SZl1K9vyyoAMEtpFEUG7n-7246i7j1FJV2DdwRb3cdIHDPcIA4GkqIM3nIMpDUFbXOWkz6ozG6Eqv7LSyorSubS4qAKEDWxCYC6eRvwo_FnE/s1600/DSC_8277.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress:</b> <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/ourdesigners/emily-and-fin" target="_blank">Emily and Fin</a> via ModCloth | <b>Socks:</b> Gold Toe (for girls) | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Danielson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The shoes are Fluevog of course (I showed them off on the blog <a href="http://desert-chic.blogspot.com/2013/06/fifties-inspired-fluevogs.html" target="_blank">last year</a>), and the dress is from ModCloth. Of course. When I find a winning combo, I tend to repeat it over and over. :-)</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-27295827581090561082014-07-30T06:43:00.000-07:002014-07-30T06:43:37.935-07:00Done! (Or as done as I can be atm)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://meter.writertopia.com/words=59158&target=60000&mood=7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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Just sent off the latest draft! which is hopefully the next-to-last draft! (Don't worry about my not hitting 60,000 words exactly; that was just an estimate anyway.)</div>
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I really wanted (<i>and expected</i>) to get this done 24 freaking hours ago. For some reason, I've been horrible at estimating how long the revising will take. (To be fair, I did add about 20 pages of new material in the last week and a half. That's the net number of new pages I ended up with. Who knows how much I deleted.) It took me ages to work on conclusions, and some sections just made me want to shut down my brain for the day. Which is sort of what I did, but in pieces. I'd take a look, tweak a sentence, maybe write a whole paragraph, then I'd walk away for a distraction -- 2048, Twitter, Facebook, Cumberbatch news, even TV and a movie. I don't think it was just lack of sleep that made me so distractible, although of course that probably contributed. I had to move around a lot, taking my laptop with me to the couch, to the countertop so I could stand while typing, to the dining table with the uncomfortable chairs, and back again. I even accidentally scraped my thigh (a little blood, even) without realizing it. I didn't figure it out until it started stinging from sweat (yeah, it's kinda hot over here this summer).</div>
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Anyway, long story short, this was the weirdest writing session I've ever had. Stupidly, I made plans for this morning, while all I want to do is sleep. It's not worth canceling, though, since my son will probably be awake in a couple of hours anyway. Well, at least I can get those couple of hours. Nighty-night! *yawn*</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-2324258675029242712014-07-29T02:29:00.004-07:002014-07-29T02:34:39.157-07:00Slowly but Surely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://meter.writertopia.com/words=57875&target=60000&mood=5" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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So I'm reading what I wrote in my last chapter to see what needs revision, and I'm a little disturbed that I don't remember writing parts of it. I mean, it's the chapter I wrote <a href="http://desert-chic.blogspot.com/2014/06/full-draft-of-dissertation-done.html" target="_blank">most recently</a>, not quite two months ago, so you'd think my memory of it would be better. At least it isn't bad writing. But man, I must have been half asleep when I was trying to finish it. Or maybe what's happening here is that, feeling brain-dead the way I have been for several weeks now, I'm shocked that I was so articulate just a few weeks earlier.</div>
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Anyway, still slowly chipping away at it. Not sure if I'll finish before noon today but at least I don't have to edit much more. I <i>should</i> be done sometime today. I've decided to be zen about the rest of it and not stress (too much) about all of the little things I can't get to. As I've been told, "a good dissertation is a done dissertation."</div>
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I managed to get half an hour of sleep earlier, but surprisingly I'm not feeling like a total zombie ... yet. My dear friend E offered to babysit my son for quite a few hours (no mean feat since she's got three of her own), which was super helpful. I'm deeply thankful for my family and friends who are being so generous with babysitting and so supportive of me. I couldn't do this without them, and that's a fact.</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-51195541423349733912014-07-28T07:29:00.005-07:002014-07-28T07:29:57.908-07:00Still at It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://meter.writertopia.com/words=57045&target=60000&mood=6" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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Not gonna lie. There should be a cartoon writer with tears and maybe sweat streaming, pouring down its face. I'm not really crying (only a little bit), but it's almost outrageous how long this is taking. I honestly thought the draft I had to revise was basically finished. Either I was wrong or my brain is really slow this month. Maybe both.</div>
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So I had promised to get this latest draft in to my advisers by today or tomorrow. Well, today sure as hell ain't happening (I haven't slept), and tomorrow is iffy because of how long each chapter is taking to revise. Not quite done with the third chapter and I still have one more chapter to go, which is the one that needs the most help. Plus I have to finish the introduction, conclusion, and acknowledgments (which is arguably one of the hardest things to write). Argh. Argh argh argh.</div>
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Anyway, sorry to keep complaining about this project, but it honestly helps to write these quick missives. I get some of the whine out of my system and I'm a little freer to go back to the dissertation with an open mind.</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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Wait, that's not all: I need more sleep.<br />
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Also, revising is evil. Thank you, that is all.<br />
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<img src="http://meter.writertopia.com/words=55751&target=60000&mood=3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-17670035582621943302014-07-25T01:49:00.002-07:002014-07-25T03:22:23.015-07:00At Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gladys working on her dissertation"<br />
Fun progress meter found <a href="http://www.writertopia.com/toolbox" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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Argh. I honestly wanted to come back here and share photos of my Yellowstone vacation with you. I still might, eventually. But that post (which requires me to spend a chunk of time editing the photos) has to give way to finishing my dissertation, which is due very, very soon.</div>
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The dissertation is almost finished, but I'm at that point where I'm so close to yet too far from being done. That's me above right now, freaking out over how to wrangle this thing that is, yes, metaphorically sticking its tongue out at me. I sent away my husband and son to Legoland for today and tomorrow, but I've seriously wasted the day doing chores and getting on the Internet (damn you, Benedict Cumberbatch, why are you always doing something in front of cameras <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfY2q_cQtzw" target="_blank">looking shockingly gorgeous</a> like a real-life Michelangelo sculpture!). I have so many ideas and notes that I have to incorporate, but I haven't been able to bring myself to go through this damn thing again. Though it's not as long as many dissertations I've seen, my brain is no longer in shape so I get tired quickly these days (okay, I'm just getting old). I want to honor the feedback I was generously given by a fantastic group of readers, including my committee members who are the ones that need to sign off on the thesis, but at the same time I just want to be DONE. Feel me?</div>
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Anxiously yours,</div>
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Gladys</div>
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{On a more serious, somber note, I've been following the horrific events in Gaza. With the world training its eyes on the killing and maiming and terrorizing of children, women, and men under occupation in that part of the world, I can't help but think of the connections with my own work right now. Although my project looks at American colonialism in the Philippines in the early 20th century, empire and militarism look similar everywhere, anytime.}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9Q-fntM9Sp52HNmKGwFc8XxKnAwSQA2sRV7A5jzUSV88emFcnLfN5HeiNrBshdrYXVEC1Hy-pWmvKgjVT_91r2hTglWGOzvYIHaLiJbP2swMdL0PSJ1rbMNgfcFlxBLJzNDcdlI1Y_M/s1600/Happy_Sherlock_by_holodeck_shepard.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9Q-fntM9Sp52HNmKGwFc8XxKnAwSQA2sRV7A5jzUSV88emFcnLfN5HeiNrBshdrYXVEC1Hy-pWmvKgjVT_91r2hTglWGOzvYIHaLiJbP2swMdL0PSJ1rbMNgfcFlxBLJzNDcdlI1Y_M/s1600/Happy_Sherlock_by_holodeck_shepard.gif" /></a></div>
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Just wanted to share that I officially got the green light from my dissertation committee to revise and file by summer's end! Omg you don't know what a relief that is. It's also exciting. I AM ALMOST DONE WITH THIS! Plus it's quite validating personally. I'd forgotten that I'm actually good at doing certain things, which gave me pleasure, a long time ago, before settling down and having a kid. And more importantly, it's also a reminder that these things -- raising a child and pursuing my love of writing/researching -- don't have to be mutually exclusive.... Of course, I knew that in theory, but not necessarily in practice.</div>
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Again, this is not an academic blog; I'm just journaling (part of) the journey. And if you're like me, you probably like to know how things end.</div>
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(BTW, currently finishing up the <i>Hunger Games</i> trilogy, in preparation for watching the second film in the franchise. Almost done with the last book, which I find the most interesting so far. Most of the people in my life like the last book the least, but then, I'm fascinated by politics.)</div>
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More to come soon on how my June went. I'm still editing vacation photos. Happy last night of June.</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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P.S. This also happened in June! Not as exciting as getting my dissertation green-lighted, but definitely a highlight. LOLNERD</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJxgvJqLfu9h2fTXaarhCUU103mG0mcAq2lcc4mOdvIEH49JCzJOYnsCp-yvO-FcrKQCndbX4CDtxMEAO-D6d0AVaojMOHo3FIKl4FJMr7DxzxahCEaVuT12zcrXb5-7MDZv1MuMbstw/s1600/IMG_2959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJxgvJqLfu9h2fTXaarhCUU103mG0mcAq2lcc4mOdvIEH49JCzJOYnsCp-yvO-FcrKQCndbX4CDtxMEAO-D6d0AVaojMOHo3FIKl4FJMr7DxzxahCEaVuT12zcrXb5-7MDZv1MuMbstw/s1600/IMG_2959.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here's another <a href="http://www.wordle.net/" target="_blank">Wordle</a> to celebrate another finished chapter! I confess, it's not as good as the last one I finished (it's also quite a bit shorter). BUT it is the last chapter ... which means that I officially have a full draft of my dissertation! It's kind of a milestone for me. I hope this means I'll get the green light to finish my degree in the next two months, but seriously, even if my advisers think I need a few more months to polish it up, I still have a book-length manuscript under my belt. (Wow, I just reread that sentence and it boggled my mind.) That's a first time for me. Basically, now I <i>know</i> I can finish that novel. (<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> 2014, here I come!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojS-Au1-5ihCD_Q9c4Ae4OatcKXINP2TM44V3hKJsBYakt93MA2LvU94B4PmHlxlRVu04V8xAKMrAncrPHlmlvAlIuaBWv1dtWfe45OpfBWKggR10ZN0T-xZooiKyrzNJeOeJL3xkcmo/s1600/Ch4Wordle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojS-Au1-5ihCD_Q9c4Ae4OatcKXINP2TM44V3hKJsBYakt93MA2LvU94B4PmHlxlRVu04V8xAKMrAncrPHlmlvAlIuaBWv1dtWfe45OpfBWKggR10ZN0T-xZooiKyrzNJeOeJL3xkcmo/s1600/Ch4Wordle.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Here's something else I wanted to share that I'm kinda proud of *_*:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivffu8R_HkO-4rQaCd3NkHaP3kx3NxpXpQfd3VnHEZ7ubjPsiiwRYPyUgeUNxmkuxwHczdBkTVRQkVUVbDJZzGpasMOjhdlLRtgYnJv9HVd8EH3PVKwafb_eob0G-iKrwlzn9NhdmzAI/s1600/2048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivffu8R_HkO-4rQaCd3NkHaP3kx3NxpXpQfd3VnHEZ7ubjPsiiwRYPyUgeUNxmkuxwHczdBkTVRQkVUVbDJZzGpasMOjhdlLRtgYnJv9HVd8EH3PVKwafb_eob0G-iKrwlzn9NhdmzAI/s1600/2048.jpg" /></a></div>
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I managed this about four days ago while I was on a break from writing (oh, all right, while I was procrastinating). I may or may not have gotten so excited that I started whooping and yelling around the house. I've only broken 2048 the one time but ever since then I've gotten close almost every time. Weird how that works. <a href="http://gabrielecirulli.github.io/2048/" target="_blank">2048</a> is such an addictive game. My brain likes it very much. The person who invented it is a genius. Oh, and there's also a <a href="http://games.usvsth3m.com/2048/benedict-cumberbatch-vs-otters-edition/" target="_blank">Benedict Cumberbatch + otters version</a>, but I'm always so distracted by the photos that I can't do a very good job.... ;-)<br />
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ETA: Here's a <a href="http://games.usvsth3m.com/2048/super-benedict-cumberbatch--edition/" target="_blank">better 2048</a> with BC. I love the otters but this one has GIFs!</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-302989835112673912014-05-29T18:36:00.000-07:002014-05-29T18:36:29.457-07:00ModCloth Uniquely You: London Summer<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/london_summer/set?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=123414389" target="_blank"><img alt="London Summer" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/C9BKgURX6xMPDwOIfAaTQA/cid/123414389/id/rPuoyRjn4xGAvdEUyxbmZA/size/c600x555.jpg" force="1" height="555" title="London Summer" width="600" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/london_summer/set?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=123414389" target="_blank">London Summer</a> by <a href="http://gladysn.polyvore.com/?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger" target="_blank">gladysn</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/oxford_shoes/shop?query=oxford+shoes" target="_blank">oxford shoes</a></small></div>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=90757273" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/90757273.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Navy sleeveless dress" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=54969603" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/54969603.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Mink Pink v neck shirt" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=109473110" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/109473110.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Mint pumps" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=77742079" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/77742079.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Oxford shoes" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=78396933" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/78396933.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Oxford shoes" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=103694444" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/103694444.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Mint green handbag" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=47660507" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47660507.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Snap closure wallet" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2396409&.svc=blogger&id=88780771" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/88780771.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Print umbrella" vspace="4" width="50" /></a></div>
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Today I'm excited to share my style board for <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/" target="_blank">ModCloth</a>'s Uniquely You Campaign! When <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/modstylists" target="_blank">ModStylist Amy</a> contacted me about their campaign, I was thrilled but also a little nervous. I hadn't put together a style board in loooooong time. But seriously, I shouldn't have been anxious in any way. It's crazy fun to put together outfits especially when you've got the whole of their collection to choose from. And I definitely could have made boards for many of their other dresses, like <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/literary-connoisseur-dress?new_pdp_layout=true" target="_blank">this one</a> or <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/moonlight-market-dress?new_pdp_layout=true" target="_blank">this one</a> or <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/indie-darling-dress-in-navy?new_pdp_layout=true" target="_blank">this one</a> or <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/ain-t-we-haute-fun-dress-in-kaleidoscope?new_pdp_layout=true" target="_blank">this one</a> ... there are <i>plenty</i> more on my Wishlist over there. (You all know how much I love ModCloth, right?? Half my wardrobe comes from them!)</div>
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But I have to say, given my current obsession with blue and my forever-love of green, this particular dress, <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/work-to-play-dress-in-navy?new_pdp_layout=true" target="_blank">Work to Play</a>, was perfect for me. The mint green and navy combo on this dress is killer. I was thinking about where I'd love to wear it this season when all of a sudden, I had an image of me on a gorgeous summer day in London, taking in the sights and having some tea and scones in the afternoon. It's a total fantasy, of course; I've never been to London. But 1) visiting there has been on my bucket list forever (English major in the house) and 2) I've been watching <i><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=sherlock&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS571US583&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=KeCHU8P1ENesyASXxoCQCg&ved=0CN0BEIke&biw=1349&bih=783" target="_blank">Sherlock</a></i> over and over and although I know they actually shoot it in Wales, the show tricks me into thinking about London. Haha!</div>
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I know there are two pairs of shoes up there, but I couldn't resist giving myself a couple of options (I'd definitely have at least two pairs of shoes in my luggage). The dress is called Work to Play, after all. Both styles would be super cute with the dress, maybe one for walking around town and the other for a nice dinner out. Then of course I had to include the dainty mint purse and adorable owl pocketbook, just to play up that Peter Pan collar. And given that it's London weather, I added the cardigan and the umbrella, for the just-in-case. Et voila, the London Summer style board was born!</div>
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This was lots of fun. Thanks for asking me to take part in the campaign, ModCloth and Amy!</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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P.S. Fantastic image of London borrowed from <a href="http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/about-us/news/2013/07/london-summer/" target="_blank">Hull Trains</a> in the UK. Also, I wasn't compensated for taking part in this campaign.</div>
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OK, this is not an academic blog, but I'm so relieved to be done that I'm posting a Wordle of my chapter! I always do one of these <a href="http://www.wordle.net/" target="_blank">Wordle</a> things when I finish a chapter. Over 14,000 words, baby!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnfwDza6HLFmL3deYU-Ckp0dBibcIfAJtWjQX-PABQjPjPzyXLu8pJFHtR9EB7cP2LaWKGA15Inde0kAjycvesejn5hEjQVYTl6aFS5CkQL6KuRHD-DDM9rJiGU7eeIUQc3k3-8qPsKg/s1600/Ch1Wordle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnfwDza6HLFmL3deYU-Ckp0dBibcIfAJtWjQX-PABQjPjPzyXLu8pJFHtR9EB7cP2LaWKGA15Inde0kAjycvesejn5hEjQVYTl6aFS5CkQL6KuRHD-DDM9rJiGU7eeIUQc3k3-8qPsKg/s1600/Ch1Wordle.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Oh, and you know what today is, right? May 4 ... Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you. (As it was with me, I suppose. Yay for being done! Though it almost burst my bubble when I realized that the last time I did one of these was YEARS ago. Yikes. But hey, I'll let it roll off my back. On to the next -- and last -- chapter ... after some rest and relaxation, that is. I need more sleep!)</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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So, I'm still struggling to finish the same dissertation chapter I talked about last time. But I'm getting so grumpy from lack of sleep that I thought I'd take a break to post here and fondly remember some recent events. My dear friend M and I had a ladies day out last weekend to celebrate my birthday. We went to the gorgeous <a href="http://www.huntington.org/" target="_blank">Huntington Library and Gardens</a> and of course we dressed up. It turned out to be perfect weather, and really the whole day and evening were fantastic. What a gift.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37qkp-82vSlpu5-J_lhbsmzJKjS67kqyRAM3FPZrf2MgskaGNcri_OUjIg69CJVVPm-wuXN_RG2eosmvYTCERXvzjj5x2wO6GUnkADpj9WxLLgkyhmX4rJr9aQbG4ag9WPV2ErrtiRWM/s1600/DSC_8026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37qkp-82vSlpu5-J_lhbsmzJKjS67kqyRAM3FPZrf2MgskaGNcri_OUjIg69CJVVPm-wuXN_RG2eosmvYTCERXvzjj5x2wO6GUnkADpj9WxLLgkyhmX4rJr9aQbG4ag9WPV2ErrtiRWM/s1600/DSC_8026.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress and sash:</b> <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/ourdesigners/tulle-clothing" target="_blank">Tulle via Modcloth</a> | <b>Cardi:</b> Banana Republic | <b>Leggings:</b> ? | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Erika (<a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w[0]=search%3Aerika&pp=1&view=detail&p=1&colourID=2751" target="_blank">different colorways available</a>)<br />
M is also wearing a Modcloth/Fluevog combo. Her boots (compliment-magnets, I tell you) are still available (<a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w[0]=search%3Aoperetta&pp=1&view=detail&p=6&colourID=2371" target="_blank">Bartoli in red</a>).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB4_K4IrUcWErIbMaLRnxf8P3rJThPhp3Ql4uLmgEyc-5DORv1Wsc22MKlt8bezdiTOENPlqx8rnVtfwPL90-Ve_3u_FdcxrwNqncIO5Rfwf_WgO34NqlUVT_fDgfgeak0AtcExgM1uE/s1600/DSC_8001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB4_K4IrUcWErIbMaLRnxf8P3rJThPhp3Ql4uLmgEyc-5DORv1Wsc22MKlt8bezdiTOENPlqx8rnVtfwPL90-Ve_3u_FdcxrwNqncIO5Rfwf_WgO34NqlUVT_fDgfgeak0AtcExgM1uE/s1600/DSC_8001.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dress without cardi or sash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TSldvVQoA_Jr9R2m_iSn9DZGwdGhcZORAthXOHktbH3VIajdGLFFXt_Gp-71OhPtbxqOdpDmC20A4MzX8JouPwhHqQW2trlIPGkfbjw3UinTMMq4FzMnfFFw7TkzqzKV7X663fcUcoY/s1600/DSC_8023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TSldvVQoA_Jr9R2m_iSn9DZGwdGhcZORAthXOHktbH3VIajdGLFFXt_Gp-71OhPtbxqOdpDmC20A4MzX8JouPwhHqQW2trlIPGkfbjw3UinTMMq4FzMnfFFw7TkzqzKV7X663fcUcoY/s1600/DSC_8023.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With cardi but no sash</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09nJHGpLU-aGGwFaoVZjmUyMYGUVl2WSWJTqKLv0pse1HRxYyohQec0Ler-hchRC1BP2gcX6s5Mgn9Mrweu3EkYjVA5LkHpYIhu8mBx9LNm8vcvA9B-g5FaAg65RNn3wzkZN5MBrcePY/s1600/DSC_8041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09nJHGpLU-aGGwFaoVZjmUyMYGUVl2WSWJTqKLv0pse1HRxYyohQec0Ler-hchRC1BP2gcX6s5Mgn9Mrweu3EkYjVA5LkHpYIhu8mBx9LNm8vcvA9B-g5FaAg65RNn3wzkZN5MBrcePY/s1600/DSC_8041.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying for fierce expressions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P9a-iaTkrOqo2HkainTmQ5i41RZ0oIViBrXsLSXtAFy5a7N4TG3Vg0p6JItjMndlx7hDfHhYwQjol7xMWiywhj_xJc6Z3Gx4tSzwQpInyOERSPEpBP6TyoS4Z3daBinovlhnL2kYSS0/s1600/DSC_8015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P9a-iaTkrOqo2HkainTmQ5i41RZ0oIViBrXsLSXtAFy5a7N4TG3Vg0p6JItjMndlx7hDfHhYwQjol7xMWiywhj_xJc6Z3Gx4tSzwQpInyOERSPEpBP6TyoS4Z3daBinovlhnL2kYSS0/s1600/DSC_8015.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of <a href="http://desert-chic.blogspot.com/2014/04/pretty-new-glasses.html" target="_blank">my new glasses</a>. This is my usual expression when I look at people/cameras.</td></tr>
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We enjoyed ourselves at the Huntington, as expected. We loved walking around the place in our pretty dresses and even better-looking and comfy shoes. Our favorite thing was seeing the mind-blowing <a href="http://huntington.org/secretsofarchimedes/" target="_blank">Archimedes manuscript exhibit</a>. Archivists and restorers are hardcore. Seriously.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XyOCbELmoFx4FJuUcNL80PFsnXdxMMD8ii5zHf9hOICP3YWBFxzS_KI04RD8a-ht5SjXM4Ol4OIH4XiqX6OCDkRdLiIz3UQse2WZS2R0QprD4xDcqxIEIbyVygA_mKnKfBsJA_64qqE/s1600/IMG_2859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XyOCbELmoFx4FJuUcNL80PFsnXdxMMD8ii5zHf9hOICP3YWBFxzS_KI04RD8a-ht5SjXM4Ol4OIH4XiqX6OCDkRdLiIz3UQse2WZS2R0QprD4xDcqxIEIbyVygA_mKnKfBsJA_64qqE/s1600/IMG_2859.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Of course we had to eat somewhere special, so we went to the famous soup dumpling restaurant, <a href="http://dintaifungusa.com/menu_la.html" target="_blank">Din Tai Fung</a>, in Arcadia, just a few miles away from the Huntington. If you've never been and you love delicious fresh Chinese food <i>and</i> you live in SoCal or are visiting, I highly recommend it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTXviE07LE61fz6WXLPF_pAeV4SWvDShwn6htlMc0ELesAyQfc3_OvpCOx3DXEKTzDV77uSlhSW_qF2zCPhVPRi65KyGUPiQeUd_HuJ3_urZYE6ETw1mbQA-O2pQbnwix1_pLnM7he68/s1600/IMG_2861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTXviE07LE61fz6WXLPF_pAeV4SWvDShwn6htlMc0ELesAyQfc3_OvpCOx3DXEKTzDV77uSlhSW_qF2zCPhVPRi65KyGUPiQeUd_HuJ3_urZYE6ETw1mbQA-O2pQbnwix1_pLnM7he68/s1600/IMG_2861.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Then of course we got dessert, despite being already stuffed. These were from J.J.'s in the same plaza as the restaurant.</div>
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Then, what do you know, in the same plaza we found a cute little clothing store. Their markups were unfortunately too much. We tried on a couple of things anyway, including these adorable rompers that caught our eye from the window. They're certainly well-made and of good fabric, but much too expensive (at least for us -- does $140 for a romper sound reasonable to you?).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZnCQAc8z5W2jDmC-9_u-o48tJjNzK0h4w5cGSEOZ1d_d4XnX-mNN56XxtPTRpjYpum_j9ZgFwl67koSVx663VhBEn8at8BQE39ndNSV0HXtIDHlhAQ3ewqGV9xH9zqS1n-1XfEgaU6s/s1600/IMG_2866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZnCQAc8z5W2jDmC-9_u-o48tJjNzK0h4w5cGSEOZ1d_d4XnX-mNN56XxtPTRpjYpum_j9ZgFwl67koSVx663VhBEn8at8BQE39ndNSV0HXtIDHlhAQ3ewqGV9xH9zqS1n-1XfEgaU6s/s1600/IMG_2866.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH0Pp46h0p3VaWd-EhOoRTHzceEDSoKnzBy-AYvD_4H7rHoB9hpEgqTuCQIFq0ZlC-3g4QS8qbvm1AbNxeRTfCE5hYXQzLhgtU0EdlKb8of2bdNdCEowJxi5YRZbmQZHtrGUdBNVHviE/s1600/IMG_2863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH0Pp46h0p3VaWd-EhOoRTHzceEDSoKnzBy-AYvD_4H7rHoB9hpEgqTuCQIFq0ZlC-3g4QS8qbvm1AbNxeRTfCE5hYXQzLhgtU0EdlKb8of2bdNdCEowJxi5YRZbmQZHtrGUdBNVHviE/s1600/IMG_2863.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Special thanks to dear M for making my birthday special this year! Oh, and thanks also for drawing this for me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpBzqvx0sRRdi7Cm_cmmw8ED73jXE9PWB8kJj-w2kDDwe5bqST1LZezX5Z0TCm4zwOBh0xOMkf2V21QZPtk8s6V5KXrtpe_glTcC9gTOdUv-BhCbuWqb9G67WwGjN4eSi06gJyaVAT88/s1600/IMG_2852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpBzqvx0sRRdi7Cm_cmmw8ED73jXE9PWB8kJj-w2kDDwe5bqST1LZezX5Z0TCm4zwOBh0xOMkf2V21QZPtk8s6V5KXrtpe_glTcC9gTOdUv-BhCbuWqb9G67WwGjN4eSi06gJyaVAT88/s1600/IMG_2852.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Can you guess who it is? Ah, she knows me so well. Hee hee! #Cumberfangirl</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-4558295253273793522014-04-29T01:40:00.002-07:002014-05-01T00:23:48.008-07:00Pretty, New Glasses<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been meaning to post for a couple of weeks now, but I'm seriously way past a deadline. Trying super hard to finish a dissertation chapter in time to get it to my advisers before the end of the spring semester. I'm thisclose yet still have more to do. I'm only close to finishing because I have pulled back from my workout schedule the past few weeks -- I bruised a rib on my left side (probably from coughing due to allergies, yikes!! and ouch!!) so I've had to take it easy and just stay home. Sad to have missed yoga for two weeks! Anyway, I also managed to deny myself the pleasure of blogging (but not unfortunately the procrastinative pleasure of following Benedict Cumberbatch via his fans on Twitter and Tumblr, argh) just so I could keep working on the chapter. I hope to be done in the next couple of days. <i>Oh please oh please.</i></div>
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Anyway, I'll have to be brief here. Just a few photos featuring my gorgeous new glasses (Tiffany & Co!) to which I treated myself for my birthday this month. They're navy, and they have bling. I haven't had new frames in almost six years so I was way overdue. And yeah, I splurged. I didn't buy these because of the brand, but because they turned out to be the most flattering for my face shape. Of the eight pairs of blue frames I tried on (yes, they HAD to be blue), I thought these looked the best on me. Received compliments from the get-go. My SIL says she likes them because they show off more of my face, particularly my eyes. (And yeah, looking at recent photos with my old glasses, my eyes do look a little smaller, or like my face is obstructed by the old frames.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiFnmuzMXNy6r1OaMtqTfmmifvPPDtc7ORLqj4WYo08FiMQZzkKZLhvUdONVmgwgrgSVe8Ay6HZXiOM8ibnfN4oerx5cUVHWyXiQk6SimWCdtTjmIgjcxdqO48uhW0CNYUV40ji_pezM/s1600/DSC_7783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiFnmuzMXNy6r1OaMtqTfmmifvPPDtc7ORLqj4WYo08FiMQZzkKZLhvUdONVmgwgrgSVe8Ay6HZXiOM8ibnfN4oerx5cUVHWyXiQk6SimWCdtTjmIgjcxdqO48uhW0CNYUV40ji_pezM/s1600/DSC_7783.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Here's a closeup. Aren't they pretty!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMvSt-t4XynssqFIUi_2279BQZ8yktD42y-PFPVYetjeF_mA3Qo9noHH1ZhcQnqmgIBQv4VAvpCBqEllmO9if1-cNl8b6Q3R-HeQ98BfutIjfGzOgWf3wqNn1becJ2p23MeqcHNoVbbY/s1600/DSC_7774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMvSt-t4XynssqFIUi_2279BQZ8yktD42y-PFPVYetjeF_mA3Qo9noHH1ZhcQnqmgIBQv4VAvpCBqEllmO9if1-cNl8b6Q3R-HeQ98BfutIjfGzOgWf3wqNn1becJ2p23MeqcHNoVbbY/s1600/DSC_7774.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress:</b> Ya Los Angeles via ModCloth | <b>Sweater:</b> Urban Outfitters | <b>Tights:</b> Foot Traffic via Sockdreams | <b>Shoes:</b> Fluevog Jen via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Fluevog-Womens-Jen-Flat/dp/B00CE8XADK/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
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This is a terrible photo taken of an outfit that was actually much cuter in person. Wore it for two parties one Saturday earlier this month. I was inspired to put it together because of the color of my glasses. But the lighting was bad at the time (sun too bright) so you can't see much detail, including how utterly adorable the shoes are!, and my hair was messed up completely by the wind (wind is the enemy here in the high desert).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTIyq7f3BRMc5XFFy0SzBE077wSPcu_lY4uDPoiHAoHZJn6dkMCUL0F-XsuiBGGRdFBZ9AQeUi-l7bCdMdecevAATXk3MAThuOrOasslPVfF7XH2zCdQn7XZKBuKBJSJwmMGi2PPbS7o/s1600/DSC_7815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTIyq7f3BRMc5XFFy0SzBE077wSPcu_lY4uDPoiHAoHZJn6dkMCUL0F-XsuiBGGRdFBZ9AQeUi-l7bCdMdecevAATXk3MAThuOrOasslPVfF7XH2zCdQn7XZKBuKBJSJwmMGi2PPbS7o/s1600/DSC_7815.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Here's a better photo of me with calm hair and wearing my new glasses, at my family birthday lunch. Also, I love this photo with me and my guys; we don't get to do a lot of family photos, just the three of us. Thanks to my brother for taking the pic.</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." style="border: 0" /></a></div>Gladyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540319829532553025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9001929798198134717.post-4858823386546228092014-04-11T21:17:00.000-07:002014-04-13T23:44:56.049-07:00Super Liz on a Night out<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, hi there. Yes, I'm still around. (A theme seems to be emerging around here ... hopefully it won't continue.) I almost can't believe that the last time I posted was in late January, but to be fair it's been a busy couple of months. There were lots of birthday parties to attend, including my son's 6th birthday for which we threw two parties (one was just for family), and almost every weekend since the start of February has been taken up. I'm still volunteering at my son's kindergarten class; I've added to my weekly workout schedule -- one hour of yoga, one hour walking, and at least an hour of Zumba; also, and this is big, I'm back to working on my dissertation, yay!</div>
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Sure, I've been on the computer and online as per my usual, but the only thing I can think of that happened back in January that may have had something to do with the last two months of radio silence here was the airing of <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/features/news/sherlock-season-3-premieres-jan-19-2014/" target="_blank"><i>Sherlock</i></a>'s Season 3 on PBS -- after which I became slightly obsessed with the show and the actor who plays Sherlock, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Cumberbatch" target="_blank">Benedict Cumberbatch</a>. I'd been a fan of the show since I saw the first two seasons on Netflix in late 2012 or early 2013. But then <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/" target="_blank"><i>Star Trek into Darkness</i></a> happened. And, um, <a href="http://cumberbum.tumblr.com/post/80766137890/an-edit-a-day-benedict-cumberbatch-240" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/03/benedict-cumberbatch-gq_n_4536003.html" target="_blank">this</a>, and <a href="http://bertilakslady.tumblr.com/post/82309259867/junejuly15" target="_blank">this</a>. Also, his voice should be illegal, especially when it's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdphtMWjies" target="_blank">speaking poetry</a> or narrating over the purrs of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=benedict+cumberbatch+jaguar" target="_blank">Jaguar</a> engines. But what really clinched it was watching his interviews on YouTube (try <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkwd5yaBqN4" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz5MC70kWgI" target="_blank">2</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izAcS9lal9s" target="_blank">3</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtYZ3dJcx8U" target="_blank">4</a>), and I loved <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/sherlock-star-benedict-cumberbatch-being-680622" target="_blank">this really long interview</a> that's not on YouTube. I have had crushes on the smartest boys in class since I was a little kid, and that man is intelligent and eloquent as all get out, even in silly interviews. He's also wonderfully humble. Then he tempers the effect with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRyx9sWv3IM" target="_blank">some goofiness here and there</a> so you know he's just a smart, normal guy with nerdy tendencies. Come on, I'm <a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sapiosexual" target="_blank">sapiosexual</a>. So maybe you can understand why I've spent whatever time online I have on that? As I can attest, it's the perfect way to procrastinate! :-)</div>
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BUT ANYWAY. Hope you're having a happy spring so far! I thought I'd break my radio silence by posting a recent "photo shoot" of me dressed up for a ladies' night out.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdL_WFWpGO-c1I0dgWnzcqzvEPWH3j0fwwojvNfeoutbfQOyXnpI8pEPU58LxjJGvwetscloHzNUMhVLoyGI3X_xvxcWMeSwI_og3hXiuz8pjQMxyACl5bO35xGEuiRYqCuP7kpgk2Y4/s1600/DSC_7765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdL_WFWpGO-c1I0dgWnzcqzvEPWH3j0fwwojvNfeoutbfQOyXnpI8pEPU58LxjJGvwetscloHzNUMhVLoyGI3X_xvxcWMeSwI_og3hXiuz8pjQMxyACl5bO35xGEuiRYqCuP7kpgk2Y4/s1600/DSC_7765.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top:</b> Vivace via Amazon | <b>Jeans:</b> Ann Taylor LOFT | <b>Shoes:</b> <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w[0]=search%3Aliz&pp=1&view=detail&p=2&colourID=3682" target="_blank">Fluevog Liz</a> (Kitschy Kitschy Boom Boom family)</td></tr>
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I'm trying something new, posing like this. I want to branch out from my usual tilted-head, hand-on-hip, and big-smile poses, which I have to admit works most of the time (and yeah, see below). I thought I'd do something superhero-ish for a bit -- Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Storm, take your pick. The extra two inches from these delicious heels made my legs look a tad more lithe and long, if I do say so myself, and I thought that deserved a superhero pose. Super Liz! Love them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZJ0iV08CWcE4Wr6ymcxKV76pgaYJ0AXH3YUePIpw1p4238wX3ziujdS-J7NL9uDzAQg2u-s9lvSgdt5Kju0YPlMvE-GkZibWbaBKrMu3GxU2mkrBxVCXEcKHN40hGNraLvovZ1_euQY/s1600/DSC_7733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZJ0iV08CWcE4Wr6ymcxKV76pgaYJ0AXH3YUePIpw1p4238wX3ziujdS-J7NL9uDzAQg2u-s9lvSgdt5Kju0YPlMvE-GkZibWbaBKrMu3GxU2mkrBxVCXEcKHN40hGNraLvovZ1_euQY/s1600/DSC_7733.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCwTu_v39xxJJl4B0_6BElqqAtc3C9f778U-w5UDILi2qUw-vODj-mTAzvT4DSUPsdnJfJWnnlJ6qPteRShvyMY3jU9mpe4f0IRpP9tOe8cFvPO1Xc1ao4a0eCNGSq8XQD_u86c2HIeg/s1600/DSC_7719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCwTu_v39xxJJl4B0_6BElqqAtc3C9f778U-w5UDILi2qUw-vODj-mTAzvT4DSUPsdnJfJWnnlJ6qPteRShvyMY3jU9mpe4f0IRpP9tOe8cFvPO1Xc1ao4a0eCNGSq8XQD_u86c2HIeg/s1600/DSC_7719.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2D5vPJV_PeNWOVu_PBZBWJAAZ7AEvUE4LKd5inSer2x6CHBTxjLdRPJo7gSXhMAf39ivmb1VgRSINxA2xcGR04mRnhSSm__vkdQI9Mu9xlyjIWkP9lFlZPBfVKW1B_VkSuV2bOlhZs4/s1600/DSC_7749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2D5vPJV_PeNWOVu_PBZBWJAAZ7AEvUE4LKd5inSer2x6CHBTxjLdRPJo7gSXhMAf39ivmb1VgRSINxA2xcGR04mRnhSSm__vkdQI9Mu9xlyjIWkP9lFlZPBfVKW1B_VkSuV2bOlhZs4/s1600/DSC_7749.jpg" width="690" /></a></div>
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Comfy and beautiful Liz heels. Great for dancing; I just wish we had better clubs in this town! Or at least clubs where my friends and I didn't feel too old, and grossed out by some of the things people do when they're drunk and, um, libidinous. My friends and I are now determined to have some summer nights of dancing together to our favorite music. E is planning to rent a dance floor for some family parties, so we'll have at least a couple of weekends to make it happen.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiosVhKtKojBQyxhoFq7qFfl0S-0ukcdIxJyyVexDw-hWI83uJcDGSKgKURztNirumW6V6YGU0S8K6ryYpWoQ4OI4agmDIlu3k-b_MzDcRZznhYYo0pOvcpnjRPANpqRsLu9xlWBKUbI/s1600/DSC_7755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiosVhKtKojBQyxhoFq7qFfl0S-0ukcdIxJyyVexDw-hWI83uJcDGSKgKURztNirumW6V6YGU0S8K6ryYpWoQ4OI4agmDIlu3k-b_MzDcRZznhYYo0pOvcpnjRPANpqRsLu9xlWBKUbI/s1600/DSC_7755.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On E: <b>Top:</b> DKNY | <b>Jeans:</b> via Sears | <b>Shoes:</b> <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w[0]=search%3Aluxon&pp=1&view=detail&p=1&colourID=3846" target="_blank">Fluevog Luxon</a> (Hopeful family)</td></tr>
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And here is beautiful E with her princess hair, looking smoking hot in this fun outfit. She continues her quest for health and fitness and is, as you can see, succeeding extraordinarily. :-) Here's to more fun outings. (And I promise to post on them later.)</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPkz7b12vJ92i4Jq_MdI8JqVX1rbTkzlkTYXrGOLgxLiSQmJtjhYbPK_IkbYd9a1DCBndjbIs6GPhefql2UemqkRAwk2buS8gJACNnWOuPK8Ay9xf4FcNu0uT69FljsWU1eZzYKmyXZk/s1600/gladys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPkz7b12vJ92i4Jq_MdI8JqVX1rbTkzlkTYXrGOLgxLiSQmJtjhYbPK_IkbYd9a1DCBndjbIs6GPhefql2UemqkRAwk2buS8gJACNnWOuPK8Ay9xf4FcNu0uT69FljsWU1eZzYKmyXZk/s1600/gladys.jpg" width="690" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Fluevog L.A. store, trying on some amazing Spring 2014 shoes -- on my feet are the Joys (not yet available online) and the tomato red next to those are the <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?pp=1&view=detail&p=9&colourID=4042" target="_blank">Careys</a>. <b>Top:</b> Pink Owl Apparel via <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/" target="_blank">ModCloth</a> | <b>Skinny jeans:</b> LOFT | <b>Shoes:</b> I wore my blue faux snakeskin Fluevog Amies to the store (via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Fluevog-Womens-Amie-Ballet/dp/B0061OFQ4Y/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>)</td></tr>
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Sorry for the radio silence. I haven't forgotten about this blog, but I've recently been over at the <a href="http://fortheloveofvogs.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/desert-fluereview-spring-2014-part-i/" target="_blank">For the Love of Vogs</a> site reviewing the first of the new Spring 2014 shoes! Plus there's a <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w=sale" target="_blank">crazy CRAZY sale</a> going on right now for last season's shoes. You know I had to at least check it out!</div>
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I've also been a little busy with my schoolwork (yay!) and the rest of life, but whaddya know, right when things were settling into a groove and I was finally ready to sit down and blog again, my laptop started going on the fritz. Argh! I'll have to take it in and I really hope it's a simple fix. It makes me jittery to be away from my laptop for long. Addicted much? Yup!</div>
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In the meantime, I can still get online, so maybe I'll try to post little things until the laptop issue is settled. 'Til then, <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w=sale&pp=1&view=detail&p=61&colourID=3836" target="_blank">enjoy</a> the <span id="goog_421446451"></span><a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w=fresh" target="_blank">eye<span id="goog_421446452"></span> candy</a>!</div>
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xo, Gladys</div>
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