A vintage find

Josh found this beautiful book at a little shop in downtown Evanston this weekend.  We spent a wonderful afternoon there, walking around in the sun, drinking milkshakes, exploring the little stores, and eating tapas with his brother.  Summer is upon us, and it is wonderful!

Isn't it wonderfully descriptive?  I'm planning to cozy up with it tonight, after dinner.  Maybe it will inspire me to write a story or two!

Have you found any new treasures lately?

The Hunger Games

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Even if you haven't seen the newly released movie or read the books, I'm sure you've been hearing all about The Hunger Games.  This engaging series by Suzanne Collins explores the effects of violence, poverty, and injustice upon adolescents.  It is a dark, horrific tale, speckled with triumph and all-too-brief moments of redemption, a marvelously written story which is difficult to put down.  Whether you're a parent or student, allowed to read the books or not, you should at least read up on this phenomena which has so captivated our culture.  I recommend two articles to you:

"Hungry for the Hunger Games: Why We Need Dystopian Tales" by Monica Selby
"Engaging the Hunger Games" by Rachel Held Evans

For those of you who have read it... what did you think?!  I am part-way through the final book of the trilogy, and I am eager to dialogue about the series!

Open Books

Isn't this a fun little bookstore?  Two Saturdays ago, I ventured over there with a rented SLR camera.  I am a beginner, and I still fumbled with the settings, but the trial and error helped me with my photography class!  This was a cute shop for my experimental shoot!

Coffee Helps

Another week has come and gone.  Honestly, it all blurs into a state of emotional heaviness.  The classes, chapels, hectic shifts at Panera, walks up and down Chicago Avenue, and occasional naps... processing and grieving the death of a friend is a surreal experience.

A high point of my week was Thursday afternoon.  Josh and I escaped to the Borders on Michigan Avenue for some much-needed time together.

We snatched some travel guides and headed upstairs to the Seattle's Best coffee shop.  Josh ordered an Izze, but I was in desperate need of comfort food.  A caramel latte and a white chocolate, macadamia, toffee cookie (warmed) did the trick!

As I sipped my drink and watched the busyness of the world outside our window, I relished the rest.  Talking, laughing, and planning with Josh is an unspeakable blessing.  We are best friends in the best sense, and I am grateful for his presence in my life.

"When my world is shaking
"Heaven stands
"When my heart is breaking
"I never leave your hands"

This song by J.J. Heller has been a comfort during this trial.  Though plagued by confusion, sorrow, and fear, there is a Rock higher than I, a Savior who loves, a Lion who is victorious.

"We blossom and flourish as leaves on a tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee."