The very first law in advertising is to avoid the concrete promise and cultivate the delightfully vague.

I've been trying to get around to blogging for days, but have, once again, been having technical issues. Not to mention, I'm still busy as a moth in a mitten, even after surviving comprehensive exams last week! But I have several things to be excited (and somewhat vague) about!

I'm excited that it's spring!!!!



After several weeks of feeling like my responsibilities were trying to draw and quarter me, this week I'm excited about teaching again! In both my writing classes, we're discussing advertising, and ways to use words to "sell" your ideas. We're working on a big group project that everyone already seems excited about (*crossing fingers*)!

I'm also excited about the ever so slight possibility that I may be much closer to having a job lined up for the fall! I'm afraid to talk about that too much right now, so I'll just give you this image...

And I'm also excited that this week I've found the time to return to my creative endeavors....with a vengeance! I'll leave you with some images and hopefully be back soon!

New York City is itself a detective story...

For spring break this year, Sweet Pickles and I chaperoned a group of 10 adults and 2 children on a cultural excursion to New York City. We were in luck with the surprisingly spring-like weather and the fortunate location of our hotel in proximity to plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops. We met with some frustrations along the way (most concerning time management *insert image of JustJess twitching here*), but also had some truly wonderful experiences. Here is a seriously abridged account of our trip presented in images of things I love about New York:

One of the things I always love about cities is all the little details, like this elevator control panel in our hotel
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I also love art museums! Here is the Solomon R. Guggenheim!


I love how big cities revel in their history and culture, and it is evidenced on every street corner, from Central Park to Chinatown:



It wouldn't be a true JustJess big city adventure without great food and a visit to a gay bar (at least one of which I don't have access to in Oxford). Appetizers from The Hummus Place and Candle Bar:



And, of course, shopping!


This trip was a whirlwind, and I'm glad to be home! I hope you all enjoyed your spring break!

For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three.

My plan for today was to blog about my spring break adventures in New York and post some pretty pictures. Upon returning to my office this morning after an amazingly hectic week "off," I was devastated to encounter my empty desk and remember that my work computer was taken away by the secret agents of the IT department before spring break. To top things off, for whatever reason, my laptop cannot see the OleMiss wireless network. My only means of logging on to the interwebs is via a coworker's computer. Of course, none of my pretty pics are accessible here, so my fabulous photo-bedazzled blog will have to wait til I get home tonight.

Overall, my life has been stressful of late. Many things, good and bad, have stretched my sanity to incredible reaches. I'll detail the New York trip in my next post. There has been no crafting for over a week!!! Yipes! Hopefully more creative things soon! My grandmother is still in the ICU, but stable. Our dreams of owning a house in New Orleans were dashed....for now at least, but we are still feeling optimistic about the future! Though my brain feels a little like Shibuya Crossing at rush hour right now, all will be well soon...



The weather today is frightful! What a horrible, grey re-introduction to the work week! Feeling a little under the weather, but hoping some tomato soup will cure that right up!

This week will continue to be a strain on my mind and emotions, but if I can get through comprehensive exams at the end of the week, everything else should be downhill.....*crossing fingers*

Until later, enjoy today! I hope the weather is better wherever you are!

The best way to predict the future is to invent it...

I don't know where to begin! I fear these last couple of weeks are only ripples in the ridiculous flood that is this spring. What season of change we are embarking on! This year promises a roller coaster of both stressful and exciting events and opportunities.

Since I last blogged, it has become spring in Mississippi! Sweet Pickles and I celebrated with some beery marys in the carport...



Also since I last blog, the destination of our big move became official! We are moving to New Orleans! B accepted a very generous offer to join the Anthropology department at Tulane to work toward his PhD! Here's a pic from when we visited for the Krewe de Vieux in February...I don't want to upload a picture of the house we're looking at for fear of jinxing the deal! This particular momentous change is going to be a major source of stress for several weeks to come, so please forgive if I get a little snappy at times!



There has also been a lot of stress over the recent weeks. My grandmother is still in the ICU and, while she's doing better now, our family still has a long road ahead of us. I flew up for an impromptu visit. I took a self-portrait of a dress I recently designed/made while I waited at the airport...



And yet another bit of excitement! It's almost time for the shrinker and I to take of for the Big Apple with students! Expect moments like this to be documented later...


I know, I know! It's all too much! Wish me luck this year! I will most definitely need it!

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop

The last two weeks have been a maelstrom around here! My grandmother has been terribly ill, and is still in the ICU, but is doing a bit better today. It is BEAUTIFUL outside, and my plans are to do a bit of cleaning, a bit of crafting, and a LOT of well-earned relaxing!

Sweet Pickles and I have been manically preparing for our spring break trip to NYC! We're accompanying 10 students on a cultural excursion which should prove to be very exciting! Finally! All the arrangements are in place,and we can relax...and watch Party Girl for inspiration...



B and I are driving ourselves crazy trying to work out our fall plans to move - this is one aspect of my life which will remain a little stressful for a while, but it's worth it! I've been crazy hectic at work the last two weeks, but am finally getting into my groove! I've even made time to do some crafting this week...a freestyle amigurumi project which turned into a pig-like creature:


And my new obsession - Portable Pockets: the money hiding version. These are for Sweet Pickles and myself for our NY trip. The pouches loop onto your belt and are low-profile enough to tuck into your pants to keep your moolah safe! I'm thinking about trying to perfect the pattern today so that I can make them for all my friends who travel a lot!






That's it for now! Go enjoy this fabulous day!