So Proud

While this week has been eventful on many levels (ie starting the fall semester and starting a new job), more than anything this week have been overwhelmed with pride and appreciation for my family.

There have been some significant things happening in the lives of my grandparents and I'm proud of the way that my family has acted in the midst of stress. I'm proud of my mom, aunt, and dad have worked hard to help my grandparents transition while still honoring them. I'm proud of Ben for helping to move grandma and for being there for my mom. I'm proud of Michele for jumping in to our family and for loving and honoring our grandparents so much, I can't imagine / remember our family without her. I'm proud of my grandma for aging with grace and patience and for making the best of her new home. I'm proud of my grandpa for deciding to have his 2nd open heart surgery for the sake of those that he loves. The fact is that none of these things are easy but I'm thankful that God has been preparing these things ahead of us and that he has given me a family this wonderful. I am also thankful that my grandpa survived his surgery today, praise God!

Another piece of my week was getting to watch Ben this week on the set of a music video that they shot here in Chicago. Now, it is always good to see him and I am always reminded of what a great friend I have in my brother but it is also just really great to watch him "work". I also get a thrill out of watching him play his music. So it was equally thrilling to watch them tape this video. I love how Ben interacts with everyone on the set and how he knows the name of the little old lady that is  assigned to sit next to him in the bus scene. I love how we can have deep conversations about the songs that they have written. And I love that he still has the same sense of humor (you all know what I'm talking about). 

Another source of my pride is that Michele started orientation this week as a graduate student. I'm so proud of how hard she works and how focused she is. I'm also so excited for her to pursue this degree and to have the chance to pursue her career as an artist.

So at the close of this week I am tired and feeling weary but I am also so thankful for my family and just wanted to brag about them for a bit...

My favorite things...

Usually my blogs involve lots of pictures because sometimes I don't know how else to describe what has been going on other than to show you. Unfortunately this summer has been different for me because I haven't been "going" as much as I've been staying put and "doing". Doing the hard work of learning greek (which is over!) instead of taking a bunch of trips was not my first choice for the summer but ended up to be just fine. So in complete Oprah style I decided to share what I would call my Summer Favs, also known as the things that got me through greek!...

Music...

"Take a bow" - Rihanna

" Trying to stop your leaving" - Dierks Bentley

"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles

"Free Fallin' (live)" - John Mayer

"With You" - Chris Brown

"Come on get Higher" - Matt Nathanson

Viva la Vida (album) - Coldplay

Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust (album) - Sigur Ros

Till the sun turns Black (album) - Ray LaMontagne

19 (album) - Adele

Memory Man (album) - Aqualung

Books...

While I did read my fair share of novels these were my favorite

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" - by Khaled Hosseini

"So Brave, Young, and Handsome" - by Leif Enger

"The Glass Castle" - Jeannette Walls

Recipe...

This is one that my mom found and it has been a refreshing a simple salad / salsa to have around and snack on

Black bean & Corn Salad

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

2 large tomatoes, finely chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1/4 cup minced cilantro

2 garlic gloves, minced

** combine and mix with dressing 

2 T. sugar

2 T. white vinegar

2 T. canola oil (or I use olive oil)

1 1/2 t. lime juice

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. pepper

** refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Serve with chips, enjoy!

TV...

 The "O.C." (such a guilty pleasure but only a few more discs to go)

re-watching "Gray's Anatomy"

THE OLYMPICS