Ch-ch-ch-changes

I figured that since I haven't been updating this blog lately (to say the least), it would be easier to list some of the changes that have happened in the past few months. 

1. Marriage - it's always best to start with the most obvious.  Patrick and I got married last Saturday; it was amazing!  More to come about all of the festivities.
2. Blog title - Inspired by the recent marriage and becoming a Lynch; plus, I was never totally satisfied with the previous title.
3. Our dog Bill recently underwent a change of his own.  He was neutered on Thursday and has been lying around the apartment lamenting the loss of his manliness or male dogliness. 
4. Finally, I have recommited to writing this blog.  I won't blame all of my neglect on wedding planning, but it certainly played a part.  I have two great friends who keep up with their blogs regularly, and I love reading them!  I know I can do this; especially with Patrick's help.  Plus, it's a great way to keep our family and friends in the loop with what's going on in Chicago.

I'll leave you with a picture from the wedding "borrowed" from my friend Femi.

Family Vacation Counter

I am really looking forward to family vacation.  Six more days until I get to see these beautiful faces again...

The Written Word

I don't remember when I learned to read.  In fact, as far as I can remember, I have always been reading.  I was lucky enough to have parents who read to me every night.  The way my mom explains it is that she knew you were supposed to read to your children every day; she just wasn't sure exactly how long.  So my parents would read to me before bed, and just when my eyes were finally closing, they would stop reading in the hopes of tip-toeing out of the room.  But, as soon as the reading stopped, my eyes would open, and I would say, "More book."  According to my mom, this nightly marathon of reading is why I love to read today.  Lately, I have been thinking about how much work it used to be to produce written text.  I will proudly admit that watching Newsies led me to pay homage to the editors who put the words of Shakespeare, Emerson, Dickinson, Hawthorne, and so many others into books and pamphlets.  After handwriting, typewritters must have seemed like such a luxury; yet even then, authors had to painstakingly type their ideas and emotions onto paper.  We, the readers, benefit from their diligence.  It is easy, in the age of kindles and online books, to forget the work it used to take to produce literature. 

My Sister Adrienne

All of my sisters are awesome, but this post is dedicated to Adrienne Ann Gedeon.  One of my favorite family traditions is honoring each other on our birthdays.  Adri's birthday was July 20th, and I missed it and didn't get to say how awesome she is.  In order to make up for this, I wanted to say publicly that I think she is awesome.  Adri is passionate (please see pic for evidence of her passion for singing and wearing cool clothes), dedicated (she studies very hard), passionate (she will always stand up for what she believes in), and caring (she actually sent my present in the mail instead of being a lame like me and waiting to give it til family vacay).  Don't worry, Adri, you will get your present very soon. 

I love you and can't wait to see you and sing and dance with you around the house! 

Wrigley Field

Last week one of my good friends from college and her husband came in for the weekend.  We had awesome rooftop tickets for the Cubs game on Sunday night.  There was great company, perfect weather, and the Cubs beat the Phillies!  Who could ask for anything more?  Here's a few pictures from the night.  By the way, I am really loving the zoom lense on my camera. 

Also, if seeing these pictures reminds you how much you love the Cubs.  You should check out this song by Eddie Vedder: Eddie Vedder's "Someday We'll Go All the Way".  You won't regret it.

Adventures in Photography

My friend Lindsey told me about a great, free website for editing photos.  I love it and and am thankful that it is summer because I have been spending lots of time using it.  I took the following pictures downtown at "the bean."  The bean is actually titled "Cloud Gate."  It is 66 feet long, 33 feet high, and weigh 110 tons.  It is basically a gigantic mirror, and it is a photographer's playground - even a novice photographer like me. 

My original bean photo

First Editing Attempt

Bean Take 2

Bean Take 3

Bean Take 4

So, I just want to stress that this is my first attempt with editing pictures, and I know that I have tons of room to grow, but at least I am having fun while I'm doing it.

Lately

My wonderful fiance got me a new camera for my birthday.  It renewed my desire to find ways to express myself creatively and capture moments of everyday life.  Blogging appeals to me because I can combine my love for writing and photography in one place.  Lately, I have found myself surrounded by noise and wanting a way to escape.  I suppose this is the paradox.  Using technology, the cause of SO much noise, to find silence and reflection in my own life.