Puppy Porn

We got Shimu from our neighbors and one of Shimu's litter mates recently had puppies. This is his nephew. It was a little difficult getting anything in focus with this little guy running around incessantly and trying to steal Shimu's toys and blanket. It's hard to believe Shimu used to be that size.

Post School, Work, & Wolverine

It's an odd feeling being back home and done with school. Suddenly the timeline for all my plans is so much longer. Career goals, savings, personal projects, and other things concerning life now extend for, well, forever. There's no significant foreseeable interruption (God forbid I go back for a Ph.D.) and it's a new feeling. I took a look around my house and found some pictures of myself from my childhood. It's an interesting thing to be able to see how much I've changed both outwardly and inwardly. These are a few photographs from the early '90's:



If it isn't clear, I'm the littler one in the first picture with my older brother. I appear to be wearing some awesome looking boat shoes and some sweet corduroy overalls. As I got older I went through some pretty embarrassing phases (let's all of us forget the long AZN bangs period). It's only been very recently that I've felt as though my personality has stabilized somewhat into a state where I can build and grow on a foundation of sense and willingness to change. As much as I dread, if facetiously, getting older, I look forward to opportunities to challenge myself and become more of a complete human being.

Speaking of entering real adult life, I recently accepted a position at a prominent development consulting firm. I really like the company and the work they do and it's encouraging to be going into a job knowing that I want to be with them for the long haul. I haven't started yet though, so how it will actually play out remains to be seen.

On another note, I recently picked up a pair of Wolverine's 1000 Mile Bradford Oxford. It took me a long time to track down a pair in my size (they were a one season release back in 2010). They are fantastic. They're made with Horween Chromexcel (like the Oak Street Trail Oxfords) and it smells and feels so good, it probably wouldn't take much convincing for me to eat them... Or, you know... I'll just wear them. I'm totally sold on Wolverine now though. Once I start getting paid again, I may have to pick up a pair of 1000 Mile boots.

2011 Retrospective

2011 was a good year. Some firsts, some lasts. Traveled. Good friends. Finished school. I've put together a handful of shots I've taken this year of memorable moments:



Unfortunately, it kind of cuts off right after the summer. I haven't had much opportunity to take my camera out very often this last semester or be very active on here. Here's hoping I'll have a lot more to share here in 2012.

So, I've finished graduate school with a Masters in Global Development Economics and the job hunt is underway. I'll refrain from any speculation or moaning on that subject for a while.

On a more personal note, I've mentioned that I've learned a not insignificant amount about myself through my time in grad. school. I think I've changed a good bit for the better, but have also stagnated in some other areas that could do with some improvement. That's a bit cryptic, but suffice it to say I plan on taking greater initiative in being deliberately mindful about some areas of my life that I've not given as much thought to as I have in the past (...that's not any less cryptic.) If nothing else, I think I may at least be a little less tightly wound. Maybe...

I hope everyone had a great New Years and has a happy, healthy, and adventure-filled 2012.