Monday Reminder: Think, Feel, Do

Happiness cannot come from without.  It must come from within.  It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes up happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves. - Helen Keller

Lovers of Words

One of the things I have loved about working at a university - and one of the things I will miss the most - is the opportunity to participate in a community of scholars, even though I am (not yet) a professor.  

I've shared reviews of books that I read in conjunction with a university project a few times in the past and I want to share one more before I leave here.

The incoming class at this university was required to read a few common texts.  Being a book / language nerd and a lover of fictionalized history (note: that, in my mind, is very different than historical fiction), I was very excited to get my hands on one of the texts for the year, The Professor and the Madman, a book discussing the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary.  I mean really, is there a more perfect book out there for someone like me to read?!

I read this book in a matter of hours.  I found it full of interesting historical anecdotes, rich in the history of language, and - simply put - a really good story.  The book focuses on two men who are unparalleled in their contribution to the English language: Professor James Murray, who oversaw the committee collecting entries for the OED, and Dr. W. C. Minor, a previously unknown man who contributed tens of thousands of entries in the collection process.  This remarkable tale focuses on the relationship between the two men, as well as their lives aside from the OED, especially after it comes to light that Dr. Minor is serving time in an asylum for  the criminally insane after murdering a man due to his constant paranoia. 

This book is one of those stories that is so outlandish that it's must be true.  The history surrounding the most ambitious language project our world has ever seen is sensational enough and the task was nearly impossible.  But the lives of those who contributed to the process are even more amazing.  Simon Winchester did a wonderful job of sharing their stories and drawing the reader into their task.  For anyone who is a lover of words the way I am, The Professor and the Madman is a must read.

Monday Reminder: How Lucky I Am

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

I usually leaves these reminders without a lot of explanation but this one begs for a little extra.  Thank you to my friend Cathy for sharing this quote on her blog a few weeks ago.  It is so incredibly appropriate in my life right now and Winnie the Pooh holds a special place in my heart and in my family.  For the last few months, it's been so hard to say goodbye when I leave home after seeing my friends and family (and of course the boyfriend).  Now it's hard to say goodbye to Kentucky when the move back home is actually happening.  I'm a lucky girl to have so many wonderful things to say goodbye to.

Favorite Things Friday

It's been a while since I've done a FTF or linked up with Lauren. Giving it a shot again this week since it's been a good one.

1. I spent last weekend in Wisconsin with my boyfriend and parents.  Saturday we went on a Segway tour of  downtown Green Bay. Since I knew a lot about downtown already, the tour itself was lame. Segway-ing, however, is awesomely fun and nerdy.  I want one.

2. We spent Saturday evening celebrating my friend KP's new marriage. Wonderful to see her for the first time in years and to reconnect with some old friends. Too bad the boy and I didn't remember to take pictures together while we were all dressed up... but good thing this characture artist was there to document what we (didn't really at all) look like.

3. Sunday we went to the Packer game. Our seats were great and they won.  'Nuf said.

4. It's officially fall around here. I've worn boots every day this week. I've eaten popcorn and apple cider for dinner more times than I should admit in the last two weeks. I'm in the middle of a creep-tastic book. And Lady Bug is in serious snuggle mode. How can you not love that face?

5. Oh yeah.  And then there was that whole big announcement from yesterday.

You know it has been a pretty excellent week when you could have 15 favorite things and not run out!

Throwback Thursday

I am seriously missing my little sister right now.  The best thing about my moving home is that I will get to see my family more often.  But considering that my sister is living in North Carolina with her husband, kicking vet school's butt, I still won't get to see her as often as I'd like.

Just for good measure, one more photo of how awesome we used to be...

Sweet pants to both of us.  Extra sweet haircut and fanny pack to me.