Author: Jana

  • the side benefits of making history


    Historian Dilly!, originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    The job prospects for historians are pretty grim these days. I don’t know if all my hard work from the past few years will yield a position when I’m done, but I’m trying not to think too hard about that just yet. I’m just concentrating on enjoying each day of grad school and maximizing the many opportunities that come my way.

    The catalysts for our family trip to the East coast were my research in DC-area archives and my attendance at the annual AHA Meeting in NYC–both of which were fantastic experiences. There might not be much money in pursuing a career in history-making, but the travel benefits are terrific. Most of my trips this past year have been related to my archival work and I have enjoyed all of them. Some days I pinch myself even as I wonder how I could be so fortunate.

  • homecoming reflections


    Jana and Marta., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    I thought I might start a list of all the amazing people we both met and met up with during our trip…but I realized that it would be nearly impossible to recount them all…

    Like our Boston trip over a year ago, I continue to be awed by all the goodness that I find in the humans (and kitties) that cross my path, and words just can’t do justice to the kindnesses and memory-making moments.

    This year is already off to such a fantastic beginning…so many upcoming adventures for me and for all of you. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead!

    Photo above (by John) is of me & Marta–she opened her home to us and was not only super-hostess but also super-chauffeur.

  • art


    Jana in c215’s amazing room of junk., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    We spent a lot of time in art galleries in NYC and I think the installation pictured above was our favorite of the bunch. Surprisingly, this gallery, AdHoc, is sponsoring an exhibit of Brooklyn street art at John’s fav LA gallery this month (Thinkspace). We’re looking forward to visiting and remembering our time spent wandering the local art scene..

    :)

  • Me & Times Square


    Jana’s head explodes., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    been there, done that, moved on (a bit too Vegas for my taste)

  • Me & Times Square


    Jana’s head explodes., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    been there, done that, moved on (a bit too Vegas for my taste)

  • she is so very lovely


    CatGirl in my hat., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    John and I, we make gorgeous babies (at least IMO). In a prophetic moment around the time of CatGirl’s birth, John stated that she would someday be a light that would “outshine us all.” I see some of that here–the reservoir of potential that feeds her creative spirit.

    Photo by John.

  • on our coldest day, during snow flurries


    winter scene, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    Near the Bluestocking bookstore in the lower East side.

  • survey says…


    ask a ninja (how cold it is outside), originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    recent outerwear survey:
    John: 2 new prs gloves & new coat
    Jana: new shoes, socks & pashmina scarf
    GB: gloves missing (but he has deep pockets)
    CG: coat went missing for 15 min until found on metro (whew)

    East Coast, we love you anyways…

  • NYC, here we come!


    NYC, here we come!, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

  • snowz


    snowz, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

  • that name, I think it looks pretty good in print.,,,


    published, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

  • just arrived in the city


    View from Our Room., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    Survived rail/subway transfers at rush hour. Learning that New Yorkers don’t move out of the way–not in the market, not on the sidewalk, not so you can push the buttons in the elevator. A gross exaggeration to be sure, but I’m trying to figure out how to navigate like the locals do…We’re situated just a few blocks from Times Square, from MOMA, from Rockefeller Center.

    This is fun, people.