2.21.12

Groundhog Day

This is my usual grad school night view. Coffee. Book. Computer or iPad. Notebook. Assorted pens, pencils, and highlighters.  I have to preface this post by saying I love being in grad school.  It definitely makes me feel like I am doing something important that will benefit both me and my family.

That being said, both semesters my classes have been on consecutive days.  Which I have found has become my own personal version of the movie Groundhog Day.  In the movie, the main character keeps repeating the same day over and over.  I have begun to feel the same.  I get up, go to work, rush home, find something to eat, rush to class, come home, sleep and then get up and do the same thing over again.  It's a surreal, funny feeling to have.  Almost like life is flying by. I am trying incredibly hard to slow down and embrace each moment, however, sometimes I feel like when I slow down I get a mountain of backed up work to rush through.  While it is stressful and frusterating at times, I wouldn't have it any other way right now.  I know running this crazy marathon now can only lead to bigger and better things on the other side.  In the mean time I'll just dream of how I'll feel when this whole fast-pased trip is over.  I don't think I'll know what to do with all of my extra time!

2.20.12

Dixie Kitchen

I love when the Lambert's visit because we can go to quirky places that are out of the ordinary.  I found this charming catfish at this little cajun place in town.  This place is growing on me but, I have to admit, when we first moved up here I was not fond of it.  It was one of the first places Dane took me when we called the 'burbs home.  Unfortunately, the first three or four times I ate there I ended up feeling awful.  I wanted to like it, but just couldn't.  I have since figured out what I can order and it is becoming one of my favorite places.

I will also admit that the atmosphere of a restaurant will cause me to love it even more at times.  I love going into places that are slightly eclectic.  The walls and objects become almost like a scavenger hunt for me.  Sometimes the treasures become inspiration for other projects.  Every time I go I find a something new that has been hiding in plain sight the whole time.

2.19.12

Cherish

The challenge word for this month is cherish.  I couldn't think of a better picture to fit that word.  This whirlwind week ended with the best stress reliever of all, spending time with Dane, our wonderful friends Hannah and Justin, and their adorable baby boy, Lincoln.

I truly cherish the friendship that has grown and connected us to our friends in Washington.  Seven years ago, Dane and I had just started dating. He was in a band with several of his friends and they all came down to play in the basement of the house where I was living.  What I didn't realize then was I was meeting some of my dearest friends.  Since then, we have met girlfriends, celebrated engagements and weddings, supported each other through hard times, and now are joyfully meeting babies.  I have called them with everything from prayer requests to praises.  They have been such a strong part of my life that I feel like I have known them way longer than seven short years or in some cases, only a couple of years.  I have cherished every moment of their friendship and I look forward to all of the celebrations to come.

2.18.12

Cutting Off the Dead Ends

There's something about getting a new haircut. I don't know if it's just trying something new or the fact that I no longer have the added weight hanging off of my head.  It could also be the fact that it forces me to sit down, stop thinking about everything else, and just relax.  Either way, I enjoy it. Now if I only had someone to make it look like the hairdresser does everyday!

2.17.12

Reflections

What a way to start the weekend...coffee/thesis discussions with friends, art at the bean with a friend, and dinner at home with Dane.  This week was non-stop, but it was also filled with so many moments where I was able to witness art bringing joy to so many.  


"Luminous Field" opened at the Cloud Gate, which is more lovingly referred to as "The Bean" early in February.  It was a temporary exhibit and I had been meaning to go since I heard it began.  Unfortunately, a busy schedule that had me unsure if I was coming or going kept getting in my way.  I decided that today was the day.  Busy or not, I was going. 


Fortunately, it was an unseasonably warm evening and one of my SAIC friends was going, too.  While there were so many people there the lights were almost blocked, I loved seeing people of all ages taking it in.  It was so beautiful to see the kids jumping to all of the different colors that splashed against the concrete.  Even though I know there was music playing with the lights, what I remember most is hearing all of the laughter and conversations that people were having.  Yes, if you walk into any restaurant around 7:00 you'll hear the same thing, but I truly believe the setting made all the difference here.  Taking place in the reflection of the bean and the bright lights almost made it seem more spontaneous, even hopeful.


I know there are people out there who don't understand the power of fine arts.  People who want to cut funding for the arts both in the public arena and schools.  I wish they could see the beauty, hope, and joy that they bring people...not only to those who are creating, but also the random people that come into contact with those works.

2.16.12

Art Night

Tonight was my school's family art night.  Nights like this give parents and students an opportunity to spend time together.  The kids and their parents were able to come together and create origami, gyotaku fish prints, thumbprint animals, henna, and artist trading cards.  I loved seeing my students come through with smiles on their faces, showing me the crane they just folded or the creatures they made from their thumbprint.  I am incredibly thankful for the teachers that helped me make this event possible. While it requires a lot of planning, extra time, and extra help, seeing the kids being excited about art is all worth it.

2.15.12

 Treat yo' self!

I usually will take three or four pictures of an object and then pick out the best one.  I'm kicking myself a little because I didn't do that this time and this display of sushi was absolutely beautiful.  I love getting sushi, unfortunately Dane will not eat it.  I can't blame him. It was part of the cocktail of things that made him sick on our honeymoon.

That being said, whenever I get a taste for it I will take the opportunity to treat myself.  When I have those moments I think of the Parks and Recreation episode when Donna and Tom go on a spree rationalizing everything by saying, "Treat yo' self!" Every once in a while I think it's good to have these moments.  Times where you get to purely enjoy things in life.  Times when you treat yo' self.