There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

-Ecclesiastes 8:14-17

One.

Last night, a girl that I graduated high school with was killed in a car accident. Lydia Brooke Noblitt was a lovely, talented, intelligent, and fierce young woman. We didn't agree on a lot of issues, but I respected the person she was. The fact that she has now passed on makes me feel very peculiar, disconnected, and altogether wrong. This mind-numbing event has caused me to think a lot of life and the impact that we all make on one another.

One look. One sentence. One note. One hug. One handshake. One smile. One thing is all it takes to drastically alter someone's life. Live in the moment. Do what is right, take chances, and love people, because no one is promised tomorrow on this earth.

These past twenty years I have attempted to live my life as a good person. It is what I have always tried to do, but I have too often fallen along the way. I genuinely hope that despite my shortcomings, I have been a positive influence in your life. Know that even if I don't always show it, I truly love you as a sister in Christ and only want the best for you. If there is ever anything I can do to serve you, please don't hesitate to ask me. God bless.

The Dryness and the Rain

A fish swims through the sea,

while the sea is in a certain sense

contained within the fish!

Ah, what am I to think

of what the writing of a thousand lifetimes

could not explain

if all the forest trees were pens

and all the oceans ink?

Inspired.

I haven’t posted in a while because our internet in Auburn is awful. Charter truly fails. It’s kind of ok though, because I’ve been reading and sketching more. Right now I’m working on This Side Of Paradise, The Importance Of Being Earnest, and My Utmost For His Highest. I just finished the book Mr. Smith gave me for graduation, I Dare You by William Danforth. Although I don’t agree with everything he presents, his book contained some very good advice that I do intend on following. I’m also working on two projects, a contemporary approach to Naturalism drawing based on the Audubon works and a plaster sculpture for 3D called “Opposites Attract” that I hope will turn out really well.

So far my Lenten resolution is going really well. I’ve eaten no potatoes and I’ve made several new friends in the art department. ;) All of the people in my classes are people that I’ll be spending time with for the next 2-3 years, and I’m glad we all get along so well. There are four other friendships in particular that I’m really happy about as well: Anna, Miranda, Jenny, and Christiaan. Last week these fine people, also known as the Tasman String Quartet, came to our drawing class for collaborative work. They are incredibly talented musicians, and if you ever have the chance to see them perform, definitely do it. They really liked the artwork I made that day, which made me feel so honored. I was even more flattered when they asked to see more of the work I’ve done. They have a concert on Monday night, and I definitely plan to be there and afterward spend some time with them.

Last night I went to a talk of Marc English, a Designer, which was amazing. He spoke for three hours but I wish he could’ve gone on for many more. He shared several tips and secrets, which was really nice of him. He was honest, brutal, spontaneous, hilarious, and inspiring. He is a man who draws his inspiration from Lawrence of Arabia, David Byrne, Africa, Dirty Harry, Casablanca, Yoko Ono, traveling, and his family, among other things. He said that as Designers, we must always be explorers. Design is not just about being able to tweak things with Photoshop. It’s about living. Life experiences are inspiration. Let everything in your life be a creative influence. Everything that he said took away any doubts that I had about being a Designer (yes, that is designer with a capital “D”, there is a difference). Here are some of the ideas he shared:

“Fortune is not measured in money, it’s experiences.”

“Design things to be stolen.”

“It’s ok to reach out to people who know a little bit more than you.”

“Go somewhere nobody else does. You get perspective, you see where you came from.”

“Rhythm is tough to imitate.”

“Inspired is the adult word for cool.”

 “Design, it’s just a job, The things that are important in your life, like family and friends, are what really matter.”

“Communication + Community + Commerce = Culture"

 Environmental zones: dead/home – comfort – stretch – panic. "Sometimes you have to get outside your comfort zones to create good design."

Marc’s Four Secrets of Success:

1.     Continued excellence – love, desire, and curiosity

2.     Gratitude – we didn’t get where we are by ourselves

3.     Giving back – from those who have much, much is expected

4.     Love – if you don’t have it, nothing else matters

 

“A man has to know his limitations.“ – Dirty Harry

Thoughts of a snowy Sunday afternoon.

The Rebel's Guide To Joy in Loneliness

This is a great sermon of Mark Driscoll's that deals with things that I think about pretty regularly since my closest friends live in so many different places. A lot of the examples he gives about meeting new people are things I've experienced, especially since moving off to college. I think his point about friendship and proximity/affinity is brilliant; people do tend to make shallow acquaintances a lot of the time. To have a meaningful relationship with a good, Christian friend based upon the teachings and grace of Jesus is a "gospel partnership," which is a blessing in a person's life. I am grateful to have this kind of relationship with a small number of my friends that I still keep in touch with, but don't feel this way about the friendships I've made at college so far. Hopefully some of these friendships will grow into gospel partnerships as well. 

I'm giving up potatoes (and everything they can be) for Lent. I'm also attempting to be more open with people, which is going to be quite a challenge. Wish me luck.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

The Review.

Music:

The Wombats, A Guide To Love, Loss, & Desperation

This album is compiled of songs that are darkly funny, upbeat, and nostalgic. 

My favorites: "Let's Dance To Joy Division", "Dr. Suzanne Mattox Ph.D.", "Tales of Girls, Boys, and Marsupials", "My First Wedding"

M83, Saturdays = Youth

This CD is amazing! It makes me reminisce about John Hughes movies and my parents' high school yearbooks. Hehe. ;) The synthetic beats and lyrics are completely new wave, but in the most modern sense possible. It's really great music for a long, scenic drive. Brilliant album.

My favorites: "Kim & Jessie", "Couleurs", "Graveyard Girl", "We Own the Sky"

Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

This could possibly be my favorite album of 2008. The music and vocals have a pastoral feel that makes you long for peaceful days in the country. It makes me think of my childhood, where I spent a lot of time outside with my family and friends, partaking in all sorts of adventures. It's indie/folk, but unlike most music of this genre, I never get tired of it.

My favorites: "Blue Ridge Mountains", "Your Protector", "Ragged Wood", "White Winter Hymnal"

Winterkids, Memoirs

I love this band. They're just awesome. The lyrics are clever and meaningful, the music is fun, and the vocals are great.  They play that UK indie rock that is sometimes typical, but it's definitely worth checking out 

My favorites: "Your Eyes Are Like Mine", "Tape It", "I'm Not Used To You", "Who Am I Kidding?"

Things That I Look Forward To:

Chris Cornell's new album, Scream- It's being produced by Timbaland, so that should be an interesting experience... I have a few songs from the CD, and they're good. Not great, but good. The vocals are superb as always, but the mixed music style and the lyrics aren't my favorite of his. My favorite song of the CD is "Long Gone".

Chris Cornell's tour- He's coming to Atlanta in March. Anyone want to go? ;)

Mark Driscoll's new book, Vintage Church- I really need to get my hands on a copy...

The Watchmen movie- It will be out in a few months. Hopefully it will be the best graphic novel-turned-movie of all that have been made so far...

a new Winterkids CD with "Wonderland" and "Another Break" to be released in the U.S.

and finally.....

mewithoutYou's new CD, "it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright." It comes out on May 9, 2009.  It's been far too long... This is what I'm most excited about. ;) 

It's a very beautiful day, so I'm going to go outside, read a book, explore nature, and just enjoy my life. :) I'll leave you with this:

"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

-St. Francis of Assisi

It's a brand new day; the sun is shining. For the first time in such a long time, I know I'll be okay.

First of all, I want to share the devotional that I did last night (from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest):

LOOK AGAIN AND THINK

"Take no thought for your life." -Matthew 6:25

A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.

"Take no thought for your life." "Be careful about one thing only," says our Lord, "your relationship to Me." Common sense shouts loud and says, "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.

"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying--Now what are you going to do next month--this summer? "Be anxious for nothing," Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father.

That really spoke to me, especially with all I've gone through the past two years. I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life, and it's okay. I used to stress out about this kind of thing, but lately I feel only a peace that comes from God. I just do what He wills for me, and I am happy because of it.

Today I renewed my lease for the apartment, and then I bought some tools and outdoor equipment. It was exciting, because this semester I finally have the chance to do some of the things that I've enjoyed my whole life, but never really had the time for. I'm building a sculpture in my 3D class, and it can be made from any materials I choose... School is so much fun. :)

In other news, I broke down and also bought some Nike running shorts that I pledged I would not get. I was curious, and my curiosity finally got the better of me. Now I understand why so many girls have these shorts. They're awesome. I will not, however, wear them with leggings and/or Ugg boots. That's just crossing the line.

I am like Peter.

Of all Jesus' disciples, I relate to Peter the most.

I consistently fail in my spiritual aspirations. I'm selfish, proud, and can be incredibly cruel at times. I should be better than I am. I should be a servant. I should aspire to be Christ-like in all that I do. 

Despite my numerous flaws, my Father chooses to love me. There are no words to describe the gratitude and joy I feel at this revelation.