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I think we just had the first day of spring. I'm not sure, and I doubt it's important. Sometimes I get these sweet realizations that calm my worried bones. I doubt the budding trees and birdies keep calendar books or sticky notes or write blog posts on the exact days of events. Too nerve wracking to remember all that. We had a dinner guest last night who has recently accepted Christ into his life. I was struck by the excitement that he had about being in the family of Jesus. He said he finds himself smiling for no reason. I want to have that too because our days here are finite and... yes. That's it. We've been going through Lamentations at church, which I'm loving too. I delight in the polarities of rawness and joy. Re-awakenings seem to go right along with spring. And this lovely album. And these lovely photos (1,2,3,4,5).
By Karissa Welch, March 2011. Watercolor Pencil & Pastel. PLEASE GIVE CREDIT TO THE ARTIST IF YOU REPOST THIS PHOTO. Click for full size view. / I also must give credit to the artist I borrowed from, the wondrous Adara.
I want to know more about dreams. Where do all those insane scenarios come from and why is that that world cut off from us when we are awake? I feel like it's a bigger part of our selves than Western culture may give it credit for. I'm sometimes haunted by the lingering affect of a dream hours after I wake up. [photo by Parker Young]
This post is for my friend Vonne who would like ideas for a tattoo. People ask Jonas (& sometimes me) to draw them tattoos all the time which is flattering, but also scary because it's kind of like you have a responsibility to create something worth putting on someone's skin forever. Anyway, I can't really draw, but collecting pictures happens to be a strength of mine. So here are some I've been saving up for just such a post, as well as a few notes on them. // I'm a big fan of meaningful word tattoos in handwriting fonts. Also, tight, colorful, shaded sleeves on women (tight as in not a whole bunch of tattoos in one space but a continuous piece - narrative or multi-subject welcome -, a good range of color and good shading). Sorry I don't really have any good photos of those. I think tattoos should look like art. I also think you should stay away from things you wouldn't want to show your grandkids (in case it's just a passing fad, ya know?) and away from places that are extra wrinkle prone (I hear that a bit below the actual wrist is better than on the wrist, as far as wrinkle control). Then all the regular mumbo jumbo about whether or not you can cover it, whether or not you can see it yourself or if it's facing you, ... blah blah, you already know this. // Here are some previous posts of mine with more tattoo thoughts/photos. A, B, C. I can't remember whether I mentioned this in another post, but if you go with text, it's easy to look up cool fonts (try dafont) or have a friend who does calligraphy show you a few moves. And for the LOVE, if you get something in a foreign language, have someone who speaks that language verify its meaning first. // 1. I'm so into photo-realistic flowers. I would love a cascading bouquet (like tossed out a window, but still close together... can you envision it?) or a close up jungle mayhem on my entire back {via Ashley Lynn Fry...?). 2. Daughter's names on a dude's arm :j {"dunlap"}. 3. I just swoon over henna every time, though it's not quite a "real" tattoo and orange is not my fave {via loveyourchaos}. 4.Or go the secret route. This one looks so special. The words coincidentally remind me of that hymn "I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away...". The first time I heard that it was a sad day and a special memory to me. That's a good sort of reason for a tattoo, I think {via loveyourchaos}. 5. I don't actually like this, but somehow I'm still compelled to post it because it's inexplicably nice {via Julia}. 6. Not the hugest fan of this one either, but it's... cute {sadie harris}. 7. YUM, is what I have to say about this one {"hippotamer tumblr"). 8. Two types of sleeves... both pretty chill. I like combinations of hard lines, like his left arm, with filled in stuff like his right. Sort of like accentuating outlines, but mos def in color! {by Sarah}// Ok, I'm done. :)
This week, twice, I got a chance to talk with some older friends of mine. There's this guy at the Starbucks Jonas and I frequent who we've become friends with. He has white hair and is an excellent magician. He hasn't done any tricks for us in a while, but this week we talked to him for at least an hour. We talked about business models, how to catch flies, and how cameras sometimes just can't capture the beauty of a summer river bed. Then, I made a new friend at a bridal shower I went to this week. This elderly lady was probably the funniest person I came in contact with all week. She has milky blue eyes and she and her daughter were plotting to throw water on the other guests for not sitting at us (the fun table). Haha! I often worry about growing old in America - no one cares to listen to you any more. This is a sad country to be old in. But these friends of mine give me hope for the later years of my life in case I don't make it to a little bungalow on a white sand beach when I'm quite old.
This week is my "summer" week. Jonas is taking the week off so we are going to do fun things every day when I get off work at 2. I feel like a written summary later on is doubtful, but pictures on FB later, to be sure. :) One of the most exciting things I did this week was sign up to take part in the Sketchbook Project (see also the new badge on the right side panel). I chose the blue cover and my theme is "make mine a double...". If you have ideas for me, please do send me a note and perhaps I can incorporate it into the sketchbook. I'm sure I will blog more about the process once I get my sketchbook in the mail (and hopefully go up to San Francisco when the tour comes around in early 2011), but for now, here's some art (much of it from other people's sketchbooks) that I've been collecting to share. (1.Camila do Rosario, 2. Elachrym, 3. Tobiee, 4. & 5. via LoveYourChaos, 6. via Parker Young, 7. & 8. Ginny Branch Stelling, 9. & 11. via Suzywire, 10. Sophie Blackall 12. Sabine Pieper, 13. Laura Laine, 14. & 15. via LoveYourChaos, 16. Nicolas Marlet)
I spent ages today swooning over practically every photo of Amelia Lyons. I especially love the pregnancy photos. Makes me really really want to have a kid. I'm sometimes worried that I like the idea of things more than the actual things - thankfully I don't think this makes me unappreciated of the real thing at all, but sometimes I have unrealistic expectations. It's a goal of mine to be a really hip pregnant woman. I hope you'll go look through her photos - I couldn't possibly post all the ones I like. Man, some of these put a lump in my throat.
Coming soon... re-cap of an INCREDIBLE Imogen Heap concert I attended a few nights ago. Smashing.
I have a new hair style. :) Then I promptly went out and had my picture taken, thanks to Sarah Croswhite and her excellent photography skills! Maybe my next hair-do will be a mohawk to match Jonas's. ^^ Here's one of Sarah's photos & and also the picture that inspired this cut (via moodboard).
I'm only working 8-2, 4 days a week this summer. Excited to have play time, but also thinking about getting into the Etsy business to make some extra bucks. I'm sure I'll tell you all about it if it happens. Meanwhile, I've been eating sushi, getting pwnd at Call of Duty, reading in the sunshine, watching possums steal strawberries, picking the first ripe blackberries, listening to upbeat tunes (planning to update the playlist soon) & re-vamping the blog. You can now find old posts that contain content that interests you by browsing the categories to the right (it was a little bit difficult labeling things retro-actively; should be more clear from here on out). Another little thing, my visitor map reset after a full year. 2013 visits was the final count. Thanks everyone!
I'm so relieved to have just finished a test that was much easier than I anticipated that I'm just sort of being a vegetable in the sunshine. Just one week + finals left. When I got to school this morning, I could only see one other car on the entire grounds. I listened to a mockingbird go off like a car alarm & and it was a wondrous thing. // I'm looking for a second job this summer and planning to take biology, interior design, and food science in the fall. I'm excited for these things. // I'm also feeling the urge for a new hairstyle... // I just keep breathing out so happily that I am released from the pressure of that exam. It makes everything seem extraordinary in the world. Everything worth appreciating. Kind of in the tone of artist Simone Lueck's bio.
Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and you are cool. :D She has always taken good care of our family, no matter where in the world we are, and she's the best cook I know. We made a fun Thai meal for her birthday and looked at old pictures. ^^ // Other awesome family of mine... my great grandma is on FB. How amazing is that? She was born in 1924, and believe it or not, she's better at FB than some baby boomers. // Of the things on my list last week, I accomplished: [Important] 1. Asking to be transfered to an awesome project at work. 2. Finding a major (a BFA in "Crafts" sounds hugely gay. I prefer "mixed media"). If only a temporary one (unless it really sticks...?). I tried to go the counselor but that will have to be redone. [Most Likely] I did everything except eat more of Jonas's ice cream and feel good about not being a Republican (I forgot). // Having someone to love is a most great joy. // I went on a rant rampage last week but fortunantly did not post my screechings. Here are the less crazy, more whimsical thoughts from that session. - April 8 is no shoes day! I'm a fan, and hopefully I can observe that mini-holiday next year. - In my experience, if you're upstairs or several rooms away from someone (you can hear them, but not understand their words), the most audible sound in their conversation is the use of the letter S. Try it (could just be the way my dad talks...). - I like the culture of guest hosting that stays in missionary circles, even after missionaries have moved off the field. Not to say that it doesn't happen if you weren't once a missionary, but just sayin'... - I think our generation will be characterized by globalization. I like it. For better or worse, American culture influences many other countries. At the same time, I hope America will become more aware of the rest of the world. I like the potential that belongs to young people. I like that I live in this very time with the very people who are here at the very same time. - I also pondered why I thought women weren't crucified in ancient Rome and whether polygamy should be outlawed (as it is). // My sweetheart just got strep throat, it seems, but if he's still up for it, we're going to Disneyland with all his INO buddies on Tuesday. I haven't been since I was about 8 years old! //I have many, many pictures to share with you. I really do. I hope I can get back into the groove of sharing them. // I had a very long, boring shift at work this Friday during which I came up with my latest tattoo design. I recently heard a sermon from Ephesians about how wives are to honor their husbands and husbands are to love their wives, etc. But Aaron threw in an extra bit to say that to help things along, women aught to strive to be lovely and men to be honorable. I love that. And maybe I will get these , one on each wrist, once I am married.
Goodnight, moon.
You know how sometimes you see a photo or watch a video or hear a song and it hurdles you into one of those sound tunnel, step back moments? Totally just got that from this documentary, Born into Brothels. It's about an hour and a half long, but I highly recommend it if you can find a little slice of time. What a concept to take the simple joy of art and seeing beauty through photos to give even the chance of hope to a child who otherwise has nothing. // Coming up on midterms, I suspect. Not a fan of the piling up projects. As the end of school draws nearer, I have little more clarity into what the future contains, but for today, I feel confident that I can make it and excited, if pensive, about what's next in my life. I'm still looking for a car, job(s), and room mates in the OC area, if you have leads. :) I am working on doing a big girl thing and registering to vote as well. Hehe. Speaking of which, though I know hardly anything about her and basically nothing about the other candidates, I'm so far of fan of Meg Whitman for the next governor of CA. And she's a Republican, no less. Bet you didn't see that one comin' from me... ;) I'm kind of proud of myself for still liking what I've heard even though I tend to be disgusted with staunch Republicans. I'm reading some very interesting stuff about health care as well in preparation for a short paper I'm writing. It's crazy because just about every single thing that people freak out about is misinformation about what's actually in the bill. I like Obama. :) // I'm a big ol' fan of Hannah and Landon Metz, hippie artist couple of NYC. Here are some of Landon's photos (love Hannah's blog as well...). They're pretty much living my dream life. I think taking sunlit photos of your spouse is about one of the most romantic things there is.
Some of my favorite things: Basil - I went grocery shopping late at night last night with Jonas and Jordan. I love that my friends are as excited about Asian foods as I am. We have a good time laughing at some of the more irregular vegetables and hiding in the spaces left by missing crates and flats and poking packaged cow tongue. I bought some basil and parsley seeds that I will soon pot and add to my ever growing window garden. My ranunculus have bloomed - they're gorgeous (pictures on my new flickr which I'll get to in a sec). Check out these cute 4 leaf clover basil cut outs. // Race cars - The road between my house and work is level, smooth and mostly straight, save for 2 gentle turns. Perfect for sliding down in the seat, adjusting my goggles, revving my engine and pretending I'm racing on the Audubon. Use caution when trying this at home. Also, moneys driving cars. I took this picture and now it is on my brand new flickr!
Hope you enjoy the photos there. :) // Artists - Duh. Love love love this photo essay on making chalk pastels (note multiple pages). Who would have guessed? I get giddy at the sight of creating all that color. & Jonas's sister in law Danielle created this incredible "flesh ABC." Z, which looks to me like a kiss, is my favorite. I like B as well. Jonas has been making drawings for me in our Sociology class which I take to work and smile at. I love him! // My brother Jon is in Washington D.C. with his school. Jealous! My aunt Cathy went with him and her cute, cute dog Rainey is staying with us! :) // I know I have been writing more and posting fewer pictures. More to come, I plan!
Notable FB happenings (from vaguely recent to very recent): 1. An old youth leader, John, and his wife Katie are having a baby girl! You know why this is extra exciting if you hung out with John in the BJ days. 2. Old friends Michelle (& Jonathan), Katy (& Sam), Rebekah (& Andrew) and new friends Mike (& Sarah) and Hannah & Brandon are all getting married! I would say love is in the air, as well as spring, possibly? Happy for all these kids. ^^ (Also make my move in the wedding coordination business!) Also a sharp increase in newly-dating friends recently - prompted by Valentine's day much? February is supposedly the month said to induce the most suicides (dead of winter in most places) but thankfully that does not appear to be happening this year. // Other notable happenings: 1. Jonas got his driver's license! Hooray!! :D 2. I got a date for my braces to come off (August 10th, possibly earlier). // Some not-so-notable but still blog worthy (?) things:
I no longer work in "the fun room" (IS/IT) at work, but I do now sit by a huge window! Today some firemen were going around with one of the maintenance workers and my coworkers were scouting out the "hot" ones and checking for wedding rings. Haha! // I feel a bit more like I'm really employed now since I'm not just set onto one project temporarily. Or not more employed per se, but more regular, which I am. Some of the paperwork I'm getting into is a beast, but it's so satisfying when I finally figure it out. // Today, it feels good to be young, even if I have no idea where I will get this or that things that I supposedly need for the "next step" in whichever direction... {by Tim Walker - I didn't steal it from your site, sir.}
