Pashmina Love

I have realized, of late, that I have become the scarf girl. 

I wear one almost every day.

If its not on my neck, 

Its in my bag, just in case I need it.

I have even worn a scarf with a tank top, 

which seems to defeat the purpose of the tank top,

however, I can most assuredly tell you that

It is lovely! 

I tell you, there is nothing that you cannot wear a scarf with.

I notice that I have a type of scarf.

I seem to especially gravitate towards Pashmina scarves
(and the ruffle scarf that my 

mommy knit me for my birthday). 

I have received five scarves, between Christmas and my birthday,

as gifts; I cherish those all the more! 

Though, I have few outside of those I suppose. 

However, I do find that they are all the more sweet

to wear knowing that they came from a loved one.

If I could, I would send all my loved ones, and my loyal blog followers,

a lovely pashmina scarf. 

But alas, my pocket does not permit such an endearing deed.

SO, I will just have to slowly send them out;)

Artful Friday (on saturday)

"Where Flies Are Born"

Darl-Abyss666(deviantart)
*Note* This artist created this work of art using oil paint
applied entirely with a flattened spoon.

This Night

Tonight, I've no homework. None. Tonight, I can breathe in a deep

breath of fresh air. I can surface the mass of water, known

as homework, and peer around at the world outside of that unavoidable mass.

Tonight, I can dream. 

Tonight, I can think on lovely things; I can imagine

glorious subject matter arranged just so,

on a blank canvas. 

I can imagine what my art studio will look like someday,

when I've a house of my own.

Picture by PoorSailor

Artful Friday

Urban Expressionism

Artist: Unknown

Antique?

 As I was walking through endless rows of antique jewelry, I thought to myself," Will my ring every ever make it to the furture as an antique? Or will it be a lost treasure? Will someone find it on some shore amid sand and seashells? Or will it be found in an antique store like this one and given to another lucky girl from her sweet heart?"

Things Of Wonder

Trees striped completely bare,
ashy and solomn,
Amid a circle of flourishing brethren,
as vibrant and fresh as the mornings dew.

A classic old timer story (keep in mind, that
the train was rather loud; I only have
tidbits. However, tidbits are more than enough.
Trust me):

We went all the way in the snow cuz we didn't
have it. I mean, we had ice cycles from the eave
of our roof to the sidewalk (demonstration
with hands*)!
And and, stuff doesn't grow on trees.
Deer. And once in a while foxes!
Squad cars lined up (shaking finger*).

Trains, Pearls, And Emeralds

Yes another train ride.

I managed to get through my water works. I can never help it. The tears just flow when I leave and when I come back, from both places. Only this time, it was more embarassing. They handed out snacks, drinks, and called for tickets, right after we got on, which usually doesnt happen until a few minutes into the ride. So I kept my face down as far as possible to keep unknown eyes from seeing my weakness. (Not that weakness is a bad thing. Through weakness, we become more dependent on our Heavenly Father, which is right). I just don't tear up (aka cry, infront of others very well. I will snuffle it as soon as it starts peaking).

The ocean is so calming and distracting. I close my eyes and see myself on the beach, toes in the sand, hair damp with ocean spray, and face to the sun and the ocean. Into the ocean, I walk. Clothes and all. Steadily submersing myself in the cool calmness of the emerald, peacock blue water. I can feel the water around me and the foam of crashing waves. Eyes, closed, I imagine a secret, under water world. One unlike any other. A world where pearls are bubbles, white and pure. A world where emeralds sprout and grow from beneath the sand, wet and warm. All the fishes are precious metals and time passes away without recllection.

Side note* this version of Ave Maria is entrancing: LIBERA.

Flojios flip flops are so comfortable! I love their simplicity. I have a tan pair, eventually I think that a black pair would be in order.

Day Dreams

I day dream in watercolor and ink.

Summer Santa

What if there were a summer Santa? Wouldn't that be lovely? If there were, I'd ask him for a Watercolor Moleskine.

What would YOU ask him for?

Daily Wanderings And Tea

Hello Blogglings!

I have had a much needed day full of tea, amid all my daily wanderings. Today I happened to wander to work, then to the writing lab, to my classes, and lastly to Michaels for some much MUCH needed watercolor  pencils. I am now home, with a list of to do's and a list of lists to create!

I found inspiration in art class today! (With a bit of help;) Isn't that how it goes sometimes? I am very excited for my art project (which will involve the new watercolor pencils) and for the reaction it will create In the eyes of those who behold it. 

I have added two books to my reading list this year:

And

I am very excited to read them! The trick is, to find the TIME to read them.

Eight Things I Love About Being A Girl

  1. Frilly, flowery, pretty dresses

2. Long Hair

3.  Pretty little scarves

 

4. Braids 

5. Ballet flats

6. Wearing flowers in my hair

7.  Cats are our best (feline) friends (my handsome boy Chip)

 8. Painting nails (Color Me Katie)

Of Black Holes, Paint, and Retainers

This drives me crazy!

My things are disappearing.

I think that I may know who the culprit is.

Holly.

I think that there is a black hole somewhere in my house

that Holly has found on her daily bumbling.

A pencil bag full of my favorite pens, and my retainers.

(Yes, I still have my retainers. And yes, I still wear them... Or did.)

On a slightly less unhappy note,

I finally found the perfect color for my room! 

The color before this one was a very cotton  candy blue. 

 (I honestly did not desire that kind of effect.)

Now, my room is a gorgeous sea-foam blue. 

I love it.

It is so relaxing and lovely.

When my room is done, I will be sure to post a few pictures. 

So long.

If I find the black hole that Holly has been throwing my things in,

I just might fall in myself

and may never be back.

Wish me luck.

Braids

I love their timeless, classic beauty.

There is and element of wistfulness and romanticism about them.

A braid done right, never ceases to catch the eye.

Summer Desire

I am SO ready for summer. 

I cannot wait for summer dresses, frilly tank tops, and shorts. 

For bathing in the sun, filling the days with surf, digging my toes in warm sand, roman sandals.

I was reading my lovely friend's post about feeling the woe's of summer fever. (Carissa's wonderful blog)

I have been complaining about this fever for the last few weeks, as well.

But alas there is nothing to be done! 

(I realized this while I stood on the balcony outside my math class today, during break.)

It is inevitable! Just when you think that it is starting to warm up, 

large grey clouds move in and dash your hopes of summer to the rocks. 

Don't get me wrong. I adore the rain. I love the sound, the smell, and all the scarves and warm sweaters that come with it. I adore the stunning green that the hills surrounding this little valley turn when the rain comes marching in. 

I also know, that when summer comes visiting, the hills will turn brown and crunchy. That the soft green will be gone.

But I miss summer! 

(After all, God did create the seasons and the change in nature for our enjoyment. For us to revel in all his glorious creation.)

Summer, please come quickly. Bathe the day in your rays of glorious, warm sunshine.

Banish school to the corner!

(Though I love school)

Bring adventure and exploration along.

Peace Comes In Green Hills, and Sliced Peaches

The hills surrounding me are so green. Sometimes when I look at them, I find peace. Peace in our Fathers astounding creation. I want to paint them, and make them last forever. Every spring, when the rain comes rolling in, I anticipate the new green life that will sprout soon after.
No matter how grey and rainy it may be, these hills never cease to shine; a beacon of spring. And but a single mile away from these rolling, spring green hills, is the ocean. I am so blessed to live in this gorgeous place!



For art we are doing studies in local color and color discord. It was advised that we choose a fruit or vegetable to do these studies in, and I chose a peach. The color is so pretty! (despite the fact that I'll have to ruin the gorgeous color with a color of discord...)

Making Life Beautiful

Hello to all. All, that is, who even read this insignificant space, where I pour out thoughts, revelations, and adventures...

Recently I have really been reflecting on this verse and applying it to my daily life:

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults, and with my song I give
thanks to Him."

Psalms 28:7

At first glance, to me, it didn't really seem like a verse that I could apply to my everyday. To the grind and to the mellow, to the tired and to the rested, to the joyous and to the hardened times. Regular and un-spectacular times... But- somehow, when I am sitting at work drilling and connecting, unpacking and twisting, I find myself thinking on this verse. I was reminded the other day, of the fact that it was on my facebook wall, and it sort of just stuck with me. Like the way people always say steak and potatoes stick to your ribs.
I have truly found help and peace in this verse. When I am fretting I remind myself that my God is my strength and my shield. That with His strength, he will shield and guide me through even the most blinding of life's storms. After I begin to calm myself down, and my stomach settles I remember the second half," In Him my heart trusts, and I am helped." This brings me to remember that anxiety and worry are a sin. (We are only human and this happens... But with a little diligence, we can calm our hearts and minds with the knowledge that all works to His glory). I remember the lilies of the valley and birds of the air, how they are provided for. God loves us much more than flowers or birds (though both are quite lovely, and a testimony to our Loving Creators hand). We find help and rest when we let our hearts and, consequently, our lives trust in Him. And with the second part, comes the last. I should exult and sing in the Lord's love and care for me! Even when times are hard or confusing. I should give Him constant thanks. Thanks for what seems to be small as well as the big. For our God is a Loving as well as a jealous and holy God... Often times, I think that either one or the other is left out. Making the ones not left out, more focused on and therefor more pursued.

And so, what at first seemed only a beautiful statement of the Psalmist, has become a guide. A guide to each and every situation. Whether it is only part of this verse or the whole, that reveals itself in these sticky life situations (as well as the peaceful ones), it is there. Embedded in the normal unspectacular times as well as those of excitement or shock. It is there making even the small moments beautiful. No matter their mood.

Shortboard Resolution: Day One

Well after a very far stretch of time, I went surfing today. I cannot believe the amount of time in between my last session and this one. A month? Terrible.
Though, this sort of this is going to be happening a lot less. My New Years resolution was the be able to ride a shortboard by summer, or just into the beginning of summer. SO- this will lead to much much more surfing. I am happy to say that I was able to pop up pretty fast. Which- is a good good thing. You have to be able to get up faster than you would on a longboard. I also was able to find my center and paddle pretty okay. (however, my upper body strength is extremely lacking!)
To aid in strengthening the muscles I need for surfing, I found (on accident) some stretches to help build up the endurance and muscle (which is capital, because I am nothing short of pathetic when it comes to paddling endurance.) Ugh! All the wasted waves! I have such a LACK of upper body strength that I take so many breaks so that I can recuperate before I actually paddle for a wave. Pathetic? Much. This is not to say I want to look like a body builder. That would be disgusting. Another plus to surfing (besides the complete all around awesomeness of it) is that it keeps you pretty toned. SO- absolutely no body builder body.
I was able to borrow a shortboard from Adam. Well, I think that it was actually his dad's board. I'm not sure. Either way, it is really nice of them:)

Slowly, it seems that we are all getting sick. I am hoping that I dont. I am feeling a sore throat coming on and am pretty sad about it. I really dont want to be sick. SO please pray for good health all around!

A Cry Of Thanksgiving

Our Father in heaven is so wonderful. Why do I let myself get scared or worried? How do I fall into doubt, time and time again? He is the Great Provider. He always pulls me through. He delivers.
I cannot express my degree of thankfulness in this moment. No word or phrase could sum it up. Except my saying that no word or phrase could sum it up...
I reach such a low, and become a basket case and a train wreck. Constantly threading my fingers through my hair and stare off into the void with a panicked expression and a heart heavy with stress and worry. Will He hear my desperate prayer, my desperate cry for deliverance? He always does. He reaches down from heaven and wraps his arms around me. Embracing my lack of faith and renews it. Filling my body and soul with peace, lifting my heavy heart with His light.
My God and Father delivers me. He delivers me, his wayward child. His disobedient, rebellious, forgetfull, weak child. For this I am more thankful than I ever knew I could be. And yet, this thankfulness continues to grow, reaching immeasurable heights.

"1 Shout out praises to he Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with joy! Enter his presence
with joyful singing.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us
and we belong to Him; we are His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His
courts with praise! Give Him thanks, praise
His name!
5 For the Lord is good. His loyal love endures,
and He is faithful through all the generations.:

Psalm 100

Day After Christmas

the silence. The inevitable silence of boarding this train carrying me to the border. Well, close enough to the border. Everything happens so quickly when you travel by some transportation company… I’m the sort of person to draw out goodbyes for as long as I can. Though I have found that this is not necessarily easier or more painless. In the end, the goodbye is just as painful and just as hard. Perhaps, even more so. I leave behind me waving hands and smiling faces. Full of love and sadness, mirroring my own waving hands and smiling face. A sinking feeling hits as I see their backs turn from me, leaving, to get in their cars. They’ll go home to other loved ones, and the sadness will melt away. They might remember the sadness, but it wont feel nearly as bad while they are surrounded with warm faces. I envy them that. I’ll sit here, on this train, amid strangers. Strangers who all have their own destinations, who sit in their own little isles reading things like,” Women’s Health Magazine” with a headline exclaiming,” Flat Sexy Abs!” Or the brothers directly across from me, sound asleep.
I am longing for the cold sensation of ocean water rolling over and under me as I share in its majestic marvels. To glide along a glassy wave, to fall into the cold, salty water and feel it’s bubbles floating up and around my body as I swim toward the surface. I’d even embrace a brain freeze from a wave hitting me face on.
The green hills, rolling and smooth, are slipping away now and the ocean is in view; Surf Beach. No turning back now. That chance was gone at exactly 7:21 a.m. This train is disgustingly always exactly on time. It came at 7:21 a.m. and by 7:22 a.m. I was sitting in a seat, waving and holding back a frown while my ticket was being punched.
Ugh it only makes it worse watching the waves rise and fall…. Noting at all the waves that are ride-able and imagining the feeling, the rush I would get when I first stand up and drop in. I just saw, literally, an amazing barrel. It was a little small to really fit inside… But it looked amazing. I always see them, but have never experienced riding one. Of being inside, with a salt water wall at my shoulder... The water is such an amazing color right now. A sort of tealish grey with brighter teal highlights. I swear that my phone is against me right now.

Haha. Before I boarded the train, I noticed that Dean had this freakishly long eyebrow hair sticking straight out of his eyebrow. I think that it was possibly the longest eyebrow hair that I have ever seen. I notified him as soon as it caught my eye. He told me straight away they he had a no tolerance policy regarding long eyebrow hairs and to pull it. I wasn’t ready to pull it. But I tried anyways. I failed. The end result was Dean thinking that I got the hair, when all I really did was give him watery eyes. I had to tell him the truth. He pulled it successfully. Then asked what was wrong with me that I couldn’t pull the hair myself. And why it hurt when I tried and not when he did. Adam and I just stood there laughing until our abs burned and our cheeks hurt.
I think that the people standing there will always remember that moment. They just stood there staring. They heard the whole conversation, eyebrow incident and all. The look on their faces only made me laugh harder. One day they will say,” hey remember that one time when we got on a train going out of Guadelupe? And there were those people, and the eyebrow…?? “ ( as most “remembers” are vague. ) Despite the vagueness, the other will exclaim,” Oh ya! That was so gross.” HAhahaha I truly hope so. Perhaps this is a silly thing to say… But in light of my leaving, it makes me laugh, and therefor less melancholy.

I’ve started to learn “The Meadow” song from New Moon. It is so pretty. I wish that I could be playing it right now. Feeling the smooth keys fall under my fingers. To feel my fingers slide over them as I transition from on octive to another. With school, I’ve had such a limited amount of time to do those sort of things.

I just saw two shipwrecked sail boats in the same little cove. I wonder what happened. Maybe I should write a story about what I think happened. That might make for an interesting short story.

AHHH!!!! I forgot my Dad and Lori’s Christmas gift!!!!! In that moment when I stood in my room thinking to myself,” Did I forget anything..???” Why, oh, WHY did my mind say,” No, I think you are good,”!?!?!?!! UGH☹ I wonder if I could get my parents to send it for me…?? Oh man, I am so sad. I wanna just run to the conductor and yell,” Stop! Turn around! I forgot something really important!” And in this daydream of a desire, he would actually turn around for me. Too bad that this is a daydream of a desire☹ I just realized, I couldn't have brought it with me anyways. It wasn't dry yet! Oh yay! Oh the panic...

Jesus is our Peace.

I had something meaningful to blog about the other day, but somewhere in the holiday rush I forgot to post and lost it. Whether or not it will be found again, will remain a mystery... Until, should I remember, I post it...Whatever it was.

(some gifts for this Christmas. Please excuse my hands... they have a tendency to get really dry and ugly in the winter:/ )


I can't believe that Christmas is just in four short days... So crazy... Well five, if you actually count Christmas morning. I feel ill prepared and lost in the flurry of Christmas activity. I can't believe that I was able to finish shopping for three people in an hour the other day... Including, going into the mall... No matter how lame a mall is (cough*, like ours, cough cough**), they always seem to fill with people, all sharing the same mission; Christmas shopping... I always try to make as many of my gifts as possible. I have had so much fun with that this year! Including a piece of art done in pastels:) I love the feeling of pastel stain fingers... Or charcoal stained fingers. I love the feeling it gives me. A sort of satisfying excitement of accomplishment.

I seemed to have pulled a muscle or strained a tendon in my right shoulder. It is driving me insane. Even the smallest of movements seems to send a little pain through my upper arm. How I did this exactly, I have no idea. Ugh, it is so nagging!

I heard something in church today that really stuck with me. I loved the whole sermon! Our pastor is really wonderful. But this phrase really stuck to my heart," Jesus is our peace." There is something deep and profound about that short phrase. Something that just strums the right chord in your heart, mind, and soul: Gratitude, joy, happiness, love, thankfulness, reverence, honor... Our Lord is so great and compassionate to us, His disobedient children. He sent His son into this world to live among and gather up his straying children... The great shepherd. Sent him, to suffer and die for our sins. Christ took the full burden of our Heavenly Father's wrath, to save us. Christ suffered, but so did the Father. He sent his unblemished lamb into the world, to suffer his hand to save people who were drowning in sin... Living it... Our Lord is so compassionate and forgiving, to give us a second chance at life.