The Arrow is Green

While I have never actually read a comic book in my life, I do have a love for movies or shows about superheroes. Some examples that I have enjoyed include Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, the CW's Smallville, and The Amazing Spiderman (although I always liked the trilogy starring Toby Maguire, too.) 

Now I am sucked into the world of Arrow, a newer series on the CW. So far I'm a little over halfway through season 1, and it is intense. 

Why do I like this show? Besides having a compelling storyline with twists and turns that keep me guessing and characters that I have grown to love, it also has a great soundtrack - which was actually the inspiration for this post. 

The theme music is awesome! It gives me a little thrill every time. Have a listen and enjoy :) 

"To live I had to make myself more than what I was, to forge myself into a weapon. I am returning not the boy who was shipwrecked, but the man who will bring justice to those who have poisoned my city. My name is Oliver Queen." ~Oliver from Arrow

Saturday Adventures

Last Saturday I went for a 4-mile walk with friends around a nearby lake in the morning and explored a cave that same afternoon.

Yesterday I went running in the morning, hiked up a steep hill to see a magnificent view, and later walked up into the bluffs to enjoy a bonfire.

Apparently Saturday is my day for relaxing time spent outside, with friends, doing spontaneous activities.

I actually remembered to take my camera along yesterday, though, and got some shots of the beauty that is this area. Sharing is fun :)

The hike up had some rough terrain - this picture looks relatively tame compared to some of the spots we had to navigate.
I definitely used some muscles that don't get every-day use, let's just say. 

The view on the way up was already making the climb worth it. So much green!

There's a picture of the lake I walked around last weekend! It didn't seem that big when we were walking, but from above it looks pretty huge. 

Sitting on the ledge, taking in the view. 

My friend decided to try out her skills as a rock-climber. She didn't go very far, but I didn't feel compelled to follow her example. I'm not that daring!  

This guy, though, had all the right equipment and was having a good ol' time. I snuck a picture because I thought it was cool. 

Some really neat rocks and formations on this hill. 

Sunshine is always beautiful :)

So that was my afternoon yesterday. I didn't accomplish any homework yesterday, which is causing me some nerves today, but it was such a glorious day. I have decided that Saturday's can be my day of rest, since Sunday's I always sing choir for church and accompany, and then tons of homework has to happen so it's actually not a restful day. 

It's not always easy to take a break, but I think it's the responsible thing to do. 

And you get to see some pretty things when you take the time to look :) 

"Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!" ~Jane Austen, Emma 

A Triad of Beauty

It has been almost a month since I first posted a triad of beauty, and you can read about why I started it here. My instincts are telling me it is time for another grouping!

1. Dreams

I'm talking about aspirations, about ideas that excite you and make you want to work with all your might to achieve them. My dreams are constantly in a state of change and refinement, and lately I've been questioning what my true dreams really are. The whole idea of dreams is mesmerizing to me. 

2. Impromptu 

Calling up a friend just to see if they want to go hiking or explore a cave with you; Having coffee at midnight with your roommate to have a study party; Saying yes to crazy ideas, just to live life and have new experiences. These and many more examples of living in the moment. 

3. Sound waves 

What if we didn't have sound? Wouldn't that be some sort of nightmare. The  most particular example of sound is music. However, there are limitless examples of how sound effects us every day, and all possible because of how sound works. Yes, physics of sound freaks me out, but when I am singing in choir I absolutely love the effects that are possible because Someone created sound. 

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The Thrill of Ambition

So, I wrote this post a week ago, then thought I needed to tweak it before posting it. After looking over it again, I made a few small fixes but want to share it - even if a couple of dates are outdated.

~ ~ ~

Friends, I am often thrilled.

Is this because I am never sad? Do bad things never happen to me? Am I unaware of the struggles of the world?

The answer to all of these questions is no. Sad, bad, and mad things are happening every day.

We can talk about how I cope with all that later, when I go off on a tangent about positive thinking and the benefits to your health (yes, I just read a chapter about that in my psychology textbook).

For now, I want to explain my findings on the topic of ambition.

These findings are relatively new ideas, so bear with me.

I've been at college for exactly one week now. Has it really been only a week? Time flies here! I'll take that as a sign that I am in the right place.

In that week, so many things have happened! I have started all my classes, switched my schedule around, begun a new job, auditioned for (and got into!) choir, discussed future plans with professors, hung out with friends, decorated a dorm room, and gone shopping.

It has been a busy week. I didn't even mention everything.

On to the point.

As I begin classes, I find myself becoming so excited about the materials and eager to learn. Picking up my theater history books, I opened them with a sense of wonder and delight to be learning about something that I view as fun - for a class! Starting my new job, I sort through stacks of old musical scores, glancing through composers and instrument names and stopping to admire especially interesting pieces before setting it on a new pile. Greeting friends, we make plans for the future and enjoy the present moments of fellowship.

What is this ambition word that made it into my title? Well.

I find that when I have things to look forward to, I am a much happier person. And lately, I have a lot of things to look forward to. Part of the reason for that is having ambition.

Ambition, as defined in the Oxford Dictionary: "A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work."

Things I am feeling particularly ambitious about:

~Classes. Learning the materials. Applying new concepts to my life. Achieving good grades and enjoying the learning process.

~Music. Commitment to practice times. Enjoyment of said practice times when possible. Freedom of expression in performance.

~Organization. Keeping track of my multitude of events in my planner but also internalizing what needs to be done and eliminating procrastination in my life.

~Serenity. Maintaining a sense of calm, avoiding stress when possible. Take everything that happens with a grain of salt, as it were, and remember that ultimately I want to get to heaven and everything that happens down here is just a blip on the road to eternal paradise.

~Friendship. Being a loving person who always has time for the fabulous people that enter into my life.

That's just a sampling, but you get the idea. I'm excited about the possibilities and intend to work hard to achieve them.


"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain

Settling In

Hello friends!

It has been a bit longer than I like since I blogged, so I'll just put in a quick post/update.

Settling back into college life has seemed both simple and hectic this year. Now a junior, classes are intensifying and expectations are higher. I've been noticing a few things that make junior year easier, though. (It's only my third day of classes, so forgive me if I seem idealistic - that's just who I am!)

~I know people. The first two years of school I was still in the process of forming friendships and relationships with professors. Now? These people know me, I know them - we're good. Fabulous, even. The only hard part is finding enough time to hang out with these awesome people!

~Classes seem more doable. As a freshman coming straight from being homeschooled my whole life, classes were insanely intimidating. This semester, when I find my stress levels raising, I remind myself of how much unnecessary stress I put myself through those first two years, take a breath, and challenge myself to remain calm and figure it out in a rational manner.*

*it's still a learning work in progress - I still freak out once in a while.

~I've gained confidence. While this one goes with the other two, I know I have grown up a bit during the summer - traveling and having a job will do that to you, I guess - and I'm not at all the same as I was freshman year. I walk with a straight back and with purpose in my steps, and I initiate conversations and attempt to be responsible. Being an adult doesn't seem quite so strange a concept anymore.

Okay, these are brief little points that I've been thinking about in between figuring out adding and dropping a few courses, going to classes, doing homework, practicing music, and finding time to praise the Lord for all the goodness He has seen fit to shower upon me.

Also, I just read this letter to artists by Saint John Paul II - that amazing pope and saint. You can find the link here.  I'd never read it before, but it was suggested for one of my classes and I simply devoured it before lunch. Yes, I was hungry. But the words! Read it and you will see why I was nodding emphatically and highlighting every other paragraph (slight exaggeration...). It's beautiful.

On that note, it is time to satiate another sort of hunger by going to dinner. :)


"Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing." ~August Wilson

The Summer Is Fading

 

Look at this picture. 

What does it mean to you? How does it inspire you? 

When I look at this picture, taken in the middle of June the morning after I returned home from England, I imagine all sorts of emotions, feelings, expectations...the list goes on. 

Like how excited I was to be home. That first morning back remains one of the most beautiful sunrises and early dawn experiences that I can remember being blessed to participate in. 

Or how I imagined my summer going - work during the day, relax and accomplish projects in the evenings, rest up for school, and see friends often. Most of that happened besides the resting...

Perhaps I had an idea of sitting in that chair, maybe getting up early every morning to see more sunrises like this one. 

Or studying photography so I'd know how to capture the beauty of God's creation in a more advanced/more professional manner, since I am quite ignorant in that area. 

These are just a few past longings that this picture brings to mind when I look at it. 

What happened to the summer? One week from now I go back to school for what will likely be another insanely busy semester, and I begin to see a pattern in my life: busy, busy, busy. 

I always over-schedule myself, and make all sorts of plans, and then I freak out trying to accomplish it all. 

The thing is, I still like being busy. I love getting projects done, I love knowing I was a part of something exciting, and I love seeing people - even if all of these things stress me out sometimes. 

This summer I had so many wonderful experiences - travel, new job, a musical, church music internship, getting together with friends, movie dates with sisters...again, the list goes on. 

Were these all things I had in mind when I took this picture? Perhaps not exactly, but I think my summer turned out pretty well. I'm learning more about what it means to be happy, and I think the first step is taking a moment to appreciate what's happening in your now. 

My now as I type this increasingly lengthy blog post is the sound of crickets outside my window, the darkness outside meeting with the light in my room to cause shadows all about, the warmth of an August evening, the touch of a wooden chair, the smell of the candle I have sitting on my dresser....all these things contribute to a cozy atmosphere that makes me want to pause and soak it in, putting off sleep, because I don't want to miss anything. 

I know tomorrow will be crazy. Still busy. But hopefully I'll be reminded throughout the day to pause and take note of the little things that are making each moment special, and that will make each day a more delightful experience. 

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." ~Anne Frank

A Triad of Beauty

I love beauty. Beautiful things like sunrises, a joyful smile, a show of strength, pretty objects, depth of character. Beautiful feelings like persevering to gain success, showing someone you love them, experiencing sadness in situations where you truly care...the list goes on and on.

What I'd like to do on this blog is have occasional posts where I list three (because three is my favorite number) impressions that I find beautiful.

And not broadly ranged things, like music or laughter or general topics. These three things must be more specific, little things that might not be obviously beautiful but that shine out in a memorable way to me and I just can't help but want to share with others. Because sharing beauty with others is where I find great joy.

1. Novenas.

I have recently discovered a delight in praying novenas. My sister shared a link with me to a website where they email you the prayers to the novena every day, so you won't forget, and it works so well for me! I had been having trouble fitting in daily prayer - a struggle I think most people can relate to - but now I start each morning with the novena. With time I find myself adding more and more prayers throughout my day, and that has been a truly beautiful thing.

Here's the link to that website: http://www.praymorenovenas.com.

2. Twalks.

A term I believe my mother said, but really just talking and walking. An excellent way to spend time with a person, sharing what's on your mind or in your heart, getting exercise while gaining quality time with someone you might not otherwise be able to focus on for so long. Be it family, friends, or new acquaintances, "twalking" is one of my favorite pastimes and it's beautiful - especially if you have great scenery!

3. Small town life

This one is a bit more odd, but let me explain. At least partly. Growing up in the country, I haven't always felt like there were many people in my town that knew or cared overmuch about my life. Until this summer. This summer I work in the bank, and I begin to realize how many people have watched me grow up, know who my Grandma is, and want to know my life plan. Anything new happens, I can't go anywhere without someone mentioning it or knowing a little tidbit about my life. While I know this can seem oppressive and irritating to some people, this summer I've been finding it endearing (while at times embarrassing) that there are so many that care about what I do.

So, those are my three beautiful ideas for today. They may seem a bit vague, but I guess the idea of this exercise is to realize that there is beauty in every day, and to begin to look for it in places you might not expect to see it.


"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." ~Helen Keller

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~Confucius

From Smarties to DumDums

This summer I trained in as a teller at a bank.

Now, putting aside the dramas of learning how to count money and navigate the computer systems while dealing with jet lag from my trip to England, I want to share something about office sweets.

Being in my hometown, I used to love going to this bank when I was little. The tellers were always so sweet and friendly and I would come away with a balloon and one pack of Smarties candies. They remain a favorite sweet to this day.

When learning that I was hired to become one of these tellers I was nervous, to be sure, but also excited that I might be able to impact some child's life by being one of those pleasant ladies with candy.

I swiftly learned that Smarties are no longer handed out, but have been replaced by Dumdum suckers. Apparently Smarties were to messy in cars? More on that later.

So, they're still handing out candy. That's sweet. (sorry - couldn't resist the pun) What's my issue?

Not to mention that I love Smarties and am not too fond of the gooey stickiness and cavity awareness that comes from sucking on a Dumdum, I find negative connotations with the name.

Seems pretty obvious to me that Smarties are associated with wisdom and learning while Dumdums are associated with...well, dumbing things down. A sad habit I notice in a lot of areas in the world, but right now I'll just talk about the basic art of eating candy.

I can see why Dumdums might seem attractive. There are many flavors to choose from, there's one item on a stick that can't go rolling off into the car and hide in little crevices for years to come...which is the fault I'm hearing from Smarties. However, any two-year-old already knows how to suck on things. How many small children have thumb-sucking habits? Let's encourage it by making it conveniently sweet on a paper stick that gets half eaten, causing who knows what kind of other issues. (As far as I know, highly processes paper products are not encouraged on the food pyramid.)

Smarites, however, require dexterity and responsibility. There is careful planning in deciding which end of the package to open first, and how to hold it so as not to lose any. Yes, there are plenty dropped in the process of learning, but if you want to eat them all you swiftly learn how to take care so as not to misplace the precious round sugary delights. You learn which is your favorite flavor and savor accordingly. Kindness is encouraged, as you learn your friends favorite flavors, swapping and sharing so everyone is happy. You can be either patient, popping in one Smartie every five minutes to make a work day go by quicker, or you can be excited and pop in as many as will fit and enjoy the mixture of flavors dissolving on your tongue, inhaling more powder than is healthy but not caring because hey - you earned those Smarties with whatever project you are rewarding yourself for or because you made a new friend that day.

Giving someone a Dumdum, to me, says "Here, have some fool-proof candy because I don't think you are capable of much more than that. You will not go far in life." Giving a Smartie? That says "You seem an intelligent, capable person and I believe you will achieve your goals in life. Keep dreaming. And have a balloon, to set your dreams flying higher than the sugar can take you. Try not to pop it"

Okay, yes, it's a crazy argument and I do enjoy my fair share of Dumdums, too. (I'm partial to the pink lemonade or mango ones, myself...) but I still miss the positive message found in the wrapping of a Smartie, and I like being able to say I'm getting smarter by eating them because hey - you are what you eat, right?


"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Dizzy Fairy

Saturday was a busy day, full of cleaning and rehearsing and cooking. Later in the afternoon, I was about to get ready for church and I decided to play with my hair. Twisting up the sides into a ponytail, I flipped it and then tucked the pony in to make a soft up-do. Then, since I was really playful, I tried pinning a string of beads leftover from my brother's wedding into my hair. It turned out almost perfectly! I know if I ever needed my hair to look like that I wouldn't be able to come close, but in that moment it was exciting. 

Once I showed my mom and sister my look, they insisted I should wear my green dress - a fairy-like ensemble. I was reluctant at first, since it seemed a bit decadent for a Saturday evening Mass, but it seemed fun so I tried it on. The hair and dress were too coordinated to not wear it, so I left it and went to Mass and played organ with gusto. 

Upon returning home, however, it was decided that Trudi and I should have an impromptu photo shoot with the trees in the background. Braving the mosquitos was a daring move, but we had a fun - if brief - time and Trudi captured some fabulous shots! 

Another reason I like these pictures so much is that I made this dress when I was about 16 years old, and haven't ever had really good pictures of it. Getting it in action was exciting! 

An indoor shot of the hair and back of the dress. 

The lighting was ideal in this spot, and it wasn't too hard to imagine myself in a fairy-realm. 

Twirling was necessary, since the dress has a full-circle skirt with lining! A lot of love and devotion went into the construction and hand-sewing of this dress. 

I may have gotten a bit dizzy, but it was fun and I absolutely love how this picture shows off the sleeves, skirt, back detail, and hair-do. 

"Nature never did betray

The heart that loved her."

~William Wordsworth

A New Beginning

Greetings!

It has been a long interlude since last I posted anything, I'm afraid.

Since now I'd like to revive my sleeping blog, I decided a new look was necessary. No longer a high-school girl, it was time for a change in decor. Hope you like my redesign! 

You might find the blog posts a bit different, as well. While I still intend to explore whichever topics strike my fancy from time to time, there may be more prevalent themes that pop out as time goes by. We shall see what happens!

Keeping this a short note, we won't re-cap all of what has happened this past year. Just a brief overview, plus an update, then we can move on!

This planner, redecorated by me, has a lot of scribbles and color coordinated scheduling in it, since two semesters of college life are documented within. Sophomore year!

I auditioned and got into the school music show, performing "Winter Song" and "Let It Go" with friends. This was my 'Elsa' outfit. I thought the blue worked well with the song! Definitely came out of my shell for that performance. 

Beginning of March, I went to California with my Chamber Choir! Such a fun spring break with amazing people and lots of music. And my first view of the Pacific Ocean :) Or any ocean, for that matter. 

After four semesters of agonizing over this kind of stuff, I finished Music Theory III with flying colors! Okay, an A-, but I'm okay with that. And I know what all of those chords are, thank you very much. 

At end of April, I inherited my sister's car and packed it up with all of my stuff to move home for the summer. It was tight, but I squeezed it all in there! I named the car "The Green Quiver" - "Quiver" for short. 

Five days after returning home from school, I traveled to England with my sister! We toured Bath, The Lake District, and London for ten days. So much beauty. (Hiking in the Lake District resulted in some breathtaking views)

The initial reason I went to England was because I took a literature class in college, and after our ten days together, I joined my class for two more weeks while my sister went home. I was overseas for over three weeks! Such a wonderful experience. (The Tower Bridge in London was my favorite of the many bridges over the Thames :)

The morning after I returned, I was jet-lagged and wide awake at 4AM. What do I do? Scamper all over the yard taking pictures of the sunrise because while I loved England, I missed home and was so happy to be back!

And then there was twirling. 

So there you have it! A brief summary of my past year. Now, having survived my sophomore year of college as a music major, I am home for the summer working as a bank teller during the week, church musician on the weekends, cleaning an office at night, and playing piano in a musical. I'm a busy girl! 

Learning to take the time to appreciate the blessings in my life despite being exhausted and swamped with commitments has been a challenge, but hopefully I'll get better at maintaining a positive attitude. This blog is a good place to start, by sharing the things I find joy in. So welcome back to those who have returned to my little corner of the web, and greetings to those who are new! 


"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson's Essays