2010

It's been quite a year.

{January}

I snowboarded and loved in UT

{February}

I saw Chicago from above and below

{March}

I met Thomas Jefferson and got into grad school

{April}

I had my first very own art show

{May}

I graduated

I hiked, walked, and sat Bryce Canyon, UT

{June}

I conquered the world at Zions

{July}

I fell in love with buffalo and was a telemarketer

I shared UT with baum baum

{August}

I watched a desert lightning storm on my favorite lake and finally wake boarded.

I stood on the Spiral Jetty with my best friend

{September}

I moved to DC and was reunited with my partner in crime

Baum baum shared Pittsburgh with me and we arted

{October}

I turned into a Lion and found new friends

{November}

I got the good side of the wish bone, but my wish hasn't come true

{December}

I danced all day with my family

It's about time for a new year.

Relating to the Moon

A freezing cold night that was worth the hours spent outdoors.

Palaeoanthropsychobiological

In addition to hours of research and writing paper after paper, I got to make art. Thank goodness. I love how this project turned out... it's not done yet. I've got some detailing to add. The assignment was to make a piece representing goals we made at our internship and progression we've had through out the semester. Here it is. There's a lot that goes into this one - more than meets the eye. You'll probably notice the comeback debut of the little raft - it's been showing up in my art all semester (that and icebergs and mountains). It's a narrative piece showing an inner city journey that results in conquering and growth, only to return once again into the city land. A demonstration of mastery, organization, communication, refining, experience, confidence, and dedication.

Plywood, Acrylic, fabric, graphite, and etching.

This was part of my counseling final, describing the process of therapy. I used many metaphors based around building a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship.

discovering the unknown

diving into the deep

treading and swimming

water waves converting into sound waves representing active listening

icebergs and mountains

hand sewn empathy

layers upon layers, carefully placed and stored

warmth and cold

reflection

Most of that probably doesn't make any sense and looking at my art might not bring to mind the formation of a crucial relationship, but when I look at what I made I can see an entire semester of gain and learning. Everything I didn't know before, but know now, is on that canvas.

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

Bundle of Thanksgiving Joy

We've all been waiting for this young man for quite some time. He was the perfect holiday gift - what a wonderful little boy for us all to be grateful for, especially his two amazing parents. There are many things to be thankful for year after year, but people are always what matter most. People big and small, even tiny ones. I have many many people to be thankful for this year:

I'm blessed with a family who lets me live with them and has welcomed me into their family with open, gracious arms.

I'm blessed with parents who continue to encourage me to accomplish anything, help me in any and every way they can, and do it all because they love me.

I'm blessed with a brother who finally thinks I'm cool enough to hang out with. He can always say something funny or do something stupid to relieve the holiday stress.

I'm blessed with a Gammy who takes care of me, tells me I'm too skinny and forces me to eat whenever she sees me, helps me with my laundry, and comes to hear me speak at church - she has always been my parent away from home.

I'm blessed with a Grandma who reminds me the world is at my finger tips and I have the ability to experience every square inch of it. She lets me know it's marvelous to be myself.

I'm blessed with an aunt and uncle who have an open door policy. They have always been two of my dearest friends; a pair I can always confide in.

I'm blessed with the best of friends. Near and far. They always answer their phones and their doors. I'm never alone and never bored because of these lovely people. They get me and love me no matter how insane I'm going.

I'm very grateful for my best friend. She's really taken on a lot lately, being my friend, and I truly appreciate every single thing she says and does for me. She is one person I know will always be on my side and never let me stand alone.

I'm thankful for those who have been like family to me. It's true that people become parts of our lives, for and in certain times, for special and specific reasons. Those people continue to be a part of my life - deep down in my heart.

Most of all this year, I'm grateful for my Savior. By showing me love and giving me strength, He has pulled and pushed and carried me through it all.

"The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealous and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man."

Joseph F Smith

"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

Thomas S Monson

Making of "Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise"

Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise

Altered Book Swap

My class is doing an altered book swap - you buy an old book, write a prompt, direction, or theme in it, give that book to someone, get a book from someone, and alter a page in the book following the prompt. At the end of a year I'll get my book back with everyone's art in it, and I'll have put art in every one elses books. It's a great concept. The first book I got wanted something about nature.

Halloween with the babies

Halloween was an all week event. I get to live with my cousins and I love every minute of being around them. I took a trip to their Halloween Parade at school and helped get them all dolled up.

Can't Tame the Lion

Hallows Eve was the best night of our time together.

The roomies all got dressed up, rode to MD with music blasting in the car,

we danced our costumed selves out, Stefi won the costume contest, Lucy danced with EVERYONE at the party, I crawled around the dance floor, we ate crepes at 2 am in the district, and then took a picture of ourselves in someones front yard.

We already have plans for next year.

Perigean and Proxigean Tides

I miss the sea,

but luckily there are water sources in DC.

A few weeks ago I took a lovely bike ride in the best bike riding weather there could be.

A bike path in Georgetown led to a nice stream/creek/river...

and there we found beach glass (technically that's what it's called).

I took it all home with me in my bookless book bag.

Make note of the very rare red piece - found by my bike riding accomplice,

which thankfully he let me keep.

Buffalo Cookies came to life

We made buffalo cookies

(Please notice that I no longer bite my nails)

They didn't taste that great (so I made Pumpkin the next day)

Buffalo Herd