I've been super bad about writing everyday, which was my initial goal. Woops.
Maybe that will be my New Years Resolution...?
Well, I'm back in Huntsville, trying to get my life together for the real world. I hate that I had to cut my vacation in Abilene short, but I gotta get things done...and relaxing really wasn't going to fully happen until then. So alas, I'm back in my home away from home away from home. (My studio.)
As I work, I keep replaying this video...it makes me feel more at home.
That would be my brother playing his new guitar and singing with his new mic. A very wonderful way to spend our Christmas afternoon.
You know it's Christmas Eve when we take pictures by the tree in colorful pajamas.
(I'm pretty sure we took about 18 pictures in this same pose over the holiday break. And I don't mind it one bit.)
Sorry for the shortness and almost zero recap of my Abilene vacation. Time is a tickin' people.
As I crawl into bed on this cold Christmas night I'm thinking about all of the blessings in my life. There are so many, so I won't name them. (Okay, just a few, my wonderfully fun family, my lovely friends, my beautiful home, and of course, fresh flowers that grace my presence every few weeks.)
With all of those in mind, I'm also thinking about what my mom said today in her sermon. (Thumbs up to you Mom.) This idea really struck a cord with me today...God meets us where we are. He doesn't wait for us to 'get it together' then come; he meets us exactly where we are at that time. And gives us what we need to get to the next day.
With this beautiful thought, I'm wondering how I can be more like that? The only thing that gets in my (and I'm gonna go out on a limb here) and say everyones way, is pride. Why is the idea of 'you can only give this much, and thats okay. I will still be here.' so hard to swallow? Pride. I don't want to live with this 'you did this for me, so I will only do this much' motto. I want to give more to every relationship in my life because at the end of the day, I will never regret giving a little extra to make someone else feel special, loved and noticed. I know it isn't New Years, so a resolution is about 5 days premature, but why not start now?
This is my Christmas Resolution. I will not let others actions, words or lack there of make me less than who I am and less than who I want to be. I will start meeting people where they are, instead of waiting for them to be where I am.
However, this change will not mean getting taken advantage of. There is a difference between getting walked on and simply trying to be a bright spot in someones day. I will try to be the bright spot, not the carpet. I should point out that being a positive in someones life (whether they acknowledge it or not) is one of my favorite positives I have in my own life. I love what a simple act of kindness can do for ones soul.
So here we go...Christmas Resolution 2011.
Joy is the name of the game.
If I Could Sing, I'd Do A Cover Of This
The Cave
Mumford & Sons
Why:"But I will hold on hope, and I won't let you choke on the noose around your neck." That line is exactly what I'm talking about tonight. I don't want to wait for people to get themselves out of their 'noose', I want to be there with them, and hopefully with a simple smile, and maybe a cup of coco, I can help.
First off, this break has been filled with surprisingly epic-ness. Granted, the official Abilene Boredom has in fact, set in...but at least one eventful thing has happened each day. Rather than listing them and going into detail...I've decided to make a list of what I believe to be the 'musts' for the holiday season.
I Believe...
1. Donuts for at least 4 breakfasts a week is completely normal.
2. Surprise visits from dear friends make any life 'issue' fade away.
3. The Hallmark channel is the only channel to watch.
4. Hot chocolate is a replacement for water.
5. Christmas shopping is the only thing to do all day.
6. Everyday should be ended with a beer from Bedfords with friends.
7. Wearing my pajama pants until I go to Bedfords is totally acceptable.
8. Taking the long way to look at obnoxiously decorated homes is the only way to get anywhere after 5 p.m.
9. Themed and color coordinated wrapping is a simple but important thing.
10. The cliche quote "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is true, even more so for friendships.
11. The Christmas Spirit is contagious.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
The sign I found on my parents bedroom door last night. Classic.
Before I left Huntsville on Friday, I realized/noticed something. The trees finally started to catch up to the month we're in. (It's about time nature. it's about time.)
My favorite tree of the season.
After I noticed 'fall' had come, I loaded up my car and noticed something else. (I never thought I'd say this...) but I might own too much Vera Bradley. Seriously, it looks like she threw up in my car.
That would be 1 hanging bag, 1 computer bag, 1 makeup bag, and 3 different sized duffles.
See my reasoning for the absurd quote I just made?
Well, I'm back in the hometown and it's been most enjoyable thus far. My boredom hasn't set in yet, and I give full credit to 3 things.
1. Greg and Trudy were also in town.
2. Being busy with family activities.
3. My mother in general.
The gang after the first Christmas celebration.
However, now the 'gang' has left due to adult jobs, the family stuff is out of the way as of 2 o'clock this afternoon and there is only so much shopping one can do with Louise. (did I just say that? Geez. I'm really losin' it today.)
While I so much need a break, I still find myself stressed about everything I need to be doing for college/adult world. As much as I would love to do these things to check them off the list, and feel like I can finally take a true break...I can't. Because I'm home and less a studio. I've gotten so use to having it 2 minutes away that is seems almost a must for any creative processing to happen.
Since I cannot work on what I feel like I 'need' to...I will work on other creative things that don't benefit me, but others. Christmas gift making has begun.
Wish me luck.
*Luck is needed for 3 things. 1: I don't go crazy this break. 2: I get all Christmas gifts and college/real world things done. 3: I get to a point that I feel comfortable enough to not do anything.
With little complaint, I somehow wrangled the whole team together for a big group photo. Epic is the biggest understatement of the year. Pretty sure I have the best group of friends. (if it isn't clear from the photos.)
Happy Wednesday Everyone.
I'm so happy we have this and can look back on it in 50 years.
Goofy.
The 'Studio Gang' (all of us that have studios)
*Not Photographed but deeply loved and missed, Catherine.
It's amazingly horrible that a sneak attack of the shingles is the only thing that can make me slow down.
In my slowness today, I made two scarves, ate a massive baked potato, watched 2 Christmas LifeTime movies and crocheted a mini hat for Bindi.
The cutest thing I've seen in a while.
If this is what Christmas break will be like....um. I'm not sure if I can do this for a month. I hate not being productive. Which is weird because as a child I was like the laziest kid ever. I guess I'm making up for those first 12 years or something.
However, I did have plenty of time to look around on Pintrest (cough all day cough) and get some inspiration for new art.
I make pillows. Why didn't I think to do this yet?
Well, it's 9 o'clock and I think my bed is calling me.
For that sentence alone, I'm tempted to say 'thank you' to my shingles. But that's weird and gross.
If I Could Sing, I'd Do A Cover Of This
Dance Dance Dance
(Neil Young Cover)
Mumford & Sons
Why: Um. This song hasn't stop playing in my car for the past week.
This week has be out.of.con.trol. But fabulous as well! Granted sleep has not been an activity I've got to enjoy, but that is okay. I was in the Student Art Association Juried Show this week. For those of you who aren't in the 'art world' or know things about it, a juried show is when a judge comes in and picks the best pieces and gives a cash prize. And I'll be darn, I won Best 3D Piece!! I'm so honored, there were some amazing sculpture entered.
My winning piece.
Clearly, that was one highlight of the week. Along with getting our tiny, but beautiful Christmas Tree up! There is something about waking up and walking into the living room and seeing the tree all lit up! That was my favorite thing when I was a child. Mad props to you Louise for always being awake before us to do that simple but wonderful task.
Note the gnome and dog ornaments.
This tree couldn't belong to anyone but Paige and I.
Finals are next week, and I'm actually prepared for them! Then it's off to Abilene for holiday. Bittersweet. I'm going to miss all my friends and life here...but vacations in Abilene never seem to be boring. I'm looking forward to being home with my family and friends for a while. So let's get these finals knocked out and get to sipping hot coco by the tree!
If I Could Sing, I'd Do A Cover Of This
Flight Of The Crow
Passenger
Why: I need some mellowness and poetic lyrics this week.
Lately I've had many friends bring up this topic : 'I don't want a relationship'. I get that. But what I want to ask them is 'Well, are we friends?' the correct answer would be yes, then I would follow up with
'Then you are in a relationship.'
I'm wondering what the difference is between a great friendship and a great romantic relationship? If I knew how to make a flow chart, that would be happening, however, I do not. A comparison list will have to do.
FriendshipRomantic Relationship
Communication Communication
Trust Trust
Loyalty Loyalty
Humor Humor
Common Interests Common Interests
Putting in effort Putting in effort
Physical Attraction
Honesty Honesty
Apologizing Apologizing
Forgiving Forgiving
Show appreciation Show appreciation
Hugs Hugs
Clearly I don't know how to make a properly aligned comparison list either. Sorry team.
Granted, I am NO relationship expert. But I've had my fair share of relationships, and all of them included at least some of these qualities. So why do people say they don't want a relationship when really, they are only in relationships. Yes, yes, I get that with a romantic one comes different emotions, different risks and different 'time requirements'. But don't we all take those same risks with a friend? I'm pretty sure that if I found out one of my best friends was betraying me or not fulfilling one of these qualities, I would be hurt or more likely to want to stop being their friend.
Can anyone help me out on this concept that I'm clearly missing? Because according to my chart, the only 'key to a successful relationship' is physical attraction.
Kissing is what separates us from our friends and our 'persons'.
I take all of my relationships, romantic and platonic very seriously and with great amounts of love. I don't feel like that is so off base for most, so why around every corner this week am I finding people saying these things?
What I realized today is that it isn't that people don't want a relationship, they don't want to get hurt. The fear of getting hurt is all holding us back from certain relationship at times.
Because I'm not sure of anyone in their right mind that would say, 'Gah. I hate feeling loved. I hate that someone wants to spend time with me. I hate having someone that I can always go to. I just hate it all.' Um. Yah. Only a crazy would say that.
I'm not really sure why I wrote about all of this today. Most of my art is about relationships, so these ideas are in constant movement in my mind. I think I just needed to send it out into the void that is the internet to get it off my mind for just a minute. Again, those moments where I'm not thinking about such 'heavy' topics are refreshing.
I guess what could sum up this post is a quote (that I just made up, maybe it will catch on like wild fire and end up on Pintrest in a kitsch graphic design poster).
"As for me, I will choose relationships with people who matter, rather than the relationship with fear."
If I Could Sing, I'd Do A Cover Of This
Desire Ryan Adams Why: I like the last line, "...that you run and never tire..." I think that is how all relationships in life should be. Putting in all your effort and never running out of steam, because hopefully, that person on the other side of the relationship is doing the same, thus no steam being lost.
I knew yesterday was going to be chill...but I had no idea it was going to be this Epicly Chill. And perfectly lovely.
Wyatt. Might be my favorite dog ever. Even more so now that he is more than willing to wear pet pajamas.
Seriously, I love him.
After getting this cutie all dolled up, the guys started playing guitars. I just relaxed on the couch with a beer and a snuggly dog in a onsie while the boys played some blues. Check out the 'video' for the audio of it.
There's something about a clean room on a Saturday afternoon that just makes you say 'Awe, life is right.' While Bindi (Paige's new puppy) is quietly laying in here as I have a cup of tea and write...I can't think of a single thing I need to do today that is a 'must'.
Bindi. At times the craziest dog in the world, but right now she's pretty cute.
I have this feeling of wanting to write but I have nothing on my mind. And that is such a lovely place to be. Especially this week. Maybe I'm finally reaching that point of just being still. I think all I really needed was a week were I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off to teach me to just stop, be quiet and rest. So that is what I will be doing today. Well that and having a couple of drinks on a porch with friends. Like I said, all is right in Julia World today. Hope this finds you in a similar place
If I Could Sing, I'd Do A Cover Of This
Peaceful Easy Feeling
The Eagles
Why: The mellowness of this is just right for today. And in general, this song suits my life at the current moment.
Productive Julia was in full mode today. And it totally rocked! Not only did I get a ton done that I needed to...I also had time to spend doing a 'project' I've been thinking about for a while. It only took an hour...but that hour of simply doing something for myself, no grade will to be earned...that was just what I needed.
As an art student, there is a fine line between making work because you need it for a grade,and making work because you need it for your soul.
Today was a good art day in every sense of the word.
Because today, I got to do both.
Along with getting my life together a little, I also had the most lovely night. I had no idea that all I needed was a night sitting in Beth's studio, reading aloud the newest Cosmo to refresh and recharge me from this week. Between the endless horoscope readings, the absurd things guys say and interesting ideas for clothing choices, there was only laughter and pure joy with my dear friends tonight. And a quote that sums it all up
"Cosmo is always right!!"
I cannot think of a single thing that could have made me feel this blessed, loved and above all else, instill the opinion/fact that I am a funny person. (FYI: if you want to get on my good side, laugh at my jokes. I eat that shit up.) But for real, we have these amazing studios and what is most amazing is the people I'm with. I could never have asked for a better environment to create art. I'm surrounded by people who love to talk through ideas with me, laugh with me, eat cookies, and in general, just hang out for no reason but to be together. I think I said it about 10 times through out this crazy week, "I just love that we are all up here...all together!!" (Every night this week we have all been there till at least 1 A.M.)
Its kind of hard to explain, but we have this community that makes 'working' even more enjoyable. I get to express my thoughts and ideas every day as an artist, but to have people around that are doing the same, and they want to talk about both mine and theirs...that is such a gift. I keep talking about how I want to get a whole group photo of us. I'm pretty sure the boys think I'm silly for this but I don't ever want to forget these memories I'm making with them. And every time I mention the photo, the only thing that flashes through my head is the photograph of the Order of the Phoenix from Harry Potter. Maybe because they were all together, fighting for a cause that was important to them. I think that is what we are doing, we have no choice but to create art, it is in our hearts, minds and bodies, we simply have to do it. In general, I love the Studio Gang. I've put us in sub sections (aka: who is in which studio) and this is how I will now refer to each of them.
Meredith and I : The Singles
Beth and Catherine: The Mama's
Daniel, Nic, and Stephen: The Men
When this group photo happens, it will obviously be posted on there. So hold tight my friends. Hopefully not much longer!
One last thing, I'm starting a new thing on the blog. Music is such a big part of my every day life, so I'm going to share a song every post that is either representative of what is going on in Julia World, or just a song that I've had on repeat for no reason.
Today we have: Try by Jillian Edwards
Why: Something about this song has pulled me in today. I'm not sure if it's her voice that is so hypnotic or the lyrics but I've had this on constant repeat for about 3 hours.
I like this idea of consciously putting effort into a relationship. I'm one thousand percent sure that is the key to any successful relationship in life. Whether that be with God, your family, your friends, your person (boyfriend/girlfriend) and even the relationship you have with yourself. It's all about trying and giving your most to make it the best.
Either way, this is the first appearance of the what will now be referred to as
