news flash

there's this dangerous new kaite thing called coke along with m&m's in your popcorn late at night ;) it was discovered last night as i was out babysitting till 2:30 in the morning for a lady i work with...after all i had to have something to keep me awake ;)

Three of my little students at school just made my day this morning...they asked me if they could stay in from recess because watching each other's violin lessons was more interesting. ;) And then they found out that one of the girls is taking lessons from me at my house in the summer when school is out and they were all quite upset because they want to have lessons too!!!

Today's Quote

"Into my will
Let there pour strength
Into my feeling
Let there flow warmth
That I may nurture this child
With enlightened purpose
Caring with heart's love
And bringing wisdom
Into all things."

It suddenly dawned on me this morning: I work with children almost every day of the week. That's an awesome responsibility and not one to be taken lightly, no matter how worn out I might be or what kind of day I might have had.

Imagination vs. Belief

I've been struggling for the last few months with my imagination, trying to decide what fictional/fairy tale-ish kinds of things are okay to think and read about. For instance, I was raised that if something isn't real, then we are not to have anything to do with it, even if there isn't anything particularly "bad" about it. However, I have a very active imagination and I enjoy reading about things that I know aren't real, and sometimes pretending that they are or might be real. (Am I making any sense?)

I came to a turning point recently, when I realized that just because I don't believe in something like dragons, doesn't make it wrong to read a book with one in it. I made a clearer distinction between my beliefs and my imagination. So yes, I read books and watch movies that have things like dragons and vampires in them ;) And actually they are some of my favorites because I get to use my imagination, and often times the analogies (on which I thrive) are much more easily seen there than in "non-fiction". I still haven't decided completely what I think about things with magic though...

Quote of the week re-run

"The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." ~Van Gogh

I've been realizing the truth of this quote these last few days. To truly love someone in a way that they feel loved almost takes talent...to know when to be silent, when to pursue things, how best to make sure they know you care, the right way to convey truth.

"Do you have a busy day today?"...

...it seemed like a pretty stupid question coming from someone who knows how insanely busy I am this semester. Me having a day that's NOT busy is exceedingly rare. Today's agenda included dishes, laundry, studying for a midterm in religions and a test in health (both tomorrow), teaching thirty kids and going to work tonight. Thankfully spring break is next week though and its beginning to look like heaven! I so can't wait to have time to read and post and draw and go for walks. I definitely want to go on a bike ride with James and sleep in and stay in my pj's several times ;) I feel so guilty for being this busy and not having time to do all the things other people wish I could, or even all that I wish I could. I know this is where I am supposed to be, what I'm supposed to be doing, but its so hard not to feel guilty for so many busy days...

Art

It's really saddening to me that I haven't drawn in almost a year. I just kinda quit after the accident, though not purposefully. I have missed the way it makes you see things differently and how calming it was to me. Before the accident had definitely been the year of drawing, and since has been the era of knitting. Anyway, so since Lindsey and I have been doing FAR too much school work when we get together, I was dying to do something relaxing today so I asked her to bring her drawing.
Before she came over though, I was looking through blogs and was surprised that one of my favorite bloggers had posted on art this morning! What had me most interested though was the link she shared to a youtube video. The music on it was a little odd (though crucial to getting the point of the video) but on the whole it was really inspiring to me.
Getting back into drawing this morning was a wonderfully settling thing (once I found all my neglected materials that is ;) ) and I so can't wait to finish my homework so I can work some more on the drawing of an old barn that I started. So what's your kind of art? Music, sewing, drawing, knitting, caring for little children, cooking? Make some time for it this week! And feel free to share about what your kind of art is if you feel so inclined ;)

Unencumberment Pt 2

Saturday morning started the main dejunking phase although it felt really good to have my desk and most of my closet already finished. You see the big black trash bag in the middle of my floor? The end result was three of those completely filled went to the dump and three more went to the good will store :) My room feels so free from clutter and yet I'm amazed at how much stuff I still have, ugh!
I was thrilled with how well the set of plastic drawers worked under my table organizing all my sewing/creating materials :) I feel so much more like creating now that I can actually find everything!
...and for those who are dying to see how I rearranged things, here you go ;)

I still have one pile of papers to go through, and that huge stack of books next to my library box? Those are library books to go through ;) And yes, those are in addition to the ones in the box.
I think I'm still in shock at how wonderful it feels to be a little less encumbered ;)