Busy Busy Bee

These past few days have been so hectic for me! This is kind of surprising because my class load/ homework schedule is actually not that busy - I have just been busy with some other fun things!

The busy-ness started almost the moment that I got back on campus, well, really the airport. I had the opportunity to take a town car back to Gordon! It was quite the experience, but I am not sure that it is quite worth the $$$ that was paid. Though the driver was efficient and didn't crash, he wasn't by my baggage claim and he didn't carry my bag for me. Rather disappointing I must say - mostly because I didn't get to see him and take a picture with the sign that said VANDERARK on it. Boo. Life's tough sometimes. After I got back on campus I watched Letters to Juliet - dumb movie? Some might say so. It was cute but predictable. Monday and Tuesday were mostly a blur of trying to finish homework, my weekly trip to Lynn, and thinking about applying - and actually applying - to some jobs for Christmas break. This is where it really gets exciting people.

The only place that I actually finished my application to was Macy's, all of the others required in-person applications or were way too complicated - though I am still looking. However, the really exciting news is that I got an email from Macy's today saying they want to interview me... problem: I don't live in SB right now. I live in MA.

Upshot: I might have to fly to SB for an interview.

Upside? Everything seems like it will line up for a trip to SB and back. My schedule seems to accomadate this flight reasonably well and I wouldn't have to miss classes.

Downside? I have to got the week before finals. This means less study time.

Upside? My class finals don't seem like they'll be that hard.

Downside? I'll probably be tired.

Upside? I don't have finals on Monday so I could have a day of recovery. Plus being on a plane for about 12 hours forces me to study for 12 hours.

Downside? I might not get the job and it might be a waste of money.

Upshot? I still want to try.

However, we will have to see if this all works out. I really hope that it will, but it would be appreciated if you all kept me in your prayers for whatever may be in my future.

In other, less exciting, news I attended a talk on Hinduism today and got to go to the mall to play "Where in the mall is my RA?" Both were fun but I will start by talking about the Hinduism talk.

It was a very interesting "lecture" and very informational. The point of it was basically to teach students about the basics of Hinduism. Though I cannot sum up all the points here, and I'm sure you can find a good summary online, it was very intriguing and I am glad that I went. Though I do not necessarily agree with all the points that were stated - or think that they made sense - I think it is valuable to educate oneself on the going-on's of this world and to give oneself a more "global" outlook on life. This includes learning about other religions. I am looking forward to more talks like this at my school and I am excited that Gordon provides these opportunities for its students.

The RA scavenger hunt was also a ton of fun. Though I did not originally plan on going - even though I really wanted to - I happened to miss my OT discussion group (by accident!!!) and so decided to go. I am really glad that I did. It was basically chaos around the mall where different teams, by floor in our dorm, darted around and tried to find our disguised RA's. I have to say, there were some pretty great costumes - but my group managed to find them all. Hurrah! I have to confess that I take a little bit of pride in being able to find 3 of the RA's (out of 6) - really I found 4 but 1 of them had already been found. Mostly, I take this as a good indication that I might be successful in the line of work that I want to do. Anyways, we get free ice cream and that's pretty fantastic. Plus, we didn't have enough drivers so I got to drive to the mall! Massachusetts is terrifying people. Especially at night. Especially when I am driving my RD's car and she is right in front of/next to me. Especially since I've only driven once or twice in the last 3 months and both of those times have been in California where drivers at least follow some rules. Regardless, I managed NOT to crash the car or scare any of the people inside (besides me). All I can say is thank you God for not letting me crash (not like it was close at any point!) and thank you that I was able to help people get to the mall safely. Also, thank you for me not having to drive the scary, falling apart car, because I was supposed to originally. And thank you for nice RD's who trust me enough - apparently - to drive their cars.

In other news I got a 98 on my last old testament exam - significantly better than I was expecting. I think I should study more often. Like for finals.

So yes, it has been a couple of very good days and, in the spirit of past Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for them. Sorry this is such a word heavy post but I have been too busy to take pictures lately! However, despite lack of pictures, I feel as if all of this needs to be recorded. So here I am, at 1 in the morning, recording my thoughts for all of you.

Good night all and I will try to be better at updating more frequently so as to avoid these word heavy posts. :)

A Whole Lot of Food

Thanksgiving was just.... wonderful. It was so nice to be home for the first time in 3 months and just relax. Not literally, because I was doing things pretty much the whole time I was home, but mentally. No more stress, no more worrying - just being myself around my family and friends. It was nice to say the least. Of course the visit was too short and I am dragging my feet as I am pushed back into the college world of homework and classes. However, my spirits are held high as I keep in mind that I get to go home in two weeks. Just two weeks until I will have finished my first semester of college! It is rather unbelievable.

And now, some pictures from Thanksgiving. All of them are from the making of muddy buddies right after our Thanksgiving feast. This was obviously because my cousins and I didn't get enough to eat.

As my cousin pointed out, "I'm pretty sure the word pyro should not be used in a food that you put over the fire and then eat...."

yummy

Extra sticky goodness :)

Sorry dogs - chocolate isn't good for you.

Art: Watercolor

I love (most of) this piece. I think that the owl came out really well - not just saying that to brag. This was one of my first art pieces and definitely the first real one in watercolor that I have done. It was the first painting, in an art class, where I got to choose my subject matter. Regardless of lack of instruction, I'm really happy with how this turned out. I never knew that water colors could turn out so well or detailed and I would love to experiment more.

And I am officially back at the GC - talk about being thrown into the real world again. That's a joke, it has really been nothing but fun and games here. Last night we watched Letters to Juliet (me for the first time) and this morning I slept in until 10:15. Good start and only 2 and 1/2 weeks until I'm home again.

 :) Just have to make it through finals!

Yarn

Is it weird that our ENTIRE floor is obsessed with either knitting or crocheting? I mean, we are in college right? 

I've knit before, and I am still working on my scarf - but these last few days have been my first time crocheting. It's so much fun! Literally addicting. For my first project? I made a hat. I'm convinced that I made half of it up. But hey, I've discovered it doesn't really matter when you mess up while crocheting. Granted the hat will only fit a 2 year old - but give me a break! I didn't have a pattern. :)

And in other news my new slippers came and they are oh-so-comfy! Shoebuy people. Takes a while to get to you but they are affordable. Pst! They're even OUTDOOR slippers so now I literally never have to get out of bed. Almost. 

In other news I will be back at Gordon Campus this time tomorrow, it is bittersweet.

Fall Colors 3.1

As thankful as I am to be home - and I am oh so thankful - Santa Barbara is looking a little dry compared to this...

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

Homeword Bound

"I'm coming home, I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home."

Yes, it's true. 4 Glorious days in SB and I couldn't be more excited. I get to come home to this

\/ \/ \/

Probably minus the balloons though.

And this. Probably minus the sun though. I'm told it's supposed to rain.

And the best part (almost) is that THIS ^ gets to be reunited for one epic day of shopping. Get excited SB, who knows what will happen?

A Night Out

Last Friday (2 Fridays ago???) was a superb night. For some reason, my crazy friends and I decided to go out for dinner. I mean, we're poor college students and all but there really is a limit to the amount of Lane food one can take. Seriously. Anyways, we were supposed to go to this fancy place but when we got there we found out it was a 2 hour wait. Wait.... what? We wisely decided to eat elsewhere. Good thing we did! We found this wonderful Italian restaurant with 1/2 the wait time and great food. (Is all food great when you eat Lane every day?) Anyways, it was delightful and a great retreat off campus. Plus, we got to dress up real pretty like.

Maria sandwich!

me, Steph, Maria, Kellyn, & Kenz

Best neighbors ever!

And then, of course, we played Catan. Don't we always? Except, I knitted. 

In other news, I'll be home this time tomorrow and I am SO EXCITED.

Fall Colors 3.0

More leaves are falling today due to a very cold wind. I mean, it's cold people. I am excited for warm SB this Thanksgiving. Even though it's supposed to be cold. Dang it. Anyways, I came across the country to find seasons and I found them - enjoy these pictures from yet another walk in the woods. 

Have I already mentioned that this feels like a story book?

Maria, Young, & Ingrid

No comment.

Okay, in real life I think she likes me. Maybe?

Lord of the Rings reenactment?

Catching the leaves!

Little Mermaid?

Boston

Did I already blog about this? I don't think so. Well, if I did, I probably have different pictures right? Let's hope so.

So a couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of going into Boston for the afternoon with a couple of fantastic people. You can probably tell how fantastic they are by these pictures. Enjoy and have a relaxing Saturday. :)

This is Will. And some famous hockey player who did something great. I mean, as far as hockey goes.

This is Maria. She is planking. If you don't know what it is... well, she's doing it.

This is Ingrid and Jenn. And Will in the background.

We got to go to Quincy Market Square and watch a talented street performer from Australia. It was pretty legit.

Sometimes, when Ingrid and Krystal try to take good pictures, Will ruins them. But then we end up with a funny picture. So, really there's no problem.

Especially in this digital age where you can take a gazillion pictures on one camera. Okay, like 800.

Then, at some point in the day, we found Little Italy. Umm, cannoles? Yes please! Giant ones? Even better. I also got a lobster tail. (The pastry, not an actual lobster tail - even though it is New England so I guess a real lobster tail would not be surprising.)

And then there's just Boston at night. 

Art: Triptic II

A more recent piece to switch it up a little. I did this triptic last year out of inspiration of my Asian heritage. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, definitely could have been better. At the same time I like the simplicity of it and, in particular, the blue painting to the right.

This is the finished piece as of now. As happy as I am with it I still feel like it might need something more, but we'll see.

20 Bucket Listers. +1.

Lucky you, 2 posts in one day. This one is even deep. Sort of.

Because dreams are meant to be shared. Also, let's face it. If I didn't write all these things down I would forget.

1. Become fluent in another language, preferably more than one. Top of my list at the moment is Turkish, Italian, or Spanish -> seeing as how I'm closest to being fluent in Spanish I thought this should make the list, even though really - let's be honest - it's not at the top of my list.
2. Learn how to actually play the violin. Or fiddle. There's a difference. But really, I think if you're good enough you can do both styles. I want to be good enough to improv it.
3. Vist 25 different countries. Among the top of this list is Japan, Thailand, Ireland, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland, Israel, Jordan.... and well... basically every other country in the world.
4. Get my private pilot's license - because how cool would that be?! Also, if I were in a plane and the pilot blacked out... how convenient would that be?! Unlikely I know, but STILL
5. Successfully grow a legit bonsai tree. They look so cool but I think I just have bad luck with all plants other than succulents aka all plants that actually need attention.
6. Live in a yellow house because yellow houses make me happy.
7. Get paid to photograph one legitimate event, even if it's like $5.
8. Become a yoga/pilates master and do yoga on the beach. 
9. Own a handgun and go to the gun range regularly with Zaynah. We're weird like that.
10. Learn archery because bows are so much better than guns. Unless you're actually trying to kill someone in which case history has proven otherwise. Not that I would EVER want to kill anyone even though these last 2 points make it seem otherwise.
11. Become a better swing dancer. Or just dancer. But REAL types of dances - none of this dumb high school dance thing.
12. Live abroad for at least a year. Preferably learn the language and just enjoy life. So basically, I want to take a year long vacation - or have the courage to. 
13. Be able to run a 1/2 marathon. That way, if anyone ever tries to steal my purse I can chase them down. Okay, that's not the real reason. Mostly I just want to say that I can.
14. Participate in a protest that I care about. (And one with a defined goal aka not Occupy Boston.)
15. Read completely through the Bible. Hopefully multiple times.
16. Make sure that everyone I love, knows I love them.
17. Successfully sell an oil painting of my own to a stranger - not just my spray paintings. Then I can be a REAL artist - in my eyes.
18. Invent one creative thing to do each year that is so crazy it inspires me for the next year.
19. Fill my house full of art - my art, other art. Art makes spaces come alive.
20. Touch one person's life in such a way that I impact the rest of their life. This might be selfish but I believe if you can positively influence one person - and perhaps change the direction of their life - you have made your life worthwhile. 
21. Convince 5 people, before I die, that Christianity isn't dumb and that my God is a loving, personal, just God.

So that is 20 + 1 things I would like to do before I die. No doubt this list will grow, but I think this is a good starting point.

Adventures of Hair

This happened a while ago, but I still feel like it's blog worthy. Plus, I have to continue to prove that my styling/hair career could be legit. Okay, probably not. But here's yet another hair adventure. In this issue we dye Kellyn's hair. Brown -> Red.

Moral of the Story? Steph (pictured) & I are pro's - even though I don't have a picture to prove it. But it does look really good.

Art: Triptic

I did this a while back for a friend and I really liked how it turned out, especially since it is acrylic. Kind of wish that I would have held on to it though.

Fall Colors 2.0

Last week was absolutely gorgeous - perfect fall weather in my opinion. It was even warm! So basically I realized that I probably don't get many more days like this and my friends Ingrid and Maria and I decided we're having none of this staying inside business - especially when you have the backwoods of Gordon as your playground. So we went on a few adventures. 

Basically what we found was unparalleled fall colors. If my iphoto library had infinite storage I would definitely have taken a gazillion times more photos. Unfortunately it doesn't. That fact aside I'm loving the fall here on the east coast. As you can see it's gorgeous. I'm trying to keep that in mind as the sun sets around 4:30pm and the days are creeping to that oh-too-cold mark.