Pho-o-toes. Life in color.

  

 Because life in New England during the fall is colorful. And it is so very much fall here now, and craziness. Ergo, these photos are randomly assembled and very much not organized. :) Enjoy!

 World's largest corn maze madness. Friends. Fall. Cold. Free food. Fat Fridays. Being an athlete. Team. People in Massachusetts still can't park. Starbucks. Surprise visit. Avocados from California. Causually drinking out of a gallon water jug. Team struggles. More food. Life's good.

Clearly not the most well organized post, but .... I don't have a but. Just enjoy the craziness.

just one of THOSE days.

Just one of THOSE weeks?

Our power went out in our room. We have no electrical outlets. We found out our RA neglected to put in a work order.

The food in our fridge spoiled.

My bright orange car was hit. It was parked completely within the lines. I have to take it in for an estimate and then leave it there for a while.

I have been off in practicing volleyball. I feel like I am not quite sure how to play anymore.

I keep mixing up Spanish and Italian.

I just got a massive pen stain on my shirt. The washers are full.

300+ mealpoints are missing from my student account. I don't know if I will be able to get them back.

___________________________________________________

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Okay G-d. It's one of THOSE weeks. A week where I get to grow. A week where I have to look a little harder to find the good in life. It's a week where I need to look forward to the unseen and focus less on the seen, because things that are the seen are transient.

the start of something new.

hello interweb world. it's been a while.

I can't say that I'm really ready to get back to blogging, but I'm a lot more ready than I was a month ago. A month ago was Israel and Jordan, and craziness, and decisions, and madness spinning and spinning. A month ago I was across the world, both literally and figuratively. A month ago I was not ready to face real life again.

A lot has changed in a month. The seas have calmed a little bit, I am back at school.

That is something that I could not confidently say a month ago.

I am now a student athlete.

That is something that I thought I would never be able to say again. A month ago I wasn't even sure that I could say that.

But a lot has changed in a month.

I am enjoying being back at school. At times the differences - already - between this year and last hit me, and I pause and wonder at what is to come. In many ways this year is quieter for me. My classes are not overwhelming, I do not have to make new friends, my schedule is consistent. I like this. But I am not a creature of habit. I tell myself I like routine and everything to be in order, I think this is a lie. I like change. If there aren't changes in life I get bored. So sometimes I have to tell myself to be satisfied with this life were everything is simply good right now. To enjoy the easy times because there will be storms ahead. So then I sit back and try a new concept in college - relaxation time. Enjoyment.

I think maybe a secret to happiness is learning how to be satisfied in every situation.

I'm still learning that.

But here's to the start of something new, because, to me, it is obvious that a new chapter in my life has begun.

Because I am not the same person as I was a year ago.

Because I am not even the same person as I was a month ago.

Because now I am more than I was then, and because now I am just the tinniest bit closer to the human being G-d is willing me to become.

So here is to the closing of a chapter of my life. It may be a little while before I open the next one fully, but for now, I sit and I wait. I try to be content and satisfied, and for now, it's working.

Sabbatical.

This is my sabbatical from blogging.

Not that I have been doing much of it recently anyways, but I need a break from a lot of things right now. So this is my sabbatical; from blogging, from life. I'll be back soon, in full force, so don't click that unfollow button just yet. Sometimes life just requires a little down time.

Until then, shalom. 

Home. Yet Again.

It's hard to believe that I've been on the other side of the world yet again, and that I'm back home now.

Sometimes I wish I could spend 40 days in the wilderness like Jesus did and marvel at its utterly bare, continuous, beautiful self. 

Heat Wave

Well. It's a little hot here in Jordan. Yesterday I almost burnt my tongue from the water in my water bottle.

- my life in Jordan

Israel. Hello and Goodbye.

I realize that it has been a while since I have last updated. I do feel as if I have an excuse though - hence the real reason I didn't bring my computer to Israel. :)

Today is my last real day in Israel before I head out for Jordan. It's a little bittersweet. I've gotten used to everything here and it seems a shame to leave. On the other hand, most people have already left for the states by now, so that makes continuing onto Jordan a little bit easier. A little bit. But the unknown is always difficult.

On the whole, I've enjoyed my 3 week stay here. Certainly a lot more than I thought I would enjoy it. We were kept very busy, fed very well, and we were continually wishing for more time in all the places we visited. I've discovered it's very hard to see a country in 3 weeks, much less appreciate it how it should be appreciated.

(Quick) Highlights:
1) The group. Our class was awesome, to put it simply. We had a wide range of people and each one of them made the trip interesting - I will not be forgetting any of them easily. It does make saying goodbye hard though, as I wish that all of them went to Gordon or were at least in the area. Really, I can't say enough good things about our group.

2) Our teachers who know everything. See, a lot of people think they know everything, but the Phillips' really do. And they are humble about it. Not only are they excellent role models, but they are just really amazing people with amazing stories, like many people on this trip.

3) Connecting locations and biblical passages. This was our class description in a nut shell, but our experiences were so much more. To put it simply, I will never read the bible in the same way that I once used to, and I'm really glad for it.

4) Riding a camel. See below.

5) The 3 nights on the Sea of Galilee. We definitely ended the trip on a high note. The accommodations were wonderful and these nights were the most relaxing, even if everyone was exhausted. Singing worship hymns on the beach looking out to the city of Tiberius was also special. It should really be counted as its own highlight. 

Those have been my highlights for the last 3 weeks. They have been tiring ones, but worth while ones. I am glad that I decided to come, but I am ready to be home. I know that the next 2 weeks will be challenging ones, but I have hopes that they will just as fruitful.

Signing off for a while.... but returning soon.

- Krystal

PS: No pictures for now; I do not have the technology or the time to upload pictures right now but, rest assured, much like last summer, I will try to do a series of posts when I get back.

Camel's

So I rode a Camel. In Israel.

- my life in Israel.

pictures to come, promise. for now just know that i'm safe and have just finished my first test. conquered. :)

Photography in the Microscopic

If you are looking for a time waster and want to see something cool at the same time, click here.

You might have to wait a while for the page to load, but it is well worth it in my opinion.

This Russian photographer made miniature landscapes and placed real ants into them. The ants seem to pose for him at times, but really the amazing part of these photographers is the wonderful talent displayed; not to mention the amazing amount of patience this must have taken.

In other news I'm really enjoying listening to Ingrid Michaelson right now, it's good background music to have on at all times. Easy listening.

The Summer in Snapshots

... because I'm too lazy and have too little time to actually put together a thoughtful post. But hey, photos are entertaining. But in case you don't want to scroll through all of them, here's my summer summed up so far:

1. lots of eating

2. sb is very beautiful

3. my friends and I rock

4. concerts

5. my friends and I are still awesome and we like to eat food

enjoy :)

PS: all these photos are from my fully functional - AMAZING - new phone. I love it.

Preparings

Hello, hello. My life of late has been one of preparing for things. Mostly for this place.

(That would be Israel for those of you who don't know - also the country just to the right of it. Which would be Jordan for those of you who also don't know that.)

So that is exciting, but also a lot of work. Mostly because at the same time I'm also digging through my closet and reorganizing/getting rid of/seeing what fits. Always fun to try and pack when you don't even know what fits! Luckily though my Israeli daily outfits do not have to be anything special. As my professor likes to put it, "It is not a fashion show out there in the Negev." (Ha. Bible college humor.)

Resulting from sorting through all my clothes, I've been taking full advantage of polyvore's "make an outfit." Mostly just to waste time. I don't actually recommend getting addicted to this site. But it can be useful sometimes.

In other news I just got a haircut. Not that you can tell. No, really, I only took off like a centimeter, if that. I am also prepping for volleyball season by doing some workouts - okay a lot of workouts. But it will be worth it. Other than that life is not too exciting. I've been to some concerts, seen most of my friends, ate a lot for Memorial Day, and have been getting not enough sleep; but hey it's summer.

Speaking of summer, have y'all seen The Advengers? Highly recommend that if you haven't. You don't even have to have a full knowledge of Marvel comics to watch it, because, if we're being honest, I really only knew who Ironman was before. 1 out of 6, not THAT bad???

Hope your summer is shaping up to be as wonderful as my sunny-west coast one is. Go enjoy some beaches and ice cream, just not when it's too windy outside.

Upgrade 2.0

Let's try this whole upgrading a phone thing again.... because clearly this last upgrade did not work out.

Let's just say that this morning was the last straw of a long year with this piece of **** [insert your choice words here]. And for the record, I would call it technology, but that would really just be a lie. And I am no liar. So I marched down to the "fantastic" Verizon store down the street and demanded they started treating the customer as right - like businesses are supposed to do!

Okay, exaggeration. I actually didn't. In fact, I told my dad before I went into the store that I was going to try really hard to be polite to the people there and try to put into action this whole 'love your neighbor' thing. To their credit, they were a lot better help than they have been in the past. Anyways, long story short, I now have a smart phone that is actually smart and that can actually be called a phone. 

Imagine that.

In other news, technology is a waste of time... as I sit here updating my blog.

"Recent" Happenings

Well, they are KIND OF recent. Like within the last month? It's been a crazy month people, you'll have to forgive and move on. I do beg your pardon; but it is officially summer now! Which means for the next few weeks I am all yours. Ha. That's an exaggeration. So we'll see how this goes.

Recent Happenings Include:

I went to a fashion show run entirely by a senior art student for her senior thesis. It was decent and well done. All art majors are required to put together a senior thesis. They are presented at the end of the year and include: a wide variety of projects, a professional opening, and really great food. As an art minor I am not required to do such an exhibit but my advisor seems to be dropping hints already...

I helped decorate for (2) birthdays for close friends. You can see we took our job seriously. A great night finished by Chipotle - kind of a rare treat for us Gordon kids - and music stealing from friends.

A stay in a posh hotel room. No seriously... a kitchen complete with ALL accommodations?! Beyond comfy beds? This was the most at home I've ever felt in a hotel! And the floor space was great... especially for packing up a whole wardrobe. Needless to say, the room wasn't quite so neat whilst I was in the midst of packing.

An all out effort to clean dorms in an attempt to not be fined. Apparently you're not supposed to use rubber cement for a reason. Also, photo ink is REALLY hard to get off of walls. And no, this is not my room. I (and Jenn!) are just really great friends. Right Elaine?

Walking around most of Boston, including the Freedom Trail, by kind-of-sort-of accident. All I can say is Paul Revere was really bad at picking the most direct trails in emergencies.  

Eating really, like no - REALLY - great food in and about Boston. Unfortunately my camera stopped working after this picture so there's no food pictures here - only bad cell phone quality. However, take my word, it was fantastic.

To continue on, without the aid of fun pictures, my life has been: unpacking, cleaning, friends, family, and, did you notice it? A makeover to the blog. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it as I'm usually against posting my face anywhere that obvious - and that big! - , but I'm going for a cleaner look. Feedback?

the extraordinary within the ordinary

"Human life – so ordinary, so familiar, so natural, and yet so extraordinary. Looking for mystery in things bizarre, we feel cheated when later we learn that a hoax or a simple process explains it away. All the while we miss the awesome events occurring before, or even within, our very eyes. The extraordinary within the ordinary…. We look for wonders and for the unseen reality – the hand of God – in things extraordinary, when more often his presence is to be found in the unheralded, familiar, everyday events of which life is woven." - Myers and Jeeves

When In Finals Countdown....

.... don't expect many posts from college students. Because you might be a little disappointed.

I can however do funny pictures because that requires me to neither be creative, thinking lucidly, or witty. Done.

My version of "The Scream".

And this one because I like it. Like how long my hair has gotten? Take Biotin. I'm not kidding people, it works.

Bruises & Spandex.

You're hearing it here first. Unless you're my dad, then you heard it over the phone this morning. Or my best friend, then you saw via text. However, if you are neither of those people you are, in fact, hearing it here first. I'm committed to the the volleyball team next year.

And yes, I do realize that my last post probably didn't make clear that I hadn't accepted yet, but I had not.

And, just for you blog viewers, I reactivated my facebook account for 5 minutes just so I could show you this picture. (Because this is the only picture I could think of. And because next year there will probably be a lot more of this.)

(And for the record yes, I do know that there are arrows on this picture. That's what happens when you steal stuff from friends on facebook.)

Rapid Fire Updates

- Decided to do Mission's Core Staff
- Went to Gordon College's LEAD retreat this weekend
- Ate a lot of good food
- Met some cool people
- Doing portraits in art
- Drawing a huge portrait of myself
- Very glad to be done with our figuration unit in art
- Decided what classes I'm taking next year
- Have been enjoying kickboxing
- Went out for the volleyball team on an individual (intimidating try-out)
- Made the volleyball team as a DS
- Realized I haven't played volleyball for 3 years
- Am frantically trying to stay on top of everything
- Am failing to keep (completely) up with homework
- Found out the President DML really like my artwork
- Looking forward to Sunday the 13th
- Might be going crazy trying to keep up with everything and running on little sleep from the LEAD retreat this weekend
- Every part of me is sore from diving everywhere

Everyone, welcome to the final's season in the life of a college student.

Seagulls and Sandbars

I realized I have shared an art piece in a while.

Done.

On that note, it's about 80 degrees (F) here and I'm daydreaming of Santa Barbara beaches, ice cream, paddleboarding, and tanning. Is it too much to ask that summer would come already?

The Psychology of Religion

"What has been done is little - scarcely a beginning; yet it is much in comparison with the total blank of a century past. And our knowledge will, we are easily persuaded, appear in turn the merest ignorance to those who come after us. Yet it is not to be despised, since by it we reach up grouping to touch the hem of the garment of the Most High."

- Agnes Clerke 'A Popular History of Astronomy'

Easter. College Style.

In other news this is how you do Easter college style when you have a four day break.

yes. i used all three. when you use college washing machines the persistent fear of getting your clothes stuck in the washer makes you do some interesting things. and no, this is not the first time i've done laundry this semester.

when you're really good friends with me i let you shell my pistachios that my family keeps giving me.

PS: be on the lookout for a new facelift for the blog, it's coming soon(er or later).