Saturday, January 29, 2005
"For tomorrow may rain, so...I'll follow the sun..."
Click HERE for a picture of big and little sisters together. The quality isn't that great, but I only had a disposable camera at the time. Hehe. If someone has one that is better quality, I will gladly switch them around.
I am also very excited because I recently found my old sketch book. Unfortunately, I have not been able to start scanning the drawings, but hope to soon. In the meantime, HERE are a couple of loose sketches I completed while bored. Better ones will follow soon...I promise. There are also a couple of artistic photos. Enjoy!
I am also very excited because I recently found my old sketch book. Unfortunately, I have not been able to start scanning the drawings, but hope to soon. In the meantime, HERE are a couple of loose sketches I completed while bored. Better ones will follow soon...I promise. There are also a couple of artistic photos. Enjoy!
Friday, January 28, 2005
"Far above our heads are the icy heights that contain all reason"
The mysterious high-pitched whistling (on campus) has doubled in frequency over the past few days. Odd.
I was awakened from slumber this morning by massive construction efforts outside my window. It's still going. I'm not really sure what the crews are attempting, but it sounds (and feels) as if a thousand tanks are rolling in to do battle with Sanford Hall.
Something tells me that all of this is the precursor of what promises to be an unforgettable weekend. After all, nothing quite beats moving your worldly possessions in freezing rain. Ah well...I'm headed to Cumming later this afternoon in an attempt to beat the icky stuff. By tomorrow afternoon, my family will (hopefully) be moved into a new house. I plan on heading back down to Milledgeville later Saturday evening to finish up my theory project and other assignments. Ha...who am I kidding? We'll probably be iced in until Sunday. :-p It has been a while since we've had an ice storm, but it's particularly bad timing, so I'm not sure how I feel about it. Hehe.
Tomorrow I'm leaving my home of nineteen years for forever. There have been so many people who have walked in and out of those doors...so many memories made and shared...so many experiences...so many years... I can't think about that now – it's too sad. I'll think about it later. Okay. I'm off to do laundry before heading out. I hope everyone has a spectacular weekend. Much love.
I was awakened from slumber this morning by massive construction efforts outside my window. It's still going. I'm not really sure what the crews are attempting, but it sounds (and feels) as if a thousand tanks are rolling in to do battle with Sanford Hall.
Something tells me that all of this is the precursor of what promises to be an unforgettable weekend. After all, nothing quite beats moving your worldly possessions in freezing rain. Ah well...I'm headed to Cumming later this afternoon in an attempt to beat the icky stuff. By tomorrow afternoon, my family will (hopefully) be moved into a new house. I plan on heading back down to Milledgeville later Saturday evening to finish up my theory project and other assignments. Ha...who am I kidding? We'll probably be iced in until Sunday. :-p It has been a while since we've had an ice storm, but it's particularly bad timing, so I'm not sure how I feel about it. Hehe.
Tomorrow I'm leaving my home of nineteen years for forever. There have been so many people who have walked in and out of those doors...so many memories made and shared...so many experiences...so many years... I can't think about that now – it's too sad. I'll think about it later. Okay. I'm off to do laundry before heading out. I hope everyone has a spectacular weekend. Much love.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Boredom
Cameras and mirrors are fun - I was so bored today... I love my new burgundy pants!!! - they make me so happy! :-D
Sunday, January 23, 2005
"No matter what the future brings, as time goes by..."
Brr. It's thirty-eight degrees outside, but the twenty-five mph winds make it feel like a stinging twenty-nine. It seems that I comment on the weather a lot, but it has been particularly fascinating as of late. I mean...was it really just two days ago that I was reveling in the unusual warmth? It seems that the temps will be climbing back into the high sixties by Wednesday. If this happens, I will try to refrain from gushing over the ideality (but know that I will be simply overjoyed).
This morning we sang a beautiful hymn in church entitled "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire." The melody is an old English folksong (same as "The Water is Wide") and is as follows:
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.
The most moving moment was when the organ thundered in on the last verse. Sometimes I'm not sure God would condone me being so enamoured with the service itself, but I love the history and tradition that is exuded. The sound of so many voices lifted in praise, echoing off of the old walls is indescribable. It sets the stage perfectly for the wonderful message ahead.
Wow – I can't believe we are already on the last week of January! I feel as if I have lost all concept of time. Where has it gone? It seems that things move so fast, but yet every day is the beginning of another beginning. Things do not change much from day to day. The same old feelings of uncertainty and disorder occasionally plague, but I'm pretty content with my current place in the cosmos. I have been surprisingly relaxed. It has taken a lot to get to this point, and I'm still not sure quite when or how I arrived. Not to say that things don't bother me (so don't push it – heh), but I'm feeling pretty composed and accepting again. Oddly enough, I have heard at least three people express the same feeling this past week. Maybe it's the Pilates. Hehe.
This is going to be a good week. On that note, I'm off to complete my writing for Creation/Evolution, memorize lines, attempt laundry, and practice all aspects of musical twaddle. Blah.
This morning we sang a beautiful hymn in church entitled "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire." The melody is an old English folksong (same as "The Water is Wide") and is as follows:
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.
The most moving moment was when the organ thundered in on the last verse. Sometimes I'm not sure God would condone me being so enamoured with the service itself, but I love the history and tradition that is exuded. The sound of so many voices lifted in praise, echoing off of the old walls is indescribable. It sets the stage perfectly for the wonderful message ahead.
Wow – I can't believe we are already on the last week of January! I feel as if I have lost all concept of time. Where has it gone? It seems that things move so fast, but yet every day is the beginning of another beginning. Things do not change much from day to day. The same old feelings of uncertainty and disorder occasionally plague, but I'm pretty content with my current place in the cosmos. I have been surprisingly relaxed. It has taken a lot to get to this point, and I'm still not sure quite when or how I arrived. Not to say that things don't bother me (so don't push it – heh), but I'm feeling pretty composed and accepting again. Oddly enough, I have heard at least three people express the same feeling this past week. Maybe it's the Pilates. Hehe.
This is going to be a good week. On that note, I'm off to complete my writing for Creation/Evolution, memorize lines, attempt laundry, and practice all aspects of musical twaddle. Blah.
Friday, January 21, 2005
"Dancing down the sidewalks"
Annnd the fantabulously-sunny-near-seventy-degree weather is back.
The past two days have been rather relaxed. I had a gap from 10:30-2:00 yesterday, which allowed time for a leisurely lunch and a snippet of the Presidential Inauguration. My only class today was at 8:00, so I'm free for the rest of the day. There are no pressing matters to attend to, but I can't shake the feeling that I should be doing something more productive than this.
Around midnight tonight, a large group is getting together for one of Harold's interesting little adventures. The last time this happened, we ended up playing sardines on front campus (in VERY cold weather) until 2:00 AM. There will be stories to tell.
It's entirely too nice outside for me to sit here any longer.
In honor of yesterday's happenings, I leave you with this remarkable (on so many levels) revelation:
"She's doing a fine job coordinating interagency. She's doing what her - I mean - it shouldn'a - the, the role of the national security advisor is to not only provide good advice to the President, which she does on a regular basis - I value her judgment and her intelligence - uhh - but, uhh - her job is to deal interagency, and to help unstick things that may get stuck - is the best way to put it. She's an unsticker."
- George W. Bush, referring to Condoleeza Rice...our national security "unsticker."
Hehehe. Whooo...
The past two days have been rather relaxed. I had a gap from 10:30-2:00 yesterday, which allowed time for a leisurely lunch and a snippet of the Presidential Inauguration. My only class today was at 8:00, so I'm free for the rest of the day. There are no pressing matters to attend to, but I can't shake the feeling that I should be doing something more productive than this.
Around midnight tonight, a large group is getting together for one of Harold's interesting little adventures. The last time this happened, we ended up playing sardines on front campus (in VERY cold weather) until 2:00 AM. There will be stories to tell.
It's entirely too nice outside for me to sit here any longer.
In honor of yesterday's happenings, I leave you with this remarkable (on so many levels) revelation:
"She's doing a fine job coordinating interagency. She's doing what her - I mean - it shouldn'a - the, the role of the national security advisor is to not only provide good advice to the President, which she does on a regular basis - I value her judgment and her intelligence - uhh - but, uhh - her job is to deal interagency, and to help unstick things that may get stuck - is the best way to put it. She's an unsticker."
- George W. Bush, referring to Condoleeza Rice...our national security "unsticker."
Hehehe. Whooo...
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
"Every life has a story."
It has been requested that I update, so here goes:
It is so nice to finally be settling down for the evening. I'm tired of rambles in the bitter cold. I have spent time in colder weather, but there was something about today that was particularly numbing. Perhaps it is merely the chilling effect of my creation/evolution class. I hadn't anticipated more than the customary squabbling that corresponds with such controversial issues - I was wrong. I hate that course. I hate it for the way it makes me feel at the end of the day. Ah well. Even at my lowest points, when surveying creation, I cannot deny what I have always known. I view this class as an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, approaching both Creationist and Evolutionist ideals with open-mindedness. I understand that all individuals base their beliefs on what they consider to be well-formulated opinions, and while I might not agree, I have to respect that. I am looking forward to the task of building informed arguments for both sides of the issue, and I hope to see if/how the two views can coincide.
That class, HEA, and SAI currently rule my life. Haha. I don't really mind, though...I'm perfectly content in the self-imposed madness. I can't wait until the end of this week, however, because it will signal the beginning of some much-needed down time.
I'm excited about so many things in my life right now...most of them insignificant little things. "The best things in life are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things..."
Over the past two weeks, I have been observing my friends and noting changes that have taken place. Everyone seems to have grown so much within just a short span of time. I think it is finally starting to hit everyone that this is it - this is your life. We are standing on the brink of something that is beyond comprehension...the edge of years that will determine so much in regards to who we will be...what we want to become.
It is so nice to finally be settling down for the evening. I'm tired of rambles in the bitter cold. I have spent time in colder weather, but there was something about today that was particularly numbing. Perhaps it is merely the chilling effect of my creation/evolution class. I hadn't anticipated more than the customary squabbling that corresponds with such controversial issues - I was wrong. I hate that course. I hate it for the way it makes me feel at the end of the day. Ah well. Even at my lowest points, when surveying creation, I cannot deny what I have always known. I view this class as an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, approaching both Creationist and Evolutionist ideals with open-mindedness. I understand that all individuals base their beliefs on what they consider to be well-formulated opinions, and while I might not agree, I have to respect that. I am looking forward to the task of building informed arguments for both sides of the issue, and I hope to see if/how the two views can coincide.
That class, HEA, and SAI currently rule my life. Haha. I don't really mind, though...I'm perfectly content in the self-imposed madness. I can't wait until the end of this week, however, because it will signal the beginning of some much-needed down time.
I'm excited about so many things in my life right now...most of them insignificant little things. "The best things in life are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things..."
Over the past two weeks, I have been observing my friends and noting changes that have taken place. Everyone seems to have grown so much within just a short span of time. I think it is finally starting to hit everyone that this is it - this is your life. We are standing on the brink of something that is beyond comprehension...the edge of years that will determine so much in regards to who we will be...what we want to become.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
HEA
The following are pictures of my fellow board members at the latest Eta Sigma Alpha General Assembly
Amanda, Hannah, Casey, and Steve
Tammi and James
SAI
The following are pictures of Sigma Alpha Iota rush week
SAI RUSH 2005!
Tammy and Sarah at Scene-It night
Erin - pretty in pink :-p
Surprise shot of Laura and Sara (in the midst of the oh-so-intense game)
Jessica cooking at the Mexican-dish dinner (before the cheese incident)
Rasheda and Jodi strike a pose (it would have been much cuter if half the picture hadn't been blocked by a finger)
Karen, Meghan, Tammy, and Me - It will be the last semester for K, M, and T ::sniff::
Randomness
These pictures were taken to use up film because I'm incredibly impatient when it comes to such things...
New roomie!!! I'm so excited!!! (I just wish the shadow on the wall didn't make me look like a cone head...)
Rachel and Katherine (my across-the-hall-mates) being...um...cute - hehe
The poofiness that happens when it rains...(it was insisted that I document - blah)
Thursday, January 13, 2005
I was feeling so down before my 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 meetings (haha), but then I spent a wonderful two hours with SAI. No matter how low I feel before an event, things always seem so much better afterwards. Upon arriving back at Sanford, I was greeted with a small, but very intimate surprise party. A special thanks to my wonderful friends for the cake, snacks, presents, and daily support - you guys are such a blessing.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
"I've been swimming in a sea of anarchy"
We have all experienced total peace of mind at some point – we know that it exists. What mind-set is the difference between disorder and harmony? The ready answer for most individuals would be whatever they happen to place the most emphasis on (i.e. God), but that's easier said than understood. Even though peace may very well stem from that particular source, we are also semi-responsible. So how do we hold up our end of the bargain? Too often we look for the problem outside of ourselves, manipulating things around us to best suit our "needs." Old teachings stress the importance of psychological self-examination. In some ways it is comforting to think that knowing oneself is the key to resolving issues - it means that we can stop trying to "fix" everyone else. On the other hand, we don't like to think that this disorderly existence is the direct result of our own madness. Haha.
Today has been pretty good so far. It's a dreary, foggy day and music theory at 8:00 totally sucks, but band was cancelled, which means I have a leisurely three-hour break. I'm hoping that I can focus most of my energy this semester on my music. The academic juggling act has been successful so far, but if I drop just one, everything falls. Mr. Keith looked at the hours I have completed, examined the hours I am attempting (mainly the 3000 level honors course), listened to my list of offices/activities, and informed me that I was crazy. He suggested that I do myself a favor and drop Music History until fall. I came in with a large portion of my core completed, so I can afford to "take a breather."
On to better things! I’m meeting Amy to discuss the possibility of rooming together this semester. The half-witted Housing Dept. is forcing me to consolidate (or pay $500 extra for a private room) despite the fact that my situation is due to their own shortsightedness. I can see their reasoning, but now that I have found a potential roommate (we would have a blast living together), they're not entirely sure they're going to let her switch from private to double-occupancy. Absurd. Even if she is allowed to switch, she will not receive a refund. I understand that the institution needs as much funding as possible, but when one is knee-deep in debt, it is NOT wise to spend senseless amounts of money on (drum roll, please)...a reflecting pool between Sanford and Wells. There are budget cuts, hikes in tuition, and no parking, but by golly, we have a pretty reflecting pool. Hehehe. Then there's the whole deal about changing the name of the school which I won't get into today. I love GC&SU, but sometimes the incompetence is disturbing. I'm highly amused. Hehe.
So, my mini-rant eclipsed everything else that I was going for in this post. Ah well - have a great day! :)
Today has been pretty good so far. It's a dreary, foggy day and music theory at 8:00 totally sucks, but band was cancelled, which means I have a leisurely three-hour break. I'm hoping that I can focus most of my energy this semester on my music. The academic juggling act has been successful so far, but if I drop just one, everything falls. Mr. Keith looked at the hours I have completed, examined the hours I am attempting (mainly the 3000 level honors course), listened to my list of offices/activities, and informed me that I was crazy. He suggested that I do myself a favor and drop Music History until fall. I came in with a large portion of my core completed, so I can afford to "take a breather."
On to better things! I’m meeting Amy to discuss the possibility of rooming together this semester. The half-witted Housing Dept. is forcing me to consolidate (or pay $500 extra for a private room) despite the fact that my situation is due to their own shortsightedness. I can see their reasoning, but now that I have found a potential roommate (we would have a blast living together), they're not entirely sure they're going to let her switch from private to double-occupancy. Absurd. Even if she is allowed to switch, she will not receive a refund. I understand that the institution needs as much funding as possible, but when one is knee-deep in debt, it is NOT wise to spend senseless amounts of money on (drum roll, please)...a reflecting pool between Sanford and Wells. There are budget cuts, hikes in tuition, and no parking, but by golly, we have a pretty reflecting pool. Hehehe. Then there's the whole deal about changing the name of the school which I won't get into today. I love GC&SU, but sometimes the incompetence is disturbing. I'm highly amused. Hehe.
So, my mini-rant eclipsed everything else that I was going for in this post. Ah well - have a great day! :)
Sunday, January 09, 2005
"...just like a maze...where all of the walls are continually changed"
I am in complete awe of my friends who are so on fire for God. They are so uplifting and such a blessing to everyone they encounter. I witness God working in their lives and see the joy that only He can bring. It is keeping me accountable in my latest resolve to grow ever closer to the Lord. I walked to church this morning by way of Liberty Street, and the sheer beauty that surrounded me was a perfect prelude to the minister's sermon on spiritual gifts. While walking back, I was basking in the glory of the day and mentally jotted down the following lines.
"In beauty fair there lies a calm that troubles seldom reach
A magic sense of grace bestowed and endless waves of peace
Laughing thoughts drift lightly to and from entrancing lands
Where hopes are high and sorrows few, unmarred by slights of man"
It might be a tad theatrical and too infused with Tolkien, but it is rare that things so readily take shape like that. I felt I had to write it down. Last night was rather dismal (for whatever reason), so it is nice to feel so uplifted and inspired today.
"The pieces of a puzzle that will fit with time and faith.
With new desire and much to give, I daily seek His face."
Good luck to everyone on the first day of classes tomorrow!
"In beauty fair there lies a calm that troubles seldom reach
A magic sense of grace bestowed and endless waves of peace
Laughing thoughts drift lightly to and from entrancing lands
Where hopes are high and sorrows few, unmarred by slights of man"
It might be a tad theatrical and too infused with Tolkien, but it is rare that things so readily take shape like that. I felt I had to write it down. Last night was rather dismal (for whatever reason), so it is nice to feel so uplifted and inspired today.
"The pieces of a puzzle that will fit with time and faith.
With new desire and much to give, I daily seek His face."
Good luck to everyone on the first day of classes tomorrow!
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
"...color all my dreams and light the dawn"
Very warm weather in early January seems so wrong, but I hesitate to protest. Amid packing my life into boxes, I made the most of today's warm breezes because who can be sure how long the perfection will last? Seventy-degree weather will never receive complaint no matter what the season - I love it. In fact, the mutinous part of me can't help hoping that it might last into next week. Mwahaha. After all, it is much more conducive to early-morning scrambles than biting cold.
As mentioned, I have spent the past two days knee deep in twenty years worth of...stuff. It may not sound quite so daunting to individuals who have moved before (especially those who have moved multiple times), but it is all very new to me. I hardly know where to begin. I will find articles that were "lost" and promptly lose them again in the madness...hehe. Shuffling through old papers and keepsakes, I feel as if I am reliving each memory one by one. I am amazed, however, by the indifference I feel toward most of my once-cherished accumulations. It is as if everything I so greatly esteemed before has become relatively inconsequential. I guess it's just because things change at every major milestone. Not that my memories cease to mean anything...they just lose their grip. Even more fascinating (because it is currently inconceivable) is the knowledge that things which are now of such great importance will undoubtedly follow suit and eventually become just as trivial.
I am in such an unbelievably good mood! I have no particular reason to be, which makes it all the more thrilling. :)
On the fourth day of the New Year, I am finally pausing to reflect on 2004. Spring Semester was a blast...an absolute blast. It had some bleh points, but I am hard pressed to think of a time where I had more fun. I will NEVER forget the mad hullabaloo that ensued with Disney and lasted for a month and a half. Somehow, I'm waiting for the same whirlwind to occur again. Between the "nervous breakdown" and "screw everything" phases, everything seemed so CRAZY-HAPPY... The high-spirited delirium carried on into the first part of the summer. I started my LJ when I needed an outlet and work became boring (hehe), so most accounts from there on out are contained within past entries - no need to rehash. :) Anyone who still reads this thing was probably right in the middle anyway, sharing every happy, sad, giddy, hysterical moment - for that, I am truly thankful. I love all of my friends (new and old), and I can't wait to share 2005 with them! I have learned and grown more in the past twelve months than ever, so I will consider it a very blessed year. I am so thankful for everything I have been allowed to experience. "God is amazing."
Okay. Enough blather. My New Year's Resolutions are already under significant strain, causing me to remember that only 12% of all resolutions are actually kept. I am still striving to keep mine, but I had another thought. What would happen if we asked others to create resolutions for us? It could prove to be dangerous waters in the case of a brutally honest vs. sensitive individual, but I think it would be interesting to see the areas in which others feel we need work. Maybe? Hehe. I can't wait to see my M'ville people again! I miss you guys so much! Love always!
As mentioned, I have spent the past two days knee deep in twenty years worth of...stuff. It may not sound quite so daunting to individuals who have moved before (especially those who have moved multiple times), but it is all very new to me. I hardly know where to begin. I will find articles that were "lost" and promptly lose them again in the madness...hehe. Shuffling through old papers and keepsakes, I feel as if I am reliving each memory one by one. I am amazed, however, by the indifference I feel toward most of my once-cherished accumulations. It is as if everything I so greatly esteemed before has become relatively inconsequential. I guess it's just because things change at every major milestone. Not that my memories cease to mean anything...they just lose their grip. Even more fascinating (because it is currently inconceivable) is the knowledge that things which are now of such great importance will undoubtedly follow suit and eventually become just as trivial.
I am in such an unbelievably good mood! I have no particular reason to be, which makes it all the more thrilling. :)
On the fourth day of the New Year, I am finally pausing to reflect on 2004. Spring Semester was a blast...an absolute blast. It had some bleh points, but I am hard pressed to think of a time where I had more fun. I will NEVER forget the mad hullabaloo that ensued with Disney and lasted for a month and a half. Somehow, I'm waiting for the same whirlwind to occur again. Between the "nervous breakdown" and "screw everything" phases, everything seemed so CRAZY-HAPPY... The high-spirited delirium carried on into the first part of the summer. I started my LJ when I needed an outlet and work became boring (hehe), so most accounts from there on out are contained within past entries - no need to rehash. :) Anyone who still reads this thing was probably right in the middle anyway, sharing every happy, sad, giddy, hysterical moment - for that, I am truly thankful. I love all of my friends (new and old), and I can't wait to share 2005 with them! I have learned and grown more in the past twelve months than ever, so I will consider it a very blessed year. I am so thankful for everything I have been allowed to experience. "God is amazing."
Okay. Enough blather. My New Year's Resolutions are already under significant strain, causing me to remember that only 12% of all resolutions are actually kept. I am still striving to keep mine, but I had another thought. What would happen if we asked others to create resolutions for us? It could prove to be dangerous waters in the case of a brutally honest vs. sensitive individual, but I think it would be interesting to see the areas in which others feel we need work. Maybe? Hehe. I can't wait to see my M'ville people again! I miss you guys so much! Love always!
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