A ride to the Arboretum

Happy Arbor Day!

Today I rode my bike down to the UK Arboretum for Arbor day. My roommate was working at a booth for the Arbor day celebration so I thought I would take a look. I've never been to the Arboretum but it is definitely somewhere I would like to revisit. I used google maps to get a bike route from my apartment and it was only about three miles. The weather is beautiful today so it was a great opportunity to get some biking in. There were booths at the celebration from all different organizations, educating people about planting trees and all other things environmental related. There's also a walking path around the whole Arboretum showcasing different trees and plants. I didn't take the whole trail because I wasn't sure I could ride my bike on the sidewalk, so I just walked a little. I'd love to go back one day for a picnic or just to walk around. If you live near the area it's definitely worth a look!

The Jeep, My Love

If you know me well, you know I have always wanted a Jeep. I'm not sure what sparked my interest but I can't wait till the day I can afford to buy one! It's something about how a Jeep and nature go hand-in-hand that I just love. I want to be able to drive it around with the top off, going places I can't go with any other SUV. Well, I became a fan on Facebook of the Jeep and just saw these pictures posted recently. I didn't know a Jeep could really drive in such rough terrain! You can take a look at more of the pictures here. It would be my dream to own one of these and learn to drive around on a trail like this. Nature is something I always enjoy, especially new places. So, the Jeep would be an ideal way to explore it. Anyone want to donate to the fund?

Gaga loves Judas?

I just heard about this song the other day called "Judas" by Lady Gaga. I know there are mixed reviews about Lady Gaga, I personally am not a huge fan. As far as musically, I don't think she's doing anything too out of the ordinary. As far as performance, I don't even know where to begin, I'm still confused by her antics!

Here are the lyrics to her new song:

I'm in love with Judas

Ohohohoh
I'm in love with Judas
Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas
Judas! Judaas Judas! GAGA
When he comes to me, I am ready
I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs
Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain
Even after three times, he betrays me
I’ll bring him down, bring him down, down
A king with no crown, king with no crown
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby


I couldn’t love a man so purely
Even darkness forgave his crooked way
I’ve learned our love is like a brick
Build a house or sink a dead body
I’ll bring him down, bring him down, down
A king with no crown, king with no crown
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

I'm in love with Judas
In the most Biblical sense,
I am beyond repentance
Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind
But in the cultural sense
I just speak in future tense
Judas kiss me if offenced,
Or wear an ear condom next time
I wanna love you,
But something’s pulling me away from you
Jesus is my virtue,
Judas is the demon I cling to
I cling to
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Can I just say, what the heck?? I don't know if I should be offended or not! This song could be about who knows what, a relationship, a lifestyle, I really don't know. Whatever it is, she seems to be ok with being in love with this person who is like Judas and thinks she is "beyond repentance." I know many fans think she is brilliant and creative with what she's doing. I agree that she is very creative but also I think she has some major issues going on. I can't judge her mental state because I don't know her and only God really knows what's going on. But, beyond all the flair and high fashion, let's just think about what she's saying in her songs. It's definitely something worth thinking about before singing along to.

A bit of learning through teaching

For the past few months I have been giving private art lessons to two students. One is about 80 years old and the other is 14, big difference. I have never formally taught art to anyone, so it is a learning experience for me. I am teaching the older lady mostly watercolors and the teenager figure drawing.

My older student is such a sweet lady, she has become like my second grandmother. Her husband passed away a few years ago and many times she is very lonely. The lessons were a gift from her children for Christmas, but she chose to continue with me. The lessons have become therapy for her, she tells me. I enjoy listening to her talk about her past and what she's done as well as the present. She has taught me many things about life, and how to be a better art teacher. It has definitely been a blessing.

Here's a painting I finished the other day while at lessons, we've been working on flowers.

I have been working on figure drawing with my other student. She's very interested in fashion design, which is ironic because I was as well at that age. We're working on the fashion figure and proportions, clothing, and just started with watercolor. It has been somewhat of a challenge teaching a teenager, she's very shy but is slowly coming out of her shell. I enjoy working on the figure because it's also something I feel I need to work on. 

This experience has helped me learn a lot about teaching. I enjoy giving lessons but I don't think I would ever want to teach in schools unless it was undergrad. I hope I can continue giving lessons in the future!

Keeping the journey moving

Tomorrow I'm heading up to Cincinnati to meet some friends I haven't seen in quite a while. I thought since I will be there, to use my day off Friday to do some job searching. I have prepared my resumes and somewhat of a map of all the places I want to go. Most of these art museums and galleries don't show any job openings online, but I figure it can't hurt to go there and take my resume. I would absolutely love to work at any of the galleries I am visiting. I do, however, keep my expectations low for the outcome of this pursuit.

I am also apply for AmeriCorps. If you're not familiar with it, it is similar to the Peace Corps but in the US. My roommate works for AmeriCorps through an environmental nonprofit organization and she loves it. I have always loved community service and helping others by using my knowledge and skills. Also, I always learn so much through the people I work with.

So, we shall see how this goes. I hope to find a job where I really feel like I am making a difference, not just doing the menial tasks that only affect one company. It's time to move on and do something that will help me reach my goals in life. Also, the time clock is ticking... only about 11 weeks until I leave this country for Chile :D

Another painting

I did this one just shortly after the others yesterday. I like the texture of the thick paint moving around on the wood. I would like to do more of these in different colors.

Smell of turpentine in the air

My small apartment is not the ideal place for creating art. I took for granted how nice it was to have such a large area in school where I could take up space and get things dirty. Also, the ventilation. I paint two paintings in my apartment and it stinks up the whole place! It's hard to get inspired when the majority of my time is spent at work and at home. I'm trying to do other things that will help me with my art. Today I did a couple figure studies:

I just took a quick shot of these with my ipod, hence the bad quality. I want to continue working with the figure in different ways. I have focused on dance in the past and I am still interested in it but I want to move on to other things. Since watching "Only When I Dance" and "War Dance" I have come to see how dance can really help people in many ways. Also, movement in general can be a means of coping with something. I'm going to do some studies of the body in sleep as well as dance. I talked about this idea earlier in my blog and I'm still pondering on it. The main thing I need to do is just start painting more. The best way I work is to experience the painting aspect primarily, because while I do that all the ideas in my head come together. So, while I am at home for easter, maybe I can snatch some art supplies from my basement and really get started.

"Only When I Dance"

I watched this inspiring documentary today about two dance students in Rio. The film was made around 2008 and focused on Irlan and Isabela, two ballet dancers. They both come from lower-middle class families and struggle to make their dreams come true. It is always inspiring to me to hear stories such as this. People all around the world face the odds to do what they love. Sometimes I feel I am not trying hard enough to really do what I feel is my passion but when I see people like this I realize there are no excuses! I encourage you to watch this short film and get inspired. Plus, it combines the things I love, South America and dance. 

Blessing of the week

Last night I received a very important call from a friend of a friend. This guy works for an airline and gets a number of "buddy passes" each year. If you're not familiar with them, they are discounted stand-by tickets. Even though this friend doesn't know me, he is going to offer me a ticket to Chile. My friend talked to him about my plans to go to Chile and also my tight budget. I was getting worried about the airfare considering prices continue to rise. I have been saving some money by doing art lessons and whatnot, but $1,700 is a lot!

So I talked to the guy last night and he kind of explained to me how the passes work and also the importance of upholding his reputation while I fly. In the end of my discussion with him we pretty much came to the conclusion of buy the ticket soon that would cost around $450! What a savings!! This is truly a blessing from God. Going to Chile is something I have been planning on for a while now, something I need and want to do badly. I was so excited to hear this news! Then, after realizing my date of departure I realized it's only two and half months away!

Wow, two and a half months! This makes me very excited and very nervous at the same time. There are still a few things I need to cross off my list. The biggest thing is to find a job! That makes me the most nervous. I know God will provide something, but I also have to do my part and work hard to find it. Also, I need to secure a roommate to take over my part of the apartment. All these things worry me mainly because they involve a lot of money. BUT...I just keep praying to trust God and listen to Him. In the end everything will work out. It's just the getting there that's the hardest!

Extreme Couponing: My Theory

Everyone's been talking about the new show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing." I have watched a couple episodes and I am still amazed by this phenomenon. If you're not familiar, people on this show go to extremes to save coupons and "save" money. Many of these people spend hours out of their day to collect coupons, organize them, create a shopping list, and finally go shopping. When shopping they buy certain quantities and go through more than one transaction to get their desired total. I saw one episode where the subtotal was somewhere around $600 and after coupons was around $100. My first question was, how can this be real? I know some grocery stores limit the amount of same coupons one can use, so then the customer has to do more than one transaction in order to use them. My next question was, who would really need all these groceries? Most people on the show how a whole room dedicated to all the groceries they buy, including 50 boxes of cereal, 100 cans of soup, 20 packages of toilet paper, the list goes on.

This is the first problem I have with extreme couponing. Unless you have a huge family or donate part of your groceries, how could you ever use all of it without some of it going bad? Also, I think many people buy things with a coupon just for the fact there's a coupon, not that they actually need the product. Therefore, are you really saving all that much money? I think using coupons is totally acceptable, but when it comes to extremes like this I have many questions.

I started to think why people started doing something so extreme. What is all the rage about? Is it because they really need to save money or is it the thrill? Most of the people I see on the show do not look like they are in dire straights, not to say they wouldn't need to save money. I think for many of these extreme couponers it is something our society has taught them: the need for more. Our culture is all about want, want, want, more material things. With those material objects comes a higher social status. Also, the feeling of being complete. I think that is what it really is for many of these couponers, the feeling they get after grocery shopping. To me, these characteristics seem very similar to that of a shopoholic. I'm not a psychologist but I would be willing to bet on this. 

I'm just wondering if our culture will ever change their need for the material. I look at peoples of other countries and see how it is much different. The US seems to be envied by many, but in areas like this I really think we should envy them. Thoughts?

Entre Nos

Today I watched "Entre Nos." This Spanish film was inspired by a true story of a family from Colombia.  The father brings them to the US and then leaves them to fend for themselves in New York. The mom struggles to make ends meet for her two children. I've seen movies like this before and it's another heart-breaking story of what really happens to immigrants and even citizens in the US. Like many Spanish language films, there's not really a climax in this movie. That's one downfall to the entertainment aspect of films like this, but you learn to not expect that when watching. "Entre Nos" is a fairly short film but shows a lot about what this family went through and how they got through their hard times. It's stories like these that make me remember just how blessed I really am.

'Tis the season for yummy things

This is pretty much my favorite part of the year, when it starts getting warmer and sun is coming out of the clouds. Also because of all the great fruits and vegetables that are in season! I love buy all kinds of fruits and making salads, smoothies, ice cream, and sorbet. 

This is a salad I made just the other day. It has spinach, fresh strawberries, mango, feta cheese, and a raspberry vinaigrette. Can you say delish?

I made this smoothie today with a few things I already had in the fridge. That's what I love about smoothies, you can pretty much put anything you have in one and it tastes great. Today I added strawberries, mango, vanilla yogurt, one banana, ice, and a little bit of V8 pomegranate tea.  It tastes so good and it's loaded with great vitamins. I also love making a peanut butter-banana shake with a banana, peanut butter, milk, and ice. You could even add Nutella if you'd like. 

I can't wait to go to the Farmer's Market this year and get lots of fresh vegetables and fruit and start cooking!

Foo Fighters on VH1

Just the other night I found a special on VH1 about Foo Fighters. I've been looking forward the release of their new album "Wasting Light." I haven't always been a fan. I wasn't really introduced to their music until about five years ago and then more when I started dating Claudio. He's the one that really showed me more of their music. A few weeks ago I saw their new album on itunes and was excited about hearing some new music. The documentary I watched on VH1 revealed a lot about the band's history. I wasn't aware of the many problems they had with keeping band members. I liked when Dave Grohl (lead singer) talked about one of their albums they recorded in a basement. That album ended up being more successful than others in the past. You should definitely try to catch this documentary if it's on again. I can't wait to buy the album this week!

Youtube videos for extra cash?

The other day my friend showed me yet another youtube video. This one was a girl video taping herself talking about clubbing and running off creepers. I didn't think this was too funny, but apparently a lot of people did because she got a couple thousand hits. I'm not sure how many hits one must get before they can actually start getting paid for advertising, but it must be a lot. I have posted a few videos in the past, getting around a seven thousand views. I personally think that's quite a few, but not enough to make any money. Here it is:

If anyone knows me well knows I love doing accents and voices. This video was taken junior year of college when the "Brooklyn Girls" were first born. I've enjoyed making videos for some time, mainly since middle school when my friend Kacie and I made a three hour movie of nonsense. We recently pondered remaking the Sundrop commercial in downtown Lexington.

What I was getting at with this post is that the other day I said to someone: "I think I could make videos just as funny as some that are on youtube!" Thus, my new endeavor of creating youtube videos. You never know, it could be the next big hit! Haha, probably not but why not try. It's like playing the lottery but not having to buy any tickets. Any requests for the first video? Anyone that would like to make an appearance? I'm down for anything, just know I won't take this seriously at all!

"Heaven is For Real"

I just finished this book Heaven is For Real.  If you haven't heard of it, it's a nonfiction book telling the story of a boy who visited heaven while in surgery. The story is told by his father who is a pastor in Nebraska. Colton, the young child, was faced with appendicitis and in critical condition.  Not till later did his family hear about his encounter in heaven and all that it entailed. 

I have heard of people with near-death experiences and visits to heaven but I can never say if I truly believe all of the stories. I definitely believe in heaven but you never know if people are telling the truth or not. But, like the cover says this book is very convincing. The way Colton describes heaven and his experiences there are biblical. They are also things a young boy wouldn't know otherwise, most churches don't focus on Revelation in preschool Sunday school classes! Whether you believe or not, this book is worth a read!

Job searching-yuck.

About this time last year I was job searching. I was also in a frenzy, trying to get things done for my senior art show...I can't believe it's been a year! Last summer I spent at home working but looking for a job in Lexington. I didn't think I would find one, but in the last minute I did. It seems like during the past year that's how things work in my life, things unfold in the last minute. I can't say I enjoy this, I am someone who likes notice and plan things out.

So, again I am looking for a job and I don't want to settle for something that doesn't use my art and/or Spanish skills. I have such a desire to be doing something I actually love and feel accomplished when doing it. I've been looking online for jobs in museums in the northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area. Also possible Americorps. I know this will not be easy nor fast, but I'm just praying something will reveal itself in the next few months. So for now I will continue to search and continue to pray for doors to be opened. Also for patience!

War Dance

 

I just watched this moving documentary today called War Dance. As some hopefully know, the war in northern Uganda has been raging for years and continues today.  I wasn't aware of this until my freshman year in college when I watched Invisible Children.  The rebel army continues to kill and abduct children all over the north of Uganda. This film captures the grief of these children and their families that have been directly affected by the war. 

In particular, the Acholi tribe that has moved to a government funded camp is seen in the film. The camp was meant to house around five families but in the time of the documentary, around 50,000 people lived there. For the first time, the Patongo school seeks to participate in the national Kampala Music Festival.  The film tells the story of three children affected by the war and their journey to the competition.

I was deeply moved by the sadness of these children. They have been robbed of their childhood because of the rebel army and have seen things no one deserves to see, especially not a child. Many of them have been orphaned because of the war and have also lost brothers and sisters. Despite all the pain, music and dance help these children free their minds from the past. You can see the smiles light up on their faces when they dance, sing, and play instruments. 

Dance Marathon:Georgetown College

On Friday I participated in Dance Marathon at Georgetown College. There are over 100 dance marathons each year to raise money for Children's Miracle Network.  If you're not familiar with the philanthropy, they aid families in paying for hospital bills for their child's illness. My sorority Phi Mu's national philanthropy is CMN, so I've been a part of different activities throughout the year.  This was the first year at Georgetown to have a dance marathon and it was a hit!

The marathon lasted throughout the night.  There were many activities such as games, group dancing, dance classes, food, and a "morale" dance.  Also, CMN families came to share their stories.  There were about 100 participants this year, which I think is a great start.  I can't wait till next year to see how many more people get involved in this great event!

I helped do henna in the international hour.

My friend Jacob and I, dancing as usual.

Just one of the many group dances.

If you're interested in finding a dance marathon near you, or starting one up, click here.

Travesías

I went to see this exhibition today at the Loudoun house. This is what the website says about it:




Crossings \ Travesías | March 25 – May 14, 2011
Crossings is an exhibition focusing on Latino/a and Chicano/a artists living in America and the issues faced by this community. Artworks explore immigration and trans-border crossing experiences as well as the points at which gender, labor, race, class, sexuality and cultural identity intersect.

Guest curators, Marta Miranda, Andres Cruz and Diane Kahlo invited artists from Illinois, Florida, Texas, Missouri and Kentucky to create work for this exhibition that illuminates the expanding role Latino/a culture has in contemporary life.


I found the exhibition very interesting and thought-provoking. Immigration is obviously a major issue in this time and there are many strong opinions about it. No matter your point of view, this exhibition is definitely something to see. My past artwork has been influenced by the Hispanic culture so I was very excited to see work that explored that culture in a different light.  The artworks range from photography, paintings, installations, and sculptures.  Every one makes you think and ask yourself how you really feel about border control. One installation uses water bottles to represent lives lost in the desert. Each bottle has a tag including the person's name, age, hometown, and cause of death if known. It was hard for me to see how so many people risk their lives crossing the desert in pursuit of what they feel is a better life. 


Many things can be said about immigration issues but I think one thing I feel most passionate about is not labeling Hispanic people.  Not everyone who is Hispanic is Mexican, not everyone who is Hispanic is illegal or an immigrant.  And if they are, they don't deserve death or acts of prejudice. I think immigration laws and control are definitely something that can be worked on.  But the most important thing is bringing about awareness of the issue.


There was also an interesting public sculpture outside the Loudoun house:

The site says: Matthew Burke designed a site-specific interactive sculpture inspired by the Bur Oak tree branches found in Castlewood Park.  

Can I just say, I love public sculptures and art!

Follow up on "Little Bee"

I just finished reading Little Bee just the other night. I would recommend it! It is not based on a true story but it definitely opened my eyes to the life of a refugee.  I also liked the ending, which I will not reveal. Now I'm starting on Heaven is for Real and Beautiful Things Happen When Women Trust God. Should be interesting!