Five Senses Friday 2/26/10

Well this week has been a treat! My husband and I recieved our tax refund which was SO exciting! I was able to order our new iMac, printer, and an iPod Touch. I am still like a kid at Christmas! I feel so grown up, moving on the road to becoming a professional designer. But since several of our new items arrived yesterday, I was immersed in a world of new gadgets and unable to write my typical Ray of Sunshine Thursday post. I am sure my few readers understand, since they are all close friends! But I can tell you, these fun new toys have certainly have been my ray of sunshine this week!

But since it is Friday, I am definitely posting my usual "Five Senses" blog! I have also been promised a few comments from some of my nearest and dearest (which I am looking forward to). So here it goes!

TOUCHING: My iPod Touch. I literally spent my night yesterday playing games. It distracted me from the frustration of setting up the Apple AirPort. I forgot how frustrating new technology can be, even though it is amazing and wonderful!).

SMELLING: The smell of my work clothes. If you have ever worked in a restaurant, you know exactly what I am talking about. I worked a lot this week, including an 11 hour double. So needless to say, I have been wearing a lot of black clothes which smell of restaurant. Even after they have been washed, the smell is forever embedded into the fabric!

TASTING: A southwest quesadilla from Friday's. I love quesadillas, and I have had this particular entree before. It was previously delicious- a little spice and a lot of flavor. Well, whoever made my latest one almost made me vomit. Yeah, it was that hot. It made me choke. I drank two glasses of water and was eating pure bites of sour cream, still my mouth was on fire from only a few bites! Needless to say, I will not be ordering this quesadilla again!

SEEING: Our new living room rug. FINALLY, I purchased a new rug, which has been long overdue. I found a beautiful one on sale (60% off) at Pier 1. The burnt orange, tan, and turquoise diamonds add a little spice to my life. It is 5x8, much larger than our previous rug, and has completely changed the look of our living room. It is amazing how something so simple can bring a fresh new look to our home.

HEARING: This week I have been listening to one of my old pop mixes, featuring tunes by Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Gym Class Heros, and one of my favorites by Jenny Owen Young. It is her own take on Nelly's Hot in Herre. Just give it a listen and you will see why!



Well, everyone, even if your week has been full of stress, play the five senses game and reflect on your week. I am sure you can find a bright spot! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Recent Picture Goodies

FIve Senses Friday 2/19/10

This week was, well, just weird. I am wondering if my five senses entry will be equally as strange.

SMELLING: My dogs. I know this sounds weird, but my dogs do not smell bad, it's the opposite really. They smell like comfort, snuggling, and home.

TASTING: Yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Yeah there are two of us in the apartment and one large cake-you do the math.

FEELING: The softness of the Eeyore stuffed animal I purchased on my honeymoon. I have been snuggling with him a lot this week.

SEEING: It's Complicated. I went to see it with my mom yesterday :)

HEARING: Brandy Carlile's version of the Jeff Buckley cover of the Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah.

Brandi Carlile lyrics

Brandi Carlile - Hallelujah Video - Brandi Carlile Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

I hope everyone had a lovely week, and has an even lovelier weekend.

Ray of Sunshine Thursday: 2/18/10

5. MAKING TIME FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

This week I have put some aspects of my life into perspective. There has been good news, bad news, ups, and downs, which have made the last seven days a whirlwind. But yesterday, there was a distinct bright spot-some much needed quality time with my mom. We saw a movie in and then out for a little shopping. There was much needed chatting and laughter. It without a doubt was the highlight of my week. So for my "Little Ray of Sunshine" this week, I invite readers to make a date with a family member or a friend. Create a bright spot in your crazy week.

The Tale of a New Education

Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

I bought my first post-college text book-Classroom in a Book: Adobe Illustrator CS4. It is my first REAL endeavor to try and jump start my new company, Lucky Ink. I never thought after ten years of academia, I would be teaching myself design software to start my own company. Or buying new text books for that matter! So how does a trained art educator end up turning her life around, abandoning everything she thought she knew for her future? With the loss of someone she loved very dearly.

This past May, I graduated from a Master's in Teaching program. Originally, I wanted to find I job within a museum education department. Teaching in a classroom was always the backup plan, something I always thought I would be able to fall back on. Well, as it turns out school districts are not chomping at the bit to hire art teachers. The arts have been put on the back burner in school systems throughout the country. I became frustrated, disappointed, angry, and terrified all at the same time. I thought perhaps the last ten years had been a lost cause and I would be waiting tables much longer than anticipated. This was a fate for which I was not mentally prepared.

So with all the mixed-up emotions , I threw myself into my wedding plans. I was creating almost all the decorations by hand, from invitations to centerpieces. Being involved in a hands-on project made me feel alive again. I truly missed all of my studio art classes, and working on my wedding made creative energy rush through me. But deep down I knew that after my wedding day was done, this amazing feeling would be gone, and I would be back to my plan of finding a teaching position-the most financially viable solution for my future.

Summer came and went, and suddenly it was September. My wedding season was about to jump into high gear. Unfortunately, in early September my grandfather passed away. This was a man who was loved and admired by so many people. He was kind, thoughtful, funny, generous, and- something I had forgotten-creative. He was a master carpenter who took great pride in his work, from building houses to rocking horses. Growing up I can remember the various models, toys, and artwork he created to bring happiness to those around him. He constantly had little projects going, and the garage always smelled of wood chips and gasoline. At Papa's funeral, my Aunt Mary told me about his old military jack that served as a canvas for his original paintings and drawings. She gushed about what a talented artist he was and how much I would appreciate his beautiful jacket. Before Mary told about this unique jacket, I did not realize that Papa drew, painted, or dabbled in any other types of artwork. Suddenly, things began to make sense, and I had a moment of clarity-I came from a line of imaginative individuals who built their lives around building and creating. No matter what fears I had of living as an artist in the past, I started to ask myself, why not me? Why can't I live my life as an artist or designer? My husband has always told me, I am at my happiest when I am creating. I like to think my grandfather was the same way.

So now, here I am creating a new plan. I am educating myself for a new future. I have gained a new sense of self. I am learning the art of self-motivation, for I am now my own teacher. Everyday I make the choice to follow a new path. I make the choice to look to new people for inspiration. I know the road is not going to be easy, and there are going to be days when I want to give up on it all. But on those days I will remember the way my grandfather looked when he opened my wedding invitation-so proud and excited. I know he will help guide me in my quest to educate myself for a whole new life, the life of an artist.

Blog Treasure Hunt and Five Senses Friday

As of late I have been doing a lot of blog surfing (my very own little treasure hunt). I am continually trying to come up with new ideas and discover what this whole blogging thing is about! Over the past few weeks, I have discovered a few blogs which have really excited me. First, The World According to Renee R. Renee is actually someone I was friends with in college, but have lost touch with over the years. I always saw her as bubbly and optimistic-a smart, fun girl to be around. Her blog encompasses how I remember Renee. She is an optimistic and talented writer, looking to accomplish her dreams. Her blog documents her daily thoughts and adventures, including the progress on her novel and how close she is to meeting Oprah. We are the same age, so I can relate to most of the topics she writes about, but I believe everyone will find a little something within her various stories and antidotes.

Another blog I have discovered leads me to what is called "Five Senses Friday". I got this idea from a 26-year old woman from Portland, Oregon named Abby, and her adorable blog abby try again: experiments in film, photography, and general happiness. She invites readers to play along, by using the five senses as a tool to make sense of our crazy weeks. Here is an example from her blog dated January 28, 2010:

"For those of you who are new readers (or maybe never understood what I was blabbing about) five senses friday was started years ago by my friend, Shari Altman. I use it weekly as way to sit down and reflect on what the past days have been like for me.

I would love it if you played along-you can leave your own version in the comments or on your blog.

Tasting: a yummy donut from Voodoo

Hearing: finally added Beirut back to my ipod after accidentally erasing it

Seeing: so many gorgeous air plants at my photo shoot with my house party

Feeling: new smart wool socks

Smelling: a sharp marinade of ginger, garlic, vinegar and shoyu"

So now I will give you my attempt at "Five Senses Friday"- hopefully I will get the hang of it.

Tasting: Cheerios. I have eaten a lot of them this week for some unknown reason. I had an odd craving.

Hearing: "Today is gonna be a good day, Dunder Mifflin and Sabre.." This is a little song from last week's episode of NBC's The Office. It has been in my head all week thanks to Mrs. Kelly Phares.

Seeing: Exceptionally bright snow. Even though we have seen a lot of snow the last week, there have been some very sunny days. Blinding even. When I come in from outside my eyes have to adjust-it is almost painful!

Touching: My fuzzy, ivory Isotoners. I have worn them a lot this week due to the snow!

Smelling: Macintosh and Peach Yankee Candle. It made for a nice ending to a cleaning spree.

So in the same vain as Abby, I invite readers to chime in. How would you explain your week through the five senses? And better yet-what could you go on a treasure hunt for? Maybe blogs? Maybe actual gold? Regardless of what you are seeking, I hope you are enjoying the hunt and taking the time to tap into all five senses throughout your experience. :)

Ray of Sunshine Thursday

I have decided to dedicate Thursday's entries to my previous theme of "Little Rays of Sunshine". If you recall my previous post, you will see that this list is dedicated to activities which can make the dragging winter months go by a little faster. Here is number four on my list. Hope it can brighten your day!

4. CHECKING IN ON FRIENDS AND THEIR CREATIVE ENDEAVORS:

This blog has really given me a boost over the last few weeks. I feel energized and inspired by sharing my thoughts with the world. I believe it will help launch my future business endeavors (look out for Lucky Ink Design Studio, coming Summer 2010!). But since I have been sort of absorbed in my own work over the last few months, I have failed to investigate what my friends have been doing. What type of creative projects have my friends been working on? Today I found out that a friend of ours has his own radio show on Black Squirrel Radio, which broadcasts out of Kent State University (GO-HIO, Thursdays from 12-2 p.m.). How awesome is that!?! Today my husband and I had a listen. It was a treat to hear some new music and a little debate about a "word of the day". There was some talk about it being INCOGNITO, which is one of my favorite words of all time. Unfortunately, I think it lost. But regardless, I am so excited to see others taking a chance and trying something new, something they have always wanted to do. It makes me want to find out what some of my other friends have been doing! Perhaps we can all support each other, bounce around ideas, and encourage each other to take some more little leaps of faith.

Snowed In

Apparently Mother Nature heard me speaking ill of Ohio weather. Due to my accusations she has punished us with a massive snow storm, which is currently putting a damper on this evening's social events. My best friend is currently snowed in. She is hoping her father-in-law will come and save the day with his snow blower. If he is unable to rescue them, our plans will be squashed. Plans, mind you, we have all been looking forward to for at least a month! Ugh....

So this blog entry will be more interactive. When snowed in we need contact with the outside world. I invite readers to share what they have done or would do to pass the time during a snow storm.

What I would do?....Sleep. I know it's not very exciting, but it is very appealing!

Little Rays of Sunshine

So here we are, February 1st. For many of us, the winter blues set in this time of year- especially in Ohio. Ohio is a special place where the unpredictable weather dictates many aspects of our lives. Currently it is around 18 degrees and overcast-the typical cold accompanied by a "special" shade of gray. But amidst the blah-ness, there have been a few deceiving sunny days as of late, which almost make us forget we live in the cloudiest place on earth. Well that is not entirely true, but close. Regardless, these freezing, yet sunny days give Ohioans hope that the brighter days of May are right around the corner.

So what can we do to make the next few months go by faster? Is there anything out there to make this wintry ride a little smoother? What else can we hold on to when the sun is not blessing us with those little rays of hope? Well, we could all be like my mother and father and take off for a sweet California getaway. But that was compliments of brother, and I don't think he can afford to fly all of us out to the West Coast. So we will have to settle for something easier to obtain. Perhaps something off my "Little Rays of Sunshine" list will fit the bill!

Little Rays of Sunshine

1. A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE: There is something to be said for a delicious cup of java. It is a glorious way to start the day. A cup of coffee is a morning ritual which reminds me of the new
day, an opportunity for a fresh start. So how can this hot energy-boosting gratification brighten up your winter? Perhaps use different mugs. For our wedding, my husband and I received an array of different Fiestaware mugs. Deciding which one of these brightly colored mugs to use is always a treat. The color I pick often dictates my mood that day. For example, today I picked a jumbo mug in Sunflower. It made me feel bright and shiny (perhaps this is silly, but it is true) . Not in the market for colorful mugs? Try a new coffee, or better yet, a new way to prepare coffee. I recommend a french press. I can honestly say, it makes the best cup of coffee. Hands down. Granted, it is a little pricier (you have to use freshly ground beans....currently we have Starbucks Breakfast Blend) but it is WORTH IT!




2. NEW TELEVISION SEASON: We all have our favorite shows, many of which start their new season in September or October. In the past this fresh boost of T.V. life only occurred in the fall. But in recent years, there has been a surge of new and old shows starting mid-season. For example, ABC's Grey's Anatomy was a mid-season replacement. And now we have American Idol which starts in January every year. But the highlight of this winter's television season is without a doubt the final season of ABC's Lost. I am a Lost fanatic. I have been waiting for all my questions to be answered for years. I get chills when I see the trailers. But there are many who think I am crazy. There are those (such as my best friend and her husband--hint hint) who have not taken the leap to commit to this fantastical show. My advice? Set the DVR to tape this season of Lost. Invest in Netflix or watch episodes online. Watch all the seasons straight through (not in one night of course). Think of it as a reeeaaalllly long movie. When you are done, go back to your DVR. This may seem like a complicated process and a hassle just to watch a freaking T.V. show, but I promise after one episode, YOU WILL BE HOOKED. I have seen it happen. Most recently, a friend of mine started watching the seasons on DVD. She immediately became an addict. She is now planning a Lost finale party and printing out various pieces Lost paraphernalia off the internet. Yeah, it is that good.






3. ORGANIZATION: Organization is something I am lacking, which is why I am adding it to this list. I need more of it in my life and perhaps writing about it in my blog will push me in the right direction. Organization of anything, be it financial papers, art supplies, dishes, dog toys, or a junk drawer, seems to help us feel productive. It makes us feel prepared for the unexpected. It guides us in making sense of our surroundings. I am currently in the process of organizing my office. Having this project has given me a much needed boost. I am getting rid of what is no longer needed and making new uses for some older goodies. For example, I have covered some of my old college paintings with batting and fabric to create bulletin boards. This process has also helped me reflect on a life I am ready to leave behind, and is pushing me to move forward. It is funny how giving items a designated home can change one's outlook on life. For a plethora of organizing tips check out www.realsimple.com


For now, these three ideas will have to do. During remaining winter months, I will post a weekly Little Ray of Sunshine. I hope readers will share their ideas on what gets them through the winter! We could use all the help we can get!

Hello, Newlywed.....

Click here to view these pictures larger

Most women grow up believing their wedding day will be the best day of their lives. Being a bride will make us feel confident-the most beautiful woman in the world. After this amazing day, we will go on a wonderful honeymoon. People will wish us well as we start our new lives with our new husbands. I know I grew up believing newlyweds are supposed to be so happy and lovey-dovey. There would be minimal fighting, I would have a wonderful outlook on married life, and fully embrace this massive life change.

As a bride, what I grew up believing was absolutely true. Overwhelming feelings of love and optimism ran through me on my wedding day. Reflecting on how I felt still brings tears to my eyes. But the reality of being a newlywed was much different than I anticipated. Turns out, well for me at least, being married is a little scary. After the wedding and honeymoon, there really is an adjustment period. During my "adjustment period", I realized what was going to happen-I was going to have to really "grow up".

Now understand that why I was, and sometimes still am, a scared newlywed had/has nothing to do with the love I have for my husband. He is my soul mate, truly my other half. He is my best friend. Being scared about marriage is the result of moving into a new phase of adulthood. As a newlywed, I have new responsibilities which extend beyond myself...........A new branch of the family tree has been started......I have someone new who depends on me...Finances will become so much more important and complex..I need to act like an adult and get better job...and so on...and so on....oh how I could go on and on.

So, as it turns out, it is possible for the groom to feel the exact same way as the bride. And as anyone in a relationship can attest to, when both parties are stressed, fighting is often a result. Now, my husband and I were together for 6.5 years before we got married, living together for 6 of those years. Most people assume that marriage wouldn't change the dynamic of our relationship. But there was a great deal of "adjusting". Adjusting means a lot of compromising on both sides and new decisions to make. There were aspects of our relationship that completely changed and so many new issues to figure out at every turn. And shocker, sometimes we didn't want to handle them the same way. The typical argument usually followed. We both did our usual mad/stressed act-I got snippy and he got extremely introverted...ugh. All I kept thinking was, "This is not how how being a newlywed is supposed to be!".

But as time went on, my thinking began to shift. The arguments became fewer. I started to settle in to married life. I began to have faith in the idea of "forever" and trusting in my partner. We don't have to be typical and we are allowed to take the long way around. We will figure it out, no matter how long it takes. As long as we are figuring it out together, I will be fine. We will be fine.

My husband and I have a lot of growing up to do, in more ways than one. We need to take some leaps of faith. And while this is happening, I need to realize that there will be rough patches, I will get scared. But during tough times, I need to reflect upon the way I felt on my wedding day. Not necessarily imagine the day itself, but how I felt on that day-optimistic, proud, and in love. This is what a newlywed should feel like. We don't have to have it all figured out, but we should enjoy being in love along the way. We should be proud of what we have accomplished! And we should always, always, always stay optimistic. A great love isn't built over night, it is built over a lifetime.