Winter 2010 trends

Knits are big this winter season I love this headband. The flower makes it so cute.

Colored tights are another great trend to follow this winter season. In the cold months we find ourselves where dark color or netrual colors, why not add something colorful

Little black dresses never go out of style and are a perfect option to wear to any holiday events.

Statement making jewelry makes a fashion entrance. Find one that reflects your personality.

New blogging goals

These pictures are taken inside the art building, where I spent at least 17 hours a week (3 classes and then some). I want to get back into the blogging routine. Goal: to make short posts more often then long posts once a month.

fall is making the leaves change

My friends from Campus Crusade at Fall Retreat

Pictures from my brother and sister's cross country meet.

This semester is has been on the crazy side! Between writing lesson plans, Bible studies, studying, having a social life, exams, and a dozen other things I somehow manage. I already get to sign up for spring classes next week. I went home for a very short time this past weekend and saw my sibling's xc race. The weekend before I ran a 5k that the KSU rec put on. There were 600 runners and they had to delay the start time of the race so they could finish registering people. It was funny and they had a really awesome breakfast that was so very worth it.

Fall semester is about to start. I've been praying a lot today about many things. I'm going to be leading a freshman Bible study through Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). I'm praying for God's direction and guidance as the door has opened up for me to serve Him. I'm praying for the girls that will attend, that they will have a hunger for God. I'm asking the Lord to prepare my heart to be acceptant and full of love. I'm also praying that I will be prepared for my classes, professors, and the rest of the educational part of this semester. There is some other things that have come up that I have been in prayer about. I know the Lord has the ultimate plan and I must trust Him completely even when it is not so clear.

Psalm 5:11-12
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

fall fashion trends

Lace is all over the stores. It is a great layering option. Not only can you wear something under it but overtop as well will create a different look.

Forget the big oversized purses and switch to a little leather one. I think this one is so cute with the little dogs!

Skinny jeans+leggings=jeggings they are thicker than legging material and more comfortable than denim. In my closet right now!

One strap dresses are a huge trend. I am a big fan of the asymmetrical style.

Boatshoes have some knock off cheaper versions other than Sperry that are just as good. Aren't these versions crazy?

Just to let all my readers know the last two posts were part of an assignment for my online class. I am in my few weeks of freedom before returning to school again. Two weeks in fact. oh my not sure if I'm ready. I did go shopping and got some new clothes for fall. :)

expectations in relationships

Expectations in Relationships part 2

Starting with the beginnings of expectations, the environment that a child grows up in and the people that influence that child will have an effect on him or her as they reach adulthood. A child will be the most familiar with the relationship their parents have, or lack of relationship. Rebecca’s parents, in the novel The Gravedigger's Daughter, did not have a healthy relationship to illustrate what a good marriage should be for their children. Her father grabbed her mother and shook her, yelling at her the whole time in front of their children (Oates 89). She had guessed her parents had been in love earlier on in their marriage, although she never saw any sort of affection between them (p. 237). Parents that remain in a healthy marriage are more than likely to have children who have similarly successful relationships than those who have divorced parents (Seiffge-Krenk, Shulman, and Klessinger p. 328). “The family context perspective maintains that a family’s values, cultural background, socioeconomic status, family structure, and other characteristics directly affect adolescent’s views about their future life course, including their expectations and desires about family formation,” (Plotnick 945). Other close adults to the child, who have successful marriages, will act as a model of marriage for the child. These real life examples of relationships will offer a realistic representation of how relationships work and the success and failure of expectations. If a child sees good things in an adult relationship they will probably want those qualities in their future relationships. They will also see the flaws and issues that they don’t want to happen in future relationships as well. Sadly, Rebecca did not have any examples of a good marriage while she was a child.

During the ages within adolescence, it is common for dating relationships to become an important part of growing up (Meirer, Hull, and Ortyl 511). Middle adolescence is the most common time for young people to start, normally short lived, dating experiences (Seiffge-Krenk, Shulman, and Klessinger p. 328). Adolescence is a time for self-discovery in the stage of life between adulthood and childhood. Young people use their relationships with the opposite sex as a way to find their own identity. Rebecca’s identity changed during her adolescence when she and Tignor shortly dated, got engaged, and were married by the time she was 17. She was no longer an orphan, a chambermaid, a virgin, but a married woman, a keeper of the home, and a soon to be mother. Adolescents begin thinking about what kinds of expectations they have in a different way than what they thought when they were children. These expectations are more detailed and thought out. Young adults expect themselves to enter into a marital relationship between the ages of 24-25 (Plotnick 925). Through more dating experiences and other life events expectations change as individuals reach a marriageable age. Adolescents expect their relationships to fill a need for companionship with a person from the opposite sex.

It is argued whether or not expectations are a good or bad thing. Some claim that realistic expectations are a healthy part of a relationship that has positive results; while others disagree and say they lead to disappointment and marriage dysfunction (McNulty and Karney 729). Expectations are good as long as they are reasonable and flexible to change and work with someone. People who are skillful communicators and problem solvers have better chances of having their expectations met. Communication and problem solving skills can help when conflicts arise. These people are able to resolve problems and work through issues (731). “Given that the benefits and costs of positive expectations depend on other relationships factors, the effects of cognitive variables on long term relationship outcomes may similarity depend on how those cognitions interact with the experiences couples are likely to encounter,” (740). People need to establish expectations or standards for what they want but they need to be expectations that are practical, realistic, and sensible.

Expectations come from real life relationships, role models or personal experience, but they can also come from society or mass media. Expectations can be set too high and unattainable, which will only lead to disappointment and failure. Standards that are reachable and sufficient improve the chances of having a successful relationship. Expectations are important but they need to be accommodating and able to change if need be. The identities of both people in a relationship are shaped by each other and what each person brings to the relationship. Relationships should not be unhealthy or unrealistic like Rebecca and Tignor’s. Relationships need to be about expecting the person themselves to fulfill their own goals and if both people can successfully do that then they will have a healthy relationship.

K Wedding

The Chicken Dance such a classic!

The queens of the dance floor! Lets Dance!

The little girls loved dancing too

My friends and I

Instead of wedding cake cheesecake was served.

The location of reception was just as nice as the mansion.

Kurt and Kierston's Wedding

the bride

the kiss

The new couple

My friends in the wedding party

This was the first outdoor wedding I've ever been to and the weather was perfect!

Meli and I in front of the Buhl Mansion!

Part 2 will be posted in the next few days.... stay tuned.

~{♥}~

Life is so unwritten, which makes it so interesting! Its like a book with each chapter revealing more of a story filled with interesting characters, an ever changing plot, and several climaxes.

I made a visit to Kent. It is so different there in the summertime. My friend and I walked around downtown Kent up to campus. I guess we were over ambitious in walking all the way to the center of campus on one of the hottest days of summer! Along the way we stopped and got something to drink for we were very parched. We tried to take the shady way through campus. We reached the brain and bookshelves which are near the sculpture building. One of the rocks is a fountain, it never was on during the school year so new discovery there! We reached the center of campus which is under construction. I wonder what it will look like. I guess I'll find out in the fall.

mid-summer days

The 4th of July is almost here! yay! I will get a much needed break from these summer classes. Plans are still under-construction for this weekend. Sometimes just doing stuff without plans is more fun. I just know that I'm going to see fireworks as always. My friends from PA want us to come out and visit them. I haven't seen them since my birthday so a visit is long overdue!

I've been having a good summer lately. I went down to Kent for a summer Bible study a week ago. I got to see my friends which was nice. There was a bonfire afterward and since it was a warm night I wore shorts. That was a big mistake because I got twenty something bug bites on my legs alone. Next bonfire, I will wear jeans no matter how warm it is outside! We attempted to have a little bonfire at our house but we didn't have anything to make s'mores. All we had was these coconut marshmallows. I didn't try them otherwise I would say how they tasted. haha.

Joy not Happiness

It is very ironic that I wrote about being happy in my last blog because in reality I've been very stressed and unhappy. I've had a negative attitude towards everything that doesn't go my way. I feel like I'm three years old again. A friend told me "joy is forever, happiness is short lived" from there I remembered how joy is one of the fruits of the spirit and a gift from God. God's gifts are eternal. I need to stop thinking and dwelling in my negative attitude, wanting my own happiness. Instead I need to ask the Lord to fill me with His joy. Then I will be satisfied. Time to seek Him. :)

Happiness

One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.
Jane Austen

Happiness is what this world searches for, yet so many things that promise to bring happiness lead to unhappiness. Happiness is a condition of the heart. For you to be happy the rest of your life, your heart must be in a state of joy. We must also be in-tune with this happiness. People, events, objects, emotions, all try to steal this happiness from your heart. People, events, objects, emotions, are what we use to make us happy. All those things aren't stable and are the same things that steal are happiness. The key to happiness is giving our hearts to something dependable.

Have you found happiness?

I want a Corgi

I have this sense that something really good is about to happen. What will happen? Well, I'm not sure of any details. I just know that good things are in the wings ready to make their entrance. So time is the only thing that is holding this good whatever it is in the wings.

My first summer class is coming to a close. It flew by! Now I'll have to be super self motivated with my online classes. I was really glad that I could get some books at the library! Its great when expensive text books aren't involved and regular novels are used instead. I did get the two textbooks that I needed used which is good. It looks like I'll have a bunch of reading and writing ahead of me.

For a while we haven't had a dog. Living on a main road with much traffic hasn't made a good ending for most of our dogs. After having some previously bad experiences with indoor dogs are dogs and other animals have live outside with alternative housing/shelter. Most all the dogs we have ever owned have been mutts. So with all those things in mind I will own this kind of dog when I have a home of my own. The kind of dog I like is a pembroke welsh corgi. They are so cute with their ears that stick up and their stocky bodies with short little legs. One time, I told my mom I wanted one and she told me I wanted a dog because I didn't have a boyfriend. thanks mom.

on my mind

Itching to work with... paint! I need to find time to pull out the acrylic paints and start something.

Fashion obsessions... sundresses are great you can dress them up for a special event or wear them with hardly any accessories for an everyday look. I'm still in the search for some sandals.

Beauty essentials... Strawberry chapstick is a must and a little bit of mascara is all you need with a tan face. Oh moisturizer with SPF is a good idea too.

Recent splurge... a bathing suit

Signature scent... sweet pea bath and body works body spray

Top shop... make it shops, American Eagle and JcPenney for now

Wishing I could... make a trip down to Kent soon and visit my college friends.

Necessary extravagance... taking my good old time to get ready right up and sometimes past the time I have to go.

Currently craving... watermelon the best summer fruit!

Treasure possession... my friends and family

If I wasn't doing what I'm doing in life... well if I wasn't a student right now I really don't know what I would be doing. I'm really thankful to be where I am in life.

summer 2010!!!!

Summer 2010! yessss! I am so looking forward to long days of warm weather so I can wear my summer clothes again. I survived finals week, with only one cup of coffee. I was surprised by that. At the end I think it was adrenaline that kept me going. I've been catching up on my beauty sleep.

So back to summer, I'm not sure if I want anything to happen in particular so I'm naming this summer the summer of the unexpected. Other than summer classes I'm going to just go with the flow. I hopefully will get a chance to see my high school friends. We have gotten invited to a couple of grad parties and a wedding. This summer the pool in my backyard better get filled unlike last year. I spent a lot of time last summer away from home traveling to Cape Cod, Germany, and various places within Ohio. I wish I could do some traveling but that will have to be for another time. God has it all in His hands and I have to just trust Him and His perfect timing. When I try on my timing everything goes wrong! I need to get back to cleaning my room. Have a great day.

last week of spring semester 2010

I'm going to take time out of my crazy last week of classes and write a short post. I have dozens of other things to do but I've been unable to focus and I still have an evening class tonight. I'm taking summer classes so my summer won't be school free! I wish it was, but if I want to graduate college in a timely manner I must. I love KSU but I don't want to be there for +5 years as an undergrad! Yesterday was the 40th anniversary May 4th 1970 Kent State shootings. The parking lot where this happened in near my dorm. All the major Cleveland news channels 3,5, and 8 were there. You could tell a lot of people visiting had gone to school back in the 70's. Lots of long pony tails. Flowers where left in parking lot. Every year in history class I remember learning about it but it was weird being there on the day. Well back to writing lesson plans, studying, welding, and hopefully enjoying the weather in-between.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13 NLT

Taylor Swift

I've loved Taylor Swift and her music from the first time I heard her song Tear Drops on My Guitar on the radio. She has such an honesty and truly writes and sings from the heart. So many of them I have connected to personally and have been my theme songs at different points in my life. This is an arrangement of some of my favorite lyrics from her songs.

He’s the song in the car I keep singing, don’t know why I do

When we’re on the phone and you talk real slow, ‘cause it’s late and your momma don’t know

It’s the first kiss, it’s flawless, really something, it’s fearless

When you think happiness, I hope you think that little black dress

You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess, it’s a love story baby just say yes

Why would you want to break a perfectly good heart?

I’m not your princess, this ain’t a fairy tale, I’m gonna find someone someday that might actually treat me well, this is a big world that was a small town

You're just another picture to burn

These things will change, Can you feel it now? These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down, It's a revolution, the time has come for us to finally win

When all you wanted was to be wanted, Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now

I’m only me when I’m with you

Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself hey isn't this easy

Can you feel this magic in the air?

The music starts playing like at the end of a sad movie

Stay beautiful

I’m just a girl trying to find a place in this world

spring

I want to capture spring

with my camera.

I want to remember the earth waking up

through pictures.

It doesn't last forever

but the memory does.

In a coffee shop

I am spending the morning in a coffee shop. A warm mocha is next to me half full, or should I say half empty. I feel calm and peaceful. There is people coming in and out and the morning sun is being to break the chilly fog. If the world could only be like this coffee shop. Calm, pleasant, cheerful, but sadly its not. So today I hope I make someone's day without realizing it. I hope to help someone who needs it. To find a purpose for living for this day. To look at people for who they are not for their age, actions, position, but for the deepest parts of their character. I want to be unknown, unrecognized for whatever impact I leave today. In heaven my reward will be greater than anything in this world. I'm living for a high purpose.

Nobody told me 19 years ago...

1. Nobody told me that 19 years ago I would be born on the first day of spring.
2. Nobody told me that I would have wonderful, supportive parents.
3. Nobody told me that the day I came home a rainbow would be in the sky.
4. Nobody told all the silly things my sister and I came up with.
5. Nobody told me I would have an early love of art.
6. Nobody told me dress up was my favorite thing to play.
7. Nobody told me that I would step on sharp things outside which made me hate being barefoot.
8. Nobody told me I would have a hidden rebel side that would come out from time to time.
9. Nobody told me that Lambchop would be my favorite little kid TV show and I would name my favorite stuffed animal Lambchops with the "s".
10. Nobody told me that I would love to dance at church.
11. Nobody told all the unusual characters I would be in high school plays, sometimes guy roles.
12. Nobody told me that I would alway be the first one awake at sleepovers.
13. Nobody told me my dog would run away and never come back.
14. Nobody told me which boys I would have crushes on.
15. Nobody told me that I would learn how to dance on my toes in pretty point shoes or the bleeding blisters they gave me.
16. Nobody told me I would have the funniest younger brother ever.
17. Nobody told me the mean things people say to me.
18. Nobody told me the friends that would stick by me no matter what.
19. Nobody told me I would be homeschooled.
20. Nobody told me that I would love reading.
21. Nobody told me I wouldn't lose my first tooth until I was 7.
22. Nobody told me the jitters I had on my first day of public school in 8th grade.
23. Nobody told me I would spend a life changing two weeks in Germany.
24. Nobody told me how amazing the ocean would look the first time I saw it.
25. Nobody told me I would have to attend my opa's funeral.
26. Nobody told me how powerful his prayer was the last time we saw him.
27. Nobody told me how much I would enjoy running.
28. Nobody told me I would spend a Christmas in Florida.
29. Nobody told me how much ice cream cheers me up.
30. Nobody told me I would have 4 dates to 6 of my high school dances.
31. Nobody told me that my childhood heroes would be Shirley Temple and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
32. Nobody told me I would learn how to weld.
33. Nobody told me how when you grow up things and people can grow apart.
34. Nobody told me that I would actually like my first ride on a roller-coaster.
35. Nobody told me that my heart would get broken more than once.
36. Nobody told me all the different ways I would grow in my faith.
37. Nobody told me I would get really overwhelmed and stressed about school.
38. Nobody told me how confusing life can be.
39. Nobody told me all the amazing friends I would know.
40. Nobody told me I would write things down in a journal.
41. Nobody told me that I would love old fashion things like Jane Austen stories.
42. Nobody told me how much I would love pictures and the stories behind them.
43. Nobody told me the sense of achievement I had when I got a 100% on an Algebra test.
44. Nobody told me where and who my first date would be with.
45. Nobody told me how much I would look forward to my birthday.
46. Nobody told me that I would try colored contacts.
47. Nobody told me that people would look down on my choice to major in art education.
48. Nobody told me how hard I would work so I can prove them wrong.
49. Nobody told me how sensitive I would be.
50. Nobody told me how important God was in my life and how nothing could make me change that.

If someone told me any of these things, good or bad, I think I would of been too afraid to take a chance at living life. That is why life is an unknown series of events. God is there to guide and lead us each step of the way.

Stressful week has ended

My crazy week has finally come to an end! Between spending hours in the studio, studying Greek art for the art history exam, and all the rest of the studying and assignments it was just stressful! After my TWO exams today I went to with my friend to downtown Kent. We looked at the cute little shops, the art gallery, and ate an early dinner. The place we ate is called Pita Pit and it is sort of like a Subway just it uses pita bread instead of a sub. It was the first time I've eaten there and it was really yummy! We went down to the river and came across some sweet findings! Like the wall of a back of a building with all this cool relief art!

February~what I love

The heart cups from Starbucks- such a cute idea for V-day!

Snow tubing- the ultimate form of sledding

Wearing shorts and a tee shirt at the rec in the middle of winter- I can't wait until I can outside

When I lost one friend and found that I had gained 10 others- some people I've known all along but never considered them my friends

The hoods on hoodies- I wish I could thank the inventor in person!

Netflix instant movies- great option for a night that I want to be warm and cozy

Meli and her entertaining friends- laughing, laughing, and more laughing

Weird and funny dreams that I will remember for a long time to come- :P

A fortune cookie with the slip of paper that read "You are heading for a land of sunshine."- talk about lifting spirits

Getting extra credit for going to class on a super snowy Friday- this is what I got instead of a snow day

Seeing robins and squirrels and knowing there is hope for a spring- yay!

hiking boots- for traction on the unplowed side walks!

Going to Chuck E Cheese for the first time ever- as adult and not a kid- This was with my Bible study girls and we were asked if any kids were with us and we shook our heads!

smile about something!

Doesn't this just make you want a hug?

I reminds me of being a little kid, getting out of the bath tub and my mom wrapping me up in a warm towel.

After a couple long weeks of living in the valley, I've found myself climbing the mountain.

I've made it back to the times when I laugh about the silliest of things and smile just because it makes me feel good.

I hope you all have a great week with plenty of things to make you smile.

sculpture class

This is what I looked like coming back from the studio at 11 pm. I had been working on my project all of class, which started at 6, and stayed after until I completed the step I was working on. I was covered in plaster, my hair was a mess, I had dark circles under my eyes and it was so fun! haha. It took a lot of time. I had to come up with a mold and make it out of corrugated plastic. Then I had to put duck tape around it to make sure there would be no leaks. I mixed up plaster which was so messy, I loved it. I had to wait awhile to let it sit and harden.

Then when I removed the mold and it looked like the picture above. I spent and addition +3 hours smoothing out parts. Then I carved these looping lines and rounded some of the edges. It is crazy the amount of time all of this takes!

SparkNotes' Guide to Valentine's Day

SparkNotes' Guide to Valentine's Day

Posted using ShareThis

If you need a good laugh check out this link! Perfect V-day ideas (haha)

thoughts...

I've been having a blah start to the week. I hope it improves! I start having a negative focus and I over think and over complicate things. It is not easy trying to balance all what going on in my life at the moment. Bunny trails of discouragement are not what I want but they are part of life. I keep praying and asking God for help in this area. The hardest thing to do is to surrender everything to Him. He knows what is best for us. I try to make things happen or get caught up in everyday things and I lose focus on the joyful things in life! It sounds simple to hand it over but our flesh tells us that we will be ok if we worry and over think stuff. Our flesh makes us feel that we can just sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. Time for flesh to die!

The Lord will work out his plans for my life -- for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

Psalm 138:8 NLT

January~ what I love

New Years! A time for a fresh new start. I have set new goals for myself. I'm having a new outlook on life this year.

Snow- When its crisp, fresh, and oh so white its just lovely!

A month off of school! I couldn't of asked for a better break!

Warm clothes- I think I will wear my sweater dress this coming week. I also love knit tights!

A cup of something warm- Chai tea, Coco, or a Starbucks Mocha= LOVE

Coming back to school and seeing my friends again. I think that this is going to be a better semester for me socially.

My long time friend's birthday party- She has had one for the last couple years and its always fun.

College Basketball games- The one I went to we beat our rival Akron U!

Shopping with Christmas money- :) Always a good feeling when you find things on sale!

Apples to Apples- I have played that game so much this month with different groups of people. It really is a game of hilarious comparisons!

Sledding and Quelf with the K girls- A fun day. Quelf is the most random game I've ever played. Its out of this world crazy. :P

Letters- They make me laugh. Just as funny as the person who wrote them.

Buying art supplies- I can't wait to see how these projects are going to turn out.

These are some things that have been the highlights of this month (so far). Is there anything that has been a highlight for you this month? Leave a comment about yours. :)

New start

The classes for spring semester start tomorrow. I am taking a lot of art classes. I'm looking forward to growing more in gift of creativity. I hope to take more picture of my art while in progress and include it with further postings. If you want to see some of my work (most of it is high school, but some of the newer stuff is college work) http://artistfor1.deviantart.com/

Over break I spent a good amount of time reconnecting with old friends. Being surrounded by good company is such a comforting feeling. While I was with them, I realized that everyone my age is in all different stages of life. Some of my friends have their lives planned out to the tiniest detail. Their boyfriends they hope will turn into their husbands, they will have a house, a family, and they will have the life that they have always dreamed of having within the next few years. I'm happy for them, I'm just at a different point in my life. I'm focused on becoming an independent young woman with a career, goals, and dreams. I want to be open to what God has in store for me at this time. As I continue to grow I hope that my focus won't be shifted only altered to reflect a more Christ like image. There is always room for change, new things, and the world of possibilities. ;)

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I got the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" for Christmas this year. I love this movie! The funny lines can be repeated over and over again and they never grow old. I love all the outfits and background music. The main message of the movie is the choice of what is most important material things or family and friends? It's a cute must see!