journeys of a caterpillar

2010-09-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

So we will call this my return to blogging. I am hoping now that I am done with school and getting into the swing of things I will have more time for writing and sharing this little journey I`m on...I have been a bit busy since my last edition, I graduated with my masters (Art Therapist Natalie will be sufficient) moved back home on an 18 hour straight car ride with the mister (18 hours of playing hang man and reading aloud) got a job as an art therapist (learning that this 9-5 thing takes some getting used to) , playing wedding photographer for my cousin's wedding and adjusting to life. So here is the newest edition, enjoy and until the next...much love.

the happy couple...

what would I be without shoe pictures :)

shoes again

the sisters

beautiful wedding site ey?!

me and the madre before I was hooded at graduation

Obviously before the 18 hour car drive...look at those smiles.

And so the spring quarter begins...

2010-04-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

This week marked the last first week of school ever for me, and let me tell you, the count down to graduation has begun. I missed the first day of school which is unheard of in my over achieving ways, and so it feels like this quarter got off to a strange start, nonetheless, I am ready to get back to work. So it has been a few months and in reflection, I have yet to introduce the mister to my blog, the world, and the three people that actually read this, so here's a snapshot of my spring break and Jason....More photos of my last quarter and such to come, until then...much love.

2010-03-07T23:15:00.000-08:00

So I have been procrastinating on a lot of things as of late...writing assessments, finishing papers, and creating some sort of form of a creative interpretation for a family genogram which is what I have spent the bulk of my weekend working on and thus thought I would make my return to to blogging world to share some photos of it. I have recently just registered for my last quarter of grad school, and can hear the call of spring break in about 12 days. As I created my family genogram the words of Sara Groves circled in my head, partly because I had her songs on repeat this weekend, but also because of a particular song. In the song "This House", she reflects on the memories of her childhood and how she has returned to the house where she grew up and what she has learned since the carefree days of her childhood. This is what I have essentially been doing this weekend as I have been reflecting back on the ways in which my family has influenced and shaped who I have become. So enjoy the lyrics and the pictures as they sum up my thoughts as of late. Until next time, much love.

"This House"
It took my by surprise
This old house and these old feelings
Walked round and looked inside
Familiar walls and halls and ceilings

Where I'd dream and plan every moment of sunshine
This was my whole world, it was all I knew
Like the hull of a seed, this old house cracked wide open as I grew

Hadn't given it much thought
Hadn't been back here for a while
Everything looks so small,
Seen it through the memories of a child

Who would dream and started from that second story window
That was my whole world, it was all I knew
Like the hull of a seed this old house cracked wide open and I flew

Sad, fruitful , broken, true
Sad, fruitful, broken, true

Memories for miles and miles,
Summers falls, winters, and springs,
Ruby you take it in, see he's witheld no good.

2009-11-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

So my friend Jen and I realized tonight that she has known me since I was 19.... a little teenager who was missing home and figuring out life in Seattle. Fast forward to now...I am almost 24 still missing home and figuring out life, only this time in Portland, with Jen still by my side. We went to a new coffee shop to celebrate her birthday and begin planning our Seattle adventure in December to celebrate appropriately both our birthdays in the city we know and love so much. Planning our trip was one of the good reminders for me to continue on through this fall quarter of school. With 3 papers left to write, 3 assessments and a test it can easily feel overwhelming...so I will end this little update with a few quotes that have been circling around in my thoughts for a bit...until the next edition, much love.

"Grace arrived, like tiny stitches in torn fabric" -Anne Lamont

"Hope begins in the dark. The stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up." -Anne Lamont

"But Jeremiah reminded me that the pain that comes from one's identity, that grows out of response to a call can't be escaped or pushed aside. It must be gone through. He led me into the heart of pain, forcing me to recognize that to answer a call as a prophet, or a poet for that matter, is to reject the authority of credentials, of human valuation of any kind, accepting only the authority of the call itself" -Kathleen Norris

yes, I am still alive.

2009-11-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Question: How do you fit all of the information in these books onto 12 pages?
Answer: To be determined.
I am writing the literature review section of my soon to be determined manuscript also known as the art therapy form of a thesis, this weekend partly because I have to and partly because it helps me figure out how to be a better art therapist....ok, mainly just because the literature review is due on Monday but I tried right. I spent the day, the entire day, weeding through these little ones attempting to find golden nuggets of information to put in my paper. The paper is due Monday and at the moment I feel like it can be easily accomplished. The hard part is over,now comes the fleshing out of thoughts and ideas along with my sources. So yep, that is my life these last few days, and I am hoping that some day soon I will be back to lugging my camera around and processing through pictures what life has looked like for me these last couple of weeks. Much love.

lacking..

2009-10-21T23:50:00.000-07:00

so while this picture may easily be 2 years old and my niece looks about 15 years old these days, I am loving it at the moment. I have temporarily lost my camera and have been skimming through some old photos and think that for the next few photo editions I will go back into the Natalie archives and bring to light many a photos that have yet to see the blog, and pretty much the rest of the world. Thus far in life I have been busy. As I sit here I can hardly believe that it is the fourth week of school...the fourth week, which means only six more to go, which also means that I have some work to do if December is ever going to come around. Right now June seems like a far off date, and I have no clue where I will be which is a terrifying thought. When asked if I have any thoughts or plans about it I say that I haven't gotten that far in my life, which is true. I am trying to take this year step by step, allowing God to guide each step of the way. Tomorrow is family dinner and I am looking forward to the weekend...I have a date with paper writing and art therapy books, fantastic. I promise, the photos and thoughts are coming soon...

...puppies!

2009-10-16T22:06:00.001-07:00

This is a montage of puppies. Mal took all of these pictures and in no way can I take credit for them, other than I add my presence. For the last few fridays we have gone to play with the puppies that Jason's dog Madison had a few weeks ago. I have come to the conclusion that his family must think that I a. don't bother getting ready in the morning and b. really must love SPU because every time I go I am rocking an SPU sweatshirt and have literally gotten up five minutes prior to leaving the house. Oh the things I do to get to play with the little pups. It is a form of self-care in some way after a long week in school and practicum to see the little ones and how Madison dotes on them, keeping an eye and making sure her babies are alright. Every time I go I try to convince Mal to let me keep one...she has yet to say yes. So yeah that is a little light photo edition for the day. I had a night class today and am in class all day tomorrow to learn about art therapy and addictions, pretty rad ey? Until the next edition, much love.

taken today...they are getting so big!

when we first met....it was love.

A quilt in works...

2009-10-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

I am currently in a studio class that will last for three quarters and our assignment is to make 1 of 3 art projects and write a paper on it, lovely ey? I get to make art again. So this quarter I decided I am going to tackle the portraits part of the assignment and since I can't draw for beans I tried to come up with a unique way to create portraits and relate what I am learning about myself in my practicum, and for the most part, life in general....what I am in the beginning stages of is a quilt. I have never sewn before but the lovely Kym has offered to help me learn, she has no idea what she is in store for. I have bought the fabric and my thought on quilts is this..what has got me through practicum thus far is becoming more aware of the safe and healthy relationships that I am surrounded by, and to realize that there is indeed hope for those that I encounter and a quilt to me symbolizes that comfort and saftey. I know that when I have had a tough day or just feel scared there is nothing like hiding under the covers. Yep, that is the thought process thus far. The photo today is a sample of how I am going to incorporate photos into the quilt. The front will be these transfers of photos done with my little ol' printer and water on muslin. The back is going to be two different fabrics that I just bought this last week. I am excited for this process and am excited to see the outcome come December when I am finished with it....hopefully :) So Shmal makes her blog debut today as the photo sample, congrats. Until tomorrow, much love.

Day 3....Puppies and lights...

2009-10-08T22:56:00.001-07:00

There is nothing better after a long day at practicum than coming home to "family dinner". What is "family dinner" you might ask...well Mallory, Kat, and I decided that it was time to have a weekly dinner night. We switch off every week with who cooks dinner and we just eat, lounge, laugh... and watch gray's anatomy all of which is needed for me at the end of a long week. So ladies and gents, that is how I ended my second week of practicum. enjoy the shots and until tomorrow...much love.

Jason's (Mallory's boyfriend, for future reference...) dog Madison had puppies last week, and well, as a child who only grew up with a cross-eyed cat whom I tried to name Lucifer, I have never seen puppies before and these were the first ones I laid eyes on. Such cute little ones!

Mal, Kat, and I went out exploring the town and these are the lights of the place where we ate dinner, they are reminiscent of the Alice in Wonderland ride at disneyland....a very merry unbirthday to you!

Day 2...

2009-10-07T20:00:00.001-07:00

So here they are ladies and gents...fall quarter has brought me these lovely books to read. How much of them have I actually read thus far? Not very much. I believe I have some major senioritis, if that is what you call it in one's last year of grad school. It is fitting since my hair is already growing in gray and my joints are sore. Until tomorrow, much love.

Holla back, I am back, and THE photos are back...

2009-10-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a new year! After a summer of slacking I am officially into the swing of classes and practicum (Hi, my name is Natalie and I am the art therapist intern). The photos from last year are printed and stored away in an altered book and thus I must start again with this new and LAST year of school...I am excited for some new photo opps this year and look forward to sharing the shots and my thoughts with you! Until tomorrow...much love.

summer cleaning??

2009-08-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

so it is official, mal and I are moving in less than 2 weeks and in an effort to enjoy this last little bit in the current humble abode I cleaned my room...part of cleaning my room included organizing books and notebooks of readings I have read over the past few years. I stumbled upon a collection of readings I read for one of my favorite art classes (yes, art majors read). As I glanced through my highlighted notes a few quotes popped out to me and since I am trying to avoid doing anything too productive today, I thought I would share them with you....enjoy.

"Art as a process which helps people is far more aesthetically beautiful to me than a painting or a sculpture which is only pleasing to the eye" -Jennifer Rochlin ( I even used this quote in my artist statement for my senior art show...)

"When you are compassionate with yoursef and others, your world becomes compassionate. You draw to yourself others of like frequency, and with them you create, through your intentions and your actions and your interactions, a compassionate world...what you intend is what you create." -Zukav

"Beauty is essentially the object of intelligence"

Until next time, much love.

exploring...

2009-08-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

jen, aaron and i decided to adventure around se portland today for a homework assignment aaron had to complete. we ended up at the opposable thumbs gallery and cafe for some coffee and art consumption, and thus it has now become our goal to adventure around portland for unique and local coffee shops, and as per usual, i will bring you along the journey. much love.

the song lyrics...

2009-08-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

ok so i am impatient...here are the words to the song.

"he's always been faithful to me" sara groves

morning by morning i wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine
season by season i watch him amazed
in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
all i have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

i can't remember a trial or a pain
he did not recycle to bring me gain
i can't remember one single regret
in serving God only, and trusting His hand
all i have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

this is my anthem, this is my song
the theme of the stories i`ve heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
all i have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful,
He's always been faithful to me.

the raw moments...

2009-08-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

it is august. i am sure you are aware, but it is a fact that i have to remind myself daily, it is august. the voice in my head echos "natalie, what have you done?"
when i started this summer i had vibrant and exciting plans to fill this summer with laughter, adventures and rest, while fitting in a little time to read some art therapy books of course... and looking back, yes, there have been moments of restoration, laughter and rest (sorry art therapy, you have slightly been ignored)but there have also been moments in which i have had to confront the raw parts of my life, past wounds, fears, weaknesses,and faults i wrestled with why it is summer and i feel mentally and emotionally exhausted, dreading the beginning of a new year with more emotional challenges beckoning me as i begin practicum. last week was particularly draining, and i found myself wondering why, why must i cause pain and grapple with what it means to truly live in community with others in a healthy and God honoring way. i was in an out of oregon this weekend for a wedding and to hear my brother preach and during that time i was able to drive for hours alone with a beautiful sunset and of course a playlist i made for this particular drive and time in my life. it became clear to me that this time of doubting and pain is imperative for me. if i neglect the raw parts of my life, they will build up waiting to explode. to be present in these moments is extremely tough, but know somewhere deep down inside of my heart that God is working, even when I don't see it at all. this week was a heart restoring time of being with people who have known me all throughout my life, people who have loved and supported me, reminding me that yes, I am right where I need to be even when I question and wonder, so thank you party fairies and fam...
today in particular i was driving from oregon to washington with the parentals and my mom put on sara groves, she sings this song "he's always been faithful", yes, it is mom music, but at this moment in my life it is a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness in my life, when it feels like a giant mess of pieces i must pick up, so look it up... until next time, much love.

here are some pictures from the beautiful wedding...

I was in love with the shoes...

you know em, you love em, the party fairies...

wedding vows that could make even me teary eyed.

like I said...the shoes were amazing.

the rents and I...it was very warm.

freaky oregon sky at 8:30 ish pm..

drawing for the day...

2009-07-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

I spent the day drawing and thinking of christmas card ideas for the parentals...until next time, much love.

I am here!

2009-07-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

I realized this afternoon that it has been over a month since my last little blurp on life, and many are wondering where I am and what I am doing..soooooooo here is a recap:
1. I finished my first year of grad school! It just kind of came to a slow and gradual end and I am excited for the next steps, but also extremely freaked out that come September I will be seeing real clients...what?!! So, more to come on that I am sure. As of right now I am working on a summer school class that I will be taking with my mom entitled "Family Art Therapy"...should be interesting ey?
2. The first week after school got out, as I am all done and ready to relax I wake up in the middle of the night with a stomach virus. Mallory left Sunday morning for her family vacation and I woke up Sunday night with an exploding body, and had no one to take care of me. Jen and her fantastic mom also known as mom ORR swooped in with food, medicine, and driving to aid in bringing me back to life. Needless to say, Mallory is never going on vacation again.
3. I will let you in on a little secret...my arm has been hurting since the beginning of May. I didn't tell anyone really for fear that I would have to go to the doctor which quite possibly meant surgery...so after weeks of lying, I broke and had a good long crying fest which led to going to the doctors. I am glad to say that surgery is not the case, the tumor in my arm has not grown and the best case is that all I need to do at the moment is try and take some osteoporosis medicine to help rebuild the bone mass in my arm. Part of why I waited to write and fill you in on my life was because everything just felt so discombobulated and I was unsure of the way my summer would pan out. With possible surgery, summer school, stomach viruses and such I was just unsure of how I felt about this summer and to be frank, life.
So yeah, the summer started off slowly with some pretty interesting things and now I am figuring out what it looks like to spend a summer away from home. I do know that I miss my friends terribly and have had to figure out what community and friendship looks like where I am at...speaking of friends, Kristin (THE best friend) came for a visit. My heart is much happier now that I have someone who knows exactly what I am talking about when I call them on the phone, yaks and all.
So that is my life right now, slow and steady with stress and lots of pockets of happiness, and now that the caterpillar is officially back, stay tuned. My brain has time to think and share more than I did during the year, so join me!
Much love.

Seattle..seattle...seattle...

2009-05-26T00:00:00.001-07:00

I escaped for 48 hours and went to Seattle...what better to do the weekend before two papers, an art project and assessment are due?! I caught up with some wonderful people, and spent time walking around the amazing place I used to call home..... maybe in three weeks when I am all done..yes all done with my first year of school I will start up the photo a day blog... until then, much love.

Whitney shunned me for taking this photo because I lived here and was thus not allowed to take the touristy shots...oopsies.

Folk Life Festival...Polish dancers, crazy musicians and an invitation the the hemp fest, could it be any better?

Not better than the Union Station in LA, but this is the Seattle train station...
shmal helped with this one.

duck or beaver?

2009-04-18T23:36:00.001-07:00

Today was "Celebrate Earth Day" at work, and I was in charge of making these fantastic bags with the kiddos. While watching these three girls decorate their bags this is how the conversation went down...
Girl 1: "Are you a duck or a beaver?"
Me: "What does that mean?"
Girl 2: "They are the mascots for OSU and U of O"
Me: "Got it, which one should I be?"
Girl 1: "Well I am a beaver"
Girl 2: "And I am a duck"
Me: "Oh, she is putting green and yellow on her bag because she is a beaver..."
Girl 1: "No, you are wrong."

Duck? Beaver? I just don't know.

easter.

2009-04-12T23:34:00.001-07:00

Easter flowers from the 'rents. Until next time ladies and gents, much love to you on this Easter day.

mr. coffee...

2009-04-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

Mal and I jinxed ourselves last quarter saying that nothing ever broke in our apartment...the day after, our coffee maker decided to peace out. So it has been a few weeks now and with school starting back up last week, my caffeine addiction was being fed with Starbuck's and a large supply of Coke Zero which is like living a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget, so something needed to be remedied. This would be me hugging the new coffee maker. I am eagerly awaiting tomorrow morning to have the brewing smell fill my kitchen and bringing out my oversized mugs to sip my coffee and greet the day all in the confinements of my little apartment.Fantastic
In other news, I had my interview for my practicum site and will be working at a domestic violence center. I am pretty excited and look forward to next year...once this spring quarter is over of course. Until tomorrow, peace.

look familiar?

2009-04-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

minus the large growth on the dandelion that I was too afraid to touch for the sake of photo perfection, don't these look familiar? I have an affinity for dandelions or "wish makers" as I have heard them called these days. So let me tell you a little story about dandelions...
There once was a Five Iron Frenzy song called "Dandelions" with the main jist saying, "Lord, search my heart. Create in me something clean. Dandelions, you see flowers in these weeds."
Then there was the 5 foot tall wood dandelion sculpture I made my sophomore year of college, and now I have dandelions on me forever as a tattoo. There is something whimsical and hopeful about dandelions. Little children blow with all there might in hopes their wishes will come true, and no lie, I still pick the little "wish makers" hoping that in some strange way the ways in which I want life to work out will do exactly that, work out in some magical and perfect way.
So why dandelions? Well there is the one part about God seeing the beauty in me, this struggling and doubting human being, and the second element is about the wish and hopes that I have for who God is creating me to be. When I don't know what in hades I am doing with my life, and am terrified for what lies ahead, I can just look at my side and see the delicate dandelions, reminding me of just that. Until the next photo..much love.

art fills the void...

2009-04-06T22:47:00.001-07:00

I drive past this wall every fieldwork day going from site to site and today was the first day of sunshine and the guarantee that I wouldn't freeze the minute I stepped out of my car so I snagged a shot.Until tomorrow..much love.

Sunshine?

2009-04-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

I spent the bulk of my day sitting on my comfy green chair outside on my balcony in an attempt to enjoy the sun while reading for school...it was deceptively restful and as I sit here writing this I am distracted by what this week is going to entail. While the sun was setting and I took a break for dinner I listened to a talk Brennan Manning gave many years ago at SPU, and it centered on the theme that God knows the hurts within ourselves. As I sat and watched the sun go down the line repeated over and over was-abide in me as I abide in you. While curled up in my green chair watching the day slowly drift into night I began to realize the truth of this simple statement for me, sitting alone, in Oregon, confused, feeling adrift, and wishing I had a barbecue going like my neighbors below me. Another song that has been on repeat this week is by JJ Heller. I stumbled upon it last quarter and I love the simple honesty of it. She doesn't sugar the realities of life, and sometimes the disappointments...so on that note...

Your Hands
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there,
I have asked a thousand ways,
That you would take my pain away, you would take my pain away.

I am trying to understand,
how to walk this weary land.
Make straight the paths that crooked lie,
Oh Lord before these feet of mine,
Oh Lord before these feet of mine.

When my world is shaking,
Heaven stands.
When my heart is breaking,
I never leave your hands.

When you walked upon the earth,
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry,
One day you will set all things right,
Yeah one day you will set all things right.

When my world is shaking,
Heaven stands.
When my heart is breaking,
I never leave your hands.
Your hands that shape the world,
are holding me, they hold me still.

The last picture of the day with the sun setting, and me wrapped up in the snuggie.

The first, warm weather in Oregon shot, shorts and all!

The scene of my afternoon, surrounded by Grandma T.'s kitchen chairs and the beloved green chair which journeyed all the way from the inside to greet the glorious sunshine.

Back to school...

2009-04-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Rain jackets? Check. Scarves? Check. Mounds of books to read? Check. Sun? Nope. I must be back in the OR and beginning another lovely quarter of school...2 down and 4 more to go.I think there was something about being home for spring break and talking with friends about my plans for after graduation that created this claustrophobic feeling inside of me. I decided this week that I am ready to be done with school...next June will be greatly welcomed and much celebrated for me. I will be ready to go home to my family and friends in CA, if that is where I need to be, have a real job, and feel settled for once in my life. I am a homebody and all this traveling back and forth between homes is beginning to wear on me. On that happy note, I am back and the pictures will be returning...until the next one, much love

Someday I will grow into my nose...on a walk to the buck for some studying.

A few new friends that will be following me around this quarter.

my future as seen at coco's...

2009-03-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

I went to Coco's (yes, coco's, I have this knack for breakfast and elderly people eating establishments) yesterday morning with my mom and I saw a glimpse of me...or rather what I want to be in about 40 years.
There were two elderly couples sitting in the booths right next to each other, laughing and catching up. The waitress could be overheard asking if they wanted the usual, and before you know it, their coffee and breakfasts are being enjoyed as if this is what happens every morning. There is something wonderful about the way little old women who are completely happy look at their husbands even across the table at coco's. Their ares are squinched, they have a smile that goes from ear to ear...a smile and a twinkle in their eyes that has taken many many years to appear.I watch these two couples interact and wonder what life will look like when I am their age. Grad school will be a but a faint memory, and who knows what else is in the in between... A little known fact about me is that I like consistency, and I am a homebody. I always drink the same drink on airplanes, take the same routes when driving to church, and when I run, and love spending most of my time at home with those near and dear to my heart. So watching these couples, ordering the usual and enjoying the comforts of life made this heart glimmer, which could come at no better a time. I feel like next June is so far from now and wonder when I will get to be in one place for more than a few months at a time. So right now, I must enjoy the journey and someday will find myself sitting in my favorite diner, eating breakfast with those I love, enjoying the present and thankful for the steps that I will have taken to get me to that point.
Tomorrow is the first day of the spring quarter and more photos and new adventures are sure to come, until next time...much love.

tea for four.

2009-03-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

Since family photo day was canceled due to the anomaly of rain, the girls...the girls over 5 years old that is, went out to tea...now mind you the last time I went to tea I was probably about 7 years old and dressed up in crazy hats and feather boas with Kristin and Tiffany, so I was keeping my fingers crossed for something wonderful. The teas were poured and delish food was served, and the best part? The snuggie made for the tea pots!!! Lovely, I know. Currently enjoying my time at home and trying to forget that I will not be back for six months...until the next edition, much love.
p.s. Congratulations Llama Face!

THE tea pot snuggie.

I hang out with some lovely ladies.

If women ran the world.

2009-03-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Back in September, I attempted to make myself feel 1. more at home and 2. like a well rounded individual by ordering a subscription to a magazine. I chose Marie Claire, mainly because it was the cheapest, and if you get beyond the massive fashion jargon, there is actually some good meat to the magazine. Well, in school I never really have time to actually read, so the magazines pile up and sit politely, waiting for the quarter to be over. It is now "spring break", and the pages of the magazines are seeing the light of day.
The title of one article reads a little something like this, "Ladies First: In an isolated village in southwestern China, women are the bosses of men, daughters are valued over sons, and the words rape, and war don't exist. Welcome to one of world's last living matriarchies" One man was quoted as saying, "being in a woman's hands means being in the best hands" and the hook line and sinker, "For now, the Mosuo have their traditions, and no words in their language for war, rape, or jail-only too common, alas, in the rest of the world, where men rule supreme"
I have always heard the notion of a woman's intuition, or that a woman knows best, and couldn't help but ask if in this case there is some truth. I have spent the last seven months of school listening to and discussing with so many intelligent and strong women, and grew up around many as well, that one can not help but wonder the role that women (with brains, integrity, and grace) could play in this world. Don't get me wrong, I think men are equally as capable, I just have been thinking about the what ifs.
Kristin says this sounds a little feminist of me as I am talking to her, and true story it has always been this way. I used to grimace when a guy would hold open a door for me (after much discussion with some, I have relinquished), and I believe that women can do anything they want..My nieces are often reminded that they can be whatever they want..while Hannah, Jaina, and Aubrey don't quite get it I am going to keep working at it. Don't get me wrong again, I am like any other girl and would swoon the minute I got flowers, and find myself listening to the cheesy over the top love songs, wishing for that mixed cd, but for the most part, I like being able to do life on my own. Sometimes I find myself wondering what if I hadn't chosen to go to grad school..where would I be? What would I be doing?
I have friends who are married, getting married or having kids, and I often feel the wagon hit a speed bump and I fell off, and ended up in Oregon. How in the heck does this all relate to the Marie Claire article you maybe wondering, and kicking yourself for reading this, but it is what I have been thinking about over the last couple of days. Maybe it is the gray hair, or the fact that Kristin has to keep reminding me that I am really 23 and not 22, one day it will all make sense, but until then.... you can do anything, and I will be your biggest cheerleader. Peace.

Day 151...2 more days!

2009-03-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

I have two more days to study for my candidacy exam and am currently done with all things related to my winter quarter...spring break, I can hear you knocking. I am a creature of habit so I have been listening to the same songs on repeat while I study, color code my notes with crayola markers and bought brand new pens for the day of the test. This quarter has been waves of freaking out, crying (yes, shocking I know), and feeling like I can do this whole school thing, one day I will shut up and stop acting like a baby, but until then, I can worry. Two songs have been on repeat in particular these last few weeks the first by Jon Foreman "Your Love is Strong" ,my mom called me one day after church to tell me about how wonderful my friend Rebecca sang at church. I was curious about the song and so I bought it on itunes, and it was love. my favorite part is the "why should I worry, I do I freak out"..something like that..it fits this little worry wart to a T. The second is by Bethany Dillon "You are on Our Side", it is a beautiful reminder of who God is and how while He could easily leave us here on earth to suffer and die, He has chosen to save us, and is on my side (even when I am studying for candidacy exams). So yep, that is it these days, I wish I had some funny story or blurp about life but alas, school is it until Friday. Until then, much love.

Day 147...let the count down begin.

2009-03-06T18:44:00.001-08:00

In exactly one week from today, I will be done with my winter quarter ANNNDDDD with my candidacy exam. For those who may be wondering what in the heck a candidacy exam is, well let me explain... The art therapy program has this semi-midway point exam which includes: a video of yourself leading an art group, a 4-5 page critique on it, a personal statement, money, reviews from every class you have taken, evals from your fieldwork sight supervisors, AND a four hour exam including assessments, treatment planning and a little bit o' ethics. whew. So that is what I am focusing on for the next few days, lovely I know. In the mean time I spent today and the next two days in a cross cultural class, it was one of those "you know you are in school for art therapy when..." kind of moments. We spent pretty much the whole day making collage projects about ourselves, our culture, and history, so excuse the shoddy pictures but I wanted to share it with you all.I must admit, even though this whole test thing is giving more gray hairs than I care for, I know that in the end this will only help to make me a better art therapist (fingers crossed). So yep, that is life at the moment until the next addition, much love.

While writing a paper on Thursday I heard a knock on the door and there was a giant package for me! it was from the amazing Terri who has been encouraging me in many ways throughout my journey at Marylhurst. There was tons of amazing goodies to help me along in my studying journey, and there was no way it wasn't making into the photo blog..So thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Day 142. Fascinating

2009-03-01T22:11:00.000-08:00

Never mind the fact that there are the words oral, anal, and regression in the picture, and the fact that it is a tad bit fuzzy (what do you expect from a cheepy camera with batteries that run out?), this reminds me of studying with wonderful friends, and believing that I can do this whole school and art therapy thing. Lynda provided me with the good analogy for worry...it is like sitting in a rocking chair, you can rock all you want but it will get you no where, so my goal for the next two weeks is to get off that rocker and plow through the tapings, tests, classes, and paper writing. Another "fascinating" part of today was a little video chat with some wonderful people in little ol CA...while I would much rather be there right now than studying and reading, I know in less than two weeks a break will be here and I will find myself back in California with lots of people that are near and dear to my heart. Until tomorrow...much love.

Day 141..I love my job.

2009-02-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

I just spent the last four hours at work making Dr. Seuss hats for the Dr. Seuss' birthday...while mine may not be the best, the kiddos loved it. I was driving home and almost forgot that I had reading and studying to do..so now it is back to the real world, of books, books, oh..and more books. I am counting down the days (2 weeks in case you were wondering) in which I will A. be done with this quarter B. Be done with my candidacy exam and C. Be on a plane on my way to the wonderful CA...until the next edition..much love.

Day 139...a bright spot in studying

2009-02-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

So on my way to class one day this photo of my dad from when we were in Italy fell out of my book. He is genuinely laughing, and it was just what I needed to see that day, so I decided that this picture needs to follow me along as I am getting ready for finals and my candidacy exam (eeekk), so it is on my notebook for the next 2 weeks, true story.

This is a little random train stop/ train station? I found one day while getting lost around my new field work.
Until the next photo addition..much love.

Day 135. My Friends.

2009-02-22T19:20:00.000-08:00

Do you ever remember those cheesy chain letters that told the story about God having a refrigerator, and that your picture was on it? Well this is my refrigerator story....
In the movie "My Girl" theta/ veta (with a bad ear I never really know her name),claims that she only surrounds herself with intellectually stimulating people. I loved this line and as I thought more and more about it, I would have to say that luckily these are the kinds of people I am surrounded with. When thinking about the friends that I have grown up with, and met along this journey of life, I am amazed at each one...amazed at who they are or are becoming. The thoughts,plans, life passions, convictions, creative expressions, laughter and hearts they each possess are so extremely varied, no two are alike, and they are wonderful. Yep, thats it. Until next time, much love.

day 130...catching up.

2009-02-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

I have been slacking, my head has been in the clouds, I have been all over the place..I am wishing right now that I could put life in slow motion and enjoy more, and have more time to prep for my candidacy exam. I have this huge exam in less than a month that determines whether or not I continue on in the art therapy program. I am getting antsy and would love nothing more than for it to be over, so I could be home with the fam, and FINALLY feel settled and affirmed in my choice to go to grad school...so bring it on. This week has felt a lot like catching up with life, seeing friends from college, talking to friends on the phone, and then and then and then....I am learning what it is like to blend school and life, and think it is starting to feel comfortable and right...so yeah, enjoy the new additions to this photo journey and I will be back soon..until next time, much love...

I got this WONDERFUL valentine from my nephew Jake in the mail....oh young nephew of mine, you are loved.

California Pizza Kitchen, Shmarissa had never been there before, how could we not?!

Studying about prison systems in Starbuck's with all the cutest little old men in Milwaukie...

day 127...you are loved.

2009-02-14T11:25:00.001-08:00

day 125. it is true

2009-02-12T00:18:00.000-08:00

It is true, I am a tattoo repeat.

...while most cringe or as we heard,pass out and pee their pants, I 1.almost fell asleep and 2.was in a daze thinking about fieldwork and school..needles what?

the tattoo in process... more on the dandelion explanation later..until then peace.

Day 124, a little culture.

2009-02-10T22:29:00.001-08:00

So today did not start out in one of the best of ways, it was snowing. Fieldwork days must mean snow days because when fieldwork days roll around and I have to drive all over timbuktu, it snows. And I realized in class today, that I can not always be the best, but alas, the show must go on and this is what I am here for, to learn and to grow. So after class in an attempt to get outside of the art therapy world, Kym, Lynda, Katie, and I headed downtown to Powell's for a meet the author/ book reading (hence the bookstore shot). It was nice to laugh and escape for a bit...so here's hoping tomorrow is a little brighter...tattoos anyone??
Until tomorrow, peace.

day 121...my shadow and I.

2009-02-07T18:08:00.001-08:00

we went for a walk.

Here is a little poetic blurp for your day from one of my favorite people:
"There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
'I know that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong.'
No teacher, preacher, parent,
friend,
Or wise man can decide
What's right for you-just listen to
The voice that speaks inside".
Shel Silverstein

day 118

2009-02-04T18:04:00.000-08:00

I once got this fortune cookie that said "Good news will come to you by mail"..well this quarter I have received letters from friends, a snuggie, and now, flowers. It is as if God knew that I would be needing encouragement overload this quarter. I don't know what it is about this quarter or this week even, but school has been overwhelming, not in the sense that I am stressed because I am surprisingly relaxed, but more in the sense of can I do this? Perhaps it is the candidacy exam looming over my head (march 13th here I come), or feeling like I am the only one who doesn't get it, which I know isn't true...as much as I love what I am learning, I still feel like the kid who always wanted the lunchable but instead had peanut butter and jelly...everyday. Which brings me to today. I called my mom this morning to talk about such things, and the minute she hung up with me called for a florist in Wilsonville and had flowers sent to me with a little note saying "Did you know?" love mom.I called to see what was up, she toldd me, I cried, she cried, and now they have been sitting on my counter providing a glimspe of happiness and encouragement as I have been sitting here writing a paper. So I am done for the day, the paper just has a few fine touches that need to be done, but for the rest of the night, I am going to take care of myself and remind myself that yes, I can do this. Until tomorrow, much love.

day 117. nothing a little ice cream can't fix.

2009-02-03T19:35:00.001-08:00

Counseling skills midterm and a day at fieldwork, what could be better than $1.00 scoop Tuesdays with a few art therapy friends...It's funny, I find myself often discouraged and wondering what in the heck I am doing, and the minute I find myself laughing and sitting with these people, the answer is clear.They have helped to make this experience meaningful, authentic,thrilling, and manageable for me. Gratzie.

Just a little snapshot while I`m sitting at the red light waiting to turn in to school...
Until tomorrow, peace.

day 15..welcome month of love.

2009-02-01T20:11:00.001-08:00

a little conversation heart...

So recently I found myself browsing through my old gmail emails since I am a pack rat and save too much apparently and ran across something that I just had to share...Two years ago my friends and I were sitting at our Bible study discussing what else..boys. One was in the midst of a budding relationship, one was in the midst of ending one,and then there was me.They concocted this scheme to get me to go on as many blind dates as possible in one quarter to prove the Christian dating scene wrong, that you can go on dates and have fun and not have to worry about finding your soulmate.. So not believing their ability to follow through, I agreed. Big mistake. They followed through all right and by the end of the quarter it was getting a little rough to walk around school without running into any of the former blind dates. After each date I sent out emails to the "Natalie's Blind Date Subscribers" which consisted of friends and such, and apparently I still have them.. So what better way to celebrate this month of love but to periodically post some of these emails, some are good and some not so much. So here it goes...BLIND DATE #1...

So it started out that I was going to be later than he thought so his original plan of going to the aquarium and then to the cheesecake factory had to be nixed. NO I was not late to the actual date but there was a miscommunication between me and my "dating services" also known as my friend Janell. So we ended up meeting a little late because the boys were helping him think of something else to do. He finally came and Janell took our picture to document this oh so special occasion....I was not happy about that one. So then we were off...I had no clue where we were going or what we were doing. All I was told before hand was to not get flustered by his "good looks"- I didn't. We ate dinner at this amazing country club/golf course place where there were floor to ceiling windows and the view was all of Bellevue, Seattle and the water. I got a little distracted with that one. On our way there he told me not to open the glove compartment because although it was part of the plan he thought I would freak out a bit...so at dinner I asked him what was in the glove compartment box and it was his gun....yes his gun. That's why I had to wait for him because he was running over to the police department to get a permit so he could carry it with him. He said that his friends all thought it would be funny if he had pretended that he was lost and had me open the glove compartment box and there underneath the map was his gun. I said he was a smart one for not doing that. So after dinner he gave me some options of things we could do...so yes yes...we went SHOOTING!! He rented a smaller gun for me and we had all the gear on and he taught me how to shoot and load a gun. I apparently am a good shooter and hit the bulls eye, rather the paper target quite a bit. He was impressed. yes this little quaker girl now knows how to soot a gun and pretty darn well. So then once that was done we were going to meet my friend Janell and her boyfriend for dessert but couldn't get a hold of them so we started to drive back. As we got closer he asked if I wanted dessert or anything and I happened to mention that ice cream is my most favorite thing in the world so we went to Coldstone and he bought us some ice cream and we walked around Fremont a bit, until it started raining. By then Janell had called and we stopped by and the four of us went back to my apartment and watched movie...no there was no cuddling or touching at all. Finally at 1:30 AM they headed out. So let's just say this first one set the bar high...really high. He said that was his goal because he knew he was the first. So to my blind date news update subscribers (you) this concludes date #1, until next week...yes it has been confirmed that there is one next week....Love you all!
Natalie the serial dater

Day 114...how could I not laugh?

2009-01-31T17:11:00.001-08:00

Now before you think I am the meanest animal person in the world let me explain....I like Latoya. I came home after work, and having waited for an hour for AAA (Cubby had a near death experience, and needed to be brought back to life), and looking forward to an evening of homework, I needed a little laugh. I opened the door and conehead was waiting for me, and YES I laughed. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for the Latoya, but there is something funny about this little conehead dog running around and into walls. Yep, that's it. Until tomorrow..peace.

day 113

2009-01-30T20:24:00.001-08:00

Well it is the end of yet another week folks and I am on the brink of the midterms extravaganza. What does this include you may be asking yourself? Well, 1 treatment plan, 1 paper about treatment planning and adolescents, and 2 midterms..oh, and a 10 minute video of me pretending to be an art therapist. Lovely.I was thinking this week that I am going to switch back to the once a day thing, my creative juices need to be working more than they are at the moment, so hooray right?
In the last photo I was on a walk and listening to my ipod, and being oh so thankful that the snow had melted and this song came on that was from the church I went to back in Seattle, and I have loved this song since the moment I heard it. Here is a little ditty on how I heard it...I went up for a friends wedding this summer, discouraged at not having a job, freaked out about starting grad school and just in a low place at that time and the sermon was on Jonah, and such but at the end the band closed with this song, and I found myself lost in it, it was what I needed then and what I needed now, so here you go:

"

Oh you know, just simply stopping at the view point on the way to school..true story, there is a semi exit off the freeway for tourists and the like to take pictures of Mt. Hood, I believe.

Kym thinks I am addicted to Mochi...don't know what it is? Go to Trader Joe's, buy it in the ice cream section and try it, I am all about new adventures.

An oldie, but Brittany sent this to me this week.Love celebrating life with the padre.

Caught this on a walk on my way home from Office Depot the other day.

day 110, need I say more?

2009-01-27T23:18:00.001-08:00

day 107...week 3.

2009-01-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

I want to introduce you all to the Yellow Bird Project, I found the site this morning and it is essentially this organization that recruits musicians from the likes of Rilo Kiley, Bon Iver, Stars, and Holly Throsby to name a few, and has them each design a shirt. The proceeds from the shirts sold go directly to whatever charity/nonprofit organizations the musicians choose. From free art to inner city kids, domestic abuse shelters, and Amnesty International...whatever they are passionate about, it is there. I love the concept, and think that one thing I have realized this week is that there are good hearted people in this world. I sometimes wonder when listening to cases in my classes how there can be any good in this world, and in Thursday while sitting in my ethics class it hit me..I am sitting in a room filled with people who are studying and hashing through what it means to be ethical in this world. I just love watching and discovering for others and myself what our convictions are and how we can be more effective and helpful human beings in this world, yep. So back to the photos, enjoy..

"We live in a rainbow of chaos" Cezanne...what can I say, I like to plan.

Warms my little heart.

Don't I look just like the lady from the ads?? The wonderful Terri sent this to me this week, and it made my day/week/life. Thanks Terri!

"She packed up her potential and all she learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes and headed out to change a few things."

The lovely JR in the snuggie.
Till next time, much love.

day 103, I just couldn't wait till Saturday...

2009-01-20T19:31:00.001-08:00

Me, my Washington D.C. mug filled with coffee, AND Obama. Now I will forever be able to remember where I was and what life was like, warms my little heart. The end.

day 101, winter quarter, week 2...wow.

2009-01-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

My pictures are now going to be posted once a week in order to not bombard you with my thoughts, and leave the week open for a little creativity ey? So this week, can be summed up as learning, listening, laughing, and since I am not one for total alliteration, dreaming....

Learning: School is school. We reminisced about our adolescence and lets just say, I am glad I never have to worry about the rubber bands on my braces popping off again while I yawn, or having to dance another dance show in my life.I am realizing I have to buckle down this days and get my mind back in the school game, so fingers crossed, today will be a new start for me. I also learned about the Gulabi Gang, who are bunch of women from India whose plight is to empower women in their community, as the headline of the article says, "Fed up with abusive husbands and corrupt officials, India's poorest women are banding together, taking up arms, and fighting back. even more shocking that their pink saris they wear: their quest for justice is actually working".

Listening: This week I have been listening to Belinda Carlisle "Heaven is a Place on Earth" and rocking out as I drive through the back roads from school to home and back. Don't judge.

Laughing: Shannon and Tammy (former SPRINTers) came down from Washington to visit Jen and I. It was filled with lots of deep gut, heart warming laughing...even when the power went out.

Dreaming: I have been putting things on the back burner of what I want to do in life, and this summer when I can pretend momentarily that I am not in school and from time to time I will write about more of these goals, maybe I should call them something like stepping stones, you know, like things you want to do in life, so a few stepping stones I have thought about this week... 1. make blackberry liquer from scratch with freshly picked blackberries, 2. read something by e.e. cummings, 3. get another tattoo, and 4. make an altered book about my journey.

That is it for the week folks, enjoy the pictures and share your thoughts. Much love.

It happened this way without my doing. True story. Not a bad way to start out the week ey?

Living out of my car. Field work days how I love you so...

Need some glasses?

Brittany's "Pride and Prejudice" moment.

Sushi and Art Therapy friends.

Toasting the week with Llama Face over thai food.

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful- e.e. cummings

Tammy and Jen

Me and Shannon
The End.

day 93, winter quarter....week 1

2009-01-09T23:09:00.000-08:00

So it is the end of the first week of the winter quarter, and I have managed to get up before 10:00 AM only once this week..lazy? Yes. I have been getting a slow start this week, maybe it has been the crappy weather, maybe it has been me missing home, all I know is that it is going to come to an abrupt stop tomorrow morning, coffee and alarm clocks, welcome back. It seems this quarter is about learning the "meat and bones" of art therapy, the classes that I thought I was going to take when I applied to grad school, so let the art therapy love fest begin. The photos wrap up my week, so look on, read on and enjoy. Until next addition, much love.

Back to school, back to school... The pile of books do not look as intimidating as the last quarter, so fingers crossed I will find a few more moments to enjoy having a life this quarter.

Early Thursday morning I was missing the sunshine, and wrote on my facebook that I was missing the sunny days in winter months. I left my apartment and drove to school and there was a beautiful sun shining in the sky. True story. It was one of those Elizabethtown moments where Kirsten Dunst takes mental snapshots of life, only I had a real camera with me.

Yet again, basking in the sunshine glow of the day...it doesn't last long here.

Making my hoop. My friend Kym makes dancing and exercise hoops and I wanted to make one and learn hooping. Mine is called the radio flyer, and it is making itself at home in my apartment. Who needs a shnazzy gym when you have a hoop?

Out at Rogue to celebrate Kym's birthday with the art therapy folks.
The end.

staying warm.

2009-01-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

I have always walked by these blanket wraps in the stores and would laugh a bit wondering what kind of person would actually buy something like that. Well with the recent decrease in temperature in Oregon, I have learned that the marketers were right, blankets are not enough. While I may be warm bundled up in blankets, the minute I need to reach for my tea on the coffee table I have to unwrap my arm and stick it back out into the freezing air, had I been wearing a blanket wrap, my arm would still remain warm and cozey under the thick layer of classy looking flannel. I mean, look at the woman in the picture, she gets to practice playing her flute in the warm comfort of her blanket wrap. Mom and dad, this is going on my Christmas wish list for next year... until the next addition, peace.
pictures will be coming this weekend.

a bookshelf...and the pictures begin.

2009-01-04T17:12:00.001-08:00

So on to some light hearted business... This is my "new" bookshelf. It is new in the sense that it has been sitting in my friend's barn since June and today was the day to make the big move to my apartment. I love this book shelf because it just showed up in my house last year and I claimed it as mine.It even found its way into my art show last year. I was telling my dad about the big move today and he said that a home is not complete without a bookshelf, and sitting here in the glow of my Christmas tree, covered in blankets and snow falling outside, I think he is right. As I put the books on the shelves, I kept thinking how books have this funny way of chronicling your own journey. The books you buy in school because you have to (Abnormal Psychology), the books that you want to read when you are trying to understand the way the world works (From War to Peace), the books you buy when you want to understand the way your heart works (Abba's Child), the books you buy from special occasions (Cezanne in Florence), travel books (Rick Steeve's Italy 2006), and if your me, books that just look cool to have (1,000 Artists Journals and Brave on the Rocks). Some books have good memories attached to them, like "Where the Sidewalk Ends", not only is it one of my favorite books, but during my junior year of college one of my blind dates/ a friend of mine, planned a whole path from my apartment to where we met with arrows and excerpts from the poem guiding my way.
So while this little bookshelf may be just another place for storage for some, I see where I have been, where I am and where I am going, and I love it. I am off to get ready for my first day of school tomorrow, here we go again, are you ready? Until tomorrow, much love.

p.s. new quarter=new playlist for the drive to school, this is what I got so far....suggestions welcome.
"In Christ Alone" Bethany Dillon and Matt Hammit
"Smaller than This" Brian Fennell
"Sensible Heart" City and Colour
"Mighty to Save" Big Stuf
"My Slow Motion" Brian Fennell
"Unforgettable Lullaby" Brian Fennell
"The Girl" City and Colour"
"Hello, I`m in Delaware" City and Colour
"I have and Always Will" Dave Barnes
"Response" Barcelona
"Falling Out of Trees" Barcelona
"Eden" Alli Rogers
"Lifesize" A Fine Frenzy
"Wontcha Come Home" G Love
"Once When I was Little" James Morrison
"Details in the Fabric" Jason Mraz
"Back in June" Matt Wertz
"Live Your Life" T.I.
"I Need You so Much Closer" Death Cab
"Beautiful Mess" Jason Mraz
"Don't Let Me Fall" Lenka
"The Show" Lenka
"Hang Me Up to Dry" Cold War Kids
"Tobias" Brian Webb
"Country Song" Brian Webb
"I Will" Brian Webb
"Bullet Proof Weeks" Matt Nathanson

catching up.

2009-01-04T16:49:00.001-08:00

While the shortage of photos in no way makes up for my lack of sticking to my one photo a day commitment, this is what I felt like sharing about my winter break...some of my favorite people.I have been avoiding my blog as of late, I felt like whatever I was going to write would sound a lot like word throw up than one cohesive thought, so hopefully this one is packed nicely with a little bow on top for you.
I headed home at the beginning of December not wanting to go home, and found myself feeling that way for a good chunk of my time home. Two days before I left for Seattle something shifted and I dreaded the thought of leaving. It dawned on me that I have been going between my "homes" for 5 years and I am tired of it. This homebody is ready to be in one place and one place only. I found myself thinking about what it would look like for me to move back to California when I graduate next June, and if I had even made the right decision to go to school in Portland.But before I get all boo hoo on you, I will just say this, I realized more than ever that I am ready to be settled.
Pat and Kim's wedding was beautiful, and the Embassy Suites has become more entertaining as all of the cousins have gotten older over the years, sorry, no explanation there.
My new year's eve resolution was to get my car washed, this is a tough fete for me, and when thinking about it means much more. Last quarter I became so wrapped up in making others happy, and going through the motions of school that I neglected to take care of myself, so I am aiming low right now and simply starting with getting my car washed and taking time to breathe during the week. Easy to say the night before school starts but in a week??? We shall see....
So folks, this is where I have been the last couple of weeks, I have other things to bring to the table with the new year and this little journal/blog/what have you of mine, so stay tuned and happy new year!

Day 67

2008-12-14T23:02:00.000-08:00

So have a little tradition I do with each niece and nephew that comes along the way...my way of distracting them from their crying is to take a picture on the photo booth program on my parents computer and today it was Aubrey's inaugural photo session. There were other photos that were clear and where we are both looking but I love this one, we are in the midst of laughing and swinging, so blurry and all I will take it. yesterday was my birthday and was wonderfully spent with family and friends, thanks to all...more pictures to come, and today was the annual Christmas cookie decorating party with my parent's friends and their family (30 years and running). I have thoughts running in my head and maybe instead of pictures while I am home on break I will share them with you all...until tomorrow, much love.

Day 64.

2008-12-11T19:19:00.001-08:00

Back in P-town as of yesterday evening and have since been enjoying the land of no tax, and no rain...at least temporarily.

So since moving to Oregon, I have become aware of Sherri's restaurants. Since I am a classy lady, and love a good deal, it was quickly added to my list of places to try out. Mallory claimed she would never eat there and that possibly for my birthday she would endure such a place as Sherri's. With Brittany in tow, we all went out last night to celebrate my birthday and enjoy amazingly cheap appetizers and dessert at Sherri's. For those who have no clue what it is, it is like Denny's, with a twist. My favorite part is the "honored" tab on the menu...and the sheer fact that there were tabs on the menu...bliss. Clearly the way to my heart (in more ways than one) is through a cheap plate of everything fried and a bowl of ice cream to go with it.

Today Brittany and I went down to the Portland Art Museum. I have this strange addiction to art museums, being there makes me thrilled and simply excited to see all of the art. I am fascinated by the canvas lines, brush strokes and carvings made by so many artists. There was no Cezanne there but I think I found a few others to satisfy my artistic needs. I was finally able to see some sculptures that I had written papers on in college and heard Llama Face's voice resounding with all of the funny names we tried to remember in our modern art history class. I am becoming more acclimated to Portland and look forward to future adventures downtown.
Tomorrow I leave for California, and have yet to start packing...eeek..
I am looking forward to seeing family, friends, and new additions that have come since then while I am home...so until tomorrow, or until I come back to Portland and my computer....much love.

Day 63...

2008-12-10T17:41:00.000-08:00

Brittany happens to love Mighty O Donuts and wondered if we could make a road trip up to Seattle to relive the Seattle days, and stock up on our fill of donuts for the year. We left yesterday after my last day of fieldwork for the quarter and adventured up to Seattle. I was able to stop by school and see some familiar faces and catch up with old roommates and such..throughout the day I kept feeling a little nudging place in my heart reminding me that Seattle has always felt like home to me, and found myself saying multiple times that I could see myself moving back when all is said and done with grad school...who knows, I am always one step ahead on my thought process and love dreaming so I will take a deep breath.....whew, and let myself enjoy this time in my life and see where I am in a year and a half and go from there. None the less, it was a nice little adventure to Seattle, and am now getting ready for my trip back home...untill tomorrow, peace.

Pike's Place, lovely.

Stairway to Heaven??

A walk around Green Lake, oh how I have missed you.

The reason why we drove three hours...

Day 62...

2008-12-08T20:51:00.001-08:00

Brittany arrived today from California and brought a little California sunshine with her in the form of her outrageously yellow kicks...tomorrow we are road tripping up to Seattle, a nice little start to my Christmas break. Until tomorrow, peace.

Day 61...

2008-12-07T15:18:00.001-08:00

Where have I gone you might be asking yourself...well, I have been sitting on this couch, with the Christmas tree lights on, snuggled in a mess of blankets and Latoya sitting at my feet whilst movies are playing and I am attempting to do nothing but watch them.My body has been slow to catch up to the lack of sleep in the last couple of weeks, and I still feel like life is moving in slow motion. And if you think you are seeing grey hair on the top of my head, you are indeed correct, luckily I will be seeing the hair dresser the minute I go home....lovely. I am trying to rest up before I go home on Friday, and well until tomorrow really when Brittany comes to visit the lovely state of Oregon. So to end today I will end with a little quote I feel is fitting for the end of my first quarter of school, and well, just for life in general because there was no possible way in which I could this whole life thing on my own power... until tomorrow, much love.
"Francis of Assiss says that "in pictures of God and the blessed Virgin painted on wood, God and the blessed Virgin are held in mind, yet the wood and the painting ascribe nothing to themselves, because they are just wood and paint; so the servant of God is a kind of painting, that is, a creature of God in which God is honoured for the sake of his benefits. But he ought to ascribe nothing to himself, just like the wood or the painting, but should render honour and glory to God alone. Christ has always worked in ways which seemed peculiar to many men, even the closest followers."

Day 59...

2008-12-05T00:00:00.001-08:00

Today was a glorious day... I am DONE with my first quarter of grad school!!! Only 5 more quarters left....oh geesh. What better way than to celebrate with a little dinner party with some art therapy ladies?! We had a pasta and wine party, toasted with champagne, ate delicious cheesecake and remembered what it was like to have a life before school started.I have no clue now what to do with my life, other than to just breathe. My plans for tomorrow involve sleeping in, making pancakes for breakfast and watching movies for as long as I can endure...lovely. so to end this little ditty, here is a quote on community, which is something I have become more aware of throughout this day and tonight as we were all simply enjoying hanging out and realizing we have lives and personalities outside of art therapy:
" It became clear to me that hospital gathering places where people shared their lives and spoke openly about brokenness, and healing were great good places of the heart and soul"Larry Bourgeois

A little Russian, and now art therapy student tradition taught to us tonight...vodka and pickle shot, you have to make a toast and look everyone in the eye before downing it.

Oh Christmas tree, oh christmas tree... my roommate is amazing and had the apartment and this lovely tree ready and waiting for me when I got home from class today.

Some sparkling wine that has been waiting all quarter to be toasted with, tonight was most definitely the occasion.
Until tomorrow, much love.

Day 58...

2008-12-03T22:47:00.001-08:00

Just a little shot of the outside world... Tomorrow is my last day of school tomorrow, glorious. My art therapy ladies will be coming over for a holiday party and celebrating that we our done with our first quarter of school! Much love.

Day 57...

2008-12-02T15:47:00.001-08:00

This is exactly what I wish I was doing at this precise moment. Yes, I took pictures of myself in the library, don't judge.

Day 56...

2008-12-01T23:31:00.001-08:00

These are red velvet cupcakes I made for my friend Jen's birthday...what else would one do while they are locked up writing papers?? Jen is my friend from my trip to Idaho, and I was the scripture reader for her wedding, and we are forever bonded by the love of Jars of Clay...

This would be Jen. She provided a glimpse of laughter and fun. I am surprisingly taking life in stride these days in spite of it being the last week of school, hopefully this continues. Until tomorrow, much love.

Day 53

2008-11-28T22:17:00.001-08:00

After a late night of pre-black friday shopping and working, I vetoed paper writing for the day and finished up my last art project. I carved a stamp out of linoleum and made 11 plus prints. This is for my intro class and it was supposed to reflect how my view of art therapy has changed since the beginning of the quarter, and this is my explanation in a brief synopsis: Before this fall, I knew vaguely about art therapy, and had this quote to ground myself on, "I believe with all my heart in the power of art to save lives" -Bill Bartlett. Since beginning grad school I have found that there are many theories and people who have contributed much to the field of therapy, and art therapy. Freud, Jung, behavioral learning, Margaret Naumberg, Judith Rubin and Natalie Rogers to name a few...they represent various approaches that can be taken in art therapy. Within the field of art therapy there are these little pockets of knowledge and wisdom, and through my intro class, I learned the beginning steps of how to access and utilize these theories and approaches, and this project represents this...and there is even a little pocket for me, as a future art therapist. Until tomorrow, peace.

Day 51

2008-11-26T21:33:00.001-08:00

day 51...how to explain you? There is a large knot in my stomach from turning in my psychopathology paper, extreme bliss in having finished my exam, and satisfaction in eating at the moonstruck cafe....The chocolate cake and mexican hot chocolate were so wonderfully good and was a nice mini celebration of my being done with psychopathology...yes I finished them both, don't judge. This is the calm before the storm, I am making carrot souffle for Mallory's family tomorrow, and enjoying one day of freedom before I bust out three papers and an art project...such is life. Until tomorrow, peace.

Day 50

2008-11-25T15:27:00.001-08:00

This fits because today is the big 5-0, the golden day, golden sunglasses, it works. I am off to put my nose back in the books for my test, until tomorrow, much love.

Day 49

2008-11-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

Today's is an oldie, actually it is Poppa T and I making the "you just got into Marylhurst!" face, but this is exactly how I feel at the moment. I have spent the day, about 8 hours worth of it editing...yes, editing my psychopathology and it is with much excitement that I can say it is printed off and sitting so nicely right next to me just begging to be turned in. My professor is the vaguest man in history and I thus had no clear guidelines to follow. I wrote my paper on the assessment and treatment of refugees diagnosed with PTSD, while I found the topic intriguing, who knows if the man with impossible standards will agree. Not only is this huge paper due, but on the very same day we have presentation outlines and a 2 hour exam, bleh. So I am much anticipating 2:00 pm on Wednesday when I will be done with psychopathology, and headed to lunch with Llama Face to celebrate. Until tomorrow...much love.

Day 48

2008-11-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

The headband is key for the day.When I have to do things I generally don't like, such as art critiques, taking tests, giving presentations or writing papers I wear something that helps me remember that I can do the things that feel so overwhelming. I have 4 papers and an exam I feel like I will never be ready for staring me down. The headband, while I may get mocked for wearing it because of its intense sparkle, today was my reminder that God is much bigger than a scary psychopathology paper, and He has brought me thus far, and I just need to trust that He will continue to lead me through.Until tomorrow, peace.

Day 47

2008-11-22T10:54:00.001-08:00

This is one of my art projects that I made for my art therapy technique class. I worked on this last night and while cleaning the glass on it this morning put a nice little dent in my finger. This piece represents how I feel about those who need help, tell me what you think the answer is, I am curious to see if anyone can get it from the work itself. Today I am locked away in my apartment studying and paper writing, lovely. I will however be pulling a DT move when I walk over to Costco to eat the free samples for my lunch and get some fresh Oregon air.I have been re-reading pages from my little "quote book", that I have had since the beginning of my freshman year in college, and it is interesting to see the quotes and phrases that have at some point meant something to me for various reasons, I came across this one today that I wrote down on January 16, 2007, so I will share it with you all..until tomorrow much love.
"Nearly empty, I could not hope to fill myself-certainly not with human companionship, although when it did come that fall, even small acts of kindness and hospitality were resplendent- and I began to sense that this was exactly as it should be. God wanted me empty, alone, silent and watchful." Kathleen Norris.

Day 46

2008-11-21T17:36:00.001-08:00

I have learned this quarter that grad school is a very sedentary activity, from reading to writing and being in class there is a lot of sitting. Today I fell in love again with running. I got up, slipped on my trusty running shoes, placed the ipod in my pocket and was off for a run. Since being in school I have made very pithy efforts to exercise and planned today to just get lost running for as long as I could last, and pretend that my psychopathology paper and test were not staring me down.. The weather was clear and crisp, and the leaves on the ground created a wonderful backdrop. I did actually get lost, but was able to find my way back before becoming exhausted and having to call Mallory for a ride home. These running shoes have taken me through miles of running, from training for last year's half marathon to now, and they hold a special place in my heart because there are memories that flood my mind while looking/ wearing them. Running around Green Lake, falling while running with my sister, and the hours of conversations had while running with Llama Face. The large brownish object right behind them would be Latoya, she sits in my room all day while I am writing my papers, and then off in the far right corner is my painting apron. This is pretty much where my life revolves these days, writing at my desk and reading notes. The next two weeks are going to be busy but a break will be coming soon, and for that I am willing to endure.Until tomorrow, Peace.

Day 44

2008-11-19T21:59:00.001-08:00

This is Kym and our large vat of hot chocolate powder. The end.

Day 43

2008-11-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

Today is an homage to Brittany and Llama face, and our former Mc Study Breaks....and today, my life revolved around McDonald's, sadly. Overall, today though, was just rough. Field work was field work, I even had to install a "You are not allowed to say that you or your art sucks" rule, and I hate setting rules. The beautiful leaves have all fallen and the weather is gray. I attempted researching for a paper in the library and ran into one of the girls in my program. She mentioned that she was almost done with the paper that I JUST barely started to even research for. Defeat one. I decided to screw school and papers for the moment and take a much needed Mc Study break and drove to McDonald's... I am not ashamed to say I eat there, I can't help a bargain like ice cream. I quickly grabbed my bag out of the car and went in to enjoy my mc flurry while reading some oh so thrilling articles on PTSD and refugees. When it was time for me to leave I realized that I left my keys in the car. Defeat two. I walked to school since I needed to get to class and waited until after to sort through AAA and such. Luckily in class I can find people to laugh with and commiserate with about life, my friend Kym even brought in a lovely 54 ounce canister of hot chocolate powder since we are currently addicted to hot chocolate, an alternative to coffee?? Not even close. So I had a second rendezvous with Mc Donalds while waiting for AAA, my knight in shining armor. Now I am home and have had many good conversations with friends since then and am going to finish a little Child Development paper editing before bed. But as the closer for this little ditty, I have been realizing that with all of the driving I do these days certain songs have been on repeat, which is usually the case. I like a few songs and listen to them as much as possible until I just can't stand em, so these are on the repeat cycle at the moment, and in about two weeks I might be needing some help to find some new songs so throw me some suggestions.. Peace.

Walk With You-Dispatch
Imagination-Bethany Dillon
We Build-Nichole Nordeman
Please Be Patient With Me-Wilco
Come Pick Me Up-Ryan Adams
Mighty Power- E-Pop
Top of the World-Dixie Chicks
We Never Change-Coldplay
Dream a Little Dream of Me-Billie Holliday
Home to Me-Josh Kelley
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)-Dixie Chicks

Day 42

2008-11-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

So nerd confession, I bought a book NOT related to any class, AND I asked for a different one for Christmas, just to add to the art therapy collection I want to have one day. My dad called me traitor and might have to report me to the family's non-reading club which I currently reside in. The book I bought came today, so it made its way into the photo today, along with a few other friends that joined me at my study session this evening. Today was a day filled with Jens. I had lunch with llama face (Jen) and coffee with another Jen, it was a nice little breather before my weeks starts, and they both reminded me of the importance and necessity for laughter. The book, "I have not seen a butterfly around here" is a collection of children's art. During the Holocaust there was a woman artist who managed to sneak in art supplies to children in various concentration camps. My class looked at how art was something that gave few people in that time something to hold onto in this life. The images and poems that compile the pages of this book, although I have yet to read all of them are stark reminders of how life once was for some, and how fortunate I am to be in the place and time that I am in. So yes, I may have entered the book readers club, but for this book it was worth it. Until tomorrow, peace.

Day 41

2008-11-16T14:42:00.001-08:00

Just working on a few things for class today, and this is one. The end.

Day 40

2008-11-15T15:24:00.001-08:00

I got this key the other day as a part of one of my art projects that I have to make for this quarter. The project is in response to the question, "How do I feel about those who need help?" While I may still be formulating my thoughts on this one, what I have thus far is that they are themselves agents of change, I as their therapist (creepy to say), can provide them with tools, resources, and empathy and I believe that they are capable and have the potential to explore, express and work through their various issues. I feel that I have a responsibility as a therapist to be present for my clients and to understand on a grander level that we are connected through our human-ness, I like them have experienced pain and joy in life, and have had to work through tough issues. It is my hope that I can be present for them and provide a space for growth and authentic change....anyways, I have been reading Judith Rubin these days for my child development class and she addresses the topic of working with disabled children, and something in my heart sparked. The notion is that we are all the same, and these children have just as much worth and value than any other child that is alive, and they deserve to be equally invested in. Maybe I get a little of this from my dad, but here are a few thoughts from Rubin:
"One of these intrinsic qualities is that every human being is endowed with a creative spirit."
"Every person, from the moment of birth, is a unique individual, unlike any other that ever existed."

Day 39

2008-11-15T00:02:00.001-08:00

Janell was home for the weekend and we did the usual, going to the Way and then to the Cheesecake Factory for catching up, much needed laughter and what else.... Cheesecake! The Way is like a college group that meets every Friday night, for the Seattle-ites it is like the INN, and for everyone else, a huge gathering of young adults at Solid Rock Church. When I first moved here Janell was my official tour guide of all things Oregon, and I just love her bright and encouraging spirit, just what I needed to hear from as the toughest weeks of school are fastly approaching. The end. Until tomorrow...

The friendship that was built on ice cream.

Janell's crazy face, it is blurry yes, but captures her in her element.

Day 38

2008-11-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

I am on a cookie fix these days, cookies for class, cookie dough ice cream and what am I doing on a Thursday night? Baking cookies. I have three little bits to share today...two of them occurred to me while driving home tonight. I believe it was spurred by my trip to Big Lots, or as I like to call it Pic n' save for old times sake, but here it is, I had two flashbacks from my youth. The first was one night when I was driving with a family friend and she informed me that the car lights at night seem like long stretches of rubies and diamonds, so as I was driving home I was envisioning these long strands of jewels, think about that next time you are in traffic and MAYBE it won't seem so bad, well it most likely still will but it was worth a shot. The second was a flashback of my brother and I driving in his little Toyota pickup to church every Wednesday night and Jars of Clay would be playing....the beginning of a fan right there. The third bit for the day is a website that I learned about at school. I am in the process of writing a paper on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as seen in refugees and we have ben talking alot about cross cultural therapy and the vital tool that art can be in breaking cultural and language barriers. My professor recommended this site artofhumanity.org it is amazing work that is being done with kids and adults in Darfur, the Congo and various other places. so go and look at it and see how art can be an effective tool all around the world, and that my folks is how the cookie crumbles.

Day 37

2008-11-12T21:55:00.001-08:00

I would like to title todays entry "Rain rain go away". It has been pouring, yes, pouring all day. This would not be such a bad thing if I could stay home and be wrapped up in comfy blankets watching mindless things all day, but alas, I have a 20 minute commute to school and such to attend to. Strike 1 for the day...I forgot a jacket. On the bright side I had my usual Wednesday lunch with llama face and mallory, lovely. And in the spirit of celebrating the Advent season, I bought a little wreath for my humble abode. I am having a Christmas party with my art therapy folks, and well, I am a planner and love to throw parties so any chance I have to ignore school and dreary rainy days I am all for it! The first picture today is one from the summer, these are my niece's boots I bought for her on her second birthday...she is four and somehow still manages to cram her little footisies in them because, "Auntie Boo bought them for me and she loves me very much" (makes your heart melt right?) I hear that these days Jaina has inherited the beloved boots because a child can only cram her foot for so long. The second shot is from today. These are my rain boots that my Auntie Pam bought for me as a going away present because, all though there may be more consecutive dry days in Portland than in Seattle, when it rains it pours....literally. So to reflect on the rain I looked up a few quotes and will end this ditty with a few of my favorites, until tomorrow..much love.

"Sometimes I see myself as a child in a rain storm, running around trying to catch all the drops in his mouth. I long for your adventures to be like the raindrops the child saves and not those which crash to the ground."

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." Langston Hughes

"How often have I lain beneath rain on a strange roof, thinking of home." William Faulkner

Day 36

2008-11-11T22:03:00.001-08:00

Tonight was one of m favorite classes, the exact name is escaping me, but it is on psychotherapy theories. My professor is the most kind hearted man who truly is excited for us to learn and understand the various theories. This shot was from my classroom, and of course two of my most constant objects these days, my glasses and my starbucks glass of water. Well I am off to work on a presentation about kids who pee their pants and write up a theoretical treatment plan for a woman with depression. Until tomorrow... much love.

Day 35

2008-11-10T16:45:00.001-08:00

I hear the echo of my mother's voice in this one, "Did you know?"

Day 34

2008-11-10T00:03:00.000-08:00

Technically today is day 35 but ey, I was out studying at my friend's house, and I am learning to become a night owl.This tree is what I look and see when I am standing on my balcony, yes, that just rhymed... I was unpacking/looking through some old photos last night and a little notecard that was wedged somewhere in the pile fell out. First of all, the story of this card is layered in some pretty interesting ways. The actual card itself came from a pack of notecards that my Auntie Cella gave to me when I was in seventh grade. Why you might ask that this is important... She gave them to me when I was in the hospital after having emergency brain surgery and ear surgery and such. Until about the time I went to college I held onto these notecards because they represented a time that was so scary for me, a part of my life that I was not really ready to accept and let go of. The quote is special as well because it was from my sophomore year of college, why is that important you might be asking again...well my Grandma Jeanie died just before christmas that year, and for some reason, I dived into the writings of C.S. Lewis, The Shadowlands, Surprised by Joy and one about grief but the title is escaping me at the moment. This quote summed up a moment of realization, that I must be in this life whole-heartedly, with abandonment and bravery... These two times in my life are just two of the reasons why I am here today, in Oregon, at Marlyhurst and studying art therapy. I have endured many painful things that have shaped who I am, and this little insignificant note that slipped out of a pile of miscellaneous pictures helped to remind and center me. So I will end with this quote and until tomorrow...well later today really, much love.
"Total surrender, the absolute leap in the dark were demanded. The reality with which no treaty can be made was upon me. The demand was not even 'all or nothing'. I think that stage had been passed, on the bus stop when I unbuckled my armor and the snowmen started to melt. Now the demand was simply all." C.S. Lewis

Day 33

2008-11-08T22:37:00.001-08:00

This is yet another oldie, but I have been missing my "homes" lately. Seattle and California have a special place in my heart and the new-ness of Oregon is still very prevalent. So yes, I was a bit homesick today....it has hit me and no amount of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream can make it feel better. This is from Pike's Place, one of my favorite places to spend a day. Today was not spent there however...I read and crocheted at my friend's apartment. I have been listening to Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald quite a bit these days, so this picture is reminiscent of the olden days of love, when it was picture perfect, and happened when you least expected it. sigh.
I did however get a lovely warning sticker on my car, I parked in the wrong spot and my apartment complex felt the need to post a blaring orange sticker on my car window...that won't come off. If you have any suggestions as to how to remove it and make my car not look so scuzzy feel free.... until tomorrow. peace.

Day 32

2008-11-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, I skipped a day. Today I have been reading and got a bit distracted by the iphoto booth while I was reading. This would be me all wrapped up in my Psalm 91 blanket from the madre and my Counseling and psychotherapy book. I am thrilled that in less than one month I will be done with my first quarter of school and headed to the lovely California to spend time with some people who are dear to my heart. I was walking to Target today and listening to the crunching of the leaves that cover just about everything in vibrant beautiful colors and the words, the pathway is unclear and I don't know the reasons why you brought me here were ruminating and while I still have a foggy vision of where this whole grad school thing will take me, I am willing to trust. Much love.

Day 30

2008-11-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

My oh my, day 30! I had yet another heart nourishing lunch with llama face and mallory and then spent the rest of the afternoon before class in the library. You gotta love when your books look like the ones that are in the picture for today. I am in the process of researching for a paper in my child development class and this would be one of my sources. To end this little ditty, I found a quote that I have written in my notebook, and have been dwelling on it much today....
"The artist/therapist may feel the need to relinquish the artist part of her experience in the face of an institution or system dominated by the scientific approach. In this situation it is imperitive to establish that what we bring as artists to therapy is special and unique in terms of its therapeutic value and contribution."
Much Love.

Day 29

2008-11-04T21:43:00.000-08:00

Election day, field work, class, credit car freezing and illness...today was a busy day. Mal and I decided that in an effort to stop using credit cards we have frozen ours, literally...we celebrated with some cookie dough ice cream to soothe the pain. A girl in my class made these little figures out of hershey kisses wrappers and it immediately became the photo of the day. It is like a bunch of people working together to create something beautiful, kind of like how I am working along side all of the other girls in my program to create and become future art therapists....cheesy, I know but at the moment it works for me. Much love.

27 and 28

2008-11-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

So I just never really managed to carry the camera with me on Saturday and Sunday, so today is a montage of photos. I was taking a break from writing a paper to pick up my mail (got a beautiful wedding invitation for my cousin's wedding) and to drop off my rent check and brought the camera along with me. It has been raining these last few days and ever since I went to Italy I am always intrigued with the reflections that puddles of water make. While these are not anything spectacular it reminds me that God is in the details of everything, even the mere reflection of water was not an accident. Until tomorrow, much love.

Day 26

2008-11-01T22:09:00.001-07:00

I am taking a no photo day today so I am just going to post an oldie, but most def. a goodie.

Day 25

2008-10-31T23:49:00.000-07:00

With only a few minutes left of the day to spare, I made it with today's addition. Mallory and I went to the Blazer's game tonight. It was the first home game of the season (thus the free hat) and it was a close one 100-99 I believe. We sat in the first row of the 200 level which was closer than the last basketball game I went to. One of the players entered the arena about 5 feet away from us and Blaze the team mascot tried to become my new best friend the whole night. It was a good game and I even donned a red shirt to support the team!

Day 24

2008-10-30T21:51:00.001-07:00

The week is over! I am celebrating my first accomplishment of a job well done on my first grad school paper and am excited that I don't have to see this place for four days woohooo!

Day 23

2008-10-29T21:37:00.001-07:00

Today marks the end of three papers and a psychopathology exam, lovely! The picture today is just a little snapshot of the notes I took while studying for the exam. I am much looking forward to trying to relax a bit this weekend starting with "Survivor" night at Mallory's house tomorrow night and quite possibly a Blazer's game this weekend.... Hope you are all doing well!

Day 22

2008-10-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

I suppose this is the golden day since it is the 22nd day and I am 22 right? Well it doesn't really feel like it, but the show must go on.... So this was a street at my school that I always drive by and think to myself that I should walk down it some day. Today was the day. It looks very ominous with the bright spot at the end which is kind of what tomorrow feels like for me, I have my first exam tomorrow which I have been studying for and will be spending the night doing. Wednesday night is a much anticipated night because I will have busted out 2 papers, a presentation and an exam by then and will be welcoming the weekend. Much love.

Day 21

2008-10-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today is a double feature because I feel that Cubby (my car), has been often forgotten as of late. My car has driven me from point A to point B in three different states and to a different country. She often doesn't get much love and care and yet even after 16 years of driving she is still around. I decided that since she had yet to be washed since like June it was high time for Cubby to get the special treatment. The car washes in Oregon are a bit different than California ones, I had to stay in my car and watch as all of the dirt from Oregon and the world was washed away. She shines like no other now and it makes the both of us happy. Much love.

Day 20

2008-10-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

If I turn left off of my street I am greeted by this....fields, and yes, a farm.

Day 19

2008-10-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

I had an early start today with these two lovely ladies at my new favorite breakfast place. Meghan (on the far left) was down from Seattle and thus it was high time that the three former roommates got caught up over lattes and amazing breakfast.
The other day my sister sent me an email with a quote that for today, I am repeating over and over again as I am working on stuff for school: "You know what must be done, and more importantly, you know why you must do it. step confidently into the challenges, and keep going until you reach the success that is on the other side." -Ralph Marston. Peace.

Day 18

2008-10-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

I couldn't decide between 2 pictures so today is a double feature. Lucky you! In an effort to change my study scenery I went with Mallory to the hair salon downtown, I read while she had fun getting a hair cut..unfair. I was reading when I became distracted yet again by the lovely shadows of the sun, so here you go. Much love.

Day 17

2008-10-23T23:10:00.001-07:00

So today marks the beginning of getting ready for midterms which are next week....In a time of tiredness and discouragement it is notes like this lovely one that make me feel that in some way shape or form I can accomplish even the hardest things.

Day 16

2008-10-22T21:35:00.001-07:00

Today's photo is for Poppa T (my dad). The end.

Day 15

2008-10-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

Imagine a crisp fall day, a soy hot chocolate, the setting sun and a large child development book. That would be a snapshot in my day today. After a few hours of fieldwork, I hit the books and got a bit distracted by the shadows that were on the wall. 2 papers down only 8 more-ish to go! Much love.

Day 14

2008-10-20T16:51:00.001-07:00

This is phone # 4 in two years. The last one fell victim to my first grad school break down. Apparently you should not really cry while you are on your phone. I replaced it with some shoddy phone from Target since I am not eligible for an upgrade until January, here it is. The noises it makes are blaring and obnoxious but such is life. I have 1 paper down and only 9 more to go in the next 7 weeks...gotta love it.

Day 13

2008-10-19T14:29:00.001-07:00

This would be me sitting at Costco waiting to have my gas pumped, a strange Oregon occurrence that I still have yet to get used to. The oddity of this is heightened by the fact that my driver side window does not work so I have to open my door every time. The trees are starting to finally change to the beautiful fall colors that I love so much about the Northwest. The end.

Day 12

2008-10-18T19:45:00.001-07:00

This is the "I love my job" shot. I work for Lakeshore Learning up here in Oregon, and we are having our grand opening which equates to tons of kids,noise and crafts! I made this little gum ball machine while manning one of the craft tables and decided it needed to be added to the many magnets on my fridge. Off to write a paper..

Day 11

2008-10-17T15:45:00.001-07:00

So Galloway is on restriction from the apartment and was switched for a different dog...Latoya.
There are two things about this dog that make her wonderful:
1. She looks like the big bear from the blue house, a character from the Disney channel
2. Every time I say her name I want to add Jackson to the end of it.