Spring

Although it has not snowed this winter, it seems like it's been a LONG winter. I am so ready for spring and some warm weather. As I type, my heat is blasting in the background. I am thankful for no snow, especially after seeing the amount of snow in the east coast and Midwest.

Spring is coming. I can smell it in the air and pollen is tinkling my nose hairs.

Here are some pictures I took.

The cherry blossom picture is bitter sweet. I had just left a memorial for one of my neighbors of many years. Out of the many things that was said about him the one thing that struck was when someone described him as  having an open heart. At that moment, I felt very open.

Everyone of has a reason we could close off our hearts, but it's so important to keep them open.

Arts N Carafes - Night Two

This is from my second class, and I have another class tomorrow.

This is a cherry blossom, but it also looks like a plum tree blossom. We could pick from three background colors. The great thing about the class is that each person's painting looks different.

Tomorrow's class is another cherry blossom, but it's in a more Japanese cherry blossom style. So looking forward to it. And it's so awesome to look around my home and see paintings I created.

I am creative when it comes to writing and painting is something new to me, but I found it very relaxing.

My friend Crys and I

Hanging on my bedroom wall

Arts N Carafes - Class One

I've gone to a place called Arts N Carafes twice.

It's a great concept. You come to class empty handed, and you leave with with something you have painted.

There is an instructor who walks you step by step through the steps to recreate the work. The painting is called "Starry Night," but I added a twist. See below.

Empty Canvas

In Progress

LTB the Artist

LTB and It was a Dark and Starry Night

I'm Still Here

I find myself once again falling behind in my blogging.

It seems like a lot of little things are keeping my busy, and I feel so behind.

So, I am will try to a better job of keeping it together!

Scroll Article

 Here is the article from the January 1 issue of my church's newsletter.

For this issue of the PCC Scroll, we are coming from the theme “Living with Purpose, Avoiding Apathy.”

When I sat down to begin writing my article, my mind wandered back to my college days. During that time, I was on the board of three student groups and on the student senate. I was going to school fulltime, and I was working part time. I was constantly going and going. I would move blindly from school to work to one event to another. I was doing a lot, but I sometimes felt disconnected from all of the activities.

For many years after college, it was the same way. I was doing a lot, and I was involved in so many things. I can remember one period of my life where I felt like I was just performing a bunch of roles I had been cast into. I had a role at church, and I had a role at my job. And (good, bad, or otherwise), I have always been a model student who performs what is expected of me. But truthfully, I never felt like I was accomplishing anything.

At some point in time, I reached a breaking point. I realized that I was doing a lot of things, but I wasn’t doing any one thing well. I realized that I could do a whole lot of “tasks” and still feel apathetic. I had always considered apathy to be lack of activity. But, for me, apathy was not about lack of activity. Apathy was doing a whole lot of things I had no passion or interest in doing.

It was at that point that I started looking at what I should really be doing with my time, life, resources, and gifts. What was I created and called to do? What areas was I passionate about and naturally gifted in? I was trying to identify my purpose.

Looking at my life, writing was one area that stood out. As I began writing more for the Scroll and for my job, another area emerged. That area was editing. If I had continued to be busy on the wrong things, I am not sure when or if this area would have been revealed to me. But it has become part of my purpose.

The area of “helps” is another area that stood out. I have always scored highly in this area, and most Sundays (pray for me please) I can serve freely and unhesitatingly in this function as an usher.

I took the time to look up the words apathy and purpose before I began writing. One of the definitions of the word purpose really stood out to me. It’s in the Bing Dictionary, and it simply says, “reason for existence: the reason for which something exists or for which it has been done or made.”

And that is really what it comes down to. We can fill our lives and time with a lot of activities, but this can be harmful because it distracts us from what our true purpose is and that is extremely unfortunate.

2012 Letter

2012 was a good year. I haven’t had any big major changes in my life in a while, but some of the people around me have. I’m still with the same company, living in the same place, and driving the same car. So, my life has been pretty stable.

As you know, I have a goal to take one major trip each year. This year, I visited Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. I also did a half day in Slovakia. It was a great trip, but it went by way too fast! In Poland, I was able to go to Auschwitz and see the Black Madonna. I stayed in Warsaw and Krakow. In Austria, I was in Budapest. My favorite spot was the Vajdahunyad Castle. It is so magical! It has four parts: a Romanesque Chapel, Gothic Gate, Renaissance castle and Baroque palace. The grounds were amazing. And the surroundings were kind of misty. In Austria, I went to Vienna. They have some impressive castles and architecture. In the Czech Republic, I went to Prague and Cesky Krumlov. I really liked the small-town of the latter. I also really enjoyed Bratislava in Slovakia. Small-town feel with some great historical points.

I also traveled to Long Beach for my job. That was great because I got to so see some colleagues who I have grown quite found of over the years.

I am still working for the Port of Seattle. October 1, 2012, marked my 16th anniversary (included my temp time). I am grateful to have a job. The first 16 years went by so fast. I assume the next 16 will go by just as quickly. Time is moving!

Church is going well. I just released the first issue of our twelfth year. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. It continues to be something I enjoy. I know I was called to write, and my skills as an editor are improving. I am also an usher still. I have come a long way from my “mean usher” days. God has been good to me. God has surrounded me with wonderful people. I am truly blessed in this area. God has sent me a lot of love, and I am thankful for it. I am very excited about the anthology that is almost done.

My hair is coming along. January 8 marked three years of locking.

I have no idea of what 2013 will bring, but I am excited!

I hope you had a great Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Questions from Yam’s Blog: Year Five

What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I went whale watching and on a horse and buggy ride, and they were both awesome!

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My goals for 2012 were: Travel, publish an anthology for my church, and make what I eat count.
I did travel. The anthology is a little behind schedule. I just gave the final edits to the designer! I have been eating a lot better. I do need to watch my end of the day snacking though.
For 2013? Travel (smile).

Did anyone close to you give birth?
I type no with trembling fingers.

Did anyone close to you die?
No, which was a break from 2011.

What countries did you visit?
I went to Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. I spent half a day in Slovakia.

What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
I would like to have more of a dating life. I think I have a good life, and it would be nice to have someone to share it with.

What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?
My trip days are always such a huge part of my memory in any given year. Travel is inspiring and changing. The U.S. election was also a big night, with mixed reactions.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’ve had a goal to increase my “I don’t have a job” emergency fund. I’ve made some serious inroads. Also, the almost complete anthology is huge for me.

What was your biggest failure?
That’s an interesting question. One thing I have been working on is not letting anything destroy my internal peace. Despite any chaos and drama, I need to remain centered. I’ve made inroads, but I still find myself being taken in by dumb stuff. Need to keep working on it.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major. I did catch the flu around Christmas. My health tends to be good.

What was the best thing you bought?
My plane ticket!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
I noticed that a lot of people are trying to accomplish their dreams. I am very proud of those people.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This is an interesting question. I find it depressing when people just don’t tell the truth. Like, if you tell me you love me, then love me.

Where did most of your money go?
I splurge on travel. Technically, most of my money went on my mortgage.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Travel plans and plots on future travel plans. I was also excited to cross a few things off my bucket list like whale watching and riding in a horse and buggy.

What song/album will always remind you of 2012?
Nothing comes to mind.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Happier
thinner or fatter? Fatter
richer or poorer? Richer

What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I could afford to do more travel.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
I need to build up the relationships that matter.

How will you be spending New Year's?
New Year’s Eve dinner at church then home.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Probably my friend Sophia who lives in Florida.

Did you fall in love in 2012?
No! But there is someone who interests me.
How many one night stands in this last year?
Do people do that? I don’t.

What was your favorite TV program?
I love Downton Abbey. I like watching syndicated programs of Seinfeld, The Office, 30 Rock, and I have discovered the Big Bang Theory is hilarious. I also like Game of Thrones, which I normally see at the end since I don’t have HBO.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don’t really hate anyone, but there are people who are not healthy to be around.

What was the best book(s) you read?
The 50 Shades of Grey series. Ha-ha.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
I love “Song of the Lonely Mountain” and “Misty Mountain” from the Hobbit.

What did you want and get?
I wanted to travel, and I was able to save enough money to do so.

What did you want and not get?
Last year this time, I was hoping for Mr. Right to come along. This is kind of a dilemma for me. I am comfortable and happy in my current state. I don’t want someone to come a long just for the sake of having someone. He was to be the right someone.

What were your favorite films of this year?
The Hobbit!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38, and I had a small get together at a friends’ house. I also went to other lunches and dinners.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
As I get older, I realize that nothing external can make me satisfied. That has to come from inside. So, I will say appreciate for the blessings in my life.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Casual but cute.

What kept you sane?
Writing and my awesome community.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
The old favorites are still in play. I am hoping Alexander Skarsgard gets to play Christian Grey *_*.

What political issue stirred you the most?
I wouldn’t say stirred, but the issue of gun control is going to be interesting to watch unfold.

Who did you miss?
I miss my friends who live far away like Yamini, Mary, Sophia, and Molly.

Who was the best new person you met?
Do I even meet new people?

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Actions do speak louder than words, as do non-action.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway