Inkling Spot

Content

2012-01-05T20:53:00.003-06:00

The word "content" has been haunting me; you see, I just reached 100 posts on inklingspot. Go me! However, that word has also hung over my whiteboard for weeks because it is one of the domains essays are graded on for the Arkansas Benchmark exam. The other domains, or categories, all have helpful hints underneath them to encourage children to gain more points. "Style" has lots of figurative language; "Usage" and "Mechanics" basically say don't screw up the English language and you'll do fine.

The problem with my children's content scores is simply that they have very few of the life experiences necessary to produce content. They simply don't have the foundational experiences that lead to imagination, creative thinking, and interesting writing.

I started the year thinking I had plenty of the life experiences needed to produce content; after all, I've been a pretty okay writer in college. But. What have I actually tangibly produced since starting this teaching gig? A couple of bulletin boards and a grand total of six hats over Christmas break. I don't even have any photos of my first apartment, my classroom, my holiday.

I feel like I'm running low on content. I need life experiences. I need an adventure. Soon.

Trying to Tune In...

2012-01-01T21:05:00.001-06:00

Welcome to 2012. I remember doing a report about the Titanic in 4th grade, realizing that I could very well be alive on the 100 year anniversary of the sinking. Of course, as a 4th grader, my next thought was, "Yeah, 2012. That'll never happen."

But, here I am. I have some big plans for the coming year, but I wonder if my stamina can sustain my big plans. I feel very run down with my current gig and general mode of life. My beliefs and big goals each seem knotted. A friend suggested that I need to 'listen to the whispers of the heart' more often.

Let me tell you, though-my heart doesn't just whisper. Sometimes it rocks out in a big, raucous, way.

2011-04-15T21:36:00.002-05:00

Faery Tale: One Woman's Search for Enchantment in a Modern World by Signe Pike

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book, though it has a few rough spots. I really want to learn more about Faeries and the author kindly give me a list of books in the back of this books, which is really nice. Not a long read, so go and pick it up if you want to journey with Signe to meet some scary, sweet, and generally awesome Faeries and humans.

View all my reviews

Lent Challenge: Commercialization and Sincerity

2011-03-24T14:04:00.006-05:00

Religion in America is stunningly complex. My experiences with religion, especially in the last few years, is a reflection of this nationwide complexity. I'm not even sure how to begin to talk about it, honestly. Some people even say religion in America is dying out. However, just check out the news story above.

Do I believe the story above? Not exactly; after all, this family is selling a book, gaining publicity, and commercializing an experience that simply can not be proven because it is religious in nature. However, that's not to say that this kid did not have a legitimate religious experience.

Should we write books (and blog posts) about our individual experiences? YES, I think people should examine their own beliefs more often. Should we go on morning talk shows to talk about these experiences? Well...probably, but.... Should we make money off of our experiences? Oh dear.... Folks have to make a living, but it makes me really uncomfortable that someone might make a buck off of something that is ultimately intangible.

What are your thoughts? Should people make money off of their religious experiences? What do you think about this kid and this book? The Amazon reviews are fascinating; why would people get so upset when someone else has a different idea of the afterlife?

Lent Challenge: Craftin'

2011-03-19T00:47:00.002-05:00

My rag rug is coming along, slowly but surely!

Lent Challenge: An Update

2011-03-17T23:40:00.002-05:00

Oh, dear. ^_^

I am really bad at completing daily tasks more complicated than showering or feeding my turtle. But, I'm still going to trudge ahead in this challenge, despite evidence of failure.

So, what have I been up to in the last few days? Staying up way too late, taking long walks, battling the tendency of the Universe to collapse into chaos....

What's that you say, Lassie? The Universe isn't chaotic! There's order in the chaos! If there isn't order, well, humans just don't have the perspective to see it!

But if the Universe is anything like my bedroom, it tends towards chaos. If the Universe is anything like my kitchen, it tends towards rotting, stinky, chaos.

However, I'm in control (sorta) of those spaces, and I am not the force behind the Universe. Which leads us to the inevitable question: what (do I think) controls the Universe?

And THAT is THE question. However: Alas, its almost midnight! I might turn into a pumpkin! Good night, all!

Lent Challenge: Probably Cheating

2011-03-14T23:09:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm back at college. I'm trying really hard to focus on that fact, because I have papers to write and friends to bond with while I can. However, I also have hundreds of pages of TFA materials to read, background check paperwork to fill out, and a cold dripping out of my sinus cavity.

But, that's kind of how I love to live my life (minus the mucus, of course). I like to stay ridiculously busy; I like to plan years in advance, and then GO GO GO! However, once my body and mind is in motion, it's a beast to stop. Actually, it kinda hurts.

However, that's sort of the point of having a blog, right? Especially a daily challenge-its all about taking a moment to slow down and actually write about the things rattling around in my brain.

And, yeah, I cheated yesterday, though this probably doesn't count as a real post either. At least until I admit this: Life is good. No, really. There are so many ups and downs, so many tragedies, so many reasons to be afraid....but, life really is an amazingly beautiful. Which leads me to...

Prepare thyself, ya'll: I'm going to blog about religion soon. Gird thy loins! ^_^

Lent Challenge: TFA: Testing and the Education System

2011-03-12T19:35:00.003-06:00

Note: Yes, I missed yesterday, but I am forgiving myself. I was at my uncle's house and someone crashed their car, thus causing a complete loss of cable service, including internet, starting around 7 PM last night. So, since I can blame it on someone else's a-a-a-alcohol use, I'm giving myself a pass. Also, recycled over on teachforus.

I really believe that the Praxis system is a load of crap. In case you are unfamiliar, here's my understanding of the basic certification process: first, every teacher must take the Praxis I. In a traditional teaching program, students are required to take the Praxis I at the beginning of their degree plan. From there, generally towards the end of their degree plan, teachers must take individual Praxis II exams. For example, I have to take 2 Praxis II, 2 hour exams: Elementary Education: Content and Knowledge and another one focused more on pedagogy. You may take both exams on the same day, but a lot of people opt to take them in stages. To become fully certified, teachers must also pass the third Praxis, where an official observes a teacher in the classroom.

However, they aren't the most effective tests, they are expensive, and they've become simply red tape.

I feel like I am pretty well versed at test taking, but I felt really uncomfortable taking a test without any prior knowledge or studying. However, pretty much every educator I've talked to has told me not to worry. At All. Turns out, they were right. The Praxis I was incredibly simplistic; I think a good test taking high schooler could do pretty well, but anyone who passes a few intro college classes should definitely pass. I just took the Content Knowledge Praxis II and (*knock on metaphorical wood*) I thought it was also easy; only the English section asked questions relating to actual teaching topics, such as language acquisition. To me, the Content Knowledge exam seemed redundant in a lot of ways to the Praxis I. I just don't see how these exams accurately predict teaching skill.

These three tests also cost about $150 each. A lot of people also spend an additional $30 on test prep because you must pass these tests to become a teacher. Because not as many students have to take the Praxis exams, they aren't given at as many places or as frequently as tests like the ACT or SAT. So, I've driven at least 2 hours for each of my Praxis exams, partially because of TFA's quick turn around compared to traditional teaching programs.

Of the people I chatted with during this round of Praxis exams, a large minority were already experienced teachers who had simply moved to a new state. After years of experience, not all of their certifications transferred, though some certifications would transfer. Other teachers simply wanted to gain certification in a new subject.

I'm not sure what would be a better system, honestly. I do think there should be a some kind of testing and a system of certification, just as we regulate the medical field. However, the current testing system is incredibly bloated. It doesn't make sense to test basically the same things in both the Praxis I and Elementary Content Knowledge. It doesn't make sense to require experienced teachers to shell out additional money and time for additional certification.

Of course, this all goes back to whether I am sufficiently prepared to teach even though I do not have a degree in education. Well....I think I will be by August, possibly more than the average traditionally educated teacher. But....I guess we will find out.

Lent Challenge: TFA: The Achievement Gap

2011-03-10T22:19:00.005-06:00

I am not going to give up the first day of Lent, no matter how tired I am! However, this isn't the most thought out introduction to what the achievement gap is to me. I am still thinking and learning about it through my TFA readings. I need to tell someone these things though:

"By the time students from low-income communities reach eighth grade, they are on average three years behind their more affluent (and more often White) peers in math and reading."
"Nearly 70 percent of inner-city and rural fourth graders cannot read, even at a basic level."

(Quoted from my TFA required readings, page 19)

I can go on and on (and probably will) with the stats. I am from a poor, rural school. I had to leave my high school to get a good eduction, so I feel like I understand at least a little bit of what TFA is trying to fix. Education in America is in a sad state; yes, there are a lot of bight spots, (like TFA) but how did we end up letting so many students down, just because of their zip codes and parents' income? How are we going to fix it?

That's probably a question akin to "how does one eat an elephant?" One student, one school, and one bite at a time. Or, at least, that is my hope.

40 Days of Blogging: Can I do it?

2011-03-09T19:56:00.003-06:00

I never really know how to approach a blog. I mean, I have multiple blogs; inklingspot and teachforus are both about, well, me. How self-centered, right?

Okay, that's probably true. However, I've mostly wrote about crafting in this blog (hence the subtitle), and that's not really what I want out of this. So, I've decided to take a 40 day blogging challenge, mostly in honor of Lent. I want to write about the things that are currently chasing around my mind on a daily basis: things about TFA and the achievement gap, religion, graduation, the South, or really whatever is rattling around in my brain.

Yes, I realize this a public forum, probably more than a lot of people yapping on the internet understand. I also understand that you may not 1) agree, or 2) want to read my odd thoughts. And that is more than okay! Please feel free to comment or not, but please realize that this is just my thoughts at the moment. I don't mean to annoy or bore; just to talk about some of things that are important to me.

And isn't that the point of a blog? Besides, I am used to talking to myself in my journal, twitter account, and in the bathroom; might as well go for 40 days of blogging to (mostly) myself! ^_^

Teach for America

2011-02-13T19:17:00.003-06:00

I have created a specifically TFA blog. I'm sure I will occasionally double dip on the posting, like today! Here's my first post:

I first heard about Teach for America as a college freshman. My boyfriend at the time attended the University of Oklahoma, and I attended the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). He was in a speech class and the first assignment was a short speech on how to save the world. ( No biggie, right?) Well, a girl in his class did a presentation on TFA.

Fast forward four years, he’s in love with his boyfriend, and I’m in love with TFA. I transfered to a small liberal arts college closer to home my sophomore year, but kept researching TFA. I applied during the second deadline, skipped the phone interview, and interviewed at Rhodes College. A few weeks later, my school’s cafeteria burned to the ground, so I was eating lunch in the library when I got a phone call to check my acceptance status. My best friend had to read the acceptance to me; I think my squeals scared the librarian. I am (tentatively) slated to be an elementary teacher in the Mississippi Delta.

I am over the moon with excitement; I have interlibrary loaned a stack of books, downloaded podcasts, and hunted down every teacher I know. I took the Praxis I at the end of January, and I just signed up for the next two tests. I’m taking one during spring break, and I have to drive the approximately 4 hours to Little Rock because I procrastinated on signing up. (Oops?) I have signed up for the other Praxis II exam on the Saturday before I graduate. You know, right before finals. No pressure, right?

Bagels!

2011-01-16T20:34:00.005-06:00

I got Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything for Christmas, and it is probably one of the first cookbooks I've actually enjoyed using. This is really fortunate because I recently canceled my college meal plan. I've made two bread recipes so far; one didn't quite work out, but my bagel attempt actually worked really well!

I am working on learning how to cook for real, which is now especially important since I've requested (and been approved) to be exempt from my meal plan and will soon be a college graduate. If you have any recommendations for cookbooks/cooking blogs/quick recipes, feel free to pass them along!

The Game: Annoying or Enlightening?

2010-10-31T16:19:00.006-05:00

I hate playing "the game." In fact, when someone points out that I have "lost the game," I usually tell them I have enough reasons to feel like a loser and that I refuse to allow anyone to make me feel like a failure. However, this video made me think: what if everything we yearn for is ultimately a game we cannot win because we are human? We will one day die, we will always be unsatisfied, we will always lose. And that's okay! Shouldn't it all be about the journey, not the destination? What's the point of only enjoying the piece of paper you get at graduation if you didn't enjoy the steps that got you there?

Maybe next time I "lose the game," I will be reminded that losing is a way to be mindful of the goals I set and to always enjoy the journey. Yeah, it is still a silly game, but maybe it can remind me of something greater instead of being simply annoying.

The Eve of the Eve

2010-10-29T21:53:00.003-05:00

I rode along with a few friends on a short trip, and I happened to have my camera on me. The dry and smoky air made a creepy-pretty sunset that I kinda liked. It's starting to feel a lot like fall!

Happy Fall!

2010-10-13T22:59:00.002-05:00

I'm working on a big application, still editing the newspaper, and class. I just took some time to walk around with my camera and a friend the other day. It was so nice to just walk around and enjoy the beautiful weather. I hope to write a real update soon, but until then, hope it is beautiful wherever you are!

iPod Sleeping Bag Project

2010-10-09T15:01:00.002-05:00

It's fall and The Boy's new iPod needed a sleeping bag.

A piece of felt, a fat quarter of red plaid and an afternoon with a cup of tea, and his iPod is snug and secure! Yay for simple fixes!

A Bit of Guilt

2010-01-28T19:32:00.002-06:00

One summer, not so very many years ago, I sat down to read The Catcher in the Rye in the Greene County library. I had a lot of books and needed to weed out a couple before I could leave. I read the first couple of pages of The Catcher and did not like it. It was one of those books that I couldn't help but ask myself what was the big deal? The narrator was whiny and obnoxious and there was this big stack of other luscious books waiting to be taken home...why take The Catcher home?

I've never given it another chance, and I suppose I should, but it will have to wait. In the meantime, I hope J.D. Salinger finds some peace outside of this earth.

Self-Segregation

2010-01-20T15:31:00.000-06:00

I had never heard of this experiment. What are your thoughts? Do you think life really works like this in your cafeteria, for instance?

Julie & Julia vs. Julie & Julia: Reviews

2010-01-16T13:32:00.004-06:00

I went with my mother to see Julie & Julia in theaters. I remember it being predominately women in the theater (and their captive husbands, of course). I also remember that I left the theater wanting good cheese, something rather difficult to procure at big box stores.

Since then, I've watched the movie a couple of times and read the book. Meryl Streep does a fantastic and almost creepy job of capturing Julia Child. Her storyline shows a beautiful marriage that is funny and moving. Julia triumphs again and again in her pursuit of the career she wanted despite the best efforts of the male dominated Cordon Bleu. The costumes and pacing is really well done as well.

However, the more times I watch the movie, I feel that Julie comes off as a neurotic, self-absorbed and generally clingy. Amy Adams does a pretty good job acting, but the movie takes a sort of weirdly anti-feminist turn in her story line: her office job offers no satisfaction, so she turns to cooking and her domestic idol of Julia Child, thus becoming too wigged out to be a good partner for her husband. Um. Is this movie really saying domestication is the path too happiness and that women will never quite swing both a job and domestic bliss? Because that's the feeling I'm getting.

The book does a much better job of explaining Julie's frustration, but at the same time, the book is scattered. I didn't have a sense of time passing and her relationship with Julia Child, her friends, and her husband seemed to have little to do with finding peace while cooking. I really think she could have figured out what exactly she was writing about: her marriage, getting older and being dissatisfied, the pure love of food? As is, its a simple record of a year of time without much focus.

Basically, I recommend renting the movie with a plate of pasta nearby and skip the book.

It's been awhile...

2009-11-24T21:18:00.000-06:00

But here, have a good video:

Moisturizer, Gurrrl

2009-11-11T18:16:00.002-06:00

I'm trying out this whole moisturizing thing this month as well. So far, I am in LOVE with the smell of cocoa butter and this big ole bottle was a little over $2. The Aveeno facial moisturizer was, uh, zu teuer, but I think it is helping and I haven't even had weird allergic reactions or anything. Who knew?

Yeah...

2009-11-08T22:37:00.002-06:00

Its been that kind of weekend. Some fun was had with a round of Never Have I Ever, but other than that, its been a blur of editing, writing, and more editing. Oh, and some Moby Dick. Always some more Moby Dick.

Product of Canada

2009-11-07T14:06:00.000-06:00

Who knew?

Makes Me Want to Floss

2009-11-05T22:38:00.002-06:00

The current show in the gallery makes me want to touch it so bad. A sign of good art perhaps?

P.S. Please pray/send good thoughts to the families of the Ft. Hood soldiers. Its such an awful tragedy and it is, sadly, only beginning for many families.

Hawthorne is my boyfriend

2009-11-03T21:20:00.003-06:00

Well, this week Hawthorne is my boyfriend anyways. We just finished up a selection of short stories and, of course, the Scarlet Letter in my American Lit I class. I'm writing a paper over "The Birthmark" right now; only 357 words to go!

It is nice revisiting Hawthorne. I enjoy his themes of sin and redemption, and could that boy ever use some color symbolism. However, I am too swamped to really enjoy anything this week. I have a major paper looming in two weeks, a 4 page paper for my advanced composition class, a psychology exam, AND my last creative writing assignment all due before Thanksgiving. It is crunch time and I am really looking forward to picking up a book just because over Christmas break. I miss reading at my own pace like a fat kid misses a cliche baked good.

So Good, So Bad

2009-11-02T10:27:00.002-06:00

I developed a deep love for Cranberry Grape juice a long time ago when my kidneys were mad at me. Since then, I have explored my love, branching out to the AH-mazing Naked juices. However, no Naked juice is to be found out in the wild here, so I go back to my past love of Cranberry Grape.

However, when I read the label, my heart breaks. For one thing, the first juice listed is apple. Even worse, before we even get to the juices, there's water and sweeteners, like high fructose corn syrup. Now, I really love this juice, don't get me wrong, but I don't thing it loves me back.

Is it really so much to ask for healthy juice available in a vending machine?

Sigma Tau Delta, Ya'll

2009-11-01T23:06:00.003-06:00

Well, I made it in to the English honors society, the oldest honors society on campus. I am super proud of myself, not going to lie. However, being an English major has its negatives, like not having ANY time to work on NaNoWriMo. Instead, I am going to try really hard to blog every day this month. I don't promise it to be deep thoughts, but maybe it will be fun.

Wish me luck! (I'm going to need it...)

Taylor Swift Concert

2009-10-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

A couple of weekends ago, I went on an epic two concert tour of Arkansas. I saw The Fray in Jonesboro and Taylor Swift in Little Rock. I really enjoyed both shows. The Fearless tour is flashy, epic sets, hours long playlist of top forty hits; think Garth Brooks in the nineties with more chicks. The Fray show was just some guys from Denver rocking out on a set that included lights that occasionally blinded the audience and a couple of screens.

Possibly the best part outside of the music is what type of person came to each show and what they were wearing. At The Fray, it leaned towards college aged to mid-thirties, emo/hippie types. At Taylor Swift? Well, there was some women in their early twenties, but there was a lot of forty-somethings with their babies and preschool kids. Everyone had big hair, short dresses, and boots. Well, not everyone...

Me and Daniel at Taylor Swift

Microwave Friedly Cookies

2009-10-07T11:05:00.000-05:00

Package of butterscotch + 1/4 cup of peanut butter + chow mein noodles (melted * mixed)=simple no bake cookies. Fast fun for every dorm room!

Service Day

2009-10-04T10:55:00.002-05:00

Every fall, my college cancels classes for one day and sends students out into the community to volunteer. Its usually just in the morning, but this year there was a blood drive and a tug of war competition to raise money for the American Red Cross. My group cleaned mildew off of a chapel for the local children's home. Not exactly life saving, but I think we left the place much cleaner than how we found it.

My Sunday Evening

2009-09-13T22:50:00.002-05:00

Stir fry with the gals. I brought back a rice cooker and the rest of the goodies came from the cafeteria salad bar. Not a bad dinner, if I do say so myself. ^_^

New Stuff

2009-08-19T22:27:00.003-05:00

Hair Monster

I cut off about 8 inches of hair less than a week ago. It never ceases to fascinate me how little shampoo I need now. Besides the hair, did you notice the new banner? I'm working on reorganizing and spiffying up around here. It might take a few days, but hopefully it will be much more useful when its all said and done. Stay tuned!

Demi Lovato Concert

2009-07-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

Over the July 4 weekend, I went with my friends Daniel and Casey to see the Demi Lovato concert at Altell/Verizon Arena. We are all in our 20s and felt very old at this concert.

We had awesome 4th row seats. That's Daniel's hand and Demi.
David Archuleta and KSM were the opening acts. The 12 year old female population of Arkansas loves them some David.
First "real" concert (not Christmas or orchestra related) was pretty mild. I mean, the hearing loss didn't even last all night.

Pineapple

2009-07-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

I had no idea what a pineapple plant looked like until I stumbled onto this beauty in the college's greenhouse. I personally am not a fan of the pineapple. How about you?

Dad

2009-07-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

I don't think he appreciate having his picture taken. Oh well. Love you, Dad.

Healthy Goals: Warming Up to Excercise?

2009-07-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Wiki Commons Photo Credit

I suppose most people set goals to be healthier on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1 (my actual New Year's Revolution is going swell, thanks for asking), but I'm planning on setting some healthy goals for my 3rd year of college. I'd particularly like to focus on food and exercises.

I am not as interested in loosing weight (though that would be great) as much as toning up, eating less junk, and improving my general health and mood. Right now, I'm trying to prepare legitimate goals and figure out some of my personal roadblocks so I can fix them now. One of my potential roadblocks is that most exercises routines feel goofy, isolating, or boring for me after a few sessions. I don't see much progress, am bored, and generally give up.

However, I recently read a series of Wired articles on Exercise, Biometrics, Nutrition, and Nike+. I've thought about switching to an iPod (I currently have a clunky Zen and a tiny USB player) and was really impressed by the Nike+ system. However, there are several other tech-y systems that are also interesting as part of an exercises program, including a new pedometer system for the DS and the very popular Wii fit.

Equipment	Pros	Cons	Cost
Nike+ System	multi-use; Easy to organize/set goals; Mobile;	Cost; iTunes; Running or Walking only;	Shoes: $60-$120 iPod: Nano: $149 Touch: $229 Nike+ System: $29
Wii Fit	Fun/Easy; Multi-Player; Good for foul weather; Records several biometrics; Play other Wii games	Cost; Would I use it? BMI a good measure?	(Amazon) Wii Fit: $84.99 Wii: $200
Nintendo DS Pedometer	Simple: easy to use	Simple: just records steps made	(Amazon) $45.99

My Fabulous Orange Chair

2009-07-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure what to call it, antique-ing or flea marketing, but whatever it is, Mom and I have spent some serious quality time doing it. This is the fabulous orange vinyl chair I haggled for in Paragould. I've just dumped it in my room for now, but I have big plans for this chair. The seat is in decent shape and could easily be reupholstered, but I really love the architecture of this fabulous little chair. Its just so simply pretty and functional.

Perhaps even better, on our way home from purchasing it, we stopped to check on Dad in the hay field. We took the chair down from my truck bed, and Dad sat in it while eating lunch. We got some strange looks from bypassers.

A Woman, A Plan....

2009-07-14T22:19:00.002-05:00

A dress?

I've fallen in love with 1950s styles lately and would love to kick off the school year with a classy outfit. This might just be the candidate. Dress style A (far left) in brown and blue. This pattern says its "very easy," but I guess I'll find out.

Caving: A Post!

2009-07-13T08:56:00.003-05:00

On my day off last week, I went into a cave with a UBMS (Upward Bound Math-Science) class, Dr. Thomas, and Melissa. Wow, what an awesome work out! The cave is full of these massive boulders with lots of little crevices and holes. I had a blast crawling all over the place with my neat helmet + light combo. Very awesome way to start a day off, I've got to say.

Hand Washing

2009-06-16T14:35:00.002-05:00

Since laundry is $1.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry here, I've decided to make it a personal goal to avoid doing laundry on campus this summer. I broke down and hand washed some underwear and my uniform shirt last night. I've done it before, but I always feel like I'm not doing it right. Woolite does produce a lot of suds and smells refreshing, so hopefully this system will work out on the cheap.

Super Amazing Soap of Awesome

2009-06-15T22:45:00.004-05:00

I know its *just* dial soap....but it smells amazing. Its cheap, it makes me happy, and it looks fabulous hanging out with my new (and very unseasonable) scarf. Basically, perfection in a bottle as far as I'm concerned.

Life of Pi

2009-05-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've finished the third book in my Bonus Book Project, Life of Pi. I read this book for the first time my senior year in high school as part of Katowich's Philosophy of Film and Literature. That class was one of the best classes I've ever taken, and I really think that Katowich's class and Dr. Ruehle's classes/office time changed my life. Its a part of my life that still makes me warm and fuzzy whenever I think about it.

Life of Pi always brings me back to that time and place. Its a great story that manages to be poignant, funny, and philosophical. I love the rich descriptions of setting in particularly. All and all, its a great story with a beautiful message. I'd definitely recommend it.

Are there any books that you associate with a specific time in your life and why? Have any of you read Life of Pi? What did you think about it?

Raining

2009-05-02T14:23:00.002-05:00

I had to talk to the financial aid director on Thursday afternoon, and of course I didn't bring my umbrella. While I was talking to him, of course it started pouring. The wonderful lady at the front desk let me borrow her umbrella for the afternoon. It didn't rain very long, but I was really glad not to get soaked. I had fun taking pictures of her pretty umbrella after the sun returned.

Spring!

2009-04-19T22:00:00.003-05:00

Its not the April showers, and its not the happy birds outside my window early in the morning. Nope, its a new, bright, and happy purse! Its official: its spring now.

Housekeeping + OMG Books (Edited)

2009-04-18T11:16:00.001-05:00

These are all* of the books I have to move out with in less than a month. Um....I should get on that. I have this really intense love of books that always makes my frequent moves, well, interesting at best and horribly painful most of the time. Oh well.

The Bonus Book Project continues, but I'm still on book 3 (Life of Pi), which is a re-read. I really enjoy savoring it (its so amazing....) but I have so many books and I just bought 9 more! So many borrowed books too! So, here is my intended list of reading, roughly in order. It's probably going to take months, but I've got to start somewhere, right?

1. Ida B 5. Lord of the Flies

2. Good Omens 6. 1984 and/or Animal Farm

3. Moby Dick ** 7. Flowers for Algernon

4. Selected Shakespeare + The Inferno** 8. A Thousand Splendid Suns

* I've lost the Good Earth! OMG! I love that book. If I let you borrow it, or you're holding it hostage, please let me know. I'm rather attached to it.

** Moby Dick is a requirement for American Lit and Shakespeare and the Inferno are two I feel like I should have already read a couple of times. So, strictly speaking, they aren't "bonus" books, but if I read them before they are assigned, I guess they count.

P.S. My library thing books can be found here. I'm very slowly working at entering all of my books on to this nifty website. If you are interested, feel free to stalk my reading habits there.

Alchemy

2009-04-16T19:10:00.004-05:00

I like coinage alright. A lot of people (*coughTheBoycough*) loathe coins. I think they miss the point completely. Change is one of those things that slowly accumulate in your life, ratting around your purse or your change dish, until one day you count it and find out that you actually have purchasing power.

Organizing change is fun and satisfying to my inner neat freak.

But even better than counting coins is turning change into books: 1984, The Origins of Species, Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name, The Pull of The Moon, Rabbit Run, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Jane Austen Book Club, The Silmarillion, and Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. As part of Scottish Festival, the library on campus sponsors a fantastic book sale, and I happened to have change. Life is good.

Easter Math

2009-04-15T22:28:00.003-05:00

Eggs +

dye + time =

Really adorable eggs. I'm a sucker for dyed eggs, I suppose.

Spring-ish

2009-04-05T23:30:00.002-05:00

I found these mysteriously beautiful wild hyacinth growing in the corner of our yard last weekend. They were so deepy purple, even though they look blue in the picture. Anyways, I picked a couple and found a shot glass for a vase.

This weekend? It dropped 20 degrees between 2 and 5 pm and is currently spitting sleet. Oh well. One week it will be consistently spring, and then immediately summer. Welcome to Arkansas!

Bono Antique Tractor Club

2009-03-29T19:00:00.000-05:00

Over spring break, my dad and I stopped by the Bono Antique Tractor Club show. They had several old retired tractors that had been pampered by some really amazing guys (and their supportive wives). Everyone was super friendly and fun to talk to, including the boy scout troup selling 50 cent hot dogs.

I really love these old tractors. They are so cute and petite compared to the monster tractors of today. These guys really love their tractors and are so willing to pull a pile of junk out of a fence row and make it look like new.

If you could restore anything at all from the past, what would it be?

The Following of the Spoon

2009-03-28T09:58:00.000-05:00

As previously mentioned, I recently found myself with a selection of MREs due to the epic ice storm of doom. I'll admit I was pretty sceptical. I mean, they could have been produced years ago and just been magically preserved; there's no way something so preserved could taste good, right?

Boy, was I wrong. I guess the massive amount of money and research put into developing MREs really paid off. I had the MOST AMAZING POUND CAKE ever in my entire existance and it came out of those creepily preserved brown bags. Speaking of packaging, the above HOOAH! bar makes me positively giddy with happiness. The bar itself is unusual, first ingredient is dried plums and date mix, but not bad at all (and I don't like chocolate very much). All the food is filling and pretty good to excellent. My dad even tried new foods simply because the military pre-approved it.I did some googling to find out some more about these curious meals in a bag and discovered there are some civilian specific brands for camping and such. The website I was reading said they just weren't the same, however, and one reason was the spoon. Huh? It is a pretty amazing spoon as far as spoons go I suppose, but is it really the reason these off-brand MREs aren't as good? I guess for some people, the brown packaging and spoon are part and partial of the experience. Who am I to judge?

Anyways, I think I've found the answer to terrible college food and dorm room concoctions. What do you like to snack on?

Bonus Book Project

2009-03-26T11:00:00.004-05:00

As part of my resolution project for this year, I'm hoping to read a total of 12 non-assigned books. I was originally shooting for strictly "classics" that I hadn't read before, but I think I'll be flexible on that rule.

My second book of the year I happened to finish over spring break.

Image Courtesy of Harper-Collins

Population: 485 is an honest memoir of living in a small town in Wisconsin. Michael Perry is humorous, philosophical, and dark all wrapped up in one volunteer firefighter package. I really enjoyed this look at small town life, having grown up in a town that doesn't even have a population sign. There's a lot of deaths, but they are handled excellently, including the heart-breaking final chapter. Its not simple minded or a sweeping epic, but just a good quick read. I'd definitely recommend it.

Even better, Michael Perry will soon be releasing a third book (the second being Truck: A Love Story which I'd love to read) next month titled Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting. I'm interested in this book because in Population, he was decidedly single and happy about it. However, in the meantime, he's gotten married, and in the new book, he delivers his firstborn at his farmhouse. I think there will be a good story there.

For my next book, I may be cheating a bit: I'm rereading Life of Pi. I absolutely love this novel and am enjoying rediscovering it, so I guess it will still count. A good book is a good book.

What are you reading? Anything good?

Oops?

2009-03-25T21:16:00.001-05:00

Well, I fell off the posting wagon, and then I accidently posted with just the title "oops." Sigh. Okay, enough with the epic fail.

It snowed a bit over my spring break. I should have known better than to just take sandals home, but alas. It was still pretty, I just didn't get to wear my sandals. My fantastic puppy continues to be fantastic. He's adorable, and so far, really well manered and healthy. I think he's particularly amazing.

He's basically perfect. Even when licking at the snow.

Almost Spring Break

2009-03-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

Link!

My spring break starts as I'm finished editing/citing a paper. Thankfully, that shouldn't take too much time tomorrow morning. Then its just packing, one class, lunch, and off to the Homeland! I thought I'd share some awesome coloring sheets I happened to find. I've printed several of them and hope to unwind over the break with some colored pencils and refrigerator-worthy artwork.

Hope everyone enjoys their week, whether on break yet or not. Posting might be rather late around inklingspot, as I will be in the wilds of DIALUP land. However, I'll try to take some good pictures and maybe there will be some surprise postings! ^_^

Reveal Time

2009-02-27T10:40:00.003-06:00

So...I started this mini-scrapbook in November in the hopes of giving it to The Boy for Christmas. Um. Yeah. Apparently, I don't work well with crafting deadlines. Oops?

What I learned from this little project (other than I suck at deadlines), is the only way to escape uber-preciousness while scrapbooking, and this is not a sure thing either, is to use random things for the background. Above, I used part of a San Francisco Bread Company's print catalogue, a Woot t-shirt bag, and a sale add from an Asian grocery store from our trip to California this summer. (Yes, I am a pack rat.) Its cheaper (if you don't count the cost of the airline ticket) and its recycling. What's not to love?

I also made the Boy a braclet with some embrodiery floss. I don't know why I didn't think to take a picture of it in full, but you'll just have to believe me that it is rainbow goodness incarnate.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to in the crafty department as of late. Feel free to comment and let me know what you've been up to, you know, if you want to share or whatever... ^_^

Weekend

2009-02-27T10:09:00.003-06:00

Its still February, but my toes are feeling a little tropical. Also, pastey. Oh well. Hope you have a delightful weekend. If all goes well, I will be attending the Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe on Saturday afternoon and then having an honest-to-goodness date. What are your plans?

Vintage/Knitting/Giving

2009-02-24T14:00:00.000-06:00

I bet you didn't know the Red Cross has vintage knitting patterns on their website? Well, they do! The pdfs can be found here. I am not good enough at knitting yet to tackle these, but I bet these patterns would be the perfect craft-ivism (to steal a term from Etsy) project!

How's Your News?

2009-02-22T21:00:00.000-06:00

Image credit: flickr, Creative Commons Liscense

MTV has a news/variety program on Sunday nights at 10:30. The catch? The hosts are all mentally handicapped. I've not seen it, but the preview I saw looked like it was tastefully done and still pretty funny. The group got started in 1998 at a camp for adults with disabilities. That lead to a short interview program that became a independent film and is now an MTV show. What do you think? Would you watch this show?

Works in Progress

2009-02-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

After completing the Dr. Who scarf (finally), I thought I would get over my love affair of yarn for a while. Well....I guess I was wrong. I have the above lovely color combination taunting me. Not quite enough to make a Dr. Who-length scarf (not that I'd want to do that again any time soon), but maybe I could try something new. Perhaps a wrap?
I've also recently sacrificed a plate to my water color habit. Silly me, I should have realized mixing watercolors on a green plate would be difficult. Oh well. So far, its not been a disaster. I hope to finish this piece soon enough to submit it to the literary magazine here on campus. Maybe.

Nail Polish and Books

2009-02-21T21:02:00.000-06:00

This week was so busy, I didn't even notice it was gone. I tutored high school kids on Monday, turned in a paper on Tuesday, ran most of a mile and half in PE on Wednesday, studied on Thursday for a test on Friday. Somewhere in all of that, I painted my nails this obnoxiously perfect purple. I've decided nail polish is my new cheap pleasure and this was under $2 at Walgreens and worth a couple day's worth of fun.

Student Government sponsored a build your own critter, hence the bunny.

I've also completed my first classic book of the year. Better late than never, yes? Pearl Buck's The Good Earth won the 1932 Pulitzer Prize and became a best seller in 2004 when Oprah picked it as a book club book. It follows a Chinese family from eking out a living on a small farm and fleeing a horrible famine in the city to rising to the heights of decadency. I really enjoyed it and would easily recommend it, particularly for anyone interested in gender studies.

The Short Stories of Richard Bausch is for my Studies in Fiction class. So far, they've all been amazing stories and I can't wait to meet Richard Bausch. (He's coming to campus March 2. ) Delights and Shadows is for my poetry class, and so far I'm not a fan. I hope it grows on me. My Norton Anthology is for my Brit Lit class and is just huge.

For my next extra book project, I've narrowed it down to finishing Paper Towns or A Separate Peace, or rereading Eat, Pray, Love. Suggestions?

Weekend Update

2009-02-15T23:15:00.000-06:00

I guess you guys remember that ice storm we had a few weeks ago? The one that made for some pretty/interesting photo opportunities?

Well, my parents still do not have power from said ice storm, but I decided to go visit them this weekend anyways. Which was pretty fun, though I didn't get much homework done in the electric-less wastelands of the Homeland. All the trees are broken and sad and look sorta like a very selective nuclear bomb may have went off.

My Homeland has been declared a natural disaster as a result of all the carnage, which is awful, but we did get bottled water and MRE's delivered by the powers that be earlier in the week. My mom insisted I take three of them, which for some reason the photo refuses to be rotated. Perhaps I will blog about my experiences with the MREs....

And in case you thought I forgot about the crafty bit of this blog, here's a hint at my latest creation. I can't reveal it just yet (its a gift), but I had fun playing with my camera while creating it. Okay, to the homework now!

Resolutions and a Question for You

2009-02-04T10:21:00.000-06:00

Photo Unrelated, Just Pretty

I'm thinking of making a resolution. Sure, most people have already failed at their New Year's Resolution, but I skipped that this year. (Go me?) I'm thinking of trying to read one *good* book a month for a year.

I am an English major (taking Modern Poetry, British Literature II, and Studies in Fiction this semester), so its not like I don't read. Its just that I've tested out of a lot of English classes and have skipped some of those "classics" that everyone else has read. For example, I've never read The Inferno, Silent Spring, or The Jungle. I've started some really great books lately too (The Good Earth, Good Omens, Paper Towns) that I just haven't finished.

My current plan is finishing two of my current reads for January and February, and coming up with at least 10 books to read the rest of the year. I'd like more than 10 because I know I am capable of burning through more than that, but beyond 10 is just gravy.

So, anyways, gentle reader, suggest me books! What should I be reading? Literature, popular, I don't care! Suggest away, kids!

Behind Schedule, But Still Alright

2009-01-28T23:37:00.000-06:00

I don't suppose ya'll remember the Dr. Who scarf? Wonder what happened to it? Well, still haven't finished it exactly. Between ice storms, puppies, finals, and funerals, I've come up with lots of reasons not to be knitting.

That shiney thing at the top? Its a ruler. >.< I am so ready for this project to be over. I was planning on getting it signed, sealed, and delivered at Christmas. Oops? Well, I've been knitting like crazy the last couple of nights and have added probably another foot. I can hopefully get another 6 in-1 ft in by Friday and get this thing DONE.
I do really love the random colors. Kind of reminds me of DNA or those oddly colored MRIs or deep space photos...
Speaking of space...meet my new(ish) buddy and knitting cheerleader. ^_^

Oh dear, has it really been more than a month?

2009-01-22T20:14:00.000-06:00

Meet the new member of the clan. My employer from this summer happened to find him abandoned in the middle of the road. Thankfully, no one hit the poor little guy and she rescued him and got him some food. I don't think her husband was too keen about adding a puppy to the mix at their house, so I made a quick call to mom, and I'm going home this weekend with this little bundle. He's really tiny, possible Blue Tick mix, and snuggly.

Other than that excitement today, I've moved to a different dorm, started classes, attempted to join a sorority (and failed), done some crafty things that may eventually get posted about, and had a great break/first couple weeks of school. I look forward to getting back into a routine.

Anyways, I better stop procrastinating and actually get some homework done instead of awwing over my puppy's sweet picture. I mean, look at this face. What's not to love?

Sheer Amazing Genius

2008-12-15T19:57:00.000-06:00

...and somehow fitting during finals week. This dude is my hero currently. Read his books. NOW.

No Photos, So I'll Keep it Short

2008-12-13T00:02:00.000-06:00

My parents came to visit for a few hours and we ventured downtown. Turns out I drive past the public library every Friday and have never seen it. Oops. Well, anyways, we went exploring downtown and happened upon a particularly fantastic antique shop. "Antique shop" sounds awfully pretentious if you ask me, but this shop was well organized, had a good price range, and was actually pretty family friendly. Mom is eternally searching for a specific type of cookware and a replacement for our faulty dinning room chair set. I love looking for old photos, quilts, jewelry, etc. I'm pretty easy to entertain at these places. Dad, however, likes old tools and toys that he remembers having because he gets to tell stories, which I really do enjoy. The thing that really gets his goat, however, is marbles. Not just any marbles, those abnormally large ones hidden in jars of smaller ones.

We found several collections of marbles, mom found some furniture items and plate wares she looked at for awhile, and I found some supremely groovy canister sets. We just looked around, but we found some awesome things. My personal favorites:

An 8 mm camera that sounded like it might still work ($20)
A super long framed photo from WWII soldiers in the south pacific ($65)
A dated wedding photo, 1929, AND the wedding dress in the photo ($70)

I don't need any of these items, of course, but I really can't stop thinking about them. The men in the WWII photo all look so....human. They are happy, in the prime of their lives, and staring at me from over sixty years ago. The wedding photo is amazing because she's staring at me from even further back in time, and yet I can hold the clothing she had on in my hand. The camera is just amazingly retro and cool, but more than that, what if it could capture life again? I have no idea where you'd even begin, but its still an interesting idea.

Required Viewing

2008-12-12T20:35:00.000-06:00

Hey, you. Yes, you. You MUST watch this. Why? Because its Friday night and you are surfing the tubes instead of running a marathon or saving African children, so you must be bored or something. Here, watch this:

In case you need distracted from finals...

2008-12-10T20:05:00.000-06:00

...or are a little high.

Yarn Dolls

2008-12-08T00:56:00.001-06:00

No, they're not voodoo dolls. Well, that's not what I made them for. My mom is a school nurse and as part of her Christmas, I'm hoping to make some small toys for her office. I want them all to be the kind of things that if a kid took a liking to it, it would be okay for them to go on to a new home. I found instructions for these little guys here . I made both of these in just a few minutes and would recommend this project to anyone, especially if you had young kids to entertain.

Jingle Bells

2008-12-07T01:54:00.000-06:00

Despite the mountain of things I should have been doing, I crafted last night.There was success and there was failure. Since blogger's formatting is being less than loving right now, I guess I'll start with the failures.

There are little conveyor belt like thingys on a sewing machine known as feeder dogs (I have no idea why they're called that). Well, mine are from the early 1970s and they are quite unhappy to still be asked to help the fabric get through the machine. So instead, they try to eat some light weight fabrics and sometimes they just get lazy and cause the above havoc.

A sewing machine works by feeding thread through both the top and bottom of a fabric. Basically, the needle with thread goes down through the fabric and catches the fabric being feed through the bottom making a stitch. Depending on the type and thickness of a fabric the tension must be adjusted to get even stitches so the bottom doesn't bunch up like the above photo.

To be fair and honest, not all of the problems with this little wallet is my sewing machines fault, of course. I can't particularly sew in a straight line when I'm hurrying (bad idea) and I didn't plan very well. I didn't make a pattern or template and cut rather haphazardly (also bad idea). However, all things considered, I kinda like this wallet. I was going for a single pocket, but ended up with two (long story). The fabric is ADORABLE and I kinda like the wonkiness.

I've almost got three feet of the Doctor Who scarf completed. Thankfully. I need...uh, 7 more feet, but at least I have that much. Also, it is super soft and super cute in person. I'm kind of in love.

If you're feeling overwhelmed...

2008-12-02T18:28:00.001-06:00

Still Here

2008-11-12T21:06:00.000-06:00

Me dressed up (!) really early one morning

I guess you'd probably guess I've become a youtube junkie if you've been following as of late. Unfortunately, college has been eating up a lot of my time. You see, there's this paper on Faustus (2 extensions later) that's making me want to look into the soul selling business, an epic end of term paper on Wicca that keeps getting longer and more complicated, a chemistry class that is kicking my butt, and two other classes that aren't that complicated,

just one more thing to do. I've also been struggling with financial aid and the bureaucracy of colleges. With all that said, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: Thanksgiving Break coming up and Christmas only 42 days away!

The hat addiction continues: 2 baby hats, 5 kid sized hats, 3 adult sized hats. One of which I really need to just claim as mine. Funny that I keep making hats but I don't have one! I should fix that.

My current project is a long one: one of my best friends asked me to knit her a scarf for a Christmas gift. Sure, I thought. One thing though: she wanted a Doctor Who inspired scarf approximately 10 feet long. O.O I don't think I could ever knit something that long as slow as I knit, so I'm definitely loom knitting this puppy. She didn't care about the colors, thankfully, but I decided to check at Wal-Mart for some softer type yarns. Lo and behold, Wal-Mart now carries a limited selection of Vanna's Choice! This yarn is super soft, easy to work with, and now you can pick some up with the milk. It is on the pricier side of Wal-Mart yarn, (about $5 a skein, though $3.99 online) but completely worth it. The best part is all of the colors work really well together, so hopefully random stripes will look great on this scarf. I need to knit faster though!

Forget the Pony, I Want a Tiny Hippo

2008-11-09T21:57:00.000-06:00

You look like you need a funny

2008-11-04T15:37:00.000-06:00

My Endorsment

2008-10-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

I know its almost a cliche for a young college student to be moved to vote for a young, hip, candidate. However, this is the man that's won my vote. I believe with the deepest sincerity that we are all valuable human beings on this planet and within this nation. It is simply wrong to ignore the suffering around us and to duck our heads when doom is coming and attempt to divide ourselves by blaming others, hence escaping blame ourselves. I think with such a charismatic leader, we have the chance to truly make a difference, both here and around the world.

I hope you vote, and if you don't believe in voting, I hope you will at least donate your time or money and help make a sincere difference not only now, but years into the future.

Etsy Finds

2008-10-25T23:42:00.000-05:00

I'm avoiding studying for chemistry, so here's some pretty for you! (Edit: Links are up now. Sorry!)

I love this adorable ode to one of the coolest superheroes ever. From Gr0glmann.

Aww, softie love fest. ^_^Found over at Cuore's shop.

This lovely necklace is actually quite light weight, yay for aluminum, and quite a deal! Find it over at nicholasandfelice's shop, or here.

And the creme de la creme of tonight's esty browsing, KungFuCowgirl's shop is full of adorable goodies, but these elephants are just too adorable! Quick grab one!

JDP: Toe in the Water

2008-10-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

I will confess, I don't know how to quilt. No idea really. Yes, theoretically, you cut out some pieces, you sew them together, you put some \ fluff in between the top bottom fabrics, then sew it all together (quilt it), and lastly bind off the edges. But....I don't feel like I know.

Well, I've started my first quilting project, ready or not. I've got a sketch, some rough dimensions, and I cut out the border. There is nothing like laying scissors to fabric to commit yourself to a project; cutting out the pieces sort of freaks me out, not going to lie. I'm pretty sure I've got all the fabric I need to complete this project, but I need to pick up some more thread. I have a feeling this could get interesting.

Currently Obsessed With Cable Knits

2008-10-22T22:02:00.000-05:00

I am seriously in love with cable knits right now. I am blaming the fabulous fall weather, though the leaves haven't really changed quite yet and its supposed to rain the rest of the week. Of course, I've developed quite a soft spot for fancy-pants knitting projects as of late, whatever the pattern.

Photo credit (which happens to be a lovely knitting blog)

Whatever the cause, its quite frustrating because my knitting skills are still, uh, lacking. I use a loom for my hats and such (speaking of, I finished two hats over the weekend), though I really would like to pick up the traditional two needles. Perhaps a project to tackle in earnest after the holidays.

Anyways, I can always put cable knitting on my quickly growing list of craft skills I wish I had. Or, there's always etsy....

John Deere Project

2008-10-14T19:13:00.000-05:00

I want to make my nephew a John Deere themed quilt or blanket for Christmas. Two of these prints are from the dollar table at Marshall's, my fabric store of choice. (By the way, this sexy awesome amazing fabric store is now online!) The rest are because I had a bad day and had to make a Wal-Mart run and simply couldn't walk away. Yes, I am a fabric-holic.

Anyways, I'm not quite sure how to actually go about it yet. I don't know how big to make it because he's almost 1 year old and I don't know how fast I can work on my first large sewing project.

I'm planning on sketching out some possible patterns and looking around the internet, and of course, I'd love suggestions if you have any. I can't wait to blog about this!

Photography

2008-10-13T21:59:00.000-05:00

Butterfly at OKC Zoo

I have a pretty nice camera, but I will admit that I don't really know what to do with it. Honestly, I didn't think it was even all that great of a camera until a 12 year old borrowed it and took an awesome photo of his plaid pants. Who knew, you know?

The Boy has since attempted to explain photography to me and supplied me with several links to wikipedia articles. I hope to have them read soon and that they might actually help. Maybe.

In the mood to vote for something guaranteed to not fail you?

2008-10-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

I know I sure am. I enjoy politics, don't get me wrong, but sometimes, I want to just pick a favorite that won't let me down. Such as, "Huh, do I want to knit or sew all afternoon?" Of course, I haven't had a whole afternoon in a while now, and I know you, gentle reader, are probably reading this on your cell phone, while making dinner, with a baby on your lap, and a disgruntled kindergartner screaming at you. Or at least a physics test you should have started studying for, uh, yesterday looming.

That's why I am digging ivoteforart.com. Artists (or yourself) post their works and you get to vote for them to promote them to the front page. The works are also for sale, so if you find something shiney, you can buy it. The art I've been seeing on there is hip, modern, and way cool. Great for inspiration or 5 minutes worth of distraction.

So there's your really cool website for the day. Enjoy!

Ending of Pimp My Dorm Month

2008-10-02T21:16:00.000-05:00

Seems like the New York Times and I had similar ideas. Well, sorta. I am not finishing grad school with a great little apartment in New York City. I can flatter myself at least we were on the same track. Anyways, I enjoyed the theme and I hope ya'll did too.

I'm super excited about October this year. I think October may be my favorite month. Beautiful weather, fantastic holiday, and loads of events and such happening. What's not to love?

from the camping trip last weekend

I'm looking forward to crafting for the holidays (only 81 days to Christmas Eve!) and sharing some of those projects here. I have some lovely fabrics and yarns just begging to become gifts.

PMD: Guest Post!

2008-09-30T11:34:00.000-05:00

Today's post is from Rachel Millsop, mountain biking diva extraordinaire!

How long have you interested in design? Ever since I was little I remember always being interested in design; I used to watch HGTV as a kid. I have been fascinated by spatial relationships. I love architecture and have a little bit of interest in landscape design.

Can you tell me a little about your major or career plans?

Well, I started out being an art major. After my second semester in college I decided to change my major to psychology (quite a jump). Hopefully I will be able to blend my art passion and my interest in psychology together. I hope to become an art-therapist after I graduate. This way I can utilize my interest in art and help people with their issues at the same time. Who knows, I may change my major again to design...we'll just have to see how things pan out.

How much do you think a design can affect someone?

I believe design can affect individuals. Just think, everyone has their own opinions, likes/dislikes when it comes to design, so naturally design can be a large part of an individuals' life. To most people, their home is a sanctuary; the design that is chosen reflects an individuals' personal style and personality. Design lets people express themselves.

How does color, design, and the arrangement of a space affect someone? Color has a major impact on an individual; bright colors can lift you up, and energize you. Dark colors are soothing, calming, and relaxing. Colors can affect individuals' mood and activities. I beleieve color choice in the home is especially important. Arrangement of space depends on the individual. A cluttered space may seem "more like home" to one person, while the next feels claustrophobic.

Do you have a favorite color, photo, or song that makes a hard day easier? Usually if I'm having a hard day, looking at pictures of nature helps to calm and makes me feel at peace.

What are some of the pros and cons of a typical small living space, such as a dorm or starting apartment? Some of the pros are: less area to clean up and easier to decorate. Cons are not enough room and not full ability to decorate (such as paint the walls).

Since you are an avid biker and enjoy card making, how do you deal with storage of your bike and supplies? This has continually been a problem that I have had to deal with. I now have 3 bikes, but luckily I have been able to live in spaces that have more room. My first semester I lived in a dorm that had an extra room for my (and my roommates) bikes. Now I live in an apartment off-campus with a bunch of teammates, and we use the entrance hallway as a line-up for our bikes. My art stuff has created more of a problem. I have a lot of stuff that I like to have with me. I use storage boxes and containers to store all of my art stuff together in a small space. I have had to leave some of my art stuff at home because I do not have the room to keep it all with me. I would really like to take my sewing machine with me, but it is way too big, so it stays home. The essential art materials I do take with me to college, and use often.

How have you personalized your space(s)? Any project you particularly have enjoyed?

I have put up a lot of photos and posters around my room. I have also some of my bike parts (an extra frame, and odds and ends pieces) hanging up on my wall for art. I really enjoyed making curtains for my windows. They took quite a bit of time, but they are the most useful thing I have put in my room so far.

Is there anything you just can't live without or that you really recommend including in a dorm room? The pasta cooker I have it really great in a dorm room situation. Also, good lighting I think is really important. Organization tools, storage containers, decorative boxes, baskets, ect. can be extremely helpful with creating a dorm room. Anything that makes you feel at home and comfortable in your space is a must.

What's your favorite... a) color, b) type of art or craft, c) food, d) book, e) movie.

Color: Red, Orange, & Yellow

Type of art/craft: greeting card making

Food: Anything Italian

Book: The Magus

Movie: Life or Something Like It and Memento

I'm learning

2008-09-25T20:01:00.000-05:00

This sewing machine was my Aunt June's. The built in light is out (hence the obnoxious desk lamp in the background), the feeder dogs are lazy at best, and I've already managed to break a needle. I love this machine.

I still don't really know what I'm doing, but I do know how to thread it and how hypothetically I should wind a bobbin. Except I don't have enough umph to turn the stupid release yet. All in good time I suppose...

I've wasted a lot of thread in the last two days. I've failed a lot in general, actually. But you know what? Sewing makes me happy. I can't really understand why I am not frustrated (I guess that's what chemistry is for) or why I am not angry at my poor, tired, machine (that's what old politicians are for), but I am not either of those things. Its rather nice.

PMD: Personalize

2008-09-23T18:41:00.000-05:00

There's nothing more depressing than a sterile dorm room. Its true that most people I know have more trouble with clutter than a blank slate, but I know of the occassional room where everything simply MUST have a PURPOSE. Its true that it can be difficult packing everything you need and everything that makes you feel at home into your tiny Prius to treck thousands of miles from home, but realistically a $4 (or $20) poster, stuffed animal, or whatever can make all the difference. I personally think every dorm should have at least one (offline) photo, lest you appear Dexter-like, or at the very least put your peeps on your screen saver. Sometimes life sucks and its important that your room makes you happy and not remind you of a prison.

Besides, when you invite someone into your room, you'll appear quite lovable with a WALL-E at your desk. (Who could say no to a face like this? You'll at least get some pizza out of the deal...)

A word on poster selection (that time honored constant of dorm decor): Put up whatever poster you happen to like. Whether its a landscape or your heroes, within reason, ignore your roommate....

even if you are in the heart of Republican teritory. Just put it on the inside of your closet door.

Australian Crafty Love

2008-09-20T11:18:00.000-05:00

I'm a google reader junkie, I admit. When I get all my feeds read, I add more. Its an odd sort of addiction. I've been collecting crafty blogs mostly and I'm always surprised by the variety of bloggers that are out there writing about their craft.

Particularly today, when I found this crafty fellow. He's (apparently) an astrophysict who teaches high school, has two cats, from AUSTRALIA, and he knits. He does weekly podcasts and let me tell you, its not just the knitting patterns that will get a girl motivated, if you catch my accent lovin' drift. ^__^

Anyways, I have mucho homework I should be doing this weekend, but instead I've finished the second season of weeds and started another hat. Sigh.

PMD: Organization

2008-09-17T22:47:00.000-05:00

I'll admit, I suck at staying organized for more than a week at a time. I'll do really good for a few days but then I'll do laundry and forget to put it up for a few hours, and then I throw my dirty clothes on the floor in the corner to keep the clean clothes off the bed and.... well, you get the idea. Living in a dorm doesn't really help, what with the lack of real estate and the pile of textbooks that inevitably end up on the floor, the better to trip over when I need to go to the bathroom at 4 am.

To make it worse, I've become crafty. With all the tiny buttons, sale fabrics, and odds and ends that set my heart a flutter lately, its getting harder to contain all of the stuff I've acquired. My weakness is yarn. At $1.87 for this absolutely FABULOUS yarn (found it at the Evil Empire of Wal-Mart, I admit it) its the cheapest thrill I can get. (No, seriously, if you have any appreciation at all for yarn, this is pretty much amazing. Best hats yet!) Yarn may keep me entertained for hours, but I have these small-ish odd sized balls left over that run amok.

Fortunately, I've found these adorable little red cubes at Fred's, a local dollar type store. They are really durable and hold my office things, such as staplers and paper clips, as well as odds and ends of yarn. They meet all my criteria of functional home decor: cheap, cute, and durable. What more can anyone ask for?

Uh-oh

2008-09-15T17:26:00.000-05:00

The hat making has returned with a vengence. Two of these hats already have a home, they just need to be taken to the post office (assuming I can find it), but the white one is just so sumptuous... I may have to work extra hard to find someone to adopt it.

Anyways, TJ/Ike/laziness sorta derailed my pimp my dorm plans for last week, but never fear! More are on the way. And most likely more hats. >.<

Meet T.J.

2008-09-11T22:00:00.001-05:00

Oh sure, Tiger Junior (T.J.) looks all cute and innocent right here. But really, he's a Tiny Jihadist whose only goal is to DESTROY.

See? He's a total terrorist.

Thankfully, he's still a little jetlagged. There's hope he can be caught yet!

(Disclaimer: I do know what day it is, and what month, and I am not religiously intolerant. I'm only making fun of my cat, who is currently sleeping on my lap, and the current political climate. Not that any of you care, I'm just pointing it out for prosterity.)

PMD: Shag is Not the Answer

2008-09-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

I'm not really sure why, but colleges tend to brag about flooring in thier admissions material, especially in new or renovated dorms that have hard wood floors. I lived in a brand spanking new dorm last year, complete with hard woods, and they were consistently cold and remarkably easy to scratch. This year, I'm in a 1970s era "apartment" with the same cheap carpeting from elementary school. Its ugly and about as easy to keep clean as a toddler.

However, I don't care! I covered most of the ugly carpeting with a fabulous rug:

This groovy little number is canvas, so it will last basically forever and is washer friendly. The colors are a little off in the picture, but its a lovely light blue that looks pretty good with my chocolate brown bedding. Found it at Lowe's, that evil empire of home goods.

So, if you've been assigned to a year of cheap "hard wood" or gross carpet, you'll want a rug that's a) washable, b) durbale fabric, c) not an obscene color. Shag will only trap allergins, and whatever other foul things you might track in, and will probably fall apart if you try to throw it in the industrial strength washer.

If you do put a rug on hard woords, you might want to tape it down to prevent sliding. There are some handy non-skid strips available for purchase, but any tape that won't destroy the finish on wood or rug will work too. Be sure to test an inconspicous corner before duct taping. A good rule to follow no matter what, actually...

Pimp My Dorm Month

2008-09-03T12:50:00.000-05:00

Dorm life can be crazy amazing. I mean, what can be better than a printer jam at 3 am, cold pizza that is most likely a biohazard, and a roommate that could possibly qualify as crazy? Obviously the tiny hole housing assigned you to, of course!

I'm declaring September Pimp My Dorm Month here at inklingspot. Why? Well, because I said so and because tiny bland dorms can be seriously depressing. Besides, they don't have to be sad little holes. Really!

I have a mystery guest bloger lined up (I know, how excited are you?), some nifty style ideas, and if anyone has any tricks they've used to make their dorm room homier, I WANT TO KNOW! Send me pictures or whatever.

September is going to be pimp. Really.

Froggies

2008-08-26T21:33:00.000-05:00

My Dad, manly man that he is, has always been freaked out by those green tree frogs. I always thought of them as ninjas of the woodlands, clinging to everything, waiting for the right moment to attack. Or something. They are pretty sweet little slimy critters though, ninjas or not.

I made this little guy at the beginning of the summer out of old t-shirts. I am super surprised he turned out this well because when I printed out the pattern, I proceeded to mutilate it. I mean, if you look close enough, he's got a Finding Nemo inspired leg issue. I also failed to locate thread and ended up using blue embroidery thread. I love the little guy all the same, but hopefully sometime soon I can make him a less gimpy mate. Mere weeks before my local Wal-Mart stopped selling crafty items, I bought a printed cross stitch sampler for a baby blanket. I bought a few skeins of embroidery thread and didn't worry too much about acquiring the rest of the thread. Which leads to this freakily eyeless frog in the rain. Fast forward a year or more, I finally bought the remaining thread at Marshall's Fabric Store. I've finished quite a bit more on these, probably because I cross stitched at Six Flags and other weird locations this summer, so I might someday finish this quilt. Maybe.

Thoughts on Bread

2008-08-22T17:09:00.000-05:00

I love bread. On the trip to San Francisco, we went to Boudin Bakery on Fisherman's Warf. The fact that it was a tourist trap and packed with people was all made null and void because it was positively packed with golden brown goodness in the form of bread. People from all over the world, with lots of beautifully mingling accents, all tried to communicate their need of bread. Any time a war starts, I always wonder if they could at least agree on the goodness of a good loaf of bread. Unless they are some of those anti-carb heathens, in which case, pass the T-Bone and celery?

Each native land has their own way of doing bread. Manna, sourdough, whatever. My people, Southerners, have an affinity for corn bread and the biscuit or roll found on almost every dinner table. Last week, I decided I HAD to have my all time favorite biscuit recipe before I went back to school.

First, we were out of buttermilk. A quick google search, I learned that lemon juice + milk will substitue. Maybe? The reciepe called for 90 degrees F water for the yeast. I could not find a thermometer that read under 110 degrees F. I ended up using a digital meat probe.

One of things I like about baking bread is its touchy feely-ness; the next step was heating until lukewarm. Now, I know what it meant, but that is one of the vaguest temperatures ever. I ended up poking my finger in it ever couple of seconds.

I rolled out this beautiful dough and reached towards Nirvana cutting out the neat little circles of beautiful light wheat floured goodness. Ah.

AND THEN

I was cleaning up and noticed that the yeast packaged had already expired- a year ago. It was too late to do anything, they were already in the oven, but I panicked. If it was just substituting for buttermilk or just the possibility of bad yeast, I think I would have just shrugged it off. But two boo-boos? How could this divine gift direct from God be acceptable with two major mistakes?

They turned out perfectly. I learned that bread is indeed the most magical of foods, forgiving and beautiful in its many forms. Its comforting and peaceful and its a food that everyone, no matter the culture, can find something to love. Of course, I also learned to always check the expiration dates.

Transfer Student

2008-08-08T22:36:00.000-05:00

I would like to see statistics on how many people transfer colleges. I'm doing it and so are several people from my high school class. Not that my high school class is a good indicator; we've always done crazy things like that.

I once changed my major on a flip of a coin, and I feel a lot like that about this decision. In about a month, I've applied and deposited to a new college. I'm leaving the big university for a private religiously affiliated college. I started out with about 18,000 classmates and will now have 500.

You, gentle reader, may be inclined to ask me why I would make such a drastic change in so short of time. You might also want to inquire on my mental health and if you over the age of 55, you may want to know what my PLAN might be. Because I must have a PLAN.

Well, I do have a plan. Sort of. I want to enjoy my undergraduate degree AND finish it, whatever it ends up being. I really want to indulge my need to craft and volunteer. I want to be a Big Fish again. I want to be closer to my family. I want to go to graduate school. And maybe rule Cuba one day. Just kidding.

I've decided in the last month that I'm okay with a little debt. The Boy has been supportive (as always) and I believe that this decision is in my best interest. I think.

And that's how I decided to transfer. I'm scared, of course. New place, new faces. Probably a new major. Maybe it will work out. Hope so, anyways.

Ch-Ch-Changes

2008-08-07T22:51:00.000-05:00

Well, I made it back to The Homeland from the wilds of California. It was an awesome vacation that deserves a full post. I also should post about my transferring colleges and my latest crafty plottings. Maybe tomorrow.

But first, you may have noticed something different about this blog. (Okay, probably not, but maybe you'll actually leave google reader to check out what changed. Like, now.) The Boy worked some tech god magic and made this blog an honest to goodness website, making up for being gone most of the summer. Isn't it gorgeous? I'm probably a little partial, but I think its great. Its a little creepy/amusing that he could do that without me knowing, but hey, not complaining.

I feel really behind on most of my projects, but I did get about half of my school shopping done today. I now have bras, blue jeans, and a new backpack (notice the order of importance). My family always gets those sorts of items on the cheap at a Vanity Fair outlet in Missouri in one big shopping trip. As much as I hate to admit it, I actually followed those silly fashion magazines advice and got all dark wash and straight legged jeans for this year. They are all FREAKING awesome; I'm in love. However, my jeans were between $5 and $22. So they can basically suck their fashion advice because I did it better. So there.

School shopping is one of my absolutely favorite activities. I CAN'T WAIT until I can rip open a package of G2 Pilots and slip them into my fabulous pencil case next to a brand spankin' new notebook....Ah. So good. Even better, my new backpack? Its brown on the outside and bright blue on the inside. Same colors as my senior prom dress and backboard for my science fair project. Its a good omen.

Stating the Obvious

2008-07-25T16:25:00.000-05:00

It is HOT. I know a lot of people already know this, but I read some chick's blog from Australia who just gushed about how lovely the weather was being winter and all down under, and then The Boy had to tell me how chilly it was with a sea breeze.... So, I just had to share how HOT it is in The (very much land locked) Homeland right now: 95 degrees F, 47% humidity, and a heat index of 103 degrees F (39 degrees C, if anyone cares to know.) All numbers courtesy of NOAA.

I keep knitting onwards and worshiping the (brand new) central air unit. It might actually look like a dish towel soon, or be large enough to photograph; either way. I have grand ambitions to actually complete one t-shirt refashioning this weekend, but I can really only cross my fingers on that one.

On the bicycle front, a quick search tells me that Murray was bought out in 1986, again in 2000, filled for bankruptcy in 2004, and has been bought out since. The Murray Illusions 10 seems to have been a cheap bicycle that no one really cared about then or now. Which is really too bad. I haven't given up on the old bugger yet, but its not looking good.

In Whence I Attempt Blogging With Dial-Up

2008-07-22T22:55:00.000-05:00

Lord, do I hate dial-up. Or more importantly, do I ever hate that dial-up is the ONLY option for the internet out here. Especially when facebook decides to release a new version. Or I want to chat with The Boy. Oy.

Well, I finally got some flippin' amazing watermelon today. Ah, I needed a reminder of why I love Arkansas. It was like a piece of cloud from the pearly gates themselves. Which are apparently blood red. Who knew?

In the crafty/projects I'm working on/stuff to talk about front, my mom bought a bike in the mid to late 1970s from a store that was going out of business. It was $10. Now, its not in hopeless shape after some unknown amount of time behind the barn, rusting away. It needs new tires, bit of wire brush time, probably a new chain, and a different seat (as it has a really uncomfortable one). Other than that, its totally pimp. I'm basically in love.

BUT. I went to the mart of walls looking for tires + tubes and a tire is ~$15 and a tube is ~$4. If you are playing along at home, (15 x 2) + (4 x 2) = $38. A new purple Roadmaster with shock absorber like things on the front, not likely to fail brakes, a good squishy seat, and purple (!!) is ~$68.

I'd really like to make this 1970's heavyweight uber sexy again, but really, I think it is worth more as scrap metal. Really depressing. I'll have to think about it some more. I mean, do I really want to blend in with most other bikes on a tiny campus? Why NOT ride something that's built like it wanted to go to Vietnam? I need to look on the tubes for a better deal on parts, but its looking like the ole monster may finally bite the dust.

Crazy Times, Compys, and Cookies

2008-07-11T15:54:00.000-05:00

Its been a bit crazy the last few weeks. Camp is winding down, increasing the total drama in my life, and I've been frantically trying to decide whether I should transfer from my huge state university to a tiny 500 student private school. I've also been to St. Louis, The Homeland, and a 4th of July festival in Corning, Arkansas! (Big shout out!) I have to say, the small town 4th celebration was awesome. I got quite a kick out of the tractor pull and Ms. Independence pageant.

If I do transfer, which I probably will, I'll be getting a laptop from the school. Even though the reviews for the ThinkPad R61 are pretty good, I love my tablet. I don't use the tablet feature much yet, but I have big plans. Besides, I've moved in by now. That being said, what I really want for a secondary computer is an eee pc like this one. One can always dream, I suppose. If anyone has any opinions about these computers, I'd love to hear them.

While in The Homeland, I had made plans to go see Wall-E. It didn't quite happen, so instead, I baked some cookies (and hope to see Wall-E on Sunday). They are some of my all time favorite cookies, so I knew I had to share them here. If you care to know, the recipe is from the July 1992 issue of Progressive Farmer. Pretty sure anyways.

Wedding Cookies
1 cup butter softened
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup finely chopped pecans OR walnuts
Powdered sugar

Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add sifted sugar. Add flour; beat well. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Shape into small balls (I use a small ice cream scoop). Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Cool and then roll in remaining sugar. Enjoy!

My Stash

2008-06-25T13:34:00.000-05:00

This is my stash. Most of the fabric is from a fabulous store in Batesville, Marshall Dry Goods. I thought it sounded like a feed store, but it is actually a haven of fabulous fabrics. A very wise friend of mine said that Marshall had done more for women's mental health than anything else in the area. It is packed full of fabrics, notions, and even had the embroidery thread I needed. I squealed when I walked in the door. I think the elderly lady picking out quilting fabrics understood.

The Pooh and blue stars came from Wal-Mart. The Batesville Wal-Mart still has fabrics, thankfully, but its one of the few that still caries it. Too bad, but maybe some boutiques will come into small towns as a result.

This is just the yarn I took with me to Batesville. I'm a little ashamed to have this much yarn and still haven't learned how to knit or crochet properly. I have lofty goals, but until then, I'll keep loom knitting. Despite being June, I've continued churning out hats. I've also got an afghan and a purse in production.

Speaking of current projects, my frog embroidery quilt is coming along nicely now that I have all the thread necessary. I've learned a couple of new stitches and may actually finish stitching the first panel within the week. I'm a little worried about how to quilt it all together, but one thing at a time I suppose.