a self-portrait in just ten things

Self-portrait, comic book style, originally uploaded by renmeleon.

My assignment for the first day of class was to write out ten things that make me who I am. I have done it in almost every single one of my art classes, so I want to choose things that are true to me and really be creative in the execution. We will be drawing, painting, and creating visuals for each of the ten things. Now, what describes me?


Gems:
sleeping in
breakfast with LIL
good first day of school
relaxation time
creativity

make a wish and pet a fish

Money for the Fish, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

My wish for today is that my first day of class be a good one. I am glad I get to sleep in and even more happy that I get to see Lil Sis. I've missed her dearly. It's late though and I must crash..


Gems:
floating
brownies
group dinner
art supplies
prayer

wish i could just hang out more

Greg, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I am sad that I don't get more days like saturday where I just get to spend the day doing photography and nothing else... All of my weekends and weeknights are really filling up. Although it's fine for now, I know I'm due for a burn-out real soon. I hope I'm wrong.


Gems:
busy-work
Candace!
carpools
Henry's
prayer

i'm allowing love to blossom

Petit Pinkies, originally uploaded by yoshiko314.

I am complete and utter shock and amazement in the blessings of the Lord. His timing is nothing less than perfect and I can honestly say that I believe that with my entire heart. Although we may not always like what time may bring, it is absolutely perfect to His plan for our lives! I am so thankful. I pray that I may only show my gratitude more each day!


Gems:
overtime
organization
time flying
text messages
God's love

so glad the burden is lifted

praise, originally uploaded by frok303.

I had a great day today and yet again... I'm dead tired.
I need to go to bed and rest up for this week at the YMCA.
I love all of you and I hope to write again later.


Gems:
waterguns
SD County Fair
tickle fights
church confessions
His covering grace

so, i'm goin' on a lion hunt...

Puppy Love, originally uploaded by becaboo.

I spent the day on a photo excursion with Greg today and I have so many amazing photos that I will get posted very soon. However, if I continue to edit them now, I will go blind!! There are over 100 and although they aren't all good, I still need to make my way through all of them and find the best ones. Greg was a very patient model and I'm eager to see them all up online. I took some great shots of the nature as well, so you won't be too overloaded with Greg's gorgeosity... yeah, I said it. :)


Gems:
cinnamon toast
photography
french dip
MOPA
wall-E tonight

happy independence day, folks

9pm Fireworks, originally uploaded by toomanybeers.

I am having a wonderful day down here in Bonita!

The only thing that could have made to day better...
Lauren being here.

Lauren, you're missed.


I hope everyone else had a great day as well!!



Gems:
baby kitten
baby pictures
baby boy
my baby ;)
grandma! :D

been running on empty lately

(317) running on empty, originally uploaded by Sarajea.

I am so stoked to be able to have an extra day off from work! I'd write more, but I'm still using the last of my fuel to run around like a crazy woman. Also, I love my Big and I'm so glad she's home.


Gems:
long weekend
Rent
CPK pizza
a new mirror
BIG!!

please, take it away right now

lily 3, originally uploaded by jessicup.

Help...

I

don't

wanna

be

sick-face!!


Gems:
sleep
patriotic beads
tuna sandwiches
Alicia time
TV :)

the groans of my aching body

030*365 HIERarchY, originally uploaded by vnessa.

I've been working pretty hard, I guess. The weekend wasn't too long ago and I am already half-way through this work-week, yet still unsure of surviving. My neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, knees, ankles, soles, and even my toes... They hurt. I hurt. I don't like working. I am mainly opposed to being on my feet ALL day. Otherwise, I am really loving the Y this summer!

My coworkers are fantastic and I really couldn't ask of more from a camp! It's truly marvelous and I hope to get my usual staff back next week... not that my staff isn't great this week as well... because they are! I just miss my chats and lunches with Andrea. I'll be on my own as the Unit Leader again, starting next week. I need to get myself organized and get WAY more sleep!!

I can't wait to celebrate the Fourth of July on friday! It will be great, I'm sure. All the family and the Waterworths and Greg. No work and a chance to relax for real... not just a two-day psych-out. God bless America, right? :)

Tomorrow is coffee or dinner with Alicia and on saturday Greg wants to go on a camera expedition. We will probably finish up our art project on thursday or friday morning, before heading down to Bonita. Either way, I am excited that I am exploring my artistic side more and more. I'm still not convinced by paint, but I'm eager to play with a real camera on saturday!

That's all for tonight... I'm going to devo, then sleep.
Goodnight, lovies!


Gems:
coworkers
fast food nation
conversation at Borders
Brandy & her sass
Hula's typing

it's true. she is now a lieder...

Day 316 - my favorite thing, originally uploaded by {damnittoby}.

... but she will always be my Watermelon!


I'm so glad I got to talk to Lauren... FINALLY!! We had a rousing game of phone tag and I am relieved that it has ended. I really feel as if she helped in so many ways. Less of telling me what I should do with the things in front of me and more of providing the necessary clarification I needed to take the steps that are already on my heart. Married friends are good. :)



Gems:
waking up to chirping birds
awesome coworkers
dinner & dancing with Greg
phone call with Lauren
picking Big up from airport

this is art... art and his art.

(2.27) Day sixteen:, originally uploaded by the.new.slang {365}.

I feel artsy and art feels me.
Had a great day.
But again, it's late.
So goodnight...


Gems:
apologies
legos
red lights
artwork
Gregory

eat, drink and be merry, i say

A Great Meal, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I had a fabulous night with Brandy tonight. I picked her up from the trolley station and we cruised over to the Olive Garden for dinner. Be jealous because it was a great meal and an even greater night all-together! We finished stuffing our faces and set out for Barnes and Noble, where I bought a bunch of stuff for camp and myself. Brandy found a good book and a very cute journal. I'm excited that she will finally be able to record her life and notes somewhere safe. It helped me to grow so much!

I also went by Natasha's place to check out the apartment and I'm still very unsure. Greg is going over there with me tomorrow and we might even go shopping for some art supplies afterwards for a joint project. I don't usually collaborate on my artwork, so I'm eager to see what we can do together! I miss the Flood... I haven't been in two weeks... I attended Journey and Maranatha (twice), so I need a healthy dose of Flood back in my life! :D

I'm tired. Bed time.


Gems:
cooking for Greg
apartment shopping
dinner with Brandy
Barnes and Noble
arts and crafts

realism doesn't mean cynicism

Jessica & Kenny Teasers-2, originally uploaded by katenadine.

If we are very careful, we may be able to keep pain away... But if we never take risks, we allow fear to block all paths to the true happiness that may be in store as well. The sermon I heard tonight was about the two worlds... Heaven and earth...

I whole-heartedly accept both of those worlds into my life, even though I could certainly spend more time with God... Still, I couldn't help but listen to the more overt lessons of the movie.

I spent most of my life protecting myself from the pain and hurt of relationships. I never allowed myself to truly get close to another person, simply due to the fact that the person might break my heart in one way or another.

"Realizing realism doesn't require cynicism"

By shielding myself from pain, I also shielded myself from the amazing gift of a relationship with the man God intended for my life. I am so incredibly thankful for the blessings and trials I went through since January! Without them, I would still be stuck in a cynicism that was pretty hard to crack. I cynicism that I hope never returns.


I am open. Open to pain. Open to hurt. Open to sadness. Open to change. Open to uncertainty. Open to relationships. Open to love. Open to God.

Take me. Break me. Mold me. Make me stronger. Make me whole.



Gems:
kids
free food
Starbucks love
movies @ church
time with mah girls!!

add God and that makes three

176/365, originally uploaded by Je suis Russell.

So I don't want to do again what I did last night... I tried blogging while WAY too tired to function and ended up with some really screwy text! So I'll just make this as short as possible.


My day:
Long, but great!

My night:
Time with Pledge Momma, Mom, Rodger, and Greg...
Could it really get much better?!

My thoughts:
Extremely muddled... I don't know how to plan after all.

The above photo:
How I want to live every relationship...
With God in the middle!


Gems:
diligence
strength
rides
rest
in Him

unexpecting & unbelievably

Springtime in Paradise, originally uploaded by Pink Sherbet Photography.

This summer is really amazing...
New work rules implemented.
Almost done with school.
Half-day camp.
Swing dancing.
A legit relationship.
An amazing man of God.
Perfectly late nights out on the town.
Wedding season, featuring great friends!
Time with friends... when they don't have work.

I can't wait to experience all that God has in store for me. And don't worry... Greg and I won't continue past this stage of the relationship until we have been together for about 3 months. Once I move out of the apartment and into my new/old place (whatever that may be), I hope that it will be a smooth transition. As for now, Sleep.


Gems:
donuts
early day
caffeine
church
boundaries

the evil i am leaving behind

175/365, originally uploaded by Je suis Russell.

-'-'-
Pride
Lust
Laziness
Envy
Gluttony
Rage
Greed
-,-,-
Help me to be less self-serving and more attentive to the needs of those dearest to me and to those who may be around. It is only then that I will be able to speak Your love with my actions. I want to be a vessel for Your grace. Use me. I pray this in Your name. Amen.


Gems:
call from Lauren
lunch with staff
organization
dinner with Verona
SHOWERS!! :)

purity... He wipes it all clean

174/365, originally uploaded by Je suis Russell.

I spent all of today's free-time establishing boundaries to maintain my purity to honor and praise the Lord with my body and mind. It is really difficult putting all of those things into words and there is no way I could have accomplished it without the key Bible verses to get my mind in the right place.

I waited until I was in a relationship to fill out this paper... I thought it made more sense and would keep me from focusing too much on that future... I think I could have benefitted just as much, if not more, if I had simply filled it out as soon as I received it, adding or subtracting from it over time. Let me know if you'd like me to send you the form!

God has a plan for each and every one of us and the life we lived before we chose to follow Him does not determine how Holy a union the marriage between you and your love will be. He wipes us clean and therefore, we must honor Him by maintain the purity of our body, His temple.

We can be in the Spirit but not live according to the Spirit. We must desire His will and obey Him by asking for His help to foster a pure relationship with another person. "Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance" (1 Peter 1:14). When we confess our sins, we are purified as He forgives them.


The reasons for God's command to wait until marriage:
- protect your mind from the images of past relationships
- protect you from mistrust and suspicion within the relationship
- protect you from confusing the intensity of sex with the intimacy of love
- protect your Christian witness
- protect your fellowship with God
- provide freedom to enjoy your future spouse without other images
- provide a foundation of trust for your current and future relationships
- provide intimacy (true knowledge of another person outside of physical)
- provide peace of mind as you enter a commitment of marriage
- provide integrity as you minister to other
- provide the abundant life


Gems:
full work-day
hour lunch
prayer
purity
God

getting to getting my time back

day nine point five., originally uploaded by ::reflecting truth::.

So Greg and I have spent a lot of time together this past week and learned a ton about each other. I really wouldn't change any of it, but we do want to settle back into life a little bit. I'll see him dancing tomorrow and then I'll probably go to church with him on wednesday. So unless someone has tuesday free and wants to get together then, I won't be going to Henry's. I need someone to come with me if I go, so if someone else would like to just go to dinner or something instead, I'd be up for that as well. Alright... Work tomorrow. Goodnight.


Gems:
breakfast
sunday school
getting work done
dinner with the fam
God talk

as the wedding bells chime

[137/366] Valerie & Neil, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I really couldn't even try to explain how perfect the day was. I can try. Breakfast for lunch. My navigation skills. Perfect timing. Self-written vows. God skylight. Walk in Coronado. Shopping in Horton Plaza. Recaption at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. FloodKids friends. Food fights. Tearing up the dance floor. The San Diego skyline. He caught the garter. Fireworks. Conversations.


Gems:
God's blessings
innuendos
music
my "twin"
Valerie and Neil