The End of a Looooong Road

5-9-09 marks the end of one of the longest and hardest roads I've ever embarked on- the completion of my BFA in graphic design. That might not sound like much, and in the grand scheme of things it isn't... but for me it's a huge accomplishment-- one I never thought I would achieve.
If someone had told me years ago that I would be able to achieve this dream I would have sadly laughed at them. Getting married straight out of high school, and then proceeding to have have 3 children, which I ended up raising by myself, went a long way to discouraging any personal dreams I had. And college was one of the biggest. It's funny, but raising kids-- by myself-- was a much easier task. To me it was intuitive- lots of love, patience and understanding and you can get through it.
I wish I had blogged or journaled about school- but better late than never. Over the next few weeks I'm going to post about the experience of being the "old lady" in classes filled with twenty somethings-and all the challenges and growth I faced. And how God got me through it.
OK- this is truly a sad, funny story. I probably shouldn't admit it-- and as I look back I am laughing my rear end off. How dumb was I???
One of the first classes I took was a computer graphics class. It taught you the basics of computer design- my first intro to Photoshop and Illustrator. But before I go into that--- let me just tell you about the first day. We walked into the Mac lab at RWC, and after the teacher introduced herself, she told us to turn on the computer. Now, this wasn't just any computer. It was the first model of the G4 macs. -- A pretty impressive machine to say the least-- but one that was completely foreign to some who had extremely limited experience with a very basic IBM. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TURN IT ON!!! AT ALL. I HAD TO ASK! I had the strongest feeling that the Professor really had doubts about my abilities to complete the class. I DID TOO! And that feeling would persist for a good part of the quarter- but more on that later.
For now, I want to share the scripture verse that really, really held me up when I felt like I was too stupid to continue- and that happened often.

Preserve sound judgement and discernment,
Do not let them out of your sight;
They will be life for you,
An ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way safely,
And your foot will not stumble,
When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster,
Or of the ruin that will overtake the wicked,
For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being snarled.
Proverbs 3:21-26

Oh, and by the way-- I ended up acing that class. Go figure.
Blessings,
TC

Email

I came to the conclusion today that I have a love/hate affair with email. I guess the same can be said of snail mail- even though all that tends to bring anymore is bills, since everyone now uses email for communication. But email, it's different. If you're lucky to have an account that offers really good spam protection you can almost be assured that everything in your inbox is stuff you want to read. Which is cool. When I went on vacation last year I didn't check my email--- big mistake. I think there were over 500 messages when I got back- but only a few that mattered to me-- hence the new email address!
Ok, the love/hate thing. Since switching addresses I have found there is a direct correlation between the number of emails sent and the number received. (DUH!) Anyway, it really bummed me out when I opened my inbox to see no new emails from people I want to stay in touch with. THEN I realize that to receive you have to "give." And with the lack of time to "chat", well, I guess it goes without saying that no one wants to chat to someone who doesn't respond. So, while I love to stay in touch, I hate to stay in touch too. Does that make any sense?
Anybody else ever feel like this???
Blessings,
TC

Newest Member of the Family

Say hi to Madi- the newest addition to the household. Let me just tell you- it is like having a baby in the house- she needs to be fed on a schedule, taken out at specific times, and generally loved like a baby. Last night I was up later than usual, and the "poor thing" kept crying at me-- she wanted to go to bed, which she couldn't do without me. How sad is that???
And... notice the floor. OK, it's not the greatest photo, it's from my blackberry, which I'm not really used to yet-but you get the idea. Anyway- the floor- if you look really close you can see pieces of it missing. Seems that the madster likes to chew on it. She's found a way to gnaw up pieces of it- which I've found in the strangest places.
But, even with that, she is adorable and fun. I never though I would say this-- but I'm so glad we got her!

Ever wonder part 2

More thoughts to ponder...

Ever wonder why when you lose weight, you lose it where you don't want to? After all these years it finally looked like I hit puberty-- I had a real chest-- AND DIDN'T HAVE TO BUY PADDED BRAS!!! And now, embracing the new diet- well, lets just say that the best things are the first to go.

Ever wonder why it is McD's started selling fancy coffee??? Do they think they can compete with SB's? Maybe it's just me, but if i want a cheap, fast burger, I'll head to McD's. If I want good coffee, (which I always want, need, crave) I head to SB.

Ever wonder where they come up with the ideas for some of these reality shows and the people that take part in them? I mean really, who wants to be branded a bridezilla? Tha's just what I want to do- go on national tv and show what a b---- I am to the world, NOT!

And what about the movies- another Star Trek. Have all the writers lost all originality and creativity??? Why all the remakes?

Ever wonder why people like me feel the need to post the silly things they think about??

'Til next time, Blessings,
TC

Ever wonder

Questions for the (?) masses...

Ever wonder why it is you bother to try and do something even when you know it will be met with great resistance?

Ever wonder what God's plan is for you?

Ever wonder what happens to you when you die?

Ever wonder why stale peeps taste so much better than fresh ones?

Ever wonder why watching a movie while cuddling is so much nicer than watching the same movie alone?

Ever wonder why the mindless games are your blackberry are so addicting?

Ever wonder what happens next....?


Playing in photo shop creating water for the thesis project (the creation story)- which is SAID AND DONE!!!

3-11-09

Today the twins turned 24. Wow. When did I get so old? Time flies when you're having fun. If someone would have told me that the road would have taken all the twists and turns it did 24 years ago I would not have believed them. My babies are all grown up. Not to mention their older brother - who is MIA- turned 26 not too long ago. I wish he would at least call home-- SO IF YOU READ THIS- DO!!!! I would love to know that you are ok- and tell you how much I love you and am praying for you.
More later.

Another Year

Time flies when you're having fun. Another year is here. Wow. In the final stretch for school and wondering what the next step is. Kinda wondering why I did it- but hey, it was a goal. Check that of my life list. That's a pretty good feeling. Not looking forward to the next step-Looking for a new job scares the you know what out of me- is this a good time to do it? The economy sucks!!!
Things are going pretty well at the church. I'm feeling a little stressed about it. I wonder how preachers' wives do it. Maybe they don't face the same challenges that preacher's S.O.'s do. I sure hope not! I wonder if the conflicts that I face there are normal? I get everything from comments about my relationship, to disrespect for anything and everything that I say or do. Makes me wonder what I'm doing, and why God wants me to do it. One of the best things about it has been the growth in faith I've experienced. I have come to realize that a.- God keeps you going when the going gets rough and b.when He wants you to do something He is consistent. Can't argue with God, ya' know.
Ok- more photos and art work to come. Gallery showing in April- talk about stress. But it's good stress. And I do have a new stress reliever- a new puppy- Mady. Well, it's really Steph's but I get to share. A chi- so small and cute. Once she wakes up I will take a photo and post it. She is so sweet.
Ok- until next time- whenever that might be-
Blessings and love, praise and glory,
TC