for Auld Lang Syne

(for times gone by)...

The last day of 2009, a dreary day, but I had work to do so it doesn't matter much. The Twilight Zone marathon is on, which means I will spend every available chance watching it. 2009 was a rocky year in some ways, but I got through it and came out stronger, I hope, with mere scratches. I have learned more about times when it is appropriate to give up, and times to persevere. (To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven). I have seen how God can take a situation that looks like a complete disaster and work it for good, so it adjusts for something better in the future. 

I wrote a couple entries back about the book Look Both Ways by Debbie Millman. I purchased it in Barnes and Noble yesterday (which is a big deal because I rarely buy books; I just read them in the store). It's that good. I proceeded to tell Debbie Millman through Twitter, and to my surprise, she actually responded! This is one of the best last moments of my 2009!

I need to still make my resolutions for 2010. I can't make them too difficult to achieve (it's usually something like "run every day" or "read the Bible every day", and I get through maybe 2 months of it and eventually quit, not because I want to give up, but time intercedes and I get caught up with school and other stuff that I put all my effort into (so much that it takes my sleep time too!). 

I know whatever I spend my effort doing in this next year, this next decade, I always want to continue to pursue wisdom and truth. I want to live passionately, with a burning fuel that never gives up on the things that matter. I want to be genuine, and I want to be hard working.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne...

Pens

Christmas was nice. I spent it in Greenwood with my family. My mom took my sister and I to see The Blindside with Sandra Bullock (I saw her in New York once!). I met up with Diana and we had coffee at Starbucks, one of our last times before she moves away for grad school.

I found this blog that obsesses over pens! I have always, since I can remember, been fascinated with... office supplies. Pens and paper especially. When shopping, I always find myself in the aisle staring at a massive collection of various pens, even if I am not buying any that day. The fine ball point ones are my favorite (especially the Zebra F-301 ones). I had quite a collection of gel pens when they were popular in middle school. 

New book from Debbie Millman!

I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday on my break from a double shift, and as I wandered aimlessly through the disarray of crazed holiday shoppers, I found this interesting new book by Debbie Millman, called Look Both Ways: Illustrated Essays on the Intersection of Life and Design. I picked it up to thumb through it, and found that it was a compilement of short life stories- the kind of minor moments that impact and stick with you though they seem mundane at the time. To my delight, each story was executed in a unique typographical way. Most are handwritten, but done with great care and makes it personal and intriguing. Some are done with traditional typefaces in interesting ways. I only got to read a couple, because I was on a short break, but I immediately wanted to buy the book.

"We Didn't Start the Fire" (Billy Joel)

I particularly like the 1950's part. And it mentions Elvis.

Painting: Senior Project

t was my first time in the Senior Project class for painting, and it was a lot different, but I learned some valuable things. I set out to do representational paintings that were all or mostly oil. The content was based on the idea of different exchanges people make in life, different things they trade in order to obtain something they believe would be better for them, and what they have to give up in order to get it.

Exchanges: Health for Pleasure 2x3'




Exchanges: Comfort for Beauty 2x3'




Exchanges: Religion and Faith 5x7'




Exchanges: Vanitas 1x1'