If I was a jewel collector, I would be rich.

This is my second try at this. There is no way that I can express how blessed I am without sounding cheesy (hint the Title of this blog post). I came to Savannah with no friends on my horizon and the constant thought bubble of- 'I won't have any friends the first year and I am okay with that, yes uh huh I will be fine. In fact I'll love it, uh huh, yes.' 'hmmm. okay Frances' was the response I would get. I was horribly sad leaving everything about the place I call home. I experience the usual bought of homesickness every now and then. I miss talking to those who aren't with me. I expected the worst here, but convinced myself otherwise with my optimism. Miss Optimistic. Or pessimistic. "It is going to be horrible, but I am okay with it..."

Let me tell you. Things have not been what I had expected. I feel as home here as I think I ever could for the first quarter in a new place with new people, new schedules, and a new place to live. This place would not be what it is without the girls I have met here. There is Julia, Spencer, Claire and Jordan. I am blessed beyond words. All throughout my life, I have been a girl of few friends. People never understood. I would try and try to be outgoing and be the social one, trying to accumulate many friends. I, after many tries, realized this was not working for me and was not me. I have a few friends and I couldn't be happier with them. My friendships run deep in me. I want to be genuine and fine genuine relationships in turn. That has been my hope and dream for my life and my relationships. I want to be fully invested in those in my life (most time I struggle with this). This is my artist statement of my work, and it applies here too:

"A book is not beautiful when closed, rather when opened its true purpose is revealed as a conduit of knowledge. I open these books with the hope that you can see the relationship between the imbedded image/text and appreciate the life restored here. These books represent the individuals isolated in this world that can and will be connected through fellowship and redemption. "

I have been blessed and have found friends here. I thought I would have to settle with my friends the first year, but I have found real jewels here. Real pearls. I miss those who are not with me dearly, but thankful for those who are. You mean more to me than you know. Cheer up, you old souls. Things are looking up because if I was a jewel collector, I would be rich.

what a dear

while doing homework and sitting last night, the dearest julia patton gifted me with this little number. (supposedly, i am a jcrew model or something)

Time

Life here at SCAD does not give me a whole bunch of time. There are so many things I would like to do. When I look down the road, there just aren't a whole lot of free spaces lying around. I am here and I love it. However, I wish there was more free time. I cannot wait to return home in six weeks. Almost more than being home, I cannot wait to drive home. If you don't know me, I love road trips. My friend and I concluded that all familial and personal problems can be boiled down not having family road trips. Its a good thing! I cannot wait to drive with my friends Jake and Julia. They can drive and I can knit. How perfect!! This was a slightly roundabout way of saying, "I have a new project I want to begin." Again, if you know me, you know I love blankets. I am in the process of knitting one, but it is going to take me ages! This is my next project, and it is another blanket. Go figure. I like soft things and I want to be a grandma.

Remembering That Day On the Hill

June 20th, 2010

"woke up at 5:30 AM and got ready to go up on the hill to see Mama Ruth and her people. We planned to make the hike and then go have church under the tree! We were so excited. We began the hike in dress clothes: skirt, necklaces, v-neck, and...hiking shoes! It was shaky on which route to take at the beginning, but after about three different tries and backtracks we settled on one. It took two and a half hours of hiking up rocks and around thorns to get there. Pastor Paul struggled with his leg, but after some time made it. He was awesome and persevered happily the whole time. AMazing. Also, the Pastors' wives and their children slowed us down. We finally made it up and communed under THE tree. It looked much different this year in the day time...the rains had come and the trees and greenery had come in. THere was no cliff, just an open field. It was beautiful in a different way than the year before. We sat on their makeshift twig benches and began service. "Because of time" was used too many times. A children, youth, and womens' choirs performed for the service and then introductions of ALL kinds were made. Brian preached for twenty minutes, then Mary encouraged the involvement and growth and the leadership of the elders. Pastors Paul, John, Charles, and Moses spoke encouragement and thanks. Mimi, Ellie and I got to dance and worship with the childrens' chest popping choir. We all rotated in circles doing various moves looking to them for guidance. Mama Ruth came up after and blessed us by clapping four simple times with the community. (a tribal sign of highest respect). After the service we had childrens service. We sang songs then Lauren shared the gospel via the color book. After that we passed out candy. The forty or so children sat there so obedient and polite which was UNUSUAL compared to the other experiences with children and these "sweet treats." They held out their hands and waiting patiently. After that, I was able to take pictures of many of the children and women, which showed they were MUCH more trusting of us this year than the year before. After that, we walked across the field through the wood to an isolated small pond to the baptisms. TWENTY FIVE of them who decided to make that decision! THAT IS CRAZY! It was very special and probably one of the highlights of the trip. The year before, a pastor had come to them the week before and this year twenty five firm believers were represented here. The Lord works. I saw that here. We were able to give them Bibles in Masaii and towels and blankets. IT was special. After, we were invited to Mama Ruth's house. We sat in the "big" room with mud and sticks surrounding us. FLecks of light trickled through and splashed the faces of those there. "Teaching his disciples" was written on a wooden house board. BEAUTIFUL. She made us rice and had traveled down the hill herself to buy AND carry back up the hill cokes for all of us! This was so sweet and obviously over the top. I cannot wrap my mind around it. The faithfulness of Rut amazes me. SHe bowed before her Lord the nine years asking GOd to bring truth to her people. Every time people would pass her they would make fun of her- an elder! Ten years later, here we are. We are experiencing how the Lord answers prayers in his own time. We had to leave earlier to escape going down in the dark...on the way up we saw ostrich and baboons! It took us an hour and a half to get back down. We got back to the hotel about nine somehow. We returned and had debrief and said our thank yous for the pastors courage and faithful LOVE for these people. We were also so thankful for Mary and Faith's knowledge of the word and confidence in God's power and goodness. It was a good day and I am so honored and encouraged that I can call these people my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you Lord. Now to wake up in the morning at five to go to the Masaii Mara for safari. This trip is over and I have learned much. "

Inspire Me Workspaces. Inspire.

Sitting here in the sentient bean studying for my up and coming Art History Exam. All to say, I am feeling less than inspired and find my eyes wandering from my paper. I am pretty positive if I had a workspace like this, I would be 100% more efficient.

Statues in the Sea, poem written by Mary Claire Russell

“

All you men caught in the sea
How you stare and laugh at me

Ticking time the tide roars in
Covering you and all your kin

Rooted there, you’ll always be
Thrashed by waves’ long rhapsody

I hear the grate of rocks on sand
all sweeping gainst this statue band

Of bronze heroes, aged in green
The saddest thing that’s ever been.

They die daily, covered in waves
Sinking neath their watery graves

Just like us, when we die
Covered in earth and grass and sky.

But, rooted fast, fighting undertow,
The men who died begin to grow

We see their heads as tide rolls back
Bringing forth the hope we lack

And maybe life is like the tide
Birth and death intertwined abide.

”

What! a weekend.

So, things started out simply spectacular! Got out of class on Thursday (that's the norm here-be jealous). Things were lovely! My friends and I went to CSF (Christian Student Fellowship) Thursday night and were entertained by the great Mo Leverett. I couldn't resist buying these new tunes I was hearing! "Of Orphans and Kings" is the CD I bought from this bluesy fellow. Listening to it all weekend. Very soothing. That's what I've been needing today- to be soothed.

On Friday was my lovely new friend, Julia's, birthday! 19 and away from home for the first time on a birthday, we showered this gal with warmth and love. Right Julia? Just kidding. We just had a good ole time eating great things from Cha Bella for dinner and Soho South Cafe for lunch. Best meals in three weeks! I am so happy we got to spend the day with her; it was nothing short of bliss!

Saturday, we awoke to road trip and drop my friend, Jordan, off at the airport in Jacksonville . Within the first 10 minutes of the trip, a sorry nail jumped and wedged itself into her tire. This set us back a bit. Don't fret though, she made the flight! phewf. She looked beautiful going to the dance even despite her swollen cheek. Sassy indeed! Finished the day sleeping, eating, and watching a chick flick with some girls.

Sunday is supposed to be restful right?! I awoke to many bites on my legs and realized that yes indeed I have bed bugs! This freaks me out like nothing else could! I have seen one of the bugs, so it just isn't microscopic creatures in my imagination. They are large and they are very much real! What to do, What to do. Stay tuned, I have tried and called many people, but have not gotten much in response from an exterminator or info about a new mattress, etc. Looks like Jordan and I will be bunking in the wonderful Claire, Julia, and Spencer room for the night. Mea Columba!

At least this weekend will conclude with homework on the floor while watching "You've Got Mail" and then another road trip to be reunited with Jordan!

Best of the weekend: two firsts for Julia: 19th birthday away from home and Chick-Fil-A

Worse of the weekend: Bed bugs