I want to live here....

French Catalonia right next to the Mediterranean


cute little dog

Vera Wang 2009

Vera Wang Spring 2009 (Holy-moly... gorgeous!)
i saw these images at averybleu and was stunned by these beautiful spring designs

Crazy Love....

a book by Francis Chan... 

I received this book as a gift and it is amazing.... I was told that it would totally change the way that I think about my faith but if anything so far I have just really found that it reaffirms everything I believe to be true about God. I really enjoyed the way that Chan expresses the  the messages presented in this book through quoting scripture. 

Linguistics...

It is so funny that while I was in the process of taking linguistics I could not stand it but now that I am done with it I have such an interest in it. I find the study of language quite intriguing and I am fascinated by the number of languages that exist around the world. I think that being able to speak french has been quite beneficial and is something that I love doing so I am setting a summer goal for myself: to learn the basics of a few languages.
Here is a list of languages that I am currently interested in learning...

1. Italian ( it is such a beautiful language, also I have heard that it is similar

to french but so far that doesn't seem to be proving true )

2. Polish ( I am Polish, so therefore I feel like I should

learn the language, plus Poland is absolutely beautiful)

3. Spanish ( I would love to visit Mexico or Spain someday,

Matt's already helping me learn this one,

but hopefully I will be able to study the language more

seriously over the summer )

I've heard that learning a language after you've already learned a second language is pretty simple... I guess I will find out if that is indeed true.

Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend was really fun...
Saturday I had to gallery sit at the 9th Street Entry Gallery and then...
I went shopping with my mom (she helped me pick out some sweet sunglasses: an early birthday present) and then..
I went to Matt's house and baked some chocolate chunk and white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies and then... Matt and I drove to Nancy's house in Eden Prairie for Amanda and Stephen's Engagement party : ) and then...
Matt came home to Burnsville with me for the night to hang out with my parents and to see Bria and Abby ( I am amazed that she likes him... she never likes anyone) and then...
Sunday Matt and I went to Bethlehem Baptist at the Burnsville campus. John Piper continued an amazing sermon that he started last week! I recommend that anyone reading this check out his podcast and then...
My grandma Jones, Aunt Barb, My uncle Larry and aunt Deb and cousin Nick and Greg's family all came over for brunch. They all got to meet matt for the first time... my Grandma thinks "he's so handsome!" and then...
To celebrate Mother's Day, Jena and I got our mom tickets to see "Caroline" at the Guthrie. We spent the evening hanging out in Minneapolis. I LOVE THIS CITY!

It was a great weekend... but now I have oh-so-much homework :/

Almost done... (two weeks left)

(9th Street Entry Gallery: Senior Thesis Show)

Senior Thesis Show...

"The Rossmor: 9th Street Entry"

"Memento Mori: Pride"

"Memento Mori: Arrogance"

"Memento Mori: Conceit"

Lightening up (literally)...

yes, once again my hair is blonde (this time I did it right though, and I am glad to say that my hair is not orange - or yellow like it was last summer... YIKES! that was a learning experience for sure!)

I realize that there was a long time period where I was unable to post anything so I'm going to take this small break in my day to summarize some of the big and subtle changes that have been taking place in my life.

...I am still leading youth group with Andy, Jon, and Cathy for Breck (a private christian school in Edina)

...I am currently living in a 2-bedroom townhouse in New Brighton with 4 girls! But I am planning on moving out in June (i will post about this later this week, I will find out tonight whether or not my new living situation will be possible)... I am going to miss my room mates but I excited to have some space of my own.(this is kind of what it looks like, I will post an actual picture if it works out! The garage I would be living above is more barn-shaped and not so triangular, and the two-car garage doors are wood)

...I am dating the most wonderful guy in the world, his name is Matthew Anders Fuglestad. He goes to Bethel too and is pretty much a genious. (He is a pred-med major and somehow manages to get A's in physics... Holy Hector!)(Matt and I, in the painting studio! He came to visit me while I was TAing)

...I still go to Bethlehem Baptist (whoo hoo John Piper!) and am planning on taking the membership classes at the end of May (Matt is going to too!). The church has finally started it's construction project, which is exciting to watch and see the progress every week.
...I had to quit the Bethel lacrosse team (HUGE bummer) School has taken over my life... almost. The team is doing great and I am so pumped for the girls to kick butt in play-offs!
...I still love to go running and am still looking into running a half-marathon (I am excited for summer so I can run more often).

...I had 3 art shows this semester and one last semester (lots of art has been made this year, I will post some photos soon)(Here is one image from the co-show that I did with Maddy)

...I am looking for a nannying job for the summer and then after next semester will begin looking for a position as a flight attendant.
...My poor car, is hanging by a thread. I will be amazed if it survives the summer. So I have also been trying to save up some money so I can try to get a replacement in the fall

...I went home and got to see my puppy BRia this weekend! She is so BIG! but is really wel behaved and snuggly(it's hard to remember her ever being this small!)

...I have 2 weddings to go to this summer, at one I will be doing hair and make-up for the girls in the wedding (i love weddings! I am really excited).

A great Sunday so far : )

here i bring my stains and crowns
gentle river wash me now
Your love is deeper than i know
Your ways higher than i can go...

lead me in Your holiness
i will follow, i confess
glory is the song i sing
Your life is living me...

and where would i be
without you, without you
where would i be
without you...

i will bow before the cross
Cherish my Redeemer's cost
there is nothing i can do
but only stand amazed by you

mercy new with every day
wrapped up in Your arms of grace
nothing more, You're all i need
Your life is living me

and where would i be
without you, without you
where would i be
without you

like a waterfall
You fill my heart and overflow
like a candle flame, You light my way
and lead me as i go
and lead me as i go...
- Chris Tomlin

"A reason to Stay"

I love this song so much! Scatteredtrees blows my mind! Some of their songs actually make me tear up a tiny bit (i know... i know... i'm such a girl sometimes). Watch this video and then go download some of their songs.
(They didn't have a video of my favorite ones... boo)

"I will say this twice"

this one is phenomenal as well...

L'église...

I love this image of the church.

These are the homes of some of the folks living in McDowell County

Appalachia, West Virginia...

Here are some photos from my trip

My goodness!

I just realized that I have not posted on here in such a long time... goes to show how busy school has been keeping me I suppose. I just finally got over having the flu and now will be spending the week getting all caught up on homework and art projects. It's so crazy to look back on my posts from last fall and to see how different my life is even though only a few months have gone by.

I am currently wrapping up my first semester as a senior at Bethel University and just last week registered for my classes for the upcoming fall. So far it looks like it will be a pretty busy semester, 18 credits again
Drawing II [i am most excited for this class]
Printmaking
Painting II [i am pretty excited for this class as well! it will be an independent study with Dale Johnson]
Aesthetics:What is Art?,
and a course on Social Justice

I am still working in the Bethel library but will be starting a new job [to be determined] this summer. I am still a leader for Wyldlife, a junior high youth group that meets in Edina. I love the kids that are in our group, they are all so fun and keep me laughing. I am excited to see all of the ways that God is going to be at work in the lives of the students I meet with.

I can't believe that Spring break has already come and gone and that I have been back from Appalachia now for almost a month. It was honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I've learned to start noticing God in a new way, I see him working in the world around me and in my life daily. I think one of the biggest things that I learned while I was on my trip is to just trust, not worry, I learned the importance of relying on him and to letting him have the control. It is so amazing to see the way God opens doors in situations where things seem so hopeless. I still am convinced that when we are in the midst of a struggle, if we look to God, He can use the situation we are in to strenthen and refine us.

I still don't know what I am going to do once I am done with school. I am currently looking into how to become a flight attendant. I am planning on trying it out for a couple of years and looking for a job related to my major in the mean time. I want to travel, I want to meet all kinds of strangers, I want to paint and sketch in places that I have never been and I want to serve the Lord.

après midi

les bottes...

et quelques tasses...

Watercolours...

my newfound love for watercolours

Materialism... the pleasures of the first world

This is my latest sculpture project dealing with ideas addressing materialism

(galvanized washers, washers, nuts, galvanized nuts, embroidery floss, metal mesh, and metal from a vegetable strainer)

My favorite way to start my day...

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot.
The sky is still black. The world is asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose...

I choose love...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to e cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live
I choose patience...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My companion will not question my love. And my family will never fear that I won't return home.
I choose gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I choose self-control
I am a spiritual being... After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

LOVE, joy, PEACE, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL... to these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

-Max Lucado
(this book helped me survive New York and
still serves as a daily reminder of God's grace)

Jim Jarmusch...

Everything Starts Where It Ends...

J-term (a.k.a Interim) here at Bethel is finally over! While I loved the two classes that I chose to take for the month of January, it is so nice to have a new schedule again. I am really excited about the classes I signed up for this semester, especially because I will finally be getting to take classes within my major now that I have most of my generals wrapped up : )

...Here's my schedule in a nut shell...
Monday-Wednesday-Friday
Urbanism (I am really excited about this class, we are going to be learning about several aspects of poverty, I think this will be a really great class for me to take as I'm preparing to leave for Appalachia in March).
Sculpture II (I'm a little nervous about this class... I need to start brainstorming some ideas)

Tuesday-Thursday
Drawing (The class I am MOST excited about!!)
Making of Minnesota ( I feel like this class might be kind of lame... but it fills a required "L-course" so hopefully it's not too bad!
Senior Seminar ( I am extremely nervous about this class... yikes!)

"It's like there's a gun to your head... but you just kind of have to pretend it's not there."
- Dale Johnson, in regards to Senior Seminar

Another thing that I am really excited about for this semester is my new job as a teacher's assistant for the Painting course (No more Radisson!). I get to work for Dale Johnson, probably one of the nicest/funniest professors I have ever met. He makes the most incredible paintings!!!!! I really hope that I can learn a lot about painting from him this spring while hanging out in the studio! And hopefully I can get some of his advice for my projects for Senior Sem this semester. I'm starting to appreciate being able to work on campus and not having to drive to work everyday anymore, it's nice to be done with class and to be able to just walk to the library or art department : )

Why I love Interim :)

... I've finally had some time to pick up my guitar again and learn some new songs :)

One of which is one of my favorite songs by Iron and Wine
I posted the video below because I think it's pretty cute

also because I have finally had some time to kick back, spend some time with my friends... read more of the "good book"...catch up on some sleep.... and to go running :)
It's also been nice to be able to take a break from making art. Its been nice to have the time to brainstorm without having to make anything. I am excited/nervous about Senior Sem this spring. My emphasis is going to be in sculpture (I'm going to be taking the advanced sculpture course alongside Senior Seminar, should be interesting)

I found this article...

...and thought it was pretty humorous/informative...

"How To Use Self Defense Methods To Overcome Your Fears" (in my case ... fish of all kinds!)

While it is far more likely to be killed by a stray dog, few animals evoke sheer terror in the way that walleyes do. Fortunately, freshwater fish only very rarely attack people... and while most species are considered harmless to humans, even medium-size northerns are MORE than capable of inflicting serious injuries. While it is very important to learn how to prevent a fish attack, it is also very important that you know what to do in the event of an actual attack.

Exhibit A: large fish caught just north of Mille Lacs Lake

...in the event of an attack remember to follow these important steps

1. Stay Calm!

While you should get out of the water quickly if a fish appears, it is important to remember that you cannot outrun a fish in the water, (simply trying to sprint to safety may not be your best option). It's important to keep your wits about you. Sunfish are highly instinctual, (like dogs in a way). They have "fear" sonar and can sense panic- even if you are not displaying it overtly - if they can sense that you are afraid, your fear will stimulate their instinct to attack.

2. Keep your eye on the fish at all times...

fish may retreat temporarily and then try to sneak up on you. Don't let this happen! Never turn your back on a fish!

3. Get into a defensive position

If you can't get out of the water, reduce the fish's possible angles of attack. In open water, get back-to-back with another swimmer so that you can see, and defend against an attack from any direction. Gradually make your way back to the boat or shore.

4. If you are still feeling threatened... prepare to fight
(playing dead won't deter an aggressive muskie)

Your best bet if attacked is to make the fish see you as a strong, credible threat. Usually, a hard blow to the gills, eyes, or to the tip of the nose will cause a large fish to retreat. If you have a speargun or pole, use it! If you don't have a weapon, improvise! (extra points for creativity)

5. Get out of the water!

You are not truly safe until you are out of the water! Your goal should always be to get back to the shore or back in the boat.

An Exciting Opportunity...

I wrote previously about the mission trip that I am planning on going on over spring break this year to Appalachia, West Virginia... this past week I got an e-mail from Bethel Campus Ministries asking if I would be interested in being the leader for the trip. I was a little caught off guard because while I have been a youth group leader in the past and am currently a leader for Wyldlife, I've never been a leader for a group my own age. After meeting with the trip coordinator and discussing what the position entails, and after hearing his reasons for picking me for the position, I told him that I would pray about it and get to back to him as soon as I felt confident that it was something God wanted me to do.

I've spent the week considering the postion and praying about it and I think I am going to accept the offer. I think that over the past several months I have really been growing in my faith, I feel like God has been changing and shaping me. I think this would be an amazing opportunity to serve God, I feel like He is really calling me to share my faith and to be a loving support and ecouragement to the others in the group.

If you read this and think of it, I would really appreciate prayer for our group and prayer about the decision that I am in the process of making.

What's a "Full Nelson"....

haha, that was my first question after looking at the syllabus for my self defense class. So far this class is ranking high among my favorite courses offered by Bethel (now if only I had taken it before I went to New York...) We start every class with an intense warm-up of either dodgeball, or king pin... it's just like being back in phy-ed class!

 After our fun warm-ups we get down to business! 

So far we have learned the following... 

handshake releases (how to get Creepy to let go of your hand)

the "defensive stance" (also known as "how not to get knocked over")

the "evasive sidestep" (a.k.a. "how to dodge pretty much anything")

general punches (how to inflict pain on the enemy)

general blocks (protect yo face!)

shin scrapes and foot stomps

the Pop-eye (how to pop someone's eye balls right out of their head!)

Sick!

Next week we going to learn....

non-secured and secured choke holds 

walking punches and kick-punch combos (look out Chuck Norris)

the "Hammer Fist" (I'm excited for this one!)

the Crab position! (not quite sure how this one will come in handy...)

wrestling and ground defense

BEAR hugs (from behind and from the front)

double person attacks (heeeee Ya!)

and last... but not least... "THE FULL-NELSON" (what on earth is that?!?!?!)

bad news bears...

So... because the economy isn't doing too well right now... the hotel has decided to cut back on hours once again meaning that because I am a "new hire" (technically the last GSR hired) I got taken off of the schedule for this week and all of next week (possibly indefinately). Because my position at the front desk is a union position, union dues are taken out of every paycheck regardless of if I work or not... meaning that if I stay an employee there I will end up owing the hotel money! (POWER LAME!)...

I have to admit I was pretty upset with my boss when I found out but after thinking about it for a while, I realized that this might actually be a great thing. I feel like maybe I'm supposed to be spending my time doing something else, and when one door closes another usually opens... (on top of things at the hotel, my hours in the av are minimal for the month of January because when I switched from snowboarding to self-defense my work schedule got thrown off...yikes!). While I feel a little panicked about rent, I think this will be a good opportunity for me to work on being patient and to trust that God will open the right door at the right time. (I have to admit, I am pretty excited to have my weekends and friday nights back! haha and it'll will be nice to not have to stand in place, in heels, for 8 hour shifts anymore)
maybe this post shouldn't be titled "bad news bears" after all...

A Seriously Cool Woman...

In the past couple of months my aunt has been trying to go through and clean out her mother-in-laws home (her mother-in-law, Edna, recently joined her husband living in an assited living home) so that my cousin, Michael, can move in. My mom and I drove down yesterday to help, and in the process found some seriously cool things! I never knew how creative and artsy Edna was! She made pretty much everything she owned! She was a seamstress, knitter, painter, ceramicist, and made the majority of her own jewelry! She also painted all of her own fine china (several sets!) .... my aunt told me she never sold any of the stuff she made because she didn't think her painting skills were good enough!! ... her paintings are incredible!

Among some of the things my Aunt gave me yesterday were:
... some hand-sewn, pretty dresses of Edna's (they actually fit me!)
... Edna's wedding dress!!! (I was really surprised that my aunt didn't want it!)
... Several strands of faux-pearls and beads, painted pendants, earings and vintage rings
... Some brass lockets and an old pocket watch
... about 8 old already-stretched painting canvases and acrylic paint sets
... Edna's old painting technique books : ) and brushes
... Two boxes of yarn for knitting and crocheting
... 5 seriously cool vintage hats from around the 40's and 50's
... about 20-30 sweet vintage scarves

... and two huge bags full of ribbon (in every color imaginable) and yards and yards of lace!Dressing up : )

I seriously never had any idea that Edna was such a creative lady! I wish I would have known that she was a painter and that she was such an amazing seamstress! I bet I could've learned a lot from her!

... I will add some more pictures soon