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