The last beautiful Fall day this year, probably

It's been a great fall.  After we made it through all the rain, earthquakes, and other storms we got the beautiful foliage, the mild temperatures, and lots of good local produce.  We've spent a lot of time outside enjoying the sunshine, blue skies and the crisp air.

I think this weekend might be the last of that.  We had a few bouts of cold air, lots of wind, and the trees finally gave away all their leaves.  Now that the sun is hiding more, and our days are getting shorter I'm going to feel the need to stay warm.  Maybe I'll cuddle up with a good book, drink some hot apple cider, and watch the skies turn from blue to white.

Here are a few shots from this weekend.  J and I raked all the leaves in the back, front, and side yards. Almost all of them have fallen and have blanketed all the grass.  We couldn't see any of the lovely green grass we had worked so hard on in the last few years.

It was hilarious to see Lhotse -the dog, find her way through all the leaves.  She almost can't be found!

I hope you're enjoying your November, where ever you are!

You mean, she actually posts??

Wow, it's been a long time.  Let's hope I can keep this up.  I'll try for once a week, and then maybe I can kick it back into high gear.  I have to admit it's been hard to get back into the swing of things.  I've been involved in a lot of things for the fast few months.  But it's all been really good.

Firstly, I finally started my yoga/art program!  The first session was this Tuesday, and it went really well.  We're working with a small group of teenage boys who are mandated to be in the detention home for 6 months.  The boys are all around 16 or 17.  I expected some excited behaviors or even some complacency. But they did great.  Some were glad to greet a time when they could kind calm down, and others were excited to do some movement.  I can't wait to go for it again next week.   It's a 9 session program, and we'll have to cram it all into 5 weeks.  I'll keep you posted.

I've also finally committed to yoga teacher training.  It begins in January and runs through June.  It's going to be intense, but I'm sure, a powerful experience.  I've already started reading the texts and taking tons of yoga classes to prepare.  I *think* I'll be ready.

Last but not least, I have some art work that I donated for a SEVA project my friend is working on.  She's raising money to go to Haiti and donate her time, energy, and money to help fund some educational programs there.  She's so inspiring.

Here's my artwork I donated.  We'll see what it goes for in the auction.  They're just some small pieces, and the pics were quickly taken with my phone.

This summer I was working on some pieces that were inspired by plants and nature.  One of them is a lotus, which is very symbolic to yogis.

So, my goal is to keep updating!  It's a work in progress, as always.

Divisible by 2,3,4,6,9,12,18

It was a lovely birthday weekend, and I'm ready to have a year of things that will teach me something.  Every year we usually learn many new things. I'm thinking that there will be no exception to the rule this year.  Last year at this time, my outlook might not have been so positive.  But everything changes.  And I'm so thankful that they do.  This year I hope to invite a lot more into my life.  I hope to accept everything that is given to me (good and bad) with compassion and hope.

This weekend was fantastic.  I went to work and some of my students even  made me a card.  There was even a little cake for me.  I got home a little early from work and took Lhotse for a lovely little walk.  Then Jarle came home and said," Get ready for dinner".  He surprised me by inviting my parents and my best friend to my favorite Thai place.  We all chatted and had a great time.  Talked about the good ol' days in Bonn, and really just enjoying each other's company.

Saturday-- was the day of rest.  I managed to sleep in a little.  My husband made me some French Toast, and a mimosa!  Then it was off to paint.  I managed to paint for a few hours.  It felt nice to just not think about time, or putting it all away.  Jarle watched his football game, and we ate a lovely dinner.  Complete with some wine and a cupcake.

Sunday was almost the same, except I had a nice yoga class midday.  Painted some more and settled in for the rest of the Sunday.  We also managed to have some good Italian to end the brisk fall weekend.

I can't complain.  I got a few gifts, practiced yoga, painted, hung out with my best friend and family.  It was the perfect birthday.

I also feel that birthdays are a good time to be a little introspective, a time to reflect.  I guess I've been doing that a lot these days.  With yoga, you do spend quite a lot of time focusing on yourself.  Thinking, meditating, moving through breath.  It really does have an effect on the mind, body, and spirit.  I used to be so closed off to that way of thinking.  I used to focus on how I "appeared to be".  Not about how I looked, but how I appeared to be thinking, feeling, and being.  That is not the way to live.  

I guess that's why I'm so attached to yoga these days.  I feel like it's a time when I should reflect, I should work past the hard stuff, and commit to doing my best at that moment.  I feel like there is no one there judging me because I can or can't do something.  I'm only doing it for myself, to find things out about myself.  My limits, the challenges, my successes.

I know this has gotta sound all very "new age", right??  I'm not going to go join a commune, or start carrying crystals, or talk about the vortex... No... But I'm committed to being aware of myself.  My positives and my negatives.  And I hope that I can somehow create a balance of those things.

Now- does this mean I'm not going to yell at the person who cuts me off when I'm trying to make a  turn at a light while driving?  

Ummm, I'll try not to.  

Survived the earthquake.... Now surviving Irene

As I was just about to write this post, the electricity popped on!!!! Ok, I guess we can go make some dinner!!!! More later!!! I'm just so elated right now!!!

Earthquake Frenzy!

Yep, it's true.  Virginia had a pretty large Earthquake on Tuesday.  It measured a 5.8 in our area, and it happened at about 2 pm.  I was in the hallway of my school using the copier machine, and all of a sudden there was shaking.  I thought to myself, "Oh something is shaking, I think the earth is shaking...Oh my god the earth is shaking! I hope it stops...it's not stopping. Please stop! Ok, that was definitely an earthquake."

You probably know that earthquakes really just DON'T happen in these parts.  Yes there are thousands of tremors all over the world, but this was huge news....maybe not to those who live on fault lines.  Many people I talked to thought that there was bomb or something, or a huge metro accident or something.  Which isn't so far fetched.  When the plane hit the Pentagon 10 years ago people did hear it and feel it. So when something really strange happens around here, it's intense, people don't know how to react.  People assume all sorts of things.

Talking to my students about it was really interesting.  Many of them were actually really frightened.  I think some of them didn't even know what it was, and then most of them didn't even know what to do. In spawned a great conversation about natural disasters.  We talked about tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis.  Most of them were unaware of what some of those were.  No one was in shock and most of them were able to laugh about it, and of course some them just played it cool (what happened...?  who cares?). 

On the next list of strange natural weather phenomenon is Hurricane Irene.  It's supposed to move up the coast by this weekend, should be a huge storm in our area.  I am not panicking, but in 2003 there was a huge hurricane, and it took out power for a whole week, and water was shut off.  It was kind of a nightmare..... So I plan on stockpiling some snacks and water, just in case.  Maybe a flashlight or two.

As I look out the window now, it's very gray and overcast, there are bouts of sun rays occasionally, but I think it's clear that something is headed our way.

No-- I don't think it's the end of the world.

Saturday Mornings

Waking up later than the usual time (8:30 instead of 6:15)
Walking downstairs to see the morning sun filling our little dining area
Taking time to make the perfect cup of coffee (decaf, with lots of frothy milk)
Fresh OJ
Homemade Waffles

Yep.  I REALLY like Saturday mornings.

I hope you enjoyed your Saturday morning.

214

Yep, that's how many more days (work days) until next summer break.  I often feel that I'm more connected to the new school year rather then the new calendar year.  I definitely get a feeling of hope when the new school year starts.  Which is good.  I always feel like it's a chance to start again, because I really DO love teaching, and no matter how difficult it can get through the year, I am so thankful I get to call this "my job".  I can't imagine being a teacher and NOT feeling that way. 

So-- this feeling of hope, how can I project that to my students? How can I keep that going all year long? Is it even possible?  

I guess I'll be answering that as the days go by.

It goes way too fast

So I've had a couple of days to work on art, but the count down is on, for real.  I only have a couple more days until it's back to the J-O-B.  I feel like it's taken the past 2 days just to get started on art making.  I know I need to just keep my practice up, but I just really enjoy painting the day away.  Yesterday I made 3 little paintings.

I started making mazes again.  They symbolize so much.  I was trying to figure out a way to put something in my artwork, but the truth is, I just don't really like putting "things" in my paintings.  I draw objects on their own-- as sketches.  I have tired time and time again to put little flowers, or objects of nature into my pieces, but I just don't feel like it's my work.  So-- back to mazes.

I begin by measuring and marking my path with the ruler, draw lightly.  Then create path colors by mixing the paints to get the desired color.  I LIKE muted colors.  They aren't bright at all, and they tend to go more towards the grayer tones.  I'm trying to decide if I like my writing in the path, or if I should do something else with the writing.  I'm still very much tied to my script.

I have started a larger maze.  It's on top of some collaged papers I found.  I think they were blank music sheets.  The one that has the measures on them.  So I cut them up and pasted them up.  You can still see the lines under the painting because I used washes of paint.  I still like layering, and I still like that you can see the lines from the paper.  The washes on the paths are a muted green color and gray.

I'm trying to think of other things I would like to collage... I like simple patterns of lines, maybe words and text?  I don't know.

I'll post pictures if I get it together.  I have one small odd painting I did with a lotus.  But I don't know, I just don't feel connected to it.

It's nice that I've gotten this chance to start on some things, but I don't know when I'll find time to do this again.  I guess I really wish that painting was my job.  But then, I guess I'd have to figure out how to sell my stuff.  I tend to make my artwork for myself...and not everyone likes what I do.

Anyway, back to art!

Ready to go!

Wow, I got a lot done today.  I guess that's what happens when the dog and husband are away.  I finished my proposal for The Creative Connection Art/Yoga Program and the Curriculum guide.  I also wrote some evaluation and assessments (hate those things).

All I have to do is wait for the approval from the D-home and I'm ready to go.  Please please please cross your fingers that I get approval soon.  I've not worked so hard for something like this since graduate school.  I really feel that there is a shift that's about to take place.  It might take a few years to see the final pieces come together, but I'm on my way.

Namaste!!!

It's a beautiful day out there

Somehow it's always nice after a summer rain storm.  You get much needed precipitation to make sure you lawn and garden are maintaining that green sheen, and it just cools everything off.  At least for a few moments.  I seized the day this morning by taking a nice walk around the neighborhood.  It DOES look nice and green.  This is usually not the case by the end of July.  Usually every one's yard looks so brown, that the grass just breaks off like straw. (Except for the people who water their lawn constantly)  It's so nice to look around and seeing things blooming, vegetable gardens providing nourishment, and trees not sagging from the heat and humidity.

I hope that I can maintain that feeling (the not sagging part).  I'm in the final stretch of summer vacation and I want to make sure I use every moment I have to do the things I love.  One of them being CREATE ART!  I've started a few small pieces, but they aren't quite there yet.  They seem a little lacking.  I'm not sure what yet.  As you know I create a lot of layers in my art work, and I think the one that's giving me trouble needs another layer of something.  Layers are intriguing to me.  Think of all the things that are layered.  Right?  SO much to un-peel and pull back.  The core, the center, the inner piece is protected or hidden from layers.

Ohh-- I just got some ideas.

Anyway, it is a beautiful day out there, I'm hoping the heat and humidity stay back a little longer so I can enjoy the last of my cappuccino (home made) outside on our little patio.

I hope you're enjoying the day where you are.

FUNDED!!

Let's all do the dance of JOY!! Creative Connection, the art and yoga program I'm getting off the ground is funded for yoga mats, blocks, straps, and a few art supplies.  This is just what I needed to keep the momentum going.  It has been a busy summer. I've been completely immersed in the planning of this program and I'm so happy we'll have some awesome supplies to see it through!!  What a great relief.

So now I have a grant under my belt, I'm actually going try and fund myself.  It would be nice to get paid for all this planning and implementing, wouldn't it?  Well, that's step 2 and definitely high on the priority list.

But for now a big hug, thanks, and tons of gratitude to all the people who funded this pilot program.  I hope to make it grow and spread!!!

Om - Shanti - Namaste
Everything - Peace - I honor the divine spark that is within you, which is also within me

Summer Art

The summer is going away faster than I imagined.  I've been trying to find time to do some art, but have had very little success on creating new images.  I have a bunch of ideas, but can't seem to get very far on the implementation of them.  I WILL! I vow it.  BUT-- I did kind of come up with a way to re-use some of my art.  And re-use some of my old dreary clothing.  TRANSFERS!

Remember when you'd go to the beach, you'd pick out one of those hundreds of designs to get your very own souvenir tee-shirt.  Well, I'm doing it with my art.  I actually like how these came out.  I have another that I made for my husband too, but I forgot to take a picture.  I think I've stumbled on a little way I can use my creative juices for a quick, successful creative process.

I'm no stranger to printmaking, either, so I really like using previous images over and over again.  So here they are.

This is from an old painting I did in graduate school.  I cut out the part that I wanted to be on the shirt.  

The one on the left is actually a multi media collage I did with some old word-a-day calendars.  It was fun to make, but I also decided to cut out certain parts and apply them to the shirt.

The blue one has a parts of a painting I did before I graduated from college.  I printed the whole picture and then cut out some positive and negative shapes.  I like the organic, rounded shapes.  And you can still see a lot of the texture of the painting, which looks already worn on the shirt.

What do you need for this?  Old clothing, ink jet printer,  iron on transfer paper, and an iron, and some original art work (or even photos).

I am working on a series of yoga-sinpsired art.  This is one of the first ones.  I used my old typewriter  for all the text.   Then I cut up the text and collaged it all together, and then overlapped yoga drawings (in seated-meditative positions) on top.  Painted it.  I'm still not done with the painting, but I liked how it looked already, so decided to give the transfer idea a try with something that was still in the stages of being done.

You can really see the texture here, and the holes in my shirt at the bottom...it's retro, right?

So we'll see how these guys wash and wear.  A couple of days from now the iron-ons might fall off, who knows????  I did by the cheap ones.  I plan on buying the better quality ones next time.  And hopefully I'll use some different artwork.

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.  I have had a good one, it just goes so fast.  I'm off to NYC for some much needed inspiration and then I'll be back.  Hopefully in the next week and 1/2 I'll have some new small pieces to post.  I can't wait to show you what I'm planning!

All I ever do

It seems like all I ever do is update my class blog lately.  I love my students, but miss writing about my own art, my own life, and whatever else i feel like writing about.  I have about 2 more weeks left, and then I'm hoping to get back to doing everything I LOVE! Like writing, painting, making, baking, walking, running, swimming.  Basically any verb that ends with and -ing (keep it clean folks).

Seriously, I have neglected a huge part of my creative self this year, and I feel badly about it.  I think part of my happiness is connected to making my art.  I VOW to myself and to you that I will make it a priority over the summer, so that it then because a habit, which then becomes an extension of myself and what I do in my daily life.

Summer is coming soon.

What's your motivation?

I'm a little low on that.  I haven't been writing the blog, or anything!  It's just one of those things.  Maybe it's because the RAPTURE is upon us... no, just kidding.  It's been a really dreary week.  The east coast is getting so much rain, it's depressing.  This is a very unusual weather pattern for us, and I think it's finally gotten into my head.  Normally I think I do ok around dreary days, but not this week.

Sorry, I got nothing for you right now.. Maybe tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day

To all you wonderful mom's and mom's to be out there... Have a wonderful day.

DONOR'S CHOOSE!! My students need your help!

My grant idea was accepted!  Make a donation!  Spread the word! Or come up with your own idea for your students!  I'm so excited.  Things are taking shape.  Gotta get my art-yoga curriculum in gear!!!

Here's the link to my grant.

Happy Days!!!

Posted!

A while ago I heard about the organization called "Donor's Choose", but I never sat down and wrote a mini grant for my art classes.  I guess I didn't give it a second thought because of  time (there's never enough) and choosing a project.  But I finally did.  I decided to do a write up for the art/yoga idea.  I may not be able to change my curriculum and include the techniques in my classroom, but my principal and his boss both said that it would be a valuable enrichment piece.  So, I bit the bullet.  If I get this grant, all I'll be able to launch a pilot enrichment program WAY ahead of schedule!  I'm so excited.

This is a step in the right direction, and I realize I'm going to be making a hefty donation of TIME, but if I want the project to become more than just that...well... I need to move forward.  I finally realized that I need to stop waiting for the opportunity to come my way, but instead make it happen for myself.  If I'm telling my students to reach for the stars, why aren't I?  What example would I be if I just stopped and stayed exactly the same? Did exactly the same thing?

That wouldn't make me a very good teacher.

Hopefully the bid for donations will be up by next week.  Hopefully I'll be spending the next few weeks figuring out the curriculum  I'm sure to get a boost when I attend a yoga workshop in a couple of weeks. This is exciting!  Keep your fingers crossed!

So for now-- I'm calling this project "Creative Connection".  It'll probably see some name changes if I see a similar program with the same name, but for now...... this is what I'll call the enrichment project.

BEACH!

So it had been 2 years since I had been to the beach.  And it was a great trip.  But the beginning was a bit rough.  I left Alexandria at around 8:15 am on Saturday and finally made it to my destination in North Carolina at about 6:00 pm.  That 10 hour trip should have only taken about 6 and 1/2.  Why so long you may ask?? Oh the stories I can tell. I will tell you about each leg of the trip, and that might help to break it down for you.

8:15 - drop "J" off at the metro, with Lhotse, baggage, and groceries in tow
8:20 - stop at local coffee shop to well, get caffeinated.  Forgot to add a touch of sugar, go back and add sugar, and in the meantime see a "missing" poster for one of my students... (she ran away for 3 months, turned herself in and is safely going to a program away from her familiar group of "friends-- I think it's a good thing)
8:27ish - After the shock of seeing the poster, I get back in my car and head to the highway. Seems to be going until.....
8:33 ish - TRAFFIC!  MAJOR TRAFFIC! AND RAIN!! Did I mention it started to rain, and by that I mean downpour, oh and traffic.
8:45 ish - Enter barking dog in the car.  yep, that's Lhotse.  After a lot of petting and driving she finally decides to sit quietly.
9:30 - Still traffic, still rain, not even close to Richmond (which on a normal day would only be a 2 hour trip..if that.)
10:00 Pull off the road, in the rain, let dog out, take a walk, drink some more caffeine
10:05 Back on the road, more traffic
12:00 Finally pass Richmond!  That's AMAZING!!  So happy to have made it past that point, I really feel like I can move along now.
2:00 Another stop-- gas, "lunch", dog walk.  It starts looking gray again, I fear more rain, ergo more traffic
2:30 Yep, more traffic, but no rain
3:00 Open road.  Sweet!
4:00  Dog Stop, still really cloudy, strange....
4:15 Turn on the radio... Finally in North Carolina.  Strangely...cars have thinned out... humm....
4:20 TORNADO WARNINGS FOR THE LISTENING AREA! WHAT???? From this point on I'm constantly listening to the radio, it seems like I'm going in the opposite directions of the tornado, but who knows?  So, I keep listening.
4:45 Reports of touchdowns around me, but it seems north of my driving...so I keep going.  Lhotse is amazingly quiet.
5:00 I'm getting close.  I see signs for the coast.  Still cloudy and ominous, but I decided to keep going.  I'm in the listening area, and they keep talking about funnel clouds, but I haven't seen any, and don't see any in front of me.
5:30 Almost there
5:45 RENTAL OFFICE!  I pick up the keys for the rental. I've made it.  A huge downpour is about to unload on us, but I don't care. After 10 hours of white-knuckle driving I find the place and get ready for a huge glass of wine.
6:00 Unpacking.

Phew.  It was quite a trip to get down there, but after six o'clock everything seemed to brighten, lighten and get warm.  The first day was still quite chilly and windy, but the sun was out.  I didn't go in the water, and just read and relaxed on my own.  It was kind of nice being there by myself, but I have to admit I got lonely quickly.

It gradually warmed up to mid 80's throughout the week.  Jarle, Mom and Dad joined Lhotse and I on Monday evening.  The rest of the week may seem quite unimpressive to you.  We ate, swam, relaxed, napped, drank, played a few mean games of scrabble, walked, collected shells, played many many games of bocci ball, and had a ball!

The trip had been well worth it.  The fresh ocean breeze was great, and I actually felt refreshed.  I love these kinds of trips, where all you have to do is be you.  That's it.  The best part of the trip was exposing Lhotse to the beach.  At first she was a bit timid, but by the end she made up for it.  She loved discovering the new smells, and ran all over the wide beaches.

So now that countdown is on to the next beach.. Next up family vacation at Bethany Beach! Can't wait to do it all over again. Without the Tornadoes, Traffic, and multiple Lhotse stops.

There was a place were you could see more sand dollars, but all I saw were broken ones.

A new pastime for the Lhotse. She loves to fetch water-logged sticks.

Broken shells abound, but we did find many non-shattered ones too.

Pure HAPPINESS!

Cute husband enjoyed his time at the beach too.

Lhotse! On the run!!!

I had to jump for joy because I was finally on vacation! 

Windy

Long time no see

I've been away relaxing at the beach with my husband and my dog.  And it was great.  I'll take some time and post some picks this weekend.  This week back to work has been busy, but good.  I plan on updating my latest news with you this weekend.  It's been a LONG week.  But, I haven't forgotten you!

See you this weekend!

Thursday already

I'm actually kind of ready for the week to end.  Friday is grade day, and then ONE, count them, ONE MORE WEEK until the beach. And I think it's finally hit me.  I'm ready for a break.  We haven't had a holiday or anything since the one day in February.  It's about that time.  Now I just have to hope for some warmer temps, and maybe I'll dip my foot into the cold Atlantic waters.

Anyway, life roles along.  Teaching is going well, but we've had a few crazy weeks with some students.  I don't know why?  I know enough not to take it personally, I just wish that I could spend more time working with them on work, instead of using my patience to teach them a more positive way to communicate... --Just Breathe--