Passion, Arts, and Schools

Costa Rica pt 3

2009-07-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Pt 2

2009-07-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

Ok im back...
So since i had uploading the pics and then dragging them to the appropriate location im just gonna post them at the top.
So, the journey continues on with Sunday. On Sunday I had the privilege of spending all morning hovered over a toilet with some type of stomach virus which thank goodness only lasted a few hours. I later joined up with the rest of the group that was doing a carnival for the neighborhood. It was pretty fun to see it all come to play. I had been planning on this carnival for a while and buying a bunch of stuff like bean bags for the bean bag toss and face painting kits. It turned out great and both kids and parents seemed to enjoy themselves. We had about 6 different "booths" of different carnival activities and it was super fun. I dont think many people had ever been a part of anything like that before cause most carnivals in costa rica only take place in bigger cities. We also gave away a bunch of soccer balls and uniforms to the community to have.
That night we just rested with my family and prepared for Mondays adventure of going into the schools.
So, monday morning rolls around and we get to the school around 10:00. We weren't suppose to start the whole event until 11:00 but we got there early to set up and start filling up water balloons that we bought for the kids to play with. Well, that plan didn't turn out so well cause as soon as all the kids saw us they ran out of their classrooms and started stealing water balloons. Now I must say I have beena part of plenty of water balloon fights but to see about 100 kids running around with water ballons throwing them at each other... that was a whole other story. So, after everyone was soaking wet. We decided to officially start the event. We had different craft tables for them to make jewlery and bookmarks and such. We also had the bean bag toss and a mini soccer game going. It was pure orginized chaos. after about an hour of that we sat everyone down and gave away all the school supplies and manipulatives for the teachers. That was truly one of the best parts. Everyones faces were lit up so much you just couldn't help but smile. Afterwards, most kids went home but we escorted about 50 of the students into the cafeteria and gave them each a pair of shoes. They were, according to the teacher, one of the needier students and couldn't afford to buy new shoes. So, once they all left we were officially done with that school, or so we thought. As we were leaving, one of the teachers approached us and asked us if we could fix their basketball court that didn't even look like a court, it looked like nothing. We agreed and picked a time and day to do that. When we got back home we talked and decided on how much extra money we had to buy paint and even a new hoop and such and we happened to have just enough, it was a huge blessing. So, we sent one of my uncles to go and buy everything for us.
The next day we went to another school in the neighboring town and did basically the exact same thing, minus the giant balloon fight. Those students behaved better. haha. Instead we did what we were planning on doing in the first place, a water balloon toss. All the kids had fun and when we were done, the teachers cooked us an amazing meal that consisted of some amazing chicken, beans rice, and homemade tortillas.
Later that night we were asked to go visit this rehab facility and just kind of hang out with the people there and such... so we hesitantly accepted not really knowing what was going to happen. It turned out to be an amazing expereince. We got there and just listened to a lot of these guys stories and talked to them and encouraged them, it was really amazing. The area that they were at was once a bunch of cabins for tourists but they turned it into that center but it was in this really nice area and had a bunch of monkeys, tucans, and parrots all over the place.
We came home really late that night very much looking forward to our free day we were going to have the next day. We had no idea what kind of adventure we were in for though.

Costa Rica

2009-07-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

First of all, im so happy to finally be home... I missed everyone tremendously.
So, Costa Rica finally came and went. So much happened so i think Im gonna recap the trip in several parts... you know, keep you all hanging.

First of all the trip was amazing! Like, everything that I have been planning and such all came together so smoothly. We were able to do so many things and so much more.
The first couple of days we stayed in the capitol of Costa Rica (San Jose) and stayed with my cousins. Wednesday we arrived early in the morning, got to the house and basically slept most of the afternoon. When we got up, my cousin took us to see some of the coffee plants that were all around the neighborhood he lived in. That night, we went to a local market place and bought random things that people forgot to pack and some food for the couple of days we were gonna be there. Thursday was our first fun day, we did the canopy tour and got to go zip-lining through the rain forest. It was absolutely glorious and beautiful. I've done it before but this was a new place and it was interesting cause it was raining so the cables were wet which made us go faster... i felt like superman... which made me smile (side note- i wore my SGP shirt that day so SGP soared through the rainforest). I believe there were about 10 different cable plus a few hang bridges that we had to cross to get to other cables.
The next day we went to central San Jose and went to a few historical museums (since i love history and all) and went to the national theater. The national theater is one of my favorite places to visit while at the capitol.
Friday night we took off for our 8 hour drive to Golfito which is where I planned on working with the schools and is where most of my family lives. My cousin's neighbor had this big van and he volunteered to drive us there. Its a beautiful but long drive up a ton of mountains and its also a dangerous road. Well, our driver could not stop drifting the whole time... probably one of the scariest things ever. I'm pretty we almost died at least 4 different times.
But we finally made it to Golfito Saturday morning at like 5:00am.
As soon as we got to Glofito we took a nap, slept, and then headed to the stores to buy shoes and school supplies for the school we were going to be working with that next week.
ok, so im gonna stop there so i dont bore you all too much. I also posted a ton of pictures on flickr if you want to see more.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/costarican_15/

California

2009-05-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hey,
So, I am randomly flying down to CA tonight and will be gone until Sunday. Im going to be looking at a few areas and apartments and visiting the school I will be attending in the fall.

So, I just wanted to let everyone know just in case you don't see me online as much in the next couple of days.

that is all.

My Musical

2009-05-20T16:34:00.001-07:00

yes I just posted a vlog like 5 minutes ago but I'll just say that Im making up for like the month that i went without posting anything.
So a couple of days ago, a friend dared me to only communicate in singing for a whole day. I wasn't able to talk just sing. Well I ended up just doing it for like 2 hours while we hung out, not because I couldn't do it, it was just simply because I had some important meeting and work that I couldn't necessarily get done whilst singing.
So, I was a bit upset. I really wanted to try and go a whole day without talking, just singing... because, I have always wanted my life to be a musical. I decided to come up with a playlist for a mini musical of my life.
I came up with a few songs that describe things that happen throughout the day including some conflicting things to make it that much more interesting.
Here is what I came up with. If you guys have any other suggestions please contribute cause I'm gonna pick a day and ind of make a video incorporating all these songs.

I'm Only Sleeping The Beatles
Good Morning Singin' In The Rain (Soundtrack)
I Say A Little Prayer My Best Friend's Wedding
Drive My Car The Beatles
I Have Confidence Julie Andrews
Good Day Sunshine The Beatles
The Office theme song
A Well Respected Man The Kinks
Happy Working Song Amy Adams
Think About It Flight of the Conchords
Lost! Coldplay
Raise It Up August Rush
Been a Long Day Rosi Golan
akuna matata The Lion King
Getting Better The Beatles
Here Comes The Sun The Beatles
Times Like These Foo Fighters
The Nicest Kids In Town Hairspray: Soundtrack
I'm singing in the rain Gene Kelly
A Hard Day's Night The Beatles
11:11 PM The All-American Rejects
So Long, Farewell Sound of Music Soundtrack
Viva La Vida Coldplay

So yes, I think most of these are pretty self explanatory as to when I would sing them but there ya go. Suggestions?
Is it too obvious that I am done with work and have some extra free time?

My accent

2009-05-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

hey everyone.
so here is my rendition of this amazing and hilarious story.
my accent is definitely different than when i was little. Before i had more of a Hispanic accent but now as you will hear its changed.
side note- i had literally just gotten back from the gym and work when i did this cause i was so excited to do this so you don't have to look at me, just listen.

appreciating some west coast history

2009-05-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

what a random but fun day...
so today was my dad's birthday and we spent most of the day trying to figure out what we wanted to do. Well we finally figured it out, we went down to the historical part of Vancouver and walked along the columbian river (end of the oregon trail). I discovered some amazing historical things about my state, it was quite exciting. If you didn't already know, I LOVE history and have always been fascinated by the east coast and all the history over there but never really took the time to appreciate the history here on this side of the states.
It was so nice today and there were so many beautiful sites... i was upset i didn't have my camera. I did however have me cell phone so i was able to take some pics.
Here are a few, the rest are on flickr.

a successful night

2009-05-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

Well hey everyone!

So, what a long day, heck i should say what a long week. I've never had to prepare, plan, an organize something like this before and i have to say... it was pretty insane. But, i believe it was a success. We had about 80 people show up and make about $1,000 so i can't complain. The guy who came and sang did a really good job as well. He got everyone involved and taught people a few phrases in spanish, it was pretty funny. I spoke a few times and attempted to throw in a few funny lines, i think i got some sympathy laughs... haha.
But i made a little video of tonight if y'all want to see. Thank you thank you thank you for al the support and prayers. I really could not have done it without you and i know that the kids and school that we work with down in costa rica will appreciate it as well.

-Raquel

last leg of the race...

2009-05-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

so... i haven't done a blog in a ridiculously long time so i thought i would give a little update. I feel like I'm finishing up this last leg of the race that I've been heavily running and its slowly coming to an end soon. Of course, a new race will start soon after but there are a few things that I'm excited about.

first of all, i only have less than 2 weeks left at work! I'm so excited! As much as I have enjoyed the experiences from the past 2 years, I am ready to start this new chapter of my life down in L.A.

Second of all, this friday I am having a big fundraiser dinner for my missions trip to costa rica. I'm really hoping that everything goes well and we'll be able to raise enough money to help buy extra shoes for the kids down there.

thirdly, orchestra has been going really well. Yes that may sound geeky but I don't even care. I have loved the experience of being in orchestra and improving myself in music reading. I'm excited about the couple of songs that I play cause i get to do some fun things on the snare drum oand tom toms.

so yeah, those are the big things happening right now. I hope you are all doing well.

Stay Classy SGP family.

to my pals, my friends, my SGP family

2009-04-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
–Walt Disney

So, I don't even know where to begin. The past 5 months have been crazy. I don't think I have ever had to rely on God and trust as much as I have lately. I also have never felt so blessed by people that he has placed in my life either. Most of you I have only known for a couple of months, and I don't think I have met any of you either... well not yet at least... but I have felt so blessed by each and every one of you and I could not have made it through these past couple of months without your support and encouragement.
I just wanted to take the time to let you all know that but to also fill you in on my decisions for the fall.
Some of you have already heard of some form of what I have been going through from my blogs or by just talking to me... some already know the ending of this note. Others, have no idea what I'm talking about but I know have been praying for me and/or encouraging me.
Basically, around Christmas I was really feeling like teaching was just not something that I saw myself doing as a career. I had just finished a music class and was about to start orchestra. I soon rediscovered how much music truly was my passion and wanted to pursue it more... and i have.
At first my plan was to go to MI and get certified in music education but that plan fell through. Another opportunity also had been presented that I ignored for several months until about a month ago, and that was moving back to CA and going to school in L.A.
Well my friends, I am here to tell you that I have officially decided to move down to L.A. this summer. I am extremely excited about it and I know its going to be a crazy journey but I'm excited to take it together with God and my friends for support.
My plan is to finish off my general studies at L.A. City College then transfer to one of the many universities down there and major in some sort of music. Eventually I want to go into music therapy but I want to explore the music industry for a bit and see where God leads me.
So, yes... I still need prayer though. I still need to find a job while down there and we are still looking at different apartments and such. Its also just going to be a crazy transition ... hard times ahead... hard times but good times too.
I know this is very brief but I would love to tell you more about it if interested.

I appreciate you all so much.
Your friendship truly means so much to me.
Thanks,

Raquel

what teachers really do during lunch

2009-04-24T16:39:00.001-07:00

so, its friday.
and fridays are a bit boring at work.
fridays are also casual days.
I wore my SGP shirt today.
I took some pics with me in my shirt.
I was bored during my lunch break.
enjoy.
more on flickr.

appologies and pillowman

2009-04-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,
So, this week has been crazy. I have like a never ending to do list that I somehow need to get done by next Friday. As weird as it may sound... I miss being busy. Last quarter I took time off from school and I was going crazy with all my free time. I prefer staying busy... so well, now I am.
So, I'm sorry that I've sort of been MIA in the chat the past couple of days. Hopefully I will be able to drop in soon. I'm almost all caught up with everything.
Anyways, guess what I got in the mail today? Well if you read the title of this post you might have already guessed but if you didn't... I got "The Pillowman." YAY!! I have been wanting to read it for a while now. Hopefully I will have time this weekend to sit down and start it.
I hope that you are all having the best week and I hope you finish it off well.
Talk to you soon!

-Raquel

SGP Henna

2009-04-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

So, Today I went to the Saturday Market down in Portland. It's probably Portlands best feature. I can't even describe what it is but its great. Anyways, I wore my SGP shirt and took a few pictures. Uploaded them on flickr if you want to see.
But I got myself a SGP henna tattoo...

The lady was really cute and sweet. She was asking about it and wondering what Southern Gothic was so I explained it to her. She wanted me to wish Southern Gothic the best of luck.

Exploration Book Vlog

2009-04-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

I went to Portland today and had to stop by Powells.
I found a fun book.
See...

This is the quote at the beginning of the book:
We shall not cease from exploration
and at the end of all our exploring
will be to arrive where we started
and know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot

Act of Random Kindness

2009-04-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, boy do I have a story for you!
ready?
Once upon a time me and my sister went to the airport to pick up two of her best friends. She was told that they were landing at 5:00. It turns out they were leaving at 5:00 and weren't arriving until 7:15. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit frustrated. I had had a long day and really just wanted to pick them up and head home. So, we decided to just stay and hang out at the airport for 2 hours.
So... we were walking back from the security point and this random guy stopped us and asked us in spanish if we spoke spanish. I was kind of thrown off guard but responded yes and then was asked if I could help him out. I then followed him to the Frontier airline check-in and was asked to help translate for them. It turns out there was 4 of them traveling from Costa Rica and this was their first time traveling outside of their country. Their plane was 3 hours delayed and they were going to be missing their connecting flight in Denver so the airline was trying to explain to them that they were going to pay for a hotel and food and have them stay in Denver and get the next flight to Costa Rica tomorrow evening. Anyways, I ended up translating for about 40 min. In between translating I had a chance to talk to them about Costa Rica, since thats where I'm from as well, and it turns out they live right by one of my aunts. We ended up exchanging numbers and I made new friends.
So, after everything was resolved the airline lady asked for my name and gave me and my sister a $20 voucher for dinner to thank us for helping. I was totally caught off guard by that but was extremely thankful. So since we had a while to wait, we took advantage of that and went to the fancy airport restaurant. We ordered an amazing hamburger and got it a bit late cause I guess the kitchen staff had lost our meal ticket. So then we got free desert!
It was just a fun evening. I was just completely reminded by GOd about how much he truly is in control of everything. Even though at was stressed at first about having to stay a couple of hours... he was able to use me to help these people out.
So yeah, you never know when you are going to make a difference in someones life.
the end

My SGP T-Shirt!!!

2009-04-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

What a great afternoon...
I came home from a very LONG day at work and saw a beautiful envelope on my doorstep.
I got one of my shirts in the mail today! I'm so excited :)
I'm definitely gonna be wearing it all the time starting tonight at orchestra!
the end

Can't Touch This...

2009-04-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

So, the very first night that I was in VA, I was hanging out with my friends and it was extremely late. I was talking on the phone with some of my wednesday night girls and my "brothers" started to play "Can't Touch This" on my laptop. I had no idea that they were actually making a video until later but I thought I would share this with you. Well, actually I wasn't planning on sharing it but Liz convinced me to.
Try not to laugh too hard... oh and halfway through, I definitely tripped on a duffel bag. It was late... ok.
P.S. Vicki just started vlogging and I think you all should go to her blog... the end
veeceekay.blogspot.com

easter cream puffs

2009-04-12T18:27:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter everyone!

So, tonight I felt like being creative and made some cream puffs for our easter desert... completely from scratch. Not gonna lie, they turned out sensational.
I thought I would share a pic.

"What will my future be? I wonder..."

2009-04-08T11:28:00.001-07:00

"What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what's the matter with me?
I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
And here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared?"

I feel like I'm turning into such a flake... but am I really? Or am I just being smart and keeping all my options open for the fall. I haven't really committed to anything yet so I can't technically be a flake. But I'm realizing that there are other doors being open for the fall that I should consider... doors that aren't necessarily MI.
Confused? Let me explain.
So, yes... in the past months I have changed my plans for the fall and my choices for a career a lot. When I first had my epiphany about moving to MI, I was so excited about the thought of just being out on my own, taking that leap, getting that 3 layer funfetti cake from God, it wasn't necessarily so much about the idea of MI itself. Since then, several other opportunities have come up to truly pursue a career in music. Weather or not I go into music therapy or sound mixing, just having the opportunity to be involved in music.
Earlier, I wrote about taking that leap and living life without regrets... and not just doing things because I feel obligated by others to do something.
Well, I am considering all the doors now. I don't want to regret moving to MI when another door is presenting itself. A door that has been there for the past 6 months that I refused to see only until recently. That door is moving to L.A.
I was scared to write this blog. I don't know who is going to be reading this but I fell like I owe people an apology for being flaky and constantly changing my plans. But then, do I really need to apologize for that?
I know who I am. I am a passionate person and when I commit to things, I commit to things 100%. I know who I am in my faith, I know what my passion is. And I know that I can't please everyone. The only two people that I should please is God and myself. And I know that God has my back cause we're buds.
But anyways, back to the whole possibly not moving to MI...
I had originally wanted to go there because they had an amazing music educators program. Then when I realized that I really didn't want to go into teaching, I found out they also offered music therapy. Well last week I found out that they will no longer be accepting applicants for that program after this summer. My plan was to do community college in Lansing for the first year then transfer to MSU. I'm still waiting to hear back if I got admitted or not but if I don't get admitted, I really don't see the point in moving all the way over there just to do a community college when I can go somewhere else.
So, I'm not committing to anything yet, and I'm not saying that I'm moving to MI or CA or anywhere yet for that matter.
Basically I just wanted to let you all know the latest update so that if I ended up looking more into L.A., it wouldn't be a complete surprise.
so, go ahead and criticize or encourage... to be honest I really just had to be honest and let y'all know.
Like I said, I feel like I'm turning into a flake and into an unreliable person... but at the same time, I feel like because I'm considering all my options, I'm growing as an individual and being smart about this move, wherever it may be.

First day success!

2009-04-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Man, what a great Monday! Today I started my after school program that has been in the works for a while and I couldn't have gone any better. God just totally brought everything together last minute and all the students seemed to really enjoy themselves. For those of you who didn't know, I have been trying to start an after school program at the school that I work at to give students the opportunity to get involve in the arts and learn a different language. I have been working with several community organizations and members and finally got everything approved to start today.
We had about 30 students between the ages of 6-10 stay after school for art and spanish lessons. I taught the spanish lessons and it was amazing! Next week we are hoping to get a few more when we start a guitar class as well.
These kids were just so excited and it was so neat to see them wanting to learn spanish and taking their art class.
I am just so humbled by everyone who has helped me out and made this vision a reality. I truly believe that these student's lives will be impacted by this. One of the main reasons I wanted to do something like this was because our town is extremely small and kids get bored. I wanted to provide an outlet for them to invest their time in.
So yeah, I also hope and pray that this would leave a mark, a legacy, in the school since this is my last time teaching. I want to make sure I took full advantage of what God gave me. Even though I disliked most days, I still try to do everything 100%. I want to make sure that I truly do live life to the fullest and end this this with a bang! Again, it was a great learning experience but teaching is definitely not for me and I know that God has great plans ahead.
So, I will definitely be updating as this program continues. Its only gonna be 8 weeks long but hopefully it create a good foundation for next year.
Hope you all had a great monday!

"Wicked" take two

2009-04-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

So, last night I finally had the opportunity to take my sister to see "Wicked." If you didn't hear about the craziness that happened a couple of weeks ago, then read my other blog but basically I had bought tickets for me and my sis to go see "Wicked" and I wrote the date wrong and missed it.
But, while in VA, I got a call back from a lady that works in the box office and she said she felt bad about everything that happened and gave me her discount code so I could buy tickets for another show if I wanted to. So, I bought these amazing seats for like $30 dollars and went last night!
It was so great seeing it again! And it was even more exciting to share that experience with my sis. It was her first broadway experience. She LOVED it. And we also had a chance to talk and really discuss how her feelings towards me moving and I got to update her on my life and it was just a really perfect night.
So, thank you God for giving me that second opportunity to go.

vulnerable (I can go the distance)

2009-04-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

definition: open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.: an argument vulnerable to refutation; He is vulnerable to bribery.

I'm going to be vulnerable with you guys right now. I just kind of feel like I need to write out everything thats been going on in my life the past couple of weeks and even though its more for me, I am writing this in a public place for others to view. SO this might be long so bear with me if you are willing to listen.
So, these past couple of weeks have been crazy. I have felt like a human roller-coaster going up and down with trying to figure out what I'm suppose to be doing in life. For the past year I had my mind set on being a teacher. My mom has been a teacher my whole life and I always hated the idea but then when I started doing it, I enjoyed the challenge of it. But I got tired of it really fast. I realized it wasn't my passion but I kept doing it cause it was a job and I knew that there must be a reason why God opened that door for teaching. Then this year I took a class, music in elementary education. That class made me rediscover my joy and passion for music. Then through that class, I was invited to join orchestra. I have never been so happy as I have been these past 6 months. I love being around music, I love to play it, I love to hear it, I love everything about it. It was the one thing that was getting me through this hard year of work.
Now, the crazy thing is, when I decided to take this leap and move to MI, I was still planning on pursuing teaching. I don't know why, but I never gave any thought of the idea of having music more in my profession.
But then I discovered the idea of music therapy. I love that idea, I really do... but I still was trying to convince myself of the whole counseling aspect of it. I love doing ministry and helping people, don't get me wrong, but I still loved the music part of it more. Having grown up in a christian home and being a christian myself, I was convinced that the only way to really please God was to be directly helping others.
So, then... there I was, trying to make this other idea of a career work so that I could still please others in my career. Yes, I thought I was tring to please God but I was really just worried about what others would think if I didn't do teaching.
So to think that the only way I could please God was to try and force myself into ministry and teaching.
Biggest lie ever!
God gives us all certain passions. I don't need to be a teacher to be a "good christian". I just need to live life to the fullest and make sure that I am giving God my all in whatever I do. Well God gave me a passion for music and huge heart for others. I realized how much music has a healing power and how much it helped me. I realized that I could go into any music profession and somehow still minister to others.
So, while I was in VA, Liz and I talked a lot! She explained her career to me and her passion for music and we just really connected. I realized how much I love the idea of doing sound mixing and recording.
(this is the part where I am open to moral attack and criticism for constantly changing my mind in what I want to do)
I spent several days researching and talking to Liz and Geoh about what they do and got really excited about it. I mean, who's to say that by orchestrating a certain piece of music... someone won't pick it up, listen to it and have that very song get them through the day.
That to me sounds like the most amazing way to reach others. And you know what? I think that is exactly what God wants from us. He wants us to give him our very best, he wants our passions, he wants it all. Well music is my life, its my all. If I want to give God my all, then he's gonna get my heart for music.
Live life with no regrets. Thats what I keep telling myself. Failing is amazing. By failing I learn to get back up again. I wont let my fire go out. I am going to continue this journey of finding my true purpose and I'm gonna be holding on to God's hand the entire way. I will get that 3 layer fun fetti cake. (see "Drifter" blog if you are confused by funfetti statement)
So, I really haven't told anyone about my new revelation. You all are basically the first to know. I few know. So, even though a part of me feels like the biggest flake and loser, the other part of my is telling that side to shut up because I am going to continue on this journey with no regrets. There is a reason why all of this is happening in this transitional time of my life. Its the perfect time for me to make these discoveries.
So I feel the need to end this blog with some lyrics from a song from Hercules

"I'll be there someday
I can go the distance
I will find my way
If I can be strong
I know ev'ry mile
Will be worth my while
When I go the distance
I'll be right where I belong
But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero's strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star
I can go the distance
I will search the world
I will face its harms
I don't care how far
I can go the distance"

So, I'm gonna continue this journey cause I know every mile with be worth my while and I'm so glad that God has placed certain people in my life to help remind me.

So... yes, this is where I am at in my life right now.
the end

Costa Rica anyone?

2009-03-31T19:49:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I haven't blogged in a while because I have been busy being a tourist all over the VA area... and its been fun!
Anyways I was talking to my mom today and we were discussing my Costa Rica trip that I've been planning.
*For those of you who don't know about the trip, see blog from like a month ago or ask me and I'll give details.
so, yeah... apparently the dentist team that we thought was going to tag along can't come which is a bummer but I'm still excited about the other fun projects I have planned. But, since they aren't coming, we have like 5 open spots on the trip now.
I know its like this summer but you all have become such great friends, I just wantd to extend the invitation to y'all... whether you can come or not. Tickets are actually not too expensive right now.
So yeah, just wanted to throw the invite out, if anyone is interested... let me know :)

Fly By Night

2009-03-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

So tonight I head off to VA. I am going to be in Lynchburg, then go to Virginia beach, then end up in D.C. As much as I will miss chatting with you all for the next week, I am really excited to reconnect with old friends and just be in the east coast. I love history and ghosts and I love the east coast (hey look at that, I made a rhyme). I have only been to the east coast once, but that experience was so amazing, I can't wait to see more of it!

I love to travel, if I had the money I would travel every weekend. I have been to a lot of different places and I love the excitement and energy of the airport. I love looking at the departure screen and seeing all these cities that I have yet to visit (of course I also get depressed seeing all the cities that I have to visit). But, I love the idea of new adventure... and i think that's why the idea and having a fresh start in the fall is so exciting for me. Obivously, living at home, makes you feel constrained. Especially if you have already lived away from home and end up moving back (thats what I did). But I feel like this trip to VA is the first step in really moving forward with my journey. 2 of my best friends live in VA and so the main purpose of the trip is to see them. Then, 3 other friends will be down there as well so 6 of us are going to be reconnecting!! I haven't seen some of these guys in like 2 years... and I'm excited to update them all on the new plans that God has for my life. I met them when I did my internship in Texas for 12 months right out of high school. They are my family and I have missed them dearly.

So I like lyrics and there is a song by Rush called "Fly by Night". I though it was apporpriate since I fly tonight.

"Why try? I know why

The feeling inside me says it's time I was gone

Clear head, new life ahead

It's time I was king now -- not just one more pawn

Fly by night, away from here

Change my life again

Fly by night, goodbye my dear

My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend

Moon rise, thoughtful eyes

Staring back at me from the window beside

No fright or hindsight

Leaving behind that empty feeling inside

Start a new chapter

Find what I'm after

It's changing every day

The change of a season

Is enough of a reason

To want to get away

Quiet and pensive

My thoughts apprehensive

The hours drift away

Leaving my homeland

Playing a lone hand

My life begins today"

So, yes... i think those lyrics are perfectly fitting to where I am at in life.

So anyways, I will try to stop in to the chat later today after work and say fare thee well. But, if I don't happen to catch you all, I will miss you and I will take plenty of pictures with my new camera!

My Power Animal

2009-03-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

So, after seeing the new blog Austin and Hilarie posted, I went into the chat room and discovered everyone searching and finding their power animal. I clicked three times and the 3rd one ended up being my favorite. My first two clicks were practices. I am a buffalo!
Anyways here is the link to that site if you want to discover your power animal
http://www.poweranimalsunleashed.com/enchantedforest.htm

The buffalo will teach you how to survive, even when the cold wind blows and the snow drifts across the plains. He will teach you how to grow a thick coat and hold your head down in winter, doing what you must, but full of the certain knowledge that winter will pass and the green grass will again push through to the sunshine of spring. And then, when summer comes, he will teach you how to shed that long, shaggy coat and adapt to the new season. You will be able to handle whatever comes your way, strong and capable, comfortable in the cold or in the heat, for you are the buffalo.

The buffalo can also teach you the power of the group. For even though the buffalo is a very powerful animal in his own right, he is especially powerful as a member of a group, where the stronger and more experienced actively protect others. The buffalo will help you feel more a part of those around you, finding your proper role, whether it is as a leader and protector or one of those protected. Either way, the buffalo energy will help you relate well and easily with others.

Buffalo energy will also help you find hidden talents and abilities within you. For the buffalo, though appearing slow, can actually run very fast and can leap great heights. You will surprise us all with your newfound strengths, for you are the buffalo.

The Healing Power of Music

2009-03-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

"I think music in itself is healing.
It's an explosive expression of humanity.
It's something we are all touched by.
No matter what culture we're from,
everyone loves music."
~ Billy Joel ~

I am so excited about this new phase in my life. I am moving to MI in the fall. I am going to be taking this giant leap into the unknown and trusting God the entire way. Yes, I am scared and I have my doubts every once in a while, but I keep focusing on my passion and my vision of music. All my life I have always loved music. It has always been a huge part of my life and it has truly helped and healed me. I also love working with children. So, in the fall I decided that being a music teacher for elementary school kids would be perfect. Today I just discovered a new career that would be another amazing thing... music therapist.
Music Therapist: Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

promote wellness
manage stress
alleviate pain
express feelings
enhance memory
improve communication
promote physical rehabilitation.

How cool does that sound? I would be someone who helped an individual heal using music.
I don't know... it just seems really needed in the school now a days. Children struggle with so many personal and family issues and I feel like schools can be doing so much more to help them out. I would love to do music therapy in the schools.
So, I'm definitely going to look into this more. I'm still going to get my BA in education but I might continue my education and go for a masters in counseling.
Hmmm... the possibilities...
I have a dream. I may not know exactly what my career is going to be, but I know it will involve music. I also know that I want to instill passion for music in others.
I am ready for this journey!

Bring it!

CITY OF NEVER

2009-03-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

so this is one of the short stories from "The Book of Wonder" by Lord Dunsany. This was one of the books I got at Powells last weekend.
Its a bit long but if you have time you must read it. The writing is just so intriguing.

The child that played about the terraces and gardens in sight of the Surrey hills never knew that it was he that should come to the Ultimate City, never knew that he should see the Under Pits, the barbicans and the holy minarets of the mightiest city known. I think of him now as a child with a little red watering-can going about the gardens on a summer's day that lit the warm south country, his imagination delighted with all tales of quite little adventures, and all the while there was reserved for him that feat at which men wonder.

Looking in other directions, away from the Surrey hills, through all his infancy he saw that precipice that, wall above wall and mountain above mountain, stands at the edge of the World, and in perpetual twilight alone with the Moon and the Sun holds up the inconceivable City of Never. To read its streets he was destined; prophecy knew it. He had the magic halter, and a worn old rope it was; an old wayfaring woman had given it to him: it had the power to hold any animal whose race had never known captivity, such as the unicorn, the hippogriff Pegasus, dragons and wyverns; but with a lion, giraffe, camel or horse, it was useless.

How often we have seen that City of Never, that marvel of the Nations! Not when it is night in the World, and we can see no further than the stars; not when the sun is shining where we dwell, dazzling our eyes; but when the sun has set on some stormy days, all at once repentant at evening, and those glittering cliffs reveal themselves which we almost take to be clouds, and it is twilight with us as it is for ever with them, then on their gleaming summits we see those golden domes that overpeer the edges of the World and seem to dance with dignity and calm in that gentle light of evening that is Wonder's native haunt. Then does the City of Never, unvisited and afar, look long at her sister the World.

It had been prophecied that he should come there. They knew it when the pebbles were being made and before the isles of coral were given unto the sea. And thus the prophecy came unto fulfilment and passed into history, and so at length to Oblivion, out of which I drag it as it goes floating by, into which I shall one day tumble. The hippogriffs dance before dawn in the upper air; long before sunrise flashes upon our lawns they go to glitter in light that has not yet come to the World, and as the dawn works up from the ragged hills and the stars feel it they go slanting earthwards, till sunlight touches the tops of the tallest trees, and the hippogriffs alight with a rattle of quills and fold their wings and gallop and gambol away till they come to some prosperous, wealthy, detestable town, and they leap at once from the fields and soar away from the sight of it, pursued by the horrible smoke of it until they come again to the pure blue air.

He whom prophecy had named from of old to come to the City of Never, went down one midnight with his magic halter to a lake-side where the hippogriffs alighted at dawn, for the turf was soft there and they could gallop far before they came to a town, and there he waited hidden near their hoofmarks. And the stars paled a little and grew indistinct; but there was no other sign as yet of the dawn, when there appeared far up in the deeps of the night two little saffron specks, then four and five: it was the hippogriffs dancing and twirling around in the sun. Another flock joined hem, there were twelve of them now; they danced there, flashing their colours back to the sun, they descended in wide curves slowly; trees down on earth revealed against the sky, jet-black each delicate twig; a star disappeared from a cluster, now another; and dawn came on like music, like a new song. Ducks shot by to the lake from still dark fields of corn, far voices uttered, a colour grew upon water, and still the hippogriffs gloried in the light, revelling up in the sky; but when pigeons stirred on the branches and the first small bird was abroad, and little coots from the rushes ventured to peer about, then there came down on a sudden with a thunder of feathers the hippogriffs, and, as they landed from their celestial heights all bathed with the day's first sunlight, the man whose destiny it was as from of old to come to the City of Never, sprang up and caught the last with the magic halter. It plunged, but could not escape it, for the hippogriffs are of the uncaptured races, and magic has power over the magical, so the man mounted it, and it soared again for the heights whence it had come, as a wounded beast goes home. But when they came to the heights that venturous rider saw huge and fair to the left of him the destined City of Never, and he beheld the towers of Lel and Lek, Neerid and Akathooma, and the cliffs of Toldenarba a-glistening in the twilight like an alabaster statue of the Evening. Towards them he wrenched the halter, towards Toldenarba and the Under Pits; the wings of the hippogriff roared as the halter turned him. Of the Under Pits who shall tell? Their mystery is secret. It is held by some that they are the sources of night, and that darkness pours from them at evening upon the world; while others hint that knowledge of these might undo our civilization.

There watched him ceaselessly from the Under Pits those eyes whose duty it is; from further within and deeper, the bats what dwell there arose when they saw the surprise in the eyes; the sentinels on the bulwarks beheld that stream of bats and lifted up their spears as it were for war. Nevertheless when they perceived that that war for which they watched was not now come upon them, they lowered their spears and suffered him to enter, and he passed whirring through the earthward gateway. Even so he came, as foretold, to the City of Never perched upon Toldenarba, and saw late twilight on those pinnacles that know no other light. All the domes were of copper, but the spires on their summits were gold. Little steps of onyx ran all this way and that. With cobbled agates were its streets a glory. Through small square panes of rose-quartz the citizens looked from their houses. To them as they looked abroad the World far- off seemed happy. Clad though that city was in one robe always, in twilight, yet was its beauty worthy of even so lovely a wonder: city and twilight were both peerless but for each other. Built of a stone unknown in the world we tread were its bastions, quarried we known not where, but called by the gnomes abyx, it so flashed back to the twilight its glories, colour for colour, that none can say of them where their boundary is, and which the eternal twilight, and which the City of Never; they are the twin-born children, the fairest daughters of Wonder. Time had been there, but not to the domes that were made of copper, the rest he had left untouched, even he, the destroyer of cities, by what bribe I know not averted. Nevertheless they often wept in Never for change and passing away, mourning catastrophes in other worlds, and they built temples sometimes to ruined stars that had fallen flaming down from the Milky Way, giving them worship still when by us long since forgotten. Other temples they have—who knows to what divinities?

And he that was destined alone of men to come to the City of Never was well content to behold it as he trotted down its agate street, with the wings of his hippogriff furled, seeing at either side of him marvel on marvel of which even China is ignorant. Then as he neared the city's further rampart by which no inhabitant stirred, and looked in a direction to which no houses faced with any rose-pink windows, he suddenly saw far- off, dwarfing the mountains, an even greater city. Whether that city was built upon the twilight or whether it rose from the coasts of some other world he did not know. He saw it dominate the City of Never, and strove to reach it; but at this unmeasured home of unknown colossi the hippogriff shied frantically, and neither the magic halter nor anything that he did could make the monster face it. At last, from the City of Never's lonely outskirts where no inhabitants walked, the rider turned slowly earthward. He knew now why all the windows faced this way—the denizens of the twilight gazed at the world and not at a greater than them. Then from the last step of the earthward stairway, like lead past the Under Pits and down the glittering face of Toldenarba, down from the overshadowed glories of the gold-tipped City of Never and out of perpetual twilight, swooped the man on his winged monster: the wind that slept at the time leaped up like a dog at their onrush, it uttered a cry and ran past them. Down on the World it was morning; night was roaming away with his cloak trailed behind him, with mists turned over and over as he went, the orb was grey but it glittered, lights blinked surprisingly in early windows, forth over wet, dim fields went cows from their houses: even in this hour touched the fields again the feet of the hippogriff. And the moment that the man dismounted and took off his magic halter the hippogriff flew slanting away with a whirr, going back to some airy dancing-place of his people.

And he that surmounted glittering Toldenarba and came alone of men to the City of Never has his name and his fame among nations; but he and the people of that twilit city well know two things unguessed by other men, they that there is another city fairer than theirs, and he—a deed unaccomplished.

Some potentials!

2009-03-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

So... as I am starting to understand the character of Mona Mills a bit more I have started to look around for my picks.

Then tonight ali suggested that we post our top 3 picks.
I feel like I should be rebellious and pick more but i'm not sure what I'm gonna do.
Right now I have my number one pick...
1) Zooey Dechanel
Since first reading about Mona, I have had Zooey in the back of my head. I know others have mentioned her as well and I think she would be perfect.
2) Emily Blunt
I fell in love with this actress while watching her brilliant acting in "The Devil Wears Prada." I don't know... I just think she could pull it off.
3) Mary Elizabeth Winstead
I'm not gonna lie... I really loved the movie Sky High. I think she would make a fun Mona
4) bonus number... i'm leaving this spot open for an unknown actress.
but really, it's late and I can't think of anyone else. I will most likely add more later.

Penguins are our favorite fish

2009-03-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

So today has been a roller-coaster of emotions. I must say though, I would have never though that God would use my crazy viking hat wearing east coast sister to help me out. Becca- Thank you so much for allowing me to vent to you today. Your friendship truly is amazing... and random... but I would have it any other way.
We had an amazing conversation earlier and we decided to make a blog about it. I told her she could post cause I wasn't in the mood but I decided to add this little bit to it.
I hope that you will be encouraged by this. God works in mysterious ways and I'm so glad that he does.

so... even though Becca posted a blog on our conversation... I thought I would post her blog here too.

So the other day we were asked to write SGP milestones that have affected us. The following conversation is between Raquel and I-a friendship that never would have happened had it not been for Southern Gothic Productions. This is our milestone. It's one of many, but one that we are both so grateful for. I know it's a little long, but I think that's okay. I hope whoever reads this knows how awesome it is to find a friendship like this, and the amazing thing is, there are so many more of them that have been formed because of SGP. It's an amazing company to support and it has blessed us with amazing people in return.

6:48pm
Rebecca
hey there darling'
6:48pm
Raquel
hey
6:49pm
Rebecca
how ya doing?
6:49pm
Raquel
i've been better
6:50pm
Rebecca
i know.
i'm sorry.
6:50pm
Raquel
its fine... its just a lot of stuff been building up and today I just feel like the devil decided to completely attack me
its just frustrating
i know its not that big of a deal but I just feel horrible about everything
6:52pm
Rebecca
i know. and it is a big deal. you have the right to be upset. it's okay to. you can vent. fell free. i'm here.
6:52pm
Raquel
thanks
6:53pm
Raquel
I have a bad habit of building up walls and shutting my family out when I am going through hard times
and I hate it cause my family is awesome... I love them and they are amazing. Isolating myself is like my huge weakness and so these past couple of months have been so hard on them
6:57pm
Raquel
I had this plan to go to school in portland and continue working at the school here but when GOd shut that door, it took him a while to reveal this MI door. I have no patience so during that waiting period, I struggled a lot
6:57pm
Rebecca
wow, i feel like that's me talking. i have the same problem. i put on the brave face and keep the world out. i'm trying to break those walls, but i know it's so hard.
6:57pm
Raquel
sorry, I'm totally taking your offer up for venting... let me know if I should back off a bit
6:57pm
Rebecca
you are fine. i promise.
6:58pm
Raquel
yeah... I totally put on the brave face and my grin but it gets exhausting really fast
its like... I trust God and I strive to have that joy... but I feel like I have to always be happy around everyone
6:59pm
Rebecca
yea, i've learned that's cause it's not always supposed to be there. sometimes you have to feel low to get back up again
6:59pm
Raquel
its true... thats one of the things GOd has been teaching me. How he leads us through the dessert to build us back up again and make us stronger
I am so glad he allowed me to go through all that I did these past months but at the same time I feel like I hurt my family so much... I just want to try and fix it
7:01pm
Rebecca
God teaches us every day. He's making you so strong and so brave-i mean, you're moving to MI. He's instilling that knowledge that you can do this in you.
7:02pm
Rebecca
well just don't be too hard on what you should've done in the past, just try and build a better tomorrow with them. i know you can.
7:02pm
Raquel
yeah... and since he told me about my 3 layer funfetti cake awaiting me in MI, I have been learning so much about myself and God... and I know him and I both are gonna have an amazing journey together.
keep moving forward right?
7:03pm
Rebecca
yep, it's going to be the best cake you've ever had. i guarantee it.
7:04pm
Raquel
haha... its like I've been preaching that to so many people but haven't been listening to those words until now
RAQUEL pay attention to your own words!!! Keep moving forward!
(me, giving myself a talk)
7:04pm
Rebecca
i know how that is. it's like i said in a past blog, i'm everyone's cheerleader and somewhere along the way, i forgot to be my own
7:05pm
Raquel
seriously...
could we be anymore similar?
haha
7:05pm
Rebecca
i don't know. i'm a little freaked out about how similar we are right now haha
7:05pm
Raquel
haha... me too.
7:06pm
Rebecca
God is great. He brought our friendship together.
7:06pm
Raquel
its so true
7:07pm
Raquel
I am so thankful for our friendship. One of the most random friendships ever!
7:07pm
Rebecca
i know right? it's kinda shocking. but awesome.
7:07pm
Raquel
its true...
7:12pm
Rebecca
you need to go watch the sound of music. watch the vantraps get out of austria.
7:13pm
Raquel
oh, wow... that was totally going to be my plan
7:13pm
Rebecca
no? oh wow.
7:13pm
Raquel
weird. SOund of Music is my medicine
7:14pm
Rebecca
we are basically the same person
7:14pm
Raquel
did you ever watch Boy Meets WOrld? random question but I have a point...
7:14pm
Rebecca
did i ever watch boy meets world? that was my show haha
7:15pm
Raquel
same here... I can basically quote the whole series. Ok so you probably know this episode...
the one with the fiance game and Rachel and Eric are partners
7:15pm
Rebecca
yes.
7:16pm
Raquel
and Feeny goes "what is his favorite fish" and rachel goes "Penguins" and feeny is like "no i don't think you understood the question" and eric yells "BAM"
showing off that he did indeed write penguin and proceeds to say "its like we have one brain"
7:17pm
Rebecca
that's us. penguins are our favorite fish
7:17pm
Raquel
anyways... your its like we're the same person reminded me of that
haha
you should add that to the blog...
7:18pm
Rebecca
so am

how fast a day can get ruined...

2009-03-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

So here am I again, just hours since my last post. I'm an idiot.
I went to print off my tickets for "Wicked" during my lunch break and turns out, it was last Friday not tonight. I had written down the wrong date. I can't get a refund, I can't exchange them. I had bought 3 tickets, 2 for me and my sister, and one for our friend. $215 wasted.
I feel like the ultimate failure. Not just because of being an idiot and not paying attention to the dates, but a failure as a sister.
(This is the part where I am just going to vent as I cry my eyes out... they are already swollen. As I was reading others blogs today there seemed to be a common theme of this freedom and trust that we all have in each other to just express ourselves and be vulnerable as we post. I am going to do that right now)
So, in the past couple of months have been really hard. My sister and I are 6 years apart but she is my best friend. I have always been there for her, except for these past couple of months. I had been struggling so much on what I was suppose to do in the fall, and feeling far from God, and feeling stressed at work, and just everything that I pushed her and my family away. It wasn't until recently when I wrote that post about my epiphany on MI that I finally started to connect with my sister again.
I had bought the tickets for Christmas and was so thankful that I did cause this was going to be our night. This night that I set aside to just spoil her and talk to her and show her why I love musicals. SHe has been looking forward to this since Dec, I have been looking forward to this since December. But I'm a failure.
I feel stuck.
I know I'm suppse to move to MI. I know that my parents and friends approve of this move. I know that my guilt of didtching my sister shouldn't hold me back but it is.
I know that I shouldn't be feeling like this but I am. I don't know what to do. I know that there are going to be other nights and other moments and opportunities for us to hang out before I leave, but tonight was suppose to be our fresh start.
Yes, I can still take her out on a date night and I most likely will but I feel like I have dissapointed her to the extreme.
Any moment now she is going to come into my classoom like she always does and hopefully I will have this post finished. But all day I have gotten texts from her saying how horrible and long her day was. All day I have been getting texts about how the only thing that is getting her thorugh is "wicked". How do I tell her?
I am such an idiot.
I deserve a time out.
I somehow need to figure this out.
I most likely wont be in the chat room today.
I need to fight this depression I feel coming on.

Wish me luck.

A "Wicked" Friday

2009-03-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

So tonight is the night!!!! If you have read my previous blogs about my love for music, musicals, theater, ect., then you can probablyunderstand how excited I am about tonight. I saw "Wicked" 2 years ago when I was in TX doing an internship there. It left me speechless. If you have never heard of the play... here, educate yourselves

http://www.wickedthemusical.com/#

If you have heard or seen the play then you know how glorious and stupendous it is. My sister has never seen it and I had bought her tickets for chirstmas so I am just super excited to share this experience with her.

I will definitely post pictures tomorrow. I hope you are all having a tremendous friday!

And then I don't feel so bad...

2009-03-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

So, i'm not gonna lie, after reading Sue's blog about her leg, I was feeling a little whoosy. I don't do needles, x-rays, blood, nothing really. I started to laugh cause I immediately started to sing "my favorite things" and it helped. So this blog is dedicated to Sue in hoping that if you are feeling sad or sore, you can think of your favorite things!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into Springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.

The SGP fort

2009-03-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

So, last night in the chat we were joking with Ali about holding down the SGP chat fort and Jac was extremely creative and made a photo.I just had to share it with everyone cause its hilarious!
Also, everyone needs to see the video that Megan made. It is truly breathtaking and inspiring! She put a lot of effort in making it and Geoh did such a great job doing the music.
http://meganmarymcteague.blogspot.com/2009/03/sgp-fan-message-video.html

oh and happy St. Patricks day everyone!
*and you didn't hear it from me but its Liz's birthday today so go and wish her a happy birthday!!

Busy Monday for everyone!

2009-03-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

So it seems like today was a busy day for everyone. Amber had her presentation, Becca had her test, I had 2 presentations to present to a board of staff members, and there is a new post from Southern Gothic http://southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com/2009/03/lincoln-booth-returns-to-south.html
*side note
Amber- so happy that everything went well. I know you would do fantastic and I'm very proud of you! That report was awesome.
Becca- I know you are going to do fine! Can't wait to hear how you did.
Ok, anyways.... I had to do a presentation for my after school arts program that I'm starting. I basically had to show them the benefits of the arts in a child's life. Wasn't too hard to present since children and the arts are my passion. They loved it and the program officially starts April 6th. I'm so excited. Hopefully children will discover their love for the arts through this... at least thats my hope.
Second presentation I had to do was for my upcoming trip to Costa Rica. I am planning this trip all on my own and I am collecting all the supplies needed for the trip. My plan was to have each classroom adopt a family and buy shoes and school supplies for them. I presented the idea to them and they loved it. I have to plan an assembly for the friday after spring break and will have to present the idea to the whole school but again, I'm excited!

I know God is going to do grea things and its fun to have both of these projects move forward.

Hope everyone is having a great monday!

Powells and Portland

2009-03-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday was such an adventure. My plan was to go around Portland and take some pictures of my favorite areas but it was raining. Then my camera died so I didn't really get many pictures anyway. I did however spend a great amount of time at Powells. For those of you who don't know, Powells is the happiest place on Earth. Its a bookstore in Portland and it's my sanctuary. This place is ginormous. Filled with books of course but there are like 4 levels and like 10 different rooms. I love books, and I love discovering new books. Yesterday, instead of taking pictures of Portland (I did take a few though), I spend 4 hours getting lost in the world of books. I found a few new authors and books, one book in particular that I think everyone should get. It's called the "The Book of Wonder" by Lord Dunsany. This book is really small and old, but it is filled with a ton of short stories, remarkable short stories, and its amazing. I also came across a book called "Einstein's Dreams" by Alan Lightman. This is really cool. It reminded me of Sue and her writing about thoughts and words. It's basically a book asking questions about time. It's really hard to explain but its really good. I bought it. Then I found another author, Ursula K Le Guin. Another book I have been wanting to get that I finaly got was "Don't Pat the Wombat." I think everyone should read this book. One of the funniest and entertaining books I have read.
So, I made a video of my trip to Powells. It's six minutes long so I'm gona just attach the link if you want to see it cause I'm sure it will take a while to upload on here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ByxBVJKFxo

And to end this post... here are some really random pics of Portland that I took before my camera died. I will definitely go back when the weather gets better because there are so many more places that I want to show you all.

we really are a connected quilt

2009-03-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

So, as I am here at work catching up on people's latest posts and blogs... I can't help but smile.
Its amazing how in this short period of time that I have gotten to know most of my new SGP family, they have just become a part of my life. I remember how exciting it was to find of group of people who had a similar passion as me. Even though we had different backgrounds, different talents, and lived all over the place, we all had a connection.
I love that sometimes if I'm going through a rough day and I can guarantee that Becca will have posted some amazing quote with pictures that brings a smile to my face. Or, if I feel like my plans for the future are uncertain or I just am scared to take that first step... I know that I'm not alone and Megan or Kim will have posted something that they are going through.
I remember posting my blog about my decision to move forward with my move to Michigan and then reading Beccas blog about taking a leap of faith. Then today, I read about Kim and how she is planning on taking that leap of faith and moving to Wilmington.
I love that my passion for music and the arts and education can help others and that others can inspire me.
I love that if I just miss Costa Rica and being in a spanish enviornment, I can go over to Titania's blog and just read her amazing posts.
and... I love how I have made a new sister in Spain and I'm so excited about my trip to go visit her with Becca in December!
I think it's really cool how God uses unlikely sources to teach and remind us of things. How would have thought that finding this blog in January and popping into the chat room a month ago would lead me here.
I am so thankful for this SGP quilt. You guys are all awesome and I always enjoy reading your blogs or watching your vlogs or just spending some time chatting with you all.
Southern Gothic is doing amazing things!
Keep being awesome everyone.
and HAPPY FRIDAY!

Reasons to be Happy This Week

2009-03-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

So this week was classified week for work which means that all the classified teachers are getting appreciated. I have been getting a ton of cards and free coffee drinks, and even got a free chair massage. I'm not the type for big gestures but after a long couple of rough months with work, it was nice to see a little bit of the impact I have been making with my students.
Sometimes it's hard to see the impact you are making on a student... especially when you are a specialist teacher. But, it has been really rewarding hearing teachers compliment me on the different they are seeing with my students in the classroom.
So, yeah... that was a fun thing to have happen at work

Another reason to be happy this week is because my orchestra concert was last night! It went so well and I was really proud of everyone. I still have my other orchestra on Thursday nights but I'm excited to take a little break from Tuesday night orchestra.

Also, next week I'm going to see the musical "Wicked". I saw it 2 years ago and it was amazing! I'm taking my sister to go see it so I'm excited to share the experience with her. Even though it's next week, it still makes this week amazing.

...and it's almost spring break

the end

yes everyone....

2009-03-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

I have joined Flickr....
here is the link to some of my photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36331594@N08/sets/72157615049412735/

bored percussionists vlog

2009-03-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

So here is a quick little snippet of what orchestra can be like sometimes and why I have the time to chat with you guys in between my parts... It's really short but I find it hilarious... I can't help but laugh at how pathetic we look.
enjoy :)

A Drifter

2009-03-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

ok, so this blog is really just a way for me to write out everything that happened this past weekend... you don't have to read it if you don't want.
So, Saturday turned out to be quite the random evening. I went to this birthday party at this old Masonic Lodge that had been converted into this hotel and they were celebrating some anniversary there. It was really random but fun. I decided to spend the night at my friends house last minute cause it started to snow really hard and didn't feel like driving back home too late. Anyways, I got to my friends house around 10:00 and we were just talking about how I had just found out I had gotten accepted to one of the colleges in Portland.
Side note- For the past couple of months I have been struggling on what God wants me to do in the fall. I have finished my AA and know what I want to do (be a music teacher), I just haven't been sure how to do it. I applied to a few colleges in Portland and one in Michigan. I applied to Michigan because 2 of my best friends live there and I really enjoyed the area. Long story, but yeah, I have just been feeling like a drifter almost. I have been feeling like I'm floating around, not really clinging on to the right things, not clinging on to God. I don't know if you believe in God or not but I do, and I know that when I find myself drifting away from him, I get confused. I have been almost trying to plan my future on my own. When really, I just can't.
Anyways, that was my side note...
So, we were talking about getting into this college and my friend asked me how I felt about it. I realized, I really didn't want to go there, in fact, I really didn't see myself going to school in Portland. I love Portland, but I feel like for the longest time, I have been settling with convinience... I haven't been taking that giant leap. Yes, I have been taking chances with work and this trip to Costa Rica, but I never really taken that giant leap of faith. The way I saw was God has, on several occations, baked this giant 3 layer cake for me... but I have been settling for the cupcakes cause the 3 layer giant cake is too hard to get. So, my friend asked me the typical question: If money wasn't an option, where would you go?
My answer: Michigan.
I did not expect that word to come out of my mouth but as soon as I said it, I felt such peace and confirmation that this was it, this giant leap that I need to take. I got really excited. Then, my friend, who by the way is also my mentor, just flat out told me "go to Michigan". It was right there when she said those words that I realized I need to go. I feel like this is a journey that God is allowing me to have to grow closer to him and grow in my walk spiritually and just to grow as a person. Michgan is my 3 layer cake. It's not going to be easy, but the reward is going to be worth it.
So, then I went to church yesterady morning and my pastor was talking about a drifter and how sometimes people can drift away from God. I just started to laugh. How much more of a confirmation did I need? That pretty much sealed the deal. It was like God was saying "Hey, Raquel? I know you have felt like you have been drifting, but I have been here the whole time. You ready to talk my hand and take this leap with me?"
I'm ready!
I talked to my parents last night. I talked to one of my friends last night.
So far everything is pointing towards a move to Michigan in the fall.
Random... yes, but at the same time it really isn't.
I love where I live now, but I am ready to go out on my own.
I am ready to be a teacher.
I am ready to be a light in the schools.
I am ready to make a difference in a child's life.
I am ready to trust.
I'm ready to finally work hard and get God's great 3 layer cake!

Where words fail, music speaks.

2009-03-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Since I shared pictures from one of the places I call home to you yesterday, I thought I would show you some pictures of Costa Rica (my other home).
These are a few pictures that I took from the area that I'm from. Just a little taste of Costa Rica's beauty. Maybe I will post more later...
EXPRESSIONS Look without! Behold the beauty of the day, The shout of color to glad color, rocks and trees, and sun and seas, and wind and sky: All these are God's expression, art work of His hand, which men must love so they can understand.
~ Richard Hovey

Beauty Found In Portland

2009-03-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

I love Portland.
I love the diversity of Portland.

I love the simplicity of Porltand.I love the Bridges of Portland.
I love the Spirit of Portland.
I love the Beauty of Portland.

I love living in the "country" and still having Portland 30 min away. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. If you have never been to Portland, let me try to decribe it for you. Portland is surrounded by rivers. In order to get to downtown Portland, you have to cross one of the many different bridges.

From Portland you can see Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and sometimes Mt. St. Helens. There are so many "city" things to do, but then there are also simple things like walking on the waterfront (my favorite). One of my favorite places in Portland in Powells book store. This place is amazing. Excluding Disneyland from this sentence, I would say that Powells IS the happiest place on Earth. It's like a fun house. There are a ton of different rooms and levels just filled with books. Used books, new books, big books, small books, audio books, EVERYTHING! There is also a fun thing on the weekends called "Saturday Market". Every weekend, a whole chunk of portland is closed off and turned into a market for people to come and seel things. Most of which are hand made crafts. I love to walk around and see the creativity that everyone has. People come up with the coolest things. Along with all the "merchandise", there is a ton of food from all over the world. Peoplel seel food from El Salvador, Nepal, Thailand, Middle Eastern, Africa, and the typical Mexican and Italian food. It's such a fun experience.

I just wanted to share a small piece of my town with you all. Happy Friday everyone!

Showing the SGP love

2009-03-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

So, yeah... this is definitely like my third blog today but I don't even care. It's been a fun filled day.

Every Wednesday night a group of us get together and just hang out at a local restaurant in Portland. It's one of the highlights of my week. Anyways, tonight I thought it would be fun for us all to wear the SGP shirts that I made and show our love for the awesomeness that is Southern Gothic. It was totally cool.
Plus, me and my friends just had a great time together. It was kind of perfect actually, just reading everyone's blogs about their best friends today, then going out and spending time with some of my friends... couldn't have asked for a better way to end the day.
So hope you enjoy the pictures!

That's what friends are for!

2009-03-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

So yes... this is another blog about best friends. It does seem like everyone is feelin' the love today and taking the time to appreciate the special people in their life. I thought I would do the same.

I'm going to do something different though. The song "Two of Us" by The Beatles is one of my favorites. The song totally describes me and my best friend. I have know her since we were 2... so like 18 years!
I thought I would share the lyrics with you along with some pictures.

Two of us riding nowhere
Spending someone's
Hard earned pay
You and me Sunday driving
Not arriving
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home

Two of us sending postcards
Writing letters
On my wall
You and me burning matches
Lifting latches
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home

You and I have memories
Longer than the road that stretches out ahead

Two of us wearing raincoats
Standing so low
In the sun
You and me chasing paper
Getting nowhere
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home

You and I have memories
Longer than the road that stretches out ahead

Two of us wearing raincoats
Standing solo
In the sun
You and me chasing paper
Getting nowhere
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home

We're going home
Better believe it
-The Beatles

A random Southern Gothic idea... ready?

2009-03-04T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have been leaving a lot of comments lately to some amazing blogs and vlogs. Side note- I love my new Southern Gothic family.
Anyways, you know the word verifications that they make you do before posting a comment? How random and fun would it be to write a story incorperating those words and coming up with your own definition.

New Project:
anyone who wants to... write a poem, sentence, or story about Southern Gothic using some of those words.

example:

Upon acting out on their catiesse, Southern Gothic's tairefl fans showed their support with verat.
my made up definitions:
Catiesse- cleverness
Tairefl- terrific
verat- truth

sound like fun? I want to read some of your ideas now!

ready... set... SoGo!

Orchestra

2009-03-03T22:28:00.000-08:00

So here is my vlog #2. It really random... just me being extremely happy/tired after orchestra practice.
Hope you all enjoy.

Dr. Seuss and Reading Celebration Week

2009-03-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

So, this week at work we are having fun. We are celebrating Dr. Seuss by having different festivities throughout the school day for the students. Today is pajama day and pajama day=awesome because I can get away with just relaxing and reading to my students. Tomorrow we are totally having green eggs and ham for breakfast... and the mayor is going to read the book to the school. How awesome is that? I love me some green eggs and ham. Wednesday is going to be silly sock day and the principle is going to read Horton Hears a Who. Thursday is Cat in the Hat Day. Everyone is gonna make their own hats... i'm so excited! Then friday I'm going to read a Dr. Seuss book in spanish for the whole school. Not wuite sure which one, but I was honored that they would even ask me.

So, in the theme of Dr. Seuss, I want to know what your favorite Dr. Seuss book was/is? Or maybe a fun memory involving watching or reading a Dr. Seuss book.

Share!

My first vlog- dedicated to SGP

2009-03-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
So, I i was planning on taking a whole bunch of pics with my friends and I wearing SGP shirts all over portland yesterday but it decided to rain so i was bummed. To make up for not posting some pretty cool pics, I made a vlog about my shirts and just a little word about SGP. Hope you all enjoy.
Also, I just wanted to take a moment and thank Denise for all the effort and time that she put into making the podcast from today (i forgot to mention it in the vlog). Also, go check out Megan's vlog, she has a pretty cool idea that you won't want to miss out on.

SGP Haikus and Trust

2009-02-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

I love Haikus... they just make me smile. If they make you smile, you should go read some at Southern Gothic Productions.

So, last night, a couple of us were talking about trust and it got me thinking... why is it so hard for people to trust? What is trust? why do I need to trust?
If you don't know my story, to sum it up briefly, I had a lot of people let me down. I let a ton of people in, but almost everyone took advantage of it and hurt me in the end. I know a lot of people who have been hurt by people letting them down, people scarred by gossip, or just never had anyone they could depend on. I am here to tell you that the one thing I do know is that I can trust in God. I think it is important to trust others, even if you have been let down before. I think everyone deserve a chance to be trusted in. We only live life once, don't live it in fear. Find a place that you can surround yourself with people with integrity and strength.
The dictionary says:
Trust

1.	reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence

So, take a chance.
Trust in others
Trust in yourself
Trust in the arts
Trust in Faith

have a good saturday everyone

next blog.... pictures of my new SGP shirts

Lessons we can learn from Disney...

2009-02-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

So, it's amazing sometimes what we can learn from other people, movies, songs, ect. I was reading Beccas blog last night (btw- you should read her blog http://becca16-everydayiwritethebook.blogspot.com/) and it inspired me to write about some important lessons I have learned from Disney. I too have dressed up in a Pocahontas outfit before. Actually, I think I have been Pocahontas, Belle, Snow White, and Jazmine... and it wasn't just for Halloween either, these were like my everyday clothes that I would fight my mom to wear. I have always been a fan of Disney and I think sometimes God can use your interests to teach you something. So here is my list of things that I have learned over the years through Disney:

1. Always see the good in people

In Beauty and the Beast, Belle was different from everyone else. Actually, the animators purposely left out any blue in the whole town so that her blue outfit could stand out more. Anyways, she taught me to stand up for what I believe in and to not always follow the crowd... and by doing that, allowing yourself to really see people who they truly are.

2. Don't leave your child in the Jungle
haha... just had to throw that in there. In the Jungle Book, poor Mowgli has to grow up not knowing exactlywhere he belongs.

3. Don't focus on my past and keep moving forward.

Meet the Robinsons is such an amazing movie. I have learned one of the most important lessons in like from that movie. I think it is so easy, especially in state that our economy is in right now, to focus on all the negative things in life. The news doesn't really help when most of what we read and watch are negative, but there are still so many good things in life as well. Lately I have been struggling with what I'm suppose to do in the fall. I get so caught up on the "what ifs" and the "what was" that I don't pay attention to the gifts that I have in front of me right now. I think it truly is important to bring joy with you wherever you may go, to wait for joy to find you. Just keep moving forward.

4. We all make mistakes but we can't hide from them, we must embrace them and learn from them.

In The Lion King, Simba is forced to run away... "run away and never return". Yes, he didn't really do anything wrong but he though he did, and so he ran. It's funny how common that is for people. I mean I know my first reaction when I do something bad is to run. But, I have come to realize, that we are suppose to make those mistakes or go through those hard times so that we can learn from them. What if we didn't always run? What if we acknowledged what we have done and learn from it? I think we would truly be better because of it.

5. We get second chances in life.

In Pinocchio, a fairy gives someone this gift of life. Now, as I just mentioned, we all make mistakes and Pinocchio definately had his share of them. However, when he did make a mistake, the fairy always gave him the opportunity to make it right again. I think that's what GOd does for us, he gives us second chances when we need them.

So, thoughts? Comments? What have you all learned from Disney?

P.S. GO to Southern Gothic Productions if you still haven't... southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com

Happy Friday everyone!

a fun SGP shirt

2009-02-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so if you still haven't checked out Southern Gothic Productions... I'm telling you, you are missing out on life. Anyways, a girl named Lauren made a cool SGP shirt and it inspired me to make one myself. So, the front says "Math Genius?" The back says "try solving this then... Hilarie Burton + Kelly Tenney + Nicholas Gray = ? Austin Nichols - Pedestrian?" Then the sleeve says Southern Gothic. Anyways, after making this and sharing with some of my new SGP peeps from the chat, I decided that we should have like a shirt making contest. Everyone should make an SGP shirt and just rock it out and promote the blog. Who thinks this is a great idea? I think its a great idea!!

Thank you Casper...

2009-02-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

So two of my new friends, Becca and Megan, inspired me to write about ghosts (yes, I do know how random my blogs have been getting but oh well). Anyways, living on the west coast, I haven't had as many ghosts as you east coast people. I'm not saying that they aren't around over here, just that I think the older a place is and the more history a place has, the more likely you are to have a spirit still lurking around.
So, when I was in jr high, I spent a great deal of time in the library looking at books with history of ghost sightings. I learned at an early age (i think it was because of Casper) that ghosts couldn't harm me. Anyways, back to library books... so I would find stories of people and would go to some of the places just to see where these ghosts use to live. My friend's house was listed in that book for having ghosts.
One day, I was at my friends house. She lived in this old house in the middle of vineyards. She had told me about 2 ghosts that lived in her house but had never personally seen them. That night, we were upstairs in her room and we heard some barking coming outside. Because she lived out in the country, we thought the barking was towards an coyote or something so we looked out the window just to make sure. There, walking thorugh the vineyard was this sillouette of a man just minding his own business. We knew it wasn't her dad... and there was no other person around. A ghost, and it was so cool because it was just a peaceful moment that gave me reassurance that ghosts really weren't scary, they're just minding their own business. It was pretty insane! My first ghost sighting, and I will always remember that. So, whether or not you believe in ghosts or are scared of them, just know that they all have stories just like us.

So, I know that Megan is working on some pretty cool ghost stories so I think that you all should go check out her blog.
http://meganmarymcteague.blogspot.com/

Ghost Stories...

2009-02-23T20:35:00.001-08:00

Coming tomorrow... dun dun dun!

New music+ESL=happiness

2009-02-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

Oh man, so if you still haven't gone to southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com you need to! These guys are just amazing and today they posted some pretty amazing playlists from Hilarie Burton and Nick Gray. Listening to new music is one of my favorite things and so when I came across some new stuff today, it made me preety happy.
Last week my ESL stdents came up with an amazing idea. In my 4th grade group, I have one student who speaks Russian, one students who speaks Romanian, one students who speaks Thai, and I speak spanish. Anyways, they suggested that we teach each other a new word in our language and start a language log... so we did. Each day we have been sharing a new word in 4 different languages and so I though I would share.
(The spelling may not be correct but it will at least give you the pronunciation)
Hello-English
Hola-Spanish
Buna Ziua-Romanian
Halo-Russian

Yes-English
Si-Spanish
Ya-Russian
Da-Romanian
Shiy-Thai

Thanks-English
Gracias-Spanish
Spaceeba-Russian
Kapkun-Thai

Dog-English
Perro-Spanish
Ma-Thai
Subaka-Russian
Cjine-Romanian
Thats all we have learned so far. If you guys know any of these words in another language, I would love to be able to share it with my students.

Oscars, musicals, and Burgerville

2009-02-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

So wow... how amazing were the Oscars last night? I was just really impressed with everything... from the sets, to the host, to the way that they introduced the favorite male/female actress... it was just amazing. One of my favorite parts was the whole musical number. If you already know me, you know how much of a sucker I am for musicals. I have always wished that my life was a musical. I mean think about it, how cool would it be to be able to just randomly burst into song? It would be amazing!
Anyways, yeah... I also wanted to just update on my trip to Costa Rica. Tomorrow night I am excited cause we are having a fundraiser for the trip at Burgerville. Yes! I'm pretty excited cause a group of us are going to help bust tables and such from 5-8 and %10 of the profits that the restaurant makes in that time will go towards our trip.
So yay for the Oscars last night, musicals, and Burgerville!
Have a happy Monday everyone :)

Southern Gothic Productions...

2009-02-20T18:34:00.001-08:00

...is the place to be. As someone who loves the arts and seeing the joy that it brings people, I love that the Southern Gothic Production team has started this blog. I have met some pretty awesome people through it and you should check out some of their blogs. I'm telling you what... art and passion are so important and these people have both so if you look under blogs that I am following, you will find some pretty cool blogs.
And... just to make sure you have Southern Gothic Production's blog site... here it is.
www.southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com
Seriously, just go to this blog and read what they are doing. I'm telling you, you are going to love it. I mean, when you are doing something that you love, others can see it and these guys are doing something that they love and enjoy. So go and support them!
btw- I am officially addicted to blogs :)

There's Something About Music...

2009-02-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

So I am sitting here at work waiting for my students to show up and laughing at how much fun and addicting this blogging thing really is. I mean, I don't really think anyone is reading this and even if someone is, it's kind of cool to be able to just write and talk about random things and have the freedom to do it. Anyways, so as I mentioned before, I love the arts. To be more specific, I love musicals like no other. Man, I could be having the worst day but if I just put on the soundtrack to like "Wicked" or "The Sound of Music" or really just anything, my spirit is just so easily lifted. So yeah, I have just been having a long week... I'm adminitrasting state testing, planning this Costa Rica trip, and this after school program... and it just seemed like I was on the right track with everything but all of a sudden I just kind of felt really overwhelmed. I don't kow about you all but sometimes just seeing how corrupted schools can be really frustrats me. And sometimes, being a teacher is hard when you have to keep playing the rules of someone else's game. Especially this no child left behind craziness. Anyways, this morning I'm driving to work, not really wanting to go, and had my ipod on shuffle and the song "Defying Gravity" from Wicked came on. I'm telling you what... it was totally what I needed. There is just something about music. How can one song change your mood? How can one verse describe exactly how your feeling? Anyways, this song pretty much inspired me to just continue forward. I mean, just the title alone "defying gravity" doing something that everyone thinks is impossible. Making a small difference in my school district that so many people think can't happen but knowing that I can plant this seed and you know what? No one can bring me down.
So, I'm glad I trusted my instincts, closed my eyes, and leaped. Cause whether people like it or not, I think I'll try defying gravity.

You Can't Shut Up An Artist

2009-02-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'm lying in bed, roasting in this stuffy room, my mind drowning in a hurricane of online courses and finishing my script and summer plans and how to raise 1600 bucks for my trip and the play and friends and seniorprojectandtheimpendi
ngdoomofmylifeasIknowit.....GASP! Can I just go on break 2 weeks early? Wait, then I'd have to start summer school early, what fun! And by fun I mean I would rather do synchronized swimming with piranhas...I open the window, getting some air. I'm listening to the sounds of traffic on the 29 about 2 blocks from my house. and then the chirping starts. In that moment, it didnt seem like this bird (please note, there is only one. One bird. ONE!) It didnt seem like singing, rather he was cussing out for horrible driving or screaming for his life. It wasnt a bad sound, just unwelcome at 5 am. I'm here, in my bed, having a demented artist moment, thinking my writing will never go anywhere or my acting will never be worth anything when I felt God ask a question? Do you hear my creation sing? Why is this bird singing?Me: because (the realization hit me) because its what he was made to do...God: that song, in all its imperfections, in spite of the hour, is beautiful to me. Because it is my creature, unashamedly doing what I created him to do. And that is why it is worship. that is why it is beautiful. Because he holds nothing back and crys out in love. That is why this bird is an artist. thats what it means to be an artist. To cry out to God "I love you" or "I need you" or whatever is filling your heart. Art is the hearts cry to reconnect with the divine!And you can never shut up the truest of artists.".....But I cant sleep...I'm being treated to a private concert this morning :) You see, there is this bird who just wont shut up. He's crying his lungs out, seeming to beckon the sunrise...and his is the truest and most beautiful art!Sing on, my friendsing your song of praise!dont let the skeptics and passionless people around you deprive the world of your artsing and raise the sun from the sea and our hearts from their slumber, raise your voice to the heavens and I'll join in under. together my friend, we'll share in this songand worship our God in the dawn streaming over the horizon, a new day is here so sing sing sing until the darkness has faded and the doubters can see why we sang without fear. For then it will be obvious, the source of our inspiration, this elation we experience, this fascination, the one we seek to give exaltation, this king and this god and this artist extraordinaire. This lover of our souls, this love so unfair. We dont deserve it little bird...so sing on my friend, I'll translate for you sing , unashamed and unafraidtogether my friend, one voice and one lovesing on my friendsing on...
credit to my dear friend Matt

Pictures

2009-02-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

ok so I know this is like the 3rd post today but I thought I would include some pictures from my trip to costa rica. Most of these are just from passing out the shoes to the children. Enjoy!

Stories

2009-02-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
So I decided I'm going to change the style of this blog a bit. Along with informing everyone onmy trip to Costa Rica, I want to also start a fun community to help encourage everyone with fun projects to do around the community and getting parents students and teachers involved to help better the schoool systems all over.
Growing up, I never really had great experiences in school. The only thing that kept me going was the arts. I am a true believer that the arts is one of the key componenets to a child's education.
I am 20 years old and I work in a small school district with a high crime rate. A couple of weeks ago, I met with several principles to start an after school program. It was approved an in April we will be starting a program for elementary school students to come and have art lessons, music lessons, and language lessons. All of this is going to be free and led by volunteers. I am so excited to do this and see a safe enviornment grow for students to come and learn. While starting this blog, I decided it would be fun to hear from other people and see what others are doing in their community and schools and maybe get suggestions and encouragement from each other to work together as a team and slowly start to improve the American School system and school all over the world.
So now that you know my two projects both here and in Costa Rica... its your turn to share your stories.

Welcome!!

2009-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

So, this is my first time ever blogging... let's see how I do.
I guess first of all I should explain what this blog is about (I mean, that makes the most sense right?)
Anyways, last summer I went down with 3 other friends to a school in the middle of nowwhere land, Costa Rica and donated school supplies to about 150 children. All of the supplies were donated from teachers, friends, and family. We were able to give each student crayons, colored pencils, markers, toothbrushes, and a pair of brand new shoes. Now these are children who have never owed anything new before... some have never ever owed any coloring devices either. We had such an amazing ooportunity to go down and help out this small community and enjoyed it so much that I am planning on going back this summer to help even more children (500 to be exact).
I wanted to start a blog to just keep people updated and informed on plans that we are making and/or give you all the opportunity to help if you would like.
More updates to come soon. Heck, maybe I will even post some pictures from last year :)