Saturday, December 29, 2012

Reflecting on 2012

2012 has been a tumultuous year! I moved back to Oklahoma from Colorado, celebrated a one year anniversary with my wonderful Maldives, I learned a lot of lesson, had lots of lazy days, and I cried a LOT! But it was beautiful! So, here's a reflection on 2012 before I set my eyes on tackling 2013!
Here is some of my best Facebook statuses from 2012:


 Here's some photos of great 2012 moments:


 
1) My friends and I went to "Life in Color", an awesome dance rave where they throw/shoot/pour lots and LOTS of paint on you! It was so much fun!
2) A picture of me from my Welcome Back to Oklahoma party! We went down to the river, which I missed greatly while I was away, and I got to hang out with greatly missed friends!
3) My family and I went to a peace festival! This is my dad an I holding up the free signs they had at the door! I love my family!

And here's some of my favorite art pieces I have created in 2012:


And here are my two favorite "How Strange, How Small We Must Become" blog posts: 
http://howstrangehowsmall.blogspot.com/2012/03/human-experience.html

I am very excited for 2013! I will post my goals and dreams once we get into the new year! I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a magical 2012! What are some of your favorite moments of 2012?

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Early December Update

I am loving this holiday season so far. I am having so much fun being crafty, making Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts. I love my holiday playlist. Sufjan Stevens, Family Force 5, and Relient K all have amazing Christmas albums.

The winter season and cold outside does bring about an atmosphere of internal reflection. I try to be mindful of my self everyday, my feelings, my memories, my intentions. I have a lot of hurt that still needs healing and I am trying everyday to lighten the load and be mindful of the source of suffering. It's a tangled, exhausting battle. A daily battle of the darkness of past hurts and the light of ever- springing creativity. It might not be a battle that ever ends, because each day brings new pains and new inspirations for hope. I am learning to allow myself the dark days, because they help me to find healing as well. Simply smothering the darkness with smiles and acting like it isn't there will not heal in the end. Everyday is new and I must put one foot in front of the other with the intent of doing the best I can, of seeing with eyes unclouded by hate. Wish me well, and I wish the same for you!

 One of my homemade Christmas presents, this one is for my nephew!

 I like adding texture to art with tangles of string!



 The three above are art journal pages. 
And I am always adding to my Christmas decorations! 

I hope you are all enjoying December and the holiday season! :D

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Christmas Decorations!

Since I am living in my own apartment instead of at home, I don't have all of my mom's closet of holiday decorations to rely on. (Although I did swipe a few things, with her reluctant permission.)
I don't have money to purchase all new decorations so I decided to make a few out of things lying around the house!

 I made ornaments out of an insert in a box of coca-colas. Just cardboard and acrylic paint!



 These little guys were also made from cardboard, the snowflakes are just regular ol' printer paper. 


 I made our stocks out of scrap fabric from my hoard of craft things. Instead of candy and little toys, we are going to put nice notes in each other's stockings throughout December and then read them on Christmas Day. :D

 These last two are classics from my mom's collection. I can't imagine Christmas without this Nativity scene!

I have started on my Christmas playlist and made a list of all the Christmas movies I must see. So excited for this season!

What are your favorite Christmas decorations from your childhood? In what ways have you added your own touch to your Christmas decor?

Happy holidays and good cheer for all!