dream catcher

if I believed these worked, I'd definitely buy one.
I think they're quite lovely.
And I wouldn't mind having some of my dreams captured.
some because I don't want to forget them.
some because I do.



photocred.

happy MLKjr day

*

they do.

I hope you spent today doing something you love.

<3

birthday collage frame (:

Lauren, you'd be proud of me, I did a bit of collaging this afternoon. (:

Friday is a dear friend of mine's birthday.

Last year, I put together a few photos of an Arts Camp we went to the summer before and a beautiful poem that she wrote and gave it to her for her sweet sixteen.

So Friday is this dear friend's birthday.

And I had no idea what to give her.

But, of course, Target came to my rescue! While perusing the dollar spot right in front of the door I came across a nice, simple, white, 5-opening frame, and I thought, "Awesome."

Purchased the frame and brought it home. Cut out scrapbooking paper to fit the openings. Then decorated.

1. a raindrop, cloud, and umbrella stickers with my writing "keep dancing" because we've danced together in the rain

2. buttons because buttons are cute

3. treble clef paper clips because she sings and dances beautifully and music is so very important to both of us

4. an antique-looking key that says "joy" that I bought the other day at Michaels because I like keys, and she is so joyful through everything

5. a card I found in my scrapbooking shelf that says "the world is waiting" because I just loved it

and ta-da. there you have it. happy birthday, dear.

Ballet <3

This is the only picture in this post that is authentically mine. Those are my feet. My beat up ballet shoes. A friend of mine took this picture for me a few years ago. Yes, the shoes have retired since then; no worries, I have new shoes to dance in now. (:


Can I please have a chair like this to pose with? Lovely.

I have been taking ballet more or less since I was three years old. There were a couple of years where I forwent ballet and took jazz and gymnastics, but I returned to ballet because I knew that if I really wanted to dance, I'd need it. I have a body for ballet: long limbs.

At my studio, we use the Sonshine Christian Ballet Syllabus which has levels from I-VIII (actually, there is a level IX now, but we do not use that one at the studio). After taking ballet as a pre-schooler, I took those couple of years off and then began ballet training again at level III.

In April or May, those the teacher believed ready to move up to the next level went through ballet testing. We attended a few extra classes to make sure we were totally ready, then arrived at the studio on a Saturday to be evaluated. The tests were a little nerve-wracking, but I enjoyed receiving the comments sheet from Mrs. Sonia (the woman who actually wrote the syllabus) after it was over.


This is rather a typical sight for us. To the dancer, water is essential.

So eventually I made it as high as I could go, and I've been there a few years now. Ballet is this staple in my life where everything is normal. I know who I am there; I know what I should be doing. And I know that even if I can't get every step perfect, it's the working hard and trying that makes the difference. Tuesdays and Thursdays I come out of ballet class sore, sweating, and blissful. It makes my body feel good. Like I have accomplished something. Like I'm doing something good for myself.



I love it.
* * *

ballet... tomorrow.

I promise.

Tomorrow I'll post about ballet.

Sweet dreams.

ballet

It's time for me to be crawling in bed, but I wanted to let you know I'll be posting a bit about my experience with ballet later on this week, so I thought I'd share some pretty pictures to get everyone in the mood. :)

* * * *

Monday happiness

***

I would LOVE to have an orange door. Definitely. And the picture you can just glimpse in the far right doorway looks intriguing.

Today I'm enjoying the sounds of Vitamin Sting Quartet. I used an iTunes gift card I received for Christmas on some of their music including Owl City's "Fireflies" and Coldplay's "Viva la Vida." The Quartet has hundreds of songs out there, and they're all a treat to listen to. :)

I hope Monday is treating you well. It's warming up a little; today the sunshine brought our temperature to the 50s. :)

Improv Everywhere

This morning I discovered this delightful website of Improv Everywhere. They live in New York and stage wonderful, random, improv missions like this Grocery Store Musical.



How fun is that?

I learned about Improv Everywhere from the blog Color Me Katie. Go visit her, she's colorful, creative, and spontaneous, and it is downright fun to read along with her adventures.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Friday~Happy Weekend

This weekend is bringing me cold, cold, cold weather. It's been about freezing all day long--a rarity here in the south--and it doesn't seem to be warming up much until next week.

This weekend is bringing me my first classes of the year with my ballerinas in the morning. I've missed them over Christmas and all the classes I had to miss before because of choir.

This weekend is bringing me time to work o

n my talent show piece with my dear friend Krista. She is going to sing (with her most beautiful voice), and I'm going to dance. What a surprise, eh?

This weekend is bringing me back to church after spending some time out of town and at my mom's church and such.

This weekend is bringing me a little time to relax, free from homework, time to get my brain back in order after this first week back to school.

Have a happy weekend, and stay warm!

*credit

I have a Father.

I have a Father who gives me courage.
He supplies all of my needs.
He gives me purpose.
He thinks I am worth everything: worth having His Son die for me.
He is stronger than anything, and He lends me that strength.
He never leaves me alone.
He lives right in my heart.
He is everywhere with me.
He never lets me down or leaves me behind.
He never forgets about me.
He gives me patience and understanding.
He gives me glimpses of this unending wisdom.
He always has time for me and gives me His undivided attention.
He heals me.
He corrects me.
He picks me up when I fall.
He comforts me.
He loves me.


And He does all these things for everyone. Without fail.

Do you know my Father?

so far.

The first few days of 2010 have been pleasant so far. :) We're off to a good start!

New Year's Day included lots of good, old friends. Then yesterday we drove up to my grandmother's house to visit with her and a few aunts, uncles, and cousins. We came home this evening because tomorrow it's back to real life for Mom and Dad. I have one more day away from school, but Tuesday we get going. I'm not looking forward to it, but it's my last semester, so I'm going to try to make it good.

<3

Happy 2010!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Happy Friday, January 1, 2010! <3