Monthly Archives: March 2006

Mar 21 2006

what is "home"?

So my computer is up and running, which is happy news. I was able to sit down today and catch up on blogs. Joanna wrote an interesting post today about Googling names when job searching. She talked about potential employers being able to find out things about her by Googling her name. I decided to see what Google had to say about me (and also future me, which yielded only 20 results). I found two interesting things; one, a Xanga blogring called “We suffer from Ashley Deprivation Reflux”. I also found pictures from my senior show on Taylor’s Art Department website. Coming across that website has made me reminiscent, as well as a few unrelated things like a post on Susan’s blog and seeing Margaret’s senior show last weekend (hung in the exact same place as mine).

My senior show went up in late September 2004. I worked very hard on it, and was very pleased with the outcome. I explored the theme of “Home”, since that is a topic close to my heart. I asked a lot of people what home meant to them. I even read a book on the subject called “Longing For a Homeland” (many thanks to Joanna!). Sopeak‘s story about being a refugee, and Paul’s mom’s story about finding a home in the church no matter where in the world you are. My conclusion was that home is not so much a place (although that is true for many), but rather loved ones – family and friends. A lot has changed since September 2004, but I still feel that it is true. I feel at home in Orlando with my family, but yet I am trying to make a home in Atlanta. This big, beautiful city is my place-home and I yearn to be comfortable here, so I can truly call it my home. Paul joining me here is a huge step in that direction.

I was rereading the journal that people wrote comments in about my show. I am amazed at how many names I didn’t know – how cool that people who didn’t even know me took the time to leave their thoughts. I wish I had done that more to other senior shows. A lot of the comments make me smile. Like this random one where someone informs me that she thinks my tractor is sexy (huh, wonder who that could be… ZAY!). It’s neat that other missionary kids were able to relate to the subject, and the other non-art types appreciated the effort and depth. I even got a note from Walt Campbell (Dean of Students)!

Anyways, I guess I just wanted to share my show again with ya’ll. :-) I have a feeling this search for a home is a lifelong quest, since:

…And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one…
Hebrews 11:13-16

Mar 20 2006

24 reasons

The song that’s going through my head right now is that Switchfoot song “Twenty-Four”:
Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries

But that isn’t what this post is about. I am at work right now, taking advantage of the Internet here because my computer blew up today. Hehe. I love how dramatic that sounds. You really have to picture me as Anne Shirley right now, telling the story (although somehow Anne and computers don’t really go together). When I was home for lunch today, I suddenly heard a small explosion and my computer turned off. I could smell a strong distasteful odor, like burning rubber. I pulled out my handy-dandy toolbox and took apart my computer (ah, this is reminiscant of the time the fan died in my computer a few years ago, and Tree came into our room and found me sitting there with computer parts all around me looking confused). After calling my brother the diagnosis is that the power supply is definitely kaput, and hopefully nothing else. After being assured that my apartment was not going to burn down, and that it was unlikely that I lost all my data (and I was also gently reminded that I really should buy a CD or DVD burner so I can back up my compuer), I felt better and here I am now, at work, feeling like I have nothing left for me at home without the use of my computer.

(For those who are quite concerned about the outcome of this tragedy, I am being taken care of by a loving brother and fiance who are going to magically make everything better and bring my computer back to life.)

In the meantime, I am blogging at work because it is important that I post this today. For today is my beloved’s birthday. Happy Birthday!! I wish I could be there to help him celebrate today, but the happy news is that I will get to see him in only 6 more days (or so). In the meantime, I wanted to do something special for him.

Today is Paul’s 24th birthday, and here are 24 reasons why I love him, in no particular order: (I really hope you all know him too because he is really an incredible person!)

1. He is kind and unselfish – to everyone, even people he doesn’t care for that much.
2. He has a servant’s heart, and is cheerfully willing to do anything for anyone.
3. He is a great listener, even when I’m just blabbing (I do that a lot).
4. He puts others before himself.
5. He gets excited about little things (and it’s really cute!).
6. He’s a man of his word.
7. He has proven to me that I can completely trust him.
8. He’s laid back and works easily into any plan of attack (complimenting my type-A personality!).
9. He’s easy to talk to, and has lots of interesting things to say.
10. He is optimistic.
11. He has a love for God and a desire to serve Him.
12. He is willing to humor me in almost anything.
13. He tries to be a leader in our relationship, even though it’s not natural for him.
14. He is extremely patient (and I am extremely not).
15. He doesn’t yell or lose his temper, but considers all his words carefully.
16. He has a vision for the future and is excited about what he could do.
17. He is gentle and considerate of my feelings.
18. He is unique.
19. He makes me laugh, and has a wonderful laugh himself.
20. He does what is right no matter who is watching.
21. He goes the extra mile.
22. He is very huggable!
23. He takes care of me, even when my fears are irrational and dramatic.
24. He loves me, and shows me what is loveable about myself.

Happy birthday, Paul! I love you. :-) Only 131 days until I get to be your wife!

Mar 19 2006

back home again

Well, it was a long drive but I made it back to Atlanta! It actually wasn’t too bad. I made good time, getting here in about 10 hours which is an hour less than previous trips. I listened to a book on tape on the way up and back, and I really think that helps me. I like that I can check them out from the library and not have to pay money (unlike Cracker Barrel, which isn’t expensive but money nonetheless). I listened to “Prodigal Summer” by Barbara Kingsolver, which I’ll comment on more after I’m done (I have a tape and a half left).

Overall, it was a good trip although I think I misjudged by going Wednesday-Sunday… It would have been nice to take advantage of Sunday also as a day to spend time with people, since most everyone had other things to do during the weekdays. I feel like I got to see everyone, though, which was important.

My favorite quote of the weekend was by Joanna, who was telling Alisse where a restaurant was in Gaston. She described the location: “Turn left at the blinking light.” I laughed, only in small-town Indiana do you give directions “at the blinking light”. I remember the directions for getting to a sanitary beach along the desert coastal area of Peru: Take the Panamericana Sur and turn right at the tree. (The beach was almost an hour away from Lima.)

Margaret and I went driving and at one point stopped at a random intersection of two Indiana country roads and took pictures. I was telling her that I had trouble explaining to my coworkers what “middle of cornfields” was like. Pictures from this to follow. :-) Also, a lot of thoughts about being observant… which tie into the book I’m listening to.

Ann, Joanna, and I all had dinner on Thursday night and realized that all three of us are getting married this summer. That was fun. :-) I spent some time with Alisse, Matt‘s girlfriend, and I really enjoyed getting to know her more. I wish I could have spent time with her when I was still at Taylor. Sometimes I wonder if I jipped myself by graduating early.

I wasn’t expecting to see Melissa, but I did and that made me happy. I don’t know when I’ll get to see her next, especially since she’s headed to Asia sometime in the future. I’m excited for her, but Asia is far away. :-(

I picked up my yearbook from last year! That was exciting, but it seems so weird that I was just at Taylor last year. It seems so far away.

Wow, lots of thoughts and reflections; I feel a bit sober tonight thinking about everything. Big changes ahead… My past colliding with my present as it changes to my future… Welcome to life. :-) I have a lot I want to say, but I think I’m going to bed early tonight.

Tomorrow is Paul’s birthday! :-) Everyone wish him a happy birthday and give him a call!! (Ask me if you don’t have his #.)

Mar 17 2006

return to Taylor

So I’m sitting in Zondervan Library (since those are the only computers that don’t require a username and password to use) back in the old haunting grounds of Taylor University. It feels weird to be back… It’s only my second time since I graduated, the other time being last May when I came up for my graduation. It’s been weird to be here; I recognize almost no one. I guess that’s what happens when you make friends with people who are older than you. :-)

I realize that I forgot to mention on my blog that I was making this trip up to Indiana and to Taylor. I left after work on Tuesday which was kinda an adventure since I was given a bunch of things to do before I left. I ended up not being able to leave work until 6:30 and leaving Atlanta at 8:30 for Nashville. I stayed the night with Bethany and headed up to Indy the next day to spend the day with Josh and Beth and Olivia. It was fun to see Olivia and hang out with Beth.

Yesterday I wandered around Taylor and met up with people and talked to professors that I knew. It was fun… Today I went to chapel and now I’m at the library wondering what to do until I meet other people at 5. I still have people I want to see, but I have no way to get in contact with them. I also need to get lunch sometime so I think I’ll head over to Ivanhoe’s. Hehe. Maybe I’ll go to the WalMart in Marion for Old Time’s Sake… and I’d love to hook up with Melissa Woodrum who is rumored to be in the area although, again, I have no clue of how to get in contact with her…

So this has turned into a boring blog post. :-) I think it’s cuz I don’t really know what to say. So I guess I’ll stop now and go find something to do. :-)

Mar 12 2006

lovely Saturday

I had an absolutely lovely day yesterday. The weather is simply gorgeous. It got up to 80 yesterday, but the sun was beautiful and just makes me want to sing. ;-) It also makes me wish I had an outside job! I was thinking how nice it would be if I had a laptop where I could go outside and do my designs. But I digress…

Yesterday morning I met a photographer at Starbucks and talked about his work and pricing. I really liked him, and I think he’s a definite possibility. We’ll see how it goes with the two photographers I’m going to meet tomorrow. It just encouraged me to find someone in my price range whose work I liked and whose style seemed similar to my taste.

After that, I met up with Susan and we went florist shopping. We were faily unsuccessful; we only found and were able to talk to one florist who was very weird and had high prices. However, it was a delighftul drive, and Susan is very good company!

We took a drive up to Joann’s (always a good place to go) and I showed her the fabric for my bridesmaid dresses. We decided that the lavender roses that I was planning to have was going to clash with the color of the dresses, so we decided to make all the roses red and ivory… It was fun and Susan had a lot of helpful tips. We had dinner at La Madeleine (a French restaurant) and enjoyed being able to sit outside and eat our meal. The weather sure is beautiful!!

After Susan left, I didn’t feel like going back home yet so I decided to stop by Target and pick up a few things I needed. I perused the housewares aisles mentally picking out things we should register for. :-)

The evening was over, or so I thought. I still had one more surprise! Cida called me at 10:30 and wanted to borrow my vacuum cleaner, as she was doing the final cleaning of her apartment before turning in her keys today. I said sure, and then scurried around picking up the horrific mess in my apartment (see, I like to clean I just need motivation!). When she came over, we sat on the couch and talked about weddings and other things. Cida has an artistic eye that has a lot of good ideas! I need to be careful, though, because her ideas are often out of my price range! It was fun to just hang out with her, though. I love that we’re both night owls; it reminded me of college when we’ll still up and full of energy after midnight!

I was in the process of making fresh orange juice with my new juicer, so I made her a glass. It probably would have tasted better cold, but I enjoyed freshly squeezed juice. I have tons of oranges, so if anyone comes over, I will whip you up a glass! :-)

Ah good times. It always hits me by surprise at my change of mood when the weather turns warmer! I can’t wait until it’s warm enough to take advantage of the pool! Oh and just for the record, the white trees blossoming near my house are actually Bradford Pear trees, not dogwoods. I have to be more patient yet for dogwoods.