God's Laughing At Me!

How do I know God loves to laugh? Because He listens to me wallow in my dark place and gently shows me that I'm wrong and that He loves me. Surprisingly, He spoke to me through design class.

I was having an "eck" day. I was tired, hungry, and sure didn't feel attractive because I had over selpt and not had enough time to get ready in the morning. I also felt dumb because I had seen some photography from a freshman that was AMAZING. I also felt lonely.

So there I am, sitting in class, and of the 14 pieces we were voting on, mine was the only one to not get a single vote. Oh! How that hurt! I started railing on myself. Then I asked God why? I told Him how I was feeling: worthless.

Right then, God was laughing at me. You see, He knew what was going to happen next.

Clint decided to pick some of his favorites to talk about. The last one he put up was mine. He then preceded to talk about how this one was his favorite--how I had gone out on a limb to try something new. I sat there, ashamed. I had just been wallowing in my self-pity and worthlessness when I received praise for something that I had done. But I didn't see it as praise from my professor. I felt it as praise from my Creator.

And He continued to laugh.

Christine, who is in the design class right after mine, said that Clint showed my design to her class as well. Now I really felt stupid. Thankfully, it was only before my Father in heaven. That's not so bad.


So here I stand. Laughing right along with Him.

Swing Your Partner

Ah Saturday evenings. The sun has set, the songs were sung, and do you know what all the good little Adventist children from SAU go?

That's right, they head on over to Shirley's Dance Club, an alcohol-free dance club and Saturday night is Swing dancing!

I had a lot of fun learning swing. We also learned some line dancing including the Electric Slide, Zuit Suit Riot, and the Cupid Shuffle.

There was only one problem... There seems to be a shortage of guys in this part of the world. There were a ton of girls there are not that many girls but it was still really fun!!!

Ok, so not ALL of Southern was there but there were several people I recognized.

This is me telling Christine not to take a picture while Chris is laughing at me....

Christine and Karalee

Chris did a good job with dancing with everyone in our group...

Me and Christine

We had to finish the night off with a midnight run through Sonic.

Yes, we had fun. The only problem is, Shirley's is closing! We went to the last swing night.

Scene of the Crime

10/12/08 Collegedale TN
The report just in:


(Cue the dramatic music)
Do you see what I see?
Is that what I think it is?

Yes. That, my friends, is the sight at the scene of the crime.

So who done it?

Well, I am going to guess that it was the Design I students, in the 3rd East Lobby with the Pallet Knife.

And the correct answer is...






Bum bum bum, DA DA!

It WAS the Design students, in the 3rd east lobby with the pallet knife (and tape!)

This was the scene two Sundays ago as the Procrastination Club got together to begin their final projects on value which were due the following afternoon.

During their 16 hour occupation of the premises, spectators could instantly tell which group they were passing by. Some of the signs to look for when watching for a D.S. are as follows:

1. Sprawling messes.

2. Obsession with cutting.

3. And the don't-even-look-at-me-right-now expressions.

It is highly suggested that if you see any of these signs, you bring gifts of chocolate and music. It would also be in your best interest to pour out your greatest sympathies unto this group of unfortunate souls.

Their next meeting is projected to be this coming Sunday. All neat freaks and those with weak stomachs are urged to avoid the 3rd floor lobby at all costs.

Sunny Chattanooga

Update #2

10/11/08 Downtown Chattanooga

After church, Karalee, Christine and I decided to head down town. This was the first time that I had been in this area looking somewhat presentable. (If you read my last post, then you would understand the state of which I first visited the city).

It was a BEAUTIFUL day. And, well, I don't think I need to mention that I had my camera along. Yes, I had my camera around my neck and we again kept ourselves entertained. We were not the only ones out and about making use of the wonderful lighting...
Walking around, we saw three different weddings and one girl having her senior portraits taken. So we fit right in!

Now, the nice thing about my friends is the fact that they are willing to model for me! Karalee and Christine are great! And they're not the only ones... Once again, I want to thank Carrie, for all the times that I've been like, "Oh my word the lighting is perfect! Carrie! Up against that wall!". And Lizi, I don't know how many times I've said things like that to you too. And Minna, and Tricia, and then of coarse Xylina, Jasmine, Natalie and Kate. The list really could go on and on... Oh! And family. The thing about having brothers is that you can't really get them to pose for picture. Brothers are good for action shots, either on a skateboard or the rapid sucession of making faces for the camera. That's where the role of cousins come in! Yes! Lauren, Maddi and Raechel. All in all, I love taking pictures of people who are close to me. Each and every one of them is unique and BEAUTIFUL! So, I guess this is my chance to say thank you! :D

This is my "paparazzi" shot for the day...

Remember when you would bug your little siblings to death and then cry to your parents when they started to pick on you and your parents said that you can't give it unless you can take it... Well, I have a hard time accepting this aspect when it comes to photography. Christine found this out...









I'm not saying that I'm not photogenic, I'm just not as comfortable in front of the camera as I am behind it...

So after a while of trying to get me to model, Christine finally realized that pictures with me in it are not the most serious...

So Hollie

Unfortunately, this is the story of my life:

And anyone who has met me can verify this fact. So, today I am going to update you...

9/28/08 Race for the Cure, Chattanooga

I am proud to announce that I finally participated in my first race- a 5K Race for the Cure. As soon as I heard about this, I knew that I had to do it. Did I enjoy it? Well, I'm still alive! That's always positive... The race began at 2:00. There about 6,000 participants and hundreds of spectators. The sun was beaming with pride for all of us. I felt it's warmth as soon as I began.

The main reason I chose to run was because I wanted to represent someone near and dear to my heart: Judy Jutzy.

This annual race raises thousands of dollars for breast cancer research. Every participant can wear a sign on their back proclaiming that they run either "In memory of" or "In celebration of" someone. I am so very thankful to say that I ran in celebration of Aunt Judy. Chris also wore a sign for "J3".









The Southern Striders were proud to represent our school at this event. I got to know several other girls on the team who are either freshman or sophomores...

The one thing that was a little bit uncomforting for me was the fact that I am not an experienced runner. In fact, most of the people in our group received awards for their excellent running.
Some of the guys were a the first few people to finish the race. I can't say that I am to ashamed for not receiving a metal. The following Tuesday evening, the editor of the school newspaper called me asking if I had any pictures from this event and that they needed them right away. All in all, I ended up having another photo of mine published in the paper. Not bad!



I must add to my list of things to do today. Unfortunately, I need to go and study....

Oh! And here's a collage I did this last Friday evening. It's not the best picture in the world but if you can look closely, it has the words "west coast" and "California" in it. Can you tell what I'm longing for???

Shooting My Friends

As most of you might know, I love to take people pictures. And if your name is Carrie, Lizi, Tricia or Minna, you know this from experience. This last Friday evening, before vespers, my two friends, Christine and Karalee, got all dressed up and we went shooting. Unfortunately, we timed it just as the sun went behind the hill and we lost most of our light. This was not good news to me because I do not have an external flash for my camera. We still managed to have fun!

Karalee

Christine

Periodically I serf the web in search of photographers who inspire me. I must left you know that I found another one: Melody Hood. Wonderful portraits! Check out the link to her site on the right!

My New Diet: Design Class

Design Principles I. That class rules my life. It is the cause of my new diet. I don't eat because I'm working on projects. But it seems like a miricle happened yesterday in Design. Perhaps it has to do with Jordan's outburst??

Let me explain. You see that picture?
The one to the right side here?

That, my friends, is MY shape project up on the board! Now, I can't vouch for my grade on the project yet but I was very surprised to see it on the display board outside.

However wonderful that is, I must say that I'm a little suspicious because all but one guy in our row got their projects displayed. I sit in the back row, the FUN row.... Well, last week, our teacher was frustrating everyone and one girl loudly voiced her opinion to the teacher in front of the entire class. A group of people later went in and had a chat with the dean of the art department here. The people who spoke up and went to the dean were the people who I sit with in the back row... Is it a coincidence that we all got our things displayed?

This is Nancy and I in class. Nancy keeps the back row kids from doing something drastic...

The view from the back row.

Disclaimer: I know that skipping meals is VERY unhealthy and I am trying to get to meals. I sometimes just don't have time to eat...

Working on Self Control

I need to make one thing clear. I have NEVER lived this close to a mall before. It is so much fun!
God must want to teach me a lesson in self control...

Tonight, a few of us went to the mall. Oh! It was fun! They left and I wanted to go to one more store to "look". Well, I found this bracelet on sale. I also recently got this scarf on sale at, yes, Anne Taylor Loft. I still can't believe that I'm within 15 minutes of some of my all time favorite stores!!!! I am working on my self control. I forced myself to leave a great sale at Gap without buying anything!

But about my mall experience tonight. So it was about 8:30 and I was by myself. No problem. I put on my serious face, stuck my nose in the air, puffed out my chest and charged right ahead to the store I wanted to go to. Thank goodness no one tried to talk to me. I might have come unglued because I was shaking inside, especially walking to my car in the dark. I am such a country girl...