Adventures with Maddie 1.

(Note to the reader: I found this post whilst looking through all of the entries this year I haven't posted. I know it is old, but I couldn't figure out why I didn't publish it at the time. This year I began mentoring a little girl at an elementary school near by. I have had so much fun and learned so much from her. I plan to write more about my adventures with Maddie, however this was our first so I feel I need to post it :). )
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men⋅tor /ˈmɛntɔr, -tər/
–noun
1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.


Alright, alright, by no means do I fill the role of the actual definition of the word "mentor." But I did agree to start mentoring a first grade little girl, Maddie. Tomorrow is my first day and I am really excited and a little nervous, what if she doesn't like me???

For one of our activities (I can't decide if I will be patient and wait till next Friday, or just do it tomorrow...) I have a really fun Halloween themed session! I can't wait. One of my girl's goals is that she wants to be able to read better, so I found the cutest beginner book called the "Wild Witches' Ball!"



It is adorable! After we read the book I thought it would be fun to draw (with Halloween colored crayons!) our own witch ball dresses and other Halloween themed things. Along with designing our own witches ballgowns I am bringing gold and silver Mardi Gras type masks that we can glue sequins and plastic jewels on to! I really hope she has fun with it! I am also bringing her a little goody-bag with candy corn, pop rocks, a witch sucker, and a little pumpkin toy. I really hope she likes it!

Words From A Very Wise Woman

Thank you for the letter Maya Angelou! Your words meant a great deal to me. :)

Sincerely,

A most grateful daughter

If anyone is interested here is a link to order her book:
http://www.amazon.com/Letter-My-Daughter-Maya-Angelou/dp/1400066123

Lets Avoid "Yoga Toes" Before They Happen.....

(Let it be known that I was highly debating publishing this post. Most of the time I am pretty grossed out by feet, but I think that is both really funny and somewhat relieving that they make a product such as this.)

Whilst I was stretching today my mother walked by and mentioned, to my great horror, that if I kept this up I was going to get "yoga toes!" Curious as to what this frightening statement meant, I Googled the term and found out that people who practice yoga often end up with REALLY gnarly toes. GROSS!!!!

Fear not! I was relieved to find during my Googling that there is a cure and solution to the problem. And that solution is...

(Original name huh?)

Apparently, they also relieve the pain one gets after wearing high heeled shoes all day. If they work I am game. Really though my main concern is keeping my toes straight! Yuck...and here I thought I was doing my body a great favor by doing yoga. I suppose that is what I get for trying being healthy.

A Break from Midterms.

It has been awhile since I have harnessed my creative energy into a sewing/craftsey project. Well actually, with this semester's emphasis on GE's, political sciences, and international relations, it has been a while since I have harnessed my creative energy at all in the field of art. (Part of the reason I needed to look through images to get my creative juices flowing. (If you don't know what I am talking about, read the post directly below this one.))

To help let off some steam in between my studies, I decided to start sewing a dress I have wanted to make for quite sometime now. However, because it is the season of midterms (Yay...) it will probably be a while before it is complete.

Gold Rush

Today I was looking through images to help inspire me. While I was browsing it soon became apparent that my muse was suffering from a case of gold fever. Everything that stood out to me consisted of orange, gold, and black. I have never done any pieces with emphasis on any of these three colors before so I am really excited! I am not sure what I am going to do yet, but I think it would be fun to start dark and work from there. Perhaps I will use a dark card with a gold color pencil? I also have a bunch of gold leaf oil paint that I have been itching to use!

Awhile ago I found this note while browsing through a book store. It was crumpled up on one of the shelves. Reading it, I was struck by its content. There have been many times in my life when I have been faced with the uncertainties expressed in this piece of paper.

Though, I try to stay away from the fear of success (What good does it do the world if we shirk away from our capabilities and be little ourselves?) I couldn't help wonder what it is that makes us fear success and happiness sometimes as much as failure? Does it tap into human's natural fear and excitement of the unknown? Or is it because that life teaches everyone of us ( I say that with confidence) that what goes up inevitably goes down? After all, the fall is greater when you are "on top" than if you stay where you are. Perhaps it is both or neither of the two scenarios I have stated?

Either I Am Really Immature...Or This Is Really Funny.

When one walks into the girl's bathroom in the Cafe Rio in Orem this is exactly what one finds. I almost died when I walked in and saw this. The restaurant has quotes of customers and crictics painted all over its walls. This just happens to be the one (and only one) in the girl's room, and it just happens to be slapped directly above the toilet (In the color brown no less...). Am I the only one who finds this hilarious?