LT

Materialists mistake that which limits life for life itself.

~ Leo Tolstoy

Quick! Where's my flashlight!? Oh that's right. I don't have one.

So this is what my apartment looked like as I came home tonight at 10:13. Past curfew I know.

As I was driving down the road I pulled up to an intersection where there were some police cars, and man halfway in, halfway out of a manhole, big trucks with buckets and whatnot. Hmm...curious. Then I noticed that the red, yellow, and green lights were - black. Ah - treat it like a 4-way. Didn't think much of it. As I drove further down the road I kept thinking to myself - man, it sure is dark out - another police car - more big trucks, another intersection down. It sure is dark out.

So, we all really need to evaluate our emergency preparedness! I was certainly not equipped to handle a power outage in the middle of winter, not to mention on the coldest night of the year!?! I decided to make the best of it - and after running the battery down on my laptop watching a west wing, second season episode, I crawled into my bed. A cold bed that just kept getting colder.

12:49AM, and now I am at my parents house (my version of being prepared in an emergency) looking at generators online - researching if you will (as I was encouraged to do recently...research that is) You can buy a generator as low as 799.00 or as expensive as 13,499.00, but that is just at Lowe's. I guess I'll have to settle for a box of hand warmers for now. $.

I think of all the cold people in my town tonight. Especially the little ones! I hope they fell asleep before the lights went out quite permanently and that they sleep soundly through the night. So cold.

3 Nephi 27:32

“But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their own works upon their own heads.”

It has been done before, and Christ himself says that it would happen again, not so specifically as Judas Iscariot, but nonetheless; to sell Christ for gold and for silver. The thought saddens my heart. And yet, how many times have I sold Christ for gold and for silver, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal? How many times have I, by my actions and words, disregarded Christ as my Savior and Exemplar? “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” So I ask myself, where is my treasure? What is my treasure? And if I claim that my treasure is indeed Christ and His gospel then do my everyday actions and conversations reflect that? If not – then again, where is my treasure?
How foolish I am at times. Gold and silver, worldly possessions and pride have no eternal value. What we take with us from this life are our actions, deeds, thoughts, and our characters. Clearly the Lord doesn't want us destitute, living in a state of poverty. I believe we are to improve and beautify our surroundings, living in order and cleanliness, but always remembering that God has commanded that we are to have no other Gods before Him, and to “seek first the kingdom the God and his righteousness.” No man can serve two masters.

This is what it is all about

This was my family for about two weeks in Kansas. We spent practically every day together from 8:30am until midnight, and we had a blast doing it! I miss them and it is odd to think that I may not see any of them again. Strange. We all have quite different backgrounds, but for two weeks we came together for one purpose. Now we have gone our separate ways, left to apply our knowledge that we have gained, into our individual situations. I wish them all the very best. CHeeRS!!!
(sometimes photoshop just doesn't do the trick)

This morning I received a phone call from Don, just to say thanks for my time in Kansas. This evening when I checked my inbox, this is what was waiting for me:

Hey Lorien, this is Kyle from the workshop. I just wanted to thank you for all your help during the workshop, I didn't get to tell you bye and thanks for everything. I really liked your input and the one on one time you spent with all of us and helped me through step by step on all my questions and critiques and I think it helped me so much more than I could have ever thought. I hope everything is well for you and thanks for making the workshop quite the experience.
Thanks,
- KA

This is what it is all about. This is what makes life good. This is why I breath. I don't share this to say 'Hey hey, look at me' - but rather to share an unexpected smile that came from a thanks I wasn't looking for. Now I only wish I would have done more. The Lord sure does know how to make a miserable day better. He has balanced this Monday out quite well, in various ways. A phone call, a card from Brasil, an email, and quiche for dinner. To shake the rest of the day - I am going for a run. Tchau.

SWeeT 16!

HaPPY BiRTHDaY CHRiSTiaN! I couldn't have had a better birthday present. Miss you!

HaPPY JaNuaRY 11TH!

I've told myself that if I was still single when I turned 27 I would get a dog. :) Growing up I was always attracted to the larger breed of dogs; labs and boxers. You know, someone I could go running with down by the river. Now, I wouldn't mind a small dog - a little charmer to keep me company. Where I live, dogs are prohibited. Just as well.

Today offered a moment of reflection. A time to think about my life up until this point and where it will go from here. What could the future hold for me? My heart starts to pound and I get a little ancy sitting in this chair here thinking about it. I want to get on my way! Which is where?

?

That phrase, 'What could the future hold for me.' That seems like a rather passive phrase. I don't know what's ahead but I'd just as soon get on the train and go find it, rather than waiting for it to come down the tracks to the station...ticket please.

I have loved my time here in Kansas. Adrenaline rushes through me just by thinking and conversing about design, art mediums, plants, techniques, negative space, and ideas. This is my life. It is what I do. But it does not wholly define who I am. It is not what I want to do forever, solely anyway. Well...too early to say. I am not ruling out any ideas or possibilities - but I tell them my number one goal and priority in life would be that of a fantastic wife and very cool mom.

Most of my friends have moved into that phase. And it is a joy to see them and their families grow. I am happy for them, and I am happy for me as well. I am happy for where I am at - for what I have done, and for where I am going. A drafting table will always belong in my life, as will my markers, pencils, and soon to be paints. Art and nature has always breathed inside me and I certainly won't push it aside, but raising a family comes primary to raising plants. The great thing is, is that both can be done at the same time! Smile.

Where is OZ?

Manhattan gains a lot of it's charm from the fact that it is a college town. The campus is beautiful! Limestone. The houses near the campus are small and have character. Some more than others. Drystack walls are a regular - true drystack even. The featured image is, of course, not a true drystack as one can see. But a nice stone wall nonetheless. Very charming town. But not enough to tempt me to exceed my stay of two weeks.

The participants are feeling the wear of the workshop. It seems they either become tired and quiet...even groggy, or their fatigue is displayed by goofiness. I myself - we'll...let's just say that when I arrived at the studio this morning I still had indentations on my face from the bed sheets. Ha ha! Yes - I was late.

I have started looking into becoming ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified and ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) certified. The first will be a bit more challenging than the second. Both will help me create a more educated and responsible design, therefore becoming more valuable to the client. Also, I love being able to communicate with contractors in an educated way and while I learn a lot on the job site, I feel that keeping a steady flow on homework while I am able, will be quite beneficial. It all seems very interesting! (Although I must acknowledge that book learning cannot replace knowledge gained from hands-on experience, which is where volunteering at some gardens seems attractive)

What about a Masters Degree? Well, I don't know. That thought hasn't quite made it to the back burner.

You make me smile.

This is my absolute favorite, golden-eyed cousin! She was born two days before I and we lived together for a summer in AZ. We had a blast having girls night out every night (much to our mothers' dismay), cruising the interstate at night while learning all the lyrics to NSYNC - Lol. How pathetic. We also hit a Keith Urban concert together in which we scored tickets right at the foot of the stage (I would have screamed if I was the screamy-girl type). We hiked Camelback and ate at an Italian restaurant with valet parking, just to go out looking fancy and get a free gondola ride.

She's fun, gorgeous, witty, knows sports stats like no other, and has a killer smile and a laugh to go with it. She has a big heart and loves those around her and is not timid in sharing her mind! Ha.

Today is her birthday - she really is a dear and I miss her much! HaPPY BiRTHDaY!

She's my cuz.....'you better watch your back, cuz'...

We were supposed to have a double wedding, but she tied the knot this last August...and I couldn't be more happy for her. He's a lucky, lucky man.

title

In grade school, I was always the girl allowed to play ball with the boys - even when they were on strike against the opposite gender. Somehow my friend Lyn and I always made the cut (except for in 3rd grade when track E came back, remember that Lyn, remember that!? Dur). In high school I had a great set of guy friends, whom I greatly admire. Most are married now, spread out across the nation, with very successful careers and families. I had few close girl friends, and a handful that I hung out with on occasion, but the majority of my friends were guys.

I see this pattern has carried into my professional life as well. Most of the individuals that I associate with (99%) are men, or maybe I should say 'male' - because they do not always act like men.

The more time I spend out in the field, the more I start to wonder about these men I am surrounded by. Do they act like this at home? Would they say that in front of their wife? Would their kids be embarrassed that their dad just laughed at that joke...or made that joke?

I find that the more I am on a job consistently, the more the guys become comfortable with me around and forget that there is a lady on site. Some things just aren't appropriate or funny, whether the ladies are around or not.

Maybe that's why ML, and a handful of others say that I am too picky when it comes to guys/men/the male gender. They say I expect too much, after all, nobody is perfect; boys will be boys. Well, if expecting too much means that I don't want a guy that has to stoop to a level of mind-lessness to tell a joke or who's vocabulary is supplied by a different dictionary once he gets to work (whatever the chosen profession is), then sure, call me picky...or a even a purple crayon (previous post).

I would just hope all, male and female, would aim to be consistent with their character in whatever location they may be in, myself included.

Studio

I adore my class! Well, it's not my class, but nonetheless, I feel a certain responsibility for their ability to produce quality drawings, and for their overall experience here in Manhattan.

Today was such a fantastic day! I LOVE being in studio...everyone's energy was running well into midnight and ML had to kick us out of the building! I was having so much fun going from table to table, drawing to drawing, answering questions and showing techniques and tips and tricks - sharing my ideas and philosophies along the way.
I have not only been delighted in sharing my knowledge, but in soaking in ideas and experiences from those around me. Everyone has something to teach.

Jay, Kyle, Ashley, and Collin all attend the same university in Texas...yes, they are our Texans and we love them! Collin has a definite style that is electric and after showing Kyle some water-rendering techniques....he ran with what I taught him and made it his own. His water features are killers.

For many reasons I will be sad to leave Saturday morning, this is such a great group and we have become such great friends. It's amazing how much you can learn about a person's life in such a short time. We all have different backgrounds, and yet we have come together for this one purpose and soon we will go our separate ways. I have a feeling my ties won't end with them come the end of the week.

I am happy.

from seating charts to celebrities

Today I rearranged the seating for the class. I thought I did a pretty stellar job at mixing everyone up - making sure they could form new friendships and spread the talent around (even sticking Josh by Julie, 'cause he thinks she's hot - ha ha). When all was said and done, I realized that Grant and Peggy, who were sitting by each other previously, were still sitting by each other, just in a different location. Whoops.

Ann is a Vegan. Really. She doesn't eat meat, poultry, cheese, or anything made with animal product. She doesn't purchase leather. Where it really gets me is that she doesn't eat honey. The bees - it's all about the bees. Hmmmmmmmm. Does that make sense?

Since last Tuesday Peggy has been trying to figure out who I reminded her of. Today she had an epiphany - Lindsay Lohan. Alright.