I've had numerous of customers at The Grocery Store tell me they've never heard of my name before. Some ask me how I got that name, and I respond that it's from the Bible. Others just comment on the name. When I head back to school, I'm reminded that in my current circle of people, my name is awfully common. First there's my cousin Bethany N., then a Bethany G., a Bethany F., a Bethany B, a Bethany L., a Bethany H., a Bethany P., and three Bethany S. Those are counting the people I know pretty well, not all the other countless Bethany's out there.
Also in other related new, I:
1. Talked to Laura for about five hours on Thursday and then another two or three on Sunday.
2. Read Secret of Chimneys in a twelve hour span, and most of it was in one sitting. Hehe, I love doing that. Agatha Christie is a genius, and Anthony Cade is always enjoyable.
3. Finished the Star Wars series. Not sure if I'll ever watch the new ones again, but I want to own the original and watch them again and again. Highly enjoyable. Also, I want an Ewok and Yoda because of the absolute adorableness of both.
4. Watched more of my tv shows, though I didn't get to finish them.
5. Went to the fabulous Mexican restaurant in town for lunch with RuthAnn and Philip. We missed Joanna greatly, but we still inhaled the chips and salsa plus those fantastic burrito fajitas (which are to die for).
6. Blogged about Ginevra de' Benci. The trip down memory lane was good for me. It was good to think back on those years and how much I've changed.
7. Slept. Never super late because that's not me, but I loved sleeping without having to get up for school.
I think I'm ready to start my last semester of classes in my undergraduate career. I'm ready to finish college.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Ginevra de' Benci
Ginevra de' Benci changed my life.
As a child, I had no interest in paintings. My family would discuss them, but I had no interest. I would look through encyclopedias or library books of paintings Philip checked out, but I had no interest. Nothing could make me like or enjoy paintings.
When I was fourteen, my family decided to vacation in Washington DC for spring break. This was monumental because 1) we weren't visiting family in PA; we were heading to a vacation destination*, 2) we weren't playing any concerts along the way which meant no instruments were coming with us, and 3) we weren't staying with people; we were getting a motel.
We planned our vacation for months. We talked through which museums and memorials to visit, when to visit them, and how long we could spend at each place. We researched the best places to visit. The spy museum was high on everyone's list, and then the National Gallery of Art. I, at this time in my life, had no desire to look at paintings let alone visit the National Gallery of Art. I was proud of the fact of not enjoying paintings. It's strange to think back and realize how childish I was.
The day came for our visit to the National Gallery of Art. My dad and three siblings headed off to it while I went with my mom to the Natural History museum to pick up more rocks. It's also sad to realize that rocks (for souvenirs) had a higher priority than real live paintings. By the time mom and I arrived at the museum, we had about forty-five minutes before the gallery closed. I had to choose what I wanted to see because we couldn't find our family. I chose Renaissance art because I knew the National Gallery of Art owned the only Leonardo da Vinci in the States. And as against paintings as I was, I really wanted to see a da Vinci. Then I saw Ginevra de' Benci.
I stared at the painting in awe. Literal awe. The detail, the clearness, those curls, the trees. All of it blew me away. I remember I was especially amazed by the brushstrokes. I could see them. I hadn't really connected brushstrokes and a painting before. To me at that moment, the brushstrokes made the painting real. I couldn't believe I was staring at something Leonardo da Vinci had his hands on. I was in awe.
My life had been changed. When I dragged myself away from Ginevra de' Benci, I wandered through the Rembrandt's staring at the paintings. I was fascinated by the brushstrokes, and I wanted to keep staring at all the paintings, I wanted to wander through the whole gallery and soak in the art. I was devastated that the National Gallery of Art closed in thirty to twenty minutes.
Ginevra de' Benci holds a dear spot in my heart because of the way I changed after viewing it. Even though I'm not an art connoisseur today, I now appreciate and love learning more about it. I now adore going to galleries though I don't have as many opportunities as I would like. Paintings opened my eyes to the other aspects of art and my love of history grew and deepened.
So there's the story of my profile picture and a day and painting which changed my life.
*We are the people who think Washington DC is a vacation spot. Museums are our friends, especially free ones.
As a child, I had no interest in paintings. My family would discuss them, but I had no interest. I would look through encyclopedias or library books of paintings Philip checked out, but I had no interest. Nothing could make me like or enjoy paintings.
We planned our vacation for months. We talked through which museums and memorials to visit, when to visit them, and how long we could spend at each place. We researched the best places to visit. The spy museum was high on everyone's list, and then the National Gallery of Art. I, at this time in my life, had no desire to look at paintings let alone visit the National Gallery of Art. I was proud of the fact of not enjoying paintings. It's strange to think back and realize how childish I was.
The day came for our visit to the National Gallery of Art. My dad and three siblings headed off to it while I went with my mom to the Natural History museum to pick up more rocks. It's also sad to realize that rocks (for souvenirs) had a higher priority than real live paintings. By the time mom and I arrived at the museum, we had about forty-five minutes before the gallery closed. I had to choose what I wanted to see because we couldn't find our family. I chose Renaissance art because I knew the National Gallery of Art owned the only Leonardo da Vinci in the States. And as against paintings as I was, I really wanted to see a da Vinci. Then I saw Ginevra de' Benci.
I stared at the painting in awe. Literal awe. The detail, the clearness, those curls, the trees. All of it blew me away. I remember I was especially amazed by the brushstrokes. I could see them. I hadn't really connected brushstrokes and a painting before. To me at that moment, the brushstrokes made the painting real. I couldn't believe I was staring at something Leonardo da Vinci had his hands on. I was in awe.
My life had been changed. When I dragged myself away from Ginevra de' Benci, I wandered through the Rembrandt's staring at the paintings. I was fascinated by the brushstrokes, and I wanted to keep staring at all the paintings, I wanted to wander through the whole gallery and soak in the art. I was devastated that the National Gallery of Art closed in thirty to twenty minutes.
Ginevra de' Benci holds a dear spot in my heart because of the way I changed after viewing it. Even though I'm not an art connoisseur today, I now appreciate and love learning more about it. I now adore going to galleries though I don't have as many opportunities as I would like. Paintings opened my eyes to the other aspects of art and my love of history grew and deepened.
So there's the story of my profile picture and a day and painting which changed my life.
*We are the people who think Washington DC is a vacation spot. Museums are our friends, especially free ones.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
A Couple Things To Complete
To complete my amazing summer, I need to do a couple of other things:
1. Talk with Laura face-to-face. Laura is a great friend from college. She gets in today, and after she's moved in, we'll be talking for hours trying to solve all the problems because that's what we do when we get together. I'm super excited.
2. Read Secret of Chimneys. I think finishing my summer with some Anthony Cade is a good idea. Plus, Agatha Christie has a way of writing this story, so I'm not 100% sure how it all works out in the end with all the in's and out's which means I'm always in suspense even though I've read it three or four times. Yes, I adore rereading books.
3. Finish Star Wars. We've had Return of the Jedi out for a couple of days, but with the craziness of moving sisters and international students arriving plus work, we haven't been able to watch it. I'm ready to finish this series.
4. Watch some more of a great tv show. Or two great tv shows.
5. Spend some more time with RuthAnn and Philip. Once school starts, I won't see them, and life without seeing them or talking to them is not as great.
6. Blog about my profile picture. I've been meaning to explain since I started this blog why I have that painting as my profile picture.
7. Sleep just a little more. I slept in today, but I have only two more days I can sleep in before school starts. Then it will be three and a half months before I have a day to sleep in. I told The Grocery Store I would work every Saturday morning.
But now I'm off to meet up with Laura.
1. Talk with Laura face-to-face. Laura is a great friend from college. She gets in today, and after she's moved in, we'll be talking for hours trying to solve all the problems because that's what we do when we get together. I'm super excited.
2. Read Secret of Chimneys. I think finishing my summer with some Anthony Cade is a good idea. Plus, Agatha Christie has a way of writing this story, so I'm not 100% sure how it all works out in the end with all the in's and out's which means I'm always in suspense even though I've read it three or four times. Yes, I adore rereading books.
3. Finish Star Wars. We've had Return of the Jedi out for a couple of days, but with the craziness of moving sisters and international students arriving plus work, we haven't been able to watch it. I'm ready to finish this series.
4. Watch some more of a great tv show. Or two great tv shows.
5. Spend some more time with RuthAnn and Philip. Once school starts, I won't see them, and life without seeing them or talking to them is not as great.
6. Blog about my profile picture. I've been meaning to explain since I started this blog why I have that painting as my profile picture.
7. Sleep just a little more. I slept in today, but I have only two more days I can sleep in before school starts. Then it will be three and a half months before I have a day to sleep in. I told The Grocery Store I would work every Saturday morning.
But now I'm off to meet up with Laura.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Keep Calm and Carry On
I usually find motivational posters and sayings dumb. Yet, I love this one.
I first learned of this saying eight or nine months ago, so I missed all the initial craziness and hype over it. A man from church sent an article on the origin of the statement. I thought the saying was perfect for how England endured the nine months straight of bombings in WWII. It's also utterly British in how they act.
Something about it connected with me. I look at the poster, and I'm given strength to continue. I know very strange, but I think about all that England endured with nine months of bombings. I reevaluate my life, and I realize that I can survive what is going on in my life right now. I've decided that it would be a good motto for this next year and possibly my life.
You do have the right to make fun of me for loving a motivational saying, but I will continue to have a love for this saying. And yes one day, I may own some copies of it.
I first learned of this saying eight or nine months ago, so I missed all the initial craziness and hype over it. A man from church sent an article on the origin of the statement. I thought the saying was perfect for how England endured the nine months straight of bombings in WWII. It's also utterly British in how they act.
Something about it connected with me. I look at the poster, and I'm given strength to continue. I know very strange, but I think about all that England endured with nine months of bombings. I reevaluate my life, and I realize that I can survive what is going on in my life right now. I've decided that it would be a good motto for this next year and possibly my life.
You do have the right to make fun of me for loving a motivational saying, but I will continue to have a love for this saying. And yes one day, I may own some copies of it.
Future Thoughts
My final semester of classes start in nine days. The joy that enters my mind and body is indescribable. And then the worry enters. I'm graduating from college in nine months. In nine months, I will have no more required plans. I have to start looking for a job. How am I going to find a job, I'm going into the teaching field?
Since high school, my plan has been to find a teaching job overseas when I finished college. As the years through college progressed, I had been planning on teaching at a Christian school in Hawaii. However, as the college years have progressed, I've come to the conclusion that I don't believe in Christian schools. If I don't believe in those kinds of schools, why would I teach there? So now, I'm faced with the thoughts of jumping out into the unknown.
The adventure of moving overseas intrigues me; it intrigues me a lot. Yet I'm not sure if I've worked through all the realistic and practical parts of moving overseas. Find a job at an international school. Find housing in _____ country and get settled. Move all my supplies over to _____ country and school. I know my sister RuthAnn moved overseas in two suitcases, but would that be possible for me? Get a visa. Learn a language. Be thousands of miles away from my family. Find a church body. Have no vehicle or learn to drive in a foreign country. Find a bank. Pay taxes in another country. Teach my own classroom for the first time in an international school.
Moving across the country scares me in a way I never would have imagined. I don't like this feeling. This wariness, timidity, nervousness (I can't find the right word) about the future doesn't seem like me. Well according to my perspective of myself. I've always thought of myself as a person who's willing to go wherever, whenever, and with whoever or with nobody. I have always groaned inwardly when people said they couldn't ever imagine moving away and specifically overseas; I've dreamed about moving overseas for years. Why all the wariness/worries? Why now? I don't want future worries to hinder me from continuing on my path.
I truly have no clue where the Lord will have me in a years time, but honestly it's okay because with all the worries, there's also a peace when I remember that He knows where I'll be in a year and that place will be the best place for me to serve Him at that time. I'll still be busy making plans and following leads, but it's reassuring and peaceful knowing it's all in His hands.
Since high school, my plan has been to find a teaching job overseas when I finished college. As the years through college progressed, I had been planning on teaching at a Christian school in Hawaii. However, as the college years have progressed, I've come to the conclusion that I don't believe in Christian schools. If I don't believe in those kinds of schools, why would I teach there? So now, I'm faced with the thoughts of jumping out into the unknown.
The adventure of moving overseas intrigues me; it intrigues me a lot. Yet I'm not sure if I've worked through all the realistic and practical parts of moving overseas. Find a job at an international school. Find housing in _____ country and get settled. Move all my supplies over to _____ country and school. I know my sister RuthAnn moved overseas in two suitcases, but would that be possible for me? Get a visa. Learn a language. Be thousands of miles away from my family. Find a church body. Have no vehicle or learn to drive in a foreign country. Find a bank. Pay taxes in another country. Teach my own classroom for the first time in an international school.
Moving across the country scares me in a way I never would have imagined. I don't like this feeling. This wariness, timidity, nervousness (I can't find the right word) about the future doesn't seem like me. Well according to my perspective of myself. I've always thought of myself as a person who's willing to go wherever, whenever, and with whoever or with nobody. I have always groaned inwardly when people said they couldn't ever imagine moving away and specifically overseas; I've dreamed about moving overseas for years. Why all the wariness/worries? Why now? I don't want future worries to hinder me from continuing on my path.
I truly have no clue where the Lord will have me in a years time, but honestly it's okay because with all the worries, there's also a peace when I remember that He knows where I'll be in a year and that place will be the best place for me to serve Him at that time. I'll still be busy making plans and following leads, but it's reassuring and peaceful knowing it's all in His hands.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
A Dream Come True
A dream come true. That's what happened when The Four took our road trip to NC. For years, we've (The Four) talked in passing of taking a road trip, and now it finally has happened. It's in the past now which is weird to think about.
We had such an amazing time together. We are similar enough, so we travel well together. Yet, we're each our own person with different thoughts, opinions, and experiences which adds tot the color of our time together. We enjoy the same car activities--listening to music, watching movies/shows, reading, sleeping, and reading trivial pursuit cards (yes we are that nerdy), so there's really no bickering over what we should do as we drive. We're also good travelers, so we know how to drive for four or five hours straight, or we know when to be quite so the driver can focus.
We had a fabulous time visiting friends. With our NC friends, we spent the time together setting up for a wedding and then participating in the wedding. Our days we're packed with church and reception set-up plus all of the craziness of family and friends coming to visit. We also all got to experience the evil-psycho-flower-lady, whom I yelled at twice because she was so crazy and frustrating. The best part was getting away Thursday night after the rehearsal and heading to the beach at 10:30 at night with The Four and our close friends. The beach is gorgeous at night, especially when there's a full moon. With our SC friends, we enjoyed a quiet day of talking, shopping, eating, and watching Olympics. I enjoyed getting to know their cat--Mr. Darcy.
We loved getting to visit our brother Matt and his wife Michelle. We got to see their newly remodeled house which is just beautiful. We ate some amazing pizza, and we learned all about the Olympic sport of speed-walking. Which, if you're interested, Olympic speed-walking has some interesting videos to show what the sport of speed-walking is all about. We caught up and filled each other in on the latest gossip. Even though we had such a short time with them, we had such a wonderful time.
All in all the trip was wonderful. I'm not sure if The Four will ever take a road trip again, but if not, we will have good memories of when we were able to make a dream become reality.
We had such an amazing time together. We are similar enough, so we travel well together. Yet, we're each our own person with different thoughts, opinions, and experiences which adds tot the color of our time together. We enjoy the same car activities--listening to music, watching movies/shows, reading, sleeping, and reading trivial pursuit cards (yes we are that nerdy), so there's really no bickering over what we should do as we drive. We're also good travelers, so we know how to drive for four or five hours straight, or we know when to be quite so the driver can focus.
We had a fabulous time visiting friends. With our NC friends, we spent the time together setting up for a wedding and then participating in the wedding. Our days we're packed with church and reception set-up plus all of the craziness of family and friends coming to visit. We also all got to experience the evil-psycho-flower-lady, whom I yelled at twice because she was so crazy and frustrating. The best part was getting away Thursday night after the rehearsal and heading to the beach at 10:30 at night with The Four and our close friends. The beach is gorgeous at night, especially when there's a full moon. With our SC friends, we enjoyed a quiet day of talking, shopping, eating, and watching Olympics. I enjoyed getting to know their cat--Mr. Darcy.
We loved getting to visit our brother Matt and his wife Michelle. We got to see their newly remodeled house which is just beautiful. We ate some amazing pizza, and we learned all about the Olympic sport of speed-walking. Which, if you're interested, Olympic speed-walking has some interesting videos to show what the sport of speed-walking is all about. We caught up and filled each other in on the latest gossip. Even though we had such a short time with them, we had such a wonderful time.
All in all the trip was wonderful. I'm not sure if The Four will ever take a road trip again, but if not, we will have good memories of when we were able to make a dream become reality.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Frankie's Brakes Continued
Sears couldn't fix my break line. I didn't start crying until I was talking to my dad, and there was silence on the phone because we didn't know what to do. The Four were stranded in eastern SC. We were supposed to be in western SC with our friends. Where was Frankie supposed to go? He certainly wasn't driveable, and it was Saturday afternoon--all the auto shops were closed. Crying wasn't going to help find a solution, so I stopped as we started brainstorming.
We had to find a dealership. Frankie's brake lines were rusted, and Sears said only dealerships would work on it. Another hitch is that Oldsmobile doesn't make cars anymore which means we had to find a GM dealership. Thankfully Barnes and Noble has wi-fi and comfy chairs positioned between romance and mystery. So the four of us sat around looking for a dealership.
However, Dad, in NC, found a dealership where Frankie could sit over the weekend and then get fixed. And our friends in western SC were willing to drive and pick us up.
We sat in Barnes and Noble reading, on the phone, and talking. We ate dinner and did some shopping. Then it was time to begin the perilous journey to the dealership. At this point, Frankie's brake line would leak all the break fluid in about 10 minutes. Frankie would start beeping when the break fluid was low. For the first time I can remember, the GPS took us the wrong way. We put more break fluid in because Frankie was beeping at us and made it to the dealership.
The receptionist allowed us to park on the carport instead of the lot, so Frankie would be looked at and possibly fixed sooner. And our friends picked us up. They were amazing--driving three hours to get us and then three hours back.
Monday morning, my parents drove from NC to SC to pick up the car after it was fixed. They didn't replace my break lines (though they will need to be replaced soon); they plugged the hole. Frankie was ready for the road by 11:30 AM.
From this trip, I now know that Frankie needs new tires and new break lines. I'm super thankful that in both situations, the flat tire and leaking break line, the Lord kept us safe. I'm thankful for parents who are willing to jump in and drive around the country to help me when Frankie has his problems. They were willing to search for car places in both situations. They called dealerships and auto shops. They gave up time with their friends, so we wouldn't lose too much time with our brother and his wife. I'm also thankful for R, J, and P. They were great to be with. The tire would not have been changed if not for J and P. J drove Frankie as he leaked brake fluid. R was extremely steady; in fact, all of them were steady. I could not have made it without all of them.
I now feel more prepared for life in dealing with cars and taking road trips.
We had to find a dealership. Frankie's brake lines were rusted, and Sears said only dealerships would work on it. Another hitch is that Oldsmobile doesn't make cars anymore which means we had to find a GM dealership. Thankfully Barnes and Noble has wi-fi and comfy chairs positioned between romance and mystery. So the four of us sat around looking for a dealership.
However, Dad, in NC, found a dealership where Frankie could sit over the weekend and then get fixed. And our friends in western SC were willing to drive and pick us up.
We sat in Barnes and Noble reading, on the phone, and talking. We ate dinner and did some shopping. Then it was time to begin the perilous journey to the dealership. At this point, Frankie's brake line would leak all the break fluid in about 10 minutes. Frankie would start beeping when the break fluid was low. For the first time I can remember, the GPS took us the wrong way. We put more break fluid in because Frankie was beeping at us and made it to the dealership.
The receptionist allowed us to park on the carport instead of the lot, so Frankie would be looked at and possibly fixed sooner. And our friends picked us up. They were amazing--driving three hours to get us and then three hours back.
Monday morning, my parents drove from NC to SC to pick up the car after it was fixed. They didn't replace my break lines (though they will need to be replaced soon); they plugged the hole. Frankie was ready for the road by 11:30 AM.
From this trip, I now know that Frankie needs new tires and new break lines. I'm super thankful that in both situations, the flat tire and leaking break line, the Lord kept us safe. I'm thankful for parents who are willing to jump in and drive around the country to help me when Frankie has his problems. They were willing to search for car places in both situations. They called dealerships and auto shops. They gave up time with their friends, so we wouldn't lose too much time with our brother and his wife. I'm also thankful for R, J, and P. They were great to be with. The tire would not have been changed if not for J and P. J drove Frankie as he leaked brake fluid. R was extremely steady; in fact, all of them were steady. I could not have made it without all of them.
I now feel more prepared for life in dealing with cars and taking road trips.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Frankie's Brakes
Frankie's break line is leaking. Yes, I'm on my road trip vacation.
My hands are shaking. My stomach is in knots. My heart hasn't slowed down since we pulled into the gas station off of I-95. My mind is racing a mile a minute. I can't read because my mind won't slow down. I keep checking the clock. But there's nothing I can do. My car is out of my hands. God knows how much this is going to cost and how much time we'll have to sit in the mall waiting. I must trust God and wait on His timing.
There's a peace knowing He's in control, but my mind won't settle down. It won't calm down. I'm so nervous because I have no control over this situation. Plus Frankie is holding us up from seeing friends we haven't seen in at least two years if not more.
Allowing myself to freak out and worry is not wise. And it's not helping me calm down. I'm trying to put this in perspective--this is one day out of many, this is one car problem out of many, the Lord worked out the flat tire amazingly just a couple of days ago, worse things could have happened to Frankie, we in the car could have been majorly injured, the brake line could have broken in no-man's-land, and we could be sitting in a car dealership instead of a Barnes and Noble.
I'm waiting for a call, but I'm going to start heading back to the dealership now.
My hands are shaking. My stomach is in knots. My heart hasn't slowed down since we pulled into the gas station off of I-95. My mind is racing a mile a minute. I can't read because my mind won't slow down. I keep checking the clock. But there's nothing I can do. My car is out of my hands. God knows how much this is going to cost and how much time we'll have to sit in the mall waiting. I must trust God and wait on His timing.
There's a peace knowing He's in control, but my mind won't settle down. It won't calm down. I'm so nervous because I have no control over this situation. Plus Frankie is holding us up from seeing friends we haven't seen in at least two years if not more.
Allowing myself to freak out and worry is not wise. And it's not helping me calm down. I'm trying to put this in perspective--this is one day out of many, this is one car problem out of many, the Lord worked out the flat tire amazingly just a couple of days ago, worse things could have happened to Frankie, we in the car could have been majorly injured, the brake line could have broken in no-man's-land, and we could be sitting in a car dealership instead of a Barnes and Noble.
I'm waiting for a call, but I'm going to start heading back to the dealership now.
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