Today I leave for the Kennedy Center College Theater Festival! I will be away from my computer for awhile, but never fear, my posts are all scheduled to pop up each day just like they have been.
Break a leg!
Peace.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
"The Thing Is" by Ellen Bass
This poem is by Ellen Bass, a genius poet whose distinctly modern style caught my attention right away. This is my favorite work of her's. It has become something of an anthem for me.
The Thing Is
by Ellen Bass
to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you've held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, how can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.
(This from Ellen Bass' book The Human Line (Copper Canyon Press, 2007))
The Thing Is
by Ellen Bass
to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you've held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, how can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.
(This from Ellen Bass' book The Human Line (Copper Canyon Press, 2007))
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
First Day of Spring Semester
School starts this morning and I this is how I'm feeling... 7 AM comes so early!
Happy Spring Semester everyone!
Peace.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My Brilliant Suitcase Reboot
While I was studying abroad last semester I got a brilliant idea for a jewelry carrying case. I decided to get an old suitcase from the thrift store, add a metal mesh screen to the inside of the top and use the bottom for transporting half trays of rings and pendants and other miscellaneous pieces of jewelry. My dad helped me execute it, and let's just say I'm in love. It worked even better than I thought it would and everything I want to take to college with me to sell this semester fits beautifully. I think there's over 200 pairs of earrings on that baby.
I love it when a plan comes together!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
2011 Resolutions
I'm about a week late, but here are my resolutions for this year:
1. To learn a whole (and recognizable) song on the guitar.
2. Get paid for publishing something.
3. Get a real job.
4. Only wear clothes I feel comfortable in.
5. Read books for fun.
6. Start practicing yoga regularly again.
That should do it for now. I'll let you know how it goes.
Peace,
Jill
1. To learn a whole (and recognizable) song on the guitar.
2. Get paid for publishing something.
3. Get a real job.
4. Only wear clothes I feel comfortable in.
5. Read books for fun.
6. Start practicing yoga regularly again.
That should do it for now. I'll let you know how it goes.
Peace,
Jill
Desiderata
I try to read this poem once a week. I have it on a little plaque that I keep in my room, and so to start the new year I wanted to share this with you. Enjoy!
Peace.
Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Peace.
Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
A New Semester
I'm leaving to start a new semester of college tomorrow morning, and so on this last night at home I am reflecting on the five semesters that have ended and the one that is to come. It's exciting and a little bit nerve racking to be going back, especially since it's been a year since I started a semester in the United States! But I have hope that it will be the best semester yet.
Peace.
Peace.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Irish Blessing for the New Year
It is obvious that I have a love affair with Ireland, so this seems appropriate for the new year. I would also like to point out that it's 1/1/11. Awesome.
God bless.
Peace.
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