Artist Wonderland!

On Tuesday my oil painting class had to opportunity to go to a $750 dollar oil painting workshop for only $25 which we already paid the school in lab fees when we first registered for the class. The workshop was by a short Russian man named Ovanes Berberian who studied under Sergei Bongart (another Russian painter) for about 30 years I think. You would never know his house was even there just driving by because it was surrounded by trees and a tall wooden fence. But once inside this fence a magical land emerged made just for artists! His studio/house looked like a large log cabin castle and he had a huge green yard full of trees and flowers. When first walking up to the yard it looked like there were fancy tables set up all over for people to sit but once I got closer I realized his beautiful green yard was full of still life set ups! There had to been like fifty! It was almost a little eerie walking through all the still lifes...almost like something out of a twilight zone. And of course the inside of his house was huge and beautiful! Well I'm not quite sure if we were in his house or studio,or just the connected part of the studio to his house...either way it was huge and beautiful! He had a nice gallery set up complete with lights to show off his work in the best light and his actual studio room was huge so we could all sit and watch.

I think my favorite thing though was his easel! This man is short, had to be no more than 5 ft. and he paints on huge canvases bigger then him. So, his eisle is huge! He sets on his canvas and can move it around with ease, the canvas on the easel glides whichever way he needs it to go. If he needed to reach the top of his painting he can just pull it down or push it back up to get to the bottom, or to the left or right. It was cool! Now as we are all seated the lights are turned off and there is a spot light right on Ovanas. He paints with HUGE glops of paint on his pallett, I mean these things were literally the size of baseballs! While he was painting I couldn't but help feel like I have seen a cartoon of some kind very similar. Little man, huge canvas, classical music blaring, timid at first-stepping back to examine every brush stroke but once the drawing was down his little arms were speedy and paint was flying onto the canvas. It was almost comical but I don't know if anyone else felt that way because it was dead silent while he was painting, not a peep from anyone! it stayed this way for four hours when he finally turned around and said he was going to take a break. Most of my class, including me, took this opportunity to leave since it was now midnight. It was really fun and cool to be able to experience Ovanes Berberian's artistic world complete with daughters walking around in little toga dresses things, but four hours is also a really long time to sit in silence. At least he had classical music to keep us intertained. I can't wait till I can have my own place to set up my art supplies! =)

Memorial Day Memories

Not only did we have Monday off from school for Memorial day this weekend but we had Tuesday off as well! Initially I wanted to take full advantage of such a long weekend and escape Rexburg for a few days. My top choice was to go visit Jay and Rachel and the kids in Washington but plane tickets were a little out of my price range so, stuck in Rexburg, I vowed not to waste my long sunny weekend lying around indoors watching movies and doing homework.

Friday: To start of our weekend of fun, Taron took me mini golfing.




Saturday: We wanted to hike all day Saturday with Amy and Tim so we did some research to find out the best places. Turns out most places to hike are at least an hour away so we decided on one of the closest, Mesa Falls, because we heard there was about a four mile hike between the upper and lower waterfalls. We ended up being very disappointed on the hiking aspect. But we did enjoy eating our lunches by the waterfalls! Some other weekend we will venture out farther from Rexburg and do some real hiking!



Since "hiking" didn't take as long as we expected we stopped in a tiny town called Ashton on our way home to check out some of the flea markets that Amy was excited about. It ended up being a success! Taron found this really nice shirt from Hollister for only two dollars and a puzzle for fifty cents! Amy and Tim also found a few prizes themselves. After purchasing our treasures at the flea market we stopped by this old fashioned soda fountain/pizza place and got ourselves some ice cream. We all thought it was a fun place but I think I enjoyed it the most- reminiscing of my days as a soda jerk. I found myself watching the girls as they prepared all the ice cream treats, comparing to how we made them at home. I sure did love that job! =) So our day ended up being completely opposite of the long day of hiking we had planned, but it still was a lot of fun!

Monday: On Memorial day Todd and Kristen invited us to go Kayaking at Egin lake. We ended up not renting the kayaks and just played in the water and roasted hot dogs/smores. It wasn't the sunniest day of our weekend but since the water didn't go past your waist throughout the whole lake thankfully the water wasn't cold at all, just the wind was when you were outside the water. It was a really fun lake to play in but I did not like the little sand crab things that were in the water! Creeped me out-I always thought they were going to go in my shorts.






And Tuesday we went and did baptisms at the temple and helped Amy and Tim move into their new apartment. It was a beautiful sunny day! Plus we got free pizza and a crock pot for helping them out! =)

All in all I think it was a very successful weekend!

21 Birthday!

I had a very happy birthday on Friday! My day started off with a wonderful surprise from Taron. I've been looking for a cheap/used bike for a while so guess what was sitting in my living room early in the morning!?! Turns out he snuck it in three in the morning! Thank you my handsome man! Walking to work the sun was shining and there was no wind! The first time in weeks! And for the next couple of hours my phone was busy with all kinds of phone calls and text messages from all my friends and family. Thanks everyone for remembering my birthday!

For dinner we went out to the Mongolian Grill. But the day wasn't over yet! Next stop, surprise birthday party! Apparently I wasn't the easiest to throw a surprise birthday party for because Taron was supposed to take me to dinner while my friends decorated and got everything ready. But I fought Taron all week till he agreed to let me bring Liz and Vanessa along. I mean what good is a birthday if I can't spend it with all my friends? Little did I know I was messing up all their plans. =) But they pulled it off in the end. I was surprised! My party was drinking theme (since I turned 21.)Liz made me a cake shaped like a margarita glass and Vanessa mixed "margaritas" for us all night while we turned phase ten into a "drinking game."



Every semester Liz, Vanessa, and I build a fort. Its tradition. So we decided that my birthday would be a fun time to do it this semester. I have to say this was hands down our coolest fort so far thanks to Brent and Taron! Good job boys! I woke up in the morning in our fort with Vanessa squishing me telling me I had two minutes to get on shoes and a coat. I was then kidnapped to a little bagel shop for breakfast. I have the best friends! Thanks guys for my happy birthday!

I also think it is also appropriate to add to this post that I just recently received my first credit card! I thought it was about time I started to try and build up my credit a little bit. Taron was embarrassed but I made him take a picture of me making my first purchase with my very first credit card. So I got a new credit card and turned 21 this month...I think I just might be growing up. =)

I also want to wish mom a Happy Mothers Day! I am such a lucky girl to be blessed to have you as a mom, I love you!

Good Luck...

There is this section of sidewalk on campus between the Spori and the Benson where some steam escapes through the cracks. Taron and I have been very suspicious/creeped out by this steam and will not walk through it! We walk a wide arc around it when we have to pass by. I have never understood those people who just walk right through! Don't they know its weird for sidewalks to steam like that?

Well one day I get a phone call from Taron and I just couldn't believe my ears while he told me that he just saw someone lying on the ground in the steam! Just lounging there! For one: it was in the middle of winter so it was very cold outside and even if the steam was warm, there are buildings all around which is no doubt much much warmer! Two: Who in their right mind would just lay down in a bunch of out of place steam? Taron and I have been a little worried about what happened to that guy aftert that night...maybe even morphed into a slime monster! Well later I was walking home from the library late at night and guess what? A girl was lying in the steam! Thats two people with this pecuiliar behavior...Still not convinced? Another night Taron and I ran into three people just lounging there in the steam...then another night there was a group about five or six people...just laying there! We are a little afraid there is a community of morphed slime monsters growing under the school.This was all during the winter semester.

I went home for the break and when I came back that section of sidewalk was fenced off and is now being worked on! I think that the school has picked up on this unusual activity and is trying to supress them. I would be relieved that someone else noticed what was going on but I think one may have escaped. Walking on campus there was a body outlined in chalk just a few feet away from that sidewalk! And a few feet in the other direction I later found another chalk body outline and written underneath it said "Good Luck..." I am very worried. If Taron or I have secret superhero powers... now would be a nice time to discover them! After my encounter with the second body outline I went home only to walk in on Vanessa cooking a large chunk of meat shaped in a pie slice. A meat pie! This reminds me a little too much of Sweeny Todd...I wonder if these steam/slime monsters may look more normal than I first thought...

ABC's about me!

You've been tagged! You are supposed to write a note with the ABC's of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people.

Ya... I don't think I know 25 People...so I tag Mom, Vanessa, Rachel and Carolyn! Thanks Sabrina for Tagging me! =)

A - Age: 20 (Almost 21!)

B - Bed size: At school I sleep on a twin bed...but at home I think I have a Queen. And it is so wonderful!

C - Chore you hate: I don't mind chores, but I hate it when my apartment is a mess because my roommates don't clean up after themselves! Especially the kitchen! I used to spend hours and hours every semester cleaning up after roommates...after a few years, I've given up. But luckily its not a problem now with just me and Vanessa!

D - Dog(s) name: I don't have one now but my last dog's name was Sally. (She was a brat but my best friend all the same!)

E - Essential start your day item: A good morning text from Taron and listening to music with Vanessa silently for about ten minutes until one of us wakes up enough to say goodmorning to the other. =)

F - Favorite color: Red and Yellow. (And white if you count that as a color.)

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'9/5'10ish

I - Instrument: None. I can plunk at the piano but thats about it. I'm going to master it someday though! I also want to learn how to play the guitar.

J - Job title: At the moment, BYU Idaho Campus Operator

K - Kid(s): Yes please! =) ( I don't have any yet but I'm exited for someday!)

L - Living arrangements: I live just with my wonderful Nessa in our awesome new house! =)

M - Mom's name: Carolyn (Love you mom!)

N - Nicknames: wow...I have had many! Lets see the ones most often used now...: Gertrude/Gerti (Thanks to Taron), Sami, Storky (My long lanky legs apparently look funny when I play tennis), Boo (I miss Yogi), Wench (or Sweet Pea depending on Dad's mood.), Yuri (because Matt is crazy and thinks I am Chinease.)

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth of child: Um...I have never had too. I've been a healthy girl! Makes me a little nervous about giving birth though!

P - Pet Peeve: When people lie.

Q - Quotes you like: There have been many. But ones that usually are my favorite are ones that include sunshine, smiles, and how happy life is.

R - Right or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: 3 brothers and 3 sisters. (Two are marriage additions.)

T - My alarm (Rocky Theme Song to get me pumped for my day) goes off at 6:30 to give me 15 min. to lay there for a while and I attempt to get up at 6:45.

U- Underwear: Um...Yes I wear underwear?

V - Vegetable you dislike: Mushrooms and Tomatoes. Although I am trying to break myself of the Tomatoes. Mushrooms...Yuck! I don't know if I'll ever be able to eat fungus!

W - Ways you run late: Sleeping in!!!!

X - X-rays you've had:I think I've only had x-rays on my knee when I hurt the ligaments and on my lowerback/legs/knees because I have scholiosis.

Y - Yummy food you make- Yummy food I make? Is there such a thing? I'm doing a cluster in culinary arts for a reason!

Z - Zoo favorite: Big cats! And probably the otters too. Oh ya and big turtles!

Tagged-Five

Tagged!

Thanks Amy for including me in all the tagging fun! (If you didn't mean me by Sami...i'm embaressed...)


5 things I was doing 5 years ago:

1. About this time I was probably ending up basketball season (This Year we won North Section Championshipsin both basketball and volleyball!) And getting ready to play tennis!

2. Finishing up driving lessons so I could get my license in about a month.

3. Acting in "Almost Perfect" With Kirwin, Ashley, Bryant, Tyler, Nicky, etc

4. Probably having boy problems...

5.Getting my Job at the Drugstore


5 things on my to-do list for today:

1. Finish up work

2. Eat dinner with Taron

3. Watch a couple of videos for a test next week

4. Work on my final watercolor painting

5. PLAY! ITS FRIDAY!!!


5 things I would do with a million dollars:

1. Save! Save! Save!

2. Travel! Anywhere any Everywhere!

3. Buy mom her dream house so she can fit all the family in it for holidays. (Though I'd be sad to let our house go.)

4. Buy a cabin

5. Buy myself a car (and put money aside to buy a house when I am graduated.)


5 places I have lived:

1. Greenview, Ca

2.Rexburg, Idaho

3

4.

5.


5....5 jobs I've held:

1. Plant caretaker at the Feed Store

2. Soda Jerk/Soda Fountain "manager" at the Drug Store

3.Host at Hard Hat

4.Server at Amicis

5. Campus Operator/Information Desk In BYU Idaho University Relations


5 years from now:

1. Get Married

2. If I don't marry Taron, go on a mission then get married.

3. Have a baby or two

4. Get my bachelors degree

5. Have a good job/started on my art career.(Maybe even have a business started with Tammy!)


I tag:

1. Mom

2. Rachel

3. Vanessa

4. Jason
5. Matt (and Carolyn!)

Weekend Fun

This Weekend was a lot of fun! We had a couple of visitors this weekend, Taron's brother Tevan and Tracy, my friend from home. And the weather Saturday was beautiful!!! I broke out my Capri's for the first time this spring and had a fun day playing frisbee, and going to this awesome gym full of fun! I think this gym was described perfectly when Tevan walked in, looked around and said "You mean we can just...Play!?!" I think this is my new favorite spot in Rexburg. There is a climbling wall, a lot of gymnastics equipment (rings, pads, balance beams, etc.), a trampoline that makes you jump super high, and a big foam pit (which was incredibly hard to climb out of) complete with a rope swing and a trampoline runway! This place is awesome! Unfortunately I got so excited to play on everything I forgot I have problems with my right knee, while jumping on the trampoline my knee cap "popped out" again and that ended my fun a little bit and I had to sit back and watch everyone else play. It was kinda a bummer, but what can ya do? At least I have a leg. =) Later that night Tracy and a few more Etna people got together and we had bonfire and s'mores, finishing the weekend off at Tim and Amy's making stuffed French toast on Sunday. All in all I'd say it was a pretty successful weekend!

Waking up from Winter Hibernation

Today is my most favorite day of the whole year, the first day of spring! At home I always knew when spring was on its way when I saw those tiny little white flowers that always grew on our property that you could step on and they would pop back up. I always thought it was a good way to start off spring with these little flowers because I felt like because they could always pop back up, they were here to stay and so was spring! Every spring when I first saw the flowers I would ceramoniously dance ontop of the flowers (because it was fun to see them pop back up) with my face pointed up towards the sunshine! The next flowers that would come were the honeysuckles. I would not dance ontop of these flowers because one: they would not pop back up, and two: I fully believed Tammy when she told me that fairies lived in them. To this day I still tred carefully around honeysuckles...just in case. I also love the begining of spring because thats when the birds come out and sing their happiest songs. I feel like their exciting little burst of songs express my feelings exacataly. It amazes me every spring to feel the difference in my body. I definiately get the winter blues, even if I don't notice it much in the winter, I notice the change in the Summer. I get this sudden burst of happiness when I feel that first ray of sun. I get this urge to do all my favoirte things, read all day out on the lawn, sit outside and paint the mountains, sing in the shower, run and get in shape, play tennis, and basically any active thing that involves playing in the sunshine. So happy spring everyone! Wake up with me from winter hibernation and enjoy this happy weather while it lasts!