Peace Pagoda pictures

The Holidays

Here they are - the reason I shop in December. Yes, that is our sad Charlie Brown tree. I just didn't have the energy to do a big one this year and the kids didn't care so all was well. The best part is that I can put it away full decorated and it'll be even easier next year. Aren't I lazy??

Nicole and Zach both had a really enjoyable holiday. Niki was sick in the morning of Christmas Eve so she took the day off from Circuit City. Thankfully all she needed was some rest. She had been working her tail off for the past few weeks along with going to school full-time. I'm glad the holiday shopping season is over. I am so tired of driving to the mall. She has to get her license and a car.

My professors are taking their dear sweet time in posting final grades. I only have one in so far. I got an "A" in Environmental Science. That's a relief. I knew I had done well in the lab but the teacher for the lecture portion hadn't been posting grades so I didn't really know where I was at. I guess I was doing better than I thought. Cool!

So I'm looking forward to 2007 and working on my Bachelor's. I'm making use of my new easel and homasote. I've got another intuitive drawing in process. They are so fun. Here's an example from my final:

Musings

I'm sitting here listening to a woman, Launa Kleiver, read from Rudolf Steiner's Calendar of the Soul. My sweet cat, Myst, is sleeping on the desk beside me, snoring just a little. I reflect on this time of year with a grateful heart. I attended my last class at Holyoke Community College yesterday. I have two finals next Wednesday and my education there will be done. So will my job at the campus art gallery. These are sad transitions for me but I am excited as well to begin the next chapter of my educational adventure.

In January, I begin work on my BA in Art at Westfield State College. I'll be taking two core classes and two studio art classes. It will be a busy semester. The core classes are Intro to Computer Programming (a math alternative) and Women in Modern Organizations (US Diversity). My art classes are Computer Graphics and Electronic Publication Design. They will sustain me as I stumble through the other two. I'm sure I'll do well in all of them but the art classes are what interest me. A couple more core classes and it will be all art classes for me. I can't wait.

I'll be posting some photos in a few days of a beautiful place in Leverett, MA. It's called the Peace Pagoda. Nicole and I went there in October (and I've only just now gotten the film developed). It is one of the most serene and gentle places I've ever been. I could download a low res copy from Snapfish but I'd rather scan them myself at a higher resolution so it'll be a couple days before they come in. I'm anxious to share. Have a great day!