Falling Snow

The snow fell gently to Earth
Blanketing everything it touched
Making new the landscape
Covering blemishes in white

The world was made new
The ugliness buried
Hope was ignited
Beauty exploded into being

A blank canvas existed
Possibilities bloomed
Heaven fell to Earth
Bringing wonder and awe

Parenting & college

Zach is giving me a run for my money. He's been home more since the mugging and his last suspension but now he's hanging with a new bunch of guys that I don't know. I'm a little worried. They seem like good kids but I also think they may be smoking pot. I have to keep my eyes open and be vigilant. I know what he's capable of and I so want my brilliant son to live up to his abilities. He's so smart and talented. I would hate to see him waste that on drugs.

School is winding down for the semester but that means projects and papers that are due as well as tests. I'm so stressed. I signed up for 6 classes next semester and I am really rethinking that idea. I wanted to graduate in December of next year but I may just extend my education one more semester so I don't lose my mind. I want it to be over but 6 months more won't delay my career by too much.

School is nearing the end

I've discovered that I can graduate after two more semesters. I am so excited. I'm worried about a couple of classes that I took at HCC so I've emailed the Registrar's office to be sure that they will be taken as core classes at WSC. As long as they are, I'm golden and I'm looking forward to the end. Well, it will be the end of my Bachelor's. I may go on to graduate school. That's still up in the air but I can do that part time while I'm working and I can take a little time off from school before I decide. Still, the end is in sight.

Autumn craziness

School is going fast & furious. I do not recommend taking three literature classes in the same semester. It is not easy. I am reading constantly. Plus I'm taking 4 art classes, although 3 of them only meet for one hour a week. They have a lot of homework though. I have to create an animation and a multimedia presentation. Each needs to be at least 30 seconds long up to 5 minutes. The other two classes are Photoshop and Painting 1. We're working on cubism in painting so that's fun. I love Photoshop so no issues there. I'm just so much busier than I thought I'd be. Plus I'm working 2 on-campus jobs, taking care of 2 kids, 3 cats, a house, and now a boyfriend. Is it any wonder I'm not sleeping? I am looking forward to winter break.

Summer's winding down

Nicole graduated last week from the Summer Scholar Program at my college. She lived on campus for 5 weeks. It was a wonderful experience for her. My online class, African Art, ends today. It was really interesting to research artists that aren't included in the standard art history books. I love the work of Robert Duncanson and Edmonia Lewis as well as others. I'm glad I took the class.

The kids are back to school on the 30th and my classes start the week after. I'm hoping to move around a few things so I can take a couple more classes. I'm scheduled for 4 right now and may go up to 6. I really want to graduate in December 2008. I'm getting ready for the real world and working as a graphic designer. I've been doing some design work this summer in my job in the Center for Instructional Technology. I've updated a lot of their publications and created their wall calendar. It's been fun. I really want to do this.

Namaste

Never worry about tomorrow
Always living for the future
Make today your focus
Allowing yourself to be here now
Settle into this moment
Thrilled to be alive
Ever knowing you are Divine

Copyright 2007
Kim Gelinas

Family

I cry for all that I never had
I mourn for ties that never were
A family lost in dysfunction
Unable to concur

Opportunities for lasting love
For deep, abiding friendships
Connections never created
Instead jokes, fights, quips

Death removed possibilities
Chances lost for good
Hope springs eternal with
Coulda, woulda, should

Her spirit lives inside us
As does her faults and flaws
Sisters unable to bridge the distance
Unable to sheath their claws

Loss should have pulled us together
But instead it drove us apart
Mom's lasting legacy
Sisters who never talk

Kim Gelinas
copyright 2007

Scrolls and Roses

Summer

My epiphany

Sometimes I feel like I'm really slow on the uptake. After being an art student for years and a practioner of meditation (including chakra work), it has just occurred to me that the colors of the chakras follow the color wheel. I had not ever made that connection before today. I was listening to a chakra meditation that I found on YouTube and in my mind's eye, I was flowing along the color wheel, beginning at red. I had made the connection between my chakras and my art. An appropriate epiphany as I start a painting class today. Talk about a lightbulb moment (energy efficient one of course).