2012!? How did that happen??

Remember when the Millenium happened? Yeah, well, I hate to burst your bubble but that was over a DECADE ago! To all of you who feel like time has started going much faster than normal - I agree. It's a little freakish, honestly. It's already been 2 years (almost) since I graduated college and nearly a QUARTER OF A CENTURY SINCE I WAS BORN! Where does the time go? Seriously, though. Where does it go? Another dimension? Here's looking at you, Stephen Hawking.

Anyhow. It's about halfway through January so it's about time I do my 2011 summary, as if any of you actually care about what happened during 2011. But if you do, or you're bored, read on...

January: You know, this was so long ago, I don't even remember anything that happened. I'm guessing I was cold.

February: I started hanging out with some new Concordia natives, and let me just tell you, it was one of the best things that happened to me during 2011. These people are hilarious and supportive and they let me invade their group of friends and settle in as if I had been there for a long time. Basically, I'm eternally grateful that they didn't judge me for being an outsider and accepted me even when I'm sure I scared them with my frightening personality.

March: Girls' reunion in Chicago! At least I think this happened in March. It was awesome to get back together with gals from Valpo and shop and talk and eat and drink and do everything that you do when you're with your best friends. Plus it numbed that not-in-college-anymore pain for a couple of days.

April: Hmm... let's see. April. I got nothing, to be honest.

May: Finally! A month I can remember! My 23rd birthday occurred during this blessed month. At work, we got started on the biggest project I've been involved in so far - three giant mosaic sculptures for a prayer garden. Not that I was so much a part of the fabrication, but it pretty much consumed my entire summer in one way or another.

June: Now June I DO remember. Probably because it was the most hectic month of 2011. I entertained my innermost hippie and spent four days covered in dirt at Bonnaroo (best. week. ever.) And then, because apparently I really love driving in a car, I drove back from Tennessee to Nebraska and hopped back in the car on the same day to drive to California. If you're considering driving from Tennessee to Nebraska to California in a 48 hour stretch, here's my advice: Don't. Just buck up the cash and fly. Or at least realize that if you try to do this in 48 hours, you will inevitably end up hating everyone around you regardless of whether you know them or not. At any rate, the CA trip went well (work-related, so there's only so much fun you can have) and June closed out with a rather exhausted Abby.

July: The month of weddings! Three to go to, two for which I sang. I really love weddings and these were no exception. Weddings are the perfect excuse for catching up with old friends, drinking to your heart's content and, of course, dancing. I just love to dance, even though I know I probably look like a moron.

August: Well, August was kind of a bummer as I started to say goodbye to all the new people I had met in the winter. I guess I can't blame them for getting real jobs in the real world that are not in Seward. But it was still sad and life in Nebraska started feeling a lot quieter again.

September/October/November: I'm bunching these together for several reasons. A) They sort of blurred together for me. B) I basically did the same thing the entire fall: work, coach volleyball, take an art history class at UNL, think about applying to grad school, entertain myself by watching reality TV on Friday nights. C) I'm sorta hungry and I want to wrap this up quickly.

December: And we're already at the end of the year! Whew! How did that happen? Maybe because I combined three months into one! Magic. Anyhow, the first half of December was marked by my frantic (yet ultimately successful!) attempt to submit my grad school apps and write my art history research paper while still working and getting a little Christmas shopping done. The second half of the month was much more lovely, with the return of those dear to me lost to the tundra of North Dakota and the merriment of family and Christmas cheer. And finally, the year 2011 ended on a high note, as I spent New Years with my best friend in the world and co-blogger, Deva (along with a few notable others).

So all in all, not much to complain about. Certainly 2011 was far superior to 2010. I'm hoping 2012 is even better, and I have a little inkling that it just might be. So cheers to your 2012. May it be exciting, happy, and full of sparlke, sparkle.

Merry Christmas to You and Your Favorite People!

Hello Sparlke, Sparkle devotees! (are there any of you left?) It's time for the traditionally cliche Christmas blog post! But that's ok. Certainly I can step away from my skeptical life outlook for this most sacred of holidays. At least for the duration of this post.

Today something very strange happened. I woke up, prompted by no alarm, at 8 am. If you know me at all, you know that I am perpetually sleepy. Like a sleep 12 hours and I'm ready for a nap type of gal. This is to say I literally can't remember the last time I willingly got out of bed before 11 on a Saturday. But today I woke up at 8. And I knew my parents were going to walk "up town" (ah, small town life) to get coffee, so I thought I'd be ambitious and join them. Along with us came my grandpa and my aunt and uncle. So we strolled through the cold winter sun to the local coffee shop and had our morning caffeine fix together. And it was wonderful.

I don't even regret missing out on my usual 3 extra hours of sleep. Now that I live 10 hours away from my parents, the mornings that I can spend leisurely chatting with them are so limited. I'm far past the teenage days where hanging out with my family was so Uncool. Now I actually like my parents, believe it or not. And as I sat back and listened to my family laughing and sharing stories at our morning get together, I felt pretty darn lucky.

I think I have the best family in the world. Do I expect you to think I have the best family in the world? Heck no. I hope you think YOU have the best family in the world. Because when we lose our jobs, when we break up with our significant others, when we move to a new town and know no one, our families are the constant in our lives. Mine will always be quirky and hilarious, but rooted in faith and intensely connected to each other. I would have them no other way. (Even when they start to drive me crazy.)

I hope that you get to spend time with your family this Christmas, whether it's the family you were born into or the family you've discovered along the way. And I hope you believe you're with the best people in the world.

Sparlke, Sparkle! Merry Christmas, all!

18 Months

"We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." -T.S. Eliot


Have you ever noticed that you can never, ever, no matter how hard you try, stop learning things? Honestly! Even when you *think* you've mastered a skill, or memorized a fact, or become comfortable with an area of knowledge, it's at that exact moment when The Universe chassés in and says, "Great job, sucker. Now! Here are the assembly instructions for your life... in Portuguese." 


Oh, and then there is the universe's partner in crime: Time. Ohhhh, hoho! Time. Time is the worst.  It works in beautiful and fluid unison with The Universe to ensure that we all learn exactly how inept we are at our most vulnerable moments. And my second grievance against time? It's rarely kind enough to be the right amount in any situation. 


But, my sparkly fellows, I assure you that this is not a post based on grumbling. Oh, no. There is a point, I promise. But first, you need to go with me on a small but necessary journey of the past 18 months of my life. Because you see, Time and The Universe have been teaching me things I can only share with you through shared experience. And for those of you that have shared in most of this experience, then perhaps, you may just learn something about either my life or yours that you did not already know. And if that's the case, well, perfect.


So 18 months ago I was just starting grad school and I thought I knew it ALL. Yes. I was *that* girl. I had it all planned out. Career goals? Check. Great friends? Check. Supportive Family? Check. Long-distance relationship? Check. Healthy body and mind? Pretty much check. Well wasn't I just the luckiest? I was out to save the world, and I was going to do it my way. What did any stupid schools have to teach me that I didn't already know? I figured I would just use some common sense humor and pirouette my way through grad school. That's what I've always done, easy peasy. 


Boy, was I clueless. 


Not only did I have a lot to learn academically, but thanks to  the lovechild of the hero (Universe) and our heroine (Time) of our story, I was brought to my knees with a kind of humility that could have only come from the one thing we can never "easy-peasy" our way through: Change. I did not even begin to understand what kinds of changes my life could have over 18 months. 



To begin with, I started living by myself for the first time. This was extremely liberating and also very lonely at first. All my great friends started scattering this way and that, off to new adventures. Here I was, still in the same place, but grasping desperately for familiarity. My supportive family was still there, but even my relationships with each of them could not be unchanged. Career goals switched quickly, and I wobbled my way down a haphazard road of choices until I finally chose an internship site. Eventually it became pretty clear that all these changes would even break-up my long distance relationship.  Health stayed with me for the most part, but my body and mind couldn't manage to soak up all the stress of these changes without changing a bit themselves. 


\Oh, but my friends. This is not all. Not even close. There was so much good that came from these changes. Although my great friends *did* have to scatter, the precious ones, the ones who matter, well you're all still here. I am so thankful for you. I am so lucky to be able to keep in touch with you as much as we do, and even more lucky that several of you have been able to come and visit me. Those weekends and overnights are my absolute most favorite times. And guess what! In the past 18 months I even got some *new* great friends. Social Work Frands, Mair, and so many other lovely more. I couldn't have made it without you, in all honesty.  Change brought me you, and for that, I am forever grateful. And then there came the not-so-long-ago day that Time and The Universe marched one of the more remarkable people I have ever met right into my life. It just so happens that just as I had settled into being content with being a single gal, I met a guy who completely knocked my proverbial socks off. Along those same lines, I walked into the HR office at my internship to get a new lanyard a couple weeks ago and I walked out with a job offer. You just never know when great things will happen. The Universe is funny that way, but in this particular case, I'm diggin' its sense of humor. 


Family:  I feel a little more grown up than I did a year and a half ago. Thanks for raising me and loving me, and putting up with me all this time. Ten points for you. I love you each so much.


So, ladies and gentlemen of sparkle nation, let us bring back our attention to the beginning quote.

 "We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." -T.S. Eliot

What does it all mean? To me, these wise words mean a couple of things. 

1. We never stop learning because we are constantly in a state of exploration and realization. We may know a part of the answer, but the whole answer, the truest answer, is that we are always changing. We are always growing so that which we know is only so temporarily. 
2. Because we are constantly exploring and realizing, we are always getting to know ourselves and our surroundings a little bit better. Things change so quickly, but in the end we come back to the same few and important things. Friends, your inner self, family and home are all people and places we can see differently, and often more beautifully over time. You get to know these things better and better with each passing day. It's like watching a great movie over and over. You notice things you didn't see the first million times. It's always so exciting when that happens. 

And that's it. That's all she wrote. Time and The Universe are certainly two things I always want on my side. I do my best to appreciate each of them on a daily basis. I know that without them, there would be no Change, and without any change, well, I'd still be 6-year-old me wearing monochromatic sweatsuits and bows to school everyday. (Not to mention I wouldn't know many of you wonderful folks who make my life so darn sparkly.)


I am really so thankful for you all. Can't wait for the next 18... everything. 

Peace, Love and Soul,

D

Holy Blog Hiatus, Batman!

Welp, here we are again. It's that time where I apologize for neglecting Sparlke, Sparkle and you think to yourself "It's OK, Abby, I don't even really care that much." But just in case there are a few people who have been mourning the lack of sparkle in their lives, to you people, I am sorry. I don't know what the deal is, I just haven't been feeling particularly inspired lately. Or when I am, it's at really inconvenient times like when I'm driving or at my apartment (which lacks the necessary internet access to make this blog possible.)

At any rate, here are a couple life updates... just to keep you all informed that I am indeed alive and basically well.

*I still live in Nebraska. So, that's happening.

*Work is going well for the most part, we're in the process of making some stained glass windows so it's nice to have a project on the docket. That means I get to fill out more forms! Joy! But seriously, it's good to have work. These working-off-commission type businesses are sort of risky endeavors, and it's good that we have some income flowing. (Oh hey, shameless plug for my job... check out pretty art we make at www.liturgicalart.org.)

*I'm gearing for reapplying to grad school, which is simultaneously overwhelming and terrifying. The best combination! If I get into one school, I will be happy. Just. One. Please?

*I've been taking a Art Since 1945 class at UNL and it is fantastic. I have to say I really love learning about art, and I don't care if that makes me a nerd or whatever. Even crazy movements like the Viennese Actionists (look them up, if you dare) are fascinating, even if not so much aesthetically pleasing. Fun stuff.

*More printmaking is happening in my life! Not as frequently as I'd like, because I've been more busy with this other class, but I'm getting some interesting results. Drypoint etching this week, yay!

*And I still miss my friends. So here you go, friends: an open invitation to the great state of Nebraska! Anytime you're here, drop by Seward and I will show you the sights and sounds. It will be the best 45 minutes of your life, I promise.

Ok, have a sparkly day, everyone. I will attempt to come back soon with more life revelations for you to enjoy!

Good Thing I Am Busy These Days...

...or you'd be getting a lot more posts like the one I'm about to write. You see, I have a complaint to file. That complaint is about geography. Now, I have nothing against the subject of geography in school. Memorizing state capitals isn't too much of a chore, and I always did enjoy coloring in the maps. No, my issue has to do more with the fact that with geography seems to exist in a larger than 30 mile radius of where I am located at any given time. For example, if you're any sort of Sparkle, Sparkle follower, you know that I currently reside in the great state of Nebraska. And of course when I say "great," I really mean "great at being far away from everyone." Because when it comes to being far away, Nebraska really does take the cake with that one.

What I'm getting to here is that it's getting kind of old to be so far away from the people I love the most. And sure, I could be in another country or something, but this is already far enough to make things inconvenient. It might be OK if I were in a big city with a major airport, because then I wouldn't have to pawn off my possessions to afford a plane ticket home. (I jest, I only have to give up food for a couple of weeks, don't worry.)

I guess this is just how life post-grad goes. Everyone spreads out, and you're lucky if you're within driving distance of those who used to live one room away from you. Maybe it will get easier eventually, but it's still hard for me to know that getting to see my best friends might be a luxury that I can only afford (time or money-wise) a couple times a year at most. I mean, these are the people I with whom I've had midnight study break dance parties, watched Pride & Prejudice countless times, played drinking games while watching Lifetime movies, battled apartment mice, made ridiculous rap and BSB music videos, endured countless philosophical conversations in CC, and complained about the terrible Valpo weather time and time again. I mean, they're my family. Except we don't get to spend holidays together.

Basically, I miss you. Yes, if you're reading this, I probably miss you because A) My social life has really hit an all-time low and B) I'm assuming there aren't too many true stalkers wasting their time with this blog. I know I'll be able to make new friends at the different places I find myself, but it's still hard to be away from the people who have become, well, critical to my happiness. I just have to remind myself of the great JayMay lyrics, "And if you never stop when you wave goodbye, you just might find if you give it time, you will wave hello again." Maybe he's talking about romantic relationships (per usual) but I think it works all-around. So I will try to keep waving, metaphorically of course, don't want to attract stares, and hopefully I'll see you again soon.

Arghhh Matey, Take 2.

Hello all! If you're new to Sparlke, Sparkle, or if you didn't read the most recent post, or if you have short-term memory loss, I'm going to tell you right now that this post will probably be very confusing if read out of context. So let me just back up here a second and remind you all that I did indeed promise a blog post about life with specific references to pirates. So here we go, and don't say I didn't warn you.

Lately life has been feeling a tinge anti-climatic. It's been more than a year since graduation, I'm still in Seward at the same job, and I'm beginning to feel like my life really should have started by now. What's the hold up, huh? Have I not paid my dues yet? Does having a glamorous job require several more years of servitude in the lower ranks of employment? Perhaps so. Now, what would a pirate have to say about all of this?

I don't know much about pirates, but I'm assuming that you can't just jump on a ship and declare yourself "Captain." (keyword!) The current Captain would never stand for that. You have to spend some time swabbing the deck and rigging the mast and stuff. (Is that even right? Rigging the mast? If so, I'm very impressed with my intrinsic knowledge of ships.) And as you're doing all these menial tasks, a young pirate should always be NETWORKING. Ahh, yes, one of those buzzwords of college that hardly means anything anymore because so many people have told us to do it that we forget how it's done. But I think it involves getting in good with the first mate, bringing a bottle of rum to the deckhands and even cozying up to the guys in the brig, because you never know when they're going to redeem themselves and remember your kindness and give you a job that pays six figures and a generous Christmas bonus.

So yeah, sucking up seems to be key. But not in an ingenuous way, or the Captain will see right through you and make you "walk the plank." (keyword!) And then you're worse off than when you started - in the ocean, sinking fast because I'm not convinced that too many pirates actually know how to swim. Irony? Aye aye. So how does one little pirate get to the "buried treasure?" (keyword!) AKA, the dream job, family, house, what have you. Frankly, I have no idea. If I did, I'd be doing it, duh. And then my blog posts would have a more now-that-I-have-what-I-want-what-d0-I-do-with-it quality about them. So at least you have that to look forward to!

I think the bottom line is this: No matter what your profession, you're probably going to have to spend some time below deck. Sure, there are people that get handed their dream life on a silver platter right along with their diploma, but I am not one of those people. And I know for a fact that most of the people I know are not that person either. I suppose it's just best to sit tight and work/hope for the best. It's not so bad if you have other pirate friends who are going through the same thing.

Hey, here's a thought! Let's all band together and buy a ship and just sail around for a while and see how that suits us. We can go to tropical islands and hang out on the beach, drink lots of rum and make a regular vacation out of it! A pirate's life for me, right? Great! Meet you at the dock. I call being Captain.

Arrrrgh, Matey!

Well, the day has finally come. Yes, the day where I make a wonderfully coherent and timely life analogy about pirates. Didn't see that one coming, did ya? OK, that's sort of a joke. Really, I just wanted to post my newest printmaking creation because I'm pretty proud of it. And if you can't show off your pseudo-artwork on your own blog, where CAN you show it off? So here:

Ta-da! And let's see here. Pirates are like life because... well, sometimes we feel as if we're in a crazy storm, and barely staying afloat... Or maybe you've been looted. Or perhaps you have a talking bird. I don't know, I'm really not my usual metaphorical self today. Sorry to let you down. I will brainstorm on this and return soon with the answers to all life problems using the words "Captain," "Walk the plank" and "buried treasure." Get excited!