New Favorite Lipstick

I’m a pretty die hard Mary Kay girl, and have been for as long as I’ve worn makeup, which began during my teenage years. While I love their skin care, makeup, and overall product line, I’m also a sucker for pretty lipglosses and lipsticks when I see something that catches my eye in a drug store or beauty emporium.

For the past decade or so I have indulged in something new and shiny at Sephora every now and then, but recently an Ulta opened in a nearby town. Since I had never shopped there, I wanted to see what the fuss was all about and was interested in trying out a bold red lip. As I looked through their selection during my maiden visit, I discovered NYX Cosmetics. I was impressed with the tremendous selection of colors and the price was very affordable (~$4.00)!

That day I left with NYX Eros (Round Case Lipstick) LSS536

I now enjoy rocking the bold red look every now and then.

Then this summer, I wanted to try a bright, cheerful pink and NYX came to the rescue once more!

NYX Hot Pink (Round Case Lipstick) LSS571A

Both colors are long-lasting, blend well into my lips, don’t give off any funny taste, and give me confidence in sharing a smile with someone! The red is fun for sassy occasions, but I find myself wearing the pink for a more everyday pop of color.

Here’s how they both look side-by-side against my skin.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll even pick up a warm neutral color as the seasons change and fall gets ever closer!

Springtime is the prettiest time

Photo credit

I’ve previously lamented my disappointment over how we never received any snow in our part of Oklahoma this winter. Yet, while I found this unfortunate, the seasonal shift has reawakened the dormant trees and flowers and has reminded me that Oklahoma truly looks the prettiest in the springtime.

Spring thunderstorms

Tulips & redbuds

Dogwoods

Azaelas

And opening the windows to let in fresh air, with full approval by Sylvester

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you can never see the shadow.” ~ Helen Keller

Expansion

Several months ago I came across a photo of a beautiful sculpture, Expansion, by Paige Bradley

http://paigebradley.com/sculpture/goddess/expansion/

Bradley describes Expansion in this way via her website:

“From the moment we are born, the world tends to have a container already built for us to fit inside: A social security number, a gender, a race, a profession or an I.Q. I ponder if we are more defined by the container we are in, rather than what we are inside. Would we recognize ourselves if we could expand beyond our bodies? Would we still be able to exist if we were authentically ‘un-contained’?”

Authentically un-contained. Free. Forgiven. Brave. Loved. Redeemed.

As an educator, I have been taught it’s never a good idea to label students and subject them to a default classification, i.e. “the gifted one,” “the one with the learning disability,” “the one whose father is in prison.” And yet, I often find myself placing others and even myself into a little container that has just enough room for expectations, labels, and judgement.

Four-hundred plus years before Ms. Bradley created her sculpture, there was an Italian guy doing something similar.

Michelangelo, The Atlas (marble, c. 1530-34)
http://www.accademia.org/explore-museum/artworks/michelangelos-prisoners-slaves/

In my travels, this ranks among the favorites of art I have had the privilege of seeing. Housed at The Academia in Florence, The Atlas is one of Michelangelo’s “unfinished” or “prisoner” sculptures. His philosophy when sculpting was to reveal the creation from the inside out, rather than simply chisel away to see what emerged.

“There is no feeling of equilibrium here, only an eternal battle of forces threatening to explode in both directions.”

Sometimes this eternal battle does, in fact, break us apart. And if we, or others, are subjected to this brokenness, what will shine forth? Something of light, substance, and value? Or darkness, despair, and worthlessness?

These two examples encourage me once more to “add to the beauty” (Sara Groves) and to look at myself and others beyond the external defining circumstances that weigh us down. Instead, a view more like this:

(Originally blogged November 9, 2009)

And like this:

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16 (NIV 1984)

“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ~ Galatians 2:20b (NIV)

“If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7, The Message 

Thus, another day, another opportunity to look beyond the container and seek more of the “incomparable power” within. Yes and amen.

I’m blessed to live in the foothills of the Oklahoma Ozarks, otherwise known as Green Country among regional locals. Over the past few weeks I’ve enjoyed the vibrant blooms and buds, but more importantly, the long awaited green that has re-emerged after a cold, hard, drab winter.

Additionally, a part of spring I always anticipate is my birthday. Perhaps there will come a time when I would rather not celebrate the passage of another year, but for now, I continue to embrace the excitement and celebration that comes with growing another year older. Maybe it’s because I’m an only child and cherish the attention of being in the spotlight, or maybe it’s because there’s still a little girl inside of me who just loves the idea of fun, cake (the one Mom & I made for the first time), presents, cards, and…well, attention. This birthday was celebrated with the Optometrist, my mom & dad, and a dear octogenarian friend from church. At one point I had a quiet moment in front of the mirror and as I looked into the reflection of my eyes I told myself, “Little girl, you’ve got it made. You have people in the other room who love you and several more who have expressed their love across the miles. You have a job you love, people who care about you and appreciate what you do, a church family who values your abilities, and innumerable, ongoing blessings from your Heavenly Father. Take this moment to be thankful.”  One of the ways I always try to capture this is by literally and figuratively stopping to smell the roses. It’s fun having a May birthday when the roses are just beginning to show their vibrant color. Here’s to another year of life and taking time for the little, yet meaningful moments!

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/dalecarneg106496.html#IgHCu5Qcz2Vveb26.99

Birthday Happiness

After celebrating another 365 days journeying around the sun last week, I discovered what an added joy it is to share birthdays, and any other day, with one you love. I took the day off work and my sweet optometrist treated me to a special day in the city! First stop: lunch. I dined on a most tasty blackened tilapia sandwich at a little cafe, which happens to adjoin my favorite used book store. You can guess what came after lunch. I was so pleased to buy:
–In This Mountain by Jan Karon, the only Mitford book I somehow didn’t possess in my collection.
–The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry by Kathleen Flinn, my favorite food memoir I devoured (all puns intended) while in grad school. It will make a lovely addition to my bookcase.
–The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes, a sweet children’s story I loved as a little girl, with my original copy lent to a trio of sisters who never returned it. I am victorious in reclaiming it!
–Shakespeare’s Landlord by Charlaine Harris, the wild card in the bunch. I read the first of the True Blood series years ago, which I found rather gratuitous on many fronts, so I hope this series will prove differently.

Next came a visit to a local art museum, where neither of us had visited before. No photos were allowed on the inside, so we snapped this photo at the entrance. While Native American and Western/cowboy art aren’t my favorite genre, we were both terribly impressed with the scope and diligence employed in displaying, maintaining, and connecting this collection to the public.

We ended our day with dinner at the cutest little Italian restaurant downtown. Their homemade salad dressing, hand crafted pasta, inviting ambience (aprons strung as curtains, family artifacts mounted on the walls) and scrumptious tiramisu were the perfect end to my birthday-day.

On my birthday I also decided to begin reading through the Bible again. This was a goal I achieved throughout 2011 and have felt spiritually aimless these past few months, so I found my 365 daily devotional NIV Bible and set to work! How much more balanced I am as I begin my morning in the Word, journeying yet again through the Creation and early stories of God’s relationship with men and women on earth.

Yesterday, this passage stood out to me:
[After Lot was told by two angels that Sodom was going to be destroyed and he needed to leave] When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. ~ Genesis 19:16. How many times has the Lord prompted me to go and flee, and like Lot, I falter or second guess what needs to be done? Probably too often, truth be told. This awareness prompts me to be thankful for His grace that takes me by the hand and leads me out of one bad situation into the safe place where I need to be to avoid destruction and ruin. Yes and amen.

Thus begins another day of life, work, love, music, and prayer.

Happiness is…

not only a warm blanket, but warm, hand-knitted baby booties and colorful dishcloths

zucchini from the farmer’s market (later made into zucchini bread) and new cotton yarn

flowers from the farmer’s market, given to me for FREE by my friend Coleen, a local vendor

Childhood friends and overdue visits

New friends and summer baseball games

Movie nights in the park

A return to my most recent home

Woody Allen, dreaming about the past, the importance of living in the present, Paris

Best friends and ice cream

A Sunday afternoon walk in the rain with my lovely sisterfriend

“…for out of the abundance of the heart, [her] mouth speaks.” ~ Luke 6:45.

Yes and amen.

Balloons, Books, and Bazzanti

First two weeks of the fall semester? Check.
Doing something fun and rewarding today to celebrate? Check.

As a reference and instructional librarian, this week has been cra-a-zy! I love being busy and having my days be so full that they pass quickly, and yet this week stretched my limits. Teaching library skills to five classes on Thursday alone made both my voice and feet tired. Drinking plenty of water and wearing comfy shoes over the past few days have, thankfully, helped alleviate both. The next few weeks probably won’t be as hectic, yet I am loving meeting new students, working with their professors, and gaining confidence in my teaching skills. And these cooler fall temperatures in the mornings? They are perfect for me to take out my bike for short rides before going to work.

And now, a visual recounting of some happy moments from the week:

local hot air balloon festival, with accompanying carnival in the light of an almost full moon 🙂

thanks to my friends at Amazon, I pre-ordered Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins’ third and final YA book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and received it on Wednesday!

I recently came across America’s Most Wanted Recipes: Delicious Recipes From Your Family’s Favorite Restaurants at our Library, and proceeded to copy the recipe for California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ chicken pizza. I’ve bought the frozen variety before, but will from now on use this recipe when I have a hankering for semi-homemade pizza. YUM!

To celebrate the week that has been, this morning I took a road trip to Tulsa to do a number of things:

1.) visit Gardner’s Books, Oklahoma’s largest used book store, to trade some of my books (for a great in-store credit amount!) and pick up these in their stead:
– an Essential Reference Set, which I will probably take to my office since I’m a reference librarian and all, that includes a Webster’s Dictionary, Roget’s Thesaurus, and The Essential Writer’s Companion
– The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (has been on my to-read list for several years now…)
– Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (Frank being that of the Lloyd Wright fame)
– Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
– Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (previously loved her sweeping novel American Wife)
– Faking It by Jennifer Crusie

2.) check out the Volkswagen dealership and test drive a 2008 VW Passat I have my eye on. It handled beautifully and I think it’s quite the classy car. For now I’ll keep “kicking tires” and see where I can find the best deal for my money. (Sorry, no photo.)

3.) the last stop on my list of places to visit was the Philbrook Museum. Built in the style of an Italian villa by the wealthy Phillips family (as in Phillips 66 gasoline) in the late 1920s, the Philbrook contains a cozy collection of artwork spanning from the Renaissance to the present. They have in their collection a nice sampling of works by Rodin, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, and Picasso. Among the collection, this was the one I enjoyed the most of which I encountered today:

Pietro Bazzanti’s Three Graces (1840) marble

The small sculpture depicts the three daughters of Zeus: 1.) Euphrosyne = mirth 2.) Thalia = youth & beauty 3.) Aglaea = elegance. The way it was lit helped give the impression of the marble glowing and resonating with purity and warmth, while depicting loving femininity.

Not only was the museum itself beautiful, but the accompanying gardens were gorgeous and indicative of that at an Italian villa. Totally not what you might expect to see in Oklahoma.

Since I love taking notes when I visit art museums, another lady strolling through the museum asked if I was an art student. I smiled and told her, “No, I’m a librarian.” She said no more, but I took her question as a great compliment! Before leaving I paid a visit to the gift shop and stocked up on some fun Andy Warhol note cards and artwork stickers by Modigliani and Picasso.

Learning how to get to new places? Check.
Fulfilling and stimulating day? Check.

Reading & Weeding

The Lord only knows why I took such a circuitous route to finally reach the destination of being a librarian, though I have quite enjoyed the journey thus far. But now that I have arrived, I absolutely, positively love my job. It’s not a Tom-Cruise-jumping-on-Oprah’s-couch kind of glee, but rather a quiet, deep-seeded knowledge that as I awaken each morning and think about the day ahead I look forward to arriving at the library and doing good work (vs. burying myself in the covers with dread and loathing). This sense of perfect belonging into my newly established job/profession/career overrides any temporary anxieties about personal matters, which I know will work out in the by and by.

This week (the first of several, I imagine) has been filled with weeding the youth collection. Weeding, in addition to how the word “reading” sounds if you have a speech impediment, is the process of deselecting books from a collection. Some of these will be transferred to our other college branches, some will be sold, and some sent to the cemetery of forgotten books (thank you, Carlos Ruiz Zafon). It pains me to see the disrepair of some, which hopefully demonstrates how well-loved the book has been in its lifetime. For others, the content is no longer accurate or politically correct, which means it does not support the overall collection and, therefore, must be removed.

Highlights of my week included going to a Mary Kay party and making some new friends from work and receiving mail from Catherine, my mom, and Markli. How I love getting letters.

Currently read:
– The Host by Stephenie Meyer. This stand-alone novel from Meyer has nothing to do with vampires. A love story in the midst of a post-apocalyptic-ish invasion of humans, yes, but vampires, no. While I have read all four of the Twilight books and think the hype has escalated out of control, they were a much faster and easier read than was The Host. Once I had the time to sit down for a long length of time to devour numerous chapters, the somewhat confusing plot and narration allowed me to get more involved in the story. I enjoyed it for the summer read that it was and take satisfaction in knowing that it can graduate from my “I bought it, I need to read it” shelf to the “I read it, now I can resell it” shelf and move on to what awaits me next.

Currently watched:
– The Ugly Truth – WASTE OF TIME. Two attractive people + a vulgar script did not make for an enjoyable moving watching experience.
– Shall We Dance – while I am not a dancer, I enjoyed the carpe diem motif in this romantic drama. As I watched this, it felt like I had seen parts of it before and then I realized I had…flying from London to Chicago a few years ago. Somehow I never caught the beginning and ending of the movie during my travels and was glad to check it out for free from our library and finally see it from beginning to end.

After a morning at the yoga studio I returned to light rain falling outside, then took an afternoon excursion to a local historical home outside of town. There’s a chance that the gentleman who once lived here is distantly related to my maternal grandmother, and thus to me. Though it might be a slight familial connection, I still felt at home as I walked throughout the home and the grounds. These are some of my favorite photos I took there today.

The view you see looking out to the front walk

One of the cabins on the property, with a little electronic color tweak

Gate & hinge entering the front walk

A gothic style final resting place for some members of the family

More exploring and life to be lived await me in this new town, which I am slowly learning to think of as “home.”

Falling

I continue to seek mental, physical, and spiritual discipline for myself, and then trust that God will provide. It remains difficult at times, but the reward is worth it. Because of this, it feeds more of a desire to rise to the occasion more often. Such is the learning process.

Many photos to share. These are some of my favorites of the year so far…

Sunday, October 25 – Whilst in the middle of “Leaf Watch 09,” I happened upon this train. I determined it more worthy of my photo of the day. Have no fear – more leaf photos will soon commence.

Monday, October 26 – Another installment from my “Taking Pictures While Driving” series. This leaves from this tree were on their last proverbial leg. I had to take advantage of the moment!

Tuesday, October 27 – The route I take to get to the University has similar neighborhoods, all with picturesque homes and tree-lined streets. This is one such example.

Wednesday, October 28 – Again, the aforementioned streets are all so quaint. Though the fall colors were equally brilliant, the cobblestones and lack of cars on this street begged for a black and white rendering.

Thursday, October 29 – October was a very rainy month for us. As I walked to my building on campus, I couldn’t help but notice the water droplets that had pooled upon fallen leaves. I zoomed in a bit and voila!

Friday, October 30 – The sun finally decided to come out! I thought the cloud and tree silhouette made for a pretty contrast.

Saturday, October 31 – Being in class from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., followed by a Halloween canned food drive and party for the teens at church made for a very full day! Who wouldn’t laugh when you see them voluntarily take part in a toilet paper mummy contest?

Sunday, November 1 – Sunday morning I had a change in church scenery by attending church with my friends Aarik & Brooke. It was a great time of worship and I enjoyed seeing how God is at work in the lives of His children elsewhere in town.

Monday, November 2 – With fall comes the arrival of spaghetti squash, which I discovered last year. This is my own version of Rachael Ray’s recipe preparing the squash with a bolognese. It’s big enough that it makes several meals for me!

Tuesday, November 3 – As Leaf Watch 09 comes to a close, due to the wet concrete, the leaf that once was there left an impression.

Wednesday, November 3 – A trip downtown allowed me to find this bronze sculpture of a doctor being attended to by a child. Precious.

Thursday, November 4 – My first foray into making gooey butter cookies was a success. I have enjoyed eating them and sharing them with friends.

Friday, November 5 – I traveled to Pinecrest Camp (my favorite place on earth) for our fall COG retreat (Centering on God). This was the heart of the evening message. Its simplicity and poignancy make it one of my favorite photos of the year.

Saturday, November 6 – I hope that waking up to a view like this is just a glimpse of what heaven will be like. My morning at Pinecrest began perfectly: biscuits & gravy, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, and a little coffee for good measure.

After near 70 degree temperatures, the day ended just as happily.

Sunday, November 7 – Mabel, my car, is having some difficulties with accurate gas gauge readings in her old age. I decided to get gas immediately following church, lest I become a helpless, stranded motorist. I picked a windy day to get gas!

Monday, November 8 – Tonight I met with friends to brainstorm a paper we have due this weekend. Here’s what we think of the situation:

Thus begins Week 12 of the semester. This week, then one more week until a week of vacation for Thanksgiving, followed by a few very short weeks before finals and Christmas. I’m already planning my lists of items to bake and books to read on my break. 🙂

Leaf Watch and other doings

Let’s see…over the past three weeks I’ve completed one class, begun another, lost everything on my computer when the hard drive crashed (for the second time), determined to not let myself be defined by this expensive machine, allowed myself to play games and laugh with friends from church, and took a rather impromptu trip to visit family. Book news will follow the photo montage:

Sunday, October 4 – A wonderful thing about weddings is that you get to take home a pretty flower, this was a pretty pink daisy I wore during Bob & Megan’s wedding.

Monday, October 5 – I’m always a fan of trying new recipes. This one was a blonde brownie with triple chips – chocolate, peanut butter, and white chocolate. I’m a huge fan of sweets, but even for me, this one was super buttery and sweet.

Tuesday, October 6 – nothing brings a smile to my face more quickly than two words – book sale. I’m proud to report that while I stopped and browsed, I came home with library books only.

Wednesday, October 7 – Fall is imminent, as demonstrated by the mums blooming around town.

Thursday, October 8 – condensation from the rain, cool weather from the steam outside made for a foggy view from my desk.

Friday, October 9 – due to being swamped with homework, I sadly wasn’t able to attend as much of the state library conference as I would have liked. I was consoled with the knowledge that I will have many more opportunities to attend state or national library conferences in the future.

Saturday, October 10 – I journeyed with teens from our church to participate in the October Bible quizzing meet. Three of our kids made the regional top ten!

Sunday, October 11 – my friends Ryan & Crystal have begun having the young adults over for lunch after church on Sundays. After feasting on an amazingly prepared beef brisket with trimmings for lunch, we dined on Death by Chocolate for dessert. Y.U.M.

Monday, October 12 – a.k.a. the day my computer hard drive crashed. While I own a Mac, and think it’s pretty cool, I seriously think I bought a lemon of a machine. Thankfully the authorized Mac dealer here in town was able to install a new hard drive the same day, equipping me with more space, which got me back in business. This was an especial blessing since I had a final project due later that night. Seeing this sloping drive on my way home from the computer store was a happier moment in my day.

Tuesday, October 13 – an 89 cent FunFetti cake mix from Aldi + my Pampered Chef cookie press made fun FunFetti pumpkin shaped cookies. Pairing it with milk in my Halloween glass made me happy, indeed.

Wednesday, October 14 – coconut cream pie with a cup of coffee in hand, partnered with friends after church, made for a pleasant end to my Wednesday evening.

Thursday, October 15 – another photo from my “taking pictures while driving” series, I liked the way this one turned out of 99% rainy sky and 1% wet hay bales.

Friday, October 16 – the power of the T. I have a soft spot in my heart for small town traditions, like Homecoming, where people really come home for Homecoming. While not my alma mater, it is for my parents and uncles, and was fun to share it with them this year.

Saturday, October 17 – traveling home and beholding one of my favorite views on God’s green earth.

Sunday, October 18 – movie night at church. This time we watched Ben Stein’s “Expelled.” (Aside: When it was announced that we were going to watch a documentary, some of the teens groaned and said, “Oh yuck.” It’s a good thing we were in church or else I might have smacked them.)

Monday, October 19 – What I will entitle “Leaf Watch 09” has begun! The leaves are reaching their peak in town right now, which gives me plenty of opportunities to annoy other cars on the road as I slow down to take pictures.

Tuesday, October 20 – this tree is on the grounds of my apartment complex, thus no defensive driving was necessary.

Wednesday, October 21 – the mix of colors with this tree on campus caught my eye.

Thursday, October 22 – I hope to someday have trees like this in my front yard, including the cute picket fence.

Friday, October 23 – Leaf Watch 09 continues!

Saturday, October 24 – today I deviate from Leaf Watch to include a fun picture of myself and my dear friend Brooke, with leaves behind us. We took in the sights and sounds of the Homecoming parade, with my high school band marching and looking Sharp (note the capital s). It was a chilly morning, but a good day for a parade!

As mentioned at the top of my post, the latest book news: this week I finished Audrey Niffenegger’s new novel “Her Fearful Symmetry.” I finished it early Thursday morning, and the story has continued to linger with me over the past few days, which is always a sign of good storytelling. I can’t say I enjoyed it as much as I did her debut “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” but it has the same qualities of drawing one into the story and suspending true reality for the span of 400 or so pages. Currently on loan from the library: “Viola in Reel Life” by Adriana Trigiani (her first YA novel), “The Bean Trees” by Barbara Kingsolver, and “Ethan Frome” by Edith Wharton. With two face-to-face classes this week, we’ll see how much pleasure reading time factors into the time equation. Speaking of which, a paper due tomorrow night is calling my name…