Sixteen.

So maybe the title has nothing to do with this post. I just thought of the first thing that could be a title and it was the number sixteen. Go read Psalm 16, it's really good. Haha. No really though... it is!!! :) "Keep me safe my God, for in You i take refuge." That's the beginning. So maybe now the title has a little bit to do with this post.

I have finally arrived back to Greensboro for the first time in a couple of days... I went to Gastonia on Christmas morning and came back Saturday but as soon as I got home I turned around and headed to Southern Pines to visit some wonderful people. Ended up seeing some cuties (heather, morgan, kelly, and kristen). Heather ended up getting a ukulele for Christmas so I got to play it a little bit and we made a little song. It was just nice to soak in some time with friends and sturrrf.

Christmas was great. Although as my cousin Chandler (who is 15) wisely said "Christmas came and went so fast I don't know if I was spiritually ready for the holiday" and I totally agree with him. Christmas came and went so fast... and I had wanted to really just take the whole story in and just meditate on the Gift God gave the world. Jesus Christ. SAVIOR. Love. Lion AND Lamb. Beautiful... but I felt like I didn't thank God enough. And the ironic thing was it wasn't like I wanted presents or anything, in fact my mom literally had to squeeze present ideas out of me, it just came and went.

Christmas is a day chosen out of a year to celebrate Christ's life... but as I grow closer and closer to Jesus and learn more and more I almost feel like Christmas is everyday because I mean really the best gift we will ever ever ever ever get was born, and it's like a present everyday. And I just really pray that I look at my relationship with Him in that way, so beautiful, so so so beautiful.

This break I have learned some things... I realized I was being ugly to some people that are dear to my heart (my brother)... I wasn't reflecting Jesus at all in my attitude or actions... and when God pointed this out to me, I became ashamed at how I had been acting... but as this moment is healing I'm praying more and more that I will learn to look at things through Jesus' eyes... pure love for EVERYONE no matter what happens. This hit me hard because I have always wanted to love in the way Jesus does and I try so hard everday but I didn't even realize that I hadn't been loving, and this freaked me out. I thank the Lord for pointing this out because I don't ever want to be ugly like I had been acting. My Father and Creator is a forviging One and i have been forgiven and i'm so THANKFUL for this, and i can move on and learn from these mistakes... it has been a test for me but it's getting better and better day by day.

I'm sorry God for turning my back on You and not loving.
I'm Thankful that You forgive me for all that I do and have done wrong.
It's a beautiful thing.

Your Love is unfailing.
Cheers :)

Haha, Why?

So last night after having an interesting day I went to sleep in part of my Bleeker (from Juno) costume. And then I woke up this morning and felt like putting on the headband that goes with it... so now I am sitting in my house contemplating watching Juno just because I feel like I'm in the mood haha to watch it...

I'm actually feeling quite artsy today so I'll probs work on some illustrations slash hopefully bundle up to go out and bike to get some exercise in... it's super dooper cold these days for Greensboro weather... or it seems that way...

And perhaps I'll make my way to Army/Navy because I kind of feel like going there... I don't even know why... haha


Cheers to the Lord :), well for... everything.

Smiles and Love,
Carra.this.is.not.a.letter.why.am.i.signing.it.

God Knew I Would Like These:

Huskys a so cute!!! Cheers God for making them!!! :)

Finding Good in This Rush.

So today I decided to venture out to do a little Christmas shopping... I'm going to state that this is not one of my favourite things to do, just because it's crazy busy and people are not in the best of moods...

Well at first, today, I was one of those grumpy grumpersons. I'm not sure what came over me, well I am but it shouldn't have happened. I drove to Friendly to perhaps get something for my mum, thinking it was a weekday... I get there and look for a space for about 15 mins... in my head I'm just wondering why I didn't just bike to Friendly or walk or something that doesn't require parking... I'm becoming impatient and kind of annoyed... and I listen to my thoughts, and I don't approve of these thoughts... but they just keep happening. So I call my mom and vent it out about how busy it is at Friendly and how I'm not going to ever return there today... haha a little over dramatic I do have to say... So I leave and decide to drive to Target...

I get there and I'm looking for a spot, somewhat I've calmed down, I think b/c I started listening to K-Love and some song I knew came on and I was able to relax...

I find a spot pretty far away, which doesn't bother me b/c I'm thankful for a spot in the parking lot... I get to target and I'm walking around... I just start to feel this urge to smile at people and be me, the hyper-friendly Carra who talks to everyone and anyone.

I ran into this cute old lady and turned and rubbed her arm and said "I'm sorry" and smiled at her... she returned me with the CUTEST smile ever and thanked me for appologizing... WOOSH... the negative part of my day was suddenly "wooshed" out of me... I couldn't stop smiling at people, probably creeping them out, but it's all good... I kept seeing beautiful babies and kids and just wanting to love on them so so so much. I ended up getting some presents for people as well as stuff for the Annual Kiser/Grimsley/Now We are in College Christmas party... we've been doing it for over 6 years... it's crazy.

So I left Target in good spirits and just started thinking about finding as much good out of the Christmas shopping season as I could as I was leaving. People were knodding and smiling at each other as well as letting people go by in their cars with a simple knod or smile so that we could take turns getting out of the parking lot... I'm going to work towards trying to find the good in situations. God blesses us with gifts every second, millisecond, minute, okay so He rules time so we can't really put a time to how often God gives us gifts but it's constant... His love is a gift to us... this love is one, the only one, that is EVERPRESENT, EVERLASTING, continues even when we are butts to Him, the world, and other times...

THE GIFT OF LOVE.

Jesus. Jesus was born. THANK YOU! man what what what a beautiful LIFE.

"Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!"
Psalm 105:4

Cucumber Water...

This isn't my photograph... but I heard today that cucumbers in water make a great combination for anti-oxidents and just a refreshing taste!

So I'm drinking some right now... as well as just being in my house alone after a belly full of Harris Teeter sushi and the Christmas tree is on as well as "Scrubs."

I went to Goodwill today with my friend Lo. I chewed some gum. We laughed. Learned some stuff, and then I was super dooper tired.

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."
Isaiah 59:19

Hey Love.

Father, give me the strength. I can't do it on my own.

I want to love in Your image. A blameless, selfless, pure, genuine type of love. (a whole lot more is how You love, I just can't write it in words)

I love You.
I pray I give you my all.
EVERYTHING.

Cheers,
Carra

To Write (100TH Blogger POST!) on Her Arms.

Haha, what a milestone.

So how are you supposed to open up your 100th blogger post? I have no idea! But I do know I haven't written in a while!!!

Today is Thursday and I'm in my dining room with my computer on a chair while a bend down to write this blog while wearing a very country outfit... I'm wearing a brown v-neck some jeans and brown cowgirl boots. And we can't forget the huge curly fro I'm sporting.

Tonight I get to go to Triad Stage, which is my favourite play venue. I get to see the play "Beautiful Star" which was written by locals and is getting national attention!!! It's exciting!!!

I bought a candle that smells like cinnamon apples and I light it whenever I play guitar in my room because it gives me a nice atmosphere. I'm excited b/c I'm starting to get down just playing whole songs, and this is just exciting!!! "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, Holy holy is He..." that's one of my favourite ones to play b/c it's such a beautiful sounding song!!!

Today I'm also going out to lunch with my friend Corinne!!! She is so cute! I'm going to bike and meet here at a local eating spot here in town. I haven't been able to ride Cleo in two whole days and this makes me sad, so I am determined to bike there today, haha. I talked to Mel last night and she said that she was going to bike around Gloucester today... wait? I didn't know her bike could fit in her car... weird.... I forgot to ask about that!!! haha

Perhaps I could have saved the 100th post for a 100 word post or 100 things I enjoy or 100 letters in random order... but since I haven't written in a while I just thought a normal blog would do... and I think it does b/c knowing me I probably will use another post do write 100 random things or something along those lines. A side note: I'm surprised I haven't run into more people at Harris Teeter, a few people in particular that I always see there when I come home for breaks... but those I'll keep anonymous.

It's good to be in North Carolina, although I am missing RVA a ton! It excites me that I have people that I miss there, little secret places that I miss, a room to miss... but then makes me miss them more by mentioning them so I'm going to stop hahaha.

This summer: I really REALL REALLY want to do an internship with To Write Love on Her Arms because I really feel like God has put it into my life for a reason. We'll all see where this goes!!!

I Like Cute.

So here's the deal. I'm sitting here on my carpet in my home that I grew up in and my sister Melissa is cracking up about something I can't write about here on "tha bloggah." My sister Michelle is sitting on a "Cara" chair... that's what they are called, not even spelled like my name, I know it's crazy, right?! And she doesn't even know! Haha... wishing Jonsi could have made it, but it's all good in the hood. Really, I'm actually wearing a hoodie... that just so happens to have a hood!

I really enjoy the fact that we can all just sit in each others presence... which reminds me of another relationship that I have... hmm... God. Like just acknowledging that He is just chilling and knowing that He is there when you are in a room... just makes things comfortable... like for example we are just here and know that we are all in the room so we don't feel lonely right? So by knowing that God is in the room chilling with you when you feel lonely can totally take away that lonliness and I find that extra special... another special thing that God does, which He does way too much to even begin to breathe a blog about him even think a blog about Him... yes anyways I like what Lane had said about the small things being some of God's greatest gifts... it's soooooooooo true!!! I love when He points out things through my day that make me giggle or make my heart smile or just any thought that is clean and nice. yes... sigh. a good one, a good sigh...

Yesterday Laneyard came and so graciously fixed Cleo, my bike... she had a flat... it was rather sad!!! But it's all good b/c Lane has a way with bikes, he just knows them... or makes me think he knows them haha. Anyways bike shop in the future... :)

My brother... about Drew. I haven't really had the chance to see him even though I've been back since Thursday night. I'm waiting for some great Bro/Sis bonding time.

Today. Today was def. a God shining bright like the sun kind of day... well at least the first part!!! Mel took me and Michelle to the Grimsley parking lot to learn how do drive a stick shift, which apparently I'm pretty decent at, surpised by this, I totally am! We had such a great time just taking photographs, in fact, they were pretty cool!!! Some of the photographs were jumping ones, which are always super dooper cool... it was like we were being lifted up... we all need to be lifted up. Life brings us down sometimes but it's so comforting to know that no matter what God "pick(s) us up and turn us around and He PLACES OUR FEET ON SOLID GROUND," and solid ground sound like a great thing... a lot went on today. More than I can write. I'm learning more and more about playing guitar and learning to sing and stuff... I really feel an urge to just play play play and praise praise praise. I'm being encouraged, but I still hear the negative voices in the back of my head... I know these aren't mine so I try try try to take those away and think positively and just remind myself it's for the Lord, and yes.

As the day winds down, I got super tired and my mind couldn't focus on anything... it was really weird. I was asked what I was thinking about and I couldn't even figure that out! Oh well, I think this week is going to be brillers. I can't wait to take a day to ride my bike by myself and just take the time to soak some stuff in... This is really really really long... sorry. well I'm not b/c it's nice to write it out...

my mom is super cute b/c she got us gifts... this really reflected God b/c it's just like WHOA, there are presents on the couch... why are those there? That's a super surprise!!! He gives us stuff at the most unexpected times... it's like He always has a surprise party planned for us, but the surprise is never ruined!!! :)

that makes me smile. I like the winter time. I like the cold weather that just makes people nostalgic and want to warm each other up... it's cute. And I like cute things.

Oh, Hey Tiny Tree.

This is the tree my friend Hannah made me today at campus prayer. :)

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS 'ARRY."
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS RON."


HAPPY CHRISTMAS SEASON!

(we were liking the little trees at Capital Ale House so we had to get our own) :)

He Grace(s) us with Children.

(this is how i felt after this past week)

(i love moments like this)

(and moments like this)

(and this!!!)
(and this too!)

So yesterday was really really nice :). I got to go to church with Michelle and actually I've been able to see tha goober more and more these past few days, even if it doesn't seem like much time I think it's pretty cool... we drove to Harvest and parked and giggled on the way at a few things... as well as the night before there was a Tacky Christmas party at her house where more than a few times I got tickle attacked... which we all thought I was the one doing it the most but as these days approach I think people are poking my armpits more than I ever have! hahahah

Well then at church Mel came with the kids she was babysitting which let me tell you they are precious SO PRESH. I just want to pick them up and love them just keep loving them like crazy!

gahhhhh they are cute. I'm blessed b/c I got to spend some time with them which makes me so excited for when God blesses me with kids. But that time is not near hahah, I will be patient!!! I got to go see a cute movie, which I cried in b/c it was so cute!!!

This is a scattered blog but I'm just writing whateverrrrr...

Um I ate a burger, which it has been TWO YEARS since I've had one... my stomach seemed to handle it well!!! And it was pretty tastey! Yums.

Had breakfast for din dins, anddddd then went to prayer where we pulled up Melissa via skype chat... which was super cool b/c God blessed us with her guitar playing... perhaps one day I will be able to fill in when Mel can't make it to prayer... I pray that He blesses me with music playing so I can just keep praising Him in the music form... I feel a little bit of a calling for that but it's one of those things that I just have to keep praying for boldness because when we aren't naturally good at something it's easy to just stop and go for something we are naturally good at... all my friends here that play instruments inspire me... I loiyke (british accent) to watch michelle play the djembe (spelling?) and Melwren play guitar with passion and Joni is so great at teaching me chords and and and Johnny's voice, I really enjoy it... and Hannah G's voice during worship and and Alana, the way she sings for Him is encouraging and makes me just want to sing sing sing sing and Jennifer her voice is so cute, and anddddd Alicia I want to hear her play her violin anddd I want to hear more of Sara's voice, b/c God has placed her in the Music department now and Bible, I love when she plays the keyboard and man just everyone in fact I'm just going to go ahead and say EVERYONE here inspires me to want to play guitar more and more and practicing singing and worship!

PS: ahhhhh HOW COULD I FORGET PATRICK?! I love when he sings when Mel is playing guitar!!!! cheers mel for pointing that out!

man i love being blessed with living in RVA.

cheers God.
xoxo Carra

Become Clean Again.

So... this week consisted of lack of sleep and a surplus of staying up to do work... but it also consisted of a lot of encouragement from the Holy Spirit.

And I'm leaving it at that with some photographs to just be this bloggage... and I want to thank the Lord for His EVERLASTING LOVE FOR US!

(Holy Spirit bring joy to N.K.) Cheers.

Busy Busy.

I'm busy but I don't feel rushed. I've got two major projects due tomorrow and I'm only half-way done with both... but I feel like it's okay and I'll get them done. Thanks God for keeping me calm!!! :) Today I got to share my block city project with the class... there were only 6 out of 54 chosen to show what we had... I explained how I see things as patterns rather than exactly what they actually are and my prof actually really enjoyed my project... he said it had a sense of optimism, which I really want to be a part of the characteristics of my art. I love being optimistic because I know that God will provide all so why not be positive? Right on Jesus!

Last night I stayed up til 3 finishing up my city sketches that I needed to get done for Methods and Processes... thanks be to Him that I have a wonderful sister that came over and spent the night which helped me stay up and finish my work... people are so cute when they fall asleep. So peaceful and at rest, chillen with God in a field of grass, beautiful. Man, I'm super blessed to be surrounded by beautiful souls here... God has cleaned us and made us pure, and we have become beautiful because He makes us that way!!! So brillers :)

Right now I'm sitting in Temple waiting for my history class to start... it starts at 3:30... I'm hoping it will be enjoyable today. I lost my helmet for a good 15 mins in the library... I looked down when I was in student commons and realized that I was missing something, then I pushed my brain to remember where I left it... right by all the magazines in the brary! what a goober, that I am. I feel calm... although my eye is constantly twitching. I want to see twilight again... I'm making a trip to short pump soon to switch out my charger and perhaps get a winter coat... I'm still rocking my favourite hoodie, "Rescue," my To Write Love on Her Arms hoodie that is really thin and not warm at all! haha.

Thanks to my mom I have some Pumpkin Spice Coffee that I drank with Melwren last night after a beautiful night at Chi Alpha worship at the commonwealth chapel, it was pretty dank :) in a good way if you know what I mean, jellybean, teen, queen. ENOUGH! Love :)

Back to ARE VEE AYY Tomorrow.

So, I'm stoked because tonight I get to hang out with my bro bro!!! I'm hoping I'll get a ton of work done now and after dinner before he gets back form work. And then tomorrow I get to drive three.five hours... hopefully just three hours back to RVA. and and and I GET TO SEE MELWREN! yay. And then Jonsi and Michelle at prayer, hopefully. Prayers for Joni and her family b/c of the loss of her Gramps.

THIS HEART IT BEATS, BEATS FOR ONLY YOU! MY HEART IS YOURSSS!

listening to Paramore live, "The Final Riot." My broski let me listen to it! I've got a ton of work in the days ahead of me, but that's okay b/c I've got Godspeed! haha ;)

Two Books, A City, A pop-up, History of VisCom exam, Two Vinyl Covers. PHEW... I'm going to be exhausted... but It'll get done!

Peace in Him.

Oh yeah we got our Christmas tree, lights up on our house, made pumpkin pie, had Thanksgiving dinner, going to have turkey again tonight for din din!!! Played guitar, read some magazines, took lots of goggle pictures and still working on that!!! LOVE LOVE.

Sitting in My Room.

(think i'm going to see twilight tonight or something)

So it has been about four months since I could actually sit in my room in Greensboro. I haven't been back since school started in August. This is the house I grew up in, from age 1 to now... It's interesting because I sit here and memories just start floating back into my head... I think of all the times I've laughed, cried, and danced in my room. Man, I used to be so afraid of the dark. In the corner I used to have a night light that would stay on all night to protect me from the dark. Now, when darkness comes I'm so blessed because I have the Lord as a light on my path in life. I may still fear the actual dark... but I'm learning more and more not to be afraid because I have the greatest protector of all... I never want to lose the light. "Keep me where the light is..." (John Mayer song quote thingy)

I'm so thankful I have come so far from where I used to be... I'm going to leave it as that because you can ask me about my life face to face and I'll tell you.

I am romanced by my relationship with Jesus, and I never want to stop feeling this way about Him. I pray that I keep running after Him with his open arms. No matter what I do, and I know I often fail, Jesus still has his arms open wide for me to come back...

seriously. if you want to ask me about it I want to talk to you about it.

love.

Sleepy. This is not a Mac. haha

(parent's photo stash: drawing from second semester freshman year MC)

So I keep trying to do command keys on my parent's Dell and it's so confusing hahaha. Anyways! I'm at my Grandma's house in Gastonia, INN SEA and I'm super stoked and blessed to have a fabulous dinner ahead of me!!! My cousins are heading over in a bit and my Uncle just arrived about 20 mins ago! I have missed my puppy Maia and I've been playing with her all day as well as crocheting a hat... but it seems to be a little too small... but I'm just going to keep on keeping on ahhaaha!!!

I've also been playing some gee-tar and this made me miss Mel and Jonsi.

And my pink hat that I'm making made me think of Michelle's gloves.

I miss my family from RVA... but I'll hopefully see some of them either Sunday or Monday!

I'M SO THANKFUL!!! THANKS BE TO THE LORD!

Welcome Cleo, and Welcome Doughnuts :)

So as for the Lord shining through friends these days... HE HAS BEEN AMAZING! (always amazing but super dooper obvious lately)

This weekend I got to spend time with Lane. It was a great time to try to catch up, but it has really been a long time since we actually got to hang out face to face, so I can't wait to catch up even more over winter break... anyways... the ways the Lord shined and are shining though Lane... Lane built an amazing fixed gear bike for me, customized down to the colour! (PURPLE)! God has blessed Lane with the talent of bike-building and I am really excited to see where this talent goes from here! Thank you God for Lane's kindness, patience with teaching, and open-ness. I pray that this continues!! :)

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep due to lack of energy and sickness I got a phone call from Melissahh. I was happy she called but sad because I thought I wouldn't see her until after break... and the phone call was kind of sad b/c I was tired and not that energetic. (Ringtone was the rocket summer)... Then I went on the computer and got another phone call from Melwren. She was like "we are having a potluck in class tomorrow and I'm bringing doughnuts." Well this flew right over my head and didn't even phase me as strange... who brings doughnuts to a potluck? Hahha (side note... I slightly remember craving a doughnut the other day and telling melwren about it... but I'm not 100% sure...) I just thought it was for her art class so she asked "what kind would you bring?" and I was like "cruelers are pretty good, but I'm not sure what people would like." She said, "what kind do you like?" And I replied "well I really like those chocolate cruelers, they are tastey." And in my head I'm thinking it's totally normal for Mel to ask me about my fav kind of doughnut.

Then I got into Carra shut-down mode because I was tired and sick. I hear a knock on the door downstairs but I just figure it's a neighbor. Then I hear footsteps on the stairs and I'm thinking okay, Nicole is going to need me for something... a knock on my door! Ahhh, I'm already in my pj's and I'm always so awkward hahah, so I head to the door and Nicole says, "you have some friends here to see you." And I was puzzled... so I wrapped myself in a blanket and headed down the stairs awkwardly... as well as giggle gigglersonly... And I see two amazing sisters, MELISSA! AND MICHELLE! They came to visit me in my state of sickness!!! I was so confused, but like so so so thankful!!! No one really has ever done this for me, so I had no idea how to react! It was a visit Gift from God!!! My spirits were lifted and my heart smiled... it was such a quick change to my spirits, my body didn't have time to react in the way my heart was! They came up to my room with specially made doughnuts and a can of canada dry :)... man I'm blessed. Not only did they bring actual gifts but EVEN BETTER!!! they brough PRAYER and FELLOWSHIP!!! They prayed for healing of this sickness (which is def. the enemy attacking my energy), we prayed for our sisters, our Thanksgiving, and whatever was spoken to us through the Holy Spirit. It was such a beautiful night... I then felt so lifted up and had to give Him all the praise!!! HE IS SO GOOD!!! Our God is a HEALING GOD!

After the amazing lifting up I went and read some verses and just had some quiet listening time. That was followed by the long long long bloggage beneath this one haha, Carra why would you blog after a quiet time? B/c! There was so much spoken to me I had to blog it down! Or felt led to blog it... yes. so here are two lengthy bloggages. Sorry ready readersons!

"My Art Class is Having a Breakfast Potlock"

"Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
The rich over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Those who sow injustice reap calamity,
and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
The GENEROUS will themselves be BLESSED,
for they share their food with the poor.
DRIVE OUT THE MOCKER, and out goes
strife; quarrels and insults are ENDED!
One who loves a PURE HEART and who speaks with GRACE
will have the King for a friend.
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates
the words of the unfaithful.
The sluggard says, 'There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!.'"
Proverbs 22: 6-13

"Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away."
Song of Solomon 8:6-7

"You who dwell in the gardens
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice!"
Song of Solomon 8:13

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak and slow to become angry,
because our anger does not produce the righteousness
that God DESIRES.
James 1: 19-20

Father thank you for my sisters :) my brothers :)

"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.
Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of PRAISE. Is anyone among
you SICK? Le them call the elders of the church to pray over them
and anoint them with oil in the NAME OF THE LORD.
And the prayer offered in faith will make them well;
The Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be
forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray
for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a
righteous person is powerful and effective."
James 5: 13-16

It's Thanksgiving time and I am giving all of my Thanks to the Lord who has given me ALL.
Thank You God for my family. (blood and those in Christ)
Thank You God for my giving friends and for them praying for me.
Thank You God for surprises, you are never boring :) ;)
Thank You God for sending your love through people, for I know it's from You!!

"Move, move your feet
Dance before the Lord
On to the Promised Land
On to your reward, sing

Lead, Lord, with unfailing love
Those that You have ransomed
And we will sing out as we go on
Our God is faithful
Our God is faithful

Our enemies are at the bottom of the sea, our enemies
Our enemies are at the bottom of the sea, our enemies"
(bethany dillon)

encouraged.

Oh So Tired.

I really want to write bout this weekend and awesome times. But I am oh so, oh so very tired. I do have to say I'm going to miss my sisters when I head to Greensboro for Thanksgiving break. MAN. I'm going to miss them like crazy!!!

k well time to go b/c i'm nodding of writing this. or typing or whatever.


more to come when i wake up

It's Snowing. But Not in Richmond.

I MISS THIS. My house... I GET TO SEE IT IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!! YAY GREENSBORO!!!

My mom sent me this and and and... it snowed there today. I want to see some snow!


hug'd

Give it ALL.

My heart is YOURS!!!

This heart it beats, beats for only YOU.

These are my prayers.

Cheers.

LLLLL AY!

Is not where I'm headed but this photo is like a movie so I decided to title my bloggage in that form... Today is Thursday which means a couple of things... TOMORROW IS FRIDAY, TONIGHT IS IV, and I have a boat ton of work to do... DANG! But that's okay because it will get done and honestly I'm not too worried about it... I'm feeling at peace because I know God will provide. NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING! And boy do I tell you, I'm super thankful for so so so so SOOOOO much.

Last night I spent the night at Melwrens after an amazing FAMILY dinner!!! :) It was tastey and there were good convos... the way it should be! And I can't wait til we do that again! I really hope I get to go to RIHOP tomorrow, but that's only if we don't have a party for my housemate... or if I leave at 945 to go to RIHOP. Saturday is going to be an adventure! GET HYPE!

peace.

FREEZING in the Art Building.

My hands are asking me to stop typing but I kind of wanted to blog so mind over matter? Is that what they say? I don't even know!!! Today I presented my project to my imaging class and I think it went well... I didn't get as many giggles as I had hoped for but whatevs!

This weekend slash end of the week is filled with SO MANY EVENTS!

1. Tonight!!! Dinner with my loves. My sisters. My wing-women!!! slash a bunch of drawing homework slash a spend the night slash a leave kind of early in the morning? question mark!
2. Thursday!!! tons and tons of book design work slash pop-up creating work andddd IV. And then straight home to work work work!
3. Friday, SOMETHING FOR MY HOUSEMATE... I think! A celebration! Slash hopefully RIHOP squeezed in there!!!
4. SATURDAY!!! Lane is coming!!! And I think my family here is trying to do something fun saturday night!!!
5. SUNDAY! harvest!!! YAY!

man... so much so much so much!

xoxo
sykeskid.
yo.

Life in Technicolor.

Just got "Viva la Vida."

a. Listening to Coldplay slash cutting stuff and making boxes for methods and processes.
b. Haven't signed up for classes b/c they are still looking at my transfer credits.
c. Stoked about the new ride.
d. THANKFUL FOR SO MUCH, which is good b/c T-giving is around the corner.
e. Had another successful ramen experimental din din.
f. Praise for a 96% healthy feeling throat!
g. YAY YAY YAY.

I don't know why I ended at g... probs b/c I can't really think of anything to write.

hi melwren. i'm a poser.
cheers family :) come together!

You are Romantic.

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Romeo save me - they're tryin' to tell me how to feel;
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid; we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a life story - baby just say "Yes.'"

(taylor swift lyrics: don't judge me haha)

God, I want YOUR love story. Stir my affection. :)

Praise to You... and thank You for being present at all times. and thank You for my sisters, FOR REAL, Father, cheers. High five! Hug'd. Thank You for being my support, my rock my One and only.

you make me blush. and I'm blessed.

Falling Asleep at the Metro Metro.

Yesterday I embarked on an adventure with my lovely sister Melissa! With open hearts, we headed to Washington, D.C. to hear Jamie, from To Write Love On Her Arms, talk and Joshua Moore sing. Here is the short story version of the day:

I went to my design technology class and worked on learning how to fold paper in a certain way. This was all taught to me through YouTube paper folding videos. Then when in class my friend William popped by to say hello because he happened to be in the Gdes section of Pollak art building. Then I left after class and drove over to Melissa's apartment.

Melissa and I went to this little shop that sells bikes from craigslist. We were hoping to get her bike there that she wanted from the list of craigs. And so we walked and laughed there together... the bike was sketch-a-letch so she decided it wasn't for her and stuff... so then we went back to her apartment laughed with Allison and peaced out!

We got on the highway and started randomly listening to songs. Our conversation went everywhere, from the seriousness to the laughter-filled lets geeeeggeeegeee make fun of each other... in the loving and I'm picking on you b/c I care way. :) We stopped at Burger King where we ate some foods and drank some Black Gold, which was delicious if I may say so myself!!! Then we drove on to the Metro Station that is just outside DC and the closest on to Richmond. From there we parked and got on the Metro.

HEHE. We looked at the map with confidence b/c it's a map and tells you where to go... but... we kind of road for an extra bit or two and then laughed b/c we had to turn around and go back! But that's okay b/c we got some cool photographs out of the wrong direction-ness. We got to D.C. and it was getting pretty dark so we recorded some video footage and then went to a gift shop to ask where Ebenezer's Coffee Shop was located... apparently there are streets that are named after letters!!! It's located at 201 F Street. HAHA! Melwren and I were like, WHAT IS THIS!? After walking and seeing some of the monuments in super speed style we called my bro and asked him for directions on how to get to the coffee shop...

Then we walked for a really long time. WALK walk walk walked walky walkerson... and met some mean people and met some nice people and then finally finally finally!!! We made it to the shop!!! I got an apple soda, as well as Melissa did too'd and it was tastey. We also got a peanutbutter cookie. YUM! And Jamie walked in and I was like "cool there's Jamie" and Mel said i was being a creeper... which i was hahah...

The show was grand, Josh's voice is beautiful. Jamie's talk was nice. And I got to talk to both of them which was super cool!!!

Now I just have to write Jamie a letter to ask if I can v-teer with them...

I can't write anymore.
LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Thank you Holy Spirit for keeping us safe on our travels and yay God and yeah!
xoxo
Sykeskid.

Find Peace Again.

All of my hope.
All of my strength.
ALL OF MY DELIGHT.
is in You LORD.

thank you God for FAMILY. The family you give me. SISTERS. BROTHERS. You sent your ONLY SON to DIE... to set me. ME. FREE! MY SISTERS ARE FREE. IN YOU AND ONLY YOU...MY BROTHERS ARE FREE. IN YOU AND ONLY YOU. I AM FREE IN YOU!. yes. YES! YAY!

humility.
sight.
praise.
love.
pure hearts.

pure hearts souls bodies minds.
thank you for GIFTS. the gift of LIFE.
"You are all I want, You are all I need, EVERYTHING MY HEART COULD HOPE FOR."

Cheers. Peace in Him.

2 Blogs in 1 Day Deal?

Part of my inspiration for my Aviator Goggle Project. I saw this about a year and a half ago and it was so cool b/c when I was in Berlin I actually got to see them posted up on walls!!!

FACE2FACE Project.

Come on and Rise Up Generation!

(not my photo: usually though)

"I hear a voice calling out
I hear a voice in this wilderness
Where darkness has reigned for so long
Ground is being taken

The trumpet sounds
And Your glory touches the ground
And we all stand in awe
Who is this?
This glory far beyond us
I hear a voice

I hear a drum beating
heaven's drawing near
The sky will open
Your people are being healed
I hear a voice

[chorus:]
Heaven's battle cry
Rise
See the sun light what was hidden
Heaven's heart beat
See is moving
What was a whisper is now
A voice calling out

I see a generation rising up
No longer accepting lies
Running to the battlefield
And losing their lives

I see a generation rising up
No longer accepting lies
As a band of worshipers run to the battlefield
They're finding their lives
I hear a voice"

Bethany Dillon.

Bout to head to my Imaging class... and then back home'd.
biking biking YAY!

Come Like The Wind. Come Like Rain. Come Like a Lion.

Today was a very interesting day... for me at least. It all started out with finishing up on some Jr. League design work and then contemplating cleaning my room... which has yet to be done but will be done between classes tomorrow haha... ANYWAYS... after I left my house this morning, I headed to campus to pick up some ladies in my class so we could head to the Canal Walk downtown... as we arrived downtown CRUSHCRUSHCRUSH by Paramore came on the radio and BAM an image of my sisters Melissa and Michelle came into my head... b/c they made a music video a while back... and so I started rocking out and so did my car full of Graphic Design kids!!! HAHA... yes.

So we walked the Canal Walk as part of a field trip for our METHODS AND PROCESSES class. I took tons of photographs and drew a little bit. The lighting wasn't ideal for beautiful photography but it was an ideal day... kind of :)... while walking we spotted three people, who looked important, wearing wetsuits and carrying metal detectors... they were searching in the canal for evidence... pretty intense I tell yah! That's Richmond for you! I then walked to the train station with my friend Brian and we took more photographs of buildings and whatever we could find to take a photo of and then we headed back and I got some pizza from this joint down there as well as "Orange Dream" some creamsicle flavoured soda!!!

After Shockoe Bottom I headed back to school and met some peeps in the brary... those peeps meaning Melissa and Jonsi. I snuck up on them while they were watching a video... but it seemed important so I decided it would be good to awkwardly stand behind them... then I had history... and then I drove to Carytown... basically for no reason. Then I got a text from my sister MelWren and it made my heart smile... COME TO SHAFER! I was stoked right?! YEAH!... b/c all I was going to do after Carytown was go home and do nothing but work or something like that so that was nice to be invited!!!

So I went and ate a substantial amount of foods and got to be with my loves. Then I went to Every Nation Campus Ministry (not sure if that's right) at HARVEST!!! :). Totally welcomed at first breath and smile as I walked in and just sang and praised God and the Holy Spirit. I smiled a lot. and and and it's cool b/c a lion was brought up again and and and for me this is a significant thing in my life so it was really neat to hear Courtney talk about a lion and God as a lion. MAN HE IS BEAUTIFUL. phew. haha!

yes. LOVE YOU.

I've Got a Room That Wont Clean Itself.

I'm sitting here in a messy room.
I should go get a mop and broom.
But ney, I must not clean it now
I've got to design for a Jr. League Pow-wow.

I love my sisters.
I love my brothers.
Let's build a fort under the stars.
And sing and shout for He is pure.

Weak for You, STRONG THROUGH YOU!

SUPER SWEET DAY!

God's love is just shooting down in the form of sunshine and beautiful friendships!!! :)

I'm stoked about many things :)!!!
I'm not really going to make a list of it b/c they are all in my heart and yay!

It's def. going to be a filled week but I'm excited!!! I have many design projects for both school and people I told I would do some work for... all I have to say is GODSPEED!!! :) I get to see my family soon!!! Well, kind of!!!

I haven't been to my house since August so this should be nice to smell it again! I miss the smell of my house... well actually it's interesting b/c you don't realize your house has a smell until you begin to miss it and you get the chance to go back and have that smell remembered again!

This past Friday was pretty ROCKING AT RIHOP! I made a spoken mistake after a great night of dancing with God...but that patch is getting healed and I'm blessed to have that healing. THIS FRIDAY IS EXCITING. THIS THURSDAY AND WED. ARE EXCITING!!!

work work work.
I'm off to a show downtown for THE RICHMOND SCENE DOT COM.
peace.
Thanks be to You.

Pondering Pop-Up Book Design.

THANK YOU!

Yesterday I drew a lion. I'm refining it. I'm excited b/c I want to paint a hug painting soon. I LOVE SUNSETS. It's like God shining a spotlight on everyone in the world, saying "you are special to me." "You are in my spotlight!"

yay.
I'm in my class right now... I got to ride my bike to school today which I hadn't had the chance in about 3 days!a ;sldjkfsd;lk. It has been an uplifting day, in the sense that I got to get some endorphins running and pumping!

Heading to Maymont after school... I've never been but I feel like it's going to be a great place to take it all in. YAY FOR BIKE RIDING! yay for SISTERNESS... YAY FOR rihop! yay yay everything from my Father.

Go Away Headache!

Praying that my headache will go away... then I shall take my exam today. And then IV CRASH!!!

and. yeah. some work this weekend. Can't wait to ride my bike to Maymont tomorrow...

and I HAVE AWESOME SISTERS.

Thank you God for my sisters!!!
yes.

haha!

and i really enjoyed this painting by Maxfield Parrish (which is part of studying for my exam):

IMAGING PROPOSAL!

So we have this final project in Imaging, and it's really broad which is super exciting!!!

I'm either making a table top book orrrrr a SHORT FILM!!!

which one am I more excited about? Well... the short film but that would be a lot of piecing together things... which I'm willing to do but, I have got to invest in some equipment such as a better editing program...

Table top book: This would consist of taking many photos of people I know and don't know wearing Amelia Earhart goggles... I would make this book physical by printing it on lulu.com!!!

Short Film: this would be a silent film following a person wearing the goggles... one or more people... i haven't decided yet... maybe them walking to different places and we don't know the destination they are going to... but they all have the goggles in common... God goggles? Metaphorically speaking? perhaps... they see the world in a different light? but if I made it mean this I would want them giving goggles to other people and I'm not sure if that's possible... so it may just follow random people...

both ideas... I like them. and actually I'm super excited about this project!!!

Cheers

Can I Have This?

Apple Pickng the Day Away!

So today I'm going apple picking which is exciting!!! We are heading to Charlottesville but the mountainous part of C-Ville. I can't wait to see lots of apple trees!!! Last night was October 31st and we had a Neewollah party!!! (Halloween spelled backwards): I was Juno dressed as Bleeker from the popular cult movie "Juno" bahhaha.

Pocktober Tirty-Fwirst.

STORYBOOK PROPOSAL:

After thinking and thinking about which type of book I should create, I have chosen to create a storybook. I think I am going to base my book on parts of my study abroad experience. I went to Ireland and there were so many experiences. I think I may make a mock-journal type of storybook. I will write up stories from my time there, probably the funny stories. The mock-journal storybook will include many different craft experiments as well as spaces to write memories that I will remember later on in life from my Ireland experience.

TONIGHT IS NEEWOLLAH!
I'm going as Juno dressed as Bleaker dressed as a Nerd with a guitar and yeah.

30 Rock.

(part of my shirt project... environment of shirt considered)

So I'm sitting here on the couch and about to watch 30 rock :)... Tina Fey is hil-air-e-us. Actually it just started... I'm thinking about what I want to do for my design technology final... we have to create a book with our craft experiments... or stuff inspired by the craft experiments... i think... i hope... haha, b/c mine weren't that good/clean.

Last night was fun! My sister Melissa spent the night and thankfully b/c she kept me up enough to finish my shirt project! It actually turned out alright! I kind of like it now and esp. after I took the photo this morning! (Mel I'll show you the shirt sooooonage!) We laughed a lot. Which is AWESOME!

Hmmmm...

1. storybook
2. poetry book
3. instructional manual

I think... I'm going to do a story book or something like that... a storybook that can be interactive and become like a journal... perhaps... like you write the story as you go kind of thing?

Or like ahhh what kind of story can i do???

I have to write a proposal paragraph by tomorrow.

"make it work"

CAN'T CONCENTRATE!

So... I'm in imaging and we are getting our grades and stuff... and we are doing NOTHING and la la la, I can't concentrate and I'm super hyper and a laughy laugherson....

and I keep posting stuff on my friend Melissa's facebook wall.

yes.

Usually One Post a Day (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL)

So this is my second post for the day but I just wanted to write out my nerdiness...

you probs think, "oh great, carra we know you are a nerd," but here we go:

I'm listening to the High School Musical soundtrack from the first movie and cracking up and yeah anddddd it makes me really want to go see HSM3 in Theaters... so the question is DUN DUN DUN:

WHO WANTS TO SEE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL T(H)REE WITH ME THIS WEEKEND?
or should i just wait to rent it? PROBS.... wait to rent.

cheers,
Sykeskid.

Is There Time to Breath?

Today is the 28th of October!!! AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Time is flying by... not to mention it's crazy CRAZY that almost all of my professors have already assigned our final projects!!! They are all pounding us at once with these huge assignments!!! And Thanksgiving is right around the corner, the election, apple picking, book illustrating, logo creating, final exams, exams, sleeping? And man oh man as I was cleaning my room I was thinking about how I'm going to miss people over Winter Break... and how we should probably all hang out. YEAH.

DO IT.
Anyways... this week is super busy... I'm missing small group tonight b/c I've got to work hardcore on my typography project as well as my tshirt project and imaging!!! AND my History of VisCom exam is next week AHHH. So much information to go into my brain...

Today I saw Sheryl Crow, The Beastie Boys, and Jack Johnson in Monroe Park... they are all here to perform at ROCK THE VOTE that's going on tonight at a venue here in Richmond. It's crazy how many political figures and musicians have been coming to Richmond because VA is a Swing State this year... and I'm voting here which is crazy!!! They came to promote voting and just do a tiny promo show at the park outside of VCU's campus.

So PHEW.
I just can't wait for a time to relax and enjoy a quiet moment.

I love my family.
xoxo Sykeskid.is.working.hard.these.days.

Monday Night Around 10:10PM.

So it's Monday and I'm about to do some work for tomorrow... That would be some History Note typing and Methods and Processes designing.

Today I rode my bike home in some wonderful Ireland weather... aka: freezing cold and raining... but I did giggle to myself as my eyes were pelted with lovely cold raindrops... because it reminded me of the time Kristen Haysche, OshkoshJoshy, Samantha, and I were coming back from the Burren College of Art one late night at the "Castle." We had been on the computers communicating with the world that was across the pond and then we all decided to walk back together... well let's just reinforce how it was slightly still winter in Ireland, a really wet and cold country haha!!! We decided flashlights weren't necessary and that the stars were much better that way... but haha we couldn't see the stars that night except for those created by the ice pellits hitting our faces haha! My face became so numb I started to talk but all that came out was "s;adflkjblah!" We started sprinting home and could not stop laughing the whole way back!!! And let me tell you that walk normally takes about 15 mins... this night it took me about 8 minutes to get home!!! HAHA. I def. wasn't in soccer shape anymore though! but yes... riding my bike home today allowed me to soak in some fond memories of EARLANDAY.

But it's cold. Super cold here. I kind of like it, and kind of don't... just depends I guess, on the second, the minute, the hour, the people I'm with...

TIME TO DO WORK! :) smile, sykeskid.

PS: so my next imaging project has us creating a book cover for this author dude... guy... i hope it turns out!!!