Mini Monet

Kieron Williamson has true artistic genius, and believe it or not he is only nine years old! He began drawing at the age of five when his family was on holiday in Cornwall. He asked for a sketchbook after seeing the boats at the port. "The very next day he was drawing pictures of boats and as the holiday progressed he began to add backgrounds, scenery, hills and houses."


As time went on, his work progressed. His first exhibition sold out in 14 minutes! I saw this video on NBC.com, and was amazed!

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Here's another one of my favorites (which also happens to be Kieron's as well).

Pretty unbelievable, huh?
Here's to those with talent, who bless the rest of us with their work!

Do I listen to pop music?

Umm, not really.
Or at least I don't think I do.
Perhaps I am in denial.
Now that I think about it,
I am a Belieber,
 and Lady Gaga is pretty awesome
 (well, only her 1st and 2nd albums, really).

Crap.

In my head I still see myself as the alternative and indie loving, intelligent and ultra cool co-ed. 

Maybe the problem is that I'm not in college anymore?

Nor do I have a whole lot of time of late to research new bands.

Oh, bother. 

But maybe it's ok?

That I like pop, I mean. 

Well, pop music that is intelligent and has many iconic cultural references and/or statements (in the case of Gaga). 

Beyonce.is.amazing. 

And she just released this video on the internet this past week. 

And.it.is.amazing.

How many references can you find?

Happiness.

I love Washington!...and pumpkin patches.

I skipped last week's post on what makes me happy, and I feel guilty for it. I just got too dang busy. And sick. But now I'm all better, and feel good about blogging again. The world goes round.

Sometimes I feel like the things that make me happy are a bit ridiculous, so I appreciate you for baring with me. Here it is: the list.


1. Rediscovering a hobby. I've been on the hunt for a good hobby for several months now. I'm a fairly creative person, but just hadn't found a creative outlet that I was satisfied with. I enjoy writing, but have been out of practice. I wanted to take up knitting, but it seemed kind of complicated. Everyone crochets. I wanted to do something that not everyone does. Back on my mission, while serving in Hradec Kralove, we taught this amazing family who was famous for their needlework, crocheting, and tatting. I enjoyed crocheting, but loved tatting. I wasn't super good at it, but one of the ladies said I was a natural. And who doesn't like being called a natural. Anyways, today I bought a shuttle and tatting string, and have decided to relearn this somewhat of a lost art.

2. Finding a new frame for my favorite print of all time. And I'm going to hang it up on my wall tomorrow.

3. Talking to my friend Lex, who now lives in North Dakota. We try to have weekly phone chats, and it makes my day.

4. Finding cheap airfare to 3 places in the States I'm wanting to visit. Now I have to figure out when I'm going to travel to these places.

5. Helping out at the Seattle Temple. My singles ward had a baptism assignment last night, and it was so cool to witness my friend doing ordinance work for her ancestors. Her joy was intoxicating.

6. Going to my roommates (I guess now former roommate) wedding reception. She and her husband were so cute, and so obviously in love. Here's how cool  her husband is. They are both really into dancing, and he asked our friend to organize a flash mob at their reception. She choreographed a dance routine to Moves Like Jagger. It was incredible, and my roommate's reaction was classic.

7. Being able to teach. I was asked to give a lesson at a church activity, and was so thankful to be able to do so. I miss teaching, and it's hard not being able to pursue that course quite yet. Every time I teach, though, I know that that's what I'm supposed to do. It just may not happen for a couple of years.

8. Shopping with a good friend at U Village. It was fun bonding time, and she is the giver of amazing advice. And we all know that I relationship advice is much needed in my life. My love life is definitely a comedy.

9.Seeing my mom. I love her!

10. Finally being "healthy." I went to the doctor on Monday to have my bandage changed, and she said I don't have to come in anymore! Hallelujah! Now I just need to get over my cold...

And there you have it. What made you happy this week?

Can I runaway to Europe? Pretty Please?

From here

I've been dreaming about going back to the Czech Republic of late. Normally when I think about the Czech Republic, images of Praha, Zlín, or Hradec Králové come to mind. 

Not Ostrava. 

                       Except for lately.

It was the city of my first fall and winter in ČR--the very first city of my mission.

I remember the very first day I stayed in our missionary apartment, spíš, byt (omlouvám se). It was dark, and rainy, but it was fabulous. My companion and I plus 2 other missionaries endured the five hour train ride from Prague and I was jet-lagged, and utterly exhausted.

When we got to our byt, we weren't the only one's there. To our surprise, a couple of the members of the Ostrava branch were there, curious to see what the new greeny would be like. Lot's of laughing and joking ensued, and I had no idea of what was being said or laughed about (most likely me, and the fact I couldn't understand anything they said in their clipped, brusque accent).

I had my first taste of Kofola that night. First thoughts? Absolutely disgusting. But it was one of those things that grew on me as I spent more time in the country.

The next morning at 6:30am, my companion asked what I would like to do for our exercise time. I requested a tour of the downtown. It was then that I fell in love with the park pictured above. A tree lined path that went on forever, bordering the Ostravice River.

It's funny. I found so much beauty, joy, and love in this town that was known as the 'armpit' of the country. I loved it, coal mine dust and all.

It's funny. Out of the four cities I lived in, this is the one that's been on my mind.

Can I run away to Europe? Or perhaps I just want another day like those fall days in Ostrava.

This almost made me have an accident.

My cousin's awesome wife posted this on facebook, and I almost had an accident...at work. It's cruel, but oh so funny.

 (Suzy, can you PLEASE do this next year?)

Would you ever tell your kids that you ate all their Halloween candy?