we're off to see the Victory!

Brick paths mark the way to the place we call home.
A surge, a feeling, a phrase beckons our hearts.
Our families are there; it's about a side of pride.
Palmer's doors are opened to the tried and the true.
The young and the old line the walls on both sides.
We clap and wave our hands in perfect syncopation;
we raise our voices to sing our heartfelt lullabies.
Two sides with two colors gather for one sole purpose.
We call them Gold and Black. We call them Purple and White.
Circle up! Let's boom sha la la! Let's poof our magic!
What's it gonna be? That's what we've come to see!

the door of higher education is about to be shut. & changes all around i see.

One month from today I will graduate from the University of Montevallo, and I couldn't be prouder or more excited about this! On December 16, 2011 I will be the holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in art. I am still figuring out and searching out what I will be doing in the new year, but I am sure the Lord will show me and give me a job that is exactly what I need.



Today my best friend is moving to Wyoming, and it is one of the hardest things for me to grasp. It is very difficult to see my bosom buddy move miles away and know that all the things I love doing will be without her presence. We have been together through so many seasons of life--school, ballet, college, and now, transition.



I know that I will see her again soon and that I will be visiting her in the new year, but still the same, it is hard to know that she won't be by my side when I run 5Ks, plie at the barre, sip dark roast at "Tibet," make lists of lofty hopes, hike our favorite places, get lost in the Magic City when we know actually where we are, and need a shoulder to cry on. Who will understand our Laverne and Shirley moments, when I don't have Shirley here to share them with? I am excited that she has this opportunity to explore new surroundings and try new things, but this separation will be tough. I am crushed to see her leave, but in the meantime I plan my adventure to see her!!



"memories for miles and miles
summers falls winters and springs
Ruby you take it in
see He's withheld no good thing." - sara groves

film photography portfolio (2011 spring semester)

these are some of the images i photographed in my photography class in the spring semester. all were taken on film, processed, and then scanned.

almost autumn. closing out college.

My beloved season is quickly approaching. As it creeps its way into view, I feel it in the air and I see it at the end of the day when the sun goes down. This makes me happy, and is the one thing I love about going back to school in autumn. I delight over the crunch underfoot the leaves make, and the crisp chill in the air. I know, I'm kind of ridiculous about this season, but it can't be helped.



My last semester of college will start in two weeks. It's an exciting thing to know that I will be finished with school before the year is out, and that graduation is only 4 months away. In just two weeks, I will be tackling the last 12 hours of my education, and will shortly receive my bachelors with pride and joy on December 16!



In January, I will be embarking on a different kind of life. A life that I haven't always seen myself a part of, and don't know if I ever fully will. People have asked me time and again about what I want to do after graduation, and the truth is, I am still trying to understand that. I'm still finding my way in the world. I would give a gold star to every person that doesn't ask if I want to teach. I understand that it's the assumed occupation when I tell them I'm an English major, but two years ago I was told by my professor that there are many things an English major can do, and teaching is just one of them.



This fall, my favorite recording artist will release her tenth album titled Invisible Empires on October 18. Sara Groves is a remarkable artist who brings her individuality to the table and creates a unique and creative style that is "genreless." Her faith in God is an inspiration to me and her music takes a refreshing approach on the subjects of Christ in our daily lives and how we can be used by Him to spread seeds of hope and love abroad. She is one of the most inspirational and influential women I've ever met, and it is an honor to listen to her music as well as her words of wisdom. Sometimes it's her stories behind her music that make it the best part about her song lyrics. If you have not listened to her, you're missing a beautiful thing.



This summer I have been practicing the piano more, and merely playing for my own enjoyment. My piano teacher would have been proud that I still tickle the ivories after all those years of lessons. I see the piano as my little place of comfort, joy, and inspiration. When I sit down at my musical haven and place my fingers on the black and white keys, I discover new things.



"Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!" - Psalm 103:22

i'll try to take it easy like a duke ellington melody.

so, the fall semester is so close that i can feel the weight of the textbooks on my shoulders already. it's funny. there is always something so unassuming about the start of a fall semester until the syllabus is laid before my innocent and wide-open eyes. it is that moment that i realize what is actually in store for the next 3 months or so. i'm going to try my best this semester to not let the load that school causes me to carry to get me down. i'm going to take it easy. as easy as duke ellington melody. i will get by. as always, i'll survive. and i won't die from too much homework.



i'm a lover for fall semesters, which i guess goes with my complete, faithful, and unalterable love for autumn. i guess my love for autumn is due to my birthday being in november. there is nothing like beautiful, crunching, falling leaves that blow around my hair like the spirit of God moves around my soul. the season completes me. i have a love affair with the burnish color of leaves, the copper pumpkins aglow on porches, the coziness of flannel shirts on cool mornings, the smell of dew on the dead leaves, and the warm-fuzzies i feel from drinking cups tea and coffee on lazy saturdays. i have this vision of watching a movie on the lawn with my friends on a cold october night with the stars shining overhead, and the warmth of campfire near. that is something i want to do. perhaps i will.



as i mentioned in my previous post, i've been stuck on old things; things that make my heart sing. among those things, the music of duke ellington. his stuff is so fun, so easy-going, and such a remover of worries. apart from the vintage side of things, i have so many things dancing in my head. monday shall be an interesting day.



i have the most certain feeling that french is going to kill me this semester. not only has french been a complete nightmare since i started learning it last fall, but this fall just adds to the trauma of it. it is a 6 credit-hour course--double course! yikes! i cannot understand or believe that i am taking 16 hours this semester and that 6 of those hours are dedicated to a french class. i must be crazy, but when it's all over and i have hopefully passed it, i will never have to take another french class for the rest of my life. that will be a glorious day! but one of the most glorious days of my life will be stepping upon that platform and receiving that exciting piece of paper with my full name and the UM crest in gold. december 2011 come my way!

back to school.ring the bell.

this week is closing out quickly, and soon it will be monday--my first day of a new set of classes. when i look back to the beginning of the week, i could not say that the week would end up being this happy and joyous.

so i begin classes monday, as i have mentioned previously in this post and in other posts. yep, it's that time again--a new semester! i am getting very excited, yet i know that it won't all be fun and games. but it happens to me every autumn--i become very excited by the anticipation of the season and a whole new set of classes to set my mind on. i am very excited about my french class! my teacher is very sweet and just adorable! i have a feeling i am going to love that class. and as i go through each french class, it means one step further toward fluency. i have a feeling these english classes are going to be a whole new ball field. they will be challenging and inspiring, which can be exciting. so, a new semester awaits me on monday morning, and at one of the most beautiful campuses on alabama soil.

"alma mater ever glorious, seeking right and freedom's way, raise a beacon high to guide us; shed thy light afar, we pray, sons and daughters sing thy praises; steadfast virtues win thee fame. may the years be rich and fruitful; truth and honor crown thy name."

at the end of myself, at the end of the day, i can find little else but the courage to say i need You.

this is my last week of the summer, and i can only hope i don't waste my last few days. i am habitual of procrastinating. but i will try to my hardest to seize the days i have left, and just have fun!! so far this week, i have had an excellent sunday going to church and learning practical things about my faith and growing closer to the lord, and have practically made my monday go to waste, except for my usual bowling monday night with friends. sadly yesterday i didn't really read anything, nor really wrote anything. i suppose that's what this tuesday is for! today is a new day!! i filled out an application for a scholarship today, but do not know if i will submit it, considering i have to have an essay and two letters of recommendation from faculty members along with the application, and have it submitted by september 15!! that's a few weeks away, and i beginning classes next monday. i have also taken other things into consideration too. i have a feeling that they prefer that the recipient be an advertising/marketing/journalism major, even though it says the scholarship includes english majors.

i must say that i am getting excited about next week--a new college campus & new professors to get well acquainted with. there is just something so intriguing about that rickety old brick road, that makes a smile on my face appear. i know that this transition in my life will not be a glittering experience every moment, but i know it will be for the good. homework awaits me in the new week and months ahead!

i am currently wanting to buy the new leeland album love is on the move (which came out today!) and the new regina spektor album far. will i buy either or both, that i cannot say will happen. i am stuck on leeland's song "love is on the move." i cannot stop listening to it.