This is unusual for me…

I am officially no longer doing the 30 day blog challenge. 

I am bored with it.

Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan.  A plan which, hopefully, will involve blogging more regularly.  Although, Sunday/Monday I’ll be able to better explain my sporadic presence.

But now, let’s explore my most recent activity….chess.

This is me.  I am learning.

I have a very patient brother.  He tried to teach me once, four years ago – I even started winning!  That was because I set my chess pieces up wrong every time.

Ethan (my brother) has once again taken me on as probably the most challenging student you could imagine.  I have called the knight a horse, the rook a troll, and have proudly proclaimed a win by completing a series of illegal moves.  He gently corrects me each time, and the game goes on.

Me again. 

This time, I’m concentrating. 

See, the piece in front of the camera…that’s his king…that’s what I want to capture.  The king can only move one square at a time.  This seems like a pathetic constraint for such a powerful figure.

 

I asked my brother what the queen can do…he paused, and smiled.

“Whatever the heck she wants.”

I think I like this game.

11. Favorite Piece of Artwork

I last posted on Saturday.

Today is Thursday. 

Fail.

Anyway, today I’m sharing my favorite piece of artwork with you.  This was a fairly easy decision…until it came down to choosing between my top two pieces.  I think they show two sides of my personality, so I’m going to post them both.

Pink and Yellow Hollyhocks; Red Canna – both by Georgia O’Keefe.

The piece on the left appeals to me because of its peacefulness and gentle shading.  I love the soft and quiet colors.

The piece on the right appeals to me because of its vibrancy.  It is bold and colorful, with unexpected form. 

They’re both gorgeous. 

10. Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, excited, and mad.

You will now get a peek into my music library. 

I don’t think my song choices for these moods are particularly shocking :)

TaDa!

9. Books you're reading…

 

These two choices might seem a little odd.  Trust me, I can change your mind.

I picked up Among Schoolchildren at the Used Book Superstore.  (For $1.99, thank you very much.)  I’ve read Kidder’s work before, and I really enjoy his style.  As a teacher, I don’t think  I could have chosen a better book to prepare me for the next school year.  Needless to say, I love it.

My brother finally talked me into reading Harry Potter. I hadn’t jumped on this band wagon until a few days ago.  What finally got to me was my his reasoning:  Lots of kids are going to be excited about these books, and I should at least get acquainted with them.  I just finished the first book, and I already have the second in my possession.  Score one for the brother…

So, SEE, the two are kind of related after all.

Up next, is a peek into my music library!  Lucky you :)

Update…

Okay, people.

I’ve been slacking a bit when it comes to posting. 

This 30-day challenge is kicking my butt a bit.

So, I’m going to double post on some days.

Because I know you all miss me.

8. Short term goals for this month and why.

For me, goals can go the way of New Year’s resolutions.  Out.the.window.

But I keep trying.  Because sometimes, I prevail. 

So, short term goals for this month.

1. Work out more consistently…as in, try to acquire some sort of muscle.
2. Become more organized…in other words, be able to see the floor.
3. Take more pictures…it’s the only way I’ll get better.
4. Take better pictures…because I want to get better.
5. Eating healthier – those of you who know me best, know I didn’t write this of my own free will.  My brother made me write it.  I love chocolate.  And I’m not even a little bit sorry.

I would say that I’d keep you all informed of my goal progress…but if I fail, I won’t want to advertise it.  So you all will never know if I achieved this goals.

I will now leave you with a picture of a dead jellyfish, and a crab shell with a smiley face on it.

 

Aren’t they loverly :)

7. A picture of someone/something that has had a big impact on you…

 

It took me quite some time to come up with an answer to this question….an answer that wasn’t super obvious.  Finally, I came up with an answer that should have been obvious to me:  The ocean.  I’ve lived near an ocean for almost my entire life – I can’t imagine leaving it.  Why, you ask?  Give me five minutes, and I’ll try and convey my reasoning as succinctly as possible. 

I have a picture of my childhood.  I’m holding my mom/dad’s hand, walking.  It doesn’t matter where…I didn’t care.  Because I knew that no matter where we went, they were there to take care of me.  I was small, and safe, without a care in the world.

These days it’s different.  I don’t think  I need to go into why.  You all know the struggles and frustrations as well, or better, than I do. 

It can be difficult for me to grasp the power and sheer magnitude of God.  I remember one day, going to the ocean and realizing that this must be what it’s like to be in His presence and feel it….really feel  Him.  I felt small, and not in a bad way.

When I slow down long enough to take a breath and look to God, I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a long time.  The ocean makes me slow down…it’s size and power are unavoidable, it confronts me in the best kind of way.  My problems are not the end all.  The God who made this ocean must certainly be greater than the worries that cling.  He can protect me with the ferociousness of the crashing waves.  He can soothe me like the cool breeze, and the gently swirling salt water that gathers at the sandy edge.  He is as steady as the chorus of the waves coming in and going out.  In the face of change, He remains the same. 

 

All that from a day at the beach ;)

6.3 This is it…i promise!

If you’re still interested in Hong Kong…keep reading!  If you’re sick of hearing about it….sorry!  Tomorrow will be something new, I promise.

After the work portion was over, the whole family was able to go on some excursions.  Walking down the street was an experience in itself, and it was amazing to look at life through another culture’s lens.  We also made some incredible friends along the way.  When we took pictures together, they specifically asked that these not end up on facebook or the internet.  I’m going to honor that request.  Just know, it was the people we met that made Hong Kong feel like a safe place to be…and made the Mira feel like our home away from home.

Left:  Centuries old trees on Nathan Road in Kowloon.  Right:  An incredible architectural feat on mainland HK.

We took a terrifying cab ride down to the marina. 

My brother and me.  He’s a 6’4 redhead, and I’m a 5’9 curly haired frizzed-out blonde.  We weren’t so good at blending in.

A “junk boat”.

After taking the ferry across to mainland HK, we took a tour bus around the city. 

Tour Hong Kong.

We then took the tram to the tippy top of Victoria Peak.  This is a must do for anyone visiting the city.

I was speechless.  Which is difficult for me.

Long story short.  I’ve been to Hong Kong.  It was the trip of a lifetime.

the end.

6.2 A picture of somewhere you’ve been…again

Now, where was I?

We arrived at the Mira safe and sound…and so thankful for the haven they offered us.  There are no pictures documenting the first 24ish hours after we arrived.  It wasn’t pretty.  And neither was I.  Flying from West to East was way harder than expected…thankfully, the Mira has the world’s best pillows and beds.  I was in love. 

Phase 4:  The Hotel

First of all, it was gorgeous.  The views alone made the trip for us. 

the view from our room

This little guy perched on our window sill for a good ten minutes.  He enjoyed the photo shoot.

The wicked awesome chandelier in the dining room.

Speaking of dining room….

Phase 5:  Food!

I’m a big fan of food.  Scratch that.  I’m a big fan of carbs and chocolate.  Let’s go for full disclosure here:  I’m a picky eater in a lot of ways.  Coming into this trip, I was determined to be slightly more adventurous.  That was until I realized they served little baby squids for breakfast.  My lack of appreciation for Eastern cuisine is my fault.  I realize this.  I’m sure it was delicious, because plenty of people enjoyed it. 

I, however, enjoyed their Western breakfasts…

This was round one.  Normally, I would consume 2-3 croissants, 2 muffins, and two yogurts.

I also adored their desserts…

I created this masterpiece from their buffet.  Don’t worry, this was round three…I ate plenty.

Phase 6:  Adventures

My brother and I went exploring one 97 degree day.  It was amazing.  Even the air smells different.  Here are a few pics from our explorations.  I looked like I was about to die from heat exhaustion.  Hence, no pics.

I have 9 more pictures to show you.  Actually, I have over 400…but I’ve narrowed it down some. 

You’re welcome ;)

6. A picture of somewhere you’ve been…

Today is the day I’ve been waiting for!  I get to share some pics/stories with you all about my time in China.

Hong Kong, to be exact.

Before we begin, I’d like to say that I should not be held responsible for my hair in these pictures.  We visited Hong Kong during it’s hot and humid season…frizzy doesn’t even begin to describe what happened to me.

My parents had to go for work…my brother and I got to come along, and we were able to have a vacation after the work stuff was over.  Let’s begin at the beginning:

Phase 1:  Packing

I was a bit alarmed at the idea of packing everything I thought I might need in a suitcase, carry-on, and purse.  So, I made a list.  A very extensive list.  I wrote down every item of clothing/accessory that I would need should any given situation arise – mixing and matching when I could.  Then, I prioritized.  KIDDING.  I sat on my suitcase and said a prayer as we weighed in.

The carry on.  Note the froggy luggage tag.

The checked baggage.  Note the matching froggy luggage tag.

I was actually quite organized in my packing.  Packing to come home was another matter…but there are no pictures to document it :)

Phase 2:  Flying

I made grand statements before we took off for Hong Kong.  People would ask if I was nervous about the flight, and I would respond:  “No!  Actually, I love to fly!”

Oh, naive little me.  No Kathryn.  You liked to fly when you were 7.  Back when you didn’t realize that:

a.  Airports are stressful places.

b.  They might lose your luggage.

c.  Security personnel think you are a terrorist, and

d.  this flight is 15 hours long.

Now, had I been in 1st class with my own little pod (seriously, check ‘em out) I would have been fine.  Coach is like flying in a crowded elevator.  An elevator ride that lasts forever.  I had a slight panic attack six hours in.  That horrible little cartoon plane they were showing on the screen was over the middle of the ocean…and we had nine hours to go.  I no longer loved to fly.

Phase 3:  We made it!!

I’ve been told that blog posts aren’t supposed to be too long….so I’m going to split this up.  But I promise I made it.  I’ll even leave you with a pic I took of the outside of our hotel.

The Mira, Hong Kong.

And no, that isn’t a blurry picture, or a filter.  That is the humidity.

More to come!!

5. Your top stress-relievers

Well…the obvious answer for those of you who read my previous post:

Gum.  Nom, nom, nom.

I would chew gum like it was my full time job.  Seriously. 

Now that gum is no longer an option, I’ve had to alter my game plan a bit.

I nap.  Stress and exhaustion often go hand-in-hand for me.  Even a ten minute nap can change my day; I fall asleep quickly in these situations out of sheer desperation.

This post is pretty boring.  But I promise to make it up to you tomorrow :)

4. A habit you wish you didn’t have

I wish I didn’t chew gum. 

Actually, that’s a lie. 

I wish I could chew gum without ramifications. 

Long story short, if I continue to chew gum, my jaw will be so tight that I won’t be able to eat by this time next year.  Thank you scary dentist.  As if I needed another reason to avoid you.  I’m not obsessed with gum or anything.  Maybe a little.  The problem is that I carry all of my tension in my jaw.  At night, I lock it.  During the day, I clench it.  Gum makes this worse.

So, no gum. 

I guess I didn’t exactly answer the blog question…because I wish I could have my gum habit back.

……………….

I wish I didn’t clench my jaw.  Better?

 

 

P.S. – Tomorrow’s the 4th of July, guys!  Get excited!!

3. Favorite Quotes

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.

~ Georgia O’Keeffe

I came across this quote randomly…but I love it.  I’m not a painter, unless we’re talking about walls, but I do love photography.  I’m very much an amateur right now.  I love the idea of capturing (and sharing) a moment in time.  Often that moment conveys a story that words never could.  I think Georgia would agree.

I am hoping to include photography as a main part of this blog…I just need to get the gumption to post some of my photos. 

Soon, I promise.

Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.

~ A. Einstein

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time.  Obviously.  It is on this list after all.  Classrooms are full of students who think that they are stupid because they’re failing tests.  Tests designed without any consideration of their learning styles.  We need to give them a chance to show the world where they excel. 

Psalm 46: 1-5
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

These are some of my favorite scripture verses.  I can be a worrier, and the part about “we will not fear” gives me courage.  Because “God is within her, she will not fall”.  I trust Him, I love Him, and I know He loves me.

2. The Meaning Behind Your Blog Name

The Beauty in Motion.  If you read the title and thought that something wasn’t quite right…you are correct.  Normally, the phrase is “beauty in motion”.  That blog name was taken.  Granted, it hasn’t been active since 2007, but the name is still taken.  So, yours truly got creative.

Really it’s not that creative.  I just added “the”.  It works though, and hear me out on this one.

As mentioned in my very first post, I hate change.  When I was eight, I heard my mom say that she was going to have some highlights put in her hair.  I cried hard, and begged her to reconsider.  I was positive that if she went ahead with the highlights I wouldn’t recognize her.  How normal of me.

By God’s grace, the change in my life to date has nearly always come out for the better.  It’s given me new relationships, and strengthened old ones.  It’s helped me understand myself better, and pushed me to be better.  It’s brought me to China.  China, in fact, was where I started to try and more graciously accept change.  Unfortunately, we can’t talk about that trip.  I’m not allowed to describe this trip until day 6.  Just know that this new venture of mine is just shy of a year old.  I’m still not very good at it.  At all.

But I’m trying.

For the past year, I’ve been trying to find the beauty in motion.  Like Disney’s Pocahontas once sang, “you can’t step in the same river twice/ the water’s always changing, always flowing”.  That’s quite poetic, I think.  So, long story short, I’m trying to find the poetry – the beauty – in motion. 

that is all