As of 4:57 am, May 29th, 2010, I begin my 25th year. How is it that 24 sounds so much older than 23? Is it just me? I guess I think, "hey, 23 is just one year older than 22... which is just one year older than 21... which is just a couple years away from being a teenager"... okay, I know, a stretch. But still, today I feel older. I get reassuring comments from my friends (all of whom seem to be a couple years older than me) reminding me that 24 is still very young in the scheme of things, with the undertone of "what the heck is she complaining about?! I'm older than she is and she's telling me SHE's old?" ;)
I wouldn't say I'm upset about getting older. I'm not, really. I'm happy with the person I'm becoming with each passing day. I'm especially excited for this year, because this year, I'm going to make some exciting things happen for myself.
Right now I'm looking at some art schools. I scoffed at some of these while I was in high school because they were just "colleges" to me at the time. If I could talk to 17 year old me right now, I'd give myself the same talk my art teacher gave me back then - "GAH! You need to go to school for art, Sarah! What are you thinking leaving this behind?! GAHHH!" In my head there were only two options - i. go to art school and become a starving artist, or ii. go to school for business, make some money, then figure out what I really want to do. Had I just put i. before ii. I may have realized I could have both without the starving part. This wisdom only comes from trial and error. 17 year old Sarah probably would still be as stubborn if 24 year old me were to travel back in time and give her a talking to. There's no point wondering "what if" because that's what's brought me here today. I wouldn't have made the friends I've made, I wouldn't have met my man, I wouldn't have experienced so many more things that coming to school in Ottawa has given me.
No regrets. Just some lessons learned, and some new found ambition to make things right, embracing my nature as an artist.
31.5.10
28.5.10
Zen & the Art of Making a Living
I'm not the only one on a quest to find purpose in this world. It seems so many friends around me are seeking the same truth. Where should I focus my energy? What do I love enough to spend almost every day of my life doing? My high school friend, Ali is asking the same questions in her blog "Where's My Calling?" and another friend of a friend I've found in my facebook feed, Vanessa, is hoping to find her life's zen, captured in her blog "The Year of Passion".
Maybe it's our age group - the early to mid-twenties. In the past year I feel like I've literally stood still and watched the world turn in front of me. It's as if childhood was a dream. One day turns to another in a whirl of colour and play. A life dictated by play continues on through high school, university, and even a few years after that, caught in the phase between dream and waking. For me, it's as if I've just been awaken. It's the morning, but I can still relive my dream perfectly in my mind. My childhood was fun, spontaneous, uncommitted, jovial, care-free, exciting. In no way do I want to lose that. Au contraire. My dilemma is trying to harness that excitement every day, but with a purpose. I suppose I want to transform my sense of play into love for what I do (play+work=love). Work and play can't be separate.
A passage from Zen & the Art of Making a Living explains this well:
The only thing I've ever truly loved is art. Not necessarily fine art, but any type of creative art. I love creating, designing, crafting, building, matching, pairing, painting, sculpting, sketching, doodling... the list goes on. I never thought that these "fun" things could be work. I'm envious of those who knew that from the start! Arg.
I think I've finally chosen a direction. Now I just need the tenacity to work with it. Tomorrow is my birthday. Let's see what the next year holds...
Maybe it's our age group - the early to mid-twenties. In the past year I feel like I've literally stood still and watched the world turn in front of me. It's as if childhood was a dream. One day turns to another in a whirl of colour and play. A life dictated by play continues on through high school, university, and even a few years after that, caught in the phase between dream and waking. For me, it's as if I've just been awaken. It's the morning, but I can still relive my dream perfectly in my mind. My childhood was fun, spontaneous, uncommitted, jovial, care-free, exciting. In no way do I want to lose that. Au contraire. My dilemma is trying to harness that excitement every day, but with a purpose. I suppose I want to transform my sense of play into love for what I do (play+work=love). Work and play can't be separate.
A passage from Zen & the Art of Making a Living explains this well:
"Life and work are not things apart. Work is more than gaining privileges and possessions; it is ongoing, ecstatic, living experience. When we really love what we are doing, we no longer feel as though we must be king. We can just be ALIVE at work. When we live in the bliss, there is no difficulty that is insurmountable. If we miss the bliss, there is no compensation that is adequate." (15)It's not the person I remember saying this, it's the message that has stayed with me over the years. I think it was one of my teachers, but I can't remember exactly. He or she said something along these lines: "So many people spend all their energy trying to determine their passion. When asking yourself, 'what do I want be when I grow up?', you need not look very hard. Often times, your passion is right in front of your nose. It's what you love to do and therefore do well. It's your favourite hobby or past time. When you translate this into your life's work, that's when you'll be complete."
The only thing I've ever truly loved is art. Not necessarily fine art, but any type of creative art. I love creating, designing, crafting, building, matching, pairing, painting, sculpting, sketching, doodling... the list goes on. I never thought that these "fun" things could be work. I'm envious of those who knew that from the start! Arg.
I think I've finally chosen a direction. Now I just need the tenacity to work with it. Tomorrow is my birthday. Let's see what the next year holds...
12.5.10
Pretty in Pink
Look what I just bought! Isn't it pretty? Let me tell you why this wonderful customized headband is all the more special...
Just over a year ago now, two of my favourite highschool friends, Olga & Ali, started FictionFaction. FictionFaction is a line of unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade headbands and hair accessories that are designed from both new and vintage materials. This business started out of a hobby to pass the winter blues. It impresses and motivates me to see how far they've come in such a short period of time, harnessing their endless creativity and fashion, and putting to use the business skills they learned in University. Too many of us graduate, land jobs, and forget about pursuing the things that make us really really happy. Kudos to Ali & Olga for making it a reality!
The pieces are developed with a mix of new materials and embellished with vintage and antique jewellery from all over the globe, generously donated to the Company by friends and family or carefully selected at vintage stores and antique markets. No two pieces are ever duplicated, ensuring that you receive a truly unique and one of a kind accessory. Get this, Olga named this beauty after Tiddily Pom, my childhood teddy. All the more reason to smile when I wear it.
Just over a year ago now, two of my favourite highschool friends, Olga & Ali, started FictionFaction. FictionFaction is a line of unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade headbands and hair accessories that are designed from both new and vintage materials. This business started out of a hobby to pass the winter blues. It impresses and motivates me to see how far they've come in such a short period of time, harnessing their endless creativity and fashion, and putting to use the business skills they learned in University. Too many of us graduate, land jobs, and forget about pursuing the things that make us really really happy. Kudos to Ali & Olga for making it a reality!The pieces are developed with a mix of new materials and embellished with vintage and antique jewellery from all over the globe, generously donated to the Company by friends and family or carefully selected at vintage stores and antique markets. No two pieces are ever duplicated, ensuring that you receive a truly unique and one of a kind accessory. Get this, Olga named this beauty after Tiddily Pom, my childhood teddy. All the more reason to smile when I wear it.
7.5.10
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