Friday, February 18, 2011

Strictly Shallow and Splendid


In my other life, I feel like I might have been a model or a fashion designer. Why? Because I love fashion. Unfortunately, I'm neither 80 lbs or a brilliant sketch artist. Instead of walking the runway or designing groundbreaking fashions, I figure I'll just dress like I'm important... or blog about the things I want to own. Like this:



How beautiful is she?! I want everything in this photo; including the deer. I love the vintage vibe the dress gives off, and the headband? The headband is glorious.

Anyways, this is a rather shallow blog (Which means I'm in Romans and I'm trying to justify the odd clothes I enjoy wearing), but I wanted to give you a piece of my love for fashion and all things vintage, naturish and splendid.

Enjoy your day; Pet a deer.

~Rachel~
(If you want to read a great fashion-centered blog, go to http://www.RachelParrishthethought.blogspot.com --she's my super trendy and fashionable friend. And she loves pugs. That's all.)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Holy Exhaustion, batman.

For the past week, I've had the privilege of being involved in the William Jessup University Choir recording. Though it has been the most invigorating moments of my year (so far), it has also been one of the most exhausting. I love music. I love the feeling of putting passion into notes and experiencing joy through the reverberations of the human voice. I love choir--and yes, I love band camp. I was (and am) that kid who eats her lunch in the band room, and frequently plays the 'guess that pitch' game. I've finally reached the point where I embrace that fact.

My choir professor has grown me exponentially this week. I feel like there was a moment last night where my mind finally 'got it.' I understood the role of section lead, I understood and grasped the need to be present, I felt the emotion, and experienced the grandness of feeling like I had finally gotten 'it.' That 'it' the sopranos, tenors, altos, and basses desire. Twas' a beautiful week. I love music.

However, four hours of recording a night, coupled with school and work has taken it's tole on my REM cycle. I think I have maybe slept five hours a night, and I'll confess I am probably under-showered (I'm a musician, it's okay...I'm like Regina Spektor; grunge is in.) and I am definitely over-caffeinated. Needless to say, I have already decided to take Monday off. Perhaps this is not the academically 'wisest' decision, but I'm attempting to learn the balance of academia and personal health--spiritual, emotional, and otherwise. I have been in the place where I've wrung myself dry and operated on empty, and I've decided that's not a place I desire to live. I need to take time to recharge. If that means taking a day off school or work every once in a great while, so be it. (I want to live my life as if everything is a remarkable adventure.)

I have exciting plans for Monday that are wrapped around a person and not at all around a schedule. I couldn't be more excited. I have come leaps and bounds from February of last year, and it is by the grace and blessings of Christ that I am not only standing, but thriving. It is remarkable to me that He continues to be the restorer of the broken, the peace to the restless, and the wellspring to the dry and thirsty.

I am exhausted and sleep-deprived, but I am so excited with everything the Lord is doing in my life. From Jesus, to Bayside, to choir, to veganism, to school, and to spontaneous endeavors, I am so happy with where my life is, and where it is headed. (Holy comas, batman.)

With that said, it is time to get back to the daily grind that I love so much. I hope you all have a fantastic week. Hug a stranger, do something crazy, bake a cupcake... love the life you're in and put Christ into everything you do. Cheers.



~Rachel~