I'm Still Here - I Promise

I've been having some computer troubles lately so I'm sorry for the lack of posts this past week. I've had so much to write about and it's incredibly frustrating that I haven't been able to write about it! Anyway, I'll have a "real" post probably in the next two days. I just wanted to make a quick update explaining my absence. 

ALSO: Be sure to make your way over to The Ellie Life to catch my guest post. And be sure to tell the lovely Ellie how fabulous she is! You can find a link to her blog and Facebook page in my last post. 

Thanks for your patience, cool cats! I miss you all and I shall be returning soon! 

XOXO

Frozen Peas & Other Tid-bits

Day 1

3 days in total house arrest. I am NOT complaining. I have not had this much rest in such a long time. And it only took a mouth surgery to get it. Oh well, at least I got it. But now reality hits and I start school again tomorrow. Back to my real friends, not the bags of frozen peas that made the pain subside. Back to actual homework, not browsing Facebook aimlessly. And of course back to waking up at 5 in the morning, not sleeping in until my heart's content. And while my gums are still so swollen, I can barely move my mouth, let alone talk correctly, I'm feeling much better than I did on day one. Thank goodness for heavy-duty pain pills and loving mothers.

Just an itty bitty reminder; I will be guest posting at The Ellie Life on February 28. So super excited and SO grateful for the friends I have. Without the lovely Ellie, my blog would have no hope for survival in this online community. She has helped me so much, whether is was putting up with my endless lists of questions or granting me this wonderful opportunity, she's been there. I have no idea how to repay her, so I'll try my best by mentioning this: Speak Now. Ellie's non-profit organization created to help struggling teens. Please, go like her Facebook page and help spread the word! 10 cents will be donated with every like to help the cause. One like, how simple is that?
Her blog: http://www.thellielife.blogspot.com
Her page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2032239727967.2096719.1303375061&type=3#!/pages/Speak-Now/355242861161569 

On a completely different note, I was going through my pictures today, and stumbled upon something to smile at. Here's a picture I took using Hipstamatic for iPhone about a year ago. In the background is my grandpa's old truck, and I'm holding some flowers my grandpa picked for me before I went on my way. My grandpa always does that. He'll pick roses for my grandma when she's cranky. And even though she acts as if she's irritated by them, I can tell she loves them when she puts them in a vase and sets them by her chair. My grandparents are funny people. I'm glad I gave them a call the other day. I told them how my grades were and how my mouth was healing. My mother said that they will be talking about the phone call for the rest of the week. It's funny how something as simple as a short phone call can brighten the day of someone who unconditionally loves you.

Have you called your grandparents lately?

Why Everyone Should Shut Up

I hate dentists.

I've always seemed to have mouth problems.

When I was little,

I remember falling and slamming my face onto some deadly part of the car next to me.

I knocked several teeth loose that day.

Thank goodness they were only baby teeth.

I also remember another time,

I had my blankie in my mouth

and since it drug on the floor, I stepped on it,

and pulled some more teeth loose.

I don't remember what happened after my parents put me in the car

to take me to another dentist.

Then, probably before all of that happened,

some mean dentist found another tooth

growing through the roof of my mouth.

That, along with my two front teeth,

was extracted.

I had several terrible and painful years of braces

that I really don't want to talk about.

And now this Friday I'm getting all four wisdom teeth pulled.

FML.

People are cruel when you tell them something like this.

They immediately resort to telling horror stories.

And they all start out the same way:

"When I had my wisdom teeth pulled..."

I've been hearing things like

vomiting blood

to

severe and painful infections.

WHY?

Why in the world do you think I want to hear this?

I'm already frightened enough by the thought of surgery.

You telling me how horrible yours went

isn't going to help anything.

So shut up.

I'm scared of a lot of things.

Heights.

Deadly animals.

Elevators.

And even horses. Yes. I'm scared of horses.

Dentists have always been scary too.

I dread even getting my teeth cleaned.

But I just have to rational and keep reminding myself:

It's a VERY common surgery.

If I do everything right, I won't get an infection.

I won't die from this.

That's been my little personal chant this whole week.

That's my little rant for the day.

Had to get it off my chest.

Sorry I didn't have anything deep or inspiring to share.

P.S. Sorry I talked about vomiting blood.

What Cupcakes Can Do

Today I would like to mourn for someone I didn't even know. No, not Whitney Houston, who's death was very untimely and sad. But someone who's a little closer to home. A very dear friend of mine has lost a close companion this weekend. I never met this person, I never knew what kind of a person they were, but if they were special to my friend, then they must've been pretty damn special.

I was so upset to hear this news. My mom could see it on my face. I had to do something. I had to find some way to cheer him up, even if it's in the most insignificant way. But how?

Cupcakes.

I made a batch as quick as I could and trekked through sleet and up to his house across the road. As he answered the door and gestured me inside, I could see it on his face. Devastation. Not knowing what to say, I awkwardly held out the plate of cupcakes, frosted and sprinkled with festive red sprinkles. "I made these for you," I said, not looking at his face. "I thought you might want some comfort food." His eyes went big and a smile crept onto his sad face. "You made these for me?" After a big hug, I knew it was exactly what he needed.

Life is so quick. Sometimes, the Lord cuts it a little shorter. I believe it's all for a reason. There's a reason God takes young people's lives. He has a marvelous plan for them that can't be completed without their presence in Heaven. So I don't worry for the young person who was so dear to my friend. Whoever they are, they're safe.

Death is a part of life, yes.

But it is extremely unfortunate that it occurs during a holiday full of love. But I've noticed that along with the mushy gushy cards and overpriced candies and flowers and the false love flying through the air (Screw you, Cupid), there's a lot of heartbreak. There's sadness and loneliness. People become aware of how large their social lives really aren't. Or they are reminded of someone who used to be there, someone who was special, but no longer comes around. It's almost depressing. But after I bitched and moaned about not having a date for Valentine's Day, I felt pretty selfish. There's a lot worse happening to people during this "day of love". So how to you help these people on this day?

Show them some love, of course.

Instead of hanging your head low because you're lonely, make a new friend. Hold your head up. Smile, even if there isn't an obvious reason to smile for. Because even if it isn't obvious, there's always a reason to smile.

 It snowed today.

Big, sloppy flakes that didn't stick but were pretty to look at.

There's something to smile about.

And then there's cupcakes. You can smile at those too.

Happy Valentine's Day. To the lonely and the unlonely.

You're Only a Sophomore?!

I attended the Weekend Workshop at Memphis College of Art yesterday. For $15, it felt like a waste of money. A illustration teacher reviewed my portfolio and really had nothing terrible to say about it. It told me what I was doing right (cross-hatching and figure forms), and told me what I should start doing (more still lifes and life drawings, etc). It was a really helpful review and the man seemed very enthusiastic about his job and for my future. Which is why I was so shocked when his workshop turned out to be a dud. I spent an hour perfecting the shape of a bowling pin before I texted my mom to come save me. I was so disappointed. But I did walk away feeling more confident. I have an assignment now. A purpose. I'm so excited. The line I heard most that whole day was

Curtain Study

"You're only a sophomore?!".

Yes. Yes I am.

I know I'm not supposed to get a big head about things, but when that teacher said,

 "I was not producing this kind of work when I was your age,"

 well, I felt pretty damn proud.

I am rejuvenated and ready to roll. No more fooling around. No more being lazy.

I have to start producing.

I have to start proving how bad I want this.

And even though MCA isn't my dream college, I'm not going to stop looking.

I want people to know my name.

And they will.

Album cover design for the band Fun.

My Beautiful Friends

I have some exciting news! Although I have faced a major setback after deleting all of my posts (UGH), Ms. Ellie over at The Ellie Life has made such a kind offer.

 Mark your calendars, for I will be guest posting on her lovely blog on

Tuesday, February 28th.  

Oh, I have nothing but good things to say about this lady. She has been nothing but kind and helpful as I work through my sticky situations and become a eager young blogger. It is truly my wish to someday have a blog as beautiful, inspiring and popular as hers.

Please, go check out her fabulous blog here: http://thellielife.blogspot.com/ now as she kicks off her new non-profit organization Speak Now which will be going global April of 2012. To help the cause, visit her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Speak-Now/355242861161569

Every "like" that is received, 10 cents will be donated to the cause.
It's a cause worth donating to. And how easy can it get? One click. that's all she needs.
One click can make a huge difference.
Go, be nice, and help this beautiful lady out.

. . . . . . . .

Now, I would like to make a shout-out to another pretty lady. This girl is simply my best friend through thick and thin. And let me tell you, we've had some thick and thin moments. Living a bazillion miles away, I never realized how often she was there for me, though. During a dark time in my life in the brightest place in America, she was my light. I love this girl to death.

Please welcome, Natali.

Natali, the owl-loving, Persian/Spanish-speaking, Green Day-crazed hippie teen of the decade.  

Please go look at her adorable blog at: http://owlandorchid.blogspot.com/

You won't be disappointed.

This Thing Called Life

One day closer to the weekend, that's what gets me out of bed at 5:00 am every morning. It seems that one bad day can lead to a seriously bad week. So of course, after coming home from a painful bus ride with an equally painful headache, I was pleased to hear my mother had a lovely surprise for me.

This Saturday, I'm going to be at the Memphis College of art from the morning to late afternoon participating in a workshop, touring the school, etc. Excited isn't even accurate.

I've considered art school since the 9th grade, but it was never a serious consideration. Both of my parents have never really encouraged it. Their fear, as well as mine, is that I won't receive a well-rounded education, so that if my art career doesn't work out, I won't have a backup plan. That's a scary thought. So, I've always kind of pushed art school to the back of my mind. Instead, I focused on the plan my parents have had for years; move back to Missouri to be with our family, build a house in the woods, and I attend Mizzou, just like my daddy.

("Freshie Friendz" 2011)

But what if that doesn't work out. What if I go on Saturday, and I suddenly realize that art school is for me. My parents wouldn't be exactly thrilled, but I know they would always be by me no matter what I choose.

All of these thoughts and choices and worries, they're so... grown up. And that's terrifying. All of my friends crave adulthood, while I'm in the corner still playing with my Crayola Glow Dome and failing my permit test. Growing up is something that I used to dream about. It meant I would wear heels like Mommy and have my own television and spend money on whatever I want. But that's what I thought when I was five. And of course, I'm sure we're all aware that that's not exactly the case. Jobs, school, bills, they all pile up. It's scary. Scary. Scary. Scary.

But that's life. C'est la vie. It's what we all have to experience sometime, whether we want to or not. It's not so scary when you have your family and friends beside you. And when you finally make it to the top, when you finally figured everything out and it's all fit into place, well I'll bet a lot of money that that's

the best damn feeling in the entire world.

Puppy Love

Ah, the simple things in life that make us all so happy. Desserts, friends, and of course, cute, adorable baby animals.

I'd like to introduce to you the 6 puppies of Sophia, the red short-haired dachshund!

Sophia's story is an amazing one, but also quite sad. She was dumped at a shelter by her "family" just minutes away from giving birth. Her pups were born on the cold concrete floor of that animal shelter. Fortunately, after a few days of recovery, Sophia and her kids were taken to a wonderful foster family, who have helped raised the dogs and kept them warm, happy and healthy.

My family was honored to get to meet these wonderful people and these wonderful puppies over the weekend. In a few months, we'll be taking home one of Sophia's pups and making it part of our family. I am ecstatic.

In a few months, be prepared to meet the newest member of our beautiful family!

Emma's Fabulous Day Off

Nothing is sweeter than a day off from school. And whether it's supervised or not (I hope that it is), I think everyone deserves one. I got mine last Friday. And let me say, it was absolutely fabulous.

Suffering through only two classes is a small price to pay when you get to spend the rest of the day traveling with your friends to art museums. Smelly buses, bumpy roads, and an hour and a half of sitting in the same position until your leg falls asleep is irrelevant. The end is priceless. Walking into that building, you can smell it. It's the passion, just simply surrounding you. You can feel the hard work that these people put into their work. They put in everything. You can see it with ever stroke and line. And it's just beautiful.

I do have to say, after walking out of those buildings, I felt incredible lazy. These people, these STUDENTS, are producing more breath-taking images and pieces of art than I've produced in a lifetime. It really makes me realize that if this what I want to do for a lifetime, I have to more than just some time into it. I have to put all of my heart, soul, and everything else in between into it. I have to show that I want this. I have to show that this is what I'm good at, and it's what I'm passionate about. It's what I hunger for.

Sometimes it's hard to see what you have until it's smacking you right in the face.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

Dear Blog Spot people who are in charge of things,

I would LOVE to make a complaint. It would be absolutely wonderful if you could include a deleted post - recovery feature. That way, when stupid, clumsy people, such as myself, accidently delete every single post I've ever posted, they won't be gone for forever. And ever.

Thanks so much,
Emma

This is the sad less I have learned. I advise all of you fellow bloggers to heed my warning and remember my terrible mistake when you're cleaning out your old saved drafts from you posts list. Now, I must start completely over.

Hi there, my name is Emma. And I'm still a noob when it comes to blogging online.