Catch-up

Sorry y'all. I've been super behind on my photos. Luckily only one final stands between me and my freedom. It's tomorrow morning. I'm pretty pumped to be almost done. My last summer of freedom from school! I'm going to take a short time off from work and go home, maybe get some substituting jobs. Then, I will be joining my fellow Twenty-Somethings on our annual camping trip at the end of the month. I don't really have any other big summer plans, just working and hopefully some fun, spontaneous trips locally. But, enough about my summer plans. I want to share some photos with you..

Mum:
I neglected to get a photo with my Mum on Mother's Day, or with her when she just came to visit (today and yesterday). So I'm sharing an old photo. She's the best...I could go on about how great she is, but most of you already know. haha

Mom, Aunt P & I in Hawaii..I wanna go back!

A Smile: 
I love smiles. Monday was a difficult day to smile though, I had two stressful exams back to back on Tuesday morning and I was studying for them all of Monday afternoon. But I took a selfie and smiled for this post. Also..one of my favorite authors recently posted a link to a short little story by Lee Smith. I read it, and it made me smile. I really enjoyed the intensive writing class in undergrad that I took which focused on reading and writing about Lee Smith's work, so reading this took me back to that class. It's called, Hillsborough writer Lee Smith explores her mother's recipe box (link is in the title). Plus, the short story include recipes, sentimentality and eating..all of which I enjoy. I hope you read it and smile too.

And...I'm sporting the shirt
Miss Ellaneous gave me..its comfy!

PJ's: Photo to be taken
Town I live in: I love this little town. It's cute, the people are so friendly and interesting, there are so many different ways to shop local (from food, to jewelry, to gifts (so many handmade items!)). When my Mom came to visit yesterday, we got to go to the Tuesday Farmer's Market. She bought some Clementine's bread (one loaf for me!) and we got to share a homemade pretzel and beer cheese. We also got a little Kentucky Colonel Spearmint plant that we're going to share. My herb collection is really growing! After getting all these goodies, we walked around Old Town. Today we visited Tater Knob, a studio and shop, in the valley of the mountains, where they make really neat ceramics. When we were there, the people were oh so friendly. They demonstrated for us, chatted away with us and even gave us mugs of coffee to drink while we watched her throw some bowls on the potter's wheel. It was great! Mom helped me purchase a beautiful Spoonbread/cake/anything ceramic baking dish. She owns one herself that my grandmother bought her from there; she loves her dish. It wasn't a cheap piece, but it is something I know I will treasure. Places like that little ceramic studio and the Farmer's Market are things that I adore about this town.

There was also this cat at Tater Knob which was picture worthy. I guess it really liked this dish and laid there often, because there was asign in front of the dish that read: "Kitty Cat isn't very friendly, so please don't pet"

Recent Happenings..

...in the life of The Farmer's Daughter. Hey, that's me!
I decided since I haven't seen most of my good friends (and fellow Twenty Somethings) in about a week, they might need a catch-up on my life. Today, I went to Frankfort with my fellow OT students. We went to the Capitol, met with legislators, and advocated for bills that we wanted or didn't want passed. It was neat, but honestly, there was so much waiting around. Waiting to meet with legislators and waiting for the next event. But it was still interesting and one of my group members said they kept flashing to the Netflix original, House of Cards, while they were watching the legislators walk around. The lives of these people is intriguing, I might just have to add that show to my list of things I want to watch on Netflix. (Not what I should really be doing with my time!)

J and I observing the Fairness Rally

By the way, thanks for hosting a really cute
Galentine's Day party last week, Granny Eyre! 

Also, I have a new-to-me vehicle (aka my Mom's old car). It was bittersweet to say goodbye to Cruella, and she is still at my parent's house, but it is sooooo nice to be in a better vehicle. It's the little things, like a well running heater, an in tact headliner, slightly tinted windows, and a little bit more room in the cab of the vehicle..oh, and bigger cup holders! Needless to say, I'm happy I got to upgrade!

It is also official, I will be staying in Berea for the summer and through the fall of next year (maybe longer). My landlords were asking about my plans and I decided, if they wanted me to stick around for the fall of next year, I would like to stay. I wouldn't mind spending my summer at home, but I should be able to visit home more often when I don't have classes this summer.

Speaking of my little apartment, I am very happy with how my plant shelf is coming along. While I was home for winter break I found a small shelf that is supposed to be mounted on the wall. I had visions of sitting it in front of my little window in my bedroom/living room and putting plants on it. My mother has the greenest thumb you'll ever see, so I knew she'd love the idea. I upcycled several tin cans by painting them and using them for the pots. The idea was to use all tin cans, but that didn't actually happen. Anyway, she replanted several low-light plants she had into the cans and other small pots for me. It brightens the living room and makes me happy!

I really liked this silhouette photo I took of it on Sunday

I hope you enjoyed my little update!
The Farmer's Daughter

Fun Tidbits

Just a couple random updates with photos...

Substitute Teaching

      First of all, don't get too excited about me switching my pursuit of a career, but being a teacher isn't too bad. I have really grown in my understanding of how to discipline and keep kids in line much more effectively than when I first started. (But I could really only go up from where I started...because I had no experience!) But I feel much more comfortable in front of a classroom and I have learned enough about kids to give me better judgement about handling various situations. I have especially become used to working with special needs children which is perfect, since Occupational Therapists usually work with this group of children (especially in the school system). Over the past couple of weeks I have gotten to be an unofficial OT, by using sensory boxes with children and even going into the OT's office in one of the schools and letting an autistic youngster jump in the ball pit to rid him of some excess energy. 

      Also, last Friday (the day before the Kentucky Derby), was a big day at the school where I substituted. First of all, it was a field trip day. One thing I have learned about substitute teaching is, you never really know what you are getting into. I wasn't aware there would be a field trip I would be going on, until I got to the school and one of the regular teachers informed me! It was DARE graduation day and the students were going to the high school for the "graduation" then going to the park for a cookout celebration afterwards. The speaker, Retro Bill, was entertaining while also educating them about bullying, drugs, and other subjects. The park was also fairly nice. I was working as a teacher's aide that day, so I basically just had to follow one special needs child around and make sure he was safe and he didn't get in a fight with any of the other children. I even got a free lunch that day--a freshly grilled hamburger, chips and cookies...it was nice! When we got back from the park the children at the school had their own Derby. Kids from each grade raced around a track-like driveway in the back of the school with horses made from pool noodles. It was pretty cute. The kids could also wear decorated Derby hats. I thought this boy had a particularly cool hat. He said his mom cut out the horse from cardboard and then decorated it. I thought it was a really cool hat, so I snapped a picture of it. 

Poppy

  It was also a very exciting weekend at my house because, my niece, this adorable little ball of energy was here to visit. Unfortunately she was feeling ill throughout the visit, but most of the time she still had so much energy and happiness that you couldn't tell she wasn't feeling well. We took her down to Gwyn's and we all rode (the beau, me, Gwyn and Poppy) out through the woods and down to his pond where Poppy got to feed the fish. It was a nice adventure and I think Poppy had a good time.

Catching up with "Nofa" when she first got to the house. She really likes "Nofa"

Graduation
     Sunday was also an awesome day because I got to see the last of the Twenty-Somethings graduate from Berea College. I was very excited for her and I wish her the very best in life after Berea! I am glad that we should all be in and around Madison County next year so we can have more fun together. Also, Naomi Judd was a very good graduation speaker. She was funny, wise and had a short and sweet message for the graduates.

You probably can't tell, but Naomi Judd is on stage in this picture

A picture of my dinner after Amanda's
graduation, because it was really tasty.
It's a burrito with pineapple, chicken, onions
& mushrooms with rice & beans! 

That's all for now Folks,

The Farmer's Daughter

Old Photographs

     Sometimes I don't realize how quickly time disappears until an event or milestone comes up that marks an event which I have already completed and I think about how much time has passed. My good friend, Captain Something Fun, is graduating in a little over a month. I cannot believe it has been a whole year since I was in her shoes! I miss Berea so much and I think she is cherishing her last moments there (as much as possible with final papers, exams and other deadlines looming). I would love to go back, even for a week, to be in that moment and live in it just for a short time. Don't get me wrong, I don't think of myself as someone who lives in the past. I know that time in my life is over and I am very happy that it happened (and that I gained some very good friends, acquaintances, and my beau!). But I still miss it and love looking back at old memories. The looking back on it may be the best part of all- just being able to reminisce and think about the fun that happened, without having to think about the stress of Berea--and all the homework that was due at the time.
     Looking back is fun, but so is looking forward. And most important, is living in the present. I am at an in-between stage in my life. Sort of like those pesky years as a tween. I'm done with my bachelor's degree, but I'm not in graduate school yet. I'm a part-time student and I have a part-time job, and I am crossing my fingers I get into graduate school this year! I am looking forward to what is to come and hoping it works out this time around, but I'm trying to cherish the moments in the present. Sometimes I really enjoy living at home, (there are many perks!), and I enjoy getting to see my parents and my brother regularly. Sometimes it can be trying, and in many ways, I am ready to be living on my own. I am trying to enjoy the present and when I'm not feeling so thankful, all I need to do is remind myself that I will miss this one day.
     I have obviously been feeling reflective. I was looking through old photos the other day when I was putting Captain Something Fun's birthday gift together. Looking at photos can be very emotional- they take you back to a certain place and time. I was looking at photos from Berea days and of my niece. Even though my little niece is just two years old, it's amazing how she has changed. I hardly see the resemblance between her now and her baby photos. Anyway..I was looking at these photos, and then my beau and I were visiting with my best friend from high school and her husband, after watching the new Cinderella movie. Eating icecream after the movie, we were talking about our nieces and nephews, what we'd been up to, and college. One of us said, "when I was in college..." and I felt old.
     Between this encounter with old friends, looking back at old photos, and thinking about our friend C.S.F. graduating in May, I have been feeling reflective. I hope I haven't rambled on too much, but if you don't take anything else from this post, remember this: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present." (-Bil Keane) Look back and reflect, and then look forward and think about what may come; but don't spend too much time doing either of these because the most important time is now. Enjoy your day! 

Signing off,
The Farmer's Daughter

Beautiful Dance

Tonight I experienced true beauty.

There are those rare moments when everything is hushed and loud at the same time, when you just know beauty is before your eyes. These are the moments that I know God is real. How else could something be so beautiful?

Tonight was Kinetic Expressions 2015. For non-Berea readers, Berea College Dance Programs puts on a performance every year of modern dance. They invite dancers and non-dancers to audition. For some performers, this is their first time dancing on stage. It was always something I considered trying but chickened out of on the day of auditions. Add that to my list of regrets in life.

Even though I've graduated, I had to go back for this one BC event, and just like every year it left me in awe and feeling a bit empty. There is now this empty jittery hole inside of me that wants to dance and be beautiful. Maybe it's the idea that they accept anyone or maybe it's the fact that I know and recognize so many of the dancers.

I don't think I have a favorite piece, but I always like the culminating piece when all of the dancers come out to dance together. It's fun and full of energy.

The entire show is just magical. Maybe it's the costumes or the lights or the dance, but something about the combination of those creates an aura that lingers with me for a while.

It was truly beautiful.

Photo taken by Hannah Williams-Beaver

A Cliche Post

It is Thanksgiving Day and currently i am watching the Macy's Day Parade. i try to watch it every year when i remember to turn it on. For this post i am going to be a little bit cliche and write a list about what i am most thankful for.

1. Friends- especially you all fellow  twenty somethings.

2. My relationship with Jesus- i thank God for this everyday because without him i would be nothing.

3. My bed- it has green sheets and is quiet comfy.

4. My church family- a bunch of people who started out as strangers who are now some of the closest people i have.

5. Berea- My higher education has been an interesting journey to say the least.

6. Food- nuff said.

There are many more things i am thankful for that fit into various categories but these are the ones that stand out most to me in this present moment. A reminder as you are going about your busy days, remember the little things and big that make it possible for you to be where you are at right now. i hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Taking a Break

I don't know what to write about today but I feel like I should make a post. Captain Something Fun tells me to write about life. Thanks for that advice.

I left camp yesterday for a break this week. There isn't official camp on the grounds this week because it is Canoe Camp week where they campers take canoes out to an island and for-real camp for a week. That has never appealed to me to do. In the past I have stayed at camp to work the retreat that comes for the week but I felt like I needed a break from the kitchen this week. It was probably a wise choice since Friday night I went to bed early with a sore throat and a fever. I'm still a bit sick but I'm hoping a week of orange juice, some meds, and a plenty of sleep will kick it this time. I've been sick almost every two weeks this summer.

Captain Something Fun didn't know I was coming to visit this week. I showed up at Sheila's house at 5 yesterday and rang the doorbell. (I had told Sheila I was coming). No one answered. So I called Captain SF and told her to come to the door. She was super surprised to see me at her door. Then she was even more excited when I said I am staying all week.

I don't have many adventures planned for this week, but I do plan to relax and read. I think it's time to take a bit of summer break after working for two months straight.