COME CELEBRATE CHANGE!!

1. 25/365: Connected by Patterns, 2. 26/365: Don't Forget your Helmet, 3. 27/365: Mommy Dearest, 4. 28/365: Self-Sustained and Drained, 5. 29/365: Simple Day Satisfaction, 6. 30/365: Shine On, 7. 31/365: Movement, 8. 32/365: Summer in Bloom, 9. 33/365: Sometimes I channel..., 10. 34/365: Restart, 11. 35/365: Day and Night, 12. 36/365: Sing me to sleep, 13. 37/365: Independence:Interdependence, 14. 38/365: Home is where..., 15. 39/365: Life's Beachy Keen, 16. 40/365: Chick + Truck= Moi, 17. 41/365:Floating through, 18. 42/365: Order in the court!, 19. 43/365: Appearances, 20. 44/365: Stayed up Way Past My Bed-time, 21. 45/365: Retro-Spect, 22. 46/365: Moon Birthday, 23. 47/365: Lazy Siren, 24. 48/365: Inside time, 25. 49/365: Incognito, 26. 50/365: Building my Immunity, 27. 51/365: Trying to Capture the Days, 28. 52/365: Dust Fighting Bandit

EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT: KARMA BUTTON IS STILL ALIVE AND READY TO RUMBLE!!

Photo-project: UPDATE

One of the only things in my creative life I have quasi-kept up with is the 365 project. When I give myself the time, this project makes me look at myself in so many different ways, but even greater is that it has me delve into the life I lead and how to mark the day in some symbolic way through a single photograph of myself. I chose this for less than narcissistic reasons. I thought it was a good idea to give myself boundaries so that I wouldn't become overwhelmed or think too deeply into taking photos so that I could really learn. Yet, this project has made my mind whirl around so many ideas and realizations. The project makes me look at time differently, shows me patterns about myself and daily life, gives me markers to document life, and forces me to become more disciplined by giving myself a project merely for the sake of devoting time to creativity and expression with the same vigor and intention that most people devote to exercising their bodies. I am gathering so much inspiration and in a way, I can't wait to burst with a lot of it!

It has been such a long time since my last post that I am almost embarrassed, but mostly sad. There has been a lot going on inside of my busy noggin and I was so nervous because this is my "200th Post" (supposedly) and really, I wanted to celebrate in some way. However, the way my mind works, I pondered this concept for a long time and well, generally avoided blogging until my perfect posts were ready....which is really just silly. Who makes up arbitrary days and moments to celebrate and puts so much into them that one doesn't even enjoy the event? We should celebrate every day and not put pressure on oneself to make one day such a big deal (like me)...I was always the biggest fan of the Mad Hatter's employment of the "un-birthday" and enjoy sharing on this blog so much, that I need to stop putting pressure on myself to conform in some way or force myself to be anything but imperfect me. SOOO...hopefully some of my inter-pals are still reading and will stick around for some of my big big plans:

Here is a peak at the future of karma button:

--Celebrating Sustainable Living (Including my own contributions to trying to lead an ultimately more independent life.)

--Upcycling Workshops: I will be adding my own pieces, tutorials from all around the web that I have gathered, and hopefully tidbits I refine for workshops I will be doing in August. Lots and lots to share here!!

--Other Blog Categories: I want to make some appearance changes and work on organizing here. My Menu will show what I focus on here, like my love of art and music and generally sharing awesome stuff I find, so there will be a category purely for Inspiring others and sharing  finds, one category devoted to Upcycling <3>

I know this post is long and seriously I hope to reward all of you who have read this far. I am finding it more and more important to DO, and ACT, and SPEAK rather than keeping things in--for whatever reason we find ourselves being "Self-sabotagers". Thank you all for coming along the ride so far. To even reach or connect with one person in any capacity whatsoever is really one of the greatest feelings. I want this blog to be my little platform and I hope to be doing some of the things I love the most-- like giving things away. Sending some of you treasures, sending love, support, and inspiration to others, and always remembering my own imaginary karma-button.

53/365: Trying to Protect from Pain

STAY TUNED

11 Days in the Life of Jenn: Self-Portrait Diary

12/365: Child Heart

Tuesday June 9th: Despite all of the rain and exhaustion, I had a beautiful day playing pretend with my 3 yr. old nephew. We rowed imaginary boats to Coney Island and the circus, and then fought aliens in pretend spaceships. At one point he looked me in the eye and said, "You know, I like you." Cutie pie.

13/365: Vitamins of the Mind

Wednesday June 10th: After reading about my low blood-pressure fainting spells I became paranoid about losing brain cells for good, so I have been on a mission to consciously feed my brain as much as possible! What would I be without loads of crossword puzzles? Yum!

14/365: Brighten Up Already

Thursday June 11th: I am not going to complain about this bizarro June weather we've been having because it is usually dreadful in New York during the summer...but all I need is a little bit of sun!!! It seems like non-stop rain around here lately...which means less sitting on the porch for me!

15/365: Today is Friday, 

It is the Last Teaching Day, 

I'm Happy for the Sun

Friday June 12th: My title is a haiku because I got my wish for sun and I am feeling pretty poetic!! The year is closing and later tonight I will go for a nice walk, watch movies, eat amazing food, and crochet my little heart out!! Though I will somehow find that my crochet needles astral travelled somewhere and have not yet resurfaced! 

16/365: Lefty's Bane or Silly Scribbler

Saturday June 13th: What a day!! After tons of scribbling, feeding of the craft-habit, and signing yearbooks, the reality of a lefty surfaces!! 

Highlights: 

Cyndy's justifying of our craft-spending by saying, "Well, some people have cocaine addictions."

The stream of students running up to having me sign their yearbooks, non-stop for a full hour. I nearly cried...this crop of kids will be missed dearly!

17/365: Showing Support

Sunday June 14th: Today was the last day of the awesome local event "Art by the Ferry" so Cristyn and I strolled around, saw some art, I got to socialize and see so many people I adore and don't see often enough, and watch "Captain Ahab and the Sea Crackens" play outside of a "Karl's Klipper". One of those days I love being an islander and love being out looking at life through rosy lenses! Later in the evening we stopped at "The Cup" so I could show some love to some of my students whose bands were playing there. When I entered the place I was floored with the excited greetings I received and was reminded of how often being a teacher is akin to a celebrity at moments. Luckily this press seems to like me!

18/365: "I want to ride my bicycle"

Monday June 15th: Today I bought my darling bicycle!! It is the first one I have owned as an adult and it is gorgeous! Jay came with me to meet Ed, who has local listings of so many cool vintage bikes via craigslist. I had been dreaming about this exact type of bike for so long, and my wishes manifested themselves in the form of a 70's era Sears Spaceliner in a super-awesome blue! (Pictures to come!!) We had a bit of an adventure getting the bike home since it didn't fit in my car as I assumed it would. Luckily Jay masterminded a rigging to tie my bike to the roof of my car and I was joyfully able to bring my new baby home in one piece!! Now, all I need is a day without rain to ride!!!

19/365: Unmistaken Moments

Tuesday June 17th, 2009: One of my favorite aspects of riding the ferry is sitting outside and being windswept and captivated by the beauty of the harbor. What made this day even more special is that Jay and I went to see "Unmistaken Child" at the Film Forum-- which will have to get its own post one day. It was the last showing so we made sure to reserve tickets and each lived that day in anticipation of a sure to be fulfilling movie. In short, we left in inspired silence and I certainly cried many a beautiful tear.

20/365: Moment of Bittersweet

Wednesday June 18th, 2009: Today was my brother Ben's graduation from middle-school at a local Yeshiva. Soon he will be going to live in Baltimore to attend high school and I am swept with so many varying degrees of emotions and apprehensions. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming and deeply wish I can be closer to him...yet there is an unmistakable bond that we have always had. Once the ceremony was over he ran right up to me and gave me a huge hug and I was transported back to the moment he took his very first steps in order to give me an equally beautiful hug when he was a toddler. It is still raining here.

21/365: On the road...

Thursday June 19th, 2009: Tired. Driving my brother home. It is still raining and dreary. Life is changing all around me. I fell in love with fabric tangkas.

22/365: Sunshine and IPhone

Friday June 19th, 2009: Finally some sun!! Granted we have had moments of rain throughout the day, I will take a second of sun with beaming appreciation!! Today I have joined the ranks of the technologically elite and received my first iphone. When I went into the Apple Store I was greeted with hugs from my friend Andrea and Shari...so awesome, there is so much love in that store!! In the back of my mind "The Jeffersons" theme song has been rotating and naturally, I am happy!!!

23/365: First IPhone Self-Portrait

Saturday June 20, 2009: Okay, so we are on yet another day of miserable rain which makes me so groggy and spacey...but there is my darling iphone to consume a lot of my attention. I love the snapfilter application because I get to edit photos on the phone!! If anyone has any pointers, send them this way!!

Now, it is Sunday, one of my first days spending a considerable amount of time at home all week. The annoying cat is sleeping at my side, I am trying to regain focus but find it hard with yet another day of gray skies. Much love to all! Thank you for dealing with my self-reflection project!!

On the 8th Day she fainted again...

8/365: Hypotensive Hope

This Tuesday I fainted at my brother's shop. On Wednesday I had a biopsy. This Friday I fainted outside of school. Told my boss. Sent to medical office where a flux of students streamed in two by two feeling ill or allowing rumors of swine flu to permeate their nerves enough to demand going home. 30 students sent home for flu-like symptoms. Over 500 more either leave or stayed home to begin with. I am forced to go to ER-- find an urgicenter instead. My sugar levels are perfect. Need more salt perhaps. May be hypotensive-- meaning low blood-pressure, or as I like to see it, mercurial spikes. EKG says heart is solid. It is taking me awhile to feel myself again-- but I still feel good. No matter what. In my heart, what the EKG can't read, is that I won't allow myself not to be happy deep down inside. As my wrist states, I keep hope with me-- through exaggerated epidemics and personal pitfalls. 

9/365: Finding my center...

Hoping to manifest my dreams and let all of this pass...

7/365: I am complete again...

...because I got my camera today!!

A rare smiling self-portrait, though I tend to smile a lot!

Lots of positive, things are seeming to be picking up. Ta-ta Mercury in retrograde!

6/365: Things are Coming Together

There have many moments of convergence today. Of ideas. Of the past and present. Of the astral past and present. To the fruition of ideas and manifesting the life you wish to lead.

And...on another awesome note...even though I had been praying for a ukelele, I was gifted my very own, and super adorable vintage Glockenspiel, courtesy of the generous and multi-faceted Jay !!

It sounds like fairies and Mister Roger's Neighborhood. So much fun. I can only play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" so far...but I am slightly in love.

4/365 and 5/365

4/365: Respite from work

This is where I hide out for a few during preps. Granted I am out there contributing to bad habits as an excuse to "get away" from it all...but this job can sometimes bring out darker sides.

5/365: Match Point

Hiding out again. A gloomy rainy day. Terrible for the hair and allergies. Been rather clumsy the past few days and feel like I am getting some message by the abundance of ants I have noticed as of late.

According to this site I found:

Insects are progressive, and proactive - always adapting to the environment, and never letting little things like natural disasters get in their way ofprogress. When we get discouraged, we could all learn a thing or two from insect animal totem meanings. It’s their unsinkable nature that reminds us to keep moving forward for progress.

Go to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways. Proverbs 6:6

Very interesting....there are a lot of interesting things abound, I assure you!

3/365: "Yo Miss, It's Tuesday..."

3/365: "Yo Miss, It's Tuesday"

Today: back to work after the blissful memorial day weekend. even though it got quite brisk and remained on the cusp of sun and gray for most of the day, i wore yellow polka dots to brighten me up after only two good hours of sleep...home, after allergy shots (thus my arm), errands, dinner at Beso with the sister and Tony and home to photograph shoes...and now I am typing away and listening to music...soon I will stop typing, but the music will not stop....

Fun project coming later tonight! xoxo

2/365: Self-Portrait Challenge

Light and Dark

This is the one I submitted as the official on Flickr

Here were my runner-ups from my morning photo-shoot:

Contemplating 27...

Me in Hi-Def...Willing to Bear Me

    It is often hard for us to look so closely at our own faces...

 inner and outer...here is to bearing oneself up-close and learning from it! 

365 Challenge...

1/365: 5/24/09

Well, here is my first attempt at the 365 Photo Challenge-- you can find these all around the web. One concept I like is the Photojojo Picture-a-Day Challenge though I may try to manage the self-portrait challenge specifically.  What's funny is that I own three tripods now yet never set them up to play dress-up and take photos for the fun of it! The last time was probably 2005!! I was lucky that the light played well off the robin's-egg blue wall for the most part. I certainly have a lot of work to do...but challenges are for that purpose!! Here are some of my favorite participants: Andrea of "Hula Seventy"  and Elsie of "A Beautiful Mess" and "Red Velvet Art" !!! Let's hope I stick to it!!

And what do you make of the vulcanesque bangs I gave myself today!! Haha...or my allergy eyes! Ugh!

But, hey, this is my face sans make-up of any sort and no photo editing...so I should be thankful! xoxo