The Artist In Me

I adore art. I live through beautiful music, literature, films, photography, paintings and anything else that someone has dedicated their life to make sense of not only their own world, but mine as well.

In my own life my creative outlet is limited to writing. I write anything and everything and have found solace in that for as long as I can remember. Just as long, however, I have coveted the artists who can recreate memories, pictures, events all with the stroke of their hand or the simplest collection of shades.

Today, by putting myself in a situation that I had originally backed away from, I got to experience a pride in myself that I haven't had the opportunity to in the longest time.

Homecoming week is rapidly approaching our school and the senior class chose the theme "Nightmare Before Homecoming". A theme that could have many different aspects and a wide variety of decorations. With a limited number of artists in our class, our president sought out help from two of our best. Cody sketched, planned, and worked his butt off for many days until yesterday when he was informed of a change for our hallway decorations. He had to completely start over and had no help to do so.

Enter: Me. This year I had zero intention of contributing to Homecoming anything more than my presence and maybe a donation in the way of money. This was until Cody came to me and asked for help, explaining his situation.

It turns out, the class was under the impression he had completed decorations. False.

So today, Cody and I got together to try and create something from the nothing that we had. At first, surrounded by pallets and pallets of cardboard, it all seemed much too daunting. Three hours, four blisters, and one very messy porch later, we completed our hallway entrance (minus the paint).

Never in my life had I had the chance to create something like that a something that would become a thing of such...coolness. I had so much fun creating and chatting and working and with Cody today.

It was such a classic situation of finding good in a crappy situation. Though we still have mountains upon mountains of things to do, this one accomplishment gave me such inspiration and excitement to work my ass off and help make this year...amazing. 


So, though it doesn't look like much, here is one of the three pieces we did today. This will ultimately be a mouth.

:):)

Also, a picture of the best couple in cinematic history. 

Live With Caution

This last year, "YOLO" was the phrase to live by, to joke by, to refer to in a time of mistakes. As the new "carpe diem" people essentially were told to live life to it's fullest and never be afraid to take risks.

As a person who is generally known to my peers as "lame" I don't exactly put myself in risky situations. This comes from being terrified of disappointment, rejection, and...well, injuries. However, I'm all for standing up for what you believe in and doing things before you can't do them anymore.

Though I admire the people who are genuinely careless and can get through life by the seat of their pants, I always go by the guidelines of caution and care. I don't think people understand how every single choice and decision that you make in your life has the potential to change everything. From a relationship to how people see you.

This summer I learned an important lesson in timing and scenery. Never to get yourself out of something should you lie or blame to salvage someone's feelings. When wanting to do something or say something, consider the timing, the mood of your person, the location, and most importantly, the possible outcomes.

Actions mean everything in this world. How you handle adversity and tough situations defines you and who you will be. Though putting yourself first seems ideal and is important in some cases, you always must think about what your choices will affect in your life and your future. Even the smallest things that could evolve into other small things, is the risk worth it?

Also, here is my mantra for the week following an emotional debate in government last Friday.

Rings and Things

I think an adequate way to start this off is to say,  I really, really like owls. Over the past 6 months I have collected quite a variation of owl related items. Things like mugs, blankets, necklaces, pictures, and little figurines.

So with that, I will go on with my story. 

A few weeks ago, a friend and I got into a pretty big fight. We didn't know each other all that well anyway and when certain aspects of our lives came up, we disagreed. About 10 days later he sent me a heft apology text in which I didn't respond. Not that I was ignoring it, I just wasn't sure what to say at the time so I let it be. 

This morning when I checked my phone, I had a message from him that he sent around 2. In it, he explained that he had been at a craft fair hosted by his college and saw an owl ring and thought of me. This same owl ring that he bought for me and needed my address to send to. From Provo, Utah. 

The level of guilt that I felt in that moment was so monumental I proceeded to sleep again for two more hours. Then I woke up and realized how lucky I am to have a friend that would stick by me even before I was ready to forgive him. 

Anyway, that was my morning. Here is a picture of my cat lying on my computer:

The Love Thing.

First of all, I really forgot how magnificent Gilmore Girls is. Hilarity at its finest.

Today I witnessed really one of the greatest moments of my high school career. One of my best friends has this boyfriend who is completely adorable and they reek of cuteness. It's the kind of relationship you can't help but stare at and obsess over. Total ship worthy relationship.

Anyway they have been dating all summer and tonight in the best, most movie cliche moments ever he told her he loved her, chocolate included. She got in my car, her face red with the biggest smile on her face. She was so happy. So...in love.

More than anyone I know she deserves this. Her kindness, her heart, her dedication, her loyalty it's all worth being cherished. After her year with boys, I am so glad she found this person who will look and treat her with nothing but utter adoration.

All the time I feel like I'm complaining to the people around me about my lacking "love life". I know they roll their eyes and tune out. I don't mean to be a broken record. It's just hard. I'm not searching for an ultimate soul mate who will sweep me away forever. I just want to be liked back.

Ugh. That sounds so...emo pop. All these boys that I think are great and I link with so well show no interest at all. What am I doing wrong? What is the impression of me that they see? I get that boys aren't a huge deal and I "don't need" a boy. But, really, it'd be nice. Just this once, can I have a turn?

The Top Ten That Are Saving My Life

Top ten what?

Songs.

Constantly songs are affecting me in various ways for the good. Whether they are inspiring me, helping me, or I simply just like the song, I always have an interchanging list of songs that are impacting me.

I have a top ten that is pretty consistent that are my absolute favorites. "The Life Savers". Those can be shared at a different time.

For now, here are the ten that are pretty much on repeat. No particular order.

1. The Prince of Nothing Charming-Tyler Hilton
2. It's Time-Imagine Dragons
3. Kids in the Street-All-American Rejects
4. Some Nights-FUN.
5. Two Towns From Me-Blind Pilot
6. Can't Let Go-Heidi Newfield
7. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together-Taylor Swift
8. The Kings of Wishful Thinking-Go West
9. Something Stupid-Frank Sinatra
10. Summer '79-The Ataris

Doing What You Can

I guess a solid way to start a blog is to address my title and url.

First of all, my name is Whitney and I am currently at the most ridiculous age in the books of seventeen.

Secondly, I can't always promise consistency or plot twists or hilarity. I am using this as my escape. (Which sounds utterly cliche and totally washed out, but whatever.)

This year, going into my senior year, my mantra is "What you do matters."Which I completely must credit to Mark Schwann and One Tree Hill. My main goal in my life is to make a difference. Whether in one person or an entire city. I want to leave an impact and do something that can positively affect a person. Those four words epitomize that so well and so clearly. Maybe it is from a television show that hardly represents reality, but I think that if anything, that statement is one that stands strong and true. In "Doing what you can" you are doing. Trying. Making it. This is all you can do.

The "stuttering, stumbling, making it" spurs from typically the same idea. Every song you hear, every movie you watch, every book you read, and every moment you live, the lesson learned is that life isn't easy. Adversity, with its cruel, sharp claws, appears often in front of you and forces you to make mistakes, to learn, but to struggle all the same. In all of these instances, it is hard. Sometimes even the easy stuff can be hard. No matter what, you have to keep going, keep fighting, keep making it.

Until next time, here is me forcing my dog to take pictures with me.