High School, the "little Church," and other meager musings

Hi (sorry... no time for brightening my blog with color... all of my creative energy is now invested in painting *smile*).

Today was my younger brother's first day of school. I use the word "younger" instead of "little" because although my brother is seven years my junior, he is anything but small (especially in comparison to me).

But, last night before I went to bed I couldn't help but wonder when exactly the red-headed, cute little round-faced, button-nosed toddler became the tall, slender, strong teenager he is today (with a wavy mane of auburn hair... which he likes to wear in that shaggy-cool-boy fashion).

Anyways, I thought of him throughout the day today. I thought of what high school was like for me. I was pretty straight-up in high school (some would say preppy, solely because there's no proper genre for your average, happy, optimistic kid). But despite this, I still look back and wince at my insecurities, and the lengths it drove me to (i.e. making fun of other people, getting into "heartbreaking" dating situations, putting my faith on the backburner more than once). I guess we all have our own story when it comes to high school. Some painful, some triumphant, some quite insignificant in retrospect. I wonder what my brother's experience will be, once these four years pass.

Well, school is going well for me. So far. I'm just trying to stay on top of things, because I've had trouble staying focused in the past. But this year is different, as I've promised my parents several times.
This term I'm taking advanced painting, a class on gender communications across cultures, a class on baroque and rococo art, a literature class and a class for my senior thesis art exhibit, to take place this upcoming spring. For this last class, I'm supposed to dream up a concept for my senior thesis exhibition. I'm looking forward to it... although I'm not sure what my "concept" will be just yet. I'm praying for God's guidance in that arena. To all of my friends here in the area, I hope you'll be able to make it to my "big show." :)

The only thing that's tough about being at school is not living with or having an Orthodox community nearby. I love all of my roommates, and as I've mentioned before, it's going to be a good year. But I am looking forward to getting married, and starting our own "little Church" (as the home in often referred to in the Orthodox tradition). Icons will be everywhere! I will burn incense without receiving complaints from my roommates about a mysterious scent wafting throughout the house...!

That about wraps it up. The summer days of Reed's Ginger Ale and daily coffee runs are over... my meager budget is literally airtight. Vacuum-sealed. I'm praying for this second job at The Coffee Cottage. I had an interview this past Saturday, which was more than I expected! Please pray for me, if you remember!