Wigtime: It's ok, seriously

You know, it's ok if you don't like my hair. Really, I won't be mad or anything. I like my wigs and I like you too, so don't make it awkward, ok? ‪#‎me‬ ‪#‎green‬‪#‎wigtime‬ ‪#‎loveyou‬

This was an Instagram post I made a few moths ago. I guess I finally wore a wig that people really didn't like and boy was it awkward. I went about my day business as usual which includes me complimenting people when I see something I like. Apparently the neonness of my hair made many forget that I don't give compliments to get them in return. I just feel like as people (especially women towards other women #girllove) should be more willing to genuinely compliment one another. 

At the same time it's alright to not like someone's fashion choices, just be kind about it. Take a chance to be willing to accept people for who they are AND don't compromise how you feel. I'd rather you loving tell me you don't like one of my wigs than lie and say you like it. As a fellow art student told me "It doesn't look like your hair the way the blue one does,"  and I agree.  

Now this particular wig, I like it but it is too costumey for everyday wear. In fact I don't even like how it looks without a hat on. Nevertheless I did have fun with it. I'll probably put it in my costume box. Yes, I have a whole big box now.  \(*-*)

Playing Catch Up

It's a new year and my Art blog is way behind. I originally created it to track my growth as an art major in college but it really hasn't gone that way. I'm several semesters behind and that was a pretty narrow goal in the first place. So now I'm going back and making those long overdo posts. Conversely I will be adding what we like to call Art Event Experiences. As part of our graduation requirements we have to attend 32 art events and fill out an art event form. Yeah... I've been to well past that number but barely turned in any forms. This year I'm going to correct that and take them a step further to adding the experiences to my blog. I'm going to turn it into my life and learning experiences as and artist. Ya know, be more well rounded. (I realize how terrible the grammer is in that sentence and I'm ok with it.) 

On a different note, for this blog I'm going to be more consistent with updates. I might even start using my YouTube channel for more than just fangirling over Superwoman, nerding out over Comics Explained, and getting my giggles from Ashley Thomas. 

Halloween, why I "celebrate"

So I've had a lot of people be surprised that I "celebrate" Halloween. Well the thing is, I don't but I enjoy the day for a few reasons.

It's a great excuse to wear a costume or two all day with no one questioning it. Seriously, if had the funds and it was socially acceptable I would wear a costume once a week. Truth be told I might eventually incorporate "Everyday cosplay" into my wardrobe once a week anyway. (For more on Everyday Cosplay click this link to a great Tumblr page about it)

But the another reason is the evangelism opportunities. On a night associated mainly with the pagan and the demonic, I see it as prime time to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I mean when you rock a great costume people come to you eagerly, wanting to talk to you anyway so why not? All the while, simultaneously shattering the stereotypes of "women have to wear sexy costumes" and "black people don't do that".

So yeah I'm excited. Now I realize costumes aren't for everyone but I hope that my fellow believers would consider the evangelism aspect a bit more than just brushing if off. Because let's be real. If we avoided every holiday associated with paganism, we wouldn't do holidays at all. 

10 Things Christianity is NOT

This article from http://www.churchleaders.com/  just encouraged my heart and brightened my day.

Read and enjoy or if you're not save, learn a few things

 10 THings Christianity is NOT

Art Inspired Story: Changes

So I've been on Wattpad for over a year now and I finally posted a story: Changes

It's the first time in a long time that I've made a story I've written public. I just wanted to "announce" it (I usually keep these kinds of things to myself). I'm not going to talk about Wattpad itself because it will probably be included in the post I'm working on about reading fanfiction. Anywho, check out the short description below.

Ralph lived a quite and routine life. He wanted for nothing and believed he had everything. Then one thing after another started to change.

Inspired by the sculpture Dawn created by Ken Little, 1999

P.S. If you're just browsing around check out the writer PokeBroncoFan

TD Jakes... The Pursuit Of Purpose

 

In this season of my life, in searching and seeking to be closer to God and to walk in my purpose, this is a right on time word. If you find yourself in the same place or somewhere close, I recommend you watch it. This is good for those you are feeling like you're stuck as well.

I love my Aunt Nita, I miss her dearly, and that's ok

It started yesterday. After I went to help a friend I decided to stop at Eastbrook Flea Market. I had planned on doing so since school got out but hadn't quite made it yet. I wanted to stop at the Kynard Korner Vintage Boutique booth and also see if I could hunt down a set of the original 6 volumes of Addy American Girl. I ended up just casually wandering around for hours and purchasing a few books and comics. I would have stayed even longer but I was getting hungry and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to call my fantabolous sister before work.

She picked up fairly quickly giving her usual warm greeting so of course instead of giving my own, I yelled happy birthday in reply. Did I mention it was her birthday? It was totally her birthday. We talked about new things and how she's excited about the Lord using her and how He will in the future. I'm excited as well and grateful for what God has done for her. I always feel so proud and so blessed that God would place in my life such a wonderfully encouraging, confident, and loving sister. She hasn't always been that way (You can see why I said that here) but you better believe God changes things. Of course He's changed me too but that's another post for another time.

After our talk, I got ready for work. I'm a server at a restaurant and frankly things just haven't been the same as when I started. Not in a good way either. But I was feeling encouraged. Lol you can't talk to my sister and not feel encouraged or at least that's how I feel. Anyway, so I was thinking about the issues and realized that I've probably been praying about the situation incorrectly. I felt new things and new words being impressed upon my heart so I prayed them. Of course since pray never stopped working things were different when I got ther. Even though we were still slow it was a good night. It was actually a peaceful night, something a bit rare for us lately. I didn't get many tables but they were all nice, enjoyed there time with us, enjoyed the food, and they tipped pretty well. That's like the ultimate win.

I ordered some food and took it go. Even though I was super hungry during my shift, I wanted to get home. I came in, turned off the outside lights, and spoke to my parents. When I spoke to my Dad he told me he had bad news. I though something had happened to my Aunt Nita again. She's been on hospice for a while now but this week was one of her rough weeks. They happened every so often then she's right back to her sassy lovable self. I was right, something did happen to her. She went home to the Lord.

It seems like I went through shock, denial, and acceptance all in under a minute then I burst into tears. I wanted to drop my food, lay on the floor and cry but I tried to pull it together because I was in front of Dad. I mean she was his sister. His flesh and blood sister so stupidly I felt like who am I to cry like that. He ended up taking the food out of my hand and holding on to me. I pulled it together enough to say I was ok, leave the room, and go eat my food.

I was not ok. I was not ok at all. I started eating and watching tv as if it didn't happen. I was trying to escape the fact that it happened. When Mom saw that I knew, she patted the seat next to her for me to sit but I told her I was fine too. Still wasn't but I've never been a let's cry together person. I like to be left alone. I always end up trying to "be strong" for people or putting on a "brave face" and hanging around. It felt so fake and I hated it. I haven't hated my behavior in a good while so I knew I needed to pray and ask God for help. Not the halfway kind where I try to figure it out in the middle but totally utter "God I have no idea what I'm doing or how to interact with other people on the matter."

So today I woke up with my to do list, wait....... I woke up and thanked God for many things then started on my to do list. One being to wash and condition my hair. While sitting under the dryer for the conditioner, I decided to read Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul. I had long forgotten about Chicken Soup books and definitely didn't know about a Christian based one. But there it was yesterday, siting in the Loved Again booth at the Flea market. I read two stories while under the dryer. TWO! Then turned into a grateful ball of feels. I felt better and of course since I felt better there are only two things to do: write or make art.

So here I am writing this post while hair air dries. Laughing at myself for always trying to think my way life, in the bad way. Instead of just thinking about the good things and leaning into God. You know good things:

• Like the fact that the last time I talked to my Aunt we had a great heart to heart.
• More importantly we talked about salvation and she was assured of her faith and where she was going once it was over.
• Or the fact that no one actually expects me to hold it together, just to let it out and move on.
• And definitely the fact that if she was here, how she would totally raz me about my behavior then somehow turn it into a conversation about how I need to hurry up and get married. (She had a knack for that)
• Of course how, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit -Psalm 34:18 ESV
• And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose - Romans 8:28 KJV

So everything will be ok.