Do Nice Things

Saturday my friend and I went to tour the White House. Once you get outside those pillars there you can take photos and do whatever you want. 

We took some funny ones. Far away ones. Up close ones. 

Then, this family asked us to take a picture for them and send it to them because they didn't bring their phones. Like good citizens. (On the White House tour ticket it says you can bring your phone. But no purse.) 

So, of course, I did. 

What a good lookin' family. I texted the mom the photos. And then three hours later, she sent me this text: 

You are awesome! Thank you so much for the pics! Now, 20 years from now I'll still remember we were there! You are sweet to have done that for us!

What a great human moment. Sometimes I love people. 

a great return

I've been wanting to return to writing for a while now.  Not necessarily on my blog but just... writing. I've missed it and I feel like there are things I could say.

In the last annual year I finished student teaching, and college all together, transitioned my life to a new city, traveled yet again to my beloved Ecuador, and started a career in Art Education.  I've also watched  sooooooo much Netflix.

I feel the effects of growing up in a real sense.  My adult life is consistent.  I just moved in to a beautiful room with a bay window.  I ride my bike to school and back.  I use my evening time to make art and connect with people I love via phone or email.  I've been trying to take pictures of the things I see every day so that I can appreciate them and remember them when, one day, I'm in a different phase of life, and the one I'm in now will be only a memory.

Things I've seen from my bicycle seat:

Night rides with old friends when they visit. I love how much my city sleeps. 

Chesapeake Bay (Not actually from a bike ride)

Almost home. 

On the bike path. 

I've also been trying to fill my time with quality art.  Or rather, quality hand crafting.  I taught myself some needle point.  And I decided that my art can be happy and silly and still have meaning.  I feel like the art program at BYU, as community filled and wonderful as it is, focuses on art that should be powerful and illuminating, rather than simple or pleasant.  I think it has the potential to be good art, and also be funny.

 Also, my mom is "with it".