The Irony of Humility in Winning

I recently won something. The College of Business Veishea Photo Contest, and it was http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenanoll/4494419759/ this photo did me in. And by recently, I mean in the past couple of months. Yeah, yeah, congratulations to me and stuff. Don't get me wrong--I was really excited and feel blessed. But most of all, I am extremely humbled.

You see, as a believer of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I know that I can do all things through Him. I also know that all good things come from Him. Which leads to the idea that all good things I do are through Him. Rather, He does good things through me. Conclusion: I cannot do anything good unless it is through the providence of God. Is this true or am I way off base here?

In short: God used the talents he gave me, a situation he provided, to bring about a result that he forethought. And to put a cherry on top, he blessed me with prize money I was able to use for his glory. It was the least I could do. I mean, c'mon, the only thing I had to do was enjoy the talents he gave me! Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

p.s.--blogspot--I'm back!

Sickly

By the time I finish writing this post I will have sneezed at least once, blown my nose a couple times, and stared off blankly into the distance, seemingly pondering something, but truly having no thoughts whatsoever.

I made it to two of my classes today before I bowed out and went home. Rather, I fled home to my apartment (which is now solely mine...no roommate. come visit!). But not before I sneezed all over the bus. It was awkward. I recovered by disinfecting my hands with some trusty Germ-X that I knew I kept in my bag for a reason. I now sit on the couch, watching Law & Order, reading blogs, and feeling helpless.

I fulfilled every prediction of my behaviour made at the beginning of this post, besides my sneeze, which I effectively dodged by holding my breath. Life is grand.

You've Got Talent [Part 3]

Here's a different take on art...speed painting. I think you can pretty much make a competition out of anything these days if you just time it. Speed shoe-making? Speed flower arranging? Speed walking? Yeah. I have good ideas.

This guy used 10 packets of ketchup for "paint" and fries for "brushes." I guess his mom never told him not to play with his food. The longer I watch this video, the more I am disgusted by ketchup, which I'm totally ok with.

Someone did a ketchup Mona Lisa, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xxulxN0oDo

...and this guys paints with chocolate syrup. I mean, I love chocolate, but jeepers!

Heres one for the rednecks.

...one for the ladies? mascara art! this one is AMAZING. There was a lipstick one, but it was of Angelina Jolie, so, needless to say, I didn't include it.

cheese puffs. yeah.

I never knew my morning toast had so much potential, but apparently, thats why I'm not a speed painter. That, and lack of talent : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_HPvAhnG_w

So, just in case you were wondering, YES, I spent almost half a day researching my art series. YES, I do feel completely and utterly talent-less now. YES , I really want to play with sand. And YES, there is still more to come!

You've Got Talent [Part 2]

For Part Two of my art series, I discovered the world of coffee "painting". Apparently this Latte Art is a rapidly expanding form of competitive art!

However amateur, this guy is creative!

If you like dragons...

He's got style.

I like this so much, I think I'll make a machine to do it for me.

How about that?

You've Got Talent [Part 1]

Kseniya Simonova is a sand painting artist, and won 2009 Ukraine's Got Talent. Sand drawers use a lightbox, dramatic lighting and music, and hey...sand.

Stick to the foreign stuff..its the best.

You're gonna start wishing you knew Ukranian.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Time Lapse.

For you detail-centric people, these ones are intricate. And long.

On a quirky note, this one is one of my favorites:

Now that you are fully blown away, possibly even over-exposed to the idea, I bid you adieu as I continue in my art series.

My Car Just Did That.

Thursday: Scoop some snow, let hands thaw, drive to work and back without a hitch.
Friday: Get out of my parking space just fine, and return with a moody vehicle, unwilling to move into the parking space more than one foot. Doesn't really want to back out either. While this is all just fine and dandy, I realize that Cyride frequents my road, and there is no possible way they will be able get past my car. I make some calls for help, howl and the moon once or twice, light some flares, and return to my car to find Cyride halting their services in respect for my misbehaving car. Without a beat, our trusty Blue South driver picks up his microphone and says, "If any of you want to get to campus on time, we have to push this car out of the way." And as if I were the president in need of help, 6+ guys emerge from the bus and push my car into its rightful spot. Granted, the president would have some bodyguards and stuff to do that already, and he probably wouldn't be driving an '02 Dodge Neon, but that didn't make me feel any less important. I got Cyride to deboard in honor of my car. Don't I feel special.
Saturday: Bum some rides.
Sunday: Lazily study indoors as snow builds and solidifies with an ice topping around my car. Ignore consequences.
Monday: Return from work, briefly get stuck in the same position as Friday, and lightheartedly gather a couple stragglers to push my stubborn car back again.
Tuesday: Scrape car off, attempt to leave for work, but move a slight two feet backward. Feign indifference. Lauren offers her beast of an Explorer, and off to work I go. Car remains at home, butt sticking out into the road, baring her failures. Punishment remains until after my night exam, and car finally gets put in her place for good. Until Saturday.

Good to know my car takes after me: failure in its very purpose of existence.

And a shout out to all my wonderful friends who bless me with their time, labor, and vehicles.

My life was written by N'sync.

This note-thing looked like fun! It looked like even more fun when I saw N'sync in my iTunes..

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"

Pick your Artist: N'sync (aritist, really?)

Are you a male or a female?
I Thought She Knew

Describe yourself:
God Must Have Spent A Little More Time on You

How do you feel?
Selfish

Describe where you currently live:
Forever in Your Heart

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Sailing

Your favorite form of transportation is:
I Drive Myself Crazy

Your best friend is a:
Space Cowboy

You and your best friends are:
Bringing 'Da Noise

What's the weather like?
Falling

Favorite time of day:
Kiss Me at Midnight

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?
Gone

What is life to you?
Riddle

Your relationship:
It Makes Me Ill

Your fear:
Pop

What is the best advice you have to give?
Tell Me, Tell Me, Baby

Thought for the Day:
Do Your Thing

How I would like to die:
No Strings Attached

My soul's present condition:
Everything I Own

My motto:
This I Promise You