I Forgot How Great This Is!

Beautiful.

From All The Loves

מכל האהבות

28 Languages of the Wind

I thought this was neat!

Finally, The Time Has Come!

I finally decided to start up an Etsy shop! I don't have much up there yet (be forewarned), but hopefully I'll be adding things daily so that I'll have a much better presence!

CLICK THIS:

Also, does anyone have a pasta maker he/she no longer needs? I would definitely be willing to purchase it from you - I need it to complete some art work that I'm working on!

Thanks, and love to all.

I'll leave you with this also - a friend of a friend's beautiful beautiful music :]

Rainbow Connection.

Someone special shared this with me, and I thought it was cute :]

Freedom

But whoever treasures freedom,
like the swallow has learned to fly.

Kelsey's Smiling Face.

There's Kelsey! At her host family's home in Israel!

Time Flies By Too Quickly.

"But time, is like the ocean; you can only hold a little in your hands. So we swim, before we're broken, before our bones become black coral on the sands."

-Josh Pyke, Summer

One of My Favorite Songs of All Time.

Bocheh El Hakirot בוחה אל הקירות Crying to the Walls by David Broza

English Translation:

CRYING TO THE WALLS

Sky of sorrow is upon me, and the night is dropping like the candlewax the sickle moon is cold - from above tells me go on and don't break down The night train is full of longing and I'm at the platform waiting as though for a miracle I have a coat of loneliness - torn tells me to move and still search And again a longing hurt touched with a poison of memories my body without your body again fades and sinks sinks sinks here alone between the walls and I cry, and I cry and I cry to the walls and I cry, and I cry and I scream to the walls the sun shines in the city that's strange to me I don't know where the streets lead to only the one that walks to you - he will call to me look how he'll call to me he will tell me to come to walk into ruin again in your eyes to hug you again, for you to hug me again you didn't leave footprints for me to go after you you left your face scorched in my eyes And again a longing hurt touched with a poison of memories my body without your body again fades and sinks sinks sinks here alone between the walls and I cry, and I cry and I cry to the walls and I cry, and I cry and I scream to the walls

We Should All Think This Way.

Excerpt from “The Impossible Real”: Remaining Homeless in the Study of the Holocaust

I was just looking for writing samples to send to Pathfinder, an organization I recently had an interview with. It was difficult deciding what piece to send, but as I was searching I came across a piece I did my freshman year that was published in Witt's journal, Spectrum. I really love it, and it made me think a lot because it's about my first trip to Israel and Poland. I wonder if Kelsey will see and feel a lot of the same things I felt. How will she respond to the devastation of Poland? The spirituality of Israel? The beauty to find in all that is life? Well, anyway. I decided the piece was much too morbid for a writing sample submission, but I thought I'd share a bit of it here, because I really find it powerful.

...

While standing on that sacred ground, I was assailed by the memory of the six horrendous death camps I had recently visited in Poland. I remember understanding Holocaust survivor Ezer Wietzman’s statement that, “I don’t find it easy to walk about in that country and to hear the voices calling out to me from the land” (Israel-Poland 1), all too clearly. For an entire week, the hairs on the back of my neck had stood straight up and a feeling of nausea had been impossible to avoid. In my mind, I could hear the screams and see the hands of the millions murdered reaching up from the ground.

I stood in the gas chambers where innocent men, women, and children were murdered with no mercy. These death chambers still had visible scratch marks on the walls from the thousands of attempts to escape and to call for help. People had been pleading for life, for their families, and for their homes. I tried to imagine the terror, the screams, the loss of all hope. I glanced into the dark ovens where human beings were burned only because of their beliefs and culture. I stared at the chimneys where the smoke rose, never to be seen again. I gazed out over great expanses of grassy fields that are not merely fields, but sites of mass murder.

I remembered Morten Steinfeld, a boy I promised myself I would never let be forgotten, who had been my age, eighteen, in the year 1943. He was exterminated in Gas Chamber One upon his arrival at Auschwitz, according to the records at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum and memorial in Israel (Yad Vashem). I walked among millions of shoes, each one belonging to a person at one time, a person just like me; a person who could have been in my family, or a person who could have been my friend. I thought about the phrase “walking in someone else’s shoes,” and I was terrified.

I remembered, like an image burned forever into my mind, standing in the midst of Sobibor, the least well-known of the six death camps located within Poland, staring at a gigantic mound of human ash and rock. I saw the ashes, the tons and tons of ashes. I had learned that one murdered soul, when burned, was equivalent to just seven ounces of ash. I shuddered as I tried to imagine how many thousands of innocent people that meant the mound in front of me held. My stomach turned, and I had to look away. Unlike my firm rock, these ashes are insubstantial. They slip away into nothingness. They seemed to whisper that we “all come from the dust and all return to the dust” (Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:20). The contrast between my rock and the ashes before me emphasized the difference between my reality, filled with hope, and that of the Holocaust victims, filled with despair.

Walking up the path, we encountered a large, rough, rusty-looking, stone statue of a woman looking up to the sky, with a child nestled at her side. The roughly carved bottom with no definitive lines made it look as if the woman were rising above her anguish. I could see the agony in her face, but her chin was still held high. She knew her destiny, yet she continued on with pride, comforting her child along the way. Her courage and strength, despite her imminent death, could be seen in the hard, stone statue. I remember standing there in awe as our tour guide, Orit, began the story of the torture, murder, and the pure evil that occurred on that very soil, and how, despite all this, the victims of the Holocaust still had hope and continued to yearn for their freedom.

…

Not Sure Where to Go From Here.

There are so many thoughts flying through my head these days, so I'm going to try to capture a few while I can.

• I recently started to run again. I have found that I really enjoy it, and I want to get to the point where I can go for long runs without too much of a struggle. The lovely Morgan inspired me by her running program in which she has made huge progress. I'm so impressed! I have reached a huge obstacle already, however, and that is that I have immensely flat feet which causes me to over-pronate. This has given me a great deal of pain in my legs almost to the point of it being unbearable. After looking into it, I have found that my gait and my arches are completely messed up - it's almost as if I don't know how to walk, which just seems like such an odd thing. Something so simple, yet it's really a challenge right now. I went to Foot Solutions and picked up a nice (really expensive) pair of supportive shoes for over-pronaters, the Brooks Ariel. So far it's helped, but I've only been walking, no running again yet...so we shall see.
• I have been doing Yoga everyday, and I have really come to love love love it. It helps not only my body's strength and flexibility, but really give me that time I need to center myself and my thoughts. It's become my "me" time, and I've also really enjoyed doing it with Morgan and Kelsey on some occasions. I really hope to continue to do yoga and truly incorporate it into my daily life.
• I realized the other night that I am scared. I don't usually feel like I'm the person to be scared, but it just hit me. I'm scared of the future and what it holds. I know I shouldn't be - I should embrace it, love the change! I usually do...so what's different now? Maybe it's because this change is bigger, more permanent. I've gone away, studied abroad, been around the world, BUT I always come back again. I always know what's waiting when I come back. As I look at jobs, and think of the possibility of moving to a new city on my own, I know I won't just be coming back in a few months or a year. It seems more permanent. I also think of the fact that I'm a young woman, a prime target. I don't have much self defense training, so what if something happens, and I can't defend myself? I guess there are always what ifs. I need to learn to face them boldly.
• Another thing that scares me...Kelsey is now in Israel! It's also just a strange feeling. She has gone on the same trip that I went on four years ago this summer. It really was a life changing trip. I fell in love with Israel, and really embraced my religion and my culture. Israel is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, but probably one of the most dangerous as well. I feel like if something happened to Kelsey, I would feel responsible, because I do think it was at least partially my experience and my love of Israel and Judaism that really allowed her religious and cultural growth to occur as well. I hope she has at least half the amount of fun I had, and makes some amazing lifelong friendships like I was able to do. I can't believe it's been so long since my first time in Israel. It seems surreal. I also can't believe that right now I have no firm plans to head back that way.
• I realized that there are a few things that I want to make sure I do in my life on a daily basis: Yoga, Ceramics, Running, Gardening.
• I have been playing Boggle and Scrabble a lot recently also. I've definitely gotten better as time has passed, but I'm beginning to think I need a break - I'm dreaming about words now! Such a bizarre thing.

Alright, I think that's about it - I'm sure there is more, but I'll be back.

Also, I'm really excited for the new Leonardo DiCaprio movie, Inception. I'm not much of a celebrity person, but Leo just does it for me.

Into the Wild.

Happiness [is] only real when shared.

-Christopher McCandless

Beautiful Song!

That 1 Guy

Just came across this the other day, and there is something about it that just sucks me in.

The End, and The Start of New Beginnings.

After four years of undergrad, I am now a Wittenberg graduate. I feel pretty indifferent to this big change and big step in my life, but I think that is mostly because I have no idea what is coming next. The start of the summer was wonderful. Abby was here for my graduation, then we went on a road trip from Cincinnati to Miami Beach and back up to Providence! It was certainly A LOT of driving, but it was definitely a fun and memorable trip. And we were able to stand one another the entire time =P After I flew home from Providence, I left the next day on a road trip down to Plano, TX to visit my brother and my aunt. We spent most of the time down there shopping for my brother's new apartment, so it wasn't the most exciting thing. And now, here I am - wondering what comes next. I've been applying for job after job, but no one seems to be biting. I've heard from a few people, but nothing super promising. I also just don't really know what I want to spend 40+ hours a week doing. Does anyone really know that?

I do know that:

• I miss throwing on the wheel. I need to find a class or a studio that doesn't have ridiculous prices so I can start up again.
• I love love love my garden. It is very calming to work in the earth. It helps me center myself and really get in touch with where I come from, where my food comes from, where I'll eventually end up. I love seeing a beautiful plant grow from a single tiny seed, willing to provide me with sustenance, with life, with beauty. I am growing spaghetti squash again, cucumbers, red peppers, several varieties of tomatoes, echinacea, green beans, eggplant, salvia, dill, thyme, lavender, rosemary, catnip, basil, cilantro, oregano, pineapple, and figs. I don't think I missed anything in there... EXCEPT for my prized plant at the moment - my elephant ear plant. It is beautiful and growing faster than I could imagine.
• I miss Abraham Berin. It feels like so long since I returned from Providence, and it's especially hard not knowing when I'll see him again. I guess that just wraps into the whole "I have no idea what my life is doing right now" thing.
• I have too much stuff. I feel so cluttered and overwhelmed by the material in my life, yet I don't know how to let go of it. Everything seems to have a use at some point, and I'd hate to waste. Also, the boxes and boxes of ceramics around my room don't seem to help - maybe I should get on selling them.

Anyway, that's about it. I need to keep reminding myself that while I have this time with NOTHING planned, I need to use it for all the things I've always wanted to do, but knew I didn't have the time.

So here's to taking advantage of free time, to loving every moment, and to finding the path that I will soon follow.

Lots of love.

When I Lost Hope, You Were There to Remind Me...

Life is a road, and I wanna keep going.

Love is a river I wanna keep flowing...

In the end, I wanna be standing at the beginning with you...

A Glimpse at My Pottery.

Over this past year, new love and passion has entered my life.  One of the ways it has is through my (sort of) newfound joy of ceramics.  I have become a bit obsessed perhaps - I spend as much time as possible in the studio at the wheel.  But I realized I haven't shared my work with many people, and what better way to do so, at least initially, than on this public space.  I don't know if anyone ever actually looks at this (maybe that's why I feel comfortable and confident sharing it on here!), but if you do...please let me know what you think about my work!

Pitcher & Matching Set of Glasses

Leaf Pitcher

Mug with Tea Bag Holder

Ash Glaze Pitcher

"Follow Your Heart"  Mug - In Hebrew - A Gift for Kelsey!

Bike Mug - A Gift for Jared!

Ash Glaze Vase (One of My Favorites!) - A Gift for Mom!

Simple Vase with Porcelain Detail 

Simple Vase

Tree Mug!

Spiral Pitcher

Tricolor Bowl

Handwashing Pitcher

Sugar/Creamer Set

Kiddush Cup

Raku Vase (My Favorite - and My Dad's...)

Neat Pitcher

Lidded Jar

Cut-out Vase

Hope you enjoyed! 

Monsignor Oscar Romero.

Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of Archbishop Oscar Romero's assassination.  Attached is an article from BBC News that may be of interest.  Enjoy!

Oh - and good news - I met with my advisory committee for my thesis, and they liked it.  Only a few changes and preparation for my defense, and then I'll be done!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8580

840.stm 

"If I'm killed, I will rise again in the Salvadorean people."

Something to Remember.

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come."

a bit from Flower Children

"they wish they could be plants and lie very still near the ground all night and in the morning be covered with tears of dew."

"the leaves on the apple trees are all turning blue.  the sunflowers in the garden are quivering, heads bowed - empty of seed now.  and the heart gets watered and recovers itself.  there is hope, everywhere there's hope."

so far it's a wonderful book.  very interesting and distinct style - but i'm enjoying it a lot!  i'm going to try to read at least a little bit every night before i go to sleep.  i think a nice book like this is a perfect way to allow me to drift off and enter into my own dreams.

Everybody.

Great song, great voice.  Thought I'd share - also, listen and pass it on.  She's in a contest - most viewers on youtube wins!  Thanks everyone :]

Pig Out.

Pig out on life - that's my message to you. We have very little time. I want them to say about me: she died on the last day of her life, no sooner. --Sister Peggy O'Neill

Despite the Awful Grammar, This Song Appeals to Me...

"where he at"

he's never where he's at

he's drifting off 

in thought

got something unsolved 

he never shares

she said he spent too long time

too long time on his own

he used to, make you, catch the moment

and take you high

to watch the caravan

he only takes

and feeds his lowest needs

looks into a book he doesn't read

she said, he spent 

too long time on his own

he used to

want you

to be close

he's never where he's at

tell him you're there

whenever he shows up

I also would really love to watch Mozart & The Whale after seeing this - Looks pretty interesting.

Sharing What I See.

-from http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/, an incredible blog!-

Beauty is Simple.

powerlinerflyers from wes johnson on Vimeo.

Music from Yann Tiersen's "L'autre Valse d'Amelie" from "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain"

As I Research.

"these hills are grasscovered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it."

the beauty "provides an ironic backdrop for the ugliness still imposed on it by human beings."

"would you still call me companero, if you knew what i know..."

Questionable.

Liberty and Justice for all?  Or Liberty and Justice for some?

Affirmation

Affirmation 

I believe in living. I believe in the spectrum
of Beta days and Gamma people.
I believe in sunshine
in windmills and waterfalls,
tricycles and rocking chairs.
And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts,
And sprouts grow into trees.
I believe in the magic of the hands.
And in the wisdom of the eyes.
I believe in rain and tears.
And in the blood of infinity.

I believe in life.
And I have seen the death parade
march through the torso of the earth,
sculpting mud bodies in its path.
I have seen the destruction of the daylight,
and seen the bloodthirsty maggots
prayed to and saluted.

I have seen the kind become the blind
and the blind become the bind
in one easy lesson.
I have walked on cut glass.
I have eaten crow and blunder bread
and breathed the stench of indifference.

I have been locked by the lawless.
Handcuffed by the haters.
Gagged by the greedy.
And, if I know anything at all,
it’s that a wall is just a wall
and nothing more at all.
It can be broken down.

I believe in living.
I believe in birth.
I believe in the sweat of love
and in the fire of truth.

And I believe that a lost ship,
steered by tired, seasick sailors,
can still be guided home
to port.


-Assata Shakur

A Prayer of Hope

"It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view.  The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is G-d's work.  Nothing we do it complete which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.  No statement says all that could be said.  No prayer fully expresses our faith.  No confession brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness, no program accomplishes the Church's mission.  No set of goals and objectives includes everything.  

This is what we are about.  We plant seeds that one day will grow.  We water seeds already planted knowing that they hold future promise.  We lay foundations that will need further developments.  We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.  

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.  This enables us to do something and to o it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for G-d's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. 

We are the workers, not the master builders, ministers, not messiahs.  We are prophets of a future not our own.

Amen."

Monsignor Oscar Romero

Painting by Gerardo Arias, My Host Dad.

Unfortunate Truth.

"Fantasy is reality if you have the guns to back it up"

United in Love, We Shall Walk Unafraid

So dont ask where I'm going,

just listen when I'm gone.

and far away you'll hear me

singing softly to the dawn.

Sculpture Babik & I Built on Block Island 

Well, here I am. Spring Break 2010, about to get started on the culmination of my studies: my senior honor's thesis. Yet, here I am. Distracted by my thoughts, deciding to start a new blog. I think that it's appropriate considering I'm about to start new beginnings as I graduate from university. What comes next? I haven't the slightest clue at this point. But I have faith that I will make my path. Things will work out. 

Last year at this time I was in El Salvador. I was exploring San Salvador, perhaps just returned from Suchitoto and El Citio, with the great news that the FMLN beat Arena for the first time in decades. The people had won! The celebration, the happiness, the laughter. It was all so incredible. But has it all made a difference? Has the hope it brought to being amounted to the change El Salvador needs?  

Celebrations in Suchitoto After the FMLN Victory

I don't know. I do know that I don't want to forget. I don't want to forget anything that I learned. Sometimes I feel like all the details, all the faces, all the smiles that I encountered in my trips to Lesotho, Israel, and Central America are fading. I don't want that. But at the same time, I must move on with life, and I must learn new things. How do I keep it all organized in my head?

Rohelio - one survivor of the massacres of the Copapayo community in 1983, El Salvador.

 Can he make sense out of everything he has gone through? Does it make sense? Can it?

My thesis is on liberation theology. I am excited to study it once again, yet it also seems like such a daunting task. I hope the end product will bring me some closure on what I experienced in El Salvador. Or perhaps it will open up old wounds, or introduce new ones. We'll see.

Painting of Oscar Romero's Assassination

"Nothing is so important to me as human life.

Taking life is something so serious, so grave -

more than the violation of any other human right -

because it is the life of G-d's children,

and because such bloodshed only negates love,

awakens new hatreds,

makes reconciliation and peace impossible."

-Oscar Romero. March 16, 1980

I couldn't agree more with those words.

Sunset on Little Corn