LOL, Moses.

(Two blogs in kind of one day. Hold the phone!)

Art History right now is like a Bible History class. It's kind of strange, because I'm used to religion classes where the teacher doesn't have to say "Christian theory states..." before every sentence, but it's actually very interesting, and I'm learning a lot. Like the fact that everyone used to think Moses had horns.

I never knew this, but I feel like it's something I should have known.

This statue on the left is Moses by Michelangelo, and the statue on the right is Moses from the Well of Moses by Claus Sluter. Both with horns.

My (totally hilarious but entirely creepy looking) professor asked if anyone knew why. It was the first Bible related question he had me stumped on. Some guy had the answer, who said he learned it in Sunday school. I went to a Lutheran school for 13 years and never knew this!

I will let the words of a wise Yahoo! Answers topic explain this odd mistranslation,


"The statue depicts Moses with horns on his head. This is believed to be because of the mistranslation of Exodus 34:29-35 by St Jerome. Moses is actually described as having "rays of the skin of his face", which Jerome in the Vulgate had translated as "horns" (See Halo). The mistake in translation is possible because the word "karan" in the Hebrew language can mean either "radiated (light)" or "grew horns"."

I don't know why this is so fascinating to me. It just took me off-guard.

Now, Obamalama.

Obama is coming to my hometown, and no one really knows why.  As in, he's flying to Wisconsin, driving to my city, and then leaving Wisconsin. It was just announced this week, and he's coming next week. My city has like 34,000 people in it. It's not exactly a city that the president spontaneously makes a trip to.

Apparently we're giving him a "special gift." What does that even mean? Do cities do that whole "Key to the City" thing for Presidents? Or are we talking like, iPad special? Maybe it'll just be some beer and cheese. Oh, look... I just ignorantly stereotyped my state. My bad. Haha.

Why I didn't just combine these two ramblings, I am not sure. But I didn't, so now here it is. Moses and Obama for your reading enjoyment.

Off to bed. Goodnight, moon. :]

No One Likes You, Wire. Go Away.

Today, in my favorite class (subject matter wise... some golden learn-nothing-screw-off-the-whole-time classes in high school can never be beaten) we had fun with clipping masks in Adobe Illustrator. He told us to keep playing with them to get used to it and such, so I went straight to old photos of the HP trio. All afternoon I've been making things like this. Oh, Harry. 

Now, I want to talk about Facebook. Facebook has officially been around long enough for us to look back at our first years on it and say, "Man, we've changed!" Friends are becoming numbers instead of acquaintances, messages go back to days before we realized we didn't actually know anything at all, and old wall posts journal inside jokes we've long forgotten about.

Facebook has become, in a way, a journal of my upper teenage years. The thing is, I like looking back at my journals. I like reading about the time I slipped and fell in a puddle in front of the cutest boy I had ever seen or the time I stayed up all night making muffins and dancing to "Circle Circle Dot Dot." But, besides the "View Friendship," which doesn't even go back as far as your first days on the site, Facebook has no archiving system.

Come, on Facebook! Has this ever bothered you before? Maybe I'm just sounding too "addicted." But, whatever. 

Now, one more thing. Every time I enter the library, I remember I need to ask someone this question, and then I forget. So, I will ask several people at once. Our library has a revolving door and two normal push doors on either side. On the push doors there are signs pointing to the revolving door that say, "Save energy! Use the revolving door!" HOW, dear friends, DOES THIS SAVE ENERGY?! Am I just ignorant? I really don't understand. Okay, that's all.

I have to sculpt wire again tomorrow. I don't want to touch wire ever again in my life. I hate everything about it. BAH. Mr. Good Hands said we may be working with clay soon though. This will feel like playing with jello compared to the awful no good terrible wire. 

I Am, Indeed, Female.

Song: Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine

Now, I feel like I fantasize about the details of my wedding day less than other girls. This may be because I don't want anything huge and elaborate. Or whatever. But I when I came to college last year, I found myself surrounded by a few girls who knew exactly what style of ring they wanted (including the knowledge of different types and diamond cuts) and serious opinions about the different type of dress cuts (tops, bottoms, and waistlines.) Well, I guess I've looked at wedding dresses once or twice. And I've known I want an ivory dress. But, today...

Today, I met a dress.

And we fell in love.

                                                    

HELLO, MY NAME IS ALLYSON AND I WANT TO GET MARRIED BECAUSE OF YOU.

Sigh.

Someday.

Anyway.

I bought one of these thanks to calenders/planners being insanely cheap after the first of the year. It's a Moleskine planner. I love it. We may be attached at the hip. I'm notorious for not keeping up with any one planner for more than a month or two. I am in love with iCal, but I use that for more to-do list stuff, and there's something about a physical planner that just makes you a tad giddy inside.

Also, my friend let me borrow Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I've always always wanted to read this book, so I am excited. Have you read it?

This semester is interesting. I have two classes, a World Civ class and Art History, for which I actually have to read all of the assigned textbook reading. I know, this doesn't sound abnormal. But really? I am not a textbook reader. Ever. I use it to study for texts and take quizzes, but throughly read and comprehend? Hardly ever. I do what i need to do and read what I need to read! So the fact is, this semester I need to read all of the assigned reading for these classes to get a good grade. Oh, the annoyances of life.

... which I should be doing.

Sculpting, Dimples, Smiles, and Hands

Song: "You Make Me Smile" - Kyle Andrews

"I like that rainbow pair of gym shoes that you wear.

I like the chance you take. I like the mess you make.

I don’t know why I love you. 

I just know I can’t stop thinking of you

Oh wait... 

It’s cause you make me smile

You always make me smile."

Syllabi days are awkward and overwhelming.

This morning I trudged through tons of unplowed snow in pursuit of my first class of the day, "3 Dimensional Design." It is a required class for my Graphic Design major. You tell me, blog readers, what you think this class is. Computer graphics, right?

Wrong. Oh so wrong. 

If only I had realized this before I entered my "classroom" - a giant sculpture art studio.

"Sometimes people seem to have the idea that this is a computer class when it is, indeed, a sculpture class." - Todd, my "collaborator"

So there I was, trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I was going to have to be able to sculpt things for a grade. I mean, I didn't think this would blow my mind too much, but the more he talked the more it did. This isn't like ceramics. I'm not making useful objects. I'm making abstract sculptures, like the ones that look like butts and lips and kitchen tools that make you ask yourself, "Why?!" Yes, I'll be doing this. For this reason, I began to fear that it would be an entire semester of pretending. Pretending I have a reason for twisting the wire that way or gluing the object there. Pretending I have a goal for my piece, to hopefully cause the observer to feel a certain emotion.

Sculpting. I mean, think about it. It's cool, but never ever have I thought about doing it myself. Even when I decided to dive in to this art major thing. Ceramics, pottery... sure. But wire and metal and pliers and wood and nails and objects that make no sense, but really they're supposed to? Oh boy. 

Today we had to analyze a clump of snow outside. I mean I get it, I do. But sculpting! I've just never had to think about it personally before.

I think I'm being brainwashed. I may never be able to cloud watch so innocently ever again.

My teacher is fascinating, though. When I wasn't freaking about about the class, I was kind of analyzing him. Wondering about his life. This is what I learned: He has the best hands I have ever seen. Large, sturdy, flawed, flexible, large-knuckled sculpting hands. He picked up some clay and was molding it effortlessly as he talked. He's married to a woman who loves books (but he wasn't wearing his ring -- assuming it's a sculptor thing), has four little kids whom he adores, and he has displayed his sculptures in so many different countries. He is first a foremost an artist, and wishes to be our "collaborator" not a teacher. He doesn't particularly like speaking to groups of people, so he always is doing something with his hands with clay or some material. Those hands, I tell you, are good hands.

And he has dimples.

Anywho. Then I went to my drawing class. I feel so out of my element in these classrooms. Not because I don't want to be there, just because it's so different, and I never had proper experience with all these art student things that normal art students know. Like, the desks in this room were arranged in a circle with a platform in the middle of all of them. The seats attached to your drawing easel-type thing were like saddle type seats. When I sat down, the girl next to me was sitting side-saddle. To me, this seemed more proper and less... awkward, so I did also. However, all the people across from me were sitting saddle style. This is something I will have to get used to. Also, I must always remember to never get holes in the crotch region of my pants. This would make for a excruciatingly long 3 hour class period.

Let's just hope I don't have to draw naked people... this is a art student norm that I wouldn't get used to. Or even be good at, for that matter. Really.  I'd be like Lena in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 when she's faced with this. But then she dates him. This wouldn't happen. (Although a girl who I really liked in my last art class said her boyfriend is a nude model for the life drawing art classes here. She said it pays really well. Okay, no thanks.)

But I, again, am fascinated by my teacher. He young, rather short, attractive, and fascinating. He has his BFA in Printmaking and BA in French. He spent a few years teaching at universities in France and Scotland. He got his masters while in Scotland and took more classes in France. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a great life game plan.

Neither of my teachers today are stereotypical looking artists (disheveled, eccentric.) They just look like put together upper 20 - 30 somethings. I am quite glad I enjoy the two teachers I am spending 6-12 hours a week with.

Sigh. So many thinks in one day.

New Year.

Resolutions.

Nope. I can't think of any.

Well, glad that's out of the way!

I got a new camera. He is my new best friend. He takes sweet pictures like the one up there. I am learning new things about him every day. I love spending time with him. Why do I compare everything to relationships. This is not normal.

I am using him to help me create my portfolio for the transfer scholarship. I need to create 10 more things by January 29. Oh my lanta. If anyone wants anything made for them (cards, posters, image collages, banners, anything!) seriously let me know. Making things for fake companies isn't as fun.

Also, I got Toms for Christmas. I'm pretty excited to wear them, but I definitely don't want to wear them in the slushy snow. They need to look nice and new for the summer. Oh, summer. You seem so distant. Come to me.

(I'm sorry if you clicked on that link. All of your ads online will now solely consist of Toms, taunting you until you go crazy.)

You know how you see someone with a nifty tied scarf and you wonder how they tied it? My friend and I often wonder this. One day, after seeing a rather fun scarf tie and instantly wishing I could do it, I remembered that there is this device called Google just waiting to be utilized. So, I finally did that, and now I can tie my scarf like a pretzel! I don't know if I like it, but it sure does look impressive!

School is back Monday. I tried swatting it with a stick, but it didn't go away. I am determined to make this semester fun, though, since it is most likely my last semester there. Most of my classes are Art classes, though, so this is good. Are your classes good?

There was this song on the radio. I know, how cRaZy. But really, I kind of liked it and didn't recognize the voices. Then I heard it again, and they still didn't tell me who it was. So (i was driving) and quickly typed some lyrics to ChaCha. I typed, "All I wanna do is trade this life for something new." I didn't have time to type, "What song are the lyrics ... from?" But, I thought I'd try anyway. The guy from ChaCha texted back, "Well, I just got a new mug, wanna trade?" This made me smile. I want to work for ChaCha. Anyway, I looked the lyrics up online and found out it was a Linkin Park song. Really? Linkin Park? Really? Well, I like it, and it's called Waiting For The End. Have you heard it?

Okay, just thought I'd post this little ditty.

Hope all is well!

Merry Christmas... is that okay?

lol.

Two years ago I read a book called Dateable. It was a buzz of conversation with the staff I worked with, and I was literally hearing reviews across the board. My opinion on the book could fill another blog post entirely, but I want to talk just a little about one of the chapters. It's titled "Way It Begins = Way It Ends." It talks about how if you start things fast and furiously and find yourself jumping right in to a relationship, the end of your relationship will be the same way. You may not see it coming, it will be sudden and short. It will hurt a lot at first, but you'll usually be able to fully get over it in due time. If your relationship develops slowly, the end will come slowly, as well. It will be painful for a long period of time and be quite difficult to fully get over without giving it plenty of time.

So, naturally, let's talk about Christmas.

I'm not talking about the true meaning of Christmas, I'm talking about the season. I feel like Christmas season is like a bad relationship. First of all, it starts slowly, which is good and fine! The problem is that it ends like a brick wall. This is not how I (well, we!) are built to emotionally handle things! On the 26th of December it becomes no longer to engage in any Christmas cheer! Decorations go from festive to tacky in a mere 48 hours! And before you know it, mentioning Christmas is as unacceptable as wanting to discuss Hitler!

I feel like it's the ex-boyfriend of a friend that you're not allowed to bring up at certain times, when at other times all she wants to DO is bring him up. You know how it goes, someone in any month besides December mentions a countdown to Christmas and suddenly you can hear the whole room audibly groan and glare at you. But noooo, in December if you express any distaste for the season people react as if you had just stepped on a basket of kittens!

I feel like this would be extremely confusing to someone from a culture who doesn't celebrate Christmas. They come to the U.S. having prior knowledge about how much Americans love Christmas. Then they mention it in conversation, have less than enthusiastic responses, and are embarrassed until someone helpfully whispers, "We don't talk about that right now." Kind of like when you're with a group of friends you haven't seen in a while and you ask a friend about a boyfriend who, God forbid, just had a horribly messy breakup with that friend. Everyone kind of just shuffles their feet and looks at the ground until someone kindly whispers to you that they broke up.

One time, in second grade, I started humming Jingle Bells. The teacher said, "It's not Christmas season!" I think she wanted me to stop. I don't think I did. Why is this so unacceptable?!

Now, I'm not asking for it to be a social norm for Christmas trees to be sold in April and Santa to be in malls in June. I'm simply asking to take my sweet time getting over the Christmas season. We all get over breakups in different ways. This season started slowly for me, so I need it to end slowly. Slowly, I will listen to less Christmas songs. Slowly, I will drink less eggnog. Slowly, I will stop watching Christmas programs. Slowly, I will get over the fact that nobody kissed me under mistletoe (speaking of, does anyone actually put mistletoe up in their house?) Remember how we enjoyed Christmas? Yes. It never did anything to us. We need not be haters.

Then WHAM. Here comes the rebound, New Years Eve. But the rebound ends as fast as it starts. Seasons are like relationships, people. I'm tellin ya. We're just doing Christmas season wrong.

Sigh. I'm going to go find an open fire and roast some chestnuts on it. You know, CHRISTMAS season stuff.

I hope you all had wonderful Christmas celebrations. Go listen to a Christmas song. :]

We're Your Worst Nightmare, Elves With Attitude

Since I Have Been Home on Break I : A List

- have been in a giant, scary snow storm.

We weren't home, but when we did get home, we were told that the power in our neighborhood had been out for 13 hours due to a branch falling on a powerline in our backyard. Well, it turns out it wasn't just a branch. It was more like 1/3 of the tree. Whoopsie. Sorry about that, neighborhood. I apologize for any sour food, loss of christmas cheer, or lost time otherwise spent shooting bubbles on your desktop. [picture]

(Also, here's a link to the roof of the metrodome (Vikings stadium in Minnesota) collapsing, just because it's... well... an epic fail. [oops] )

- spent a good amount of time with the nephews

Andy turned 1. :]

- started reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I'm quickly taking full advantage of the fact that I have no assigned reading (and very few friends home yet), and may read whatever I please at whatever pace I choose and retain whatever information my brain happens to retain without overanalyzing.

- watched a ton of Gilmore Girls

I really, really, really enjoy that show.

- had a sleepover with the best friend

Enough said, i think. :]

- watched Going The Distance, again

(Drew Barrymore and Justin Long)

Loved it, again. decided Justin Long can and does get cuter even when you are convinced it is not humanly possible for more cute to spew out of that boy.

- kind of unpacked

- made birthday plans for friday

Artsy/random/fun day with the best friend in the city to celebrate that the day that I turn a new unimportant age.

- got this scarf in the mail for my birthday

... from an awesome awesome person. It's even prettier in person, I promise. It matches everything. :]

- had more egg nog than probably healthy

- was reminded of the fact that I had a very large crush on this elf from The Santa Clause

... and probably still do. I think I can comfortably call The Santa Clause my favorite Christmas movie.

- found out Zac Efron is single, seen Miley Cyrus smoking a bong and learned that the sales of saliva, the drug in the bong, have skyrocketed since the video leaked online, learned that Kate and Charlie from lost dated each other in real life, and found our that the girl who plays the accordion in Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros plays Katherine in Greek.

Phew. Pop culture is exhausting.

That's all I've got for now. Keep me updated, I'll do the same!