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Author Archives: Jessie
Four responses: What’s in my Bag | Jessie
In my creative bag, as I would like to call it, I have all the essentials. Most importantly, I have my macbook – crucial for any type of online creativeness, ie. blog, photo editing, graphic design. Next, my To Do List – a “must have” item to keep me on track. Then my sketch book, pencil case, and magazine folder – all self explanatory. Finally my inspiration book – like a mini sketch book, it holds all my little doodles and then provide inspiration when I’m having something like a “writers block”. Now stuff it all in my floral print Cath Kidston and I’m ready to go!
Check Out what’s in Maddie’s bag.
Pop Icon: Head Scarves
As of late I have had a certain infatuation with head scarves — you might have seen the “style” article in our most recent Almanac. The pop icon this week, celebrating the handiness and fashion of head scarves, is pop singer Rihanna. She is rocking a polka dotted head scarf tied in a bow with red cascading curls on the Westfield Shopping Centre in London. I managed to dig out a similar polka dotted head scarf for my own representation. Though it was a challenge to volumize my long straight hair, I managed to put it up in a messy beehive doo for the picture. ~ In honor of Rihanna’s red hot hair, Rachel – who was kind enough to help me – spruced mine up with a bit of color as well!
Source: (Rihanna’s quirky, red hairstyle)
Henna
When introduced to henna in my Middle school art class, I fell in love with the intricate designs, earthy smells, and natural brown, auburn and chestnut colored dyes. With the help of a steady hand and a lot of practice, I took a real interest in tattooing Henna. Though I have come a long way from where I started in Middle School, I still have a lot to learn about the art of henna and I am eager to take any chance I have to practice. On our vacation in Malaysia I got just that; I had more than enough time to tattoo all my sisters and my mom! The pictures below are of Rachel’s African inspired henna.
About Henna:
Henna is a plant whose leaves can be dried, mashed and mixed with citrus juice to make a dye. Unlike ink tattoos, henna wears off in about a week and is actually very good for your skin. Traditionally it was used mostly at weddings, to decorate the bride and groom in West Asia and the Middle East.
Boxes and Books
Our final exams are FINALLY over! It is such a relief to wake up in the morning and know that you don’t have to rush off to school or to pleasantly realize that for the next four weeks you have break! However it is not all fun and play; during this break our school is moving to a new campus (what a job!). To pull it all off schedules were made and we were “drafted” onto work lists to pack, unpack, clean, and all the other jobs included in a move. My dad volunteered to pack the library (because he has no classroom to pack). So, of course, if he signs up we are automatically “on the list” as well. Though some may think of this as a spoiler to their break, I am actually enjoying the work of packing Library books. We have the Library all to ourselves and we can listen to music or audio books as we pack. Additionally I always enjoy jobs where your progress is visually measurable. In two days we have already packed almost the whole Library and it is so satisfying for me to see all the boxes of books being slowly stacked and creating “walls” in the Library. Over this break I am expecting some work cut out for me in the packing business, but I am joyfully looking forward to peaceful hours packing and stacking.
Boxes and Books
Our final exams are FINALLY over! It is such a relief to wake up in the morning and know that you don’t have to rush off to school or to pleasantly realize that for the next four weeks you have break! However it is not all fun and play; during this break our school is moving to a new campus (what a job!). To pull it all off schedules were made and we were “drafted” onto work lists to pack, unpack, clean, and all the other jobs included in a move. My dad volunteered to pack the library (because he has no classroom to pack). So, of course, if he signs up we are automatically “on the list” as well. Though some may think of this as a spoiler to their break, I am actually enjoying the work of packing Library books. We have the Library all to ourselves and we can listen to music or audio books as we pack. Additionally I always enjoy jobs where your progress is visually measurable. In two days we have already packed almost the whole Library and it is so satisfying for me to see all the boxes of books being slowly stacked and creating “walls” in the Library. Over this break I am expecting some work cut out for me in the packing business, but I am joyfully looking forward to peaceful hours packing and stacking.
Fellowship and Friendship
At the beginning of this year teachers at our school encouraged students to start and be a part of a small group. After a powerful and moving time at Fall camp (a retreat for all the high school students each September) many students were seeking a place that they could grow in their faith and fellowship with others. I really felt called at that time to start a small group of my own because I had such a fun time doing one with Rachel last year! So I asked around and though only 3 out of the 6 girls that I asked actually had the time to do it, I was very happy that God had given me the opportunity to lead a small group. I have realized over the course of our gatherings how important it is to have a time and a place for Christian fellowship. It is so rare out side of small group opportunities that you really get to share about your faith and how you are feeling with others your age. One girl, a new student to my grade, had quickly become a close friend of mine at the beginning of the year and though I knew she was not yet a Christian, she was openly curious and seeking. She told me later that she had been moved both at Fall Camp and at Vida, a spiritual retreat, but she wanted to learn more about Christianity before she committed to anything. She has such an open heart and I am so encouraged in the fact that each time we meet she shares how surprised she is at different aspects of Christianity, like how God shows no favoritism and how He accepts everyone. I have had a wonderful time learning about God through the girls in my Bible study as well as leading the group in discussions. Most of all, I have learned the importnace of friendship and fellowship in my walk with Christ!
Fellowship and Friendship
At the beginning of this year teachers at our school encouraged students to start and be a part of a small group. After a powerful and moving time at Fall camp (a retreat for all the high school students each September) many students were seeking a place that they could grow in their faith and fellowship with others. I really felt called at that time to start a small group of my own because I had such a fun time doing one with Rachel last year! So I asked around and though only 3 out of the 6 girls that I asked actually had the time to do it, I was very happy that God had given me the opportunity to lead a small group. I have realized over the course of our gatherings how important it is to have a time and a place for Christian fellowship. It is so rare out side of small group opportunities that you really get to share about your faith and how you are feeling with others your age. One girl, a new student to my grade, had quickly become a close friend of mine at the beginning of the year and though I knew she was not yet a Christian, she was openly curious and seeking. She told me later that she had been moved both at Fall Camp and at Vida, a spiritual retreat, but she wanted to learn more about Christianity before she committed to anything. She has such an open heart and I am so encouraged in the fact that each time we meet she shares how surprised she is at different aspects of Christianity, like how God shows no favoritism and how He accepts everyone. I have had a wonderful time learning about God through the girls in my Bible study as well as leading the group in discussions. Most of all, I have learned the importnace of friendship and fellowship in my walk with Christ!
Staying Warm~
As fall freezes into winter, the chilly air slowly penetrates the thick cement walls of our apartment. You may know that here in China getting warm isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. The government sets certain day for the start of the central heating and until then we all learn how to bundle up! With several weeks between today and the day the central heat starts, we must use our imaginations to create ways of warming up. For instance I am normally irritated by wearing socks without shoes on, however now that winter’s on it’s way I wear them ALL the time! You are probably familiar with my addiction to tea; well in addition to the usual 2 cups a day, I drink at least 2 more in the winter! Though these are excellent ways of warming up, the best way to keep warm is to use water/corn pouches! Yep, that’s what I said! We have a few material pouches filled with corn and when we warm it in the microwave it stays hot for at least an hour and a half. Additionaly, my Mom recently bought us rubber pouches that can be filled with hot water that stay warm for almost as long. (Plus, the water pouches have adorable animal covers!) This is just one more way that we adapt to our surroundings 😀 ~
Tutelage
I couldn't help but title today's blog as tutelage because it is such a fun word to say: tutelage. Well anyway, I wanted to share about one little Chinese girl named Helen that I tutor English to. It usually is not that fun to tutor because all you really do is teach them grammar and spelling and such, however Helen is quite different than other children I have tutored; she is such a blessing to teach! She is one of the sweetest little girls I know. She is genuinely excited to learn and very attentive. Because she has attended a school in America for a semester, her English is very good for her age. (You know, in general, it is much more enjoyable to teach someone who already understands what you are saying.) On top of all of that, she works very hard at her homework and remembers almost everything I teach her even a few weeks after we have finished learning it. Our classes together only last for about an hour and are generally laid back because her parents are only concerned that she keeps up her English. After our lesson Helen is thrilled to have another half hour to play 'The Littlest Pet Shop', Baby Dall, or plastic animals with Megan. During the Mid Autum Festival (Moon Cake Festival) her family was so generous as to buy us a case of (expensive) moon cakes (as is tradition during the Mid Autum Festival). Additionally, when I gave her family a few of the muffins we baked that morning, she was elated and surprised to have them. I have frequently told my Mom, after Helen leaves, how much of a joy it is to teach her. It is obvious to me that it is HE who "directs my paths" that blessed me with the opportunity to teach Helen.