Judging Creativity

So to start this post, I typed 'creativity quotes' into Google, thinking that that was where my opening sentence was hiding. So there I was reading all these quotes that the internet had to offer and then I realized I was looking for words on creativity, and by doing so I had found creativity. No matter the medium, whether it is art, writing, music, or whatever else makes you share yourself with the world- that is creativity. I got inspired to write this by getting up somewhat early this morning and heading out to paint a canvas inspired by Jacob Lawrence(see some of his work here). While I was finishing up, my mom joined me and exclaimed, "Oh my god, that looks amazing!" When she said this I couldn't keep myself from smiling as I tried to brush off her comment lightly. As I looked at my painting I saw accomplishment- I had made this and in my opinion and at least one other person's, it looked good. 

I've been thinking a lot about creativity today. It started with my painting and was fueled by some Instagram stalking of a few random people at my school. I'm easily distracted, so while learning all 44 United State's Presidents with this cool story trick, I began scrolling through  random profiles and instead of being bored with pictures of feet and super-edited cityscapes I tried to think about why this person had posted this. Was it for attention or was it to share the feeling that had come to them in that moment? I began to wonder if what we 'share' with the world verbally, physically, or digitally is just another aspect of creativity. I also found some really amazing pieces of art and design skills while scrolling and I compared them to pictures of friends and muffins. Did making that piece of art,like I did this morning, have feelings comparable to how those people felt with their friends or their accomplishment over making actual food? Later in the day I was on the phone with my Grandpa(it was his birthday- Happy Birthday!) and he had been working on a renovating my grandparent's house in Oregon and I had been telling him about the little random things I'd done today,when he said, "Well people have to do something each day to make it seem worthwhile." 

Explain to me this: Is making a painting more worthwhile then making a memory with family or friends? In this situation, you could say no- chances are my painting is not going to change the world of art. What if I ask: Is doing charity work more worthwhile then making a memory with family or friends? Does your answer change? If it does, then why? Many would argue that the charity work is helping more people and is unselfish, but what if it's the last time you can see a member of your family? Now does that change things? What people choose to do with their lives, whether it's making muffins and posting them on the internet, whether it's hanging out with your best friend, or whether it's helping the world should not be judged on the first layer of information. Every outlet of living is creativity and there is almost always more then what meets the eye. 

I feel down about myself when I do nothing. When I sit at home and do not stoke the fire that is my life, but at that moment it is what I wanted. I'm focusing on being a better me. A me that does not look at someone and see the lack of achievement, but instead sees the little things they have done and the potential in them to do, to create. I want to apply this to myself. I wrote, "Be a Better Me, " on a Post-It the other day. That is exactly what I want to do. I don't want people to jump up and say, "You are such a great you now though!" Sure, I guess I'm okay but I could be better, I could be smarter, nicer, less judgmental, or fitter. However, so could a lot of people. I want to view myself and others as worthwhile and notice them for their creativity and potential, not for the little they have done that I can see. Everyone has a story, everyone has dreams,and everyone has creativity that is valuable to mankind, no matter how grand or seemingly unimpressive. Jewel. 

Oops! I Didn't Write...

No I haven't been too busy to write...and yes I've had a few key things happen to write about. However, I just didn't write. You can call it writer's block or maybe lazy girl syndrome, but it was as simple as I didn't bother. I previously wrote I was going to write about my Christmas shenanigans... and surprise surprise I did not. However, I'll tell you the wonderful, exciting news right now....WE GOT A PUPPY! Her name is Zephyr or Zeppy for short and she is 10 weeks old, as of Friday. She's the most adorable chocolate lab you've ever seen and I'm sure there will be a million photos of her posted on this blog in the future.
Anyway, that news is super exciting and I can't wait to get back in the blogging world! I have high hopes for 2015, for not only for myself but for everyone! 2015 already promises me a driver's license, Prom, and getting to see Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco in September with Anya. I'm not going to be as cliche to say, "New Year, New Me", even if that's what everyone likes to think. I want to say it's more the new year gives people a solid starting point to better themselves and the world, but I personally enjoy "New Day, New Me". I prefer this mantra because everyday is a day to better ourselves and move ourselves forward. Well enough with my nonsense ramblings! I'm happy to be back! Jewel.

FINALS FINALS FINALS

FINALS FINALS FINALS = STRESS STRESS STRESS

Hey Guys! I'm just dropping in before I document my Christmas Shenanigans next week, to talk about the loveliest part of every semester- finals. I'm not gonna lie, I'm no champion of stress, no don't-have-to-study tester, however, I get everything done in the end-occasionally after some very snarky behavior, too much junk food, and maybe some tears. I got two finals down- so if you want to check out a pretty amazing presentation on why you should go to SDSU, I have one! I still have three lovely finals left to cry study for hours over. So I'm gonna make this short and funny and leave you with some hilarious finals pictures, courtesy of the internet. Jewel.
P.S. I have a HUGE surprise next week for everyone, *cough cough* new member of the family *cough cough*(and for those of you who know, SHHHH)

Wish this could be my attitude towards final but I just care too much

May the evens ever be in your favor- Thanks Olan

Because it's final weeks and who doesn't need Ryan Gosling cheering you on!

Sweet Sixteen

"It's easy to impress me. Just good friends, good food, and good laughs. I'm happy. I'm content" -Maria Sharapova

As I write this a little over a week after my birthday party, I can't help but smile because somehow my party had been everything I hoped it could be and yet nothing how I dreamed it would be. I had an fantastic time, full of friends and good cheer, and I can't help smiling just remembering it! When people think of sixteenth birthday parties, you might think of a packed room, the music's beat, and a crazy party revolving around you. You might think of a few friends spending the night-full of laughter and too much candy. However, you could also think like me and want exactly in between-a good number of friends, great music, and plenty of laughter! However, I also wanted to fulfill my life-long dream of a black and white masquerade ball! Okay well...there wasn't much dancing, so you might not call it a ball. However, a masquerade ball sounds better than a masquerade party so we're sticking to that. After spending a large majority of my October break (the week before) planning to every minute detail, my party had finally arrived!
Due to my nagging OCD, I got a lot of eye-rolling from my mother when I went- "That doesn't match.", "No, that gold thing cannot be above the window with that banner", *Let's take everything off the table I just planned and redo it because there's too much red on one side* However, the decorations came out just as I wanted them too!

Tasty Table full of food!

I might be overly proud of my piano decorations

Allons-y had too much fun with all the balloons in the house

Once everyone started to arrive-to a very excited, but very nervous me. We let the games begin with 20 Questions,  a great icebreaker if you wanted to know. After taping a random person(and one eiffel tower) to the backs of everyone and people guessing: Benedict Cumberbatch, Romeo, Shakira, J.K. Rowling and ummm what's her name...Marilyn Monroe, we moved on to eating...or a lack there of. For some weird reason people decided eating wasn't important and I was left with a surplus of overly sweet food + junk food. Next, I directed people over to my homemade photo booth; where 47 goofy pictures were taken and now will just have to be cherished forever!

We're basically some musket-wielding Charlie's Angels or something

How adorable are these lovely ladies!

Sam- who somehow looks gorgeous while being goofy

A hostage!

Classy and Sassy

Can I hear a Wild West Whistle?

                                                 

Alex looking like some gallivant prince until you see that his damsel isn't distressed, just crazy

Christina - "Lollipop Lollipop oh lolli-lolli-lolli-POP, Sam-"I'm Beautiful! Anya- "I have a rat! Isabella-"I'm getting leaned on...LOOK GORGEOUS!

She finally escaped!

'The- I'm- only- 90- pounds- please- take- this- picture- quickly' face

I'm smiling, but also getting a gun held to my throat....hmmmm

The picture that makes me laugh way too much!

When your evil villain face is really you just laughing...

After some low-key talking time, that included sitting on the floor around Alex talking about books and filling out memory note cards about yours truly we decided to play "the peach ring game'(I'm mostly calling it that because I'm unsure of the actual name). This consists of everyone standing in a circle with toothpicks in their mouths and a peach ring and trying to get the peach ring(a candy) from one toothpick to another without using your hands. This results in some intimate moments and pictures that I won't post here; I'll only post the less embarrassing ones.

It's harder to play this when you are shaking with laughter

This is obviously the reason they started dating the next week... Yo' Welcome

Alex: "I cant' do this!" when Tessa is all focus

I feel like my birthday party ended up becoming this nerdy get-together including book talk, an argument over whether Phantom of the Opera is scary, a tragedy, of a romance(obviously it's a tragic romance), and outrage over an insult against The Fault in Our Stars.  I love that, on the majority, my friends felt comfortable enough with each other to put up with the silly games I picked out and for the most random aspects of my party(and myself).

When 'Baby, I love you' gets out of hand...

*Mingling*

Da' Boys

"Hey, girl, Hey"

Honestly, this is basically my favorite picture of the party...

"Ayyy' Sexay Laday"

My face says it all-"I'm having my Sweet 16!!!!"

Adorable we are- Adorable is us.

After playing 'Baby, I love you' which is actually the best game ever and included some very creepy sayings,inside jokes("Can I have yo' number?!?!" "You're looking sexy, don't ya know"),a lot of laughter, and of course embarrassment it was cake time which eventually led to presents...

After noticing Anya take notice that this is my "Are you really doing that?" and "What did you just say?" Face 

Me: Look at me candy Anya: "Okeyyyeye"

When you give Megan you're camera you should expect a scary floating Alex head or the 'Demon American Boy'

This sweater is soooo soft, I luv it. (Thanks Shae-Shae)

I also received these homemade letter from Anyay of our Friend name.

Each letter stands for M-Maddie, Megan, Myra A-Anya, Alex J-Jewel, I-Isabella, C-Christina, Chris, K-Kaely, S-Sam, Sabrina, Shaelyn. I can't wait to find a place for these letters on my wall! I also got some amazing presents from other people- including a CD from Alex, pictures from Isabella, tea from Megan,adorable Consulting Detective-Blogger friendship knecklaces from Christina, and a truck from my dad! Although I can't drive just yet I will be rollin' around in a Short-bed Sierra GMC white Truck! Ahhhhh! Well I appreciate all of the presents I got from everyone and want to say a big Thank- you to all my friends and family for coming and helping with my party and just basically being overly sweet to me on my birthday! Lots of love and hugs to everyone for making my birthday spectacular! Jewel. 

"Fantasy and Reality Often Overlap"

As I slowly got past the shock that it was already October, that I had 47 birthdays to get gifts for, and I was going to be *gasp* sixteen; Homecoming Week came sneaking up on me with an amazing 'Wonderful World of Disney' Theme! Disney is obviously the most amazing theme ever for no other reason than Disney=Life! The week before a poster was put up to let everyone know the spirit days...

Sadly, this sign was wripped down about a day and a half later due to the inaccurate 'Class Colors' for Friday. Corrections: Freshmen- Green(because they're 'green' to the whole idea of Homecoming) Sophomore-Blue, Juniors(that's me!)-Red, and Seniors-Blue. Excited for school spirit days as ever, my friends and I started the week by digging out our Minnie Ears!(Ironically enough I got my sparkly pair of ears the same time of last year's homecoming)

"I only hope we don't lose sight of one thing...it all started with a mouse" -Walt Disney

When you're commanded to do a funny picture and you all make funny faces while thinking of making funny faces...

"He loves me, he loves me a lot, he loves me, he loves me even more!"- Minnie Mouse

After a very fun Monday('IT'S A MONDAY'), chock full of polka dots, bows, and adorable Minnie/Mickey matching couples, we decided to not even try the next day and just roll right out of bed!

Aren't out pajamas the sexiest thing you ever did see?

Apparently our pajamas make us so tired we can sleep standing up...

If this isn't the sassiest, sexiest group of potatoes you've ever seen then you're lying to yourself!

Yes, Kaely and I wore onesies to school; yes, I did get laughed at multiple times; and yes, we were dying of heat stroke since it was 90 degrees in October! I vote for changing pajama day into pajama year! Anyways, on Wednesday it was 'Goofy Day' and I 'goofily' forgot to take a picture, but I can tell you that it involved a lot of crazy prints; sparkly and colorful tights; and mismatched, knee-high socks! Next we head on over to Thursday a.k.a 'Dynamic Duo Day', where I couldn't find a dang thing to wear but my friends did and made up for any neglectfulness of my school spirit with their amazing outfits!

Introducing...Flynn Rider and Rapunzel(after her hair cut)

The love here, ladies and gentlemen, is practically 'towering' over any other love.

"Frying pans...who knew right?"

*cue the awkward prom pose*

After the adorable spectacle Anya and Christina were...we leaped right into Friday and wore all the red we could find! I was decked out in red shoes(from seventh grade), red polka dot tights(that my sister owned before me and you can see in the above photos of 'Minnie Day', a red dress(from eighth grade), and a red vest(from the 80's). 

The whole school squeezed into the gym for the Homecoming Rally. At my school, we sit according to class in the bleachers, so each area was a different color and it ended up looking pretty cool, if I say so myself. 

The cheerleaders had a colorful tunnel to go through as you entered the gym.

And pretty soon the whole place was filled with the BruiNation!

The Freshmen Class

The Sophomore Class

Not the best picture, but I was in the midst of it!

My Junior Class won the most spirited of the week, and there was no surprise there due to the fact our whole Junior section was a sea of red! Our amazing band played throughout the rally and sounded fantastic and later our choir sang our Alumni/School anthem, which although cheesy, is mostly adorable!

Meanwhile, there was tons of games and videos being played, our Homecoming Court was presented and promptly embarrassed, and our Football team huddled up and got everyone pumped for the Homecoming Game that night!

I also have to include the amazing locker sign my fantastic friends Anya and Megan made me...complete with baby pictures and the most embarassing picture of me(see bottom left-hand corner). I also want to thank my lovely parents for taking the time to make and put up signs in front of my school wishing me a happy birthday!

BONUS: each of these opened up to say something! Cuteness overload!

That night I headed to the Homecoming Game to see out amazing floats!(don't want to brag but ours was the bomb!) We beat Foothill in the JV game and in the Varsity Game at 40 to 6! GO BRUINS! 

Freshmen - Snow White

Sophomores - Monsters Inc.

Second half of Sophomore float

JUNIOR FLOAT! - Peter Pan

Come on, you can't beat a ship!

Seniors- Toy Story

We had a great time at the football game- drinking hot coco, eating funnel cake, and cheering for our team. 

Doesn't Isabella look like the fish from that Disney Channel show 'Fish Hooks'

On Saturday, Anya, Christina, and I went to the Homecoming Dance where the decorations were amazing! Sadly, Isabella wasn't feeling well and couldn't come but I hope she's feeling better! After a long and strenuous  process of finding a Disney character to be, I invested in a tutu and some mouse ears and became a girl mouse from Cinderella!

"Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day, it's Cinderelly"

"Got any CHEESE?"

If it isn't a Lost Boy and Wendy I see!

I had a wonderful time dressing up for Homecoming and having a great time with my friends! I hope everyone else had a fantastic time too and if your Homecoming hasn't happened yet you have as much fun as I did and if it's already passed(whether by a few weeks or multiple years) you had a great time! Jewel.