I'm back from Italy.
It was a months worth of brilliant art history and delicious culture.
I'm obsessed with Titian and Tintoretto now, which is always fun.
They don't have good tea over there...they don't even really have tea.
The fine art course I was supposed to take this summer was cancelled, which makes me very sad.
I bought flowers at the market yesterday and then sat on the lawn sun-bathing for the rest of the afternoon. I also bought a beautiful hand-carved stone cameo for only eight dollars last weekend.
About Me
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Goose Geese Peace
You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet.
-Hal Borland
------------------------------------
Goodmorning blackbirds! It's a beautiful day today, though a bit chilly at 5C. I can hear the birds singing through the windows, and I'm watching them fly over the lake as I write.
I haven't updated in a while, so here's what's been happening.
I've handed in a final paper for my Modern and Contemporary art history class. I procrastinated (surprise surprise) and wrote it the night before and finished it a few hours before it was due. (So, it didn't go to well, though I'm not too concerned).
It was wonderful to walk to campus again; there were lots of birds. I handed in my registration form for an art course I'm taking in Venice also, but I'm slightly concerned that it didn't go through. It's making me very nervous. This whole international travel thing is rather stressful...there is so much to do! I can't help but think things must have been simpler a few decades ago. On the walk home I saw a crow with food in it's mouth being chased by a seagull. They were making a huge racket (well, the seagull was, anyway) and swooping and diving. The seagull would make these epic dives at the poor crow. I wonder which bird rightfully owned the food...
I also got a blackberry so I can stay in contact through email when overseas. It is very expensive, but my parents insisted. I swear, sometimes I feel like we have a skewed inverse relationship, like when I go shopping with my Mom and she's the one insisting on buying more clothes while I'm saying "no, this is too expensive" or "we can't buy both of these". But it's really nice.
As you can see, it's red (we call it a raspberry haha), and it's case is a nice off-white. New technology is so exciting! Except when I realize I'm incompetent and get frustrated because I can't figure out how to turn it on.
I was also out at my parent's house for a few days. It was great to see all my babies again. My puppy, Tazzie, always makes me smile. He is so happy whenever I come through the door, and he is always doing something adorable (like piling all of his toys up into a massive heap...there are about sixty). And my parrot always greets me with an ear-piercing scream, which is actually quite charming if you're used to it. And all of the cats...they have the be the most beautiful in the world. My fat cat Carlton has gained weight, we think, but he's still as gracefull, moody, and German as usual. And then there is the outdoor birds. I realize that I need nature to make me happy. There's nothing better than sitting on the back porch in the early morning sun with a cup of tea, or with a sketchbook, and listening to the birds. It offers just a little bit of peace. In a world so dependent on technology I need to get away sometimes. I was playing with my puppy in the backyard, accompanied by two of the cats (who are best friends), and I heard the sound of geese. I looked up, and saw a flock of twenty or so fly right over my head in the direction of the lake. For the next ten minutes about five groups of them flew over me towards the lake. It was so beautiful. I don't know if it was the light, or the lake, but the evening was incredibly reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.
I have had some altercations with my Mother. She can be so shallow sometimes, and stubborn. Like me, I suppose. But how am I supposed to tell her...who cares if you can smile in passport photos! What does it matter that my photo looks bad! I don't need it redone! It's for a stupid international student card that no one is going to see! And you don't have to complain to everyone you meet that day about the stupid people at the camera shop, and make excuses for why my photo doesn't live up to your standard of beauty. There are more important things! And then my Father freaks out because I have to wait till Monday to get proof of university health insurance..."you have to go back right now to the university and settle this" blah blah blah "because I'm leaving on Monday and I won't be able to handle this" -insert nervous breakdown here- "because you'll put it off and put if off just like you did with the health insurance". God! Way to have faith in me.
And now I'm trying to regain a sense of calm, which is difficult because of all the travel stuff, plus exams, plus a general sense of anxiety over art and life.
-----------------------------
Daily Tea Quote
Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.
~T'ien Yiheng
-----------------------------
Tea of the Day
Tetley Tranquil- Fennel Passionflower
A calming blend of fennel and passionflower, with soft hints of lemon balm, lavender, rose petals and orange blossom. To relax and restore you.
From me: This has a really unique taste. I don't know what else to say.
-----------------------------
Bye bye for now.
P.S I love Buddy Holly.
-Hal Borland
------------------------------------
Goodmorning blackbirds! It's a beautiful day today, though a bit chilly at 5C. I can hear the birds singing through the windows, and I'm watching them fly over the lake as I write.
I haven't updated in a while, so here's what's been happening.
I've handed in a final paper for my Modern and Contemporary art history class. I procrastinated (surprise surprise) and wrote it the night before and finished it a few hours before it was due. (So, it didn't go to well, though I'm not too concerned).
It was wonderful to walk to campus again; there were lots of birds. I handed in my registration form for an art course I'm taking in Venice also, but I'm slightly concerned that it didn't go through. It's making me very nervous. This whole international travel thing is rather stressful...there is so much to do! I can't help but think things must have been simpler a few decades ago. On the walk home I saw a crow with food in it's mouth being chased by a seagull. They were making a huge racket (well, the seagull was, anyway) and swooping and diving. The seagull would make these epic dives at the poor crow. I wonder which bird rightfully owned the food...
I also got a blackberry so I can stay in contact through email when overseas. It is very expensive, but my parents insisted. I swear, sometimes I feel like we have a skewed inverse relationship, like when I go shopping with my Mom and she's the one insisting on buying more clothes while I'm saying "no, this is too expensive" or "we can't buy both of these". But it's really nice.
As you can see, it's red (we call it a raspberry haha), and it's case is a nice off-white. New technology is so exciting! Except when I realize I'm incompetent and get frustrated because I can't figure out how to turn it on.
I was also out at my parent's house for a few days. It was great to see all my babies again. My puppy, Tazzie, always makes me smile. He is so happy whenever I come through the door, and he is always doing something adorable (like piling all of his toys up into a massive heap...there are about sixty). And my parrot always greets me with an ear-piercing scream, which is actually quite charming if you're used to it. And all of the cats...they have the be the most beautiful in the world. My fat cat Carlton has gained weight, we think, but he's still as gracefull, moody, and German as usual. And then there is the outdoor birds. I realize that I need nature to make me happy. There's nothing better than sitting on the back porch in the early morning sun with a cup of tea, or with a sketchbook, and listening to the birds. It offers just a little bit of peace. In a world so dependent on technology I need to get away sometimes. I was playing with my puppy in the backyard, accompanied by two of the cats (who are best friends), and I heard the sound of geese. I looked up, and saw a flock of twenty or so fly right over my head in the direction of the lake. For the next ten minutes about five groups of them flew over me towards the lake. It was so beautiful. I don't know if it was the light, or the lake, but the evening was incredibly reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.
I have had some altercations with my Mother. She can be so shallow sometimes, and stubborn. Like me, I suppose. But how am I supposed to tell her...who cares if you can smile in passport photos! What does it matter that my photo looks bad! I don't need it redone! It's for a stupid international student card that no one is going to see! And you don't have to complain to everyone you meet that day about the stupid people at the camera shop, and make excuses for why my photo doesn't live up to your standard of beauty. There are more important things! And then my Father freaks out because I have to wait till Monday to get proof of university health insurance..."you have to go back right now to the university and settle this" blah blah blah "because I'm leaving on Monday and I won't be able to handle this" -insert nervous breakdown here- "because you'll put it off and put if off just like you did with the health insurance". God! Way to have faith in me.
And now I'm trying to regain a sense of calm, which is difficult because of all the travel stuff, plus exams, plus a general sense of anxiety over art and life.
-----------------------------
Daily Tea Quote
Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.
~T'ien Yiheng
-----------------------------
Tea of the Day
Tetley Tranquil- Fennel Passionflower
A calming blend of fennel and passionflower, with soft hints of lemon balm, lavender, rose petals and orange blossom. To relax and restore you.
From me: This has a really unique taste. I don't know what else to say.
-----------------------------
Bye bye for now.
P.S I love Buddy Holly.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Spring Spring Spring Spring
The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven
-All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning
------------------------------------
This morning it feels like spring again. The snow is gone, the sun is shining, and birds are flying in pairs over the lake. I might go find some sparrows to photograph.
Happy Easter!
Hooray for bunnies and chicks and flowers and spring air! And most of all hooray for a fresh cup of tea.
I love you
Hums the April breeze.
I love you
Echo the hills.
I love you
The golden dawn agrees
As once more she sees
Daffodils.
It's spring again
And birds on the wing again
Start to sing again
The old melody.
I love you,
That's the song of songs
And it all belongs
To you and me.
It's spring again
And birds on the wing again
Start to sing again
The old melody.
I love you,
That's the song of songs
And it all belongs
To you and me.
------------------------------------
Daily Tea Quote
tea leaves
tea loves
loves tea
lives tea
leaves tea?
never.
~Uniek Swain
------------------------------------
Tea of the Day
Tetley Pure Green Tea
Savour the timeless taste of Tetley Pure Green Tea. Produced in Chinese tradition, the green tea leaves are gently and carefully steamed and rolled to provide the tea’s exquisite flavour and enticing, pale green hue.
Pure Green tea - 100% Pure and natural.
From me: On a beautiful sunny day, which feels like it could be the first day of spring, what could be better than sitting down with a book of poetry and a cup of pure green tea?
Nothing.
Except maybe two cups, or three.
--------------------------------------
Later, lovelies.
Go prance about in the spring air and watch the grass turn green.
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven
-All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning
------------------------------------
This morning it feels like spring again. The snow is gone, the sun is shining, and birds are flying in pairs over the lake. I might go find some sparrows to photograph.
Happy Easter!
Hooray for bunnies and chicks and flowers and spring air! And most of all hooray for a fresh cup of tea.
I love you
Hums the April breeze.
I love you
Echo the hills.
I love you
The golden dawn agrees
As once more she sees
Daffodils.
It's spring again
And birds on the wing again
Start to sing again
The old melody.
I love you,
That's the song of songs
And it all belongs
To you and me.
It's spring again
And birds on the wing again
Start to sing again
The old melody.
I love you,
That's the song of songs
And it all belongs
To you and me.
------------------------------------
Daily Tea Quote
tea leaves
tea loves
loves tea
lives tea
leaves tea?
never.
~Uniek Swain
------------------------------------
Tea of the Day
Tetley Pure Green Tea
Savour the timeless taste of Tetley Pure Green Tea. Produced in Chinese tradition, the green tea leaves are gently and carefully steamed and rolled to provide the tea’s exquisite flavour and enticing, pale green hue.
Pure Green tea - 100% Pure and natural.
From me: On a beautiful sunny day, which feels like it could be the first day of spring, what could be better than sitting down with a book of poetry and a cup of pure green tea?
Nothing.
Except maybe two cups, or three.
--------------------------------------
Later, lovelies.
Go prance about in the spring air and watch the grass turn green.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Snow in Springtime
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Edgar Allan Poe, "Eleonora"
---------------------------------------
I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of the sparrows yet.
And do you know why?
It snowed!
All of yesterday flurries were flying. How dreadful. I love snow but not in spring. And I'm really depressed because the flowers I bought that looked like lilac or heather have died. They weren't doing so well so I put them out in the rain, but it snowed, and they froze to death.
I shouldn't buy them; they always die.
I have at my command
queen bees in boxes
and you'll see how, one by one,
they smooth out the honey
dressing up as apples,
climbing the cherry trees,
quivering in the smoke,
For you I'm keeping these wild loves
who will weave the spring,
who are strangers to weeping.
From Pablo Neruda's Repertoire. My favourite poem at the moment. Go read the whole thing (preferably the original in Spanish).
--------------------------------------
Daily Tea Quote
“The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort and refinement.”
Arthur Gray
--------------------------------------
Tea of the Day
A refreshing blend of exclusive quality teas enhanced with fruit flavour. A delicious cup of tea for any time of the day, which can be served both hot and cold.
From me: I didn't know what to expect when I bought this tea. I had tried this company before, and knew they offered an exeptional earl grey; blackcurrant sounded appealing so I decided to try it. Blackcurrant is a mildly sweet, slightly bitter fruit, and it compliments the hardiness of black tea well. The scent is pungent, sweet, and earthy. The taste is less sweet; not very complex but rich enough. This would do well as an afternoon or after-dinner tea.
-------------------------------------
Bye bye birdies.
Be happy! At least you're not a seagull flying in a snowstorm.
Go listen to some Buddy Holly, put on a pair of big frames, and play some air guitar...then relax with a cup of tea and a thick book.
Edgar Allan Poe, "Eleonora"
---------------------------------------
I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of the sparrows yet.
And do you know why?
It snowed!
All of yesterday flurries were flying. How dreadful. I love snow but not in spring. And I'm really depressed because the flowers I bought that looked like lilac or heather have died. They weren't doing so well so I put them out in the rain, but it snowed, and they froze to death.
I shouldn't buy them; they always die.
I have at my command
queen bees in boxes
and you'll see how, one by one,
they smooth out the honey
dressing up as apples,
climbing the cherry trees,
quivering in the smoke,
For you I'm keeping these wild loves
who will weave the spring,
who are strangers to weeping.
From Pablo Neruda's Repertoire. My favourite poem at the moment. Go read the whole thing (preferably the original in Spanish).
--------------------------------------
Daily Tea Quote
“The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort and refinement.”
Arthur Gray
--------------------------------------
Tea of the Day
A refreshing blend of exclusive quality teas enhanced with fruit flavour. A delicious cup of tea for any time of the day, which can be served both hot and cold.
From me: I didn't know what to expect when I bought this tea. I had tried this company before, and knew they offered an exeptional earl grey; blackcurrant sounded appealing so I decided to try it. Blackcurrant is a mildly sweet, slightly bitter fruit, and it compliments the hardiness of black tea well. The scent is pungent, sweet, and earthy. The taste is less sweet; not very complex but rich enough. This would do well as an afternoon or after-dinner tea.
-------------------------------------
Bye bye birdies.
Be happy! At least you're not a seagull flying in a snowstorm.
Go listen to some Buddy Holly, put on a pair of big frames, and play some air guitar...then relax with a cup of tea and a thick book.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Style Sparrow
I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
Henry David Thoreau
--------------------------------
It's been raining all day.
There is a hedge that I walk by everyday on the way to campus, behind a row of rusty vintage cars which have been sitting there since last summer. The branches are bare at the moment, and I'm not sure if they will ever sprout leaves. Turning down that sidewalk I hear a choir of chirping, and looking closer I see that the entire hedge is inhabited by sparrows. As I walk by they fall silent and stare out shiftily at this foreign creature. They are safe behind those branches and do not fly away. I keep walking, and as I turn the corner at the end of the block I hear the song start up again.
This happens everyday.
I've developed a bond with these little birds. They seem to be keeping a secret hidden behind those branches, tucked under their wings. It must be in their song.
I wanted to visit them this morning and take some photos, but because of the rain it didn't work out. I love the rain though; I could live in the rain. I'll be posting photos soon, so you'll see some of the little charmers. Maybe some of the ducks, pigeons and seagulls too.
I've never been overly interested with fashion or style, but it's become an obsession lately. What can I say, I love pretty things! I've come across a rather lovely little site called Stylehive. It's actually not that little: there is a mass of people and things on there and it keeps growing. I have found some adorable lovelies, truly. Everything from cute handbags to cushions to side-tables. My username is SavannahSparrow, and these are some of the things I've found: http://www.stylehive.com/myhive/saves/recent/0
Hmm...if only I could actually get my hands on some of these.
I'd be in style heaven, lavishing in a multitude of the prettiest things ever to exist.
----------------------------
Daily Tea Quote:
“May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire."
-----------------------------
Tea of the Day
Buckingham Palace Garden Party
http://www.teastore.ca/shop/store/?id=1&sub=9
This is a tea which I buy from my local tea store. It smells just like ordinary black tea, but once steeped it has a wonderful floral aroma and taste. I'm not sure but I think it might have lilac or lavender in it. If you have ever wanted to pretend you're British royalty, just dress up for high tea at Buckingham Palace, close your eyes, and take a sip!
-------------------------
Bye bye beautiful birds!
Henry David Thoreau
--------------------------------
It's been raining all day.
There is a hedge that I walk by everyday on the way to campus, behind a row of rusty vintage cars which have been sitting there since last summer. The branches are bare at the moment, and I'm not sure if they will ever sprout leaves. Turning down that sidewalk I hear a choir of chirping, and looking closer I see that the entire hedge is inhabited by sparrows. As I walk by they fall silent and stare out shiftily at this foreign creature. They are safe behind those branches and do not fly away. I keep walking, and as I turn the corner at the end of the block I hear the song start up again.
This happens everyday.
I've developed a bond with these little birds. They seem to be keeping a secret hidden behind those branches, tucked under their wings. It must be in their song.
I wanted to visit them this morning and take some photos, but because of the rain it didn't work out. I love the rain though; I could live in the rain. I'll be posting photos soon, so you'll see some of the little charmers. Maybe some of the ducks, pigeons and seagulls too.
I've never been overly interested with fashion or style, but it's become an obsession lately. What can I say, I love pretty things! I've come across a rather lovely little site called Stylehive. It's actually not that little: there is a mass of people and things on there and it keeps growing. I have found some adorable lovelies, truly. Everything from cute handbags to cushions to side-tables. My username is SavannahSparrow, and these are some of the things I've found: http://www.stylehive.com/myhive/saves/recent/0
Hmm...if only I could actually get my hands on some of these.
I'd be in style heaven, lavishing in a multitude of the prettiest things ever to exist.
----------------------------
Daily Tea Quote:
“May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire."
-----------------------------
Tea of the Day
Buckingham Palace Garden Party
http://www.teastore.ca/shop/store/?id=1&sub=9
This is a tea which I buy from my local tea store. It smells just like ordinary black tea, but once steeped it has a wonderful floral aroma and taste. I'm not sure but I think it might have lilac or lavender in it. If you have ever wanted to pretend you're British royalty, just dress up for high tea at Buckingham Palace, close your eyes, and take a sip!
-------------------------
Bye bye beautiful birds!
Monday, February 2, 2009
1 2 3
Why don't women wear dresses anymore? Screw pants. I hate pants. Why wear pants when we could all be walking about in heels and fancy hats looking like princesses?
This could be my happy place if it existed outside of magazine-land.
I agree.Sunday, February 1, 2009
O, Jackie
"(Asked what he thought of Western civilization) 'I think it would be a good idea.'"
— Mahatma Gandhi
---------------------------------------
— Mahatma Gandhi
---------------------------------------
Pearls and huge glasses, could anyone be more classy?
I have to get reading glasses, actually, which led me to think of her (that, and the slighty more morbid topic of "heroic death" in mass media from a discussion of Warhol in my art history text...anyway) and her iconic lenses.
I've narrowed it down to a pair of men's frames, which are a bit big and lined with green, and another pair which are huge and kind of ridiculous but awsome at the same time. They're more reminiscent of a Buddy Holly style.
I don't know whether to go with safe and serious, or something different. Ah, well, at least I can console myself with the fact that I am able to pull off both serial-killer and John Lennon style frames.
--------------------------------------
Tea Quote of the Day:
The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose.
~George Gissing, The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft
--------------------------------------
Tea of the Day:
Tazo Refresh
"A bracing blend of Northwest-grown peppermint and spearmint leaves with a warm
hint of Tarragon."
From me: This has to be one of my favourites, if not my favourite of all herbal teas. It is so delicious and *surprise* refreshing. If you've never had peppermint tea, you have not lived. Mmm, I am so craving some Refresh right now. I think I have one left, which I've been saving. Perhaps now is the time?
-----------------------------------
I should be doing class readings now, but I'm easily distracted. This week isn't too busy, except for my scene presentation for acting. The character is a bit stock, but I don't want to play her that way....buuuut I can't help it. I obviously didn't put enough work into it. Ah, well. Next time. My cat's coming to stay tomorrow, so maybe that will...inspire me? Haha.
I'm starting to stress myself out. Tea time, anyone?
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