Post Office

I had to mail my dad's keys back to him from Panguitch. They ended up in my bag and he needed to lock up his classroom the next day. Karli and I walked into the Post Office and set the keys on the counter.
I need to mail these.
The lady behind the counter looked at me like I was crazy. "I will need to weigh it."
Both of us waited.
She rolled her eyes "You need an envelope before I can weigh them."
Karli and I looked at each other "Well, do you sell some?"
She pointed to a shelf full of various sizes.
I picked out a good size and set it on the counter.
"It needs to be a padded one."
I switched envelopes.
She waited.
I put the keys in the bag.
She handed me a pen. I handed her the envelope.
She handed it back and explained very slowly that I needed to write the addresses.
I obliged, asking how much first class was.
She printed out everything I would need to mail my package and nearly put the stickers on before I could explain that I was only asking. I really wanted to overnight it.
She seemed to expect this and crumpled up the offensive stickers, briskly printing new ones. She seemed to take a certain pleasure in charging us more for the overnight.
..... I felt like an idiot the whole time.
I thought that Caleb would appreciate this story :)

Scholarships

Last Friday I found out that I received the Presidential Scholarship. This includes full tuition and my first year of housing.


Today, my art teacher asked if I would consider selling one of my acrylic pieces to the school. I will be selling my bike for $175. Done on a 24 x 18 canvas


When I arrived home, a phone call informed me that an essay I wrote won a $1,000 scholarship!
Here is the essay. The prompt was, "How have your experiences influenced your career choice?"


Becoming an Artist

I never sat down and decided to study art. It happened gradually, creeping into my thoughts and actions subconsciously. Until one day, I opened my eyes in order to see myself, and found a desire embedded within me.

I want to create. I want to bring joy into the lives of others by showing them the beauty in nature, and in ourselves. Through art, I find a peace within myself and a connection with others that is difficult for me to acquire otherwise.

While living in southern Utah, I learned to love the outdoors. I craved it. My sisters and I would climb trees, run through muddy fields during rainstorms, and collect red canyon dust. As I grew older, I would take long walks, craving the quiet meditation that comes with nature.

Moving to North Ogden was difficult. I searched for a way to experience that same comfort I found in the outdoors. Eventually, I found it again. Creating my own beauty, I discovered the deep satisfaction that can come with expanding our abilities.

The Frenchman, Teilhard de Chardin, once said, “Our duty, as men and women, is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist. We are collaborators in creation.”

Art brings beauty and enlightenment into my life. Drawing is a meditation that draws me closer to what my spirit craves. Creation. By pursuing more schooling as an Art major, and possibly being able to teach others, I hope to be able to pass on just a small portion of the immense joy I have found in this wonderful process of learning, hoping, doing and becoming.