Miss Nelson is Missing

It's true. I've been neglecting my blog. And that makes me sad because I really like my blog. My blog is my friend. And I have friends who are friends with my blog. So really I have been neglecting a giant friend blog friend relationship. I'm sorry.

I know it doesn't make it better, but I've been neglecting Facebook, too... although Facebook is more like a needy acquaintance.

It's amazing where your priorities fall when you are struggling to hold on. And to be honest, that is what is happening. I woke up from a nap one late Sunday evening about three weeks ago and, essentially, the stress of the past year kicked me in the gut. I experienced the worst anxiety I think I ever have (and that's saying a lot from a girl with an anxiety disorder) and it took the love only a mother could give to get over it.

I don't know why I do the things I do. I am constantly adding more and more to my plate. I procrastinate. I consistently underestimate the time work will take. And all the while I am thinking that this is normal... that everyone balances work, graduate school, debt, teaching an adult art class, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, chairing a committee in Junior League, and searching for a full-time job with LIFE. I rationalize this with the fact that I am single with no children so I have the time. Please. This blog is one of the only things I really enjoy and do for purely for myself, and you know the only way I am able to contribute to it today? Because I got lucky enough to not have to teach first period. That is ridiculous.

So, expect some more posts soon. To quote Wonka, "So shines a good deed in a weary world."

Even if it's just for myself.

Well, there goes my deposit.

Please note that the sauce made its way to the top of my blue chair. Delightful.

Quote of the Week

I'm having a great time with my AP Art History class right now (shhh.) I was curious, however, why so many of these obviously brilliant math and scientifically-minded kids chose to take AP Art History. The response to my query was this:

"I need the art credit. But when I draw a line, cats die."

Ok, then.

Behind These Hazel Eyes

Back in the day when I had a MySpace account, I wrote a blog about this because it disturbed me. It's really no big deal, but since this blog has pretty much become an online journal about my life, I thought I would re-visit the topic. That, and I found a picture of my eyeball when cleaning off my desktop.

Speaking of, does anyone else save EVERYTHING to their desktop? I am RIDICULOUS this way. Like, I've been clearing my desktop for about half an hour, and I still have about 120 items to go. RIDICULOUS.

Anyway, point is that my eye color has changed. I didn't think that was possible after you were 3 or so, but apparently it is, because I used to have brown eyes. I took pride in my brown eyes and blonde hair- until bleach and Britney, it wasn't that common of a combination. How times have changed.

No way am I sharing my real hair color, but here is the old girl's eye:

Another Start

I have an opportunity to submit my work for entry into a show, so I am taking Spring Break to develop an idea I've had for a while.

I took figure drawing for 3 straight semesters in college, so I had tons - probably hundreds - of drawings from that time. About a year ago I trashed about half. Now, before you kick me, you have to understand that these really weren't great drawings. No one hits a home run every time, and I am the type of artist who would rather purge the bad.

Anyway, I still have a significant amount of work... in a portfolio under my bed. What good are they there? So when I found out about this show, I decided to put my old work to new use.

To start, I've chosen a few drawings and attached them to canvas. I'm particularly excited about the texture produced from the newsprint and watered-down Elmers.

After these dry, I will take white acrylic and cover the canvas and some of the edges of the paper to help it stay in place. Then I will be painting branches and leaves on "Sleep" and vines and feathers on "Skeleton." I really can't wait to see how they turn out. I'll be sure to post the finished product. :)

From My Daddy

Not Too Proud to Beg

Ok. Here's the deal:

I need a job teaching secondary art next year.

Here's another deal:

I'll go anywhere in North Texas.

I went to my first teacher job fair yesterday, and I have to say that I pleasantly surprised. A part of me expected to be shunned because I am getting my certification alternatively, but it wasn't that big of an issue for most districts. There were a few - one in particular - that flat-out told me they didn't hire non-certified teachers. But they were nice about it. And I was able to pass my résumé out to a lot of people... get a lot of cards/contact information and info on school district-specific job fairs. It was good.

Still, I know the drill. I applied online to 17 different school districts last year and only ended up with one - ONE - interview. Yes, I started late. No, I didn't have any substitute teaching experience at the time. But it concerns me because I am about to start the process all over again...

So.

If you, my gracious readers, know of any art teacher openings at the middle or high school levels, please let me know. My lease is up this Summer, so like I said, I'll go anywhere in the DFW Metromess.

E-mail me at designelson@yahoo.com.

Thanks. :)