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An HQ-ish August
Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Ackpt... I didn't mean to wait a month before updating ^^;;. I've been at HQ a lot lately, and here my free time justs gets swept away. In answer to Kash's question, I live in the dorms where I work a couple nights a week; it just makes things easier. It's been good, I would say. I like my job, and I love the holiness one can find everyday while working here. For one, testimonies are shared every morning and they are so beautiful... make me tear up every once in a while. Really, it's the people; they inspire me like crazy.
And where else could I go to find maniacs who want to play ultimate frisbee in the pouring rain? (We did that recently and it rocked.) Ah, and a few weeks ago, I got my first taste of programming from my co-worker John (ruby-sama!). The class was really fun since I get totally turned on by challenges and being able to figure things out. I'm really going to have to go farther with this. Speaking of John, he owns a graphics tablet and he let me use it ^_^ and I got into an artsy mood again. Nothing amazing to show at the moment, just a bit of lineart, some character sketching, and some coloring around. I also tried to cartoon the people in my department for a wallpaper for David's birthday (may his birthday live on forever!!! xD). That was fun, but very difficult—I'm starting to realize my limits. Part of it may be that at least 95% of everything I draw is from imagination, and variety in subject matter isn't quite as expansive as you might think. To say it bluntly, accurately drawing real people with so many different kinds of appearances and personalities has gotten kind of impossible for me. I need to work on this. Yup, gotta keep this one in mind.
There have been the low times... one night while I was here, I was feeling so angsty I could barely breathe (know the feeling?), so I went up to talk to Mary Kay about it. I ended up staying in her apartment for about three hours in which I was crying my head off half the time. It was incredibly encouraging though—she has this way of really listening to people and giving sincere comments and Biblical advice. Amazing how people can be such pure channels of God's love. I can't begin to explain how much better I'm feeling.
Well, it's good to be able to go home and be with the family too. The unconditional love is beyond uplifting. Another thing is hanging out with Tara! Man, we have SO much to talk about and do, whether it is anime, martial arts, DDR, programming, or art (nice combo, isn't it? xD). I got to watch the first five episodes of Gundam Seed with her last week ^_^ we got to go plein-air painting too! *blissful sigh* I'd been wanting to go plein-air painting for ages, so that was especially refreshing. Too bad the school year is here. Well, as soon as I can get around, I hope to be visiting my friends much more often.
Last week, I had the opportunity to help drive Weien from our house to Indianapolis for his music camp. It was the first time I had driven on the highway, and I gotta say, it's quite an experience driving 40 miles faster than usual ^^;;. When you're at that speed, along with all the other cars, it really doesn't seem all that fast. But then it's like... *accidentally moves wheel over half a centimeter causing the entire car to madly swing over, then brings the wheel back, causing an even more unsettling swerve*. Hehe, I think I'm getting the hang of this.
But man, I miss Weien so much. Getting calls from him has never been so exciting.
I wish I had more to share about my hero Blaise Pascal, but I really haven't had time to read. I will finish his books though! Blah!
This weekend, I'll be off to Northwoods in Michigan for a HQ retreat. I'll have to post news on that afterwards. Other stuff to look forward to... well, I shared my testimony early last month, so I don't need to think about that anymore ^^ it went well, by the way. And yeah. My church people are telling me that I should take on Praise Symphony (the youth orch) by myself. I'm still thinking about how I would this. It's going to be extremely stretching.
Quick plugs! Ka-chan, yes, "blog more often" is indeed on my mental list of things I really want to accomplish, haha. Shiowei, it's so good to hear from you. You're right, God is awesome, and I am SO HAPPY He had me meet you! Kash, cool to see you have a blog now ^^. Paula, thanks for everything; your comments rock. Weien, you're the best (as is your poetry).
So... here it is. Just about one month before I turn 18 (October 4).
I don't feel ready. :0...
8:20 AM
Comments
Ultimate Frisbee in pouring rain? I bet it makes it a nicer fall. With the ground all soft and water-logged. * Superb pictures! I like the 'bit of lineart' one best.* And 18 isn't so bad. You get to vote!*A thumbs up great post. Have fun in Michigan!
Posted by Ag at September 1, 2004 9:41 AM
Ah, the "HQ" stuff all makes more sense now.
Nice artwork there. Any way we can put that Gerudo in OekakiBBS so I can outline/color it? I feel like giving that kind of work another shot. I never did finish that Vol/'Rian sketch you started. Maybe I should finish that before I start another one, eh?
HQ sounds like a great place to work. I work at a Christian bookstore, but it is not as God-saturated as HQ sounds. Probably in part due to the fact that at least half the store is catering to teachers. But it is still the best job I can ever imagine having.
Mary Kay sounds like the kind of lady who would never be disliked. I wish I knew more people like that, but it seems that her type are in short supply in my vicinity. You are very blessed with friends, Vic.
HQ retreat, eh? In Michigan. Gonna check out the car factories? How about the Great Lakes? Maybe you could take a detour through Wisconsin and get some good cheese too. But then it would be more of a road trip than a retreat. I hope it all goes well for ya.
And that's all I'll say for now. Introduce me to Tara sometime ;)
VP Kash
Posted by Kash at September 3, 2004 8:59 AM
*in true AIM form
*"bak."
Well... actually, I'm actually still on the road- we're stopping at a Holiday Inn Express on the way home. And... actually, we're going straight from here (frankfurt, IN) to Chicago, to go rendevous at Navy Pier or something. Tada.
I can't wait to see you again. You can probably guess that I have a lot to say. Mrs Collins and Amy and a lot of other people (like Delphia as well) missed you and all "huan ying nee huay lai" (heh phoenetics).
Taught Micah some stuff like "Zhong Tee Ching de Sung Ying Zhen Mei" (the viola's sound is beautiful. But the bulk of the jaw can wait. I have a lot to catch up on myself, I'm guessing. I really missed you, especially in the last couple of days when I was feeling sort of icky and tired.
Was exceedingly glad to hear that you blogged. Which reminds me, a certain bSong craves your attention. Enjoy the tablet; your possibilites are now. limitless.
Keep channeling the power! God bless, Weien
Posted by Weien at September 4, 2004 9:55 AM
*le sigh
*I've missed your art. ^___^ Such clean lines. *LOVE
*Aa, yes. ultimate frisbe in lethal weather. seems like Victoria is getting into "X-treme" sports, heh? LOL Just kidding. But you sound like you're having a lot of fun.
What programming class are you taking? I'm in our AP computer class and learning JAVA. And I agree completely with your observation on the "challenges." It's always really cool when your program works. ^_^
Happy labor day!
Posted by Sunnie at September 5, 2004 3:32 AM
Victoria! i thought you would never post. i thought that likfe would surely end, then you posted and now everything is right with the universe. Are you ready for another unecessarily long comment? grab your popcorn, folks. you'll be in for a while.
HQ. what is that? i feel that i should no, and i feel ignorant for not understanding what that means. I know it must be related to your work, so i will try to decipher it.
HQ- Homeschool quarters. (I'm not sure how this would tie in.), Hairy Quarterback, History Quarter, Hooray Quantum, Hokey Queen, Holy Quiver,Handy Quarry, Honey Que...and i'm done. it's the best i do. but i'm sure it most be Holy Quiver or Honey Que.
Testimonies every morning? hot diggity! awesome stuff. a holy atmosphere always rocks cuz its eazier to put your mind on things of God. they make you tear off? aww you old sap. (stress on the word old, you're almost 18!! crazy man! you can smoke! how bout that, you can legally pollute your lungs!!)
ultimate frisbee in the pouring rain? sounds like a rockin time. im oozing with pink jealousy (not green, everyone says green. i say pink.)
propraming? good stuff i guess.
artsy moods rock. i got in one today, and i drew up a storm. i wish i had a real site to post it on, except id ont wish it because that would require for me to work on the site, and i have amazing amounts of laziness stored up for occasions such as that.
you have limits to your art? whaattt? no..you..dont. (okay maybe). i dont have the ability to draw things from my head. well i do every time and again, but they dont end up like your amazing works of art. they look like derranged and confused messed up stick firgures (okay sortof not really).
my goodness, you were feeling angsty and cried? ive never seen you cry. then again, i hardly ever see myself cry. rarely do i cry. well good thing MK talked to you and what not, well actually it mostly sounds like she just let God use her and how amazing is that? Rockin that your feeling better!
speaking of tara and you hanging... i never SEE you! and by never i mean not too often. its quite a shame.
YEAH too bad school is coming around the corner. i start on the 20th, and i seriously dont want to. im enjoying free time and i will have a tantrum when school starts. haha, maybe not. im tired just thinking about school. shouldnt be doo bad. thoguh im taken 3 art classes which means insane amounts of projects, plus i'm doing english and i cant write for beans (potatoes, maybe but definately not beans)
hmm..your driving sounds scary. i guess i wont be hitching rides off of you.. haha. i have yet to get my drivers license, i'll probably get it in the early spring...ahh i really want to, because my brother is complaining about taking me everywhere.
highway driving is intense, and awesome. i lvoe it except when there's construction then its phooey. (phooeying being an extremely not fun thing.)
lol, i mis weien too. i dont think the feeling is mutual....
i sortof miss reggie, not realy since i just saw him a few days ago. come to think of it, i dont miss him.
cha-ching i got a plug! now my life is complete. i can die now.
Posted by Paula at September 8, 2004 2:38 AM
Victoria! I kind of felt like...I should add myself to the collection of comments here. It was really good to see you again! I hope your di di takes my advice and goes to visit you this week. I hope next time we meet will be longer. ...I hope you have a good time still at HeadQuarters, and get in touch with lots of good friends there. :) Tell about how the Northwoods went! Shiopei was bummed about not being able to go. ...and it was really really nice seeing your family, too. :) You guys are too kind! ^^ well that is my commenting at a late hour of the day.....have a good one!
Posted by Shiowei at September 8, 2004 9:01 AM