New Sights of Old Things

Thursday, March 26, 2009

So it's been awhile and I’ve been asked a few times when I’ll start blogging about my trip to London, or at least post some excerpts from the journal I kept while I was traveling. So I guess I’ll start now.

It’s difficult for me to pick what I want to write about first. I experienced/saw/met so many things and people that had some sort of impact on a thought I had before going to London or gave me insight into a new one.

So let’s see….I’ll start with our day at Windsor. A little excerpt from the journal:

We came out of the train station looking at Windsor Castle in the distance. The flag was up which apparently meant the Queen was there. Jennifer and I tried to pick what room she might be in – Possibly just 25 feet away.

It was fun walking around Windsor and then we decided to explore new territory with our wonderful host/tour-guide/guy that always kept us laughing, Neil. So over the bridge we went and soon after found Eton College, an all-boys school famous for those who come through and then onto Oxford. They’ve also had several Prime Ministers go there.

Now this may sound terribly silly and perhaps dumb, but this is the thought that sunk into my head when walking back to Windsor from Eton:

Everything is so old here.

Now, I meant this in all seriousness and was just comparing my surroundings in that moment to what I am normally surrounded by back in South Carolina or in Charlotte. Now don’t get me wrong, if you know me, you know I’ve always had a fascination and love for skyscrapers and all types of modern architecture. But there was something different about these buildings and landmarks. And even my hometown Beaufort, which has quite an historical background, is like a baby when compared to landmarks in England.

Listen up, after a little research, I found that Eton College was founded in 1440 and Windsor Castle is like 900 years old.

I love the fact that I had the opportunity to be around something so old and historical. Thinking about what people were like when the building was new and how many different types of people have passed through and seen this same building is something that definitely keeps me thinking.

And I think I’ve decided why this is so interesting to me: Because seeing these landmarks is so new to me, yet they have been there for so long. It was like I was discovering something for the first time that’s been there for several centuries. That’s something that makes me smile- discovering something new. I’ve always had this mindset within music, now it’s just in a 900-year-old building too.

So what do you think? Do you prefer to be in a modern city like Charlotte that has history to make now? Or somewhere like Windsor where you are surrounded by history? Maybe a mix?

I thought I had this figured out prior to London, but now I’m not sure. I might just have to move every few months to satisfy this little “I need to see something new” bug I’ve gained from London.

I'll post some pictures of that day soon!

Olympics Bring Picture of Hope

Monday, August 11, 2008

Russia and Georgia’s recent confrontation has been a scary headline in recent news stories. Russian troops have occupied and taken control of their neighboring country, Georgia. Warnings of more attacks (which could lead to a war between the two countries), have been issued from Russia.

In the midst of all the craziness and violence, the Olympics (of which I am a HUGE fan of) provide a sense of hope for Russia and Georgia and any other countries that could be affected, for this battle to stop short.

In the women’s 10-meter air pistol competition, Russia’s Natalia Paderina took the silver and Georgia’s Nino Salukvadze took bronze. They stood on the medal podium, arms around each other, smiling, and waving to the crowds.

They also kissed each other on the cheeks.

They put their nation’s differences aside, embraced each other, and ultimately showed that they cared for one another in true Olympic spirit.

I think this is such an incredible picture. A picture of hope. A picture of peace. A picture of beauty. A picture of what could hopefully happen.

I think this is what the Olympics is all about (besides the USA kicking France’s butt in the men’s swimming relay after nasty remarks by the French, haha, but that’s another blog entry).

I’m really hoping these two countries can come to some agreement and this picture is giving me that hope.

Enjoy and savor this picture:

6 Reason I Love Visitng with the Avant family

Monday, July 28, 2008

1. I have THE cutest cousins ever and they always give me big, cuddly hugs.

2. I always leave with something cool. Once, a lamp my uncle built for me to put shells in, and most recently, old looking bricks I wanted to use in my room at my new apartment for bookends. They always come through with some crafty item.

3. Amazing food. I’m talking broccoli casserole, macaroni-n-cheese, BBQ ribs, and always a selection of 4-5 desserts. Mmmm

4. I love listening to the crazy, somewhat strange, accents of some family members. One aunt adds –er onto every word. For example, “I put some cheese-er onto the potato-ers to give it a better flavor-er.” I love it.

5. I have some highly-skilled craftsmen in our family. The family comes from a long string of brick masons and two uncles have continued to the tradition along with one of their sons. They create beautiful fireplaces (check out Southern Living for their work which has been featured many times), decks, and houses. Along with that, one of my uncles has recreated his grandparents house completely. He moved it to his lot, fixed the exterior, and then used the family’s actual old furniture to fix the interior. It’s quite a piece of artwork. I love looking at it all. I’ve also learned this is where my love of high rise buildings and cool architecture comes from.

6. Funny stories from my Uncle Buckshot. Yup, that’s his name and can you imagine what kind of stories come out of someone named Buckshot?

I’m sure there is more, those are just a few highlights. Can’t wait until the next little family get-together.

NYC Art

Friday, July 25, 2008

While in New York City in May with my brother, we visited, and spent much time in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). It was packed with some crazy sculptures, furniture, photographs, and artwork. All of which, I loved. I was looking back on some pictures and one piece of art stood out to me more than before. Here it is from a small distance:



You can kind of tell that the entire photograph is made of hundreds of tiny little pictures and symbols. Here are a few parts where I zoomed in a bit so you could see the symbols:




When I first saw it, I remember thinking, wow, that’s pretty cool; I can’t imagine how they did it. But now, I see something else.

Each one of these tiny, seemingly random symbols bands together with the rest to create this giant piece of art. I kind of translated that into our lives.

Sometimes I feel like I’m making no difference in this crazy world we live in (although I have much life left to live). This art allows me to remember that God is looking from a much bigger scale. I may not feel like I’m having any impact, but with all my brothers and sisters in Christ, we most certainly are making something beautiful for God to smile upon. After all, it’s not even about me.

When going on mission trips, I’ve always heard, “we’re just planting the seed. Someone else will water, give it sunshine, etc.” So even though you don’t see the final product, just know someone else is probably working at it too.

Start working with those other “symbols” around you (even though you might not be aware of who they actually are) and make some art.

Poppin' Cells

Monday, June 16, 2008

Watch this video. I cannot wait to try it! Who's in?

Let's do it.

James' Lessons

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I've been digging into James lately. And let me tell you, I was blown away by the first 18 verses and I just knew it was going to be good. Truth is, I've been reading it for a few weeks and I'm not past 2:13, because there is just so much good stuff in there.

I started reading it after I learned my small group from Rock Hill, which I left for the summer :(, was reading it too. Kelly and Jennica, our leader, are two amazing gals from my group.

A few things I've noticed:
-Be optimistic!

1:2 "Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an oppurtunity for great joy."

I've been described as an optimistic person (except for with the Braves lately), so it was nice to read this. And I can easily apply it to the health problems with my dad.

-Do not divide loyalty.

1:6 "But when you ask him [for wisdom and guidance], be sure your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind."

Wow, strong image. If your loyalty is in the world too, the world is just going to toss you around. I can easily see the consequence, yet it's still a concept that I struggle with. I also think this verse relates to motives behind actions. Why do I ask God or seek God in some certian situations? What are my thoughts behind them?

-Just do it!

1:22-25 "22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.23 For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

Don't just listen to God's word, do it! This relates back to something I learned while in New Orleans: "Go after it" was a quote we used often. Don't complain, but act on it. Nehemiah didn't just complain about the broken wall, he prayed about it, acted on it, and began to fix it. Listening and talking alone can get us nowhere.

-Care for those in need.

1:27 "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

Refuse to let the world currupt you. Don't divide your loyalty.

Free (and legal) Christian Album

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

I came across this link on Free Christian Music’s blog that advertised a free album, not just one song, but the entire album for free! Woohoo!

So, entire your email and start downloading Wide-eyed and Mystified by Downhere. I was pleasantly surprised. They have a great sound. Here’s a clip of them if you want to to listen to them before you download. Just click here to download.

Enjoy!




(It downloads as a zip file, so just be sure to extract the entire folder just after downloading)