burger blessings

The other day, my friends were trying to guess how many burgers I draw in a year... I said that I probably drew 15 this past year... they guessed I drew 50-70. In retrospect, I think they were probably right. I probably think of burgers so much that it has slowly become second nature to doodle them by default. Clearly, I'm obsessed. For Christmas this year my mom actually got me a burger-shaped chew toy meant for DOGS... (thanks? Or should I be taking offense? haha). 

So anyway, when I was supposed to prepare a Secret Santa present this week, not surprisingly the first thing I thought of drawing was a burger. In my defense, the present wasn't for anyone specific so that's why I decided to give the gift of art + burgers = two things that are very dear to my heart. haha. 

The verse on the burger is from the Bible and it's a good reminder for me of all that God has brought me through and all that I've accomplished through trusting in Him. When I rely on His great plan for my future instead of my own strength, I am constantly amazed at all the opportunities that He opens up for me - better than anything I could have ever imagined for myself. That being said, I think there's a misconception that if someone trusts in God, everything is all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows everywhere but that's definitely not true. Relying on God is an ongoing learning process and obviously there have been times where I think, "Oh man... everything in my life is sliding into slug slime" (or something equally atrocious). Everyone goes through crummy times in life. But personally speaking, when I am able to reflect on all the blessings I've received I am reminded that God continually provides - from little luxuries like amazing burgers to bigger things like deeply-rooted relationships and moments of inexplicable joy and peace. 

I'm sure 2012 was full of ups and downs for everyone but whether you believe in God or not, I encourage you to think back over the events of this past year and reflect on all the blessings you've received. That way, when life smacks you in the face with a bucket of slugs (can you tell that I really dislike slugs?) you've got a batallion of blessings to remind you that you'll be okay.  

I'd love if you would comment with a few things that you're thankful for from this past year. It could be a momentous occasion or a little surprise that warmed your heart... like the one I received today! I had just ordered a drink in the Starbucks drive-thru line and I was pulling up to the second window, ready to pay. The cashier opened the little glass window and told me that the lady in front of me had already paid for my order and wanted to wish me a Happy New Year. That really made my day to receive such a simple, kind gesture from a complete stranger so I continued the chain and paid for the person in the car behind me... and hopefully it kept on going (until of course someone orders $100 worth of Starbucks... hahahaha). But really, I have to say that whoever started the chain of paying for a stranger's coffee is just awesome and deserves a burger and an awkward slow clap that turns into a standing ovation.

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Anyway, let me know in the comments below... what blessings have you received this year? 

=)

-Laura

My new job!

Oh my goodness! I had SUCH a sleepless night yesterday because I've been way too excited, so I might as well share the good news... I got a job!! :) And, even though I haven't even started working, I have a good feeling that this is a job that I'll love. 

I feel so blessed because it's a job teaching children at an art studio! I just want to share a little about how I even got the job because it was such a learning experience for me... in taking the risk to try something new. 

My degree is actually in Education but after my first year of teaching, I felt like something was missing. I did enjoy some aspects of teaching in a classroom environment (for example, eating "candy chalk" and fooling all my students into thinking it was real) but my mind was constantly thinking about what it would be like to have a job related to art. Of course, I didn't want to be too picky because I know the purpose of a full-time job is not necessarily to "have fun"... but I've always thought that if I'm going to dedicate so many hours of my life to working, I might as well work at something I am passionate about - something that I honestly, truly enjoy. It was tough though to even think about attempting to "change fields" because I have a wedding to save up for next year, but Mr. Potatohead and I talked it over, and we agreed that if there was any time to consider different job options, that time would be now. Honestly, knowing that I had his support helped so much in giving me confidence to start looking for jobs outside my comfort zone and not just jumping at the first random job I got (I actually first applied for a teaching job and got the position, but declined it). So, even though I didn't have an actual Art degree and I still had a whole lot of self-doubt, I started applying to art-related jobs instead of more teaching jobs.

Another thing you should know is that I'm a Christian, and for me, I have experienced so many clearly-defined moments in my life where I felt God had provided opportunities for me even when I doubted that any opportunities even existed. So this time, I just trusted that God would provide and during this period of job uncertainty (and a potential change in career!) I felt strangely at peace. I can get discouraged pretty easily and become self-critical but this time around - even though I wasn't even qualified for 90% of the job postings I looked at - I wasn't disheartened. I knew I just had to be patient. Finally, I found a posting for this particular art studio and applied. It's actually a miracle I got the job because although I seem to have a natural inclination towards art, I definitely didn't have the techniques and post-secondary art training that other candidates did. But after three interviews where I got tested on my painting and sketching skills, I got hired!!! I'm so glad they took a chance on me, and I think part of why they chose me was because of my teaching experience (IRONICALLY).

It's amazing because this job is a combination of both teaching AND art. As pictured below, in my  mind this somehow turns into a crazed psycho art teacher covered in paint holding a stereotypical teacher wand. HAHA. But really, that IS probably what I'm going to look at my new job, minus the teacher wand. I stayed up late to draw that cartoon because I couldn't sleep anyway! :)

This post has been quite long but I've actually already shortened my whole ESSAY OF A RAMBLE into this abbreviated version! Honestly though, I'd love to share with you in more detail if you're interested, so send me a personal email if you have any questions or if you want to know more... about anything, really! 

Or, just leave a comment below to say hi! It would totally make my day if you commented below with the phrase, "You're one crazy monkey!" That will prove to me that you are super awesome for having read this far, and it will confuse everyone else who only skimmed over this entry. HAHAHA. DO IT. Please? :)