birds, faith, potatoes, and randomness

When I start sharing random things on my blog, I usually talk about my weird quirky adventures or show you all photos of creepy things I've seen in public. But today I wanted to share a little something different so if you're a highly committed blog reader, got time on your hands or just bored enough to give my rambling prose some pity... read on, dear friend.

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This week at work has truly been a blessing. It wasn't that it was different from any other week. In fact, there was nothing extraordinarily new about the work environment at all. I would say that it was more of an inner feeling that bubbled up inside of me like a plump little pimple ready to pop (that's a really awkward and disgusting description and I have no idea how I thought of that and am still willing to publish it in this post). Some of you know that my job is pretty stressful considering it's my first year teaching + it's my first full-time job + I'm in a foreign country for a year + it's my first year living alone... so it's pretty crazy that I've survived this far. My coworker told me recently that when he first met me last September, he thought I was really young, energetic... and that I'd only last until December. haha! Well by the grace of God and His strength, it's Term 4/5 of the school year and I'm still here (maybe a little less young and energetic, but still kicking!) haha.

Sometimes at work  I feel like A MILLION POTATOES are thrown at me all at once (and these are rock-solid raw potatoes I'm talking about, not the buttery greased-up ones I love to consume). I suppose the potatoes are a metaphor for all the tasks and responsibilities at work but really there is no reason why I chose to mention potatoes other than the fact that I'm really hungry right now which greatly inhibits my ability to make any sense.

Well anyway, I wanted to share an experience I had at work the other day... It was actually after work and my friend and I were singing and playing guitar near the rooftop while gazing out at the amazing mountain view that surrounds our school. I suddenly thought how crazy it was that here I was in Hong Kong, in a very interesting/unique workplace where I could actually do weird things like sit on the stairs and sing at the top of my lungs with my coworkers (I mean how many workplaces can you actually do that in?!... and how many coworkers can you actually do that with?!)... Few things make me happier than being in nature singing praises with a guitar, and in that moment I remember thinking how silly it was to worry everyday when simple moments like these could fill me with so much joy. And even though I sometimes feel beat over the head with a giant potato sack full of daily stresses and burdens, I have nothing to fear because I rest in the comfort of what God promises... I was reminded of that verse that talks about birds (because ya know, I like birds!):

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?...

...Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6: 25-27, 34

Immediately after that, two black and white birds appeared seemingly from nowhere and flew across the vast expanse of sky in front of my eyes. I think this was one of those times where I couldn't stop smiling to myself because I felt so joyful, and I had one of those creepy permanent grins stuck so hard on my face that my cheeks started hurting. haha. It was a good moment. Creepy, but good.

*side note: these pictures were taken last year by my talented photographer friend, Michelle, when I made this little felt bird pin in class and she set it up for a mini photoshoot. Visit her wedding photograph website here!

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Last thing I wanted to share is this song from a one-girl + one-boy band I found called All Sons and Daughters. I'm really liking their sound and in some songs they use banjos! Anyone with a BANJO is an immediate hero in my books!

life lately

What have I been doing lately? I've been doodling on the blank covers of notebooks, sighting fat little birds everywhere I go, and hanging out with one of my favourite people for the short time we were together in the same part of the world. 

I'm back to work on Monday, but for now, I'm taking full advantage of the remaining few days where I get to sleep in until 4pm. (just kidding)... or am i?...

love + friendship is all i need.

Remember the bird doodle from THIS post? Well, with my friend's iPad, my doodle was digitally transformed with random app effects and it looks totally different from my original sketch. Then, I added two quotes that I like about love and friendship - dedicated to Randolph and to all my friends who are far away! =)

 I like how the sepia-toned + friendship quote turned out... I feel like printing it out and framing it somewhere. It would make a good poster on my blank white wall!

songbird

 This bird wants to fly right off the page of my sketchbook.

I want to sing all day long.

simple things

Just a quick post today of a doodle I drew. I actually had a quote written in the heart before, but I screwed up the words so I cut it out. I'm actually glad I messed up though because the heart looks simpler without anything inside. Sometimes artistic mistakes add a little something different and can make the final product look even better.

i made another birdie

One fine day, I found a little store selling fabric so I bought some dusty rose and cream floral prints because I was determined to be crafty and make something random. Then I went and bought some felt fabric in brown, light/dark green, and tan. Later that day, I plopped myself down on the couch and sewed for an hour to make a long twisted garland of leaves and a cloth birdie. 

sidenote: the eggs were just for decoration and were consumed shortly afterwards.

i'm like a bird, i only fly away

I love birds. (Not real birds but fake ones... bird jewelry, paintings, prints, etc.) So when I found these vintage style necklaces in a Hong Kong mall for $3CDN each, I had to buy them. 

Oh and I finally found a crochet/lace blazer - something I've been wanting for awhile now... plus a tiny hat with feathers and flowers, just for added extravagance.

AND... a bird ring. Can you tell I'm obsessed?

Oh and by the way, in my spare time I've been playing Angry Birds a lot. Anyway, all of this bird hunting made me want to draw something bird-themed. So today I decided to stay home for awhile and take some time out to DOODLE. This is what I came up with.

Since I'm living at my relative's place temporarily, I just used tape to stick them to the inside of the closet wall for now. Also, since they're like mini picture frames, I have yet to think of some inspirational/witty quotes to write inside them. Any suggestions?

Since I'm showcasing my bird addiction, here are some other vacation pictures of an area near Tsim Tsa Tsui where I just happen to be wearing my crochet blazer and posing with a giant birdcage. 

If you look carefully in the last picture, I think that tiny white dot is a shooting star in the sky... or just a piece of dust. haha.

Anyway, I'm off to play more Angry Birds... and kill some more green piggies!!!