Independence

I spend three days out of my week talking about this topic.
I cover the facts, stating things that occurred to grant our country this privileged state of being.
I've entertained the subject as it pertains to my own life as an individual.
And I've never been more confused.

As a defined term in the English language it means: (n) freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.
I am only as free as my life allows me to be at this point.
Who has control?
Certainly not me.
And it seems to be that the more "Independent" I become, the more dependent I think I am.

I need to be a part of something.
I need to be a part of a people.
I need to belong.
And isn't that absolute dependency?

In an effort to not over-analyze this, my thinking on this topic started when my room-mate moved out.
Sometimes you don't know how important people are to you until they are gone.
And when they are gone, how alone you made them feel.
Though independent, i am still sorry.

Achievement

After working very hard for three years in a program, I was finally recognized.
I don't mean that as a bragging right, or as some vain attempt for attention...
I mean that as a complete statement of pride.
I'm proud that my University and my department honored me and my boyfriend for our hard work.
I feel as if I jumped over a hurdle.

It may be that it is one insignificant win.
It may be that I am making too much of it.
But really, I feel as if I have now proven myself to my peers, and that feels great.
The bar is set just a little bit higher now.

I will rise to the occasion.

Latex Creations

Balloons can be art too.
At least, I have myself believing that.
This weekend I made over 150 balloon animals.
I have learned how to make the following: Dogs (which have subcategories of Dachshunds, Poodles and terriers) pirate swords, daggers, turtle bracelets, flowers, hats, bears, giraffes and bees.
I have convinced myself that I am a balloon artist.

Really I am so much more.
I can not only create zoological wonders out of latex, but I can airbrush you a mean looking set of whiskers, tiger stripes, sports team logos, or anything else that can be painted on a face in 5 or less minutes.

Some people pass by and wonder, how on earth can that be considered work?
Let me educate you.
After about an hour and a half of tying knots in balloons your fingers feel like arthritis and your body suddenly smells like your skin is made of latex.
It's work...just like tedious data entry is work.

But by looking at it as art, everyone takes home one of my creations.
I guess i need to work on my portfolio...maybe a race car.