Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus will freeze.

And to combat the woes from my last post…

Here is a video from an incredible website that will hopefully inspire you to keep pushing forward despite the bad economy, the student loan crisis, the unfriendly job market, the people who need to shut the rknvjs up, and your own fears.

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Student Loan Crisis is the New Housing Bubble.

“The future used to be such an abstract idea.  The dream was enough, you know.  Now the future has the nerve to show up and it’s expecting us to do something and it’s not interested in giving a lending hand.”

—Glee

I personally have about $20,000 in student loans upon graduating from college.  It might be even more than that, I’m not even sure of the costs anymore.  My brother is currently paying $300-$500 a month for his loans.  As the reality of all these payments settled on me over the past few months, I have slowly found my quiet panics become louder and louder.

Our generation—the millennials—are criticized for “refusing to grow up”, “relying on our parents too much”, or “using the bad economy as an excuse for not working harder.”  But what would you do in this situation?  We live in the knowledge economy and therefore need a college education in order to prosper; however, college costs are inexplicably more expensive now than they have ever been.  In addition, job competition is gruesome these days with more educated people and less job opportunities.  We’re at a crossroads to decide whether to receive a quality education that may quite possibly keep us in debt for the rest of our lives, or staying debt-free but with very limited mobility.

Read this article, look over this website, and watch Default: The Student Loan Documentary to get a better understanding of how severe the situation has become.  The purpose is not to scare people away from getting the quality education they deserve, but instead to make the government see how students are in dire need of help and hopefully convince the people in power to give us a hand.

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Yesterday my cousin, sister, and I went walking around the neighborhood and ran into these two little boys.  They were selling what looked to be the grossest, clumpiest “orange juice” I’ve ever seen.  But they were absolutely adorable.  And when they asked us if we wanted to buy any, of course we couldn’t say no.  We didn’t have money at the moment so we told them we’ll go back to the house to get a dollar then come back.  Then they got very exciting and asked, “ALL THREE OF YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE US A DOLLAR?!?!!”  Such an excitedly innocent question that of course we had to say yes!

We came back with $3 and bought the “orange juice,” which I believe was—although hugely lacking in flavor—actually juice freshly squeezed from oranges.  My cousin asked them what they were trying to raise money for, assuming they were just going to buy a new skateboard or clothes or something.  But nope, they were selling the orange juice to raise enough money to take their mom out to dinner for Mother’s Day.  AWWWWW!  Greatest thing I have ever heard in my life.  And as of the time we left, they had made $8.  I hope they were able to make more money, but even if not, I’m sure their gesture was the greatest gift their mom could’ve ever received.  So much love in the world that can sprout from the littlest things.  I hope one day I can give my mother a gift anywhere close to what they gave their mother.

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Star Alignment.

Just to remind you—I’M GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD, AND IT’S GOING TO BE THROUGH ART.  THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.  The stars have already aligned, the world has already conspired this as my future.  All I had to do was see it.  All I had to do was put all the pieces together that I have been slowly gathering over the past few years in order to see the final picture.  And as of late, I have been getting several signs.

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Exhibit One—RISD’s Master of Arts in Arts and Design Education, Community Arts Education Track
I was looking at grad school programs that partner with an Americorps program I applied to, and I found the Rhode Island School of Design.  I originally thought about doing grad school for painting or some kind of fine arts, but after seeing the above degree option, I’m certain that is what I want to do in the future.  It focuses on teaching art for community projects and organizations, after-school programs, etc. and partners with an organization that introduces art to inner-city children as a means of expression and possible ticket to college.  This takes my love of art and combines it with helping children in poverty.  Perfect.

Exhibit Two—John Legend Concert
I’m aware of the education inequality epidemic and care deeply about the cause, but the way John Legend presented it in his speech last week inspired me on a new level.  He talked about how important the arts are in closing the achievement gap because not every student will be inspired by basic subjects to the point where they are compelled to escape poverty, but there are those who would be willing to for art.  Well, we gotta help everyone, not just the math and science heads.  And as an art virtuoso, it is my duty to spread my knowledge to those who share the same passion as me and inspire them to do big things with the arts the same way I plan to.  Duly noted, Mr. Legend. Duly noted.

Exhibit Three—ECAASU
ECAASU this past weekend was one of the most inspiring weekends I’ve had all school year.  ECAASU pretty much reassured me that art is not only needed in today’s society, but that it is the answer to how the world will change for the better.  Art is an incredibly powerful entity that spreads awareness in ways nothing else can—through visuals, music, literature, poetry, spoken word, film, dance, etc.  The arts were the reason movements were created in the past and the reason things were able to change.  So today we artists need to come together and start movements, cause ruckuses, and use our talents to improve the present situation.

Exhibit Four—This cool video.
Speaks for itself.  Watch it.  All of it.

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I know what I have to do in order to reach my goals will be not be easy, and I’m not expecting it to be.  Life’s not easy, but it’s worthwhile.  There’s no reason why you can’t be ecstatic about waking up everyday and working towards doing what you want to do.  So pay attention to the stars in your life and find what drives you.  Then work towards it.

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r-lean:

Yesterday, I went on a DC adventure with friends. And eventually we ended up at the National Gallery of Art. We walked aimlessly around, looking at portraits and paintings. We even checked out the new “Black List” exhibit, which showcases stunningly simplistic photographs of influential African…

Hi, I’m an art major, so it’s only fitting that I defend my people and my craft.

I know how you feel.  Everyone feels that way.  I also used to feel the same.  But like everything else in this world, you can’t appreciate something if you don’t take the time to learn about its history and evolution.  There is a reason why things that five-year-olds can make are worth millions, and if you take the time to learn about it you’ll understand as well.  I’m not saying you will particularly agree—I don’t particularly agree with everything—but you’ll at least give it the respect it deserves.

Visual art is like all other forms of art.  Automatically shutting off contemporary visual art and saying it’s not as good as the “more realistic stuff” is like shutting off rap and saying it’s trash compared to classical music.  Or saying hip-hop dancing is trash compared to the fox trot or the waltz. All forms of art derive from a movement, from people that felt underrepresented and wished to speak out and make a difference.  Contemporary art is the same.

In the 1400s/1500s art was almost purely made for religious purposes, and since majority of people weren’t literate, art was the only way to teach people about religion.  That’s why art from the Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance periods were all very realistic, glorifying, and larger than life—they were trying to inspire people to convert.  But as time went on, people became more literate, independent from religion, and more aware of other issues in the world.

With a more literate world came more ways to express and share ideas.  Art was no longer needed to teach and inspire.  So contemporary artists started to re-conceptualize art’s role in the world.  They started thinking about mediums and materials used, the emotions evoked from looking at a piece of art, the actual process of art-making.  And they pushed these ideas to their limit.  Artists are no longer confined to the rules of the Church; they have the freedom to use any medium, material, figures, shapes, colors, anything they want to express whatever they want.  And trust me, everything has a purpose.

Picasso, an art prodigy, once said, “It took me my whole life to learn to draw like a kindergartner.”

I can keep going forever but I’m going to stop cause this is already too long.  I hope you read through what I write and at least give modern art a chance.  There’s a lot that can be learned from it.  I promise it’s not worthless.  Like you say—to each their own.

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Day 6: Any words of wisdom/advice for anyone?

We are lucky to be hopeful and hopeless college kids.  We are young enough to have goals and dreams and naive enough to still believe they can be achieved.  We are at a crossroads between childhood fantasy and real world disappointments.  So take full advantage of this—let yourself let it happen.  Let’s worry about broken dreams when we’re 35 and have nothing else to look forward to [not hating on 35 year olds, I love old people].  But for now, let’s live.  With that said, here’s my advice to all us yougins.

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-Dream chase, always.  ALWAYS.

-Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough, or keep you from being your best.  And listen to the people that do believe in you and encourage you to be your best.  And thank those people.

-Don’t worry so much.  Life’s good.  Relax and enjoy it.  Don’t get your feelings hurt over little things, and don’t let other people stop you from living your life.

-Don’t drink too much.  It’s really fun, yes, but there are other things in life.  Find other ways to have fun as well.  And don’t black out if you’re doing community service the next day.

-MAKE BEING HAPPY YOUR LIFETIME GOAL.  AT THE END OF THE DAY NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.  I AM SERIOUS.  LISTEN TO THIS ONE.  IT MIGHT NOT SEEM RATIONAL OR DOABLE, BUT I PROMISE YOU IT IS.

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Side note:  Read this guy’s blog.  He’s dream chasing.  And its funny.  MISS YOU DGON!

Day 4: Something you’ve learned this year.

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Listen to your daddy.  Simple as that.  No matter how much he yells, how much you argue, how much it seems like he’s trying to keep you from everything in life, listen to him.  He spends his life trying to make yours perfect and painless, and that remains true in accordance with boys [I’ll go ahead and throw big bro in this part too].  He wants the best for you, and he’s going to fight you kicking and screaming to make sure he keeps that promise.  So do yourself a favor and listen to what he has to say, even if he’s yelling the entire time while he’s saying it.

I posted this song over the summer, angry and upset at my father.  Well, I take that back.  I now look at this song with a different perspective.  I know what I deserve, and—as much as I try to deny it—I have the men in my life to thank for that.
 

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Day 15: Something you’ve learned this year

quiokix:

No expectations. Its easier to live through life without high expectations of people and things. Thanks to whoever taught me that. 

I was replying to this but it ended up being too long so I’m reblogging instead.

I don’t think it’s necessary to have no expectations.  Because if you have no expectations, you have no goals and nothing to hope from people, and that’s boring.  Just refocus the expectations—high expectations for yourself and your future instead of relying on other people’s actions to define those things.  And it’s natural to expect high things from people because they deserve your hope for the best for them.  Just don’t let it consume you when they don’t “achieve” your expectations.  That’s why it’s called EXPECTATION—it’s what you expect.  The very word gives no guarantees and is implying a potential disappointment.  Expect high from people, but don’t depend on your expectations to the point where it ruins your view of things.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to change the world. Best case scenario it will be through art, that way I can kill two passions with one stone.

This isn’t a maybe, hopefully, want to, sorta, or trying to.  It’s a certainty.  It’s going to happen.  Of that I am sure.  Whether it’s the entire world, part of the world, several people’s worlds, or one person’s world.  Things are going to change for the better, and I will have a large part in it.

Get ready world, Katrina graduates in May.

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A Guide to the Best Life

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

I do this cool thing when I read books where I highlight quotes and passages I find important and rewrite them in a separate notebook.  I’m currently rewriting the quotes for The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo.  One of the best, wisest books I’ve read in awhile.  I found the quotes so moving I decided to share them here.  Enjoy!

“When I have been truly searching for my treasure, every day had been luminous, because I’ve known that every hour was a part of the dream that I would find it…I’ve discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve.”

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Following Dreams

• It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.
• When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.
• “My heart is a traitor,” the boy said to the alchemist. “It doesn’t want me to go on.”
  “That makes sense,” the alchemist answered. “Naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.”
  “Well then, why should I listen to my heart?”
  “Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you’re thinking of life and about the world.”
• But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them—the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.

Unconditional Happiness

• And when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.
• Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.
• Because I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present.  If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man…Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living right now.

Love

• You must understand that love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend. If he abandons that pursuit, it’s because it wasn’t true love…the love that speaks that Language of the World.
• You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow.
• We have to get rid of the notion of time. And when you have intense contact of love with nature or another human being, like a spark, then you understand that there is no time and everything is eternal.
  

Taking Risks and Chances

• When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.
• It’s called the principle of favorability, beginner’s luck.  Because life wants you to achieve your Personal Legend.
• There was a language in the world that everyone understood…It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired.  Tangier was no longer a strange city, and he felt that, just as he had conquered this place, he could conquer the world.
• To die alive is to take risks. To pay your price. To do something that sometimes scares you but you should do because you may like or you may not like.

World Understanding

• It is said that the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn.
• Usually the threat of death makes people more aware of their lives.
• How do I guess at the future? Based on the teachings of the present. The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children.

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Definitely recommend this book for everyone!  And it’s really short and to the point so it’s an easy read.  :)

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