Tuesday, September 12, 2006

inspiration is infectious


some days
are
just good.
some days
you're
flying.

i learned my
little
nephew's name.

introducing...
jonah
conrad...

now
i will be
stenciling
whales
from here to
kingdom come!

i also got one
of those
emails
from my
advisor
that
gave me
the inspiration
i need
to get through
the next
10 days...

some days,
even during
rough times,
life can
remind you
it's all good
and
it's all
worth it...

like a healthy
baby after
a 48 hour
labor.

i teach
ecology
and evolution
and
sometimes
i get sick
to death
from of
the disinterest
and boredom
of students...

but some days,
like today,
when they
were naming
the caterpillars
and asking
me question
after question,
i remember
why i love
to teach.
i remember
that its
those students
that give
me energy-
when
i am inspired
they are inspired.

inspiration
is so damn
infectious.

when
someone
makes
something
beautiful,
it inspires
others
to make
beauty too...
isn't it
strange
how
infectious it is?

speaking of
inspiration...
i received
this incredible
package
from lisa
(who is
a constant
source
of
inspiration)...

i am
overwhelmed...

all the
perfect
tags...

the paper
i love so...

and my
favorite,
one of
her polaroids
and a
target!

what did
i do
to deserve
such
amazingness?
lisa,
thank you
so......!!!!!
........................

i am already
terribly behind
this week
with everything!
i promise
friday finds,
a very late
teeny-tiny
monday
give-away™
,
and
a
collection collective
all rolled
into
wednesday...
but for now
i have
to try
to
fit sunday
and monday's
accomplishments
into tuesday!

15 comments:

lisa solomon said...

hmm lets see- what did you do?

YOU are a source of contstant inspiration... and that is certainly more than enough reason!

enjoy! so happy about the little punk and your advisor and good questions about catepillars!

f. pea said...

yay! good tuesday. happy auntie!

Eero said...

Little Jonah will get many fabulous little whales. Ooohhh, how exciting.

You inspire me, G.

When will you see the little punk for the first time?

Anonymous said...

Oh congrats on little Jonah!

I can SO understand your feelings on inspiration. I love that moment when you find someone or something new that is such an inspiration to you that it is a complete rush! I love those moments in time, they are internal perfection ;)

And speaking of amazing inspiration, your package! is fabulous! I can't believe she drew perfect little drawings of caterpillars. I just think she nailed what you love so well. I'm just so amazed by the drawings lol!
I'm glad your students are being sources of inspiration to you, I imagine it's a great reminder of why you do what you do ;)
xoash

Anonymous said...

Oooh, i took my girls to the Melbourne Museum last week and they LOVED the bugs. So many live bugs crawling around and an amazing collection of bugs pinned to boards (like in your pic).

Carson said...

like ashb, i too can empathise with the frustration/inspiration teaching thing. i teach theatre design & modelmaking to undergrads. It's priceless when you know they might just follow your suggestions and find out more stuff, when you feel you've boosted their esteem and critical faculties.
But when you get those waves or bored cynicism flowing off of them..it's hard.
that package is gorgeous btw!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet little picture of a "sweet little piece of humanity" (as my mother said when she saw my kids for the first time).

I would imagine it would be a constant challenge for a teacher, keeping yourself and your students even reasonably motivated. Thank goodness there are ones out there, like you, willing to do it, my kids thank you especially! I really mean that!

And that package from Lisa, I'm at a loss to describe how envious I am at the target piece.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Lisa - you are a constant source of inspiration to us...
Jonah - means 'dove'...
Continue to be inspired Aunty G..
10 days....and counting :) xx

stephanie said...

you are infecting me with your inspiration right now! thank you.

Anonymous said...

I agree... inspiration is infectious. I feel the same way after wandering through the studios at uni, looking at all the drawings, paintings and collages in the various stages of completion. It always makes me want to get back to my own work, to be in my own studio space.
And, Jonah is a marvellous name...
Looking forward to seeing those whales {with their caterpillar friends) take shape.
see you, g

Anonymous said...

Hi Gwen,
You're quite right with the infectious inspiration observation. Congrats on auntie-hood as well.
Cheers, louise

Anonymous said...

congrats Auntie Gwen! what a beautiful boy! i visit here often, full of creativety and inspiration!

Anonymous said...

congrats on the nephew! i love the name jonah. that package is delicious! Everything is so thoughtful. I too loved your pics of catepillars. Thanks for sharing the beauty!

Whitney said...

wow! it's no wonder you got that funky package: you're an inspiration too! (i'm so glad i found your blog!) that new little punk is lucky to have an auntie like you. congrats!

cheers! =)
-whitney

Anonymous said...

beautiful name - looking forward to many, many whales :)
lisa´s art is so very fabulous!!