DESIGN BUILD BLUFF

Song: In the Backseat, The Arcade Fire
Movie to Watch: The Fountain
Working on: 3 projects for one class, 1 project where I go and sit in a Cathedral for 2 hours, not doing anything but paying attention to the architecture, and 1 research paper for Scandinavian Architecture
Activity: Rode my bike to school today (up a mountain 2 ways :) 5 miles in about an hour.
Thankful for: my camera, and new faces

One of the reasons why I chose the University of Utah included an experience unlike any other. I know have the opportunity to go down to Bluff, a town in Southeastern Utah, and build a residence for Janet Yonito, a Navajo Woman on the Reservation. Here are some photos of my experience in Southern Utah.

It started with 4 amazing girls in a Party Prius for 6 hours.Hank, our Professor

The Scorup House, in which the ladies will reside

  Some students in the program (20 of us + 3 full timers) I'm working on this one for our website possibly...

Check out our progress!

http://www.designbuildbluff.org/text/studentsblog/

D E S E R E T

"shedding of skin"

This photo was taken right before we left that Friday morning on our road trip. It becomes symbolic of a personal existentialism of letting go of the old, whether it be the physical property that I had to displace, or my emotional and spiritual sense of the land of Lincoln. For these moments that I am gone, I've left a big part of me there, my SKIN, but now it's time to bring LIGHT to the new. Plus, this photo is just plain gross looking, and if you're not grossed out a little bit by it, just imagine how close I had to get to this skin-covered tree. :)

Wyoming Windfarm off I-80
I've had so many spiritual experiences here. Maybe it's the place. Maybe it's the dream of architectural study. But I think it's the thought on everyone's mind that was chosen to be shared. Everyone's contribution in class becomes a spiritual thought, somehow tying to the care of our world, to the focus of giving other's a spiritual experience through architecture, and oddly, people sharing that most of their spiritual experiences in life were brought by experience, by lovers, and by their own children. I've realized that I have just begun. If I can continue to embrace this swelling of heart in every field of my life, whether it be school, work, nature home, activity,phone conversation, then I will be full.

KING ME

Sailing this weekend. There will always be something captivating about the texture the wind places on the sail. The out-of-control anxiety you feel when the wind changes direction and the jib sways closely overhead. Then, a brisk moment of relaxation based upon complete satisfaction. We all felt it. And then, when you feel comfortable again, you realize you aren't moving. Nothing catches. It's just one substance of matter reacting with another. Symbiosis is but a fleeting tease.

I wouldn't know what to do without it (secretly). And somehow, I'm excited to thrive on something that life throws at me so often.

Immediately upon meeting someone, you decide what that impression is going to be. You either approach the relationship with optimism or expectation, unless you have no interest whatsoever. Either way, it may not be a consious decision, but it's one that's controlled.

--> Would anyone want to answer the question: How do you think God is in everything? I had an exploding conversation on this topic, and will soon find the time to share these insights. As for now, I was hoping that I could get some other readers to contribute. 

Oh yes,  and this: Ever noticed how nicely the 2 checker pieces fit so nicely together with their alternating grooves? Yep. Spooning could be closely related. ...and that awkwardly reminds me of how much fun it is to have a roommate again! A present body to accompany, new and inspired conversation, accountability, and finally, my fridge is full.

HOW MY HEART BEHAVES

A cold heart will burst
if mistrusted first.
A calm heart will break
If given a shake

LISTS

Movie: "Life isn't just about death. It's about the living." -My Girl

Future Purchase: Chevy Volt on a Series Hybrid

Spiritual Thought:
Life is more than death. Life is mortality. It is a chosen state to which we all came into: to live a life of choice and enduring to live God's will. We are here to be tested upon our responses to our trials and blessings. We will be judged according to how much faith we show in our actions to better ourselves, and the selflessness we portray through the process. We will return again to the presence of our God, and take the experiences with us to continue serving his kingdom of glory.

HoPe:
That I will have twins. Supposedly it's our generation to have one, and my cousins haven't popped out any yet so.....maybe grandma saved those genes for me. Kind of a silly request, I know ;)

Ice Cream:Ben and Jerry's Fish Food
Provident Living:
AIA YAF Publication design editor
Designing Bamboo Furniture for the Solar Decathalon 2009 (Actually will be built)
LEED Accreditation Exam
Knitting my first blanket
Phone Calls (this one never sounds like a challenge, but it really is difficult to keep up important relationships without them! And so hard for me to talk on the phone!)
Trying to learn some piano..
Eating Healthy
Training for Half Marathon!
Keeping my Budget
and much more mental improvements....

Prayer:
I never get answers during the act of praying. I sometimes get direct council from reading scriptures, and the other portion of times am just reading to use what I learn to apply to other situations. I often receive answers by living out my life. By serving others, making educated decisions, counseling with others, and forward motion.

Friend:
Jaime Dewaele
Thanks for grocery shopping and visiting me!


Playlist:

you should see the stereogum.com mp3 player here if you have flash