Think

Photo Property of Leighann Kowalsky. All Rights Reserved.

This evening I spent 75 minutes in a lecture hall discussing whether or not LIFE could be found elsewhere, beyond our earth. First of all, how unbelievably loaded is that question?

What constitutes life? What is proof? Etc.

Needless to say it quickly and momentarily became a philosophy class. (just before it turned into an argumentative debate, thank you Bryan)

Beyond opinions, proof, faith, life, definitions and formulas there is an attribute that every mind must take into consideration. Every human being has an unbelievably intricate brain that processes information in an unbelievably different way. Each of us has had a life's worth of experience that forms our opinions, ideals and morals, and each of us draws from that experience unconsciously.

This is all well and good; quite lovely and phenomenal, actually.

What gets me is when I can hear the Discovery Channel Narrator talking, and not the 20-something college student. So few young people draw their own conclusions. It is disheartening to see brilliant minds just spitting back out precisely what their parent told them at the dinner table, without first digesting that information, putting it to the test and questioning it's likelihood based on one's own experience. This is the very definition of a creative mind! Original thinking!
Take every thought captive. Process, question, and for goodness sake think for yourself!

Kids Say the "Darndest" Things

Every weekday morning, I rise at 5:30AM and drive a fifteen year old girl to school. Let's not talk about why, as you will slowly learn that I don't exactly think or operate on the same level as most.

The dialogue between us generally fluxuates daily between simple complaints of her fellow classmates or teachers, and more serious, innovative thoughts. I adore the latter conversations. She is so insightful for her age, and has actually been raised to be very aware and knowledgeable of the world around her. Today's topic? Awkward.

According to "Google Definitions" (yea yea yea, I've got an old Webster's at home I promise --- I'm not completely part of the technology generation, thank you.) the very first entry for awkward is as follows: causing inconvenience. Now among other definitions such as "lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance", "hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment", or "socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner", I think the first encapsulates.

Now she came out very bluntly and said decidedly: "Is it strange if I'm awkward on purpose sometimes?" And together, we discussed why not. Here's our synopsis:

An awkward moment or situation doesn't have to be NEGATIVE, and it's nature is directly determined by the person(s) involved. It could easily be an ice breaker or a conversation starter; a moment to put everyone back on the same level of hierarchy. It's all determined by the person(s) reaction. If my fifteen year old were to trip and land on her face in front of the whole school, she could choose to be scarred for life from that awkward moment. The key is, instead, to get up and laugh at yourself.

Renovations

I've never renovated a room before. I've never even re-finished furniture before. But I'm currently mid-process in renovations of 'ma chambre' and am finding it difficult in ways I hadn't expected.

Painting of walls, rearranging of furniture and disposal of unnecessary clutter are actually the least of my trials. I have found that the bedroom is a bit of a look at the owner's soul as well. Whether they keep it neat and clean, frayed and cluttered, the color of the walls? Is the bed made? It all tells a bit about the dweller.

Well frankly, mine was a mess.

The paint on the walls had been there for 10+ years. It was never kept clean, with piles of piles in the corners. Not enough hangers to keep clothes in the closet at all times, and not enough shelf space to keep books off the floor -- not to mention the bed was NEVER made.

Of course this post has to get theoretical at some point, right? Well buckle your seatbelt. I'm growing up. And my bedroom is a reflection of that. I'm taking control, sweeping out the old -- literally scraping the scum off the walls--and applying a finish that I have chosen, and that I like. Directly relative to the paths I'm choosing in life, It's my choice, and I'll have to live with it.

(So of course as I paint-thinner the crap out of my walls I'm internally cleaning out my secret place as well --- everyone thinks I'm crazy for the amount of tears spent in painting my room.)

Character Development

Photo Credit: Leighann Kowalsky. All Rights Reserved.
Nearly every English 101 class will teach you the basics about Character Development; probably in regard to the way a character changes, transforms or just simply becomes more familiar throughout the literary work or film.

Recently, I've been working on developing a character for my own work. Her name is Tara, and she has an entire poster board of a web-chart defining parts of her life: traits, favorite things, catch phrases and silly thoughts.

I feel like Tara was born, and is growing up right before my eyes. I believe this is the most literal form of character development that an author or artist can witness, and I personally have never had quite so much fun with it before! I feel as though I am an actress about to play the roll of "Tara", and in order to do so properly I must know her every experience. The mind-blowing thing is that I created Tara, like an imaginary friend she is so real and so fake.