A Good Book

I love to read, especially non-fiction.  I just finished the book Quiet by Susan Cain.  It was my selection for a book club in which I participate.  We focus on non-fiction books that help us understand the world and our place in it.  My kind of book club!

Quiet is subtitled The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.  The author posits that American culture idealizes extroversion to the point that introverts are left feeling inadequate and inferior.  How can you tell if you are an introvert or an extrovert?  One way is to take the Myers Briggs personality test (free versions can be found here and here).  Another way is to ask yourself how you feel when faced with the prospect of going to a party where you don’t know any of the people.  Are you excited (extrovert) or anxious (introvert)?  Although introverts can be good at socializing, they find it exhausting and they need some quiet, alone time to recharge. 

I recently developed another method for differentiating between an extrovert and an introvert.  I call it “the waiter test.”  I have a friend who is an extreme extrovert and whenever we go to a restaurant he befriends the waiter.  Don’t get me wrong, I am always friendly to waiters but this is almost a courtship.  By the time we leave the restaurant, my friend knows the waiter’s relationship status, hometown, favorite pastime, location of the closest living relative, favorite vacation spot, and plans for the upcoming weekend.  On one occasion we left with an invitation to the waiter’s cousin’s christening and gift suggestions.

From the book, I learned many interesting ways that introverts differ from extroverts.

Introverts:

• ·      Take time to think before they act
• ·      Work more slowly and deliberately
• ·      Stay on task longer and give up less easily
• ·      Tend to be more creative because they are less prone to distraction
• ·      Are more sensitive to stimulation
• ·      Are less driven by rewards
• ·      Are relatively immune to the lures of wealth and fame
• ·      Exercise less, but suffer fewer injuries
• ·      Are usually less successful in elementary school, but more successful in high school and college

I am definitely an introvert but I can act like an extrovert in certain situations, a concept that is thoroughly explained in the book.  I can’t pass the waiter test, though.  I have tried.  Recently I put all my effort into befriending a waitress and I got as far as learning that she had once lived in the same town where I went to high school.  The friendship wasn’t sustainable, though, and we parted without sharing favorite recipes or the names of our most beloved pets. 

Obviously I have more work to do if I am going to live up to the American extroverted ideal.  Room for growth is a good thing, though.  Waiters of the Midwest beware, because I want to be your friend!

- christina

FYI:  Susan Cain, the author of Quiet, has a Ted Talk about the power of introverts.

Word for 2015

I don’t like to make New Year’s resolutions.  Instead, I prefer to select a word for the year.  Selecting the right word is more difficult than you might imagine.  This word will guide my actions and decisions throughout the year so the nuance of the word is important.  After talking to my sister for about 3 hours and looking at the definitions of many words, I finally selected my word for 2015.

nurture

I wanted a word that expressed my desire to look outward more than inward.  Sometimes I spend too much time analyzing myself and I would like to focus more on my connection to other people.  I would like to be more thoughtful and more giving.  The word “nurture” expresses my desire to “encourage the growth and development of” my friends, my friendships, and also myself. 

 

flickr.com/dorkymum

Please take a moment to comment on this post and share your word for the year.  I would love to know what you have chosen to guide you through 2015.  Happy New Year, everyone.

- christina

By the way, my word for 2014 was stretch. I am happy to say that I was very successful in stretching myself last year in multiple ways – professionally, artistically, and relationshiply (I made that last word up).

For Chocolate Lovers

This was a present from a friend.
Take a closer look….

"I heart chocolate but U aren't getting any."

Drawing Class – The Finale

I have completed my 6-week charcoal drawing class.  Honestly, I am surprised by what I was able to create.  These final 2 drawings used the kneaded eraser to remove the charcoal from the paper.

Now I need to continue to make time to draw with these tools – both pencils and charcoal.  Practice is what is needed to improve so I must make time to practice! I definitely want to try using these tools on different types of papers, including papers with a painted or collaged background. Only 9,972 hours of practice left to perfect my craft.

- christina

Maker 1

My son’s girlfriend attends the same liberal arts college as my daughter, although they have different majors.  A required class for all art and design majors is Maker 1. “What could that class be about?” you are no doubt asking yourself.  Well, it’s about making stuff.

One assignment involved making 10 pieces: something that hangs from the ceiling, something as long as your arm, something made from found materials, something soft, etc.  Another assignment was to make an object that involved font (interesting that the instructor chose the word “font” rather than “text”).  My son’s girlfriend made some cool letters out of wood that had hinges so the C could also be and S or an O.

For the final project the students were given a word to inspire their creation.  The words were randomly selected and my son’s girlfriend got the word “collage.”  Lucky for her, she was able to trade with another student and obtained the word “line.”  She made a lovely book.  Here are the pages before the book was bound.

And in case you are wondering, there is a Maker 2 class.  I have no idea what those class projects might entail.  What have you made recently?

- christina

Be Present

Recently I visited my son’s high school for parent-teacher conferences. As I walked through the halls greeting parents whom I knew and avoiding collisions with others, I saw a sign hanging above an arch in the main hallway.  The sign read, “Be Present.”

“How amazing,” I thought.  “They are teaching mindfulness to high school students.”  I was very excited to imagine all the lessons on living in the present, rather than focusing on the past or the future.  What good skills these students would gain from the discussions about meditation, relaxation, and enjoying every moment as they experience it.

Then I read the very small line of print below the “Be Present.”  It stated, “Know when to unplug and connect with people.”

So the message was not exactly what I interpreted. Students are being encouraged to look up from their technology, divert their attention away from their virtual friends, in order to connect with the real people around them.  This is a message that will resonate with young people much better than meditation and relaxation.  I hope the students are listening… and connecting with the people around them.

- christina

Drawing Class Part 2 - Charcoal

Although I look forward to my drawing class each week, it’s also something I have a hard time actually getting to on time.  During this second session, I missed the first class (minor emotional crisis related to work), was an hour and a half late to the second class (had to work late due to parent-teacher conferences), and was 15 minutes late to the third class (unanticipated phone call from long lost friend).  The teacher has been very patient with me and I have high hope for the upcoming fourth class.

 

My first drawing was rushed. I finished in about
an hour and had to leave out a few lemons.

In spite of my unreliable attendance record, I have learned a lot about drawing with charcoal so far.  The most surprising thing is that I like it!  Since I am not a person who enjoys getting my fingers dirty, I thought I would dislike charcoal, but the results of my efforts have been so exciting that I don’t mind the mess at all.

For the second class we had to choose from 3 photos.
I'm pretty sure this is Gregory Peck.

I think I made Gregory look a little younger
than he actually was in the photo.
He would probably appreciate that.

Next week we are going to draw a still life by removing the charcoal.  My eraser may not survive the experience.  My son said to me yesterday, “You may have found your medium.”  He may be right!

- christina