So Long 2012

In 2012, I was met with grief as it was really difficult to say goodbye to my beloved German Shepherd in September. The pain of not having her a part of my daily routine left a gaping hole in my existence. I know it's a bit dramatic to say this, but for someone who is annoying and neurotic to a severe degree, there aren't many people who will tolerate my antics. Yet, for some bizarre reason, this rotund dog treated me like I was the most agreeable person in her world and was acutely tuned to my ever-revolving moods...Plus, she never shirked off my bear hugs. I miss her.

Looking back on this emotional year, I must now survey my attempt to meet the goals I set. I actually started a never-ending checklist that will not be posted because...well, it's pretty much a glorified shopping list, and I'm doubtful anyone would care to read it. (But there are tons of things crossed off!)  Ah, but here is the list of goals I made last January on LaPineDesign and how I faired.

Find a church to attend on a regular basis. UGH...Unfortunately, this was not met. Please pray for me that I find a church in my next community this spring.
Go to Moldova.  This did not happen. Instead I was able to take several classes this summer. I knew it would have been a longshot, but with God all things are possible, so I wanted to be expectant and open to the possibility.

Illustrate a children's book written by my cousin, Katie. I made a lot of sketches, but am still hoping to develop


this. I did illustrate a book that I wrote for a class. I forced myself to make the book rhyme, so it took forever. It's called The Passport of Ellen Magellen.  It's also the size of an actual passport..."And, he IS, he IS on TV."




Design www.JanaLaPine.com and launch site.  hahaha...nope.

Paint a pomegranate. I sketched a pomegranate on a canvas in hopes to paint it...Does that count? Here's the still life
photograph I settled on.

Read The Hobbit .  YES! And it was AMAZING! The film was fantastic too...don't try to tell me otherwise.



Refine the next 8 cards for the 2012 Line of Ice Box Cards. YUP! Finished these babies too!

To take a peek of the finished cards, click here.

Wear dresses more often. Yeppers! All the time!

Have a Titanic Party on April 14th, 2012. Well, this happened to be one of the highlights of my year. Thank you ladies...and dad, for making it so much fun!

Go water skiing. A clue...No.

Go rock climbing. hahahaha I know, I can't picture it either.

Record: "The Stairwell", "Photographs", "It's Christmas Time", "Sad Song", & "Overtly Overly." ha. Definitely didn't happen.

Beat my blog record from last year! (136) hmm...I reached 67. I'm okay with that.

Call my grandparents once a week.  Ah, I don't even think I made this happen once a month. You know I did call them, but I didn't always get to talk to them. A lot of voice mails. In my book this doesn't constitute as a good ol' call.

Become friends with James. I'd say there was a nice 2 week period when this was fulfilled. I don't know about the current status at the moment. This will be a carry over goal.

Draw my friends and family. hmm...haha I think I did draw Hannah early on in the year. It was a terrible likeness. I'd like to continue to work on this goal too.

Host 3 giveaways on LaPine Design. Okay, only hosted 1 giveaway.

Finish reading all the books I am in the middle of; Out of Africa, The Way of the Master, Anna Karenina (ughhhh. this is never going to happen), Sherlock Holmes: Volume 2, & Tom Jones. I'm still chiseling away at Sherlock Holmes: Volumn 2...that will totally happen. Not too concerned with finishing the others.

Make truffles. Um. I'm embarrassed to say this didn't happen. On second thought, I'm sure everyone is pleased that I didn't do this..

Be quiet. This sadly didn't happen either...working on it though.

Spend more time in prayer. I'd say this was better, but will definitely be a life long goal to spend more time in conversation with my Saviour.

Well, there's an awful amount of blue (unsuccessful) in this list. I'm hoping next year will bear favourable results. I have a feeling it's going to be crammed with a lot of accomplished goals.

Thanks for reading LaPine Design!

And have a Happy New Year!

Here's a little Mariah for you to ring in 2013:

Words.

This fall I will be a student again, yet this time I am enrolling as an English Major with a Music Minor. I'm hoping it will be useful if I want to pursue songwriting.. It definitely wasn't an instant decision. I've just never considered myself to be an effortless speaker nor someone who has impeccable grammar skills. In fact, in person, I have brain farts incessantly and am always doubting what I say, thinking it's too cliche. Plus, I'm an atrociously slow reader...so we'll see how this goes.
But at least I love words.

I always circle words I like in books or draw a heart next to ones that astonish me. If I don't know a definition of a word, I'll look it up in the thesaurus and write its alternate word in the column beside it. I have lists lying around my room of words that I've found colourful and expressive. And I frequently find myself saying , "Great word.", whenever a friend uses an obscure word I don't hear everyday.

Bottom line--I love words.

I just don't use the ones I love enough. Here's a list of words I intend to incorporate into my daily vernacular.

Betwixt - Realized this when it was used multiple times during last month's Royal Wedding broadcast.

Mustachioed - Wouldn't this be the ultimate description for some people?

Scintillating - This may be my favourite word ever.

Conundrum - James Mercer of The Shins used this in his song "Australia" years ago and I've been in love with it ever since.

Inherently - Mariah Carey used this word in her song called "Outside" which could arguably be her best song ever.  I love it, yet never use it. 

Prosaic - I think of that scene in "You've Got Mail" when Meg Ryan is trying to figure out what NY152 stands for..., "152 insights in-to-my-soul!"

Inundate- Why? Because I think it sounds prettier than 'flood' or 'overwhelm'. Don't you agree?

Opulent - Darling, because it's gorgeous.

Opalescence -Ugh. Great word.

Lustreless- It's so much more descriptive than "dull". Man, I love F.Scott Fitzgerald.

Gauche- I'm not going to lie, Robert Downey Jr. used this in a speech awhile ago. I've never heard anyone else use it.  It means unsophisticated and socially awkward. In other words, the epitome of this blogger.

Penultimate - I've heard musicians use this frequently, describing the note that precedes the last. It could be used out of a musical context though.

Coagulate - I don't even know what this means. It just sounds cool.

These words will hopefully weasel their way into my daily speech as I attempt to retire overused beauties of mine like:

Crap - As well as variations such as: crapola, craptastic, & what the crap? I'm extremely skeptical about nixing this one. It will never happen.

Pretty Cool - This phrase needs to go. I've used it 200 times too many and my Miley Cyrus teeth shan't say it any longer. I'm trying to replace it with 'Epic cool'...It's quite the battle.

You guys's- I cringe to myself every time I hear myself say this. I need to switch back to "Y'all's". Just kidding.

Shan't- see "Pretty Cool" above. What was I thinking?
 
I want to hear other beloved words. What's your favourite?

Ooh...and here's a timeless song by the Bee Gees. I promise it will throw anyone in a good mood.