perfection

As humans we can't do perfection

We just can't do it

We are not able

to achieve it

or understand it

Some are pushed to achieve perfection

but they hit a breaking point

and ashamedly claim

I failed

Some try to avoid perfection

data that is too perfect is considered erroneous

art that is perfect is not art

pipe organs that sound too perfect are boring and don't seem real

if something is perfect

it must not be real

it must not be human

How annoying

perfection

Contrasting

We like the idea that no we are not perfect

yes we are imperfect

yes 

no

true 

false

black

white

shaded circle

open circle

with a #2 pencil

We get it

But the hard part of being imperfect is that life is unpredictable

its a process

grace covers all

but it can be messy coat of primer over pealing wallpaper

following God is 

less like a multiple choice test

and a lot more like an essay test

less like baking cookies

and a lot more like falling in love

The will of God for us is not a written play of dialogue and stage directions

its a path of choosing to

or not to

love

just do it

I've been struggling a little bit about how to go about this whole blogging thing and how to transition from being an abroad blogger to blogging from a slightly more 'normal' life. My life had been a constant transition for the past month; a change of lifestyle, scenery, weather, diet, routines, habits, and perspective. My Denmark blog had a clear point and objective and I was surrounded by new and interesting things to report on every day. My blog, which I wish to continue, has a bright future and I would love to see it grow, but I want to be intentional about what I am doing and spending my time on.

I have been wanting to post for a little while now, but I've put a lot of pressure on myself to really cater to a specific audience for my blog and to write about only really interesting or profound things. Well, this whole mind set has led to very little. This year I'm also getting back in to physical scrapbooking a little by doing an art journal, and I have once again put pressure on myself only to put the best things in it. What I need to do is just do it.
So here we go.
For the sake of documenting, writing more, creating more, and putting dreams in to practice
I am going for it.
I'm going to blog what feels good and what I enjoy writing about. I'm going to take all sorts of inspiring things, doodle all sorts of doodles, take all kinds of pictures, and write plenty of lists in my journal. Just because its fun.

The way I look at it, if journaling and blogging are things in my life I want to cultivate and get better at, I should enjoy doing them. So I am going to start by blogging whatever feels good.
Funny anecdotes.
What I'm learning.
What I dream about.
What I draw.
What I make.
What I think about.
What I hear.
What I see.
How I feel.

Just feel good blogging. No pressure. I'm not sure what angle this blog is going to take, but I know we're going to share something here and it will be good and honest.

Because I believe in blogs because I believe in sharing stories. Having voices heard. Realizing you're not alone.

Kinda like a front porch.

twenty-eleven

The end of an era. I feel fairly confident saying that this has been the best year of my life. I am rarely so sure about things, but I think I can honestly say that due to the places I've lived and visited, the friendships and family I've made, and how I've grown. Its been a pretty huge year. I started the year in Hawaii and ended it in Denmark. I made some of the best friendships I've ever had. A rather prophetic friend of mine told me that the friendships you make sophomore year of college are the ones that really stick. I sure hope so. I ran further than I ever have. I loved people more than I ever have. I grew my hair longer than I ever have.  I created more than I ever have. I was more thankful than I ever have been.

I had eleven resolutions for twenty-eleven:
1. put my feet in the Pacific Ocean for the first time

check.


















2. develop blog and document more

check.
bonus points-
+being a DIS student blogger
+creating a summer book
+printing my fall study abroad blog
+scrapbooking Hawaii













3. learn more about my SLR Nikon

check.
(still in progress)
I am becoming more proficient in adjusting the size of my shutter and aperture, but I'm looking forward to taking a photography class this spring to learn even more.









4. learn a new instrument

check.
+weekly jam sessions with Addie
+starting ukulele club
+playing together at Fjeldberg this summer
+ukulele during worship at Riverside
+expanding the family to include an electric ukulele with cute tweed amp
+plus many more because the ukulele is a great friend maker :)







5. learn as much as I can about Denmark

check.
+taking the History of Modern Scandinavia at Olaf
+living in Denmark for four months
+seizing all the opportunities I could in those short four months


















6. spend more time in God's book than on Facebook
Unfortunately, I can't give myself a full check. But, in defense, faith is not about checking boxes. This year was a process, and I can say that I have more desire to seek out time with God. I read the Bible and worship because I know they make my life deeply better.

7. declare a major.

check.















8. sew something

check.
I repurposed and altered a couple of my shirts, but I'd like to do more actual sewing this next year.
+inherited my Granma's Swedish Viking
not really sewing, but I did...
+weave a rug
+knit some slippers





9. make more videos
  check.
+working on a Christmas break compilation video


10. make another children's book

 check.
Come visit me and I would love to read it to you.

11. read For the Record (book about my Grandma that my mom and her siblings wrote)

check.














Not too shabby of a year, I'd say. This also isn't to mention seeing seven European countries, running a half marathon, learning to paint, learning to speak some Danish, club club twenty-eleven, growing a ton at Riverside, rock climbing on a mountain, turning 20 with my first surprise birthday and best birthday, driving by myself to and from Chicago, skyping with Kristen 7 hours ahead of me and Addie seven hours behind me at the same time, learning to love tea, cooking a full Thanksgiving meal in a foreign country with two new friends, and seeing the entire Lord of the Rings series for the first time.

Twenty-twelve won't be without its adventures.
Here are my twelve resolutions for twenty-twelve:

1. write another children's book and send what I have to a publisher
2. make home videos
3. art journal (scrapbooking mixed with daily inspiration)
4. open and read my Bible once a day
5. actually learn guitar
6. develop blog
7. sell something I make
8. dance more
9. start forefoot running (run like I'm running barefoot)
10. run a marathon
11. paint five paintings
12. use my math homework to inspire a piece of art

Happy New Possibilities Year!

the last few days

The last few days of my time in Denmark were pretty surreal. It felt a little like I was leaving home to go back to the place I grew up. Four months is a long time to be gone, but such a short time to be here. The last few days were filled with the end of my Christmas shopping, time with friends, my Human Trafficking final, DIS closing program, and many meals and hyggeligt times with my family.

The Lego Store I had always walked past but never gone in.

I made American pancakes for my family. (Danish pancakes are more like crepes)

I even mastered my godfather's classic, the Mickey Mouse.

Thursday I went to Malmö, Sweden with Emma, Emily, and Meesoh. All it takes is a 25 min. train ride, and we're in Sweden. We spent the day shopping (fewer taxes make things slightly cheaper), eating a leisurely lunch, walking, and reminiscing about our semester.

Sneaky Sheep in Swedish!

Friday after my final I met up with Kelly (who I went to the opening ceremony with) to go to the closing ceremony.

Just some of my last views of main street Taastrup on my way home.

The bike racks outside the train station.

Waiting for the 118 bus (that I know the schedule for by heart).

Saturday my family and Lizzie's family went to another mutual friend's house to have the usual afternoon 'apple slices,' cookies, marzipan, chocolate, glügg, tea, and coffee. We also go to meat their new little baby, Agnes. (pronounced something like ow-ness)

so proud 

I'm going to miss the Danish homes with the cozy spaces and big windows.

one of the last times all together in the van

I am sure you were dying to know how my slippers came out and if they got done. I am happy to announce that I am currently wearing them as I am typing this. It took me about three months to finish one slipper, and I (Mette) finished the other one in a day. After a little struggle getting another skein of the same yarn, Mette helped me out by quickly knitting the other slipper. I folded the slippers in half and sewed them up, threw them in the warm washer for two cycles, and they were done. Mette and Hannah have matching pairs. I love them, and they are especially good for dancing around the house. I'm just missing my little dance partner.

Things I'm going to miss:

drawings

dancing (all twirly style with fluffy skirts and pigtails)

smorrebrød lunches

Saturday they put the Christmas tree up, and Saturday night they let me be a part of their Christmas. We held hands as we circled around the tree singing Christmas Carols. It was magical.

I'm not sure I can go back to twinkly lights after real candles.

We exchanged gifts after singing around the tree. They gave me a beautiful ornament that hangs in the window. Its a Rosendahl ornament inspired by the famous Danish author Karen Blixen. I gave them the painting of the three chairs and I gave the kids special coloring books. I think they liked them. They were so excited about them they didn't want to go to bed. Its nice that I know my siblings well enough that I know what they like. Hannah had some pretty precious quotes from the last couple days.

"Isn't it nice we have a lovely Julie?"

"Julie knew just what I wished for for Christmas!"

"I'm going to remember Julie forever."

.

.

.

Oh, Hannah. The feelings are mutual, sister. 

Last evening hygge time with my host parents. Definitely one of my favorite parts of the semester.

Packing up Sunday morning for my 3:40 flight from Copenhagen to Chicago.

Me and my Danish family.