Creative Wanderings

Academic Chops

I decided to enter my thoughts into the HERA (Humanities) Conference for 2013. Why?? I don’t know. I guess because parts of me miss academia and I knew my prior research fit will with the topic of sacred site/secular spaces. I may or may not be accepted… I’m sure they give precedent to actual scholars in school. And with the fee’s I’d pay as a non-student… not sure I’d accept the invitation. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Here is my conference proposal.  Ancient and Present Rhythms in Tap and Irish Step Dance Thump-thump. Thump-thump. The body lives in a steady beat, drummed daily by the heart. It moves in rhythmic cycles, regulated by the beat and rhythm of nature. Humans have historically moved and been moved by the rhythms of the world. Urges to replicate, manipulate, and appreciate those natural cadences resulted in some of the greatest, most innovative works Read more…

By Erica, ago

Belated Holidays

I’m a little behind with my holiday pictures. I blame Blogger… this whole thing about not being able to upload more pictures . Although, given the two I just tested and posted below…. it seems to be working again???  So, my mom came out to visit her Utah chillens and grandchillens at the beginning of December. I was enjoying my final days of unemployment and got to spend several days just enjoying my family and the holidays. Chad and Michelle hauled all of us to see the Festival of Trees, a first for me, and later we went to see the lights on Temple Square. That was my first time ever seeing the lights with my family! We had a really great time enjoying the warmish weather and seeing all that the Festival and Temple Square had to offer.  The trees sparkling on the south side of the temple. My Read more…

By Erica, ago

Funnies

I don’t frequently post items on Facebook trying to get a response. That’s what I use my blog for, lol! But this picture has made the rounds and I thought I’d share it here, along with its companion picture. These were not staged. I plopped stuff down after work, spent a few hours upstairs with the grandparents, and was honestly a little shocked myself when I saw what this all looked like! So here’s to not putting things away immediately and getting surprised in your own bedroom. Happy laughters!

By Erica, ago

the long story

DISCLAIMER: This is really long. And by the end, it may not make a whole lot of sense. But it’s time to share it.  I’ve saved it as a draft for a while but I think I’m ready to just let it out there as is. I’m positive I’ve left stuff out, especially towards the end, but… it seems like more work now to put those thoughts together, so I feel like it is best to let them lie wherever it is they are – in the fluid sands of forgetfulness, I’m sure. Writing this was pretty cathartic. It probably started after Matt broke up with me in 2010. Wow, that’s almost two years ago… a lot of time and baggage since then. I had been so confident that this was the relationship that was going to make it. He fit the bill in so many ways that I ended up Read more…

By Erica, ago

A bit of 2012

I had great intentions of writing more over my Christmas holiday. Of course, I left my journal and my laptop back in Utah. The journal.. well that’s hard to replace. I could have gotten on any computer to blog, but I didn’t. I definitely did some reflecting at home, thinking over the many ups, downs, twists, and turns of 2012. I was absolutely happy for the last bells to chime its death, closing that chapter and turning to the unwritten pages of 2013. You know what makes me really happy about my prospects this year? It is guaranteed to be better than 2012!! After a year like 2012, there really is nowhere else to go but up. I started off last year with various ailments for the first three months. I’d lost weight due to stress. I wasn’t happy in my relationships or in my job. I wasn’t happy much at Read more…

By Erica, ago

Why I disagree with “Mormon Feminists”

The following is a relatively free-hand rehearsal of my thoughts. It has been thought through, but not particularly edited much. FYI.  There has been a great deal of hoopla going on lately in regards to “Mormon Feminists.” Sunday marked a Facebook-wide push for women to wear pants to church. It garnered a lot of attention from many news outlets such as NPR and FOX. Personally, I was too busy with my life to really get caught up in things, but I knew enough of the movement to know that I would not be joining the ranks of pants-wearers. According to their comments, these feminists advocating pants at church did so in order to make a statement and push for united sisterhood. According to one of the Facebook groups:  The creators of this event are feminists who recognize pants are a symbol of much larger issues that require addressing. This event Read more…

By Erica, ago

Doctor who?

For whatever reason, I’ve been thinking lately of going back to school. I know, am I insane? Probably! I have always enjoyed learning and school. Despite the associated stress, I quite enjoyed doing the research for those lengthy papers I wrote. I remember trying to squeeze oodles of information into my brain my first semester while still working full time. It was a challenge, but I loved it! I’ve come to realize something about myself lately… I don’t generally settle for just okay. I like to move forward and upward. I think that’s why I have always danced: there has always been something more to learn. Maybe that also explains why I haven’t settled on a firm career path yet either. I know I can do many things well enough to get a foot in the door, and I know that once I’m in I will work to move up and Read more…

By Erica, ago

PBS Rocks!

Wow, who knew that your local Public Broadcasting Service was so incredible?? After tonight, I’m sold! It’s their fundraising time, so I suppose I really ought to show my support by donating. But I’ll give them some free publicity here, at least. First, they showed the 2011 Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert… and I saw myself! I promise I’m not completely narcissistic, just interested in seeing how I did, of course. And seeing parts of the show I never saw. Then what should come on next but the Piano Guys Red Butte Garden concert! Jeff and I went to that in September and it was honestly the best concert I have ever been to. And watching it is what is getting me on this train of thought.  I love the cello. It has such a mellow, soulful, yet soaring sound. Something about the deep low notes completely resonates within me. Sometimes in the Read more…

By Erica, ago

It has started!!!! (more gratitude)

My new life is finally taking a tangible step forward!! It has started!!! I accepted a full-time job offer today with Cornerstone Home Lending and I’m so thankful to be ending this year employed once again. (It really is time to address my sleep schedule now.) Throughout the past five months of searching for jobs, and searching for myself a bit too, I have always held to the belief that the right job would work out in the right place and the right time. Assistant loan processor is probably not the job I was chasing after in my dream-life scenario, but things work out for reasons. And it feels like the right move. Speaking of moves, I’m also planning to take my country, wide-open-spaces self into the heart of Salt Lake City and try out the downtown scene! I’ve never considered myself a city girl, but thankfully SLC is one Read more…

By Erica, ago