Meet the new shoes.
I couldn't say no to their cute little pattern.
And they were only $25 at TJ Maxx...with infinite possibilities for mix&match.
 


The pattern also came in a warm version, all red, orange, and pine green. For some reason that version was incredibly ugly even though they're the same shoes. This version of the print contains light green, yellow, magenta, light turquoise blue on a black fabric that is gathered at the toe. They are peep-toes- not really for cold weather!- but they look really good with black or grey tights. (I don't think the tights-under-everything look works as much as style guides think it does- and you won't see me wearing tights under shorts or sandals- but it doesn't look horrible with a small peep toe. End of digression.)



Another shot while I was trying to photograph the pattern on those shoes:



In other news, I am taking part in a bright eyeliner challenge for the month of November, though mostly on weekends so as not to have to worry about what the office thinks. (I try not to wear the bright colour/major glitter looks to work. Sometimes I really want to though!) This is a purple smokey eye I did with indigo liner last Friday. (Blurry shot, I know, but you get the right colour impression.)



It didn't show up much from face on, even without flash:

 

You can also see the approximate length of my hair right now. I am growing it out into a bob of sorts. Any longer than that and it becomes a time drain/ neck strain. Might dye it red after we return from the Bahamas just to help with the awkward stages of growing it out.



And last but not least, my simple message for TWLOHA (Suicide & Depression Awareness) Day, and to you, dear reader-

   

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

 

The rest is silence.

 

 

I am quite taken with the music of Owl City. The name actually only refers to one person- Adam Young- but that's fine with me. The man is a genius. His lyrics reflect a boundless imagination and whimsy, yet also gently lead the listener to reconsider an object or experience. I am so glad I purchased the album- it makes even the most mundane activity (even dishwashing) feel light and easy. FYI, he collaborated on several tracks with another singer/songwriter I enjoy (Matthew Thiessen of Relient K) whose lyrical style is similar and whose sweet, catchy, witty songs are a joy. 

So, go check it out. 'Fireflies' was the song that started it all for me, and it's eating up the charts.

This article also made me think, because: Mr. Young titled the album "Ocean Eyes" and covered the jacket with photography of the ocean. He also uses oceanic imagery in about half of his songs and titles (in particular listen to The Bird and the Worm and see if you don't grin). Yet, he has never seen the sea himself. I'm sure that, if asked, he would know some information about it- it's blue, it's salty, it's wet, etc- but that information is limited to what he has been told or what visual reproductions he has seen.

Sound familiar?

I instantly thought of Heaven, our eternal home.
A place that I have no doubt is more beautiful than any other. A place I know will feel like home more than any other. A place that sparks my imagination and causes me to wonder. A place about which, were I asked, I could relate some information, but that information would be limited to what has been revealed and verbal descriptions that have been written in the Scriptures.

{You may have thought I was going to say God, instead. The reason I thought of Heaven and not God was because the sea is a place, so my mind connected the two, and also, God is a Being and therefore we can have a relationship with Him. This relationship is not limited by earth-bound time or place. Furthermore this relationship extends beyond the revealed and described, because we can know Him even though we cannot yet see Him. Just in case you wondered.}

Maybe this is a jump. Maybe you just want to listen to the playful music. Maybe you hate playful music. Maybe you think I'm one of those people who mystifies everything by making it 'religious'. Maybe that's too personal.

Or maybe you, like I, have a tangential mind that is quick to draw connections between seemingly unrelated things (emo/synth/pop and Heaven- what a pair!) and enjoys considering why I thought of one when studying the other.

No matter how much you know second-hand about the ocean, such knowledge is small, flat, and weak compared to the first sight of a shore. The hypnotic motion of the waves, the tang of the air, the alluring thunder of the surf, the sight of its horizon, and the actual experience of wading in until you are engulfed by saltwater is so much richer and more sensual than the words on the page- or screen. Every time I visit the sea I still feel the emotional power of all that. Imagine your first experience with the ocean, if you can't remember it. It's incredible. The sheer power and life of the crashing waves puts me in awe of their Creator.

 

Just imagine how many millions of times greater than that our first experience of Heaven will be! Not only physical beauty awaits us, but renewed bodies that will never fail, our brothers and sisters in faith who have already arrived, and the sheer glory of GOD Himself.

 

My heart aches for it all.