A Tribute to the Inspiration From This Year

 

I guess it starts with this lovely actress, Emma Stone. (I really love her in the movies, The Help and LaLa Land). 

It was the 5th day of the school, and I was assigned to go to a U.S. History class. It seemed exciting and interesting, and I was in a World History class last year. Upon entrance, I told the teacher what I was there for (to take notes and gain information for a student(s)) and had briefly interrupted the teacher talking. She was totally cool with it, and later came to the back of the classroom where I was at a teacher's desk. She introduced herself and knew what I was there for (which was really nice, since there are some teachers who don't really know/understand). She was friendly too, another plus!

I knew from the get-go that I would thoroughly love this class and was instantly inspired, excited and thrilled. The teacher looked pretty young and looked close to my age, reminded me in her demeanor but mostly in some way in her speech of the actress, Emma Stone, (though I mostly made it up in my own head, I don't actually know the actress lol) and it lasted the school year where I always enjoyed going to this class, sitting in the back and listening, taking notes and definitely learning a ton of new riveting and interesting information, and some review of good ol' U.S. History. Every time I went to the library, mostly to study and work on assignments, I would get inspired browsing through some more of the History section and thinking of this class. 

The school year started with associating it with Emma Stone and the inspiration she brings to her films, and it also ended with relaxing and watching some scenes from the funny and lovely movie, The Help. In the middle of the school year, when I went to the Bachelorette Party (in Scottsdale, AZ, later learned she was from there ha) I instantly felt inspired to get back into my own writing, as her main character was a hungry artist, recent college grad, with a strong sense of gusto, personality and ambition as well as independence. It made me want to read this book again! One of my favorite lines from her, as the guy she went on a lame date with is trying to apologize to her, she says somewhere, 'Well, I have a lot to say'. And I love that, since I feel I have a lot to say too, in my writing but also from this school year, so let's continue!

I mentioned this blessed in another blog post from last semester but can't help but include Blessed Carlo again. I printed out some of these inspirational photos I am sharing here, and I put his picture above my desk in my room. I feel that I can go to him for various needs (vocation, devotion to the Eucharist, as well as Technology), and there is a lot to know and learn in my program with pertains to technology and other topics, so what better intercessor to have!

I can't forget dear Elisabeth Elliot. Her books are gems and her story, witness of faith among others are treasures to bestow, not to mention her talks. She passed away in 2015, but she is still very much alive to me! Browsing the website all about her (her books, talks, story, etc..) was also interesting and inspiring to bestow.

These shoes, and others like them. It seems kind of random but seeing this type of style (without backing) I saw everywhere. I purchased a pair- a sandal dressy type with not backing, and they are nice and felt quite the trend (bought for a bachelorette weekend). I also these types of backless flats all the time worn by the U.S. History teacher, and her style of clothing was inspiring, trendy but cool to see the different components, and somehow it also made me in a fashion inspired mood. As they say, its nit the clothes, but who wear them that makes it great. These cute, spring type shoes (though she wore them in Fall and winter too!) will remind me of that class and teacher. 

I love her blog!!! I was always so amazed, encouraged and yes, inspired with her story, joy, witness of her faith, courageous spirit and her artistic and fashion taste. Her blog writing helped me immensely this year! There were countless days and moments where I was going through a hard time, a discouraging thought or feeling came once again, or just some joy needed to be found. I read her posts multiple times, took notes on them and even began translating some of them from Spanish into English (thanks Google Translate!) She felt like a dear friend beside me, and I would think, how did she go through all that she went? She certainly helped instilled that hope and joy, as well as perseverance through her own journey. 

Good St Nicholas! I have a prayer card of him and found it at the cute little church in Half Moon Bay visiting with my mom in January. I knew I had to take it since I was encouraged from reading on the Opus Dei website about St. Josemaria's devotion to this saint, in many needs, and in most particularly in finances for The Work. I read this in December, and his feast day is December 6th. That time I remember since it was when the first semester was drawing to a close and the cold weather, the tiring, long semester up to that point, this felt like a glimmer of hope and light. 

Another website I often checked and took notes on was Blessed is She. I found some real encouragement and community from my desk, from my experiences, and sometimes just craving a spiritual perspective and inspiration. Many notes came from it, and I am still in the process of typing them up!

I can't forget the library as a source of inspiration! The webpage was a life saver and life source for research for books, renewing my materials, or just curating ideas. Somehow it didn't get old checking my account (though it could happen maybe 3 times a day!)

I can't forget games! These two come easily to mind: Scattergories and Wordle. We played them both online which was convenient. It was another way to stay innovative with the time. And it all came about with the first week of school open ended with extra time and wanting to utilize and connect with students more. Wordle and other online games were ideas from a student, and we really connected and bonded over playing these games. Her asking me, 'Did you get the Wordle today?' or 'Did you do the Worldle today?' 

Creativity, innovation, more creativity, and more innovation is what it has all taught me!! 

If I come up with anymore or remember ones I've forgotten to mention, I will write another post. :)