Update? Yes Please.

I feel as  though the skeleton that once represented my conceptual idea for my project is beginning to get muscles, and some skin (as morbid as a picture as that is). All I need to do now is add the rest of the aesthetics and finishing literary details, possibly some music, and I think it'll be done. I would love to be able to continue this project long after class is over, so I am looking forward to receiving feedback today from classmates in order to fully understand what I need to stop, start, or continue to do in order for this project to be a success. It was a little discomforting pressing the publish button when it was incomplete, but I understand this is necessary in order for my classmates to view my progress.

Roots: and Extension of Growth: a Progress Report

I think I finally have completed the overall skeletons of my wix site exemplifying personal writings from years past. My last update was talking about aesthetics in relation to creating and overall solid ethos for what I am trying to accomplish. I think I have done a pretty good job of that, and now I'm pressing on to finish up the basic components of the homepage, and the subpages. I just have to complete the links, and actually application of remediation before doing some finishing touches and edits. Then I think it will be complete! Though it may not match my beginning draft and map to a 'T', it certainly is beginning to take shape into being something I will continue long after this class is done.

Remediation Project Update

I am having a blast putting my wix site together. The greatest challenge I am presented with this week is creating a solid feel and ethos persay, of my website. Some of my content is more serious, while some is very lighthearted. Reconciling these thematic moods within one website is providing me with plenty of thought and work to creating a consistent feel not only for content, but also for the wholistic picture of my concept.

My Project Update

This project is proving to be a little bit more difficult for me to focus due to the magnitude of what I actually desire to do. The most challenging part is consolidating my information and number of documents to organize them for my wix page. I really enjoy using wix and the presentation flexibility it will give me, but much of this week will be spent putting my documents together and organizing them.

Document to Web Remediation Idea

I have spent much time thinking about what exactly I would enjoy doing with the responsibility of being able to publish electronically the writings I have kept so close to my heart.  After much deliberation on what exactly I want to remediate, I decided that many of my personal journal narratives would prove to be not only artistically, but literarily valuable in this assignment. Though it requires a certain amount of exposure, I would love to illustrate through writing the overwhelming real-life narrative of my testimony to the world. I am kind of torn between formats, which will clearly take greater form as time continues. I do want to develop this project (most likely through wix) into a website specifically for those whom need the encouragement of knowing that someone else has struggled through life and made it out alive. I would love to be able to take this concept of 'Roots' from this blog and translate that over to an entire website, that could very possibly grow into some type of webzine by the time I am finished with it. I have always enjoyed the idea of daily publications of academically practical advice, and now I'm excited to get an opportunity to see that come to fruition.

My Relationship with Technology: A Tool to Share a Story

    Technology as the world knows it is the materialization of the fast-paced mentality of our culture. The instantaneous access to a world-wide web of knowlege, along with the ability to record, maintain, and communicate constantly in a matter of seconds marks the most incredible capabilities of technologies accross the globe. It has become virtually impossible to hide from the global community unless you yourself or someone else desires you to be undisclosed. Even in my seemingly insignificant twenty-one year lifespan the growth of technological advance is exponential. As a little girl, I can remember the first computer our family purcahased. It was (compared to the modern day smart phones and personal laptops) a monster of a machine. An IBM, fully equipped with DOS processing and Windows. (Even as I write this, I can laugh at my poor grasp on the language of the technology itself) Though it was dial up and processed like a dinosaur, we were thrilled. Our educational games flooded the memory space and the rate at which my brothers and I accidentally downloaded viruses was incredible. But we had a computer, and that was all that mattered. Though I begin my thoughts with the introduction of a computer into our family household, there is not a single peice of technology that has impacted my life more than a simple tool to capture a story: The Camera.

    The first time I picked up a film camera was like the first time I learned to open my eyes. My mom and dad had won an 35mm Cannon, equipped with a telephoto lense, from my dad's place of work. As soon as they pulled it out and began taking pictures, I was hooked. I took every opportunity to sneak away and take random shots with whatever film my mother had left. We would go to the local grocery store to get it developed, and as she flipped through pictures the random ones I had taken would come accross her view and the words, "Oh Brianna" were lovingly released from her lips. I can not even explain the excitement that pounded in my chest as I was waiting in line to look at the pictures I had taken (as blurry and indistinguishable as they were at the time). My passion grew into a refined skill that has brought to a place of professional, visual communication. Below are just a few thoughts about my understanding and development within the world of photography.

What early experiences with technological devices or artifacts can you recall? What do you remember about your earliest use of technologies? Or what stories do your parents tell about your interactions with technology? What were the popular gadgets in your house while growing up?

    As I had stated above, my earliest preview of the one peice of technology I have a ferocious desire to continue to grow in was the camera. I recieved my first film camera of my own when I was thirteen years old. The possabilities were endless! I didn't really understand the passion that was growing within my soul until I took a missions trip to Monterrey, Mexico that Spring Break with my mom (homeschool kids have all the fun; don't let anyone tell you differently). It was the first experience of mine in which I was completely out of my element and exposed to a little harsh thing called reality. I remember as I had walked through the garbage dumps that day delivering food to the needy families, I experienced qutie the paradox of emotions. On one hand, the sorrow that envelopd my soul as I watched children play in human waste, and famlies slowly starve because they simply have no other option was overwhelming! I remember just sitting on the bus with my head in my hands in tears over the brokeness of the people there, and the inherent selfishness of myself being here. The other hand was quite extraordinary. What I saw in that dump standing in direct opposition to the overwhelming sorrow as a joy unexplainable. Though these people were suffering, their sustinence came from elsewhere and there was joy. As I sat on the ground with the children distributing and playing with the McDonald's toys we have gathered together to deliver to them, one little boy caught my attention. He put a little mask on his face and looked up at me with the greatest smile in his eyes. 'Click' went the camera, and a passion was born. This little 'gadget' my mom and dad used to document the growth of their family and unforgettable memories proved to be tool through which I communicated the joy and stories of those around me. There is an art to this technology, and that provided the perfect outlet to combine by classic passion with modernized movement.


Think of a time when you first encountered a specific technology. What happened, and how did it affect you?
    The transition from my wonderfully fine tuned film camera to my first digital experience was quite an intense time. I was so very hesitant to move from the classical art of film to the unknown of digital coding and RAW formatted jpegs. However, I finally invested within a substantially more expensive Cannon 30D digital SLR. I had no idea at that moment that not only would this provide me with more room to artistically convey the stories of those whom have no voice, but also provide as a economic stabilizer for the years to come. As I picked up this heavy peice of machinery, I was excited but hesitant. It took months for me to understand how exactly this peice of electronic glory was to surpass my bias towards the finality of film. Success came at a cost, and the cost was lots of time and effort into practice. (I am a self-taught artist whose current medium of choice is photography.) I really began to expand upon my skills as I took this wonderful 'beast' of a camera overseas to Zambia, Africa. My heart's desire is always to bring back the stories that would otherwise never be told on film. This passion gave way to one of the most epic moments I have had in relation to utilizing this peice of technology.
     We were nine hours from running water and electricy in the northern-most corner of Zambia. The border of Congo was a short fifteen minute walk from camp, and the size of the insects compared to the glorious mosquito was incomprehensible. We were staffing a pastor's and missionary conference in the 'bush', and  for anyone under the age of forty or with the energy level of a toddler we had the task of spending the afternoon with the children. While we had anticipated approximately three hundred children, almost five hundred began to show up out of seemingly nowhere in the savannah like environment of the 'bush'. While the rest of the team began to play soccer and other active games with the older students, almost seventy toddlers and myself planted our tired legs on the grass underneath the only tree in sight large enough to provide shade. The term language-barriar meant something new to me that day. I began to just speak to the children and sing songs. They tried to sing along, however most of them just looked at me like I was of a completely different species. I finally picked up my camera and looked at the closest babe to my lense. 'Click' it went one more time. I then pushed the play button on my display screen and turned the camera to show the baby what she looked like. Her previously non-responsive eyes grew large, and a smile appeared over her little face. This was the first time she had seen what she looked like. Child after child, click after click, these little children would look at the screen and laugh as they saw their image for the first time. Words cannot express what a blessing it was to utilize a piece of technology that would normally be for selfish gain, to communicate truth and love to young children that wouldn't normally experience that. While I left that experience thinking only of the joy in the eyes of the children I had the honor of spending my days with, but someone captured the moment on digital record. This only enhanced my passion to continue to grow in my understanding and use of all things visual in the area of technological advance.
   

October Thoughts

What does it mean to be extraordinary for Jesus?

To live and die as if there is no price you are not willing to pay.

To come before the throne of grace in complete and total abandonment,

Desiring to see the nature of the Almighty in it's entirety despite consequence.

What does it look like to be great for Jesus?

To always be aware of the Holy Spirit's voice within the void of darkness in which we walk.

To see the light of hope regardless of circumstance?

What does it mean to be Holy, just as He is Holy?

What does it mean to walk in grace just as Paul and the giants of faith of old did that led them to a life unexplainable?

What do I know of such mysteries within the depths of the heart of the Creator?

To stand on the forefront of war daily,

Looking upon the quiet, serene battle field knowing within the hour the first shot will be fired and casualties will be had.

How many more will pay the price in blood before we, my dear Church, awaken to the war at our doorsteps?

To live as though we have plenty of time is to live as though we do not believe in Christ Himself.

In order for the world to know the One who saves we must take a stand

For the One whom has saved our very souls: Jesus.

The One and Only.

The Holy, Almighty One.

The Jehovah of my life,

My Messiah.

The Lamb who went willingly to the slaughter, giving authority over Himself to the hands of men,

To pay the price for the war we are not fighting.

He is Yaweh,

The Rider on the white horse,

The One whose name is Faithful and True.

The Word became Flesh.

This is Jesus Christ,

The Living God,

The One Who saves.

What do we know of sacrifice?

Of faithfulness?

Of obedience?

It is simply through Him, by Him, and for Him for which our rib laden chest beats and our free souls sing.

It is for Him that all was created,

And it was for His delight that we are in relationship with Him.

He is the rock on which we stand,

And thus the greatest mystery to touch the face of this beautifully broken world:

Christ in me, my hope of glory.

This is my reckless abandonment;

For through Him my song has been sung and my destiny released.

Christ in me, my hope of glory.

It is by slavery to Him that I am a servant of all,

Giving up all for the sake of the Cross.

Christ in me, my hope of glory.

"Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance." Isaiah 60:1-3

Video Literacy Narrative

The video literacy narrative assignment was definately out of the ordinary for me. It forced me out of my normal thinking process into a new avenue of creative expression. I chose the topics to discuss by simply thinking about the memories surrounding the development of literacy that were dearest to me; making reading more than just an academic practice and allowing me to explode into the world of imagination. My reflection topic was much more geared towards how I communicate within the written word and the challenges I sometimes face generalizing lofty ideas to both the young and old. This is a consant pursuit of my own, keeping me reading more to learn more about effectively presenting an idea on the page. I am ever so greatful for the opportunity to share why I have such a passion for reading, and where I am challenged in the area of the written word.


My Personal Video Narrative Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j74y8o6QtpU


My Reflection Video Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0WHNH4ENFQ

A Few Narrative Questions

When is the first time you can remember writing something or reading something, anything? What do you remember about this experience, and why do you think that this experience has stuck with you?

            One of the most precious memories I have within my realm of experience is spending time with both my mother and father reading in the big blue chair in the living room. I would wake up early in the morning, hair all messy, dawning my pajamas, and go up into the living room where my mom always sat in her blue recliner chair. She would say good morning to me and ask me about how I slept. Then, she would pull out the large stack of recently rented library books and we would start the morning out by reading a good book. My bedtime routine was similar, except it included a father who would read in different voices and make the experience like a movie. It was a smorgasbord of imaginative options. This would leave me with my head resting on my pillow at night surrendering my active imagination to my dreams.  Reading has always stood as an opportunity to explore the world around myself, and has always had roots within wonderful times with my family. This grew into an all around affection for the written literature. This fascination and imaginative exploration expands far beyond sheer entertainment alone. It ventures into the reality that the ingestion of written word defines and challenges even my basic presuppositions about life and ideas I have yet to explore.  It makes me desire to go beyond who I am now, and guides me into a greater sense of purpose for tomorrow. Reading has always stood as an avenue to connect with both people and myself and understand the workings of both.

What outside elements affected your life as a writer--important people, places, or events? How and why did these affect you as a writer?

            My faith has a massive impact on my writing. What I believe and my basic worldview define and describe how I feel and perceive the world. This basic admiration for discovery all things ‘why’ in life keeps me constantly searching and seeking out new answers and responses within the realm of written literature. The greatest event that impacts all that flows out of me is a constant, ever changing understanding of my humanity and the grace that abounds from the faith that I have. The event of Jesus saving me daily is the constant source of inspiration for my writing in life and beyond. The effect these take is mostly on a content level. I speak and write on things that are eternally significant according to the God who saves. It’s through Him that I daily die and live in bliss and freedom within my heart. This is the greatest factor that affects all words that flow from my mouth and onto the page.

What did you read and write when you weren't in school? Why? When? Where?

            I read so many books. I absolutely love books, and always have. I read many apologetically themed books in high school when I wasn’t in class (something about textbooks drives me mildly insane). However, I am absolutely enraptured by a good story! So many various classic novels, fictional shorts, and essays flooded my mind as I spent time in the ‘tough stuff’ after school. I was reading complex literature at a very young age (for example, the first time I read Watership Down was in fourth grade), expanded to biblical commentaries, and Greek and Hebrew parallel translations of the bible. After time went by, the sole book to which I got my ultimate source and became the most read book in my grasp was my bible. I trust this to only expand as I continue to grow in my knowledge and development of my faith.

Secure as Mount Zion Beyond Circumstance-a Short Note.

“Those who Trust in the Lord are as Secure as Mount Zion;

they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.”

Psalm 125:1-2

            Security in all forms of the word is a concept coveted by many in the current American culture, yet remains void within the echo’s of the empty hearts in our world. What does it mean to have security within a world that defines it as such a monetary or materialistic means? If you have enough ‘stuff’, or ‘money’, or a good enough ‘reputation’ you can achieve real ‘security’. We have so ill-defined the word secure that the truth of God’s reality is far from the every expression or understanding of the word ‘secure’.

            As I was grappling with the intensity of a new school year full of new students, a new room mate, new classes, a new exam called the GRE, and a new set of social pressures and emotions, I found myself lost for words and feeling greatly outnumbered by the evils of this world. My heart was saddened and perplexed within the small corner I occupied at a coffee shop here on campus.  To make matters all the greater, I had just received some news of a situation needing all of my focus and emotional attention (both of which I had none at this point). I had finally come to the point where I was so overwhelmed my soul and all that was within me cried out to Jesus in the midst of a soy latte and an English paper. Then the words slowly poured in, “ Trust in me, and you will be as secure as Mount Zion.” I searched my word with fervor until I came across Psalm 125.  My heart began to melt within the presence of the Almighty, here in my corner in the coffee shop. Those who Trust in the Lord are as Secure as Mount Zion, they will not be defeated. We know authentic security when we become fully engulfed in the nature of the Almighty God. (How big He is!) We are to trust in the Lord in order that security may be gained, and the promise of enduring forever comes into full fruition. I love when the Lord shares with us in 1John 4:4, “ For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve victory through our faith.” The irony surrounding the paradoxical reality of our faith is astounding. In order for us to gain security, we must give everything up and release control of ourselves. Trusting the Lord means giving Him EVERYTHING WE HAVE, both physically and spiritually. It’s a constant surrender of all that we think and know we are, and all we have. It’s understanding that we do not walk through this world blind, rather in dramatic understanding of what really is going on in life. It means that regardless of occupation or time-consuming activity, we understand that our purpose is always eternal. 

            Trusting the Lord is neither convenient nor easy. It requires constant and consistent surrender of all of us. It means retaining a teachable and humble heart, in order that we may hear His voice when there is an area we are failing to trust Him in. A false sense of security is such a trap in this life. Jesus expressed this beautifully in the Parable of the three servants in Matthew 25. He illustrates the hoarding and concern within the final of the three servants, who rather than invest or work with the money given to them, hid it in the ground out of fear of losing what he had. Jesus says, “ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given unto them, and they will have an abundance.  But from those who do nothing, even with what little they have will be taken away. “ (Matthew 25:29) I am reminded of the verse in John 10 when Christ says, “ For the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you may live life and live it with ABUNDANCE.”  Christ’s heart for his people is for abundance, but not a materialistic abundance, rather an overwhelming abundance of His presence in our lives. While the third servant may have not lost anything, he also didn’t risk anything. We cannot risk our lives for Christ unless we are fully-trusting the one from whom they come, and we are PROMISED security like a mountain from the God who can not lie, nor breaks a promise. We are also promised a surrounding of His presence when we trust in Him for all security. He says He will surround us just as the Mountains surround Jerusalem. How my heart desires and delights in this reality. When we are obedient and trust within the God who loves us so dearly, we are rewarded with security in Him because He is everything to us.  Therefore it’s not even about a monetary or physical issue anymore, your soul leaps with the truth of God’s presence and the true stability that comes from standing on the foundation of the Living God. How beautiful!

            After hearing this expression of His love once again, I put down my word and take a sip of my latte. Though it may appear as though I am merely a student at a university, I feel as though my heart is taking an adventure of a lifetime. He is aligning my desires once again with His, constantly reminding me of His nature and love for me. This is His heart for humanity today, that we would gain a security that is not dependent upon circumstance, rather upon Him. Oh, How He Loves Us.

Soli deo Gloria,

A Historical Appreciation for the Written Arts

What is it about books? Old books, new books, colorful books, thick books, large books, small books, story-telling books, and science books amongst others; we live in a world that is by no means lacking in the written, physical books. Embedded within the article entitled, "Book Use and Book Theory" by Brandin Cormack adn Carla Mazzio, I recieved quite a bit of meat to chew on in the discussion of the value of the written word. They state,

" To use a book is to engage with it as a set of forms and as a condition of thought; in this sense, the history of book use and the history of theoretical speculation are entwined."

What I appreciate about this article is that it focuses not on popular opinion, rather historical evidence and context for the discussion of the importance of the tangible word. This statement in particular, however, stood as a focus and quality summary of what I gleaned from the article (granted I recognize that this post is not merely to summarize points, but offer some type of insight into the issue). Reading a book is not only about the words but the process, and similarly the process effects the content of the words. Seeing that reading is an engaging activing involiving physical process and something as abstract as the presence of a thought or idea shows that when we read we are involving our entire self. Some of this, in part, is lost when it comes to words on the internet (such as this blog). While I was reading this assessment of the tangible word, my thoughts are always brought back to the one book I am never without, and that is my Bible. The physical presence of my bible alone drives me to open it's worn leather front and look upon the gold-embossed pages to search for the unfathomable truths and treasures hidden deep within its pages. Brandin and Cormack discuss the marking of margins and underlining as the testiment of the readers active process in ingesting the books content. I absolutely agree with this. My bible becomes the literal map of my testimony as readers can see the dates through which I was brought from concept to concept, truth to truth, conviction to conviction, it all remains open and available. It is quite literally my own Ebenezer to the Lord within His great book. I am comparing my analysis of this article to my experience with my Bible because it is the most intimate and influential book I have ever read and continue to read in my life. When I snuggle up to some wonderful music in my comfy pants, down blanket, and warm fire just to get lost in the written reality of my Jesus I am completely and totally free, yet rendered subject to the revelation of His heart for me in His word.

It is indeed a set of forms and a condition of thought, but more specifically, reading this particular book to me is a revelation of a set of His forms and a transformation of my thoughts in accordance to those thoughts. Expediated technology, while convinient and fast, takes some quality away from the experience and development process of having a real book. A really great example is the difference between the popular preacher in skinny jeans drinking startbucks with his iphone application called ,'The Bible', and the everyday looking preacher wearing whatever came to mind that morning with his torn up, marked up leather bible that has not only rips and bumps, but tear drop stains and wear marks. We then begin to see the difference between the physical ethos of that man bearning the physical bible and the one not. The viewer can tell that the man carrying his physical Bible has gone to war with himself with that book, and that is of infinate value.

You may be reading this from my English course and be asking yourself, 'why in the world is she talking about this?' The realiy is simple: this is the greatest practical reflection I have of the historical concepts invovled in the process of writing, printing, and reading tangible books as opposed to literature online. One of the concepts being discussed in this article is the author's including of the reader in the active process of investigating thinking, shifting of personal identity, and teaching the reader personally. It is as though when you are turning the physical pages of the book you are communing with the author himself. That is why I am so passionate about the physical presence of my Bible. I am communing with the Author Himself as He guides me through His plan for my life; a transformation of identity and developmental process to become more like Him.

Soli deo Gloria

The Written Word: Degredation or Evolution

"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."

C.S. Lewis

As I began to ponder the reality of the questions to which we were asked for this first of many posts, my mind went to this quote by C. S. Lewis. It epitomizes much of my undertanding and belief in reference to the importance of the materiality of the written word. The visual examples of the relationship between the writer and her work is as intimate as the relationship between an artist and her paintbrush. Without that contact, the physical touch and feel of the canvas beneath the brush, an artist can quickly lose understanding of the process through which their masterpeice is created. Thus is the life of a writer. This process is criticial to concise and imaginative thinking and creative processes. It reveals the essence of what C.S. Lewis was saying. Some day, I hope to mature enought to be imaginative again wtihin both writing and reading. The pen thus becomes my weapon, and the paper an avenue through which to execute my glorious plan. It's the physical presence and reality of the words themselves. While there is nothing inerently wrong with electronic forms of written communication, the epic art and reality of the imaginative and creative process is fully realized and manifested for me in the form of weilding a pen and pad.

According to my previous paragraph, the reader can deduce that one of my favorite mediums for writing is the simple pen and paper. This is the intimate, initial creative process through which my ideas are worked out on the canvas of my paper; a masterpeice can than be born. Electronic systems of communication, however, have obvious advantages within the realm of accomplishing effect with communication. Simply stated, they are transmitted, recieved, and written much faster and are more attainable to a larger audience. This is an advantage to the electronic technologies haunting the English world today. This, however, in my opinion must be balanced with the tangible process of working it out on paper, both encouraging gramatic and conceptual foundations critical to a well written peice.

I believe a blog, while highly conducive to an expansive audience, is very much impersonal unless written extremely well. Comments on such posts also create and environment for passivity and in-authenticity, as most people express written comments quite flippantly as opposed to their normal composure of silence within debate. The opportunities, however, are enormous if proper steps can be taken for effective measures. More people can have your nugget of knowledge available to them around the globe. Your work thus becomes public. Not only is it public, but it is free. This is a highly attractive reality to utilizing written mediums like the blog. There is also opportunity to edit and critique your work based off of a broader reader base. Feedback is instantaneous in most cases, therefore application for improvement could provide a quality opportunity.

While my heart's desire is to grow in this maturity of imagination through utlizing the material pen and paper, I understand that maturing with the times is necessary. The question is can I retain this growth materially, while also growing within the realm of thechnological communication?

Soli deo Gloria