Sometimes You Need to Just Jump Right In

Photo Credit to Marc Sweet
For grabbing the GoPro and capturing some water time moments at Mohonk Lake this afternoon.

Laramie & The Nutcracker

This evening, my neighbor, Holli, and I went to see The Nutcracker here in town. This was such a treat. We went with a bunch of her colleagues in the Law School to the College of Arts & Sciences' auditorium. I have not seen The Nutcracker in ages, so I was super pumped! Brings back memories of dance. The performance was great - there's a lot of dancing talent in Laramie. However, I am not sure if the cast was just small, but the choreography seemed more basic than usual. I did not notice anything more difficult than a double pirouette and not that many lifts. It was interesting. But nevertheless, the whole show was beautiful. Also, they made the show 'Laramie-themed.' The mice were dressed up as cowboys and Mother Ginger definitely appeared to be from the west as well with her guns, cowboy hat, and a flask of whiskey! It was interesting, but very clever to make it feel like the story took place here in Laramie!

TheChristyBel

Survived to the Last Day of Fall Classes!

I am pleased to announce I have survived up to my Last Day of Fall Semester Classes. This does not include all my finals. As of today, I have one final left (next Tuesday) and a paper to turn in by next Friday. So, I am soooooo close to being done with this semester! I cannot wait! Below is a photo of the NSTA (National Science Teacher Association) - UW Chapter! This group consists of my Methods I cohort and a few additional individuals. We had a meeting and a luncheon right after our Methods I course, so we got a group photo together to celebrate the end of the semester! I absolutely love my Science Secondary Ed Methods Cohort. What a great group of people to work alongside with - so thankful Kate Welsh introduced me to Dr. Burrows and this wonderful bunch of people!

Now onto studying for my last final!

TheChristyBel

NSTA - UW Chapter 2014/2015

Ceramics II: The Final Critique

Bowls & 

After four-months of grinding my hands on a spinning-metal wheel, multiple 20-lb bags of clay, lots of flopping, wedging, and recycling clay, I can confidently say I have successfully completed a semester of one of my first formal art classes, and in a medium I am not too comfortable in! Below are photos of my last problems of the Ceramics II class: a variety of bowls, a few 3/4 forms, and a composite. 

The bowls represent simple dipping and pouring techniques in which each set (a different color) is provided with a small, medium, and larger bowl. The 3/4 forms are more decorative pieces where I wanted to use them as blank canvases for a variety of the application techniques we learned throughout the course. Some applications that I tried and really liked were the Xerox transfers (where I can take photo copies of my own drawings and apply them to vessels; very cool and different than the underglaze pencils I tried earlier in the semester) and Graffito (where you apply colored-slip to leather hard glaze, let is dry a smidge, and then carve out designs exposing the white clay underneath). My fourth set of bowls had to be decorated by a 2-D artist inspiration. So I chose, David Sibley, a well-known birder, naturalist, and artist. I copied one of his drawings, made a silk screen of an EASTERN Northern Flicker and applied it to my bowls. I also used a variety of underglazes to recapture his water-color and accurate color distinctions in his bird drawings. I was very impressed with that. My composite has been bisque-fired, glazed, and fired in a reduction atmosphere. I am pretty pleased with the outcome result. A little bit too dark than what I anticipated, but I keep envisioning a morning hike and seeing a tree emerge from the fog of a cloudy, fall morning. I like that gloomy-at-dawn impression it represents. But my work is up for interpretation...

Stay tuned: I'll post photos of my 3/4 forms closer up for more viewing.

Ceramics has definitely challenged me as an artist, and I really enjoyed my progression and journey. I know I have a lot to learn about this medium and know I still have not made my 'best' pieces with clay yet. But I'm interested to see if I continue with this medium and excited to see what my hands will create next! Overall, very impressed with successfully surviving my first formal art class and what I have been able to create. It's nice being back in a studio (even though I was not dancing in this one). Hopefully I can get into another art class to clear my insanity for the spring. 

TheChristyBel

'Mother Earth'

Some Quality Time with Gus-Gus

This past weekend, I was able to spend some quality time with my favorite Laramie cat, Gus. These past two weeks have been really stressful as far as accomplish end-of-the year projects, papers, and tests. So, hanging and relaxing with this furry snuggle was exactly what I needed. I hope you enjoy these photos taken of him snuggling in bed with me, as well as the video of him drinking out of his vessel! Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

A Well-Written Article?

Can we just talk about how well-written this article this is?
How many times can the term, STEM, be incorporated into an article?

Apparently, not enough!

Literature Review Funnies!

Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Making a 'How To' Video

For our Methods I class, we were assigned to make a video that portrayed: an issue within science education, introducing an engineering career, or a 'How to' video. Working with Ceira, we decided to do a 'How to' video. Since it is getting close to the holidays and thanks to Pinterest, we found a 'How to Make a Mini Robot' and we jazzed it up to being 'How to Make a Mini Robotic (Dancing) Elf! 

Enjoy! Sean, what do you think? Do I have a possible career in making robots? Haha

TheChristyBel

Feeling the Stress

I do not ever bombard my blog with complaining or negativity, but I just need to scream this out. Since I've been back, I have felt absolutely and incredibly in desperate need to be anywhere but Laramie. Being home for less than 36-hours was an absolute tease for me. My body, my mind, and my heart ache for the smell of the Atlantic, more home-cooked meals from my family, time with my brother, snuggle sessions with my besties, and hikes on my Ashland floodplains. I do not connect with Laramie in any way, shape, or form with how I connected with the Tetons or home. Maybe I am just stressed from the craze of the fall semester, but I am pretty much over my Year 2 (as of right now). How do TSS folk try to complete their Year 2 in such a short period of time? I want to literally slit my wrists on how stressed I am, well on how tired I am. The next 11-days cannot go by any faster. I just want to be home, be with positivity and a sense of place that I feel most 'me.' The light at the end of the tunnel is packing up my bag and flying back East to a sense of 'community' and 'place' that makes me feel like the true ChristyBel. Right now, its not Laramie, that light is back east, it is Delaware. Please, hurry up, there's no place like home.

I apologize for the word vomit. I'm just feeling the need to be home. So soon, CBel, so soon.

TheChristyBel

Tuckered Out From Turkey Day Travelling

TheChristyBel Tuckered Out From the Turkey Day Traveling
Photo Credit to Marc Sweet
Found This Gem on His Phone - He Took It Before We Left Boulder to Head Back to Laramie
When He Picked Me Up From the Denver Airport

Stay Beautiful, Philly!

My Thanksgiving Break was too short, literally, too short. I was only able to indulge in a fraction of its beauty for about 36-hours. But it was worth it. Being able to spend time with my family, my home, my wonderful little state, and of course, my bed, was incredibly worth the short time I was able to get a taste of home. As I sit here in the airport waiting for my flight back to Denver, I was able to gaze at a wonderful sunrise. Philly, you are incredibly beautiful. Sure, the Tetons and the Wyoming landscape brings wonderful sunrises, but there will always be something more about Philly's sunrise that just makes me so incredibly happy! I cannot wait to see you again, Philly, in 19-days! Stay beautiful!

TheChristyBel

A Philly Sunrise Waiting for My Flight Back to the Forever West!

Delays, Delays, Delays

Oh, you know...just stuck in Denver right now, waiting for my flight to stop being delayed.

Philly, we're so close to seeing each other.

Don't lose hope!

There's no place like east coast home!

TheChristyBel

Ceramics II: Last Problem of the Semester - Composites

For the last problem of the semester, we were assigned to construct a composite piece. A composite piece is made of constructing pieces out of several thrown pieces or sections. A composite can also be called a sectional piece. We were asked to design 5-6 ideas that consisted of at least 4-thrown pieces. In the end, we would only construct one composite. The composite needed to be at least 15-inches in height.

I decided to continue my nature-theme in my art and decided to construct a tree out of an 3/4 altered form (where the cylinder closes at the top - resembling a cone), two bowls put together to resemble a globe/world/Earth, and to present the entire piece on a plate. This took two attempts to construct.

My first 'draft' did not come out well and resulted in a lop-sided globe! So, another 6-hours later, I threw more pieces and they came out a lot better when I started attaching them to each other. It's a good thing, Margaret says to throw more bowls that you need...insurance!

But after throwing the new pieces, I constructed the main profile in the studio: two bowls as the globe and the cone. I also extruded a bunch of clay rods to break apart and morph them into branches. I then decided to take the pieces home and assemble in the courtesy of a calm environment. This really meaning: I like to do art in PJs or just not wear pants at all! Haha.

Let me tell you, placing branches on the cone on top of the globe was really challenging. I had to use an assortment of chairs and household objects to help hold up all the branches while they dried onto the bigger clay body. I was literally sitting on the floor (with no pants on) and using my hair dryer to dry the branches so they can become more sturdy to hold on its own. After a night and all afternoon of drying, I finally grew the courage and faith to let the piece stand on its own...and it succeeded! The next test: drive it back to the ceramics studio...pray to the heavens above (right about now)!

 I carefully picked it up and placed it into one of my moving boxes. Drove about 2-miles an hour all the way to the studio, which is across town from my apartment. Slowly walked it through the doorway and into the studio. Challenge accepted. Second challenge: attach the bottom plate! That took me holding up the tree while my friend, Aaron, got on the floor and scraped and etched into the bottom for us to score and slip the two pieces together! Second Challenge Accepted! Third Challenge: Survive the night without anything holding it up! After wrapping it in a plastic drape cloth, I came back the next morning for class to see it had survived! I showed Margaret (our teacher), who was super pleased, and I added the last touch to the piece: the carving of the world on the globe part. It also was waxed with the cold wax resist to help with the drying of the branches. Now, it currently rests on the finished shelf ready to bisque-fired!

Cross your fingers it survives!
Don't worry, I'll keep ya posted!

TheChristyBel

A Doodle A Day: Days 1 & 2

Trying to do at least a Doodle A Day...

Brain Breaks!

Enjoy some art from CBel!

TheChristyBel

Brain Breaks = Art Breaks

Sometimes, you cannot just do work all the time. 

Sometimes, you just need to let your hands go free.

Let them take over a piece of paper.

Listen to some music. 

Add color. 

Don't think, just draw.

You'll like the outcome. I promise.

Go DRAW.

 TheChristyBel

A Delaware Turkey Countdown

Just wanted to give you all an update:

9 more days until the First State and I are reunited again!

Even though it will only be for a short, short, short period of time,

I am beyond excited to finally visit a place called home!

Even more excited for the following:

Bobbies

Sushi

The Foxfire Crew

The Burtons

My Family!

and of course...

....my bed.

This will be the longest week and a half...ever.

TheChristyBel

More Snow...

Woke Up to More Snow Blanketing My Car and Neighborhood
Looks Like I Will Not Be Driving Little Blue Today
PS. Thermometer Says 21.0 degrees, it 'warmed' up!
Hot Chocolate Anyone?!?

Glazed Altered Forms!

Just a Quick Update:

Behold, 5 of my 6 Altered Forms: Glazed! 

They came out pretty good! 

I'll have more photos and updates soon!

TheChristyBel

Cracks & Dihedrals

Dihedral Route

Thursday afternoon I dropped off Marc at the Denver International Airport so he could go to New York. Driving Little Blue in the winter is incredibly nerve-wrecking. Especially when you are driving a few hours and only have a short-window of time before the sun sets and the roads start getting icy and really slippery. And well with Little Blue and her infamous past and known to not have decent traction, I decided to stay and crash on a couch in Boulder with my new friends, Meg and Matt.

That evening, they both took me to the Boulder Rock Club. This place was incredibly happening. Sooooo many climbers in the gym. Back at the Delaware Rock Gym (DRG), I do not think if there was ever a time that there were more than 10-people in that gym at once...except for a birthday party or something.

But I got to try out a whole bunch of routes that ranged from 5.6-5.9. I think I am getting better and more comfortable every time I climb. Also, I challenged myself to my first dihedral and crack climbs! This was sooo fun and exciting. I wish Marc was there to see me attempt and accomplish them (almost).

Slowly Getting Up!

Matt said that I would do well with the dihedral route. Right before we got into the midst of climbing, we took an hour-yoga class to warm up for climbing. I missed yoga and most of my flexibility and balance came back to my body pretty quick. Matt stated that since I was pretty flexible and had really good balance, dihedrals would be perfect for me. The dihedral at the gym was solely balance and full body pressures against both walls, and so my dancer background would help me with this route. I did really well: took it slow, there was one part of the route that was pretty challenging, but I was able to shimmy, push, and mantle my way up to the top! Such an awesome accomplishment! I'm not going to lie, I can't wait to try it out on real rocks!

Then my next challenge: cracks. Meg is an awesome teacher as far as explaining out techniques I need to work on, as well as how to go about climbing cracks. Let me tell you, it's hard and painful. I cannot believe you can use your hands as fists and your feet as your equipment to help you excel up a vertical crack route...unbelievable! But I made it maybe 1/3 of the way up the route before my hands and body were getting pretty tired. I've got some homework. 

But overall, I was pretty proud of myself and really excited to continue working on these two types of climbing. I wish it was not snowing everywhere...I want to go try these outside!

TheChristyBel

Snowy Flat Irons!

Welcome to Winter...Again!

Woke up and there was frost all over my windows and my thermometer on my window said 'Lo.' So I went online and this is what The Weather Channel said it was outside.

Can you believe this?!?!? I am totally not ready for the extreme weather yet! It's also a good thing that I have heat in my apartment!

It just makes me remember the cold cabin of Cloudveil back at Teton Science Schools. And it made me wonder how Paige is doing (the current grad that is living in my old cabin)!

Stay Warm, everyone!

Welcome back to winter, ChristyBel! 

Climbing the Bee Hive in Vedauwoo

This afternoon, we decided to explore more of Vedauwoo. I have heard wonderful things about the Beehive Buttress near Happy Jack and the Lincoln Monument off the highway. So we choose to go check it out! In order to get there, you take Blair-Wallis Road from the Lincoln Monument towards the central area. From there you make a left onto 705J (note: it is unmarked and rough), and then another left onto 705JA until the road becomes too narrow to drive and it looks like you've hit a circle parking lot amongst the trees. After parking your car, you take a small trail or the ATV trail to the base of the rock wall.

This place was awesome. We had the whole crag to ourselves for the first hour of climbing. The routes are a huge variety of 5.6 to 5.11+, and most of the routes are sport climbs (routes with bolts up to the anchors, so you just clip your draws in as you lead climb up). But Marc and I both got to do three climbs each. The three routes we chose were to the far left of the wall, right next to each other. They all used the same anchor, which was at the base of a roof. I think they varied from 5.5, 5.6, and 5.10a! The first one was called Gypsie Fire (5.5), the next one was Rip Chords (5.6), and the last one was Walking the Board. Marc led all the routes as I belayed him from the ground. Note this is a great place to practice lead belaying (since I am still new to this activity, it was great to use these routes and practice how much slack and taught rope I need to give to the person I am belaying as they lead climb). But anyways, after Marc would lead up the route, secure the anchors, and would come back down, I would follow, collect the gear and then he would top rope belay me down. On our last route, Walking the board, I followed Marc up to the anchor to where we practiced rappelling again. This was definitely the highlight of my day: not only did I rappel down without hesitation, but I climbed my first 5.10a! Getting onto the rock was really challenging, but I also overcame climbing on an arete (a thin, knife-like, ridge of rock), which had little to no holds and a small crack to place the tips of my fingers in. Basically, I had to body shimmy my way up it to get to the anchor! Such a climbing accomplishment for this beginner!

TheChristyBel