Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Meet Alicia from Quirktastic Adventures!

Hello, Alicia here, engineer by weekday and adventurer by weekend (and most weeknights). I live in Seattle and work as a Project Engineer at Oberto Sausage Company. I’m the girl that is only happy at work when things are busy and stressful and only happy outside of work when I’m doing something active. I always have my eyes open for what fun adventures I can share with family and friends. I started blogging so I could share my ideas and escapades with my readers and hopefully motivate them to step over to the wild side and get out and do something exciting.  Check me out at Quirktastic Adventures for new ideas for how to have fun whenever you have free time.

 

I am thrilled to be guest posting for the lovely Amy, as I believe we share some of the same passions around wellness, traveling and living life. Today, I am going to share with you my journey of stepping out of my comfort zone of science and logic into the world of creativity and art. It all started with a Groupon… (I’m a Groupon/Living Social addict, so sadly many of my stories start out this way). There was a Groupon from Corks and Canvas for a painting class and a your first glass of wine, located at a winery.  The idea got my heart racing a little bit, both because I wanted to do it and because I was scared to death.  The scared to death heart beats won and I didn’t buy it.  Over the next couple of weeks I kept checking the site calendar and looking at all of the paintings that would be fun to create.  Finally, there was a picture of the Seattle skyline that caught my eye.  I ended up posting it on Facebook to see if anyone would go with me to ease my anxiety.  Sure enough another one of my science geek friends, Bridget (she’s a pharmacist), was up for the challenge and adventure.  

The day finally arrived and I was extremely nervous.  Let me tell you, the founder of this company had it right, wine is the perfect pairing to painting.  You have a glass of wine and you calm right down.  Not to mention before every class they say, “If you don’t like your drawing now, just have a couple more glasses of wine and you’ll love it.”  There is an artist as an instructor that takes you through the process step by step, stroke by stroke.  As you’re going along it seems like you are painting nothing but then as you progress through the steps it starts coming together.  Then all of sudden the artist tells you to sign your painting you’re done and it’s shocking to look at your painting and come to the realization that “I just painted a picture and it looks like the Seattle skyline!” 

We continued to go to the class to both hone our skills and of course to have a blast and drink delicious wine.  Each time we went our confidence grew to the point where we knew what the next step was and we didn’t have to wait on the artist to show us exactly how to stroke our brush.  We could even add our own little creative touches.  It truly is incredible to go to these classes and see how different all of the paintings look when we were all being led by the same instructor and started with the same paint colors.  Here are some of my other paintings from Corks and Canvas events.

I do think the $40 is worth it for the class, but Bridget and I definitely were ready to start dabbling in painting on our own at home with the goal of eventually throwing our own painting parties.  My boyfriend, Tyler, surprised me with supplies one day after work.  Here is what you need to get started at home:

• Acrylic paints with a variety of colors (should include white and black for mixing)
• Variety of paint brushes (should include large flat, large round, and a small tip for details)
• Table top easel
• Work surface (cover with a drop cloth, plastic table cloth or newspaper)
• Glass of water
• Paper towel
• Glass of wine (or whole bottle)
• Creative spirit

The other night I did my first painting on my own.  I'm not going to lie, it was a bit challenging without the guidance of an artist.  Not to discourage though, it just takes time to understand layering, color mixing and other techniques.  Practice, practice, practice!  I am in love with my final product and my aunt wants to buy it from me.  Another one of my friends wanted to buy one of my paintings as well. I still can’t tell if they really love them or if they’re just being nice…  Regardless, I get to say I sold two paintings, even though it was only for a penny.

Farewell friends of Amy!!

Meet Alicia from Quirktastic Adventures!

Hello, Alicia here, engineer by weekday and adventurer by weekend (and most weeknights). I live in Seattle and work as a Project Engineer at Oberto Sausage Company. I’m the girl that is only happy at work when things are busy and stressful and only happy outside of work when I’m doing something active. I always have my eyes open for what fun adventures I can share with family and friends. I started blogging so I could share my ideas and escapades with my readers and hopefully motivate them to step over to the wild side and get out and do something exciting.  Check me out at Quirktastic Adventures for new ideas for how to have fun whenever you have free time.

 

I am thrilled to be guest posting for the lovely Amy, as I believe we share some of the same passions around wellness, traveling and living life. Today, I am going to share with you my journey of stepping out of my comfort zone of science and logic into the world of creativity and art. It all started with a Groupon… (I’m a Groupon/Living Social addict, so sadly many of my stories start out this way). There was a Groupon from Corks and Canvas for a painting class and a your first glass of wine, located at a winery.  The idea got my heart racing a little bit, both because I wanted to do it and because I was scared to death.  The scared to death heart beats won and I didn’t buy it.  Over the next couple of weeks I kept checking the site calendar and looking at all of the paintings that would be fun to create.  Finally, there was a picture of the Seattle skyline that caught my eye.  I ended up posting it on Facebook to see if anyone would go with me to ease my anxiety.  Sure enough another one of my science geek friends, Bridget (she’s a pharmacist), was up for the challenge and adventure.  

The day finally arrived and I was extremely nervous.  Let me tell you, the founder of this company had it right, wine is the perfect pairing to painting.  You have a glass of wine and you calm right down.  Not to mention before every class they say, “If you don’t like your drawing now, just have a couple more glasses of wine and you’ll love it.”  There is an artist as an instructor that takes you through the process step by step, stroke by stroke.  As you’re going along it seems like you are painting nothing but then as you progress through the steps it starts coming together.  Then all of sudden the artist tells you to sign your painting you’re done and it’s shocking to look at your painting and come to the realization that “I just painted a picture and it looks like the Seattle skyline!” 

We continued to go to the class to both hone our skills and of course to have a blast and drink delicious wine.  Each time we went our confidence grew to the point where we knew what the next step was and we didn’t have to wait on the artist to show us exactly how to stroke our brush.  We could even add our own little creative touches.  It truly is incredible to go to these classes and see how different all of the paintings look when we were all being led by the same instructor and started with the same paint colors.  Here are some of my other paintings from Corks and Canvas events.

I do think the $40 is worth it for the class, but Bridget and I definitely were ready to start dabbling in painting on our own at home with the goal of eventually throwing our own painting parties.  My boyfriend, Tyler, surprised me with supplies one day after work.  Here is what you need to get started at home:

• Acrylic paints with a variety of colors (should include white and black for mixing)
• Variety of paint brushes (should include large flat, large round, and a small tip for details)
• Table top easel
• Work surface (cover with a drop cloth, plastic table cloth or newspaper)
• Glass of water
• Paper towel
• Glass of wine (or whole bottle)
• Creative spirit

The other night I did my first painting on my own.  I'm not going to lie, it was a bit challenging without the guidance of an artist.  Not to discourage though, it just takes time to understand layering, color mixing and other techniques.  Practice, practice, practice!  I am in love with my final product and my aunt wants to buy it from me.  Another one of my friends wanted to buy one of my paintings as well. I still can’t tell if they really love them or if they’re just being nice…  Regardless, I get to say I sold two paintings, even though it was only for a penny.

Farewell friends of Amy!!

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Hello!

We are on our way home today.

We ask for your prayers for a safe journey home!

Thanks!

Xo, AWS

Monday Inspiration

Hello!

We are on our way home today.

We ask for your prayers for a safe journey home!

Thanks!

Xo, AWS

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

Many people don't realize how powerful and true this statement can actually be in their own lives.  There is so much literature and research that backs up this statement, though.  Even in the hospital, it's considered that the patient's attitude can really affect their recovery.  However, I have witnessed in my own life as well as with people around me that by having a negative outlook and attitude, their lives will remain stagnant.

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."

- Winston Churchill

There is one case in particular where this person continually uses excuses that they "suck" and therefore that is why bad things happen in their life.  They then use this excuse as to why they don't make the small necessary steps in order to take charge of their own life and move forward.

As far as positivity goes, my mother is a great example.  She never said "I can't ____" or "I'm not good enough" and, because of this, she has been extremely successful in her own life.  With out going in to too much details of my mother's life on the Internet, she really is a wonderful example of overcoming obstacles, perseverance, discipline, and hard work -- but she also plays pretty hard, too, because she recognizes that though hard work is necessary to move forward and live the life you want, she knows that sometimes it's about enjoying the life you have created for yourself.

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."

- Scott Hamilton

Duncan and I both believe in the power of the mind and all those "silly" clichés and sayings like the one above.  But there wouldn't be a plethora of sayings, quotes, clichés, books, research studies, conferences, forums, and just literature after literature embracing the common theme: you are what you think that you are.

On May 19, Duncan and I attended the Pre-Cana marriage preparation workshop through the Archdiocese.  We ran into good friends of ours there and I remember a conversation we had with them during a break.  The male of the couple, Matt, is actually a groomsmen who has to take the GACE graduate entrance exam the same day as our wedding.  So, we were joking that he should wear his tuxedo to the test and then drive to join the wedding afterward.  We were talking about how that would make Matt "dressed for success!"  (I also couldn't help but remember a similar scenario in Step Brothers.)  Though, this was just a joking situation, you often hear many times that you have to "dress for what you want" or "dress up for an interview."  Either way, the "dress for success" is just another way of saying you are what you think you are.  If you dress in business attire, then you exude confidence just by your attire... though that may not be the case inside your head.  But if you start thinking positively, you are much more likely to be successful.  If you think positively, you are much more capable and much closer to achieving all the things you want and need out of your life.  And, thus, you are changing your own world.

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."

- Theodore Roosevelt

Monday Inspiration

Many people don't realize how powerful and true this statement can actually be in their own lives.  There is so much literature and research that backs up this statement, though.  Even in the hospital, it's considered that the patient's attitude can really affect their recovery.  However, I have witnessed in my own life as well as with people around me that by having a negative outlook and attitude, their lives will remain stagnant.

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."

- Winston Churchill

There is one case in particular where this person continually uses excuses that they "suck" and therefore that is why bad things happen in their life.  They then use this excuse as to why they don't make the small necessary steps in order to take charge of their own life and move forward.

As far as positivity goes, my mother is a great example.  She never said "I can't ____" or "I'm not good enough" and, because of this, she has been extremely successful in her own life.  With out going in to too much details of my mother's life on the Internet, she really is a wonderful example of overcoming obstacles, perseverance, discipline, and hard work -- but she also plays pretty hard, too, because she recognizes that though hard work is necessary to move forward and live the life you want, she knows that sometimes it's about enjoying the life you have created for yourself.

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."

- Scott Hamilton

Duncan and I both believe in the power of the mind and all those "silly" clichés and sayings like the one above.  But there wouldn't be a plethora of sayings, quotes, clichés, books, research studies, conferences, forums, and just literature after literature embracing the common theme: you are what you think that you are.

On May 19, Duncan and I attended the Pre-Cana marriage preparation workshop through the Archdiocese.  We ran into good friends of ours there and I remember a conversation we had with them during a break.  The male of the couple, Matt, is actually a groomsmen who has to take the GACE graduate entrance exam the same day as our wedding.  So, we were joking that he should wear his tuxedo to the test and then drive to join the wedding afterward.  We were talking about how that would make Matt "dressed for success!"  (I also couldn't help but remember a similar scenario in Step Brothers.)  Though, this was just a joking situation, you often hear many times that you have to "dress for what you want" or "dress up for an interview."  Either way, the "dress for success" is just another way of saying you are what you think you are.  If you dress in business attire, then you exude confidence just by your attire... though that may not be the case inside your head.  But if you start thinking positively, you are much more likely to be successful.  If you think positively, you are much more capable and much closer to achieving all the things you want and need out of your life.  And, thus, you are changing your own world.

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."

- Theodore Roosevelt