Season’s Greetings

My art class ended last Monday. I turned in my portfolio, my sketchbook, and my research paper. I did my artist presentation, took the final test and finished up with my final project, which was a three-quarters view self-portrait. We did a “pre-instruction” self-portrait at the beginning of the class, before we had learned much of anything, and had to compare our first one to our final one. I guess my final one was a better picture, but neither one looked much like me. In Allison’s words, it was a very good picture of someone else. Oh, well. I just need some more practice. I missed one question on my test and was missing one picture in my sketchbook, but received extra credit for two other pictures I had done in my drawing pad, so I think I ended up with 100% in the class. I also had 100% attendance, even going to class the day before Thanksgiving when only one other person showed up. My teacher told Allison, Amanda and Geoffrey that I was her best student (though I don’t have as much talent or experience as another guy who did some awesome pictures in class). She has invited me to take private lessons with her and I will start them on January 8th. I can hardly wait to study with her one on one!

So, now I can turn my thoughts to Christmas. I haven’t put up the Christmas tree or any decorations yet, other than Christmas cards that have come. So, the plan is to start all that on Sunday. I have ordered some presents from the internet, but I will have to arrange time now to do some shopping for the things that can’t be ordered from Half.com.

I also need to consider what goals I want to set for the New Year. Wesley told me that he gave up McDonald’s last year and set a goal to eat more fish. He said he lost 20 pounds without doing any other thing. This year, he is giving up video games and instead, will spend that time improving his guitar-playing skills. That is inspiring to me. I have never had any other goal than the one I make every year to lose weight. Maybe I should give that one up and instead, spend my time doing my art and saving money to travel to Alaska, Europe or some other place more exciting than Utah.

It has been very enjoyable to have Allison living with me this month. She has been doing a rotation and going to residency interviews as well, so she has much to tell about that. I will encourage her to write a blog while she is at home with me.

If I don’t write again before Christmas, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” to you all.