Oh, and one final note before we get started, the original name of this blog was going to be "Paint the Sky" but I quickly realized that one, I didn't know a song with that title, and two, this current title will be appropriate for the three accomplishments previously posted.
We tend to refer to the "tip of the iceberg" as a beginning, usually for a list or the start of something that must be done. Or in some cases, we see something (like the iceberg) as something small, when actually it is a much bigger deal than we perceive.
When working as a LD (Lighting Designer for those who don't work with theater terms) at the end of this semester, I learned quite a few things. First, with two amazing assistants and some lighting students desperate for lighting hours, I can put a show up in about 32 hours. This is quite an accomplishment for me; and although it was a simplistic show, there was something different with this job. What was it? I loved working with the lights AND I feel like I can really do this for a living. I have another three semesters, but I will keep pushing forward with this career choice. My "final" career goals simply involved accomplishing the following: to tell a story, and to provide some meaning to what another will be spending money for. It's surprisingly hard to find a job that fits both of these requirements, but this profession allows me to walk into my work and know that I will love what I do.
The above speaks about the beginning part of the tip of the iceberg, but now on to what I knew I had to do. So, my father, middle brother and I decided that in order to try to pass my brother an my driving tests, we would go to an almost unknown town called Ridgecrest. As the name does NOT imply, there is not a single ridge or crest throughout the entire town. We looked. None. It was quite an experience for the drive up, with very red mountains on the way to Ridgecrest. We drove around the town to find most all the town is stuck at 35mph, something an overly cautious driver like myself truly enjoyed, but it was less liked by my other family members. Both my brother and I passed, but what I soon saw took my breath away. You know how with sunsets, the clouds will reflect different colors than the backdrop of the sky right? Well, there was an airplane flying, and the white streak it would normally make was non-existent. Instead, it mimicked the clouds and made the sky its canvas. I saw the plane paint the sky, and it was beautiful. It reminded me while on a road that never seemed to end, the journey was not even close to over. Which brings me to my last point.
Finals...ugh. Well, disdain and angst aside, my finals are what saved my grades this semester. But as difficult as they were, the classes themselves brought into perspective a sharper view of who I am and what I truly want to do. But overall, with three more semesters to go with great hopes of grad school afterward. After all, in order to accomplish my biggest dream, my education must still come to a close second, with my faith being first. And I'm not going to even let myself get in the way of ruining this.
Thank you all once again for taking the time to read this. Please have a merry Christmas.
-Just JDR
