Openings: first sale

A long time ago, I mentioned that I would post more of my own work on this little blog. To myself I set a goal to post something of my own sub-creating every month. And, well, I obviously did not do that. So here's to another try...

The seniors planned an art sale/auction last week to raise money for their graduation costs. Kindly they asked me to contribute something. I ended up painting/drawing a few pieces that had been floating in my head for a while, but never quite made it to the sketchbook or paper. I was grateful for the opportunity to do something "presentation" worthy because it gave me a surge of inspiration.

Student Work: Kindergarten Screams

Kindergarten is a tough bunch of kids for me. I was having dinner with our Kindergarten teacher last night and talking with her about the surprising moments that these young children can share with you. We were discussing how at the beginning of the year it is always difficult to imagine what the end result will be of months and months of hard work. Those first few weeks with an English language immersion class of Spanish speaking students is about as chaotic as trying to corral a group of scared chickens. They look at you like you are crazy and you look at them like they are crazy! But it is absolutely amazing to see how much growth happens in their young minds and hearts over the course of a school year. And what is even more sweet is when God really gives us glimpses into what he is doing in their hearts.

This spring semester the Kindergarten class studied inventions for their expedition units. Rather than come up with all new art integration. I gave myself a little grace and decided to go ahead with the self-portrait unit I did with them last year when their expedition was on 'me, myself, and I'. I framed the whole unit with the idea that God made us all the same, but all unique. As we learned how to draw ourselves we learned to see that we all have eyes, ears, mouths, legs, shoulders, etc. But we also noticed how we are all unique and special. While Mrs. Kerrie might have brown straight hair, another student could have black curly or blonde spiky hair. And so on and so forth.

The big climax to the whole deal was perhaps the most successful project I have done with Kindergarten this year-- their identity screams. I got the idea from this picture I found online. We looked briefly at artworks by Wassily Kandinsky and how he used a variety of lines and colors to paint what he heard in jazz music. The students drew a design with oil pastels and painted washes over it with tempura paint cakes. Then we added their photos and a few tid-bits of information about themselves.

They turned out pretty sweet, right?

Peace, Love, and Papaya

Lots of people be hatin' on papaya, or as it is known around these parts- lechosa. And I quite frankly think that it is a crying shame.

I have to admit that I was once among the scoffers. Before even giving it a shot, I believed the rumors that this fruit tasted similar to vomit. So when I first partook of the papaya during my summer as an intern at Pico Escondido in Jarabacoa, my stigma was already built up. I reject it and agreed...ack, vomit. I see so many haters doing the same thing. They believe the gossip and discredit this beneficial fruit. Oh it saddens me.

The second encounter I had with papaya was when I was studying abroad in Mexico. At the time I was staying with a host family in Tlaxcala. Every morning my host mom would serve me a bowl of 'corn flakes' and milk, fresh squeezed orange juice, a cup of instant coffee, pan dulce, and finally a bowl of mango, papaya, and pineapple doused with lime juice. Talk about spoiled. It was amazing and sometimes I still daydream about those sweet mornings. Though when I was first presented with the bowl of tropical fruit I hesitated when I saw the papaya. I didn't want to be rude and reject the food that was generously placed on my plate. So I thought I would do the right thing and sacrifice my taste-buds for a few bites.

I was oh so proven wrong. It was DELICIOUS! What?! Could it possibly be that papaya was delicious?!

It was and is.

I accredit the new found glory of the papaya to the lime juice complement. Tangy, smooth, and oh so delightful. It wasn't long before I looked even more forward to the bowl of fruit in the morning and sometimes even saved a piece of ripe papaya for the coveted last bite.

Because of that time I have switched sides from a lechosa hater to the lechosa lover. I am indeed a reformed lechosa eater. Thus I am also advocating for this luscious fruit. If my testimony is not enough, then I shall offer you science.

Papaya..
1. Promotes digestive health because of it's high levels of fiber and papain enzyme.
2. Boosts the immune system with high levels of vitamin A and C
3. Protects and strengthens your eyes with high levels of beta-carotene
4. Reduces inflammation with high levels of vitamin C and E
5. Lowers cholesterol with high levels of folate and other anti-oxidants.

See, sciences says eat papaya. And if you don't believe in science then believe me.

I especially love to add papaya to smoothies. Here's one recipe*...






1 medium banana
1 cup diced papaya
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup milk or plain yogurt
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons honey
splash of fruit juice (could be orange, pear, or whatever you have in the fridge)

In conclusion... Peace, Love, and Papaya

* Those measurements are pretty much irrelevant, I just made them up right now because I don't actually measure things when I make smoothies (or cook in general). So just throw a bunch of yummy things in the blender and give it a spin. 

You can add more of, replace, or take away ingredients as you see fit.

** My science is based on these sources.