2016 Reading Challenge

As a part of my New Year resolution, I'm participating in Modern Mrs. Darcy's 2016 reading challenge! I'm a voracious reader, but I start more books than I finish. This year, I'm committing to change. Some categories have already been marked, but please do feel free to recommend me books!

i. A book published this year. - Open.
ii. A book you can finish in a day. - Open.
iii. A book you've been meaning to read. - Open.
iv. A book recommended by your local librarian. - Open.
v. A book you should have read in school. - East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
vi. A book chosen for you by your souse, partner, sibling, child, or BFF. - The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.
vii. A book published before you were born. - Open.
viii. A book that was banned at some point. - The Awakening by Kate Chopin.
ix. A book you previously abandoned. - Gone Girl by David Fincher.
x. A book you own but have never read. - Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayd. (Finished 1/16/16!)
xi. A book that intimidates you. - Moby Dick by Herman Melville.
xii. A book you've already read at least once. - Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

Advanced Visual Development, Steinbeck, and Me

Fall semester is finally over! These past few months have prepared me to bravely explore my artistic voice. Truly, my breakthroughs are all linked to John Steinbeck.

This semester, I was given the opportunity to study under author Susan Shillinglaw, the director of the National Steinbeck Center, and Thomas Esmeralda, visual development artist who previously worked at Dreamworks and Blizzard. Being taught by the regional authority on Steinbeck while simultaneously being instructed to illustrate Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men was fantastic. Through his works, Steinbeck communicates an appreciation for life's beauty and brutality. He "travels" the internal landscape of the human condition and executes the language of empathy. Although his stories often describe loss, loneliness, and broken dreams--he nonetheless writes from a place of compassion.

The way Steinbeck relates to people moves me so much. He once said, “If a story is not about the hearer, he will not listen. And here I make a rule—a great and interesting story is about everyone or it will not last.” I, too, want to create with a sense of moral responsibility.

With these thoughts in mind, I've spent most of winter break catching up on commissions, learning more about my professional work, and pursuing my winter thesis. Thank you John Steinbeck, my wonderful professors, and my ever-so-amazing health counselor!

1. Reading John Steinbeck's East of Eden because clearly I am not sick of Steinbeck yet. I love this novel and I'm simultaneously intrigued by yet terrified of Cathy Ames. 
2. Reading John Steinbeck's Harvest Gypsies. A great read for a more in-depth account on migrant workers. A must-read for Steinbeck enthusiasts.
3. Shia and I went to Salinas for reference gathering and were charmed by Salinas cows.
4. A familiar sight from the book...
5. We also discovered a hidden trail while hiking in Salinas. I thought I was going to die because I wore inappropriate shoes for the occasion--but this gem was worth it.
6. A warm moment from Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. A tribute to Dutch pastoral paintings. The color management was challenging, but rewarding overall!
7. A more depressing story moment from Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. A tribute to Andrew Wyeth.
8. A stylized story moment from Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. While there's much more to improve, I liked the stylization here.

To see more of my work, please visit http://www.mousepromenade.tumblr.com.

Goldmine

Moving into my new apartment has made life significantly more hectic. Living in isolation makes me constantly reconsider what I want from myself.

Recently, I've been concerned about how responsibly I've been living. We can only take from life what we're courageous enough to reach for. Truly, life is only as generous as we understand it to be. I can't help but ask myself--am I maximizing the present? Am I where I need to be? Have I made significant progress? Fortunately, anxious questions are made to be challenged. I can learn how to live as honestly as possible. I've been pushing myself beyond my comfort zones, volunteering at every possible turn, and learning more about my worldly fingerprint. 

Every person has a unique, inspiring goldmine; we all just have to dig deep to find them. Nature, literature, and my own relationships have started clarifying what I want from myself. Soon, all will be made clear.

1. Slow morning reading and letter-writing. The cookies were a gift from my mother's friend. Quite delicious! 
2. Tea and cookies from Coco, a close friend. I foolishly attempted a Hemingway thinking I could finish. 
3. A lake and forest clearing from Maokong. Certainly one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. My Taiwan trip was memorable and breathtaking. Moving from a humid island to a Californian three-room apartment sure is different!
4. Last but not least, Kimbra's very own "Goldmine."