queJimenez...a pieced and quilted writing life

This morning.

Peeks into my first art journal.

I keep crying tears that won't fall. Instead they ache my eyeballs and moisten my lids. I also keep rubbing my belly in a clock-wise, small, circular motion centered on my navel because my tummy, arguably the most sensitive piece of me, is acting up. 

I have irritable viscera and eyes that refuse to cry when things get deep, personal, difficult and real.

It is like I'm hardened and overly sensitive at the same time. Fitting, I'm the overthinker, worry-wort, fantastical-thinker of my family brood.

I'm three days into my multicultural literature class, the class that I have waited fifteen months to take, and I can't read introductory material without feeling like my tear ducts are stopped up. 

Everything is telling me, pushing me, encouraging me, calling me to write...creatively. Everything.

(Right now the tears are falling.)

Everything.

Everything.

Everything.

But something keeps telling me now is not the time. Hold off. You still have literature to learn. You still have academic papers to write. 

I love writing those kinds of paper. Academia.

But now, with fatty tears streaming down my cheeks I crave writing my heart. I imagine if I had the means and the knowledge to tattoo words down my arms I would.

What ever would I write, doesn't matter. I would make it up on the fly...a quilt of words, cursing my viscera for being sensitive and reflective, praising my eyes for finally letting the tears fall, thanking my hands for being warm and rubbing out the tears in my belly before painting my arms with the words.

This is me. This is what I do all day, everyday. Write words in me that I want to live.

When I let them out, I talk too much and I'm sure the receiver of those talks often ponders if they should continue friendship with me or if they are family...continue calling me.

I don't care. 

If you eat garlic it gets into your pores and leaks out in your sweat, urine, breath. I used to take garlic cloves, chop them into quarters and swallow them for immunity. My tummy was stronger then. I hadn't birthed kids or been awakened to me yet. For a day or two I would smell garlic all over me and speak garlickly words.

These days words ooze out of me, but I rarely record them. I give them away in conversation, in class, in local-long-distance phone calls to my mother, brother, auntie, to text messages and iPhone to iPhone speaker calls to E while he balances failing school district budgets, to the kids while they still want to hear my life lessons, to class mates who probably wish I'd shut up...to everyone but the paper.

I talk everything but the prose and poetry I should be talk/writing on screen. 

Truth to tell, it sucks and is wonderful all wrapped up in one. I am grateful and sad. Thankful and frustrated. I understand and am confused.

Family lore is that I didn't start talking till I was four, maybe five years old. No words. Granma would tell me often that she thought I was a "mute." (That's the old black way of saying deaf.) Auntie tells me I didn't say a sound. Nothing. I don't care that I talk so much, these days. I am quite fine with the over-talkative woman I've become, because I know one day I will just write.

Self-illustration. I think I had picked herbs earlier that week, and it was raining outside. Not sure.

I will be four again and go back into my shell, but with the ability to express what I observe. I sort of remember those days. I remember always watching. Always. Watching. Always trying to make sense and sort out life around me. 

E would tell you not much has changed. I'd agree.

♥ Ki

---

I spent a great portion of last night editing pictures to share. I'm excited to share with you wonderful, wonderful, women who so kindly shared with me yesterday that you are still here...reading my words. I have class this evening and a few assignments to turn in and end of school year schoolwork to turn in to the kids teacher. Oh, and some very needy squash plants that need an hour's worth of time watering every day. I hope to upload and post them tonight or tomorrow morning. They are of the new art journals I've made...and an update of my garden.

Until then, here is a sneak peak into the first art journal that I made. The outside cover is horrendous. I hate it. The second that I made is equally ugly. But this first spread, I love. It is honest and true. It is real. The next set of books that I made, which I spent almost the entirety of last week making are a lot better. They have not been written in yet. This post should have been written in there...but I wanted to share my heart here first.

Thank you for your continued friendship and love. I love you all back. ♥

Sweats, Platforms, Literature & Homework

 

 

Hey, you want to know a secret? It isn't always easy being a focused student, a homeschooling mother, a supportive wife-daughter-sister-friend, a short person, or outspoken & passionate.

I've had a rough week:

I've cried and lost nights of sleep. I've not been focused. I haven't washed dishes in...I don't know how many days (but I think E has picked up some of the slack). I'm frustrated. I learned the depths of my passion for learning/teaching this week. I'm insanely annoyed every time the phone rings. My back has made me cry too. My house looks like my kitchen sink. We had sandwiches 2 or 3 times this week because neither me nor E had time to "cook" dinner (not even making minute rice, steaming vegetables, and quick-cooking chicken). 

 

I am finding solace in doing what I shouldn't and some of what I should do:

1. I E bought me new platforms as an early "present." 

2. I added a "throne" to my bedding. It vibrates so strong it made me nauseous, and the factory smell makes my eyes water and burn. But, besides all that I feel like it will lessen the time I spend crying over my back aches. 

3. I added two other bed desks to supplement my surfboard that I love and use every time I write a paper. (One of them. The other is discontinued, so I have no pictures.)

4. I'm wearing those platforms (see #1) in bed because when I peek over my laptop they make me feel like a lady despite the paint laden sweats I'm wearing from my maternity days, and the too big, cheap, forever 21 sweatshirt I'm wearing. And the lack of time I had to shower last night, or this morning---that luxury will come when I finish this paper. *They are brand new, so it's okay that I step on my bed with them.*

5. I made my bed though the rest of my room is a total, complete disaster.

6. I ate two cookies for breakfast.

7. I'm allowing myself to have an attitude with my brother for calling me at 1:17 am to tell me he was "thinking about shutting down his fb page too," and "that he is finding his new role as father agreeable" because I have no time for sleep, but I allowed myself a few hours and he called and interrupted them.

8. I'm blogging when I should be writing a paper.

9. I'm thinking about turning on the vibrating function of my throne even though I know it will make me nauseous just because I'm so anxious,  and restless--but still need to write.

10. I'm thinking positively, because India tells me, "Even the day after tomorrow will one day be yesterday."

11. I'm thinking about being completely irresponsible and buying another pair of these platforms in yellow because it is my favorite color, they are comfortable, they make me taller, they make me feel worthy of my age and title as woman-lady. But, I'm sure I won't.

12. I'm pissed at myself for not writing in my gratitude journal for the past 2 or 3 nights.

 

 

 

 

If you've heard that "life sucks--and then you die" you should know that isn't true. There are days and weeks, sometimes months and years, that seem like mischief is dancing on your back, swimming in your throat, and bouncing on your sore knees--but, you (like me), better yet us all have to get over it.

In the end there is happiness in simple things like red and purple platforms. There is also happiness in things like prayer/meditation/positivity. 

I will spend the entire weekend sitting in this pretty bed, with pretty shoes, surrounded by a grossly disordered room, books, research, etc. But I can choose to look over my work and smile at shoes. I can choose to ignore the paint splatters on my sweats and the hairs growing in on my legs, or the frustration in my heart to focus on what is good:

life

Today life is happiness in something stupid like shoes, but always life is worth pushing through...to see what is on the other side. Next week, or perhaps, in four weeks when this class is over I will be stronger, taller, and more sure of who I am.

I will be able to write my teaching philosophy, I will be able to confidently send apps out to graduate programs--knowing that I want to be a professor. Because though I'm having a difficult few weeks...I've learned that I value and respect teaching and learning. The process, when done with reverance on both ends, is simply delicious and worth struggling for.

I'm working hard today. My nose is down, my face is pressed in the bindings of my books, and I'm going to do this damn thing:

Because I think learning is the most wonder-fullest thing in the world. Even better than red and purple platform shoes in the bed on a Saturday morning.

Peace & Platforms...

Ki

Roller coasters can be fun.

*Study aids. Click for larger, uncut picture.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I learn that I don't and that I need more time and life experiences.

Hop aboard the greatest roller coaster of all time. We've got twists and turns and loops and speed and sudden stops. Guaranteed fun, thrills, screams, laughter, excitement--soon as you sit back, strap up, and settle in. 

Picture me riding this roller coaster called life.

At the end of last week, after I settled on my plans to pursue the MFA Creative Writing-mind you, I scooted an email out to my creative writing professor from a couple of semesters ago telling her my decisions, and asking her opinion. It was a long email. A vent, if you will. I told her I wanted someone to be honest with me. And that I needed to know if it was truly worth it and potentially helpful for me to pursue an MFA instead of the others. I also told her that I wanted someone to be honest with me--the reality is that most writers won't publish, I'm fine with that--where should I focus my energies to position myself to not be "degreeful" and jobless in five years. I also told her I need someone to be honest with me.

Before I tell you how she rocked my world, let me remind you what my life goals are:

-Full-time, at-home, homeschooling mom till kids are well into double-digit ages (teenagers or later).

-Writing life (both academic and creative).

-Artist life (showing in select shows once or twice a year).

-Maintaining an edible garden year round.

-Part-time adjunct professor teaching composition, literature, and creative writing.

-Baking extraordinaire.

-Teaching textile art classes, when life permits.

Basically, when I grow up I want to be a stay-at-home, homeschooling, mom, artist/writer, part-time professor and full-time gardener and baking extraordinaire.

I know, not complicated and highly probable. ^__^

Back to my wonderful professor (who has a Ph.D.). She told me that I needed to think bigger, brighter, higher, and further. She told me that I was capable of more. She told me that no matter how academic I become, I would never loose my creativity. She told me I didn't need an MFA to become a great writer--as I am already on my way. She told me that I had something special to offer students. She told me I can. I can. I can.

I can get a Ph.D.

And that I should seriously, as in stop thinking everything your thinking now, put thought into what I can accomplish, and what I should accomplish--again, a Ph.D.

Hold on, whiplash. Let me fix my neck.

I never allowed myself to think that high. MA English? sure, I can accomplish that. Ph.D.? Oh wait, pump your breaks, you do know my name is Kiandra, right? You do know who you're talking to, correct?

*Where I school, click for larger, uncut picture.

Before I type on for another thousand words, because let's be honest, I am going to discuss this thoroughly; let me tell you that you must never set your goals at what you "think" you can do. No, you must set them higher, further, out in the realm of Jupiter, Saturn, or dare I say Neptune. What ever you think you can do, you can do--plus about 75% more. 

She is an amazing professor. Loving and gentle, but also insightful, wise, and willing to challenge you with honesty. She sees the you that you don't see. Every student should have one, five would be great, professors like this. And I urge you, cultivate relationships with those professors who care, are wise, and are willing to offer guidance. Stay after class. Ask them about their life/academic/professional experiences. Let them know who you are. Express why you are pursuing what you are pursuing. Build relationships. 

But first you need to get clear about who you are, and what you want. Gosh, here I go again--I know it is getting old--but this is one reason why I stepped away from fb. I found myself defining myself through outside influences. And, let me be the first to tell you that I am not that impressionable. But, something happens when you watch or are keen to what others are doing. You start to define yourself in relation to them. "Oh, I don't want to do that...Oh, that's what I want/use to want...Oh, what if I did that then/now/in the future." Please don't get me wrong, I do think this is healthy, and is a normal part of human behavior, but the problem is comparing ourselves to too many people, and people who are not truly aligned to our life goals. 

We don't think we do it; the comparing sneaks up on us--perhaps through the back door, or a crack in the window seal of our psyche. Before you know it, you start to synthesize who you are based on others, society, etc.

Let me go off on a meaningful tangent here. I wrote a paper last week about a book I'm reading, Moll Flanders--Daniel DeFoe, and I wrote that her identity was a synthesized identity based off her constant reactions to what labels society (oppressive to women at the time-17th Century British) places on her. Moll becomes a prostitute, a criminal, she marries her brother, the list goes on and on, but all of these reactions to her situations is because she lacks identity.

That is what I do not want for myself. I want to make career and educational decisions because I am following passion, innate talent, and drive. It is hard to see your true reflection when you allow so many fingerprints on your mirror. This does not mean we don't need others, but that they should be reflective of who we are. In the best way, those people should be a reflection--a mirror if you will--of who you are, not fingerprints.

So?

I've done my research. I've dug deep down inside. I've written out who I want to be and what I want to become when I grow up. I've talked to the people who know me, love me, and have been a part of my life journey. I've talked to my kids, my most honest reflections. I've prayed and held a few conversations with God in the shower. I've focused on what I'm most grateful in my life.

And through all of that I still don't know 100%, but I am very close, 95%. The other 5% is me waiting for the continual direction from God. I believe I know, but I could be wrong. I won't know until God makes it possible.

With that I am preparing myself for everything. After all, luck is when hard work meets opportunity, right? Although I leave it in God's hands, I do know that I must do my part. I must take the first steps. I must work hard. I must be grateful. I must be mindful. I must be honest. That is me doing my job, so that God may do his/hers.

I will be applying to two different Ph.D programs, one based solely on English and another where I would get a dual Ph.D in Cultural Studies and English (getting MA's in both along the way). I'm also applying to my current Uni for their MA English Lit program along with another Cal State's MA program. I will also apply to a couple of different MFA programs. None of this is entirely set in stone; during this year I may change preferences of Universities after I visit and talk with counselors. But the point is I am not limiting myself to just what I think I can do, I'm aiming out there towards Neptune.

There are fears. GRE anyone? But, I've managed to turn those fears and pieces of apprehension into excitement and pieces of anticipation, expectation. I tell myself these mornings, "What will it feel like to pass the GRE with high scores? What will it feel like when I get accepted everywhere and I have to make a choice? What will it feel like to graduate with honors?" And then I close my eyes and experience it.

I learned this trick from my best friend Cosme. He accomplishes so much. Well, years ago he told me his secret. He says he imagines himself doing it. He lives it, sleeps it. Walks himself completely through the experience--sees the sights, smells the smells, hears the sounds, feels the feelings--all of that. And when it happens, you know what he told me--he's already lived it and is busy living the next experience. Sounds familiar, like the law of attraction, the Secret? Well, he told me this years before all that came out, he's extremely dyslexic and does not read--at all. He doesn't know anything about "The Secret" outside of what he's done his entire life. He is an artist by the way, and taught me almost everything I know. He has also created the entire arts culture, which is city-wide, in our city. 

I'm getting verbose here, but these are things I need to speak out into the world, if nothing else but to remind me when the roller coaster gets scary.

We can never know what we are truly capable of unless we try to accomplish it. It is as plain and simple as that. Nike says "Just do it," Cosme told me "Jump off the bridge," I'm telling you, "Set your standards high and cultivate your own life."

It is all different ways to saying--Own your life.

In the 12 days since I've stepped out of my comfort zone I have learned so much. I have opened myself up to new possibilities. 

Did you know you could CLEP out of GE classes for $80 a test? Neither did I; I'll be taking College Algebra, American Government, Sociology, and Western Civilization I.

Guess who's going to be an art show, April? Me.

Did you know you can pass the GRE by studying and learning the tricks? I didn't either.

Did you know there are resources online that can teach you Algebra, I mean really teach you, for free? I know, coolio.

Guess who's entering her university's excellence in writing contest? That would be me.

Let's Own this life of ours, and do the damn thing!

Ki 

Currently....

*click for larger, uncut picture

1. Homeschooling outside in a mix of sun and wind.

2. Listening to "I would Like To Call it Beauty" by Corriene.

3. Studying for a midterm in my Literary Theory and Criticism class (tomorrow).

4. The kids just finished having both a jump rope contest, and a jump rope/hoola-hooping contest.

5. Thinking (in the back of my mind) about a paper I'll be writing for my world literature class...still haven't decided on a focus, but know I'll be discussing Budhhist Literature and New Testament Literature.

6. Wishing I didn't sneak and eat those potato chips rumbling in my stomach. I do not digest white potatoes well, though me and sweet potatoes are great friends.

7. Trying not to remember that yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of the passing of my sweet granma--the same thing I did all day yesterday. But content that I didn't cry, once, but smiled often.

8. Wishing that I didn't have to download and work on Sunday night's birthday/tea party pics...wishing that the work could do itself.

9. Fighting icy wind because clouds just covered the sun.

10. Wishing that E was home even though he will be downstairs doing his homework and I will be upstairs doing mine.

11. Wishing I would have published those two posts I wrote last week. I'll schedule them.

12. Getting ready to run back to my desk--my bed--as the sun has sunk to low on the horizon.

12. Happy.

Ki

P.s. I will now be responding to all the lovely comments you all have posted, and will make every effort to continue doing so in the future. 

Where I write.

During the past two years I've spent countless hours sitting at the head of my bed--writing. It is where I find my words, where I find peace, and where I can daydream to my heart's content.

Because I spend so much more time in this one tiny space than any other place, I've taken on the task of remodeling it.

All my little tutoring money (okay not all...but most) goes into adding color, rich patterns, and loveliness to this room. Most times it's been books...but lately I've splurged and started updating things. The curtains are a cheap steal from Marshall's, the Pavo quilt I patiently waited (a year) to go on sale at Anthropologie, and the duvet and sheets were steals from Urban Outfitters.

I still have so much I want to do--paint my nightstand something bright and daring, make a tufted headboard, make another wall hanging--but I'm loving looking up from articles, books, and dictionaries and seeing this riot of color around me.

It inspires me...and influences my writing I'm sure.

I would never have thought sleeping on purple sheets and looking out purple curtains would be my thing, but I've found that is the awesome thing about color--when you step out of your comfort zone you find a lot of excitement.

So in the meantime...in between time this is where I am. Writing, researching, reading, and writing. Welcome to my world.

♥ Ki

P.s. all pictures taken w/ my iphone...and manipulated w/apps. Isn't technology wonderful?

 

From my Instagram stream...and some keys to Iphoneography Editing for Instagram

 

                   

                                                 "Cloud Bowl"

Taken Sunday morning after a rainy Saturday. Taken with my iPhone4 and edited with tiltshiftgenerator (iPhone), filterstorm (iPad) and possibly Iris (iPad) then finally taken into instagram (iPhone).

                  

                                          "Little cartoonist"

Taken last week, while the little guy was drawing...his new favorite hobby. Taken with my iPhone4, no editing before taken into instagram

                 

                               "An 8-yr old's Favorite Things"

Taken Sunday, we were heading out to do our grocery shopping. I loved how she dressed herself; she layered a favorite tank over an old shirt that has to be a size 4T, then layered a balloon skirt over some new Hanna leggings (we found at Costco!). She's wearing her 1st pair of Tom's, which she wanted because "They give another kid shoes" and she liked that. Accesorized with a favorite necklace and of course her lovey "Elephant" freshly laundered the night before.

The picture on the right was taken with my iPhone4 and edited in Tiltshiftgenerator and (I think) Filterstorm (iPad), before all three were taken into PicFrame (iPad) and finally processed in Instagram (iPhone)

 

                   

                                "Molassess-Spiced Sugar Cookies"

Taken last Friday with E's iPhone 4s, then each picture was lightly edited on my iPad with either Iris (iPad) or Filterstorm (iPad) to try and get the same color tones. The bottom left one didn't behave very well. They were then taken into PicFrame (iPad) before finally landing in Instagram (iPhone).

My iPhoneography Editing Process (Instagramers Slant)

I'm very new to iPhoneography, though I have been using my iPhone for "photography" for years now. I recently saved up and purchased an iPad and was looking for different ways, outside of school, to use it and incorporate it into my life. That's how I stumbled on iPhoneography.

My editing process is very simple. I take the photos and then try to improve them in various apps before I finally dump them into my Instagram stream. I'm still very new to the process, so I don't have many favorite apps, but I do love Tiltshiftgen and PicFrame. I get the most effect out of those so far. I still have a lot to learn with the photo processing apps; they can be fairly complicated and frustrating if you don't know what your doing.

In the short time that I have been seriously trying to edit my iPhone pics I have learned to work with multiple apps in layers. Sometimes the best effect is gained by taking a picture through multiple apps and editing in "layers." 

Here's a typical run down of my process:

1. Take picture and if need be transfer it to my iPad through Photo transfer app. I find that though the iPad has a camera, the iPhone is much more practical and easy to use. Not to mention the iPad picture quality is not as good as the iPhone's quality. Pics taken with the iPad have a lot more noise and graininess, fyi. Sometimes that's good.

2. Once I take the picture I usually enhance it in the iPhone/iPad camera/photo app. With the new ios you can now enhance, crop, and do other minor processing things with your photos. I always try and do a square crop at this stage so that I don't end up processing something I'll eventually have to crop out later. But, if I love all aspects of a picture I don't crop it and take it into another app, see # 5.

3. Once I have my picture, I take it into either Iris or Filterstorm (both on iPad) to try and lighten or darken it, or deal with other issues like colors/tone. I'm no pro here so this is usually where I spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to make it "better" without overly processing the orignal. This is my learning curve area. If it is yours too, search for tutorials on YouTube and the likes. I'm sure there are many tuts. (For me, time is an issue, so it'll have to wait till this Uni semester is over.)

4. If I think the picture will lend itself to tiltshift editing I take it into the Tiltshiftgen app and try and get some great effects there. 

This is also the stage where I would use Juxtapose (iPad) or a merge app (if I had one) to get different effects/layers. I like Juxatopose, and have played with it a bit, but I really want a merge app so I'm on the look out for one of those. A merge app would allow layering or blending two photographs together, while Jutapose does that, it creates a clean, lined definition down the middle so it doesn't give the layered look you'd get if you merged two photos into one. Sounds confusing? I know, sorry.

5. After all of that editing is done to the picture or pictures if I am doing a collage, I take it through the final step before getting processed in Instagram. This could be using PicFrame (iPad) to build a collage, or PhotoShake (iPad), or even ComicBook or Halftone (both iPad). 

If the picture wasn't cropped in step #2, then I take it into Squaready and get it ready for Instagram.

6. Finally, processed and ready my picture will either be taken directly into Instagram for sharing, or it will sit on my photo app ready for it's moment to shine in Instagram.

It is key to not load all your pictures into Instagram at once, save some for times you can't upload pics, and slowly roll them into your feed. The key to Instagram is good pictures, regular updates, and did I say good pictures? That's if you want a following. Some of us do, some of us could care less (ahem, E). 

So that's my beginner's iphoneography editing process (bent towards Instagramers). I have learned to edit before dumping into Instagram if the picture is subpar, but I know there are some purist who believe in minimal processing. And hey, that's okay...some pics I want to leave alone too. But in the end, to me the whole fun of iPhoneography is to manipulate the pictures creatively. Of course not every picture, but hey...why not have some fun. 

And let me reiterate here...I'm by no means a photographer. I'm a nerdy homeschooling mom by day and a nerdy English major by night tutoring freshman comp papers. On weekends I moonlight as a vegan baker and quilting artist. There are lots of resources out on the 'nets to get real tutorials on iPhone photo editing. This is just one woman's process. Take what you can use...leave behind what you can't.

Peace & ♥

Ki

A pieced and quilted writing life.

            

Sunday morning grocery shopping...I still head out with my favorite grammar book, my favorite new jacket, and a "vintage" quejimenez leather bag. Taken by E with his cool, new iphone 4gs and processed in a couple of apps before finally landing in instagram, my wicked obsession.

"They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom." -Conficious

After careful and long consideration I have decided not to stop blogging, change platforms, or get rid of quejimenez here at typepad. My life has undergone so many changes within the past year and a half, and more particularly during the past ten months, that I have had to take stock of where I am, what I can accomplish, and what I should spend my time trying to accomplish.

One thing kept bringing me back here: This is where it all started. It has been this blog, this ritual of sharing my thoughts, my creativity, my upsets and successes that has directed me down my current path. Although the signs were present throughout my k12 education, I never knew my passion and talent lay in writing, it simply never dawned on me until I started writing here. 

But, I have decided to move in different directions in some ways while also maintaing other aspects of what has come to be known as quejimenez the blog. Most of you who have been a part of my life through online and personal connections already know that I am a full-time Uni student majoring in English. You may even know that I tutor English now. This means virtually no time for crafting, painting, quilting and the likes but more time spent researching, writing, and studying the mechanics of writing and literature. This means less DSLR photography and more time snapping moments on my iphone, ipad, or both. 

This all boils down to one thing, I will now be blogging a lot about writing, grammar, literature, and the stuff that makes us English majors' hearts race. I am that grammar, writing nerd. You know that fleeting feeling of your heart skipping a beat or racing when you realize your falling in love? I get those sort of moments when reading grammar books, stumbling onto great literature, or finding a great critical review while researching.

I know, I know, it's sickening. Who does that? Who falls in love with rhetorical grammar books, and takes copious notes on gerunds? Who else loves punctuation? Anyone? And should I even ask who would like to raise their hands and volunteer to write an essay? 

It's okay. No one has to stand up or raise their hands. (I have a few fellow grammar nerd pals at Uni.) E  informed me last night that he does not care to know about appositives. He said, "not even a little" when I prodded him again and again. It doesn't matter to him that it would improve his writing and help prevent dangling gerunds, he still cares not to know. 

That may sound familiar and normal to you, but to me that sounds like blasphemy of my grammar and writing religion. It offends my grammar and writing sensibilities. 

So here's the deal--my goal is to share my passion, my knowledge, and my experience. Got a question about grammar? Ask me. Need advice on writing a paper? Go ahead ask me. Want to know if you should end a sentence with a preposition? Yeap, ask that too. And by any means if you have a sentence that just doesn't "sound right," I would be offended if you didn't ask me. Sentences are the gardens of thoughts. Were else could we plant beautiful words, raise wonderful ideas, and nurture the thoughts that make us bloom.

            
One of the reasons I love iphoneography...this is a composite of the first picture I took with my first iphone (3g) and a recent (about 2 months old) picture taken with my current iphone (4g) taken through one or two editing apps. These photos are about 3.5 years apart, btw.

With all that grammar stuff said, I do hope and expect to include what few crafty projects I manage, the pictures I take (you are familiar with iphoneography right?), and the creative meals and decorating ideas I come up with between grammar, literature, and word crushes. As much as I love this stuff called English and frequently acquire new word and grammar rule crushes, no one can take English all the time with no colorful, creative breaks. Well, let me just own up to that and say I can't live void of colorful, creative breaks. That is not because my love is not there, but because the heart of me is colorful and creative. (Hince my new obsessions with iphoneography, cross stitching, stlyistically plating the food I cook/bake, and redecorating my humble abode.)

As I get things settled around the blog expect changes to pop up here and there. (You did notice the new blog header, right?) I intend to include some helpful links to websites that encourage good writing skills and that I often refer to when writing (or being a nerd and searching grammr rules for kicks). I'm also planning to update my booklist to include books that I turn to while tutoring, writing, pleasure reading, etc. 

My hope is that through sharing my passion I can help others write better, understand why punctuation and diction matter, and ultimately free those thoughts and ideas growing in your mind's garden waiting to bloom. Writing is complicated, but it is not impossible. I don't know it all, but I do know where to find answers and how to spot problems. In fact, I still have spelling issues of my own; however, I have learned to recognize my mistakes so that I can correct them. Knowledge is power, remember?  

Finally, although the archives are not listed here anymore they are still archived and housed here. So if you had a favorite past post of mines, or wonder if I have any blogging cred (if your new to the world of quejimenez), or are just plain interested in how I got to this point in my life, don't worry it is all still here. I'm working on updating links, etc. It will be listed under the banner in archives and/or "life." 

As always, I welcome your company and look forward to sharing my passion with you all. I hope you'll join me and I can be of some English benefit in your lives.

This is my life--a pieced and quilted writing life.

<3 Ki