The Margin is now Siren’s Finds

If you’ve been wondering why the pages of the Margin have been so desolate this past year, it’s because it’s changed location. Much of what I would normally post here, I’ve been sharing on my new site Siren’s Finds. Now you can see all of my new posts in your reader again because The Margin is Siren’s Finds (don’t worry though you WON’T get email notifications every time I post on Siren’s Finds…unless you really want to.)

If you really enjoy it you can also sign up for Siren’s Finds’ weekly newsletter where I share a slew of creative based goodness at the beginning of the week and sometimes throw in a free freebies for all the lovelies subscribed.

The Margin will still be here, but all the fun’s over on Sirensfinds.com. 

It’s still the same Rena, confused quirky and creative just under a new domain!

Hope to see you there!

Sinceriously,

Serena

Last Week of K5

With a thrill of popsicles, cupcakes, streamers, and bubbles, the school year ended for a fantastic little 5 year old.

As a follow up to our little chat in September, I decided to have another final “course evaluation” of this great thing called Kindergarten.

Did the coursework meet your expectations?

Bella: Not really. I thought we would draw less and learn more numbers.

Do you feel prepared for the next level (first grade)?

Bella: Yesh, I can write all of my letters very well now. Even the ones that aren’t in my name or yours!

Did the instructor provide you with the materials you needed and offer additional guidance when necessary?

Bella: I love my teacher. She put the bad guys [kids] in time out.

What improvements would you suggest for kindergarten?

Bella: We need to have more time for writing and coloring and less nap time. I never slept at nap time.

Finally, what was the most valuable [further explained to the interviewee as “the best”] part of your kindergarten experience?

Bella: We went to the zoo!! And learning to read. Reading is so fun!!!

Bella asked that I wish everyone a happy summer and that I tell everyone to read a good book (she suggested her favorite: What do you do with an Idea by Kobi Yamada).

cheers to summer and happy reading

Break

After eight weeks of classes filled with overly religioned versions of basic concepts and “new” ideas that are not even remotely new to those who spend time actually using their brains, spring break has been more than welcome. For the first time since my freshman year I decided to take an actual break: to stay in my pajamas past noon, test out a new color of paint, catch up on shows I’d lost track of, and go to sleep the same day I woke up. Does that sound lazy to you? It does? I really don’t care.

painting the flowers gold

You rarely realize how much you need a break until you take one. Subsequently, I did not realize how miserable and worn down I’d come off to my friends. Despite my own personal delusions of having everything together, one of my really close friends kept insisting that I must be keeping a secret or that I was hopelessly drunk because I was actually appearing to enjoy myself. So much for my self-proclaimed balance.

Considering that this semester consisted of only 15 credits and only 15 hour work weeks as opposed to 18 credits and 40+ work hours of those previous, it’s safe to say that I can relax a little. Stuck in the rut of demanding professors, seemingly never-ending flows of assignments, and 2 hours of sleep per night, my soul died.

Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but I did forget about fun.

So here’s to Wednesday, that midweek slump. Grab some coffee, blast your favorite song, devote an hour to your favorite book, sketch the moment that made your day wonderful, meet up with friends for dinner, do a little bit of whatever it is that you love- you deserve a nice break.

So, This is the New Year

I got the chance to croon along with some other movers and shakers at a Resolution Show. The three of us sang, laughed, and played for quite a few hours to entertain a crowd of coffee lovers on a chilly Saturday night. About halfway through, the fearless singing leader asked “What are some resolutions you guys are gonna shoot for?” (The show was a few days before January 1st). I held back the urge to roll my eyes as I softly strummed Mo the ukulele and kept my focus on keeping up with the set.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by their responses.

One guy with gratuitous facial hair, decked out in a “Rad” beanie called out “I’m gonna do some of that craft stuff I always see on Pinterest. That stuff’s sick!” The crowd chuckled. Then an older gentleman offered that his was to say “I love you” to his wife more often. The room was teeming with energy as people announced that they would start sending handwritten letters, find reasons to give random gifts, Instagram their coffee less, read and discuss a novel every month, show more kindness to strangers, and do more for the benefit not only for themselves but also for others.

At only a few weeks in to the new year I find myself still mentally wishing them all well on their resolutions, and I’m thrilled to have experienced a group of people with such good vibes about them.

Happy year/month/day/hour to you all.

First Week of k5

These past two weeks have been the ultimate culmination of the back to school commercials, fliers, and dances that have been plaguing my ears since mid-July. For me, back to school ads are old news, but to a very excited 4 year old I know, this was the beginning of everything.

I interviewed this little lady in “course evaluation” style in an attempt to remember what that first experience with school was like.

Do you think kindergarten will teach you everything you need to know before first grade?

Bella: Yes. We’re gonna know how to write our whole names by then.

Has your experience in school matched the description you were given about kindergarten?

Bella: Yes! Mommy told me I would get a new lunchbox and batpack [backpack] for k5 and I did.

Is that the Hulk on your lunchbox?

Bella: No, it’s Four [Thor] and Captain America. Don’t be funny. You already knew that.

Oh yeah! What do you think of the textbooks and materials? [explained to the interviewee as “stuff your teacher gives you”]

Bella: It’s difficult. Why do we have so many letters?

(The interview paused for a quick cake pop and hot chocolate break.)

Do you think your teacher knows what she’s talking about?

Bella: Yeah. she’s kinda old.

(That’s not a kind thing to say, Bella)

(But she’s definitely older than you!)

Moving on. What do you expect to learn in kindergarten?

Bella: I want to write papers like you. Maybe like a whole paper of letters for my teacher. Also how to read them. I already know how to see my name and it’s five letters long!

Oh! Maybe we can learn how to play sports! And I want to paint too!

Don’t you need to know your colors first?

Bella: (Offers a blank stare) I already *know* my colors AND how to mix them. My uncle taught me.

My apologies! Do you think you will have a good year in school?

Bella: Yes! I’m gonna be more smart for first grade, and I already have new friends! There’s a lotta stuff I don’t know and I’m gonna know it now! It’s gonna be a so great year, right?

 

And there you have it. The view of the first year of school by an intelligent, snarky, and silly four year old.

Dear Mum and Dad: Thank you for Disney World

Dear Mum and Dad,

I am now in college and I’m nearly twenty years old. You ask me where the time went, but I honestly couldn’t tell you. I’m absolutely amazed that you still humor me and put up with my crazy fits, and lack of direction and that you’ve done so for twenty years.

Most of all, though, thank you for Disney World.

You guys have never promised me the world, stars, or even a pony and that’s okay. You provided me with books, wisdom, a work ethic and my wit. I’ve whined, complained, pitched fits, and yelled at you both, and for some incredibly unfathomable reason you still hug me and tell me I’m intelligent.

I’ve been punished, restricted and “deprived” of many things, but guess what? I get that you did it for a reason. Screenshot this mum and dad (I’ll teach you how in a minute): I’m still your little girl, and I still hope I make you proud. And mum and dad…

Thank you for Disney World.

I was a brat the entire trip. I begged for us to go, then complained the whole car ride, refused to eat when we got there, and wanted to spend the whole week at the hotel pool rather than the park. Even typing that out makes me sick… but I met Pocahontas, Ariel called me darling, Alice tapped my nose, and we saw a sneak preview for Mulan- the disney lady who would soon become my favorite.

Mum, Dad, I will never forget this trip. So many kids would love to see even the silhouette of Cindy’s castle in person while I’ve gotten to see it twice- though I have forgotten that first one. Guys, I’m officially to the point where I understand that I’ll never be able to even begin repaying you…and what blows my mind is that you don’t and never will expect me to.

Parents, thank you for Disney World

…and everything else.

Day 30

You can do a lot in 30 days. Or you can just let the days pass.

I devoted my June to a good old fashioned 30 Day Challenge. This one was the Minimalist challenge in which you get rid of a number of things based on the date (June 1= 1 item gone June 17 = 17 items gone). Sounded simple enough.

Days 1-12 were easy. A pair of shoes that I’d always hated, left. A few notebooks full of high school math notes and middle school english study guides also found their way to the bin. It was easy.

Days 13-18 were difficult. these were the detachments that required thought. Do I really like that vase filled with dead rose petals or am I just trying to hold on to something that’s long gone? How many superhero shirts does one girl actually need? 13-18 held the mornings  that I tried convincing myself that i had nothing else that I could possibly get rid of despite the tons of random items everywhere in the living space. That is until day 19.

Days 19-30 were easy. Too easy. This was the point of no return. I went through cleared my book shelf, movie shelf, closet, jewelry rack(s), music collection, even going as far as computer documents as if they were nothing. Somehow, it’d become easier after the Great Battles of 13-18 to determine the usefulness and sentiment within in an item.

I dropped off bags, boxes, and bins at various donation sites over the four weeks, and after week four I thought it was over. I’d left the challenge unharmed and with nothing (almost literal) to show for it.

However, after five hours in the book store surrounded by thousands of prints I’d love to own I found myself weighing the usefulness of the book and wondering how, if it all, owning it could better mine or someone else’s life.

 

In four weeks, my brain’s changed in a simple yet positive (and clutter-free!) manner. What could you do in four weeks?

Crawling Out From Under a Rock

“May’s almost over.” I say.

“It’s not.” the artist mumbles back “We’ve go a whole ‘nother week.”

“Yes. That’s 7 days versus the 20 plus that have already passed.”

The artist shakes his head. “Why does it matter?”

“Because I missed a whole month.”

“You were right here.” He says squinting as if he’s missed something, too.

Honestly, time flies no matter what. Whether you’re having fun, in a crippling depression, or caught in a sea of mixed emotions the time will pass. We lose things, learn things, forget things, and experience things with no way of stopping. It’s not until those mind-boggling moments when we’re forced to write the date on a check or give our age or calculate the time we’ve been doing something that we realize what has happened: our friends are gone, our hair has grown, our shelves have become dusty, and we’re standing in the midst of it all, stunned. We realize what we’ve done, haven’t done, and swore we meant to do. It’s then that we regroup, reevaluate, and start the crawl.

“Yeah I guess I was.” I shrug to which the artist shakes his head again.

“Maybe you can get a head start on June.”

Spring is For

freshly cut herbs, tall glasses of lemonade, road trips with the windows down, pastel jeans and 3/4 sleeve tops, swinging contests, open windows, car washes, others, the rushing sound of a fountain, the warmth of the sun and a nice cool breeze, taking a chance, puddle-jumping, silly half smiles, picnics in grass, drive-in movie showings, citrus scents, summer planning, sitting on car hoods, spotting the planets, an upbeat tune, a twirly dance, dirt on your hands, plants in a garden, pollen on cars, art, thrift store hunting, book buying, walks in the rain, darling small sneezes, outdoor seating, rearranging, outdoor concerts, unpredictability, reunions, dazzling moments, and relaxation.

Questions for Musicians

Sometimes I listen to the radio in my car. When I do I always end up worried and full of questions.

Is catfish the only dinner option, Mr. Bryan?

I’m not a huge fan of fish. That’s not my kind of night.

 

What happened to all your friends, guys?

You need somebody, but not just anybody. Why not call in for a little favor from your friends?

Also, why does Mr. Kite get a benefit?

 

What filter did you choose?

Will you tell me after you take another selfie?

 

How many stars were there?

Lately, I’ve only been counting sheep.

 

If you’re the Queen, shouldn’t you be at least a little proud of your address?

I don’t think you’re a very good leader even if your name is a term in reference to deity.

 

Seriously though, turn what for what?

A few people have tried to find the elusive meaning behind these eloquent lyrics.

 

What does Stacy look like?

We know all about her mum, but is Stacy really all that bad?

 

Is this boyfriend that you plan on marrying the same guy that left with Judy at your party?

If it is, you may risk crying at your wedding too.

 

Have you actually measured the capacity of every teardrop?

I doubt that they are all waterfalls. It’s a little extreme, don’t you think?

 

 

That’s it…for now.

 

Are there any questions that you have for musicians regarding their lyrics?