You know what? I am really liking my art classes.
It’s strange, because at first, I thought 3 hours of art was way too long. And for the first few classes, the last hour got pretty tedious for me, and I started questioning myself whether art really is a passion of mine.
But now…3 hours just whizzes by. And I have pretty much no problem getting up in the morning on the days I have my art class (it’s a miracle!), and I walk up to my art room clumsily with my art supplies, portfolio, and coffee mug, my heart buzzing in anticipation.
Oh, it’s glorious. Even that annoying, ear-piercing opera that my art professor insists on playing is soothing in a way. I love getting all dirty with charcoal underneath my nails; the way my hair falls down my face slightly but I never notice; and the little moments when the opera singer gets so unbearable, the students raise eyebrows at each other and giggle.
But the best part about art? It opens your eyes. It makes you view things in a totally different way. They call it the artistic perspective; I call it God’s daily miracle.
For example, the hands. I used to think I have rather ugly hands. I have a horrible addiction to cracking my knuckles (and my back, and neck, and…), so my finger joints are pretty broad. I also have a nasty habit of biting my left middle finger (no idea why), so it’s chapped. And because I used to write so much, I have calluses on my second and middle fingers. Add to all that the fact that my fingers are kinda scrawny, and the result is angular, misshaped, chapped, and calloused hands.
But, oh! They are so much fun to draw, precisely because of their awkward shape! I have a newfound appreciation for my hands. They may never appear in a fashion magazine modeling nail polish, but they are so beautiful in the way they are shaped. And without them, how could I even draw? 
See that? God’s miracle. It’s visible in everything, everywhere. We’re breathing, touching, using, eating, drinking, and living God’s little miracles all the time. I love that art never views anything as ugly. The only thing art views as bad is conformity and triteness. Everything is beautiful for its individuality and uniqueness.
Take, for another example, the humble muffin: 
Look at them. So cute. But…boring? I mean, who has never seen a muffin before? And the way they are presented. A pyramid? Can you get any less original?
Okay, fine. Let’s “mess” them up: 
That better? But wait—don’t just look at them! Smell them! 
Mmmmm! Can you breath in that fragrance? Can you guess what it is? Sorry, you can’t…but I can! It’s coconut! And hmm…a faint hint of almond?
Oooh yes! Coconut-Almond muffins. But wait till you taste them! 
Oh wait! You can’t taste it either! Oh well, I can! And it tastes freaking WONDERFUL! The intense coconut flavor from coconut milk, a curious sweet undertone from almond extract, and obviously the combination of butter, sugar, and flour creates wonders. 3 of these made a glorious Sweet Treat Wednesday.
Sorry, you must be staring daggers at me right now…But here’s the point: Stop. Observe. Appreciate. Given our fast-paced society and lives, we get so caught up with our endless lists of things to do and ambitions that we forget the presence of God in everything around us. Okay, some of you don’t really believe in a God…but you can’t deny that this world we live in? There’s beauty everywhere.
So…Can you do that? Stop, observe, and appreciate? Just once, or twice a day…and I swear your day will be different. Heck, keep it up daily, and your life will be different. Don’t believe me? Well, why don’t you start first? 
Another thing for which I stopped to observe and appreciate recently was the Lee’s Philly Gogi truck: 
This must be one of my favorite food trucks to date. At first I was turned off by the word “gogi”…I immediately I groaned to myself, Jeez, another Kogi imitator? But upon more curious observation, I realized that the menu was a bit different:
Hot sandwiches. With cheese. Spicy! Three no-fail combinations! Ooh la la! 
I ordered the Gogi Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Philly sandwich: 
It was freaking HUGE. Almost a foot size. And oh, so FAT! Stuffed full of tender, spicy, well-marinated chicken and onions! 
The only problem was the lack of cheese, but that was easily forgiven as I sunk my teeth into this delicious monster. 
Flavors exploding in mouth. I could barely talk. It was freaking wonderful. A grease-bomb, but totally worth the artery-clogging experience! 
It also came with a side of potato salad: 
This was, unfortunately, lackluster. It needed some acid or fresh herbs in there. 
It wasn’t bad, just kinda bland compared to the flavorful sandwich. I wrote that on my review at Yelp.com, and the owners replied me and said they would work on it. So hopefully, next time there will be a kick-ass potato salad to accompany the kick-ass sandwich!
Oh, and Lynn from The Actors Diet also reviewed it, so check out hers!
By the way, thank you for the overwhelmingly warm response to my prayer request on my last post. I sound like a broken record, but I truly think that the blog world is full of beautiful, real, and kind people, and I feel so blessed to be part of this community.
Question of the day: What did you stop to appreciate today, which you previously did not notice? Anyone celebrated Sweet Treat Wednesday?
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You are fabulously talented at art my dear – I’m glad you enjoy it
I love art and getting all covered in paint and stuff, but alas my end results are nowhere near as good as yours 
Sarah x
Woman! your art work is amazing. and yes, I shall commence dagger throwing for those greedy pictures. I took art in high school – didn’t think I had a lick of talent. I recently pulled out my old drawings to show the gremlins. Everyone was amazed – including me. Keep it up and ENJOY!
That sandwich looks freaking delicious, girl! Sorry the potato salad wasn’t fantastic!!
I can totally see you being an artist!
<3 jess
xoxo
We are definitely on the same page! I made coconut muffins yesterday, too.
Tho, mine never turn out that perfect – the look like lumpy messes!
I love a good Philly cheesesteak. Yum!
i love how the time for your art stuff just whizzes by! i get that feeling when i’m really wrapped up in something too. all of a sudden you look up and a billion hours have passed. it’s like getting lost in a totally different world
I’m kind of tempted to leave my mailing address on this public post so that you can mail me a piece of your artwork! It is AMAZING and I’ve been looking for things to hang on my way in my room as decoration. You have so much talent. I mean I knew you could write and cook, but draw too? You truly are blessed!
Nicole G
It’s funny you should mention this.. I just ate some carrot fries with my lunch and was admiring how much the oven changes them. I leave the skin on and it kind of bubbles, getting all wrinkly and blistery in a mere 30 minutes. It’s actually pretty beautiful
That drawing? Oh my gosh Sophia.. it gorgeous! Not only is the charcoal amazing, I love the layout of it all. You should be so proud of yourself
<3 Tat
You are just incredibly talented. Your drawing is incredible, and then you got me distracted by the cheesesteak – wowza!
You are super talented. Those hands are amazing. I wish I could take an art class somewhere around here. I love art, and haven’t taken one since middle school, but I feel that I would enjoy it. Maybe a little too much, but I forget what it feels like to want to go home and do my work. That only happened for theater classes. Maybe that should tell me something!
I actually do often stop and try to appreciate the world around me. With Spring in season now, I’ve been really noticed Mother Earth. Everything is so gorgeous after the dead look of winter.
youre such an amazing artist. i really liked this post, it makes life so much enjoyable when we take stock in the good things around us.
love those muffins!
Coconut Almond Muffins? I bet they do smell & taste heavenly!
Dang, your art is good!
And I can’t wait to try a coconut muffin! Like…I want to spit out my gum right now because it’s not coconut.
Lol, I’ve always thought you had AWESOME hands…I just never said anything because I thought that would sound weird. But seriously, it goes along with the anime-esque way you move. You have a lovely pair of very deft, interesting-looking hands.
Um…I appreciated my hair for the first time in awhile. I’ve been frustrated with it for a long time because it’s still not as thick or bright as it used to be. But today I woke up and it was so soft and unmussed. I was happy brushing it for the first time in forevs. Haha, vain as a peacock, I know.
I had a serious fro-yo treat yesterday, it was AWESOME.
wow! those hands looks amazing!
I have a horrible addiction to cracking every joint in my body too.
And I want a coconut muffin.
Sophia, your hands are beautiful… and you are such a talented artist!! I’m awe!! Such an incredible gift…
I love the way you encourage us to examine things closely, lovingly… (wow, I sure did enjoy gazing closely at your heavenly muffins, too!
Today I was contemplating the beauty of the sky as the sun rose, which reminded me that I was really lucky to have to get up for work while it’s still dark outside, because it means I get to see the sunrise! 
Mmmmm, my sweet treat Wednesday was those chocolate chip pecan cookies! Ya know, as I was making them I was thinking “oh dear, Sophia would love these except for that chocolate… I shouldn’t put the chocolate in there… The next dessert I post will be chocolate-free, in your honor!
Zach isn’t a big chocolate fan either, so he’ll approve too… 
Hands really are quite fabulous when you really sit there and think about ‘em! I also love that they symbolize prayer. Your artwork is amazing, you are so talented!!
Those muffins are making my hands want to go make some and then pick them up and eat them!!
That painting is amazing!
And those muffins…sounds like a yummy combo!
hm, no sweets for me yesterday
That drawing is amazing! So impressed!
I ate my sunflower seed butter cookies yesterday! hehe
I think your hand drawings are beautiful! Reminds me of da Vinci and his studies of anatomy!
So talented…I’m more than impressed! And I recognize your feelings about the classes, I’ve got the same feeling about my writing and photography classes, you read my mind:)
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Stop. Observe. Appreciate. <- my motto these days. It really helps to ground me and refocus my thoughts when my brain is spinning. All about the mindfulness
Yay for muffins- I have my last coconut cornmeal one for tomorrow. Not sure what is up next- thinking a 'morning glory' type one, though yours look pretty amazing. As does that sandwich…delish. I wish there were cool food carts here!
Hmm, Yesterday. I can't remember what I ate- oh yeah, a chocolate peanut butter protein bar. Does that count? No? I had a chocolate vitatop today. Dang, I eat too many fake foods. I'll eat some chocolate chips tomorrow. Though I get points for my pizza!
omg, i LOVE your drawing!! i used to like drawing my hands, too, for whatever reason
and i crack my knuckles too 
such a good reminder, to stop/observe/APPRECIATE. it’s so easy to forget!
Ahhh I love how stuffed with chicken that sandwich is…I believe sandwiches should be stuffed to the maxxx! And of course I celebrated sweet treat wednesday- with some chocolate cake from Whole Foods of course (thanks to my creative nonfiction class!). Delightful and thickkkk…more like brownie cake. Mmmm.
weird fact-my hands have always been my favorite body part. i have long skinny fingers (like, we’re talking, have to get any ring i buy resized because i’m a size smaller than they make).
and i appreciated not feeling sick today… i felt horrible yesterday, but i always think when you do feel better just *being* is better than it was before… you need the downs to enjoy the ups.
Mmm those muffins look sooo moist and good on the inside!! I got really excited b/c I thought you would put up the recipe! Ah well, perhaps I can find one online.
I think you are really talented at art with those hand drawings…are you still going to be a journalism major? You write really well..I feel like you will be a great journalist! I forgot about sweet treat wednesday…but tomorrow I will probably be taking my Korean roommate to my favorite ice cream shop in my little town as we have a little time off from school.
You are so incredibly talented, Sophia! Your hand drawing is phenomenal!
The muffins look moist and tasty…and OMG I forgot how good chicken cheesesteaks are!
I didn’t know you can draw sooooo well !!! I love drawing too, but haven’t really do it since I came here 4 years ago. YOu just inspired me that maybe I should pick up my pencil too!!!
Is that chicken??? looks soooo good:-D I love street food, and seems u do to, hehehehe ~~~
Sophia! You’re art is amazing! I’d love to see more of it on your blog.
That muffin looks heavenly and I’ll admit that the sandwich doesn’t look that bad either.
I haven’t stopped to really observe anything to day but I’ll make sure I try it at least once today.
I think even just taking photos for the blog has made me notice the world around me a lot more, so I’m sure that doing actual art does as well! your picture of your hands is awesome. I am impressed…hands are hard!
Those muffins look so delicious! I can see how moist they are from here. Awesome.
You are a really good artist!
In the past week or so, I have really noticed the vivid colors of flowers and trees on my drive home.
i agree – that potato salad wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t worthy of stomach room. i swear i was digesting that baby for days!
Wow Sophia, you drew those hands? Your own hands? You are super talented!
Also, this post totally reminded me of “Titanic” when Jack is showing Rose his artwork. (He talks about a one-legged French prostitute who had beautiful hands and a good sense of humor. Ha.)
your drawing is so good!
Seriously Sophia, is there anything that you CAN’T do???? I am so amazed by you! God must be so proud of his little creation =)
BTW I think you should do a giveaway! I know I would love to win a painting by you!
That drawing is phenomenal. I know how hard drawing hands can be and you totally rocked it! I’d love to see more of your pieces to go along with your incredible words!
You know, I’ve always loved muffins, even though they’re considered “boring”. Coconut almond muffins definitely don’t sound boring to me!
aw I really appreciate the sweet comment you left on my blog! I’ve missed commenting on your posts, but I’ve been reading all of them! i love that you’re loving your art class now – i wish i found a passion like that, but i’m still floundering a bit in that area. your drawing is amazing, girl. i really really hope you continue with your art for as long as possible because you are super-talented! and coconut almond muffins?!? gosh that sounds absolutely delishhhhh!
i just had the last of my fro yo
so sad its gone! umm I want the recicpe for those coconut almond muffins! how are you going to leave us hanging like that!!!
oh my that painting is SO beautiful you have such a wonderful talent, sophia.
in the grocery store, I observed a mom and two adorable girls, they were begging her to get this HUGE aloe plant, and she finally gave in and the girls were so happy it was the cutest thing ever!!
Sophia, your hands are AMAZING. (Both in shape and in the picture
) I never knew you were such a talented artist. I’m so glad you are enjoying your art classes. Will you show us some other pictures sometime, maybe something created with your Prismas? (only if you want to, of course 
)
Learning to stop and really experience something is a skill that we often lose and we grow older and learn to rush rush rush. A great reminder to be observant and just PRESENT in this world
You are a great artist. You are really creative so I bet that art is a great outlet as well as the kitchen. I stopped to appreciate the sun today because after a few days of rain I was thinking it would never come back. I admit that most days I stop to stare at the ocean because even after 9 months on the island, I am still amazed at the vast ocean that is within my view. I look at it everyday and think to myself that I am so lucky to be able to take in this beautiful view.
You know what Sophia? You are really gifted for art and I hope you pursue it! One of my biggest regrets is not having persevered in that field.
Love the sandwich, never had one of those!
I hope you continue to take those art classes because you’ve got a really amazing natural talent for it. I hope you share more of your drawings. I wish I sometimes knew how to draw that good, but we all have our talents in different areas.
Fantastic muffins.
I appreciated my mom today – she means the world to me.
First, thanks for your awesome comment re explaining/defending one’s choices and self. It was so good, I featured it. I think i feature most of your comments but honestly Sophia, you’re so articulate and have such a big brain with amazing perspectives and thoughts..it can’t just be for my eyes, i want all my readers to see it and challenge their own minds,too! I wrote you back a bit underneath the orig comment in yeseterday’s post re what i do about dairy and meat in restaurants , etc.
Today i appreciated skylar’s face. It literally aged today. From child to older child. In between naptime and dinner. She grew. Children are amazing!
what a great artist I love you art on hands..I think they are under appreciated..how would we do anything wout our hands?? great sandwich–oh I would devour that sandwich..take care
sweetlife
Funny you don’t like your hands b/c I always admire them when they appear in photos where you’re holding food. I think they are beautiuful so see, I was already admiring God’s creation in the form of your hands before you even posted this! And I love your charcoal drawing–soo incredible. There is a huge glaring omission from this post and I’m about to have a hissy fit. Hello!!! Where is that muffin recipe?! How dare you taunt me with that fabulously moist muffin picture, which I swear I could smell when you told me to sniff, and not include a recipe?!
damn girl, you sure have some artistic talent! glad you’re liking your art classes.
funny you should ask cause i actually did stop to appreciate something today. i took my kids outside to play with bubbles while i was blogging on my phone. then it suddenly hit me, my kids are having so much fun playing bubbles with each other and laughing while my nose is stuck in my phone blogging. wth was i thinking? so i put down my phone and took the time to really enjoy spending some quality time with them. by the time you read this it’s probably friday so i hope you have a great weekend!
OMG SOPHIA WHO KNEW YOU WERE SUCH A GREAT ARTIST?! totally inspired me! totally gonna take some art classes!
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