End of 2nd Quarter: Never Too Late To Start Something

My host father told me that it takes 9 repetitions of a new word for a child to understand it, while it takes 36 repetitions of the same word for an adult to comprehend. At least, I think that’s what he said. My Japanese wasn’t great at the time. But what I understood from this was that it is far easier to learn new things when you are young than when you are older.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn new things or that you shouldn’t try to learn new things when you’re older. It’s just more challenging. And I applaud those who take that challenge.

I’ve passed a quarter century now and there are times when I feel old. Just typing out quarter century makes me feel it. It’s easy to forget how young that really is when all around you your peers start settling down and having kids. Kids who are your little brother’s age and younger are getting hired in management above you and trying to explain to you how to use the new iPhone. There it is again, that feeling of being ancient. I wish that could mean I could apply to assisted living. I would love some assistance with my chores.

But that feeling doesn’t mean you’re behind, that you haven’t accomplished anything. Even if you only have one major breakthrough each year - that’s only what 25? Year one you learned to sit up. That’s big. Year two and you can talk. MASSIVE. Those years keep passing and seem shorter since 1 year out of 6 takes ages but 1 out of 12 flies, by 24 you start forgetting people’s birthdays and leaving your keys in the fridge, so finishing one painting comes just as monumental. Did this painting finally make sense of light and color for you? That’s like learning to talk. WAY TO GO!! Seriously. I am super proud of you! Didn’t reach a goal? Don’t give up, just gain some perspective and try again. Watch this video: http://vimeo.com/84022735 Now watch it again. You’re welcome.

So. Do you feel like you’re too old to start a new project? To pursue your dream? Just because the year’s half gone? Give yourself permission to change the thought from I can’t, maybe later to I CAN AND NOW!

What do you want to start? What do you want to learn?

Just in Time

Argh! I have been so busy that I was beginning to worry I wouldn't get a chance to post this month...let alone have anything to post. Have been working two jobs, neither of which I am particularly fond of nor will cover upcoming expenses, and started refocusing on the portfolio for CTN. (Got my ticket and am so excited!!) Also decided to start a contest entry, try a digital master copy, and "unofficially" audit a class that was already 3-4 weeks in.
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So here are two still unfinished characters for Kit's first project that I hope to finish this weekend. I have dubbed them Konstantin and Yelizaveta. Their attire is Russian circa 1905 and the idea (Besides researching accurate costumes of the time) was to separate the two characters by age, social rank and gender. So hopefully they read as a younger man of lower economic status and an older woman of nobility. I'll admit I was mainly drawn to her hat (kokoshnik) and listened to the sound track of Fiddler on the Roof. ^^

This is only part 1 of 3 in the assignment, so it's safe to expect at least four more characters along these lines (In pairs) as well as the exercises that I missed at the start of the course.

So much to do. So little time. Guess I should get back to work. Cheers!