I am in hiding this weekend.

My brother has long accused me of living life at a mach 10. I’ve never been one content to just go to school or work and come home. I always have a plethora of activities that keep me running around at a dizzying pace. I love meeting people and have many interests, so my free time fills up really quickly. I also secretly believe that basic things like feeding myself are optional, and have a tendency to stack meetings back to back. Because I’m a bit on the hyperactive, this usually is fine, but after a while my body revolts and decides to shut down.

This is one of those weekends.

Sometimes, a girl needs a reminder that she’s only human. I’ve been fighting off a bit of a cold and so in an unusual moment of wisdom, I’ve been shying away from the world for the last two days. It’s a gorgeously beautiful spring day and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t gone out. Instead, I’m taking this time to clean house metaphorically and physically.

Hutongs

What’s been keeping me so busy? Well first off, I’ve started teaching at The Hutong. If you live in Beijing, I really recommend checking this place out. It’s a community center and arts school that’s located inside a renovated hutong, one of old Beijing’s traditional houses. I’ve been teaching a basic photography course and have absolutely LOVED it. I’ve been known to ramble on about photography and draw lighting digrams on napkins, and it wasn’t until Mark approached me about teaching that it ever occured to me. What could possibly be greater than sharing your biggest artistic passion? Well – only the best students ever. I’ve really enjoyed my students and watching their growth and development artistically has been an awesome experience. If you’re in the city, come check out the class and drop by and say hello!

Hideaways

In other news, I’ve gotten the first of my accpetances to grad school. I’m still in a bit of a daze, the idea that something I’ve worked towards my whole life is finally within my grasp. It’s hard to imagine that just a little over a year ago, I first came to Beijing and now it’s like a second home to me (more like.. a sixth.) With the arrival of spring comes the much needed thawing of my creativity. During the winter months, I tend to hibernate. Warmer weather plus the encouragement of some close friends have led me to plan out one of my most ambitious projects to date. I’m not going to say much at this time, but I’ve never done anything like this before and it is an intensely personal project. Hate to be cryptic… but you’ll just have to wait.

This weekend has been a breather. There is a part of me that is going crazy from not running around like usual, but I know this is a much needed mini-hiatus to regroup and recouperate. My portfolio has gotten a much needed update with fresh images from my latest work, I’m finalizing the details of starting a photography club this week, and trying also to update my business cards and get them to the printer. Oh, and homework. Lots and lots of homework.

For anyone else out there who is juggling a lot and needs a break (or like me, a reminder that we need breaks) here’s a nice reminder from The Weepies. Happy Saturday everyone!