Guest Post #5: Destination: Unknown
Last but most DEFINITELY NOT LEAST in our week of talented Guest Bloggers, is the brilliant and amazing Nicole, from Destination: Unknown. I can't remember if, in this land of Blog, I found Nicole first or she found me (of coure, I'd love to take full credit for it), but I do know that what has become a good read (her blog) has turned into a true friendship with someone who I admire and respect whole heartedly. Nicole's writing is full of passion, honesty, and humor, and I love that when I stop by her blog I never know what I will find. It could be a stroll down memory lane, or a heated post about a subject she believes strongly in. Whatever it is, I am grateful to call her my friend, and am happy to introduce you to her today. Introducing, Nicole, and her post titled . . .
Growing up in Creative Chaos
Some of my friends grew up in a good old fashioned southern home. Mom and Dad (which they more than likely referred to as Mama and Daddy) with a few brothers and sisters, barbeques on the back porch with Lynard Skynard and the Allmand Brothers playing on the boombox, grandma bringing over the pound cake and a big Georgia Bulldog flag hanging on the front of the house.
I did not.
Words like set & lighting design, acrylics and charcoal, toe shoes and leotards, ink wells and parchment, bodhran and violin float through the halls of my home. While classical music streaming through the stereo on Sunday morning, followed by lunch with coucous or hummus and other oddities were placed on our table.
There was a kitchen witch hanging from the ceiling in the kitchen. Dream catchers were bought at festivals. All of the art work had to be done by an actual artist (more than likely my mom.) You weren't allowed to touch the beautiful pens used for calligraphy by my father. I was not allowed to take my dance costumes or shoes out to play in. My sister collected odd musical instruments. I spent afternoons memorizing my lines from a play, while my other friends went to softball practice. My summers were spent in dance classes or theater classes or a writing workshop. I watched from afar as my neighbors ran outside to hang out by the pool and play volleyball.
I still remember coming home one afternoon and finding my sister covered in plaster with straws coming out of her nose. Mom was making masks. I remember stepping over newspapers on the floor, some were wet with paint, with beautiful pictures coming to life on a canvas. When I would walk into some of my friends homes, their mom would be baking or watching the soaps or scrubbing the tub.
Needless to say - in a house filled with creativity comes chaos. I say that gently.. but honestly. The house was less than organized. My mom loves to live by the mantra "A Clean House is a Sign of Insanity." The bizarre, the different, the cultural, anything against the societal norm was embraced.
With that being said - I fought against it as long as I could. As I grew up and made it through college, I went for a more "normal" vibe. Tried as hard as possible to be more "conservative" and look and act a certain way. I walked away from my more creative past. Separated myself from my family and their "way of life" as much as possible.
But when I am shopping, or reading, or thinking - it is all creative chaos. I have since returned to my roots and find that it is so deeply ingrained in me - that I can never be that "societal norm." I think I walk a fine line - safely working in a more "corporate setting" with a sprinkling of creativity. I am drawn to a more bohemian lifestyle, but surrounded by people who would prefer an afternoon of football and nachos.
I have since married a beautiful egyptian. He's a writer, a lover of english literature, a believer in the power of the pyramids and mystics of the ancient. He loves to be in love and is thrilled to attend theater, art openings, symphonies, and festivals. We read poetry together. He is in touch with his emotions and is not afraid to be sad or thrilled.
He brought "life" back to me.
But at the same time - in his culture - the "wifey" is expected to keep a perfect home. I grew up in creative chaos.
Where can you strike the balance between the two?
- Nicole
Growing up in Creative Chaos
Some of my friends grew up in a good old fashioned southern home. Mom and Dad (which they more than likely referred to as Mama and Daddy) with a few brothers and sisters, barbeques on the back porch with Lynard Skynard and the Allmand Brothers playing on the boombox, grandma bringing over the pound cake and a big Georgia Bulldog flag hanging on the front of the house.
I did not.
Words like set & lighting design, acrylics and charcoal, toe shoes and leotards, ink wells and parchment, bodhran and violin float through the halls of my home. While classical music streaming through the stereo on Sunday morning, followed by lunch with coucous or hummus and other oddities were placed on our table.
There was a kitchen witch hanging from the ceiling in the kitchen. Dream catchers were bought at festivals. All of the art work had to be done by an actual artist (more than likely my mom.) You weren't allowed to touch the beautiful pens used for calligraphy by my father. I was not allowed to take my dance costumes or shoes out to play in. My sister collected odd musical instruments. I spent afternoons memorizing my lines from a play, while my other friends went to softball practice. My summers were spent in dance classes or theater classes or a writing workshop. I watched from afar as my neighbors ran outside to hang out by the pool and play volleyball.
I still remember coming home one afternoon and finding my sister covered in plaster with straws coming out of her nose. Mom was making masks. I remember stepping over newspapers on the floor, some were wet with paint, with beautiful pictures coming to life on a canvas. When I would walk into some of my friends homes, their mom would be baking or watching the soaps or scrubbing the tub.
Needless to say - in a house filled with creativity comes chaos. I say that gently.. but honestly. The house was less than organized. My mom loves to live by the mantra "A Clean House is a Sign of Insanity." The bizarre, the different, the cultural, anything against the societal norm was embraced.
With that being said - I fought against it as long as I could. As I grew up and made it through college, I went for a more "normal" vibe. Tried as hard as possible to be more "conservative" and look and act a certain way. I walked away from my more creative past. Separated myself from my family and their "way of life" as much as possible.
But when I am shopping, or reading, or thinking - it is all creative chaos. I have since returned to my roots and find that it is so deeply ingrained in me - that I can never be that "societal norm." I think I walk a fine line - safely working in a more "corporate setting" with a sprinkling of creativity. I am drawn to a more bohemian lifestyle, but surrounded by people who would prefer an afternoon of football and nachos.
I have since married a beautiful egyptian. He's a writer, a lover of english literature, a believer in the power of the pyramids and mystics of the ancient. He loves to be in love and is thrilled to attend theater, art openings, symphonies, and festivals. We read poetry together. He is in touch with his emotions and is not afraid to be sad or thrilled.
He brought "life" back to me.
But at the same time - in his culture - the "wifey" is expected to keep a perfect home. I grew up in creative chaos.
Where can you strike the balance between the two?
- Nicole
Ha Ha! I guess I will be the lone commentor.. (7 hours later) LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me Leanne. At least I could share a little of my Chaos with you!
Nicole, I love this reader's digest version of getting to know you! Maybe the ways we push back on as we grow up are the very ways we gravitate toward as we become adults. And maybe it's because our psyche associates it with happiness! Thanks for sharing a little bit of you with us!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful insight into the world of Nicole! I am so blessed to have you as a friend. While I did not grow up in creative chaos by any means, I grew up in a different type of chaos. My family was the "traditional southern family", but at the same time we were way over sheltered from the outside world. My mom kept & still does, her house in a pristine manner. Growing up and having children of my own, I discovered that too much time was wasted trying to keep the house perfect. Now that I'm older and my children are grown, I sort of live in a creative chaos of my own. I work on crafts and writing and pens can be found in nearly every room. Books line the floor in the living room. My husband and I are both musicians and of course, you know I'm a writer. So chaos seems to surround us a lot these days. Love this post!!!!
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