I need a calm blue ocean. I need to find a quiet place where the “function of x” is irrelevant and algebra is frowned upon. Surely that Utopia exists?
Driving home last night, I tried to find the silver lining in actually (gasp) having to study. I remember last year how I spent hours and hours capturing ordinary, even ugly things with my camera in an attempt to find their beauty. As I browsed through old photos after class, I re-discovered this flower growing from a cracked foundation. I had a moment of peace as I realized, beauty can grow out of ugly things.
Math is an ugly, cracked foundation in my brain. I didn’t pay attention when I was younger and didn’t have the best teachers, and as a result I never nailed the basics. But, out of seemingly nothing, I’m sure something incredible can blossom as new neural connections form. I’m stretching a little here, but maybe as I look for what’s beautiful in the formulas and patterns, it will look less ugly to me.
Jolene's Life in Focus 
Very good!
Love the colours in this photograph!
Thanks, Lisa. I found out this “flower” is actually called a fireweed. It’s the first thing that generally grows back after I fire, I learned – which I also found appropriate considering my life at the moment.
Beautiful capture Jolene. As for math, I feel your pain. Just hanging there… you’ll get through it and something beautiful will emerge. 🙂
Thank you, Emily. I was excited this weekend when some of the patterns of the work I was supposed to be doing started making sense and sticking…first exam is on Wednesday, so we’ll see just how much really did stick!
How beautiful! I can feel a sense of nostalgia.
Thanks – I tend to prefer taking pictures of old objects and buildings. Subjects with a bit of history attached to them are so much more interesting.
Very pretty. 🙂
Thanks, Nigel!
Jolene, my friend, you will be fine and will ace the math. I have all the faith in you. 😀
We need to head back out to NSH soon, I miss shooting there. I really like this photo, love the colour of the flower. 😀
I agree, a follow up trip to NSH is definitely in order, David. 🙂
The picture is absolutely perfect, and I agree math sucks. But keep it up and you will be done with it before you know!
Thanks! Only eight weeks left to go…..and then a nice vacation.
How pretty this is, and what an apt analogy to what you’re going through. I thought I was not too bad in math, until I got to algebra and complicated geometry, myself. So, if it’s any consolation–someone relates. 🙂
Thanks, Heather. I think the tough thing is that when you don’t like something it seems to take a lot longer to be done with.
It’s interesting, I’ve had a lot of people actually approach me to tell me they were frustrated with Math themselves. It does help to know I’m not the only one. 🙂