POST ✦ ( MORE THAN THE GIFT. )

[caelestialis]

Ainsley Feray Menodora shared a photo. March 10 near Apprassage

I received this from Retrospec this morning in the mail. I think there's been a mistake in addresses or something since I don't think I've ever owned this before. Is somebody looking for this necklace? It's lovely and all but there's something about this that makes me feel a little eerie.

Comments

[liberal_arts]

I've done freelance art direction and design consultation for years. Generally I'm looking at stuff before it's ready for public, and even then, I'm already meeting with PR teams about how to phrase certain things in marketing. If I have to do that in the art world, I'd hope the landscape of social media apps was at least AS careful. Apparently not.

[caelestialis]

Wow! That sounds amazing. I don't think I could ever work in such a background - I would get flustered way too much, way too easily. It must be neato.

[liberal_arts]

I guess "neato" is definitely one way to describe it. Really, though, it all just started to come in with the territory. When I first came to America, all I really wanted to do was just make art, now I kind of just do everything in the art world.

[caelestialis]

I'm glad you're able to follow your dreams! It's always nice to be able to do what your heart wants to do and pulling it off no matter what.

[liberal_arts]

I feel like I'm being flattered, for some reason.

[caelestialis]

And you'll be correct! I'm a big believer of speaking praise when it's deserved. Something you learn after spending years and years with kids who have big dreams and bigger drives to try and achieve them.

[liberal_arts]

So you work with children? Or at least young people?

[caelestialis]

Children! I'm an elementary school teacher. Have been for over fifteen years and I wouldn't trade is for anything else in the world if I can be honest.

[liberal_arts]

Well, that's great! Children are a joy to work with. Well, when behaving at least. I'll admit, when I sponsor the childrens' day events at the art museum, I'm usually seeing them at their most focused.

[caelestialis]

Thanks to teachers like me, of course!

Joking, joking! The kids I teach can be and will be well-behaved if given a good reason or when they know it's the right thing to do for others. They're angels when they feel like it.

And I had no idea you sponsored the events at the museum! Thank you so much for doing that. Events like those always help a child or student realise their love for the arts.

[liberal_arts]

That's the goal, at least. Sponsoring things like that has becoming my main focus lately. I also run a program at the university that offers scholarship and work opportunities, even health insurance, to student artists.

[caelestialis]

Oh wow! That sounds like a wonderful program. Really. I'm glad someone is taking the time to give students who are in need of aid the help they need. I'm sure any of the students who are part of it are grateful to be included.

Would be too much to ask if I could discuss this in further details with you in the future? In person too? I admit I'm curious to hear more but I would hate to eat up anymore of your time as is.

[liberal_arts]

Oh absolutely! And don't worry so much about my time, it doesn't take much to simply answer a text.

[caelestialis]

If you insist! I'll try not to pester you too much in the future. It's been a joy to speak with you about this. Trying to find out what this necklace is and for who feels a lot less daunting now.

[liberal_arts]

Really, it's no trouble at all. Try not to think of it as pestering.

[caelestialis]

Alright then! I'll try to think of it as building a rapport with a potential new friend.

[liberal_arts]

I'll think of it the same.

[caelestialis]

Great! It was such a joy to be able to speak with you. Hope we get a chance like this again.

If you ever drop by the elementary school, feel free to ask for a Ainsley Menodora! My classroom is always open to a friendly face.