Moving In

It took me about 3 weeks to fully move in, mostly because I repainted my bedroom. Technically I am still trying to organize my clothes out of their packing containers but that will be over with in time. Everyone is moved in, my friends and I found a fourth roommate and my cats are also moved into the basement. So far life is going good. 

We have had some roommate debates about the decor and layout of the living room. Mostly one roommate wants everything her way which I was fine with until she wanted to put the loveseat into the dining room. That is just wrong. Luckily the loveseat didn't fit in the dining room so she moved it back. 

As far as the decorating goes it has all been coming together really nice. Especially since I don't really care how the main floor is decorated I just let everyone else figure that out. But for the basement I have been figuring out how I want to decorate it and my bohemian room is coming together very nicely. With the lovely turquoise wardrobe and cabinet and the tapestries not to mention the tufted violet bed that will be in there. It will look great!

My cats seem to be adjusting really well too. I hope they behave themselves in this new place. 

During our first 3 weeks at this new house we did have a little bit of drama happen. Someone in the neighborhood reported that more than 4 unrelated people lived at our location, which is not true. Luckily our landlords didn't hold it against us and they suspect it was the grumpy old man across the street. We have lovingly dubbed him Grand Torino. The fire department did their inspection and found nothing to be wrong with our living situation and now it is over. Since we cannot 100% verify that it was Grand Torino that made the report we can't confront him and honestly unless he actually confronts us I have no desire to speak to the grumpy man.

This is how I imagine Grand Torino

Finally Living in a House and how I got there

This week is a good week. After months of searching, hunting, attacking and failing. My roommates and I have managed to convince someone to rent to us. The best part is that it was our personalities that won them over! I have definitely learned over the years that when you are young it can be very hard to be able to rent anywhere without a co-signer or to even be considered because well you need a co-signer. Apartments are an easier route when first starting out. That's what I did. For anyone reading this and wanting a place to live just so you can party and avoid the cops well...this isn't the blog post for you sorry. 

If you are young, responsible and just want a decent place to live I totally understand. I've been there. Heck I'm still there in a sense.

Starting out I just needed a place that was cheap and would take me, my roommate and my two cats. (Renting when you have pets can be very difficult) Eventually I ended up living in an apartment complex I consider the Ghetto of the city I live in. It had no dishwasher, the kitchen was small, it was probably built in the 1920s for all I know and I could hear my neighbors from all sides at all times. It was an experience.

After that lovely time I tried to find me and my new roommates a place to live. We really wanted a townhouse. Unfortunately we got desperate and settled on another apartment complex. This one was nicer. It had 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. One of the roommates actually lived in the dining room. We actually got that apartment to be pretty homey.


Now I have new roommates, best friends of mine, and we are moving into a townhouse this week. It was hard but we didn't give up. We were lucky and were able to get this townhouse on Craigslist. Now when renting a place from Craigslist there is a big benefit less paperwork. Also you usually deal directly with the owner which is nice. When you go through the rental process with a realtor and a property management company it has a lot more paperwork, rules and stipulations. With the property management company they are usually less likely to rent to anyone that says they are a student, has a co-signer, or has a pet.


This week will be a busy one with moving but I couldn't be more excited!

Moved In and Loving it!

Hello Blogosphere,

I am now moved into my new apartment with my 3 roommates and cats.  I am so happy about this apartment it is beautiful, the pool is nice, it has a gym, and was super easy to move into.  

My full-time job is going well.  Lifting all those trays and serving, running around and everything has really gotten me into better shape. The people I work with are nice too of course not all the customers are nice but that is to be expected.  Can't please everyone.

I am also applying for this job at a marketing firm.  I had contacted them a few months back and feel like I could be a very good fit.  I prepared my portfolio, got a nice outfit for my first interview and now just need to paint my nails and make sure I look really nice. It is a marketing firm in the beauty and spa industry so looks are very important.

Otherwise everything has been going great, as long as I make rent ;-)

Graduated/Full-Time Job/New Apartment/Some Fun

Since March a lot has happened.  The Senior Art show for Mason was great!  Here is the site http://masonseniorshow.com/spring2011/info/ and here is a picture of my book.

  I hand bound the book and also the cover was screen-printed.  The show was a bit stressful to put together but when it was all done everything turned out great.

After my show I had finals which went fine.  As an art major the finals are usually not too hard.  Except for the Art history, that is hard, mostly because I have a hard time with history in general. 

         

But after my finals were done and I passed all my classes I got to decorate my cap and strut around in my cap and gown.  It was a lot of fun to graduate and walk across the stage.  It is amazing how fast those 4 years went by.

It was actually the day before I graduated that I got hired at my new job that I am training for (training ends after today YAY!).  I am now going to be a server for a really great restaurant.  Sure it isn't a design job but it will pay the bills while I create a great portfolio. 

I've also finalized everything for my new apartment and new roommates.  I will have 3 roommates that I am friends with and my cats will be moving with me.

Last update is I went to Starscape again and it was AWESOME!!!!  I got to see so many great artists and I also got to see Flux Pavillion live for his first US show.  It was so much fun.  I also got body painted. Check it out!

Of course you got to love my new shorts that I got at the beach too.

Officially a BFA/applying for a townhouse

Hello one and all! It is official I am graduating college with a BFA in Art and Visual Technology concentrating in graphic design from George Mason University.  I would like to thank my professors who gave great references even though I didn't even request them you may not know it but thanks to your kind words I got into the BFA program simply because you all said I was worth it.  I can't thank you enough for believing in me.  

Now for the housing situation.  May is coming up faster than it seems and I need a home.  My roommates and I are applying for a townhouse near campus and hopefully will get accepted.  

I am also applying for my MAT which is a Master's in Art Teaching or Art Education.  After I gain experience as a Graphic Designer I would love to become an art teacher and help young artists find their way and their visual voice.

Room Mates!!!!!!

I actually have people who are 100% in on the moving into a place.  So excited.  My friend Rob is 100%  and my friend August is about 90% I'd say.  And we have many prospects on a 4th person.  This is gonna be an awesome time.  We can get a townhouse have my cats be their.  Yay!  Even though it will be different being the only girl in the household, I still think it will be fun.  But who knows, the 4th person could be a chick.

Brand New Year :-)

So these past couple of months have been very busy.  This is my Senior Year in College after all.  This past semester I had taken 17 credits which is a LOT and I past all my classes and only got a C in one of the classes.  It was Art History and I always end up with a C in Art History (darn those dates!).  

Also this past semester at my apartment my roommate and I had been getting all these bites. First we thought fleas...checked the cats...no fleas.  Then we thought Gnats (yes they do bite) cleaned the apartment very thoroughly...alas still more bites.  Exterminator came and said it was...bed bugs.  So I had to move my cats to my parents place.  Clear out and wash and dry ALL my clothes, curtains, bed stuff on HIGH heat.  Anything that was too delicate for that I am leaving in the freezing cold air all winter long.  We have been out of our apartment for about 4 weeks.  So today I am going into the apartment to air it out because those chemicals they used smell like cigarettes.  And I need to vacuum everything and scrub all the floors and surfaces.  Also every thing we had that wasn't clothing is bagged and stored in the bathroom and kitchen.

Big time advice:  Bed Bugs are becoming a large problem not just for me but globally if you want to prevent bed bugs use a bug killer called Good Night, it is for bed bugs, use it on your mattress and furniture.  Also Diatomachious Earth is a great prevention on bugs.  Lightly dust it around your baseboards, bed, house perimeter and carpets to keep bed bugs and other bugs from staying in your house or apartment.

On a lighter note I am applying for my BFA this semester (cutting it really close).  I need to get my portfolio together before the semester starts which is in 22 days.  I just have to tell myself I can do this.

Housing plans:  My lease for my apartment is up at the end of May and my current roommate is leaving for MD.  So far I have one roommate that is for the most part sure she is looking into a Masters.  I also have about 3 other prospects for roommates.  I am unsure their plans but I know this year is the year I get a townhouse with roommates.  I can feel it.

Last Year Of College Semester 1

This upcoming semester is my second to last semester at college.  It is very scary.


Living at this apartment has been a very good experience so far.  The neighbors are loud and the walls are thin so that isn't great but after this semester I am going to try to find a townhouse with the two roommates I have found for next year. (Yes the cycle of roommate and house hunt will start...again...soon)  I am walking to places and as soon as I get a bike lock I can start to bike to class.  My cats are still doing totally awesome except for one deciding to spray but this stuff call Natures Miracle No More Mark Spray has been working really well, it cleans, gets rid of the smell and prevents my cat from going back to the spot.


My job at the camp was great because of that job I was able to survive on my own all summer.  It gave me huge hope that after graduation I do not have to move back home.  I think it is total crap to move back to your parents just to save up money to be on your own.  Find a job even if it isn't in your major and start building those survival skills. Sooner you start better you will get.  I am still substituting at the preschool which is great for extra money and I am going to be modeling for the Art League again which is exciting.  I really want to do some photo modeling again.  I miss it.

WAY Too long since last post...Sorry

So much has happened since I last posted.  I moved into my new place.  My cats are going to be moving in within the next two weeks.  Hopefully they handle the transition well enough.  


My job at Jerry's is also ending this Friday and I will be able to go back pretty much whenever I want which is nice to know.  After that my job at the camp will start at the end of the month.  I am taking one week off to get my cats settled in and also to get my car registration taken care of.


I also got to go to Starscape 2010 it was a lot of fun my favorite part was getting my back painted.

It is totally kickass.

Also my summer classes start tomorrow and hopefully I can utilize what I learn at my photography job.  Get that guy some branding tips.

All in all everything has been going really great.  I still can't wait for my cats to be up here with me.

3 Days to go

This has been a very interesting summer break so far. I've been living at my boyfriend's place for a week now and let me tell you I need to do laundry.  So I am in  a townhouse with 4 guys and it really isn't as bad as most girls would think.  Sure the toilet paper supply runs out and then gets replenished days later but that is what the overflowing stacks of Chipotle napkins are for. And you know what it is also true that cockroaches scatter when the lights go on but they are kinda like my many mini kitchen roommates (lol).


This Saturday A and I are moving into our apartment.  My boss gave me a free TV (totally awesome of him).  I got 2 large area rugs for 30 bucks (total deal).  And my apartment people said I can bring both my cats for the price of one.  Seriously can life get much better?  I mean my cats are going to come up and live with me at school YAY!!!!!!  Also I wont have to buy a parking pass because I can walk to school or take the Cue bus.  Sure the walk will be about a half hour but that is a half hour of decent cardio.  As long as the weather is good.


Other steps to adulthood I have taken:
-Got my own renters insurance
-Building up my emergency fund and planning on getting and building an IRA


Also there is an internship on campus with the printing place in the Art building and I am going to apply.  It could be interesting.  Sure that means my first semester will be like...20 credits but hey hard work pays off.  If my work is better and I have more of it then I will be more likely to get accepted into the Fine Arts program.

End of School Year #3

Hello,
This year has been a blast filled with new beginnings and new challenges to be met.  So far I have got myself a new boyfriend who I absolutely adore, A and I finally found an apartment yesterday, and we will be moving in at the end of this month.  Right now I am about to pack up my computer and leave my on campus apartment for the last time.  This feels very sad but I am still excited. Hopefully this move will be a wonderful start to the summer as I clear out the old and prepare for the new.  


I found a new Job 3 to be exact.  Jerry's I will stop going to June 15th, The photographers assistant job starts this Friday and my camp counselor job starts at the end of June.


Also this June I am taking a class for two months.


Lastly A and I found our apartment I know I already said that but still it is very important.  Yesterday we just went to this one apartment complex and applied for an apartment.  The lady is even working with me so I can bring my cats with me. She is beyond nice she is like a ray of sunshine.


So look out world here I come.  :-)

Fail take 2

Ok So now we do not have an apartment.  But we did gain two roommates.  They are two of the guys that live above us currently.  And we had a lovely viewing of a townhouse where the realtor didn't show up and didn't tell the resident that we were going to visit the house.  It was uncomfortable and horrible so we left.  The townhouse was way too nice for us.  Anyway this Thursday we are going to be visiting a townhouse that would be perfect in every way possible and we really hope things can work out with it.  Once again I ask to keep your fingers crossed.  I only have a week before we need to move in.

SCORE

Finally.  A and I have an apartment.  I was so scared.  Ok well we don't HAVE it but we have applied for it and it was taken off the available listings.  So we are pretty sure that we have it.  So we will be moving in around May. It is so exciting now all we need to worry about is furniture.


Also I have a job interview this Thursday to be a photographers assistant.  And this week I will be hearing back about a job as a camp counselor at the Jewish Community Center.  No I am not Jewish but a lot of my friends are and I have been around that culture for quite a few years now.  Also you don't have to be Jewish to work there.  Which is nice since I am one of the least religious people I know. :-p


This Wednesday I am going to a TV show premiere that will have a program that I designed.  And I can mingle and network.


This Weekend I will be a hair model in a hair runway show.  I am so excited I can't wait to see what they do to my hair.  Hopefully one of my photographer friends can come.


Wish me luck on all accounts please.

FAIL

Alright so the beautiful townhouse that my roommates and I could have moved into is officially not where we will be living.  Why? you ask.  Well.  The girl that would have moved in with us after T (the other roommate that bailed) left has also decided not to live with us.  So A (the roommate that is with me) and I will be looking for a 2 bedroom apartment.  So all in all there have been 4 failed roommates in this grand scheme of moving off campus.  And now A and I will just be in a 2 bedroom and I have to hope and pray that I can bring my cats with me to an apartment.  


Wish us luck we are going to see an apartment tomorrow.  Hopefully it bares fruit.

Shit Happens

I haven't been called back about a job at Sweetwater Tavern but they could still call me one day about a job.  Jerry's Subs and Pizza called and I will start working this Wednesday.  If I make enough money I may keep the job but if now I will just work there until I leave school which is May 15th.  At the least I can make enough to pay my deposit for the townhouse.


Also one of my roommate's parents decided not to support her for school and housing so she isn't moving in with us.  Unfortunately that means that once again my other roommate and I have to find a third person.  We have a really good prospect and I hope she moves in with us.  She is a friend of mine from school and it should turn out well.  I also have to talk to the landlord today about it.  I hope she doesn't mind all this.  It wasn't anyones fault and I am sure she will understand.

More job hunting...

So I may have failed to get those two internships but I have applied to:
Starbucks
Sweetwater Tavern
Temp Jobs


And Sweetwater Tavern has already scheduled an interview with me.  If I got that job it would be beyond perfect because it is only 5 min. from my new place.


Oh yeah if you didnt read the last post I found a house BOOYA.


Also school will be ending soon and I am going to be taking a summer course.

Apple Interview today/found a house

Alright so I had my interview with Apple today and I think it went pretty well.  They said they will schedule another face to face interview and see how it goes.  


Also there is some really big news...are you ready...MY ROOMMATES AND I FOUND A TOWNHOUSE!!!!!!!!!!   It is owned by an ex boyfriend of mine's parents and they figure it would be better to have someone they know rent the place. So we get it and no pet deposits!  It is very exciting.  Can't wait to see the inside.


Anyway back to the jobs pizza guy still no call me back.  Ummm...found a really cool sounding personal assistant job and I have a month of modeling for the Arts League again.  That is always fun.  I still am waiting to hear back from one of the camp jobs and I really hope I get one that way I can work for the lady who needs an assistant and work at a camp and then NO PIZZA. Meaning less gas money.


Until next time you crazy kids...

April 1st update (not a joke)

So this month is starting off with a little less than a bang.  Ok a lot less than a bang but at least there are possibilities.
Job hunt updates:
-Apple called back to schedule an appointment for an interview and hopefully I can get a job there.  It would be fabulous.
-Pizza job is still available if I get one of the Camp jobs.
-So the internship with Wolf Trap said NO to me.  I can still look for a job.




School updates:
-Going to go for the BFA, which means a class during the summer and next summer but I will still walk in May.
-Job instead of internship would probably be better that way they will understand that I need to go to class.
-Good bye business minor...ewww




Housing updates:
-Still hunting and we are sticking with just the 3 of us and the pets.  Screw trying to find a 4th person it is too much hassle.
-Hopefully the Realtor will find us something nice.




FUNNN!!!!!


Look at the awesome stuff that I am on.  I got to be on a cataloge cover for a photographer.  And it was handed out at a wedding convention Yay!

Photo of me on display.

me on the cover!!!

UnNews...when you have stuff to say that is really nothing

So the house hunting is going alright.  I actually got laughed at by one rental owner because I guess he didnt think 3 students and 2 cats and a small dog would make good tenants.  Whatever he lives next to a university he should expect students to call.  Other than that I have found some decent apartments as backup.  


Oh I forgot to mention that we are down to 3 roommates now.  Yeah we had another one flake out on us.  Oh well at least the 3 of us are SOLID we are moving out of the parents places and into our own place.


As for school the Hamster project is going really well.  I designed my drafts of my covers for it.  They are really cute.  In my other classes I am not doing so well.  Luckily in college a 70% is a D so I haven't failed any of my tests or exams but I got too close for comfort.  I don't know what to do.  Studying for this business course is hard since I'm not good at memorizing abbreviations.  And Art History is also kicking my butt.  I need to be able to pay attention and take notes.  I want my lap top to work again.  Stupid viruses.


Also JOb update is that I have not been called about the job at Jerry's yet but I should be within the week. Then I can start earning some extra cash and save!!!!

WOW you've missed a log blog

All is well with me medically at present.  As for the job stuff I actually had another interview with Apple it was a large group of 30.  It was called a career seminar.  But I didn't get it.  Oh well.


Now I have also applied to another internship with Enterprise-rent-a-car.  If that goes well I should make decent money and have decent hours.  


Also I am thinking of doing Pizza Delivery again.  Stress-free job with tips.  Can't beat that.


And the Realtor has started hunting for houses.  :-)