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.

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.  :-)

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!!!!

Oh Lordy the year is nearly over!

It is so scary to think that in about 8 weeks this semester will be over.  I have to write 3 papers, redesign a magazine, and Study my butt off to understand Business Information Systems.  


Not to mention I would really like a coffee...hmmm.  Sorry off topic.  I would really like to be able to do my homework and pass my classes.  Not to mention get an internship.  


Did I mention last night I got a job.  At Jerry's Subs and Pizza.  I am a delivery driver I used to be one so because I have experience I was hired.  It is very EXCITING!!!!!


Still my fingers are crossed about getting an internship and I hope yours are too.  :-)

Results...

I got my results this past Tuesday about my breast lump.  Turned out that it was benign which is good.  I was very happy about the results and at least now I don't have to worry.  


My exams for my classes that didn't have to do with art turned out not so good.  I really need to work on my studying skills.  I feel so bad about it.  At least I didn't get anything less than a D.  I had thought I did better but I was wrong.  I feel so less motivated now that school is getting closer and closer to the end.  But I need to step it up and really dig into my work especially the classes that I understand less like this business management systems course.  Hopefully I can summon the drive to do it.


Also I really hope I get a job at Apple it would help me out so much.  I have put the resume in and my friend should be able to get me a job there, it is very exciting.

A lot has happened...

Earlier I had said I had a lump found.  Well I had the biopsy on Friday and it was kind of scary.  I was definitely nervous.  But it all went well and the results will be in Monday(tomorrow).  

The Interview I had at Target Portrait Studio also went very well and they will call me if I get the job.  They had other people to interview that day besides me.  Fingers crossed everybody.

Also I got a Graphic Design Gig.  I applied for a gig I heard about through my school and the lady actually liked my designs the best.  I am so excited about it :-)   

For this semester since I have been pretty bored I signed up for the 4Paws volunteer Cat rescue.  This should be a lot of fun helping poor kitties find new homes.  It will also be good expeirience for when I sign up for the Veterinary Assistant Program.  I am looking into Penn and Foster right now.  I am planning on doing this after I graduate or during my summer.

Lastly, My mother and I mailed my grandma some wildflower seed packets to help her prepare for spring.  She has been snowed in for about 3 weeks now and is going crazy.  Before this snow she was snowed in for 2 weeks.  I think she will be happy to never see snow fall again.  Hopefully the seeds will give her something to look forward to when Spring comes.  Also the townhouse search time is coming up.  I can't wait for it to get here so I can move out on my own with my friends.

10-20 Inches...

Tomorrow, the weatherman predicts, we will be getting between 10-20 inches of MORE SNOW.  This needs to stop it is getting dangerous for everyones health.  Cabin fever makes people do stupid things.  School is also cancelled again.  I want to go back to my classes.  My poor late tuesday class has been cancelled twice now and it only meets once a week.



Today I was denied being a stock logo maker on iStockphoto.com. To the right you can see my 3 logo submissions. It is okay though in either 3 days or 3 weeks I don't remember I can re-submit and basically try again.  I also applied for another job and another internship.  Maybe one of these will bare fruit.  I really hope so.


Found more awesome houses that are in our price range but unfortunately need to be rented out before may/june.  I really hope we are lucky enough to find a great place like that when we are in full scale house search.

A New Month...

Job Hunt: I have applied to even more jobs. I have asked a t-shirt design company to consider hiring me as an intern. I applied to Plaza Art Supplies, and to be a Newborn Photographer at the hospital.

School: Homework has been going ok. I haven't gotten an A on anything yet :-( Hopefully that will change. I finally finished my Magazine Mash-up and I just had my critic of it. Wasn't quite as good as I thought it was. It can still use some work. I am trying my best to fix as much of it as possible. Hopefully my second try will be a lot better.

Other than that I haven't been home in a while, two months, and I am starting to miss my family and my pets.

Update on school, stress relief activity of the semester, house hunt, and job hunt

Well, this semester so far has been really good. Only 14 credits gives me more free time to job hunt and house hunt as well as get myself into shape and maybe a bit of my life together. Hopefully the extra time doesn't just make me more lazy.

Today I got some things to organize my very little living space on campus, which I hope works. Also have been finding a good number of people to help in the house hunt which will go into full throttle in May and June. The job hunt is already in full throttle but I have been less diligent about it. I know that is very bad. Job hunting is so nerve racking. I just need to suck it up and send out those resumes. So many people have given me hints at where to apply and I also need to follow up on the photography place that I applied to.

As for the stress relief activity for the semester I am going to Katsucon. I even made up my own character to go as. No dressing up as someone else's character for me! Mostly I picked to do this to save money. All in all it should be really fun.

Thats all for the update on all categories hope to type back soon!

Bad Start

The day started with me walking into my Writing for Artists class LATE. I was very upset. I can't start this habit again. Not to mention I was late because I twisted my ankle walking down the last step of the stairs and fell. I looked like an idiot.

Yesterday was much better though. My boyfriend brought me to a pet store and there were so many cute puppies there. Especially the little bulldog puppy that was a girl. She was so cute I just wanted to save her from that cage. If only I could but that would not be possible at this time in my life. I really hope that puppy gets a good home.

Horrendous Homework

To be frank I have all but ran out of money this month. This is caused by me thinking my wig buying was in budget. Turns out that one of the magazines I had to buy this month for my editorial design class was $25. That is CRAZY! I really hope my teacher does not make me buy magazines like this too often or I am not gonna be a happy camper in that class. The magazine itself is very nice I have to admit. It is one that was probably costly to print which explains the cost to buy. The Cover is a beautiful photograph. The inside pages are full of creative ideas and expensive, antique inspired clothes. I would say it is a magazine that is for women with money to spend and a creative mind to utilize. But that is my homework for tonight to look through the magazine and guess it's demographics. Then I have to go to the magazines website and see if I was right. Maybe ya'll should check out the magazine too it is www.selvedge.org.

Started new semester today

I started my last semester as a Junior. Oy, the idea of being a Senior next year is crazy. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the carefree life of high school but I know that it is better to move forward. Soon I will even be turning 21 which is just weird. It seems like yesterday I was 7 and looking through the mixed drink menu at Carlos O'Kellys and saying that when I turn 21 I would have a Blue Parrot drink. I still plan on doing that. Not that I actually think it will be awesome but to please my childhood memory. I just finished all my new classes and I don't know how I feel. My business minor seems like it is going to be really hard and my major requires a Writing for Artists class which will force me to look at myself as an artist. I am kind of glad for it. I will be forced to look into myself and find what kind of artist I am. I know I am happy to start classes and I am happy to try and move off campus next year. I just feel lost somewhat.

Back to School

Well I am back at my school. Still on the search for a job. Will probably be calling about job applications tomorrow. Hopefully there will be something.

Other than that today has been a long day of packing, moving, and blah.

The First Step

I am starting the second half to my junior year at college. Parents telling me I need to find a job in my field or an internship. I just applied to one internship that would be perfect for me and my fingers are crossed that I get it.

What I want from this blog is a place to write about my journey into adulthood. The goals that need to be accomplished before the adulthood status is met are as follows:

Job: A job that pays enough for me to be independent of my parents (unless crisis ensues)

Living Space: Either my own apartment or a place with roommates where I am free from being in my parents nest.

Cats: A place that will let me have my kitty babies live with me. So I am not depending on my parents to care for and house my cats.


All this will take time and I plan on writing about my search for a place to live, a job and my work to graduation.


I am in search of a place to live for me and 3 roommates in the Fairfax, VA area surrounding George Mason University. Anyone have helpful hints?