Goals & School

For some reason, I feel like I need to talk about school and stuff. I kept feeling like I needed to write and I'm unsure why. Maybe I'm on this weird spiritual kick to share some thoughts that I've been having. I think sacrament and the CES fireside had something to do with it.

Starting with Sacrament. The talks today ended up being about setting eternal goals. I found these talks rather intriguing and they had me thinking. I have never been the kind of person to set goals. A lot of things have come easy to me (like grades and talents), and I've now realized that I have become a bit lackadaisical about them. Things haven't improved in ways that I would like them to. I feel like my laziness has actually hindered me. I think the most powerful evidence in not being able to get into animation.

I love animation and always will. I have noticed, though, that I get sad while watching some animated movies lately. I'm so mad at myself. I was given a wonderful opportunity to be part of something unique; something some people would lie for. Twice. TWICE. And what did I do? I let my laziness consume me. It's been hard for me to be excited about anything anymore. I'm letting depression win and I'm sick of it. SICK OF IT. I want to have goals. I want to be something more than what I am now. An almost 23 year-old with no job, no license, and nothing to show anybody. Pathetic. I think it's time to stop drumming to the same beat; it's time to make goals.

I want all of these by the end of the year:

1. To be better at scripture study. I've read a chapter of scriptures every night for the longest time and I feel like it's time to change the game. I need to find a different way that encourages me to be more involved in my study.
2. To have my prayers be more meaningful. I feel like doing this will not only help me be able to communicate with Heavenly Father better, but will help me to trust in Him more. I think that's why my depression shows up more lately in not understanding why I have a different major.
3. To be a better friend. I feel like I really need to do this. I often think that I'm not a good friend. I don't communicate with my friends as much as I should.
4. To be better at writing. If I'm going to be an author some day, I need to work on this important skill. This will also include typing up, editing, and sharing stories that I've written. I need to be more open if I want to improve. And I would also like my vocabulary to grow and I think doing all this will help.
   
5. To be better at my art. Although art is no longer my major, I still feel like I need to prove something to myself. My Etsy shop is a flop at the moment and I don't know what to do about it. I also want to be more committed at making more things to improve my skills more. And with drawing I know that my tablet experimentation will help this improve, as well as drawing in my sketchbook.
6. To have a license and job. I think that having both of these will help me feel less... useless. I want the ability to be independent and not have everyone do everything for me. I'm still unsure if the Disney World internship counts to this goal.
   

Now about school. So far a week of school has gone by and I'm okay about that. I'm taking four literature classes: Early British Literature, American Literature, British Romantic Literature, and Literature and Film. I have two classes a day so it's not too heavy on any day. There will be a TON of reading to do this semester though. But after this I will only have two semesters left until graduation!

I also walked into the Visual Arts office to see what could be done about a minor. Turns out that I will only need a class and a half to get it. I will need to talk to someone at the office on Monday though since one of the classes I took here isn't showing up on this record. If that goes well then I'll be able to have this minor when I graduate! ;)

Black n' Blue Kanzashi and Dress

I recently made a dress as my final project for my sewing project. I needed something that I could wear in my hair to go with it. What better to use the fabric that the dress is made out of to make the accessory? The dress has two tones: the blue/navy for the top and the black way polka dot for the bottom. I decided that I wanted to make a different kind of flower as the main focus this time around. I believe that it's called ume, meaning plum in Japanese. As a first time around, I think it ended up pretty well.

Here's a picture of me wearing the whole thing together. Why am I not wearing shoes? I walked home without them on... they were giving me blisters. The dress is also a little big big around, so I might fix that in the future. Who knows when though.

It Begins...

I have finally been to all the classes that I will be taking this semester. To be completely honest, I had a semi-meltdown the first day. It was very quiet and I don't think that my roommates even knew about it. I guess a lot of things caught up with me. I believe that a lot of it was caused by my mild depression. Although I have never been diagnosed, I know that I don't have to be 'officially' diagnosed. I know when something doesn't feel right.

Anyway, a lot of the meltdown did deal with the whole money side of going to school. I really don't feel like I have accomplished a whole lot during the summer. I wasn't able to get a job or my license. I can't tell you how many times that I've felt like that I've been mooching off of my parents and people I know. All that guilt ways you down. That will change soon, hopefully. I'm desperately looking for a job and I have applied for five at the moment. I have only heard back from one saying no, but there is another I want to apply for. I just need to finish some steps before I can do that. I will get that done in the next couple days.

I do have good news in all of this gloom. Financial aid is a lot faster since a new law has been passed. I've accepted the loan and am now waiting for disbursement. ^^ I have also made my major official. I'm an English major. What am I going to do with that? Get myself published! I did think of doing something with art as a minor but as I walked over to the building I stopped half-way. I'm not sure why. I just know that I didn't need the minor. Maybe it's a good thing. After this semester I will only need three more semesters and an internship. You read that right! I should be graduated either before or in 2012 depending if I do Summer and Spring terms. I might have to. We'll see. ;)

This semester will have a lot of reading to do. All of my classes have reading assignments; and all but two have some kind of paper(s). It will be fun. I also have four novels to read this semester. Three for one English and one for the other English course. I should be able to get a lot of it done on Tues. and Thurs. though. I only have one class on those days. However, that means I'm in class on Mon. and Wed. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an hour break. I'm hoping it will actually be shorter since the class at the end is a lab for sewing; and we all know how fast I can sew. Getting a job on top of all of this might be murder but I will definitely try!

That's the semester in a nutshell. It should be crazy, busy but fun. Wish me luck!

Yay! =D

I got my money finally. You have no idea how happy that makes me feel. *does a happy dance* =D I no longer have to worry about stuff piling on my psyche. Yus! =D

More Crafty Things & F.H.E.

Don't worry, I'm not spending all of my time doing this stuff. I have been looking for a job but no one has been biting. *sigh* I don't know, but I may have to just go to the Wilks and see what is still open. I'm wondering if the campus jobs are waiting until I get my short term loan paid. It's a possibility, but I don't know. And that should be paid by the end of the week. I called the bank and my funds should be here by Thursday or sometime later this week. That's a good thing.


Yes, a spider. Why not? He's a Halloween decoration. I got lazy when it came to the legs though. I didn't want to fight with the yarn to make such skinny legs, so I used two thin pipe cleaners per leg and feed them through the body. I think it works better than trying to feed wire through long, skinny yarn tubes. He now hangs from the light in the living room. xD


In order: Black wing from Gaia Online, Sally, Jack, Oogie Boogie, and a panda. I found a Jack charm tutorial on deviantART and used that. (I added his coat detail on the back though.) Sally followed the same design with different colors of Sculpey, except for the blue lines that were painted. Oogie Boogie and the panda are my own design.

What I should have done yesterday was take pictures of my F.H.E. group. It was my apartment's turn to do the activity and we chose to make decorations. I was skeptical how the other apartments--especially the guys--would react to this, but they all were so excited. Some of things that were made were funny. I made a pumpkin with "Happy Halloween" on it and four bats. Catherine made four smaller pumpkins with shading. And Sarah made a witch. They're on the windows and door along with the ghosts that I got to cover the sliding door.

Amigurumi Halloween Cat Trio

You know what I think I've figured out? Crocheting is therapeutic. Well, at least it is for me. It gets my mind off of things for the most part and I need that lately.

Anyway, I finished these last Sunday while watching General Conference with Jenni and Corey. These were meant for the amigurumi thread that I'm a part of on Gaia Online and for Halloween decor. I wanted to use up my leftover orange and purple yarn and make something still cohesive for Halloween. So I decided to make three cats that have the Halloween colors. They don't have arms and legs because of the small amount of yarn I had in orange and purple. They do have tails, however, that have wire in them so they can bend. What's funny is that Corey, Jenni, and I thought that before they had their tails on they looked a lot like maracas. xD And since they're shaped liked maracas, I crocheted a stand for them. It works pretty well.

And on a more personal note, I'm finally going to the bank on Saturday. I found out today that this bank has recently decided to do everything in paper. In the past they were on BYU's approved list of lenders, but they decided to switch. Now they're paying for their mistake (as well as the students). So, I'm going to go in that bank and basically "raise all Cain" on their hineys. I'm even going to threat switching lenders. (I found out that that is an option but it takes a little while.) Hopefully they'll get their butts in gear. Wish me luck.

*Phew*

O.k., just to make a long story short; I've got what I need to pay off tuition. *phew* Of course through a short term loan and then a bank/school loan. The short term one allows me to stay in school until I am able to get my financial aid through the other loan. Now, if only I started this a little earlier I wouldn't be worrying myself so much and get a cold in the process. Yes, I worried so much that I'm developing a cold. Fun, noh? Anyway, it's such a relief to know that I'm staying in school this semester and not getting kicked out. Now all I have to do it wait for the last step of the loan process for the school loan and then I can pay off the short term loan and all should be well. It so feels like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. Yay! No weight! =D

New School = Hectic

I'll get some pictures up some other time, but for now I can write about the first week of school.

I started last Tuesday, September 2nd, and it was intimidating at first. It's a new school and easily five times bigger than the last campus that I was on. I wasn't quite sure how me finding my classes would be, but that turned out fine. My classes also seem like they'll be pretty easy. I still haven't gone to my Intro to Animation class though because it doesn't start until October 22nd. I'm sure that I'll enjoy that class a lot nevertheless. The classes that have started now are Doctrine and Covenants I, Physical Science 101, Japanese 101, and Art History and Curatorial Studies I. Doesn't that last one sound like fun? lol. I'm sure I'll like the whole art side of it anyway.

I was lucky that for my first week of school that I didn't need my books. I didn't have the means to buy them until Amber and Greg helped me. Thanks so much guys. I will repay you back someday. And don't even tell me that I don't have to because I will anyway. That was fun going to their bank (like a mile away from my apartment) to get the money and then going to the Bookstore to find out they didn't have one of my books. Luckily for me, I was able to reserve one and then I can pick it up later.

So now the only things to wait for is my FAFSA results to see if tuition will get paid for and finding a job. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Shidara

I went to this on Saturday. Again, it was another event that the school invited a group to come and perform. I really liked this one. The group was amazing and they did a fantastic job. They all seem to have fun at what they do, too. This video is just they're promotional video. I couldn't find a full song for you guys. They do have a website though. www.shidara.co.jp . I ended up getting a commemorative brochure.

The Spencers

Went to this show on Friday at 6 p.m. It was one of the events that the school was holding and I figured I would go. I ended up going with Krystal and we both liked it. I thought it was good and exciting. It was the first magic show that I've seen in real life. Here's a video of Kevin Spencer walking through a cinder block wall. It was cool.

School Starts Again Soon

Wow, it's been a long time. Sorry guys. The past week I've been home on my break between semesters. I didn't really think about saying I was going to be on break until Amber chastised me.

Not having to worry about school for a week was nice. I got to sleep in and be with my family. On Tuesday Zak and Parker took me to Boondocks and we has a lot of fun. I spun out on my go-cart twice. The guys were trying to tell me how to drive after the second time. That wasn't cool. I was thinking to myself that this 17 year-old really needs to back off. Oi. Mom also took me shopping on Monday. I got three new shirts and a pair of pants. I need new pants because I've lost like an inch on my thighs during last semester. I also got this tank top to wear under one of my shirts. And Parker and Zak got RockBand while I was home. That was fun. Zak and Parker ended up having these huge blisters from the drum sticks. The weirdos weren't sure how to old the sticks so they rubbed wrong. They still enjoyed playing though.

Well, school starts tomorrow and then work on Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to taking some of my classes. I think they sound like a lot of fun. This semester I'm also get to see a lot of movies with a friend. It'll be fun. Maybe we'll dress up for some. =P It'll be fun either way.

Becoming a Cougar

Encase you haven't heard, I'm officially a cougar. That's right. I got accepted for the coming Fall semester. I'm super excited!

Yesterday morning I decided to check my e-mail before I went to class. I notice that I got a e-mail from the CES education people. That e-mail told me to go check my status at the application part on the website. So I go there and find out that I have been accepted. I about nearly screamed, but my roommate was reading and I didn't want to scare her.

I've called just about anyone that I could to tell them the good news. Everyone is very excited for me and I'm very grateful. Now all I have to do is fill out scholarship things and stuff to make sure that I have enough money. lol. The joys of college.

School + Summer Classes

School has been going good. I've gotten my homework done and only missed one class. And that was due to me being sick. Bleck. I've only got 4 weeks from tomorrow. (Last day is April 10th.) I'm really excited for that and break. I'm hoping to be able to go home, but it all depends on when the family moves to Seattle. They have already painted my room. They thought the colors might be too strong for some people. It'll be weird going home with Zak sleeping in my room. And here's what my room used to look like: (Eck. My bed wasn't made. I took this the day I was leaving for Winter Semester last year.)Well, I got to register for Summer Semester classes early this morning. My roommates were kind enough to wake me up during my sleep so I could do it. There was no way that I was only going to get two hours of sleep. I think I got four interrupted though. Not sure... Anywho, I got all the classes I wanted. It all lines up to 16.5 credits. I was so happy when I figured out how to not get any classes on Friday. Bwahaha, I'll always have a three day weekend. =D

Here they are:

1. Figure Drawing
2. Art Seminar
3. Archery Beg
4. Intro to Film Lab
5. Intro to Film
6. Chinese Lit
7. Old Testament
   
8. Design/Color

It seems like a lot, but I think it will be a good semester. I'm really looking forward to most of my classes. I'm really not looking forward to Chinese Lit. It's an online class, but I hear that it's easy. I'm just worried about fighting with the wireless at my apartment complex. Oh well, I'm sure I'll figure something out.

The Great Gift Card Adventure

To set up the mood we begin with me at work. It's Tuesday around 5:00 a.m. I'm getting ready to vacuum a classroom when-all of the sudden-I find something on the floor. I look at it for a moment, wondering what it could be. The blue and yellow color combo seem familiar somehow. I reach down, pick it up, and-to my surprise-it's a Best Buy gift card. I recall earlier that morning that I had been reading the ominous signs that someone, somewhere was searching for the poor lost card. The sign also included a series of ten numbers, a phone number. So, I walk down the hall to my supervisor's office. I tell him that I had found the poor thing. He looks at me, puzzled. He asks me where I found it. I say, "In room 129. And there was a note on the white board. Someone would like it back." He asks me what the signs says. I say, "Lost Gift Card. Please call a phone number if found." He asks me what the number is. D'oh. I said I'd go write in down. So, I write it down and give the number to my supervisor. He says thank you and that he'll call.

Wednesday and Thursday go by and my supervisor keeps asking me if a person has called me about the poor little card. I say no one has and for some strange reason, he looks puzzled. Friday comes and while I'm in class someone leaves me a message. They tell me that the gift card was an experiment, and they would like to reward me. It was a test of ethics. I call the person back and find out that the gift card I turned back had nothing on it. The experiment was to find out the ethics of BYU-Idaho. I had passed. They told me that I'll be getting a gift card with money on it. I also find out that they would like to have someone contact me to ask me questions for either the school or local newspaper, I can't remember which.

Interesting, noh? I find it so. All just because I returned a gift card.

A New City + School

Recently I found out that my family is going to be moving to Seattle. Yep, Seattle. Dad is still going to work for HP and he'll be treated a lot better than previously. He starts in February while the family will hopefully go out sometime in June. I'll still be out here at school when that happens, so the break in April should be the last time I see the Boise house. I've talked to Mom about it, and I think the consensus is that we're happy to get out of Idaho. Don't get me wrong, it's nice and all but too small for us. Amber even said that she is excited to see Seattle with Greg and the little guy. ;) It's definitely going to be a new adventure for all of us, but we're eager to see how it spans out.

As for right now, school is going fine. Nothing exciting has happened but there are still things to preoccupy my mind with. I'm taking 16 credits at the moment and luckily none of my classes are extremely hard. The only class I'm having partial trouble in is Chinese 102; just because it has been a year since I took a Chinese class.

Walking to school has been interesting these past few days. On Tuesday it was -25 degrees (-35 with wind chill). Let me tell you, it's not fun feeling like a popsicle. Yesterday was below zero and so is today. At the moment it's snowing, so it's actually warmer. Yay! xD

Oh, and here's a picture of the giant icicles we get out here. This one was in front of Jessica's window. It was two feet thick and probably 12 feet tall before some neighboring boys broke it in half. That made a roommate of mine unhappy; she's protective about the icicles. =P

School and a Job! =D

Okay, because I can't contain it any longer I have to say first that I have a job! Woot! I'm working from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. as a custodian for the Smith building. It was perhaps the easiest job that I've ever gotten. I walked to the building with Jessica, filled out some paperwork, and got a job. Simple, noh? I actually start tomorrow. I guess they're desperate for people to work for them. xD

Tomorrow school starts as well. Mom and Dad brought me to school on Saturday. Getting up here was easy and I kept in touch with Krystal to find out when she was getting there. We got to my apartment and unloaded everything. I then called Krystal to see what she was doing and it turned out that even though she got there before us, she needed help unloading her stuff. She and her mother took two other people up to school, so all of her stuff was stuffed into the trunk of the car. After that Mom and Dad took me grocery shopping; then we ate at Pinapple Grill. Mmm, good sushi.

I was able to unpack everything that night, and all of my roommates are really nice. Jessica and I are in the same apartment this year, so we are going to have a lot of fun. =D