Giving it All & Taking the Shot

I have been working on a self-portrait project for the past two and a half weeks. Let me tell you this has been a serious wake up call. It is impossible to be an artist and not put yourself in awkward situations (in public). For the first week of my project I would see something that would make an amazing shot, then I would stop look around at all the people and instantly change my mind. What a waste, I missed out on so many fantastic pictures.

That is no more though. After frustrating myself to a boiling point I finally said screw it and boy did it pay off. I have set up a tri-pod in the middle of a laundromat, strapped a camera to my face, and even asked complete strangers their opinions. It’s hard been an artist because you have to push all your insecurities to the side and just go for it.

From this day forward that’s what I will be doing. So, from one artist to another, “Do whatever it takes and stop worrying about nonsensical things!”

May 2

Currently…

Wow, it’s been a while since my last post… Shall I update you about all that has gone on? Sweet, let’s get down to business.

I made it through my first semester of college! I got an A- in Sociology, and an A in Color Theory! It feels so great to be in school again. My current classes: Principles of Design, Beginning Drawing, English Composition, and Black and White Photography. Do you want to know a secret? I am not as bad at drawing as I thought! I might (MIGHT) just post some of my work.

I found a job, again. I honestly think this will work out. I am now a proud worker of The Home Depot. I even get medical benefits as a part-time employee! Being a cashier is hectic but it passes the time quickly. I hope to make a move to garden or paint some time soon!

On to other things, currently I am…

Obsessed with Black and White Photography

Watching Once Upon a Time

Working on making loom beaded bracelets and planning on making a GIGANTIC one.

Eating tons of trail mix. It has become my go to snack.

Reading The Help

Anticipating a field trip in drawing class.

Thinking about my self-portrait projects in photography and drawing class. I don’t like focusing on myself so much; Karma said “Ha!” now you have to focus on yourself in two classes. Is this a sign?

Wishing that we can find a new apartment by June 1st.

Apr 1

Starting Over Again…

Being absent for the entire month of March has been both amazing and sad. I have honestly missed blogging and yet at the same time I have had so much time to do other things.

Spring break is over for me and I start the Spring Quarter today. I am also back in the blogging game. It has taken me practically the entire month to get into the swing of things with school, home and finding a job. I think I can finally throw blogging back into the mix without feeling like I am going to explode.

With that being said I will try to post at least once maybe twice a week and slowing build it to 3 posts a week. I also have 2 job interviews this week!!! It’s like everything is coming together this Spring!

With all the new things going on I will also be updating this here on the blog. New header, side bars, etc.

Happy Spring!

Mar 5

March is for…

Charlie’s birthday
My birthday
working on my Sociology paper
working on my last three projects for Color Theory
displaying my work here on le blog
30 days of lists
searching for a part-time job. got to love getting laid off (insert sarcastic face)
spending more time with my son

Feb 22

52 Books in 52 Weeks // 6 – The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Goodreads synopsis:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. Having missed her flight, she’s stuck at JFK airport and late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.

Extremely fast paced. Like it says this book is literally of the course of one day. It is a crazy little love story that you can read in a day. I love how the unexpected everything is. I gave it a 5 out of 5 because of how easy it is to read and how enjoyable.

Feb 21

52 in 52: January Review

I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided to read memoirs/self-help books at the beginning of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. It is like I wanted to set myself up for failure. FICTION is my true joy. Getting lost in the adventure and wonder of fictitious things is just FUN.

None the less I told myself that in order for this to really be a challenge I would try to read different types of books. When you decide to step out of your comfort zone things can move rather slowly. Seriously, I would read 5 pages and be done for the day. If I wanted to finish a 300 page book that would take me 2 months, “WAAAT?!?!(in my Despicable Me minion voice)” Not good if I wanted to read a book a week.

Well, as luck would have it my wonderful husband bought me the Inheritance Cycle complete set on new Years day. Yes, I have wanted those books for so long and he got them for me!!! Right away I started reading the series (that’s why Eragon appears as 1 of 52.) However, everyday I couldn’t shake this nagging feeling that I wasn’t exactly doing what I had set myself out to do. When I finished Eragon I decided to go back to the books on my list for January. Only this time I would set myself up for success.

How? Every time I read a chapter of one of the books on my list I would reward myself with 30 minutes to read something more to my liking. It turned into a good exercise because I push myself to do what needs doing. I don’t get the stories confused and I am all around happier at the end of the day.

In no way were these memoirs bad it just took me longer to get in the groove of reading them. I am so glad I stuck it out because half way through my list I stopped needing to read a fun book as a reward. As it turns out I love reading memoirs now!!!

Have I piqued your interest in reading a book a week? Don’t know how you will ever do it? Fear not the wonderful Amy from Lemon and Raspberry posted about How to read a book a week.

Feb 20

52 Books in 52 Weeks // 5 – All Roads Lead to Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith

Goodreads Synopsis:

With a suitcase full of Jane Austen novels en espanol, Amy Elizabeth Smith set off on a yearlong Latin American adventure: a traveling book club with Jane. In six unique, unforgettable countries, she gathered book-loving new friends– taxi drivers and teachers, poets and politicians– to read Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice.

Whether sharing rooster beer with Guatemalans, joining the crowd at a Mexican boxing match, feeding a horde of tame iguanas with Ecuadorean children, or tangling with argumentative booksellers in Argentina, Amy came to learn what Austen knew all along: that we’re not always speaking the same language– even when we’re speaking the same language.

But with true Austen instinct, she could recognize when, unexpectedly, she’d found her own Senor Darcy.

All Roads Lead to Austen celebrates the best of what we love about books and revels in the pleasure of sharing a good book– with good friends.

This book was not the best book on my list. Actually of all the books I read this month, this book ranks second to last. More on that in my January review. I was so anxious to read this book as anyone in my family can tell you I am a huge Jane Austen fan. However, I was slightly disappointed with this book. Hence my lovely 3 out of 5 on Goodreads. The author kept going back and fourth comparing her different reading groups and after a while it just became tiresome. I was really happy with how the book ended, though. Would I recommend it? Yes, if you get to a point where she starts repeating herself just skip a paragraph or two and all will be well.

Feb 18

Oh My… I’ve Left You Alone

Dear Readers,

I am terribly sorry for second unscheduled blog break in a row. Life has become increasingly busy. Care to hear some news?

I am going back to school. Matter of fact, I started school this past Saturday. My first class: Principles of Design II or Color Theory. It was simply divine. Honestly being laid of from my job made me realize life is unpredictable. You must go out and do the things you want, not because time is short but because your happiness is most important in that short time.

It is seriously crazy how much support I have received from my family and friends. My favorite response, “Bueno, yo estaba esperando el dia que ibas para tras. Tu eres muy inteligente.”/”Good, I was waiting for the day you would go back. Your too intelligent.” – Step-father. Some family members have even chipped in to pay for some of my expenses not covered by grants. It seriously made me cry with joy at all their support.

On to the blog… I had mentioned changing this blogs name but decided in the end to keep with The March Owl. So, I renewed the dot com.

That is pretty much all. I will try to get back to blogging at least 3 times a day. Fear not I have kept up with reading one book a week I just have not written the reviews, they will be coming soon! Glad to be back.

Feb 4

52 Books in 52 Weeks // 4 – Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Goodreads Synopsis:

Darkness falls …Despair abounds …Evil reigns …Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider.

It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn’t sure whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall – one that puts Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life .

So much happens within a small amount of time in this book. I felt so bad for all the struggles Eragon and his family go through. It’s like they can’t catch a break, EVER! But, I guess that is the nature of the storytelling beast. There is no story if something is going wrong. Let’s see what the next two books of this series give us.