So I graduated two weeks ago on September 23rd. I won Best Print Portfolio, Highest Achievement, Graduated with distinction from the honors program and Magna Cum Laude.

Immediately afterwards we rush up to PA to check out my brand spanking new Niece Kaylee who is an absolutely perfect pudge baby. Check her out here. Isn't she gorgeous? [link]

Also on Wednesday I sent a cold email to a firm near me and they love my portfolio so much they Immediately contact me for an interview and freelance work. Hopefully, it will turn into full time position, so we shall see .

I had my faculty portfolio review Tuesday and I received much praise and love for my portfolio. Lots of great compliments on post its and no critiques. And I also got two nominations! One for print and one for best digital portfolio. I am happy with just the nominations we'll see if I get one of those nice awards. Happy Happy Happy Happy.

Also spent the week with my patient and wonderful helper Izzie peeling stickers off crayon boxes, placing rubber cement on the boxes so we can remove remaining sticker glue (I can't believe it worked), and placing new stickers on. OMG Finally done.

So that's about it. Give me jorbs!

I have just finished inking a 22 page storybook for a pro bono Artermis client, drawing hundreds of signatures for my promotional design identity, buying 30 packs of crayons, working on illustrations for another client, and still has so much more to do. Though as it goes I am handling it and that worries me. I am waiting for Portfolio to turn me into a useless quivering mass of nerves gripping a wacom pen, and it hasn't happened yet like it has my fellow graphic design seniors.

Makes me wonder, I'm a good with stress? or I'm I doing this whole portfolio thing wrong?

I miss making art for myself though .

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses
your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its
heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the
daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem
less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart,
even as you have always accepted the seasons that
pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the
winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen.

It is the bitter potion by which the physician within
you heals your sick self.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy
in silence and tranquillity:

For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by
the tender hand of the Unseen,

And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has
been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has
moistened with His own sacred tears.
-------



This morning my dog died quietly in her sleep. She was my friend, and companion for 14 years. I remember when I got her on my tenth birthday. I was upset that my father was late and when I heard the doorbell I rushed downstairs to greet my father, and in his arms was my beautiful, perfect little girl. I named her Duchess and for most of my life she was my shadow and my constant friend. Joining me for every moves from Canada, to Pennyslvania to here.

She loved her giraffe doll and played king of the mountain on the large rocks with me and the goats. She almost never licked to show affection but she showed love by excitedly coming to the door with loud barks and a wag of her tail. Always shy, she would balance excitement of scratches and pets with happy growls, with shy moments of walking away and rubbing against furniture, almost as if she didn't like to be the center of attention.

It kills me to know I will never give her a bath again and watch her happily rub against furniture to dry afterwards. Or she won't be under my feet while I watch tv or do homework, every so often raising your head to beg for a scratch. Or when I ask you to sit, you would lay down and roll, because I messed up your training when I was young. or how you inhaled every treat no matter how expensive without even tasting it and your hopeful eyes begging for more. I will miss the click of your nails, your big brown eyes, and your cocked ear.

She has survived so many things, from being hit by a car, to ovarian cancer, and last week she seemed close to death but with antibiotics she seemed to pull through, even finding the strength to walk again. But it seems my resilient doggie was finally ready to let go. And I am thankful she died peacefully, for though I was preparing to put her down in case she became unhappy, I am glad I didn't have to end up doing it. I will always love you my dearest friend, thank you for being such a good pet and giving me all your love.

I miss you and I am so thankful were in my life, my beautiful little girl.

I am so looking forward to relaxing. It has been a long quarter. Course in my case relax is relative.

Things I want/need to do:

* Reconstruct some tshirts and old clothes so my wardrobe looks updated
* make a circle skirt and wrap shirt.
* build a portfolio of photoshop effects
* build a html website for port.
* work on flash digital portfolio so its less sucky.
* DRAW!
* Arrange some still life photoshoots to broaden my photobook
* Clean house top to bottom to pay dad back.
* finish making baby blankets
* play with shrinky dink
* swim with the manatees
* organize room
* make more pads
* Finish all L4D campaigns on expert!

hmmm may add more.