Some photography.

Feeling creative this morning. The arts and crafts-y kind of creative, which is rare for me. Not sure what exactly I'll create, but in the meantime, here's some photography I've done over the last few months (most are from Hawaii, taken in January 2010).

Me. Taken in December.
The fam, walking sideways on the side streets of Wisconsin Dells.

I thought the exterior of this home beautifully decorated.

Sister...taking some pictures of Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells.

Beautiful sunset at the southern-most point of the U.S in Hawaii. A truck just happened to be at the edge of the cliff.
Zachary's first birthday. He's my boyfriend's nephew, and such a little cutie. I don't think he enjoyed his monkey-themed birthday party too much though.
This is Jim's grandma McGraw holding Natalie, one of Jim's nieces. His family inspires me because the love they reflect off one another is remarkable.
Just a random photo, I wouldn't call this photography at it's finest or anything. Just me enjoying my first ever Wisconsin game when visiting friends in Madison.

My strange little cat. I love my little bebe, especially when he does things like this.

Black Sand Beach in Hilo (on the island of Kona in Hawaii)

I'm an animal person. Had to visit the humane society while in Hawaii.


Taken on the devastation trail inside Volcano National Park. This picture, and the actual site itself is unreal.


My first encounter with a waterfall...and it was enormous! Caught a glimpse of this while hiking through a rainforest in Hawaii.

Another week down.

It is officially the weekend. I have some plans, that may backfire, but my overall goal for the weekend is to get some relaxation in. It's been a busy week full of getting projects done, and beginning new ones. Luckily, I'm free of homework for the weekend and it feels...strange, but incredible, at the same time.

I'll have plenty to report on over the next few days as the weekend goes on. The only real news I got today was that I'm invited to go to San Francisco over my Spring Break in March with my mom, uncle Tim and his partner Ron. A few posts ago I mentioned my love for California and my goal of one day moving there to start a career. It's not entirely sure whether or not we'll be going to California or Florida, but I am really pushing for Cali. Not to say I don't love a free vacation away from the cruddy Wisconsin weather, but I've been to Florida so many times throughout my life already, and it's just alright. Gee, that doesn't sound snobby. But San Fran, what a new experience. My heart is racing already just thinking about it. So, we'll see what ends up happening with that. As for now, it's just time to kick off my shoes, kick back and watch some good ol' tele. Of course, I'll fit yoga in too that list of the night's activities in there somewhere too.

Some early afternoon delight.

It's official. I cannot get enough Robert Pattinson. His new movie Remember Me comes on March 12th. Robert, I will be there. For now, I'll just stare at you throughout the day. That's not creepy or anything, right?

California

Lately it's dawned on me that...well, the midwest is not for me. Maybe I shouldn't necessarily say that. I've lived in Wisconsin my entire life and haven't had a problem with it up until this point in my life. Milwaukee has always been my home. I still defend Milwaukee and the area I'm from if anything negative is said about it. The lakefront, the chill of the Fall season, the glistening white dust that covers the ground, and the wonderful people I've met along the way. It will and always will be where I'm from. Home sweet home.

It could be the winter talking, but I'm ready to get up and go; ready to travel and learn new experiences. I'm lucky I am only 19 years old, being the perfect time to get out and do what I want to do. A goal of mine is to move to the L.A. area within the next 5 years. I'd like to pursue my dream in becoming a graphic designer, and what better way to start out than to start out in California, where this job is most available. It would be the experience of a lifetime for me. A journey like this isn't a huge deal to some, but I've always been a homebody and have never really been 'on my own,' especially in a place I was completely unfamiliar with; so far from home. My father lives in Escanaba, MI. along with the rest of my family on his side. It's about 4 hours from Milwaukee. A journey in itself, but not too far from home. My sister and her boyfriend, Alton, live in Mount Horeb which is just outside of Madison. And I live at home with my mother - when I'm not living in my box of a room in Menomonie, WI. I go to the University of Wisconsin-Stout. A tiny state college, nonetheless, the best around for my major. I'd like to finish up my time here, about 3 more years.... but soon after, I hope to move west. Maybe I'm dreaming too big. Maybe I'm right in believing it's time for me to get myself out there and go with the flow of life - really start living it and taking advantage of everything I am able to do. If I don't do this while I'm young, I'll regret it the rest of my life. I'll never know what could have happened out west, what I could've made of myself, and how different my life would have been. If I do it, which I am about 95% sure I will do, I hope to gain more knowledge in my field, to meet new people and gain new perspectives, to bask in the sun on a February day and to make something of myself. Life is full of opportunities, and I'm not going to push this one to the side. It's time for me to risk it all, have faith in myself and the Lord, and take a giant leap towards success out west.

I'd like to welcome myself to the world of blogging

I've always found writing to be a great escape; an easy way to create words from feeling with meaning. Writing has always been a valuable hobby of mine whether it was writing short stories, or keeping journals. Like talking a long walk or hitting the gym, writing is therapeutic to me. It clears my mind of all the distractions that cause my head to spin out of control at times.

Fortunately for me, my head hasn't been spinning anywhere lately. A new semester started just 5 weeks ago, and I'm feeling refreshed. There's something about starting over new that really captures my attention; makes me that much more determined to work harder and become a better person. Ever since I returned from Hawaii in the first week of January, Jim and I, my boyfriend of a year and a half, have been doing incredibly well. I've gotten some weight off my shoulders by signing for the house with a good friend of mine. We've been eyeing this house up and down since mid-October, but were waiting on another person to help sign the lease with us. I'm very impatient. She wasn't giving us any direct answers so we just made it happen. We signed, she didn't, and we're still searching for a 3rd roommate, but we already have a few responses to an ad we set up on Craigslist. Things are looking up.

The only real issue I have is being unemployed, an issue that I am familiar with. I've made phone calls, sent applications in, but I haven't given it my all. I have very little to my name as of right now, and as an art student, you have to have big bucks to continue to spend on new supplies. It's difficult at times, but I'm hoping that I get more motivation and fast. If my depressing bank account and my mother preaching to me about it every day isn't motivating enough, then what will be?