Post-soul searching: My current path

Yesterday was my first day back to school to earn a degree in Graphic Design.

That statement isn't entirely true. I technically never stopped going to school. Graduated in 2008, but have continuously been enrolled in COC since. I call it my "soul-searching" period.

When I graduated from UCI with a degree in Literary Journalism and minor in Italian Studies, I never thought that I would work in the field of journalism.

In fact, I avoided it. By the time my college career was ending, I was over it. But instead of changing majors and spending more time and money at school, I sucked it up and finished the degree.

My first job out of college was working as a technical writer (whatever that means) for an electrical engineering company. Talk about *yawn.* I didn't have enough work to do so I spend the majority of my shift looking for careers.

I was exploring and soul searching to find a career that would provide security and enjoyment (don't we all?). I enjoyed working as a Resident Advisor my last year in college and was interested in continuing to work with college-aged students. Not only did I enjoy it, but I also received high "grades" (where your residents, peers, and supervisors graded you on your performance).

I looked into a career working in Student Affairs, but most schools/employers were looking for candidates  who have a master's degree. I wasn't exposed long enough to the Student Affairs-life to feel comfortable jumping into getting a master's in it, so I kept searching.

My older brother worked with nurses and suggested that I look into that since "he could see me doing it." The idea of nursing is appealing, (great pay, respected job, challenging but rewarding career, etc.) but I would have had to start at square one when it comes to education. Hardly any of the classes I took for my degree would have transferred over. I did take a year of classes at COC to satisfy some of the prerequisites, but classes started getting harder to get into, so I started taking more music- and art-related classes for fun.

Bored out of my mind working at the electrical engineering company, in a move of desperation, I decided to inquire with every company in the SCV I could use my journalism degree. I just had to get out of this technical writing gig. *barf*

Out of all the companies that I contacted, The Signal emailed me back with interest. I interviewed and three days after, I was hired as a copy editor/features writer.

I continued taking classes at COC, but with no direction. I didn't declare a degree. I enrolled in classes I never got the chance to take in my undergrad. Fun classes like music, guitar and piano.

Working for a newspaper is fantastic and I enjoy coming to work everyday. The pay isn't the greatest, but the work environment fit my eccentric and inappropriate personality and I had a ball working with other crazy-minded reporters and editors. I learned a lot on the job that I didn't learn in school and I enjoyed taking on projects outside of my job description to change things up a bit. I also loved seing my byline in the paper and on the web. There is a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from seeing your work published.

And of course nothing beats the random emails I would get from all over asking questions or thanking me for a well written article. I even received a letter from a man in Poland thanking me for a great story. These things warmed my heart and made my job super fulfilling.

Kicking ass (toot toot) in the newsroom for over a year got me promoted to Special Sections Editor. This position was literally made for me. It allows me to do everything I want and like to do: write, edit, organize, manage, take photos, design -- just to name a few. There are no rigid rules for me to follow. Actually -- if anything -- I make rules to be followed. Although I have supervisors and people who I answer to, they don't hover behind me or micro manage. I come in as I please and I go whenever my work is done. I absolutely love what I do.

I've worked in this type of setting since high school. I've used Adobe Indesign and photoshop for the past 10 years or so, but my limited knowledge is all self-taught. I have designed thousands of pages and layouts over the past decade. I feel I have a decent eye for photography and for design, but -- like most anything in life -- there's always room for improvement. And trust me, there is plenty of room since I've never had any formal training.

This is why I've decided to officially "go back to school" and declare a major. A degree in graphic design will only make me more well-rounded in my field. Plus, out of everything that I do, designing is what I enjoy the best. I do it the least at work, but that's okay. I would probably enjoy it less if I had to constantly design for others.

I'm taking two classes this semester: graphic design I and type and typography. Both of my professors are fabulous so far and I look forward to their classes. I already have a foot in the door due to my background, but I am also surrounded by talented designers. XX has been a big inspiration throughout this entire process. He has a knack for design so I'm excited to have him as a guide on this path. He also hooked me up with CS5 on my MacBookPro, which makes my insides explode with glee.

All the designers at work are also very supportive. They already offered to critique my work beforehand and offer tips, plug-ins, and one-on-one tutorials on some of the features the adobe programs offer. I'm all set!

I was watching XX work with Adobe Illustrator last night (the program I virtually know nothing about) and I was amazed. He makes everything seem so fucking easy.

I have so much to learn.

Bring it on!

Volunteer Work

SCV Sheriff’s Station finally released it's 2009 Year in Review.

Some dude designed the whole thing, and I copy edited it... back in February.

After a million different people saw it and made their edits, it finally made it to print.

So now I can finally put it on my resume.

Score!

Daily Shite

What Disney Princes Teach Men about Attracting Women

 

Brought to you by DailyShite.com

 

Thanks Kat

No regrets. Just love.

We as humans

We as humans have achieved many great milestones in the name of technological advancements.

None far greater than the destruction of our own earth.

Aside from the ability to travel on all terrains, on water or in the air; aside from towering skycrapers; aside from thousands upon thousands of endless miles of roads; aside from fast food, smart phones and video games; aside from the world wide web, credit cards and Monday Night Football - aside from all of that, we've inadvertantly have created a hole in our o-zone from our means of travel, concrete and steel towers where fields once ran, roads to take our pollution transporters from one place to another, and mass production of controversal lyrical content spurring battles between humans.

On a global level: propoganda to keep the herds with their respective shepherds, instant access to private and sensitive information on all levels and 30-second slots to be sold off for millions of dollars.

I love our luxuries and the comforts provided by advancements, but these luxuries that are held on high are the creators of disease, social stratification, civil and world wars, the threat of nuclear winter, depletion of forests, poisoned waters and dirty air.

All this destruction from what we call good.

It makes me sad.

Websites that make me smile

I previously shared an incredibly funny website, TheOatmeal.com, for times of sadness.

I come to you with another website that cracks me up: Overheardinthenewsroom.com.  This is particularily hilarious to me since I work in the journalism field, and can completely relate to some of the quotes.

Whoever came up with the idea is beyond brilliant, and I hope they are making some good money off of the site... unlike those who produce content for it. :)

Empty

I guess I have to learn that some days are going to harder than others, and that this heavy heart will come and go as she pleases.

Today has been the hardest.

I just want to sleep for the next month. If it was only that easy.

The Oatmeal

I hate oatmeal from Starbucks for the first time this morning... and it was flippin' delicious!

But that's not the point of this post.

I wanted to share this site from TheOatmeal.com.

I literally was crying at work from trying to contain my laughter. Hilarious.

Recording

I don't consider myself a shy person, and I typically have no problem talking about myself or showing off my talents... whether they are through speaking, writing, designing, or photography.

My music is a completely different story.

I don't know why exactly. It could have to do with the fact that music is so dear to me, and I am therefore more protective about sharing it, and having it critiqued.

Maybe it's the fact that I have a personal relationship with my music, and I like to keep it to myself.

Maybe it's the perfectionist is me, and I never feel like my music is good enough.

Whatever it is, I suffer from an extreme degree of performance anxiety.

I shake and start sweating every time I pick up my guitar in front of someone. I still get nervous when I rehearse with Cary, and he's been there with me since day one.

It took practically 6 months in the making, but my good friend Jeremy hooked me up with his good friend Bobby who has a recording studio in his apartment in Hollywood. After a few months of trying to find a date to record, Bob finally had an open spot this past Sunday.

I woke up extremely anxious. Jeremy texted me saying the recording session might be canceled and to be honest, I almost felt relieved. I didn't want to go record my music, anyway.

Nathan was a trooper and he dealt with my moody ass. He was really supportive and worked with me on getting over my anxiety.

I got another text from Jeremy saying the recording session was on for 3 pm.

I feel silly now looking back at how emotional and nervous I was. The recording session was beyond amazing.

Bob was intensely kind and made me feel right at home in his home and studio. He let me play one one of his guitars since he had everything already set up and ready for me to record acoustic. It took a bit of getting used to hearing myself sing through the headphones, but it really was an amazing experience.

I messed up a few times on the first 2 songs cause I was still getting over my anxiety and getting used to the headphones, but I nailed the second two songs on the first time. Jeremy and Bob were both impressed with my voice and my music, which I took as a GREAT compliment. I think it also settled some nerves.

Cary came with me, and he was being surprisingly supportive. He was in the recording studio with me the entire time, comforting and encouraging me. He even stayed with me during my warm up session to get used to the set up.

After Bob burned us a CD with our four songs on it, I walked out of his apartment pumped, refreshed, encouraged, and stoked. Hearing myself sing through the speakers was weird the first time through, but when I listened to it again, I'm proud of myself for overcoming my anxiety.

Now it's time to share my music. And continue making more.

Yoga first, 4-mile run second

I did it. I fucking did it. I ran 4 miles. I've never ran 4 miles in my life. The entire time I felt sick and I got crampy... but I manipulated my body and told it to suck it up! I ran 4 miles, non stop.

Needless to day, I am super proud of myself.

Before the run, I decided to go to the yoga class at LA Fitness.. I figured it would be a great way to warm up. Plus I used to do yoga every week and I haven't been a LONG time.

Whoa. Yoga fucking kicked my ass.

The last time I did legitimate yoga was in November when I was doing Vozdu. After the company started charging $25 a class, I stopped going.

Going to yoga last night reminded me of how much I love and missed it. I felt like shit cause I lost a lot of upper body strength and couldn't do some of the poses as well as I used to. I used to be able to hold myself up during plank no problem... last night I was dropping to the ground and resting. :( Not okay.

But it is okay in the end. I will fix it. Last night's yoga class just motivated me to get back into it. And apparently, according to a couple of women, I didn't do so bad.

At the end of the class, the lady next to me asked how long have I been practicing yoga.

"Your transitions were so smooth and graceful. You were great!" she said to me.

I was taken aback. I told her that I haven't done yoga in 8 months and that her words were a huge compliment. She laughed and said that when she couldn't see the teacher, she just watched me because I was so good. I bashfully laughed and thanked her again, saying that I feel out of shape and I used to be much better.

The Yoga instructor, Kim (who is beyond fabulous, btw) came up to me and complimented me too! WHAT THE FUCK?

I think the compliments helped me finish the 4 mile run later. Every time I felt like quitting, I thought of the women's compliments and they pumped me up.

I also thought of Nate and the encouraging words he said to me before the run.

That's a lie. I really thought of kicking his ass on the Nike+plus website. :)

Biggest challenge yet

I hate running. It's boring, it hurts my knees, I'm slow and I get side-cramps.

So I've decided to enter into Santa Clarita Valley's half marathon in November.

I enjoy challenging myself. I strongly believe that you get more out of life if you do things that might suck, might be difficult, or might even hurt.

Running this marathon will be a bigger challenge to me than quitting smoking. But since its been almost 2 months without nicotine, running should come a bit easier, and I'm hoping that I will enjoy it more.

I'm doing everything possible to keep me motivated. I invested in the Nike+ system to keep track of everything I do.

The red oval thing you see is the sensor. You place it in your shoe as it will track every step. The doohickie on the right is the thing you attach to your iPod Nano. Investment: $30.

I also bought a special Nike+ armband for my Nano.

How can you go running without an armband, right? Investment: $30.

I also bought new shoes.  My Addidas shoes are worn out and have holes in them.Since I just invested in the Nike+ system, I've decided to invest in a pair of good Nike shoes made for the system. Nike now makes shoes that have a specific are to place the sensor in the shoe.

I bought a pair of Nike Pegasus shoes. Investment: $70. (They were on sale!)

Nathan has also decided to run the half marathon with me, and as an experiences runner, I'm excited to have him there for support and encouragement. Of course, because he's an Aries, he's also gonna try to compete with me... I'll have to let him win so he can keep his manhood and pride. :)

Once you track your work out with your sensor, you plug in your iPod into your computer and it will send all the information to the Nike+ website.

The website has a ton of features. I signed up for a half marathon coaching program where it instructs me on what to do everyday. Today, for example, I have to run 4 miles. I've never run 4 miles in my life. The most I've ever ran without stopping is 3 miles. And that was hard, mostly because I get so bored.

But I will not succumb! I will run 4 miles today! I'm going to Yoga at 8 pm tonight to stretch out and warm up, and then I'm going to grab the 4-mile run by the balls and conquer it.

The website also lets you set up goals. I set up a goal to burn 4,000 calories in 4 weeks. Every time my iPod sends the website information, it will update my goals automatically.

Apparently I'm already behind my goal since the tracker disburses the burned calories evenly over the 4 weeks. But I'm hoping that I will catch up tonight with my 4-mile run.

The Nike+ website even lets you create a little Nike+Mini character to help you motivate yourself. My character is currently playing video games and saying things like "I'm a couch potato," which pisses me off. I'll show you, you little brat!

Music is obviously a big motivator too. As I listen to music at work, I've been creating playlists. I also have PodRunner which is a free podcast with running music designed at certain speeds. Best of Bootie songs are also great running songs. I just need songs with solid beats that'll keep me pumped up. The Nike+ system also has a feature where you get set your "Powersong," a song that plays when you need a boost. This is beyond the best feature. With a click of a button, your powersong will start playing if you feel like you're bored or tired or over it. I foresee this saving my runs on multiple occasions. My current powersong: Nickelback's Burn It To The Ground.

Don't judge me. Butt rock is good to run to. :)

Other features that I didn't mention about the Nike+ system: Your iPod will talk to you while you're running. It will periodically update you on how long you've been running for, the distance, and the pace. It will also inform you of the half way point (if you set a goal).

Instead of dreading running like I used to, I look forward to it now. All the new technology available will help to keep me motivated.

Who knows, maybe by November, I'll be a converted runner and sign up for a full Marathon.

Hey ... anything is possible.

Mario remakes are the best

I watched this at Peet's Coffee in Valencia and I busted up laughing. I love it when I get stares in public.

I like being among the stars

My endless ambition and interest in the world drives me. I want to do so much.

Garage sale

I'm putting on a much needed garage sale on July 24. I've been putting things aside for a garage sale since 2003. Sad,  I know... but I had three bags of clothes in 2003 and I wasn't going to organize an entire garage sale for some jeans and some T-shirts.

Nathan teased me about basically planning this garage sale since 2003. Talk about being a procrastinator. It took me getting a degree from college to finally organize this sale. My mom should be so proud. *tear*

I've been cleaning out the house, bit-by-bit, since spring began. I didn't realize I was such a pack-rat. I have kept some of the silliest items.

Photos of people I barely spoke to in middle school and high school, for example. Play-dough. Plastic jewelry (I actually wore this shit?). Shoelaces. Candles (I used to collect them). And so on.

I think I have every photo Stephanie ever ordered from a professional photographer. One of her and her sister. Of her and her freshman prom date, her junior prom date, her senior prom date.

I also found every diary I have ever written in. My first one was in 1995. Ten years old and already writing about how much I hated stupid people. HA! I guess I was destined to be a writer.

At first I was afraid that I wouldn't have enough to put on a garage sale again, but fear not my friends! I have plenty of garbage to sell to the vultures that frequent garage sales.

And actually, some of the things are awesome AND in good condition. They're just not my type no more. :) I'm hoping to come out of it with $400.

In the meantime, I still have some more family treasure to go through in the house and backyard, which is dangerous for my family since I am ready to sell everything. There are five adults living in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house -- it's time to put the house on a "possession diet" and tone up.

That way, we'll have room for more useless shit!

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