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skidder-mer-inky doo! Well, well, well. Where to begin?! Last you heard, I was working for the Puyallup Fair and waiting for classes to start again. Classes have been going for the past four weeks, and I'm on my last week of work for the fair.

How's that for an update? :)

I feel like I have direction for my life again. Current 5 year plan is as follows:

>Finish my AAS-T at CPTC this coming Spring. Woot!
>Continue Sign Language classes at Piece for Winter, Spring, & Summer quarters.
>Start the Interpreter Training Program at Seattle Central Community College in the Fall of 2010.
>Graduate from SCCC in 2012 (just shy of my 30th birthday, alright).
>Get Certified as a Registered Interpreter.
>Go on to study Christian Apologetics (possible getting a BA as one will be required of me to keep my Interpreter status).
>Begin to teach Apologetics to the Deaf Christian community to equip them to spread the Truth amongst themselves.

I really have no idea how all that is going to happen and it looks like quite a feat for someone who had no plans whatsoever of going on to 'higher' education, but none of that matters. I've been told that it's better to take action and maybe get it wrong than to take no action at all. So I'm taking action, because I think it's important.

If you dream of something worth doing and then simply go to work on it and don't think anything of personalities, or emotional conflicts, or of money, or of family distractions; it is amazing how quickly you get through those 5,000 steps.
-Edwin Land, co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation

PS. If you hear of anybody else who wants to bring Christian Apologetics to the Deaf, be sure to introduce me!

So, I don't normally post assignments here, but this one I really enjoyed. Both the process and the outcome. I have to say, I'm feeling pretty good about it. The assignment was to create a magazine cover from concept to print. Here's what I came up with:

Hello again. It's me.

What do you mean, you don't remember me?

My brain is so fried from information overload in the past two weeks that I'm not sure I even know me anymore. Even the dog finds me highly boring. "Why don't you play with me anymore?" he says with his sad eyes starring up at me. I liked the idea of summer school. Getting out and having something to do during the day. Seemed like a pleasant way to spend the warmer days.

I may have been wrong.

It didn't occur to me that I wouldn't be able to enjoy those days with anyone else but textbook authors and word processors. "It's only a few weeks" I keep telling myself. It doesn't really help. It just reminds me that I have less time to get everything done.

Ever taken an online course? Don't. Unless it's the only one you're taking.

That's about all I can muster up to say right now. I figured it'd be nice to blog at least once before summer's over.

TTFN!

Not sure why I said that.

I'm sure you've all noticed the recent prolonged hiatus from blogging that I've taken. It wasn't planned. Life just happened. I know - what a profound statement, right? Obviously, I've spent weeks being 'enlightened'. Actually, I've really been working on my stand up routine.

School's been quite the roller-coaster. I really enjoy the subject matter, just haven't been very impressed with the school itself. The bar seems to be set fairly low, and I'm the kinda person who expects a lot out of myself. Without proper training, I feel as though I'm being set up for disappointment.

Also, I think I may have caught Senior-itis this season. All kinds of bugs been going around. To think, I could have a handful of letters after my name by the end of the year. I'm also thinking of joining a sorority. Phi Theta Kappa - Beta Omicron Gamma Chapter.

I had a wonderful vacation at the beginning of the month with my whole family. I miss those guys. Someday the distance will be shorter (either physically or financially). I can't hardly stand to wait for those days.

This past weekend I enjoyed a long awaited girls night. I had been looking forward to that ALL year! What did we do? We talked all night!

My personal growth focus right now is my attitude. I want to be one of those people who are *almost* annoying in their positivity (or is it positiveness?). Either way, I'm trying to be on the plus side more consistently! The 'Triple D' (daily dork dance) does wonders for uplifting my attitude. I highly recommend it. It's usually best accompanied by an over dramatic and mushy lip-sync. Perhaps one day I'll make y'all a How To video.

Speaking of videos, if you haven't visited yet, check out my YouTube Channel @ www.OutofilmProductions.com

Details you might be interested in: I am currently working on 25 credits in my 3rd quarter. In a month I will tackle another 25 credits over the summer quarter. I'd like to take my final 25 credits in the fall so I can graduate sooner, but it's looking as though I may end up going into the winter quarter (depends on how crazy I am).

I've gotta say, I really enjoyed retouching this old photo of mom! It really helps to have taken a clear shot from the start, but Photoshop can do things my Nikon only dreams of! It's a bit hard to see much at this size, but I reduced wrinkles and slimmed her face and arms a tad... among a few other things.

My study of drawing and how to get in the 'right mind' for it has brought many thought from my feeble mind. Science tells us that each hemisphere of our brain has special functions. While not 100% for everyone, most people use their 'left' brain most of the time. This is the part of us where we use logic, rationalism, order, we keep track of time, and break things into parts. Our words and language come from this side of our brain. Lefty is the uptight 'know it all' of the team. Righty, on the other hand (pun intended), is more intuitive, has no sense of time or order, puts things together to create 'wholes', is metaphoric, doesn't need reason, and is non-verbal. You might say Righty is the laid-back 'soak up the moment' of the team.

In theory, you can not draw real life forms using Lefty. Most definitely he will try to take over. He's the know-it-all. Drawing with Lefty, we create scenes that are more cartoon-ish and made up of symbols instead of lifelike pictures. A circle for a head, some ovals for eyes, a half moon for a smile.... you get the idea.

I guess the pre-point to my main point is this: we have to use Righty to 'see' things differently. Righty will show us the whole picture, not just the parts. There's no beginning and no end. When you get in this Zone, you lose track of time and usually can't hear words around you. For most of us, it's a very pleasurable place to be.

Moving right along. I wanted to share how this relates to the Christian walk. I think that when we get saved by the Grace of God, the "right" side of our spirit begins to be awakened. We are able to grasp glimpes of the whole picture. However, we are so used to using the "left" side of our spirit that we let it take over. We see the daily tasks clearly, we see the order of life - childhood, school, career, wedding, kids, grandkids, retirement, etc. We use logic and reason and we are on a deadline!

What would our lives be like if we lived with the "right" side of our spirit leading us? We wouldn't see the timeline, or the To Do List, or try to explain things with logic. Can you imagine seeing something just how it is and not feeling the urge to try to explain it? Seeing a miracle? How would you differ your approach to non-Believers if you could see the big picture of where their life is headed?

Lefty will always be the first to attempt a task. Only if he can't or doesn't want to do the tast will he settle down and let Righty take over. In drawing class, we do exercises to help shut-up Lefty. We draw things that can't be "programmed, categorized or easily referenced" so that Lefty gives up trying. We practice seeing things differently.

I think we could take a lesson from drawing. What kind of exercises can we do to better see things the way the REALLY are? How can we train our spirit to see the world in a way that provokes us to live important lives? I want to live in a way that I can not keep track of time, that I can not hear the outside voices, and that I see things as they truely are.

That's all I have to say about that.

In my drawing class today, I discovered that I can, in fact, draw. I think I'm going to like this class, but only because I've decided to like this class. Usually the thought of drawing makes me stress out. I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist. Art isn't perfection. This class will the be place I will allow myself to be imperfect. Take this drawing to the right. I drew that- upside down while looking at the original sketch upside down. I was sitting right-side up, just to clarify. My homework is to draw for at least an hour. Seems simple enough, but I know it will be a fight every time. Just like New Year's Eve when I learned to not let my fear of inadequacy rule. That's what it is, right? Perfectionism. The fear of not being good enough.

God is an amazing God. It is my imperfection that keeps me humble. If I was perfect, I would be God, and I really don't want that job. I'm excited to see what great things I will learn this quarter.

According to the syllabus, about 95% of my homework is supposed to be 'live' subjects, so don't dash my hopes if I ask you to volunteer to sit still for an hour while I turn you into a drawing. Thanks!

Alicia and I decided to drive separately for the first month and then see if carpooling will work better after that. Today's class is Photoshop 3. Ironically, there were only 3 students in class today. Out of four. Yup. So much for consolidating classes to help with budget cuts.

Here's what I finished up today:

Anyway, not much else to say I guess. Have I mentioned that I really don't like QL episodes when Sam is a woman? Ugh.










And now for our feature presentation, courtesy of Cory Fisher:

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Well I've finished my first day back to class. I'm still here though. I forgot that the gal I carpool with, Alicia, is taking a second class from 1-1:50pm every day. So I finished my homework about 40 minutes after class got out which was at 11:30am. I decided to work on my web site some more and keep it up this quarter. It's a site that displays all my assignments in one place.

Here's the assignment I finished today.

I'm real hungry right now. I ran out of the house without any food. I should have gone and got something while waiting, but I decided to save my dough.

Mav has another vet apt. today at 4:30pm. He's going to get his yearly shots and a follow up on his eyes. I think I should take him for a walk before hand.

This just in: The back of my chair just fell off. Thankfully I was the only one in the room. Ssshhhhh, don't tell, but I switched my chair with someone else's. Ironically, as I sat back down a guy came in and actually sat at the computer with the broke chair.

TTFN

Now that I have your attention...

I wish I was able post these updates as they happened, but my blogger's lag (cousin to jet lag) hasn't completely worn off yet.

First, I want to share with you the project I completed today for class. I was told to get a photo, make it black and white if it wasn't already, and then hand color it (using Photoshop). The photo to the left is the original photo, and to the right is my masterpiece!



So when I got to class on Wednesday, my school apparently had been on fire for about five hours. Not the whole school, just a couple buildings on the other side of campus. It was on the news, and so I find it note worthy.

I'd also like to note that in the same way that I missed seeing the fire and had to hear about it once inside, I was totally oblivious to the fact that Jami was driving behind me all the way to school one day. In my defense, I did notice the car and knew it was the same one that Jami drove, it just didn't hit me that it could have been Jami because she was following so close it actually made me nervous. I guess you'd follow close too if you were trying to get someone's ATTENTION! :)

Next update, it's officially Winter in Katydid Land. Yup, the long john's are out and were used more than a couple times this week. The heat dish also emerged.

Do you know that I think postcards are just peachy? Especially ones from people you wouldn't really expect to get one from. I got one of those this week, it was pleasant.

Also! I got some new shelves put up to hold my books and then some. I was very tired of my books being under my bed, forgotten. I call this photo: More Bars in More Places


This evening, I heeded Amber's announcement and checked out the new Target before opening day. Very cool. I like all the pretty rows fully stocked. The only bump in the experience was when mom and I grabbed some grub at the food hall (as I call it) and the poor girl behind the counter was left with no backup and appeared to be working her very first day on the job (though this may not be true). She was doing just fine, but the line continued to grow rapidly out of nowhere and she finally got some help. It still took about 15 minutes to get four pieces of chicken tenders. But they were good!

And lastly, tonight, I found another birthday buddy. Yup, Mr. Barack Obama. Goodie.

It feels so good to have started. Starting is the first step in any journey. Yesterday, I came home from school totally exhilarated exhausted! I was ready for bed by 8pm. I made myself stay up until 10:30pm just so I wouldn't wake up at 6am on a Saturday. This week was really great. Each class was basically a review for me, and yet I learned a few things that I hadn't known. So it was a good way to start. I made a friend, got mistaken as a Russian, didn't get lost, and fixed my own sack lunch once. Success! It comes in different ways - don't knock it. When my mom came home on Friday, she brought me some beautiful flowers as a congrats. Thanks mom!

And thanks to all my friends who've been so supportive of me. I appreciate all your texts, IMs, emails, and hoo-rahs!

As I've been preparing to go back to school this fall, I've done most of the usual things. Figured out a driving schedule, searched for great deals on text books, gotten some new items for the wardrobe, and of course made sure I have all the 'office' supplies I need. There's one other thing I've been trying to prepare for, too.

All too often over the past few years, I've found myself wishing I could go back to high school and do it again with what I know now. A little more boldness, a little more love. I'm sort of getting a second chance at this. I now recognize that people will remember you for who you were in school. The question is, who do I want to be remembered as? What will I want people to say about me when they 'remember back in the day'?

It's not a question that will have one final answer. However, I do know this: I want to be known as a friend of Jesus & a lover of God, and I want to be a light in a dark place. I want to live a Matthew 5:16 life. In the words of the Newsboys, I want to 'Shine'. This is the boldness I want to have. The boldness to love people, right where they are. I don't want to be a casual Christian. I don't want people to have to ask if I'm a believer. I want to miss the second half of the day because I'm having a life and death conversation with a lost soul. May I be known as "The Jesus Freak" and may people be drawn to me because of the love poured out onto them through me. May I never seek to 'win' the lost. I am not competing for a prize. May I never have a holier-than-thou attitude that turns people away. May I never use the Sword of the Spirit to slash the heart, but instead use it to loose those in bonds and to free the captives. May I never water down the Gospel in order to falsely quench the thirst of seekers. Oh, there's so much more!

And if there's room, I'd like to be known as a highly skilled tradesman in my field. May it all be to the glory of God!

Another forward propelling day! I was able to take about a dozen or so old books to the library to donate them. The librarian practically ripped the books from my hands when I said "donation". I was glad to help (and I'll be glad if it helps get me some tax relief next spring).

After some bumps in the road, I was finally able to get down to Clover Park to register for classes, which means, I'll be needing some NEW books fairly soon. I'm hoping to make the class Orientation this Wednesday so I can find out which books will be necessary and start my hunt to find them at bargain prices! My first quarter is Tuesdays thru Friday, only three courses at a time, instead of the M-F five courses schedule I thought I would have. I decided to not take math this quarter and instead try to refresh my algebra skills so I can take the course that will qualify for the degree. As of right now, I have to take a lower level math before I can take the qualifying course. It would be nice if I could CLEP out of math entirely, but I'm not sure I could do that. In fact, I may be fooling myself thinking I can refresh my math skills on my own. Any volunteers to quiz me?

Next step..... pay tuition.

Remember that dirty comforter and those Salvation Army items I had laying around waiting for me to take care of them? Well, yesterday and today I did just that. The comforter will be ready on Saturday and my little section in the garage is that much emptier.

I used them as courage builders. Since I decided to go back to school, I knew I'd have to go down to the Administration offices and talk with strangers about what I need to do in order to get my hiney in a classroom chair this fall. That sort of thing scares me. I just dread going in there not having a clue about anything, and then leaving feeling the same way. Which is exactly what happened when I walked out of the building this afternoon. But, I did it. I started. And if starting is half the battle, then I'm well on my way! This quote has been on my dry erase board for way too long.

"You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great."

Clover Park Tech College. Media & Design Production - Digital Video Emphasis. Associate of Applied Technology.