Saturday, January 27, 2007

calendar this morning

"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." Psalm 46:5

"Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall." Ruth 3:18


Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still,
Nor move one step, not even one, until
His way has opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!
How glad thy heart, and then how swift they feet;
Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!
And waiting days not counted then too long.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

homework...

Howdy!

I keep meaning to write, but it hasn't happened. So here I am. Again.

Wait... Isn't it "here I GO again" ??? oh wait, that's "on my own" ... whatever... ;)

I feel compelled to write for very specific political reasons. Yes, I know you are thinking, "But Rachel, you aren't political at all." True, but hear me out. Why isn't the government doing more for the disabled veterans? I've seen at least 2 in the last 2 days asking for money on the streets of Seattle. And they look very unkempt as well. There, that's my little political rant for this evening. :)

Speaking of panhandlers... Apparently it IS warmer. This guy was out tonight. "My father was killed by Ninjas. Need money for karate lessons." (Courtney, if you're reading this, know that I think of you when I see this guy!) Also saw "No Booze/No Drugs/Just Hungry" I just find it really hard to part with my [hard-earned/small paycheck] money.

Oh yes, I'm back in school. Winter quarter. I dropped Philosophy because I couldn't deal and besides I didn't need 2 hard-to-understand classes at the same time. Caleb recommended Mere Christianity. I had never read it, but I picked it up last weekend and I am enjoying it. Perhaps it will get me ready for the next time I have to take it?!

Oh yeah, school. Yesterday, I hit the point where I feel like this is the wrong program for me and that it is time to drop out. I've done this before, so I am well aware of the feeling it gives me. Seriously, I am having some reservations about what I really want to do with my degree program and I'm not sure that the Art Institute can give me all the tools I really want to use. But I have to talk to some people before I make any rash decisions. Oh, and Michelle & Don & Maryska & Jodie & Will are on my case to stay in school.

So I'm still here. Here's what my schedule looks like:
Monday morning: Concept Development
Tuesday morning: Graphic Stylization & Symbolism
Wednesday afternoon: History of Graphic Design
Thursday morning: Analysis of Form

Concept Development is basically about branding a company and giving them an image. It involves A LOT of research, but I like this project. If only I had time for it...!
Graphic Stylization & Symbolism is like no other class I've ever taken. Fred has his own language and no 2 sentences make sense together. We ask repeatedly what is due next week and get several answers, none of which really answer the question.
History of Graphic Design is just that. We read 4 chapters/week and get a take home test. In class, we have a powerpoint presentation about the chapters, take a break, and then watch a video pertaining to what we have learned. And Project #1 is due tomorrow and I'm really supposed to be working on that...
Analysis of Form is also just that, analyzing forms. Fortunately, I was able to get Dan & we start with shapes and tools before moving on to the human form. That's mid-quarter.

I work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, either pre-close or close. And I guess I should break the news that I no longer work at the Original Starbucks. Yes, it's true. Sorry. A store downtown needed my experience & availability. It's fun. It's more like 7656 and I get to be a learning coach. And I think I'm starting to get along with the ASM. He's kinda bossy, but, like R.E., he really does know it all! We have a new SM & she's great. I miss PP but I'll most likely work there on Saturdays once tourist season picks back up. ACK!

I got adopted by a new group of friends, the Burien BSF. Heather & Tim introduced me. They are fun! :)

The weather has been wierd - high wind and more snow than usual, but it's warm now. I think the whole winter has been...different. As in, very different from what I am used to, but apparently, what I have been used to isn't happening at home either. Wierd.

Saw in the paper last weekend that some hunter shot the world's only polar-grizzly, which has produced quite a bit of outrage. That said, I rarely read the paper and am pretty much out of touch with what's going on in the world. My only source of information is MySpace.

Yes, I know, that's REALLY sad!

Guess I should get some work done now. It's 9:10 p.m. and I wasn't going to stay very late tonight. But I did want to say hello. :)


xoxo

Friday, January 12, 2007

new year

HAPPY 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas was spent in Burbank, California. 78 degrees with sunny, blue skies is SO the way to spend the 25th of December! :) Oh, and the conference was really encouraging too. I'm so thankful I went.

New Year's Eve in Seattle. I think everyone should experience the fireworks from Gas Works Park. The fireworks were a disappointment and lasted just 8 minutes. Why, back in upstate NY, we had HUGE 45-minute pyrotechnic displays several times/year. .shrugs. Guess ya can't have it all! :)

I need to write you more about being back at school and stuff, but my laptop battery is about to die. I'll leave you with this...

--> Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail, and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him....


A super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.