"You've taken your first step into a larger world."

Obi-Wan Kenobi said that to Luke Skywalker after some brief training with a lightsaber and a training remote...

Well today, I took my own first step into a larger world... though no lightsaber sadly ;-)

I'm sure you're all wanting to know why I've disappeared from blogging-sphere. The reason quite simply is my life revolves around school. I do have several blog posts in mind so as soon as I get some free time (lol) I'll be sure to post them. 

Until then, enjoy and let me know what you think ;-)

“Time flies when you’re having fun” ?

{sigh} Time sure does fly. I totally intended to post while on vacation while I was in a supremely thoughtful and reflective mood, yet I never got around to doing it. While the almost cliché statement: “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Is at times true, I find that unfortunately time is flying by me not really caring if I’m having “fun” as it whips past me.

Time flies by me as I work, almost constantly now, on schoolwork and perhaps the few things I manage to squeak in-between the constant barrage of school work. Life, I have noticed is like that. There’s never enough time to actually do what you want to do. That’s why, I think perhaps that it’s best to try and find a job that you enjoy doing, because then, it isn’t work, it’s what you enjoy doing. I’ve had a taste of what this is like, and I enjoyed it… until I found myself of the edge of burning out and just not finding the job as fun as it once was. Looking back, I remember wondering why I felt the way I did; why I didn’t enjoy my work like I once did. I realize now in hindsight that it was probably God preparing me to leave. He after all, knew that I would be heading to another part of country where I would have the opportunity to develop my skills even further.

Five classes are considered an extremely challenging load at my school, since many of the classes are art related and require high amounts of creativity for each little project and assignment. I found last quarter that my creativity was feeling a bit drained as I fought to push myself beyond what I thought I could do so that I could do well. In the end, while I certainly wasn’t as good as some of my classmates, I had improved greatly, which is one of the key things at this school. It’s in every syllabus: “Showing up to class and doing all assignments, without progress, does not constitute a passing grade.” So my aim, is to learn all I can, and do my best to improve… which I have been, even if I don’t readily see it.

The Boulder called Finals

This is kinda what my life is like right now...

The Long Expected Update

(I wrote this over a period of time but the majority of it was written last weekend)

Wow… 10 weeks… I really did plan on blogging about the first week… and then the first and second week… and then the first, second and third… and well, you get the picture. 

Anyway… can you believe I’ve already completed midterms?  In fact I’m in the middle of final projects… (oh boy…)  You may be wondering how you’re getting a blog post if I’m doing final projects… well, I’m sitting in the car on my way to Carlsbad for a surprise party for a couple I haven’t seen since I was five... anyway.

I’m guessing that you all would like to know more about the school, my classes and the people I interact with on a daily basis…

The Art Institute of California – Los Angels is great school.  The teachers know what they are talking about and everyone on staff is friendly and helpful.  I don’t know about other schools, but AI provides each student with an Academic Advisor to help the students stay on track with their schooling and to answer questions.  Granted there are not a lot of Academic Advisors so each advisor has a significant number of students… at least that’s what’s happened in my major.  We’re split between to Academic Advisors who are both very helpful. 

The school also provides an “audit” of classes taken/need to be taken for each student, which is rather helpful… if you can decipher it. ;-)  I was looking at my audit and noted that the AI computer believes that I will graduate in Fall of 2010… if I keep up my schedule of five classes per quarter.

I find it interesting that this school has two “Councilors” on staff that students can see by appointment or as drop ins… what they really are is physiatrists.  I’m not joking.  They are both very nice ladies whom I have met (though I haven’t needed their services as of yet).  My mom has even given one of them her stamp of approval.  When you think about it their presence really makes a lot of sense.  AI is school full of perfectionist, most of us are rather sensitive when it comes to our work and well, we can get upset.  So really the heads of AI knew what they were doing by providing these two Councilors to the students… free of charge I might add.  Now when we need to vent or cry or whatever we have a place to go hide.  Fortunately I haven’t needed to visit them yet… hopefully I won’t have to.

Anyway on to the actual schooling and people I see on a weekly basis:

On Mondays I have Observational Drawing… some of you have heard one of my rants about this class… for those who haven’t… I hate shoes… well, drawing them at least.  I never want to draw a realistic looking shoe again.  Aside from that, I enjoy the class.  The teacher is an interesting fellow who looks like he should be a Samurai wielding a sword, not a pencil… or pen as the case may be.  On a side note, he’d like me to end up in his next class… I hope I do, cause I would certainly like to continue under his tutelage.

On Tuesdays I have Computer Applications… I know what you’re thinking… “why is she taking a beginners computer class?”  I’m thought process on this was this: It would review and hopefully teach me some things I hadn’t already learned.  Which it has the teacher is very helpful and is very good at teaching both on the Mac and PC (since we are on both).  And since she started out at AI as an academic advisor she’s also giving us tips and heads ups about what’s going on at AI which is helpful so I know what needs to get done when (like registering for the next session… which I have done).  Out of all my classes this is probably the easiest because, it’s things like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, history of computers, etc.

Wednesdays are my hard days because I have two classes. First I have Fundaments of Design.  It’s an interesting class thought it certainly stretches my creativity. The teacher is Russian and has a pleasant personality… though he does tend to be late. The critiques are enlightening and are conducted in a very professional manner and we work… a lot.  After this class I generally have 40 minutes to walk (or run depending on how much time I have) to Subway across the street from the school.  For all of you who know of my… dislike of making choices when it comes to food, might be surprised by my choice of dinner.  So I let you in on something: I don’t mind making food decisions as much as I used to. Which is a good thing, don’t you think? :-p  It takes me about ten minutes “round trip” to go to Subway and walk back with my sandwich to the student lounge where I eat and socialize with classmates.  By the time I’ve finished eating it’s time for my next class: Color Theory.  I really enjoy this class because (aside from Computer Apps) it’s the only class in color (hence the name). My teacher is an interesting man who for what ever reason often reminds me Gene Wilders Willie Wonka… he just has that Willie Wonka kind of personality at times I suppose. He certainly keeps me awake which is a good thing because I’m normally very sleepy by the time I reach his class and since it doesn’t get out until 10 minutes before 9pm I think I have just reason. The class is full of interesting people and it shows in our artwork. Like the earlier class this class also has critiques but in theory the students are supposed to conduct it… as it is, our teacher has to poke and prod us into talking.

Thursdays are my day off (as well as my dad’s) so we do something as a family to escape our busy lives and just be together. Every other week head to the beach and hang out there, or we go somewhere we haven’t been before. Lately we’ve headed to a theater since there have been a lot of movies coming out. This last Thursday we went and saw the new Indiana Jones (which is excellent by the way). I look forward to Thursday because I can escape my busy lifestyle. 

Fridays I have Visual Language and Culture… It’s not my kind of class.  I end up watching movies I would never be caught watching otherwise and well… it’s just a bunch of indoctrination gunk in my opinion. I like the teacher alright… when he’s not teaching.

Anywho… are you having an information overload yet? ;-)  Imagine how I feel.  While I love what I’m doing it’s not without the moments of doubt and uncertainty. When that happens I do my best to look to God… after all he’s the one who put me here.

I’m extremely sorry for the lack of communication on my part for those who have tried to contact me via email. I plan to email you all very soon.  The best place to contact me with a more immediate response is FaceBook as I’m on there everyday. Calling me also works, as I’m fairly good at returning calls… or playing telephone tag at least. :-p

You can also keep track of me via my Twitters and on my Tumblr (which can be found on the side or at the links).  I update these with short thoughts or things that strike me as interesting.

Well, I’ve arrived so I had better close this off.  I’ll blog once I get through finals… which is in 2 weeks.  Well hopefully I will…

"The board is set. The pieces are moving."

"Are you excited?"
"Yeah."
"Are you nervous?"
"Yeah."

This exchange I had with my admissions adviser sums up how I feel at the moment. Tomorrow my life starts. Tomorrow I take my first steps into a larger world. Tomorrow I move closer to my destiny.

I hear what I'm feeling is normal... but I can't help but be a bit nervous and a bit overwhelmed. Tomorrow starts the most intense training I've ever experienced. My classes are four hours each; each class having it's own set of challenges.

I'm reminded of a long forgotten memory... I've always hated diving (into water). I remember having to dive off the diving board during a swimming class... I was so scared. I remember my mom telling me to "hold Jesus' hand"... I remember closing my eyes, clenching my fist at my side, taking a deep breath... and jumping.

I'm at one of those points again.

Tomorrow I'll hold Jesus' hand.

The Meatiest Easter Ever

Holy Week has now passed and I'm in my last week before going back to school...

Here's an overview of the last week:
Wednesday, there was a Light Lenten Soup Supper, which turned out to just be a long night.
Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, was a bit on the long side because there was: Vespers, Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper (which included the following: Procession to the Altar of Repose, Stripping of the Altars, Washing of the Feet (the Maundy) and "Watch with our Lord in the Garden" [Before the Altar of Repose]), then there was a Light Lenten Soup Supper.
Friday, was of course Good Friday, on this particular day there was a Three Hours Devotion, the the Passion Liturgy (which included: Veneration of the Cross and Mass of the Pre-Sanctified) and then another Light Lenten Soup Supper.
Saturday, or Holy Saturday. Was the busiest day I've had in a long time. I was up early helping the Altar Guild move plants and prep for Easter. I then set up ten large round tables, 60 folding chairs and 3 serving tables. All of the tables were then covered by table cloths which included the re-purposing of two tables into dessert tables. Once that was done I cleaned up the kids area so that is would be neat for Easter (yes I know it takes all of two minutes for the kids to mess it up again), I then came home and started prepping for one of the dishes my family was taking for the next day for lunch and I had only gotten a small bit done before it was time for the Great Easter Vigil & the First Mass of Easter. After the service, my family presented our surprise to the church which was pascha and milk & honey. After this festivity, I headed back home where I finished making the dish for the next day... I collapsed into bed at 1:30 am.
Sunday, was of course Easter. I got up at 8, took a shower and by 9 was head up to the local grocery store to pick up our pre-ordered items (a cake and fried chicken). I came back shortly after and began my job as the head (and only member I might add) of the nursery. At 10 I went a recorded the processional hymn and then went back down stairs where I helped approximately 25 kids ranging from under a year old to 11. Just before the end of the service I went back up stairs and recorded the last hymn. After that I chased a few people down and then finally got in line to get my plate... well that was a bit tricky cause every few minutes I'd get an errand so I'd run do that until at last I was able to sit down and eat. After our hearty lunch and the divvying up of left overs, my family and I collapsed onto my parents bed. After resting for a little bit, we called our family and enjoyed a quit evening on the patio.

I forgot to mention that my Mom got sick again on Thursday and ran a fever Thursday and Friday, so that of course added to the whole craziness of the week, but she is much better now.

I'm sure you're wondering about the title of this post and I shall explain now: we had 4 legs of lamb, 2 hams, 50 pieces of fried chicken and some roast beef at lunch. Meaty enough for ya? ;-)

It's Finally Here!

Alrighty folks, it's finally here! The first (and certainly not last) of the St Mary of the Angels Podcasts has begun.

I do you believe that you all will enjoy these studies. The current Bible study is: The Revelation to St John. (in real life this Bible study is ending tomorrow, but the podcasts will be coming up as they are edited and converted for web)

My dad already has the next topic in mind and it will begin after Easter. I'll keep you posted on what that will be.

Alright, so you probably want to know where to go for these podcasts don't you? The study can currently be found at: http://stmaryoftheangels.podbean.com. I filled out the "paperwork" with Apple earlier today so it should be on iTunes soon, but I'll let you know when.