late at night

Commonly, the average college student retires at around midnight or one in the morning. More and more I find myself breaking this unregulated curfew and staying up past three and four in the morning. Why you might ask, do I put myself through this unnecessary torture? Well, it might be for the simple fact that not many other people are awake at this time (unless they are taking part in certain elicit activities) or that you become acutely aware of yourself when you are thoroughly exhausted. On the note of being the only person awake, it is oddly calming without the general chaos of the day happening. Even though it is certainly possible to find quiet places during the day, you still have an perspicacious knowledge of the additional people about. On the topic of being keenly self conscious... well, try it sometime, you'll see what I mean.

new adventure

yet another shoot.

So yesterday I did another photo shoot. This one based on the concept of grief. I like this topic bcause if someone is truly grieving they cannot hide it. Almost always it shows in their face and people notice. Grief is, in my opinion, the most pure emotion one can have. It is one of shear loss, pain and anguish. Now I know that this might sound morbid but it is actually quite interesting, even though somewhat over-killed and over done. My idea initially was to stand out among grief photos but now I see it is a lot harder than I thought to do so. Now I am satisfied with just tying to convey the emotion.

Other than that I sold two Pysanky eggs I had made today. I made 20 bucks off of them and am selling another on Monday. I am winding down for the semester and getting work done more quickly and efficiently so I can be ready to eave at the end. I am all scheduled for next semester and I can't wait to be done for the semester and start working at the restaurant!!! I have been hanging out recently with my old roommate, who's name is also Abby. I forgot how much I enjoy being around her. She is the reason I decided to go to school for art and the reason i chose Edinboro. I owe all this to her and after being roommates we kind of drifted apart but now I am hanging out with her more often and it is a good thing

I drew a picture last night. I will upload it here. kk

The Past week... I mean two days

You know when you are so busy and overwhelmed to a point where one day seems like a week? Welcome to the past two days of my life. The most stressful time of year, finals, accompanied by trying to get my class scheduled for both colleges I attend and fnishing projects for all three studios I am in this semester is just about ready to run me over, or at least it was on Monday and Tuesday. In scheduling, when you cannot get into a class due to it being full, a prerequisit, a corequisit, or a time conflict you can obtain an override from the course teacher to still allow you in the course. Most people have one, maybe two of these a semester, if any at all. This semester I had seven. Due to the simple fast that I am graduating early. You see colleges, like many other organizations, really want you to stay with them, theirfor getting more of your money. I attend a state school, meaning it is funded by the government, henceforth it is non profit. So they say. Allthough this is said that does not mean they want you to stay any less. The curriculum I am in right now is Art Education. A program that, regretably, is being remodled in 2012 to make it more easier to figure out what classes to take and more straight forward for scheduling. 2012 would have been my graduation date, would it not be for me getting out of here earlier. If I was to stay another semester I would have to take an additional 8-10 classes to meet the new criteria and about 8-10 of my current classes would not be counted. I refuse to go through with this. So, I am graduating early, something that my University does not like.
Regardless of this I am done with scheduling, and coming up on finals. Finally.

Bibles

I saw a man outside the library today handing out new testoment Bibles. I knew he was going to ask me if I wanted one because I could see him from a way off and he didn't miss anyone. It was 11 am and traffic was bustling but he never missed a beat. He held three small green Bibles in his left hand and one in his right, procuring it to the passerbys. You know the ones they give you at highschool graduation or as free gifts at tables in flee markets. He was dressed in a grey suit and had a green tye around is chubby neck that was just slightly off from the tomes he was trying to push in to the hands of the masses. I felt sorry for him because as I watched not one person took a Bible. I know that there is a reason God put him out there on the sidewalk today. Even if it is just one person that is brought into the light that this mans efforts will not be in vain. I will always remember the first thing I learned about evangelism... That it is NEVER unsucessful. Even the person who didn't take a Bible will have the topic of God and religion swimming in their heads for at least the following several seconds. God Bless that man and his efforts.

another shoot...

So today I am doing another photo shoot. I really like the idea of the human body so I'm doing a shoot to document expressions. I hope it turns out all right! I'm kinda nervous about the way they are going to turn out. Other than that I still have 2 classes to try and schedule and the one teacher is insisting on not letting me override another because of a time conflict. I tried to tell her that this is my last semester for classes and that I am not going to be able to graduate if I don't take this class but she doesn't seem to think that this is important. I am so tired of no one caring that I might mot graduate when I want to. It gets really annoying when I tell them that I am graduating early and then they treat me like "well your already ahead so it doesn't matter if you have to stay longer, but valiant attempt though!" Then they dismiss me like a rejected puppy. But of course when I don't leave they start to realize that I am serious and that I am not about to give in. Once they see that I am actually an adult who knows what I am doing they ask why in the world I want to graduate a year early???? I answer the same every time - "because I can."

I was in the dining hall yesterday with my really good friend Steph, she is in a wheel chair so we sat at the tables that are taller for people in chairs. I should note that here at Edinboro we are the number one college for people with disabilities. We have a lot of people in manual wheel chairs and many in electric wheel chairs. Steph is in an electric one so i helped her get food. It is normal here to have friends who are in chairs but people who aren't used to that, like tour groups and such, sometimes find it as a surprise. Well anyway we were in the dining hall eating and another student comes in, also in a chair, and sits at the high tables. Edinboro provides workers to help the students eat that can't feed themselves. She parked at the table and immediately started to cry, softly at first and gaining momentum. Since she was sitting right behind Steph and I it caught me by surprise. One of the workers came over to comfort her and gave her a hug, but she continued to cry. The sound of her crying was one I will never forget. It didn't sound like a person with a normal voice since many of the OSD students have voice problems. It was a sound that I have never heard before in my years at Edinboro, and in all 19 years of my life. It reminded me of the cry my sister made when she called me to tell me that our dog had gotten hit by a car. The completely desperate sound of a person consumed by shear grief and passion. The sound of someone completely raw inside because all the hope had been scraped out. I didn't know the situation and I had no idea what could have cause such terror in a person to make such a sound but my heart still went out to her that day and I couldn't stop thinking about it the rest of the day. I admire so much, those friends of mine that are in chairs. They have so much courage to get up everyday and go on with life, to battle through ridicule, discrimination, misunderstanding and lack of trust from others. Steph is one of the most intelligent people I know yet most view her as nothing more than her chair. I have been wanting to write about my friends in chairs for a while but I didn't know how to go about it with out hurting one of their feelings. I know though that Steph is strong and that she will appreciate me spreading the word that those in chairs, no matter the disability, are just like you and me. They feel the same passion and hurt, the same joy and regret... the same as you and me. I love them all so much and I hope by writing this that those who before thought down on those in chairs will rethink and realize that we are all alike more than we know.

New Phone!

New phone!!! I'm so excited right now because I finally got a new phone after 2 long years. My old phone was worn out and so scratched that I could hardly read the screen. I got a new Blackberry because when I go to China I have to have a phone that works over there. It is going to cost me more every month but I am willing to pay the extra if it means I will have a real phone. My sister (Amanda) made the comment when we were looking at phones that it was time we got big girl phones, and I couldn't agree more. My mom and sister got them the monday after easter and mailed me mine since I had to return to school on Easter. It came in today and I nearly screamed with overjoyment (if that is a word.)

Other than the new phone there is nothing much happening in my life.

Well no there is actually a lot happening. I got candidacy this week. This means that I am allowed to continue my education to become a teacher. It is the next big step in my formal education. I schedual classes for the last time tomorrow at midnight. Thank the Lord! I am so ready to be done with college. I was talking today to one of my old residents that used to live on my floor. She graduated and is working in Pittsburgh full time. She is in a position that she loves, has a long term boyfriend, her own apartment and free time to burn. I envy her so much but I realise that I will soon be in her shoes. The thought of my own apartment alone is rapturing! Well its midnight, I'm off to bed.

unfortunate Monday

Today is Monday. I have three classes today but am only going to one because I am extreamly ill. Last night I spent the whole night throwing up and now I am so sick I can hardly eat. My mother is very concerned but I am back in Edinboro so there is nothing that she can do. This past weekend was easter, which went pretty well. My little bit of family I have remaining in Pa came to the house and we had Easter lunch after church. It was a relaxing day and made me want the school year to be over even more. I can hardly wait for the summer. I have only a few weeks left in the semester.

Well I'm off to bed once more, hope to feel better soon.