New Dreams

After much research and serious thought about the art store I so desperately wanted, I finally realized it wasn't what I really wanted, so I stopped. I just stopped working on everything related to the business. There was just so much I had already done so I partially feel I've wasted time that could have been spent elsewhere, but I think it helped me analyze my situation better and recognize what I really wanted to do. I really miss art, my own art, and school. I'm looking more into graduate school so that I can teach.

I've been struggling with graduate schools for photography. Tuition is expensive, living costs are expensive, and even if I managed to get an assistantship my first year, it probably wouldn't cover the cost of everything I need to pay for. I really debated UNM in Albuquerque, NM, but making up 15 hours of Art History courses  would be ridiculous just to go to graduate school. I'd considered OU in Norman, OK for a while, but for some reason I didn't feel impressed.

Of all places though, I'm drawn to University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. There doesn't seem to be anything spectacular about the program (other than in-state tuition seems more achievable) but I feel like I fit there. I didn't really meet any faculty other than the chair or even any students, but I still feel like that's probably where I should be.

As much as I hate the idea of moving and the costs associated, I'm looking for jobs more closely related to what I want to do in Arkansas. Hopefully, I'll find find at least a decent job, move to Arkansas, apply and be accepted to the graduate program at U of A and then be able to move to Fayetteville and get in-state tuition. I've found some prospective jobs already, but I just need to do some updates to my portfolio, website, and resume first. Crossing my fingers already that everything works out!

Moving Forward

I know I'm not working on my business plan as much as I should be, seeing as how I want this more and more every day. Today I've added quite a bit. I'm starting to get into weird jargon that I barely understand and I'm having a hard time deciphering it all so that I can actually type a decent response for my plan.

There are five areas of the plan, and it's nice to say I'm almost completely done with the first two. The rest is going to be a bit more complicated... :/

I need to set myself a deadline for this plan so that I can start working on the rest of the paperwork for my business. I have quite a bit that needs to be put together. This is beginning to look like a rather daunting goal...

I've found out a bit more about the schools that are offering online degrees. They both sound pretty great, just expensive seeing as they're both private schools. At the same time, they're just as expensive as a public school that I would have to pay out-of-state tuition for. I don't plan on working on graduate school for at least another year, but I'd still like to have some plans laid out for it.

My Harley Quinn costume is also sort of coming along. I don't have the actual clothing articles ready, but I've ordered just about all of my accessories. I'm still missing some items for her hammer, contacts, socks, and some other little makeup items. I'll also have to color the wig and probably make some adjustments to the wig once it arrives. I'm getting pretty excited.

I'm also impressed with myself for working out. Although, I haven't been working out as much as I planned, it's still something and I'm starting to see improvements. I've tried my best to cut out unhealthy foods and snacking. I thought about buying a gym membership, but decided against it and have been doing my own calisthenics workouts in my own apartment. They've been pretty great, even if I don't always have the motivation to do them. lol. So far I've lost probably an average of a quarter of an inch on most of my main body measurements and I'm about 114 pounds. I'd rather not be too skinny, but it's kind of nice to see something below 115 since I haven't been below 115 since 2007. If I can lost the fat, I'll start eating more and pumping up my workout to gain the muscle I need for the weight. Overall, I'm pretty excited about my goals right now. :)

Motivated

For my Spring Break- yes, I still get one as a full time employee- I'm going with my dad to Kentucky to a comic book and toy convention and to visit family. It's a pretty big con so I'm excited about cosplaying at the convention. I'm pretty dead set on going as the New 52 Harley Quinn. It's gonna be a lot of work and money, but I think it will be worth it in the end. I'm so excited though!

And since I want to do this cosplay so bad, I'm trying to work out every day that I can to get into shape by the time the con rolls around. So far, I've done great with my core strengthening exercises, but I have trouble with actually doing my cardio for the day.

I also recently found a couple of schools that are offering completely online degrees for Photography. Although they are more expensive, it would still cut out the weird transition and costs of moving just to go to graduate school. Also, if things work out with the art store, then it would be even more difficult for me to relocate just to attend school. Although I haven't actually applied or been accepted, it's still pretty awesome to know that my options are opening up.

Now if I can just get my business plan finished. :P

Dinosaur Bones

That's what I feel I'm digging up by posting here again. Thought it would be nice to give some actual updates since I don't really post status updates on facebook anymore.

I'm working full time as a secretary for NSU's Communication, Art, & Theatre department. I was lucky to get the job only two months after graduating, but it's definitely not something I want to be doing forever. It has great benefits and I love the faculty I work with, but most of the time this job is overwhelming and I get frustrated with everything I have to do in such a short amount of time.

I'm still working on opening my own art store though. I've heard rumors of someone else opening one, but have seen nothing yet. I'd love to be able to open for next fall. I keep dreaming about it, but I'm finding it hard to be motivated enough to finish the business plan. I think I'm just going to have to set some serious goals about working on this if I want it done. Hopefully, if I post it somewhere where I see it everyday, I'll actually work on it.

At the same time, I'm still debating graduate school. I would love to have a Master's for Photography, but finding the right school and getting the funding are my concerns. If I could take some online courses while working with my store, that would be amazing. I doubt that I could find something that awesome, though.

I guess I'll see what the future brings.

Busy!

I know I was going to blog every day, which I actually did for a while, at least on another blog. I don't blog every day, but I at least blog frequently. I need to blog here more often though so people actually know what's going on in my life other than lame facebook status updates.

I'll keep it short for now.

Went to visit my family in Kentucky for my niece's high school graduation. My niece, Susie, just graduated last week. Man, do I feel old.

Kentucky is amazing, especially Lexington. I think I'd like to live there one day. Not literally one day, but you know what I mean. There's so much to do there and you can still live in a country setting and still be within like 15 minutes of this giant city.

It was so much fun visiting with family, especially since I don't see them very often. It's funny, because my niece, Jenny, acts just the same as when I last her (not maturity level, but personality), when she was about 12. lol.

Bought some new clothes and did cool things. I kind of miss it already, except their super cold house... :[

Back home now, but already packing for Tahlequah this next week. I've got AOII work week this week and my friend's wedding on Friday! Man oh man alive! Pretty excited! Not exactly looking forward to the 10 hour drive to Louisiana though... :/

Fun times ahead though! :D


~Me


P.S. I've also decided what I really want for life, well, besides family. I'd really like to teach for a while, but I really want to open up my own gallery/studio, maybe one with my sister if we could both every agree on a city to live in. lol

Career Uncertainties

So phone blog was a success, so here I am again. Phone blog is a fail unless I only send a little over a page of phone text. It ended up just breaking up every page into it's own individual post. Lame.

I've been reading a book called "What Color is Your Parachute" by Richard Bolles. My sister was recommended the book by an old professor and in turn, my sister recommended it to me after a discussion we had about careers. The book is a guide for job/career hunting ,and needless to say my sister and I have our uncertainties about our future.

I'm only about a third of the way into the book right now, but it's really interesting. He talks about being more specific in your job hunt. Like if you want to be a secretary, decide if you want to be a secretary for a law firm, or a day care center, etc. He walks you through every step so you can discover what you want to do and how to get there.

This book has helped me analyze what I really want to do. I'm still pretty uncertain, but I have a better idea of my ideal job(s). It's definitely better than just shrugging when asked what I plan to do when I graduate.

I've realized that I really enjoy writing, and ideally, I'd absolutely love to be a web writer for an art site of some sort. I'm trying to blog every day now so I can get more experience. I wish I had something more specific to write about that hasn't already been done, though.

I'm still interested in running my own craft/art shop. I love crafts and if I really had more free time on my hands that's what I'd probably be doing.

I'd still kind of like to be a photographer or design professor, though. It's not exactly at the top of my career choices, but it would make me feel more comfortable about the photography degree I'm working on. It would still require more school, unfortunately...

I've even given thought to fashion photography, but still not certain if I want to go that route. At least these last two options would make me feel that my degree was worth something.

I know I didn't talk about the book much and even if I'm not done I still highly recommend this book to anyone who's concerned about their career.

I'll keep you all updated on the book and how my career planning goes. <3>

Ugh. Sometimes I really hate mobile phones especially with the limited internet capabilities they have. I guess I should be lucky to even have what I do have when it comes to internet for phone. Well, just seeing how this mobile update works and if it will work well enough for the future.