Yay! Weekend adventures! <3 This past weekend my parents came out and visited, since it's already been a month since I've been home ;___; And it'll be another month until I get to go back! I'm very glad I didn't choose to go to school out of state, 2.5 hours away on the opposite side is quite far enough. My wonderful mother restocked my kitchen // pantry - she's one of those "extreme couponers"...it's amazing, really. Nearly my entire supply of food was absolutely free, and I have more than enough food to last through the end of the semester. Wahoo! Groceries are so expensive! Not to mention they bought me two new bathing suits and a bunch of summery clothes // coverups from Marco Island for our upcoming trip to Disney! After running around and ____________, we checked into their hotel and went to the store to stock up on vitamins and whatnot for myself. There has been something going on with my head, and while we're all nearly positive I have ADD to the point where it's interfering with everyday life, I'm doing everything I can go avoid going to the doctor and being properly diagnosed and prescribed medication. I already take pills daily (just birth control, nothing serious) and it's aggravating enough. The occasional adderall on nights where I'm overwhelmed with work will suffice. Anywho, that evening we picked up my friend Kelly and went to Rivertown for dinner and a movie, where we met up with William and his mom, who was also visiting (I LOVE HIS MOM HOLY COW). We saw Daniel Radcliffe's new movie, The Woman in Black, and I must say it was mediocre at best. Hard to rate the dialogue, as there was hardly any in it! It was just your standard scary movie, nothing impressive. Being Harry Potter is always going to follow him in his career, as during one part where he rips off wallpaper to discover some words scribbled across the wall in blood, Kelly whispered "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened! Enemies of the heir, beware!" And at the end where we assume we are seeing him being hit by a train, I said "Harry always comes back to life!" followed by a scene in a kind of "dream realm," where I of course said "DUMBLEDORE!! WHERE'S DUMBLEDORE?!?" It was entertaining at the very least.

The next day my parents picked up William and I and we headed back towards the mall area to do some shopping! I wanted to go to Hobby Lobby, but they're closed on Sundays.. :__: But we went to the World Market, which is my new absolute FAVORITE store! So many goodies I wanted to try! I was so thrilled when I saw they had Bon Bons, I haven't had those since high school...soo delicious! <3 We ended up just wandering for awhile through the mall - I was shown the wonder that is Teavana, if I ever have enough money I will be investing in my own ritual. And upon a trip to Barnes & Noble (BORDERS WAS BETTER) I came upon the Walt Disney Archive Series Layout & Background book of Animation. Ugh, if only all these books weren't so expensive...I just recently picked up The Art and History of Pixar and Walt Disney at a hefty price...I plan to go back to Barnes and Noble and at least take photos of my favorite pages, although I'm sure that's against store policy.

I've got lots of exciting plans coming up! This weekend I'll be traveling north, weather permitting, to explore some abandoned ghost towns I've found, so hopefully I'll have lots of new pictures! Next weekend I'm taking William to the Grand Rapids Symphony to see their performance of the third installment of the Lord of the Rings for Valentines Day, and then immediately following that we're going to the President's Ball :) Which is themed Alice in Wonderland! How exciting!! I splurged and bought a new fancy dress just for the occasion. The following weekend we're seeing Steve Aoki (<3 <3 <3) and Datsik at the Orbit Room, something we've been looking forward to for MONTHS. After the Bassnectar fiasco, it'll be good to actually see some good performances. Then, at the very end of February // beginning of March, STEFAN IS COMING TO VISIT. I'm planning lots of adventures for the time he'll be here, including tours and museums and antiquing and zoos etc etc etc. Then it's spring break and I'll finally be able to go home! :) So happy!

Anywho, I'm in the middle of lecture at the moment, so I should probably return to paying attention. Oh, and while I was taking out my things that I received from the World Market, my kitty Pangur Ban decided to stick his head through the hole in the plastic bag...he is too precious. :3 And the Gameboy is actually a case for my phone that I ordered online! My pieces // base case for my next decoden piece just arrived, so I'm sure I'll be including the finished product in my next post.

An eventful week forsure...I'm actually going to separate my adventures into two blog posts, just so it doesn't appear too lengthy // I haven't had a proper moment to organize photos from the weekend. -__- I'm beginning to get in the habit of bringing my D7000 along with me where ever I go, the problem is that it's so bulky and I'm usually annoyed with large bags...but I'll just have to suck it up. :3

For the first time in two years, I am UNEMPLOYED (I was briefly unemployed after I moved across state, but quickly found a new job). I quit my job at the portrait studio last Monday. It's been odd, not having to think about rushing off half an hour away, and I must admit I rather like it. I'm not too pleased though, just because I don't feel like I'm mooching off of my parents. So, I'm still looking for a little something on campus. I don't spend too much extra money anyways, as I usually prepare food at home. Anywho, I snapped a few photos of the studio just to remember by on my last day - we were so small and cute c: Also, please excuse my obnoxiously baggy top, it is William's.

Classes slammed me last week with an exam // mini quizzes // being generally stressed out. With Spring Break coming at the end of the month, I'm trying to strategize and get to work on my upcoming projects and whatnot now, before they're all due at once. I'll be making frequent trips to the library this week, I believe. -__- Our first meeting for the Photo Club was last Thursday (I am one of the Officer's) and even though it was very small (we aren't allowed to advertise ourselves yet, we have to get approval) it was still nice and the President said that if we can remain a small organization, he can have us travel to cities outside of the state...FOR FREE. Specifically, Chicago. He can get us there + a hotel for a night absolutely free of charge, how lovely! <3 We're trying to push for NYC as well haha, although that one is much more unrealistic. Chicago is a mere three hours away by vehicle.

Last Friday after our class William and I decided to do a bit of antiquing downtown, and came upon a place called Victoria's Warehouse, or something of the like...anywho, in a nutshell it was an old, abandoned warehouse that somebody took over and made into an antique shop. It was lovely (although rather stinky), but I was wise and saved my minimal funds. It was cute, nonetheless!

I have so much more to share, but this will have to be it for now -- William is calling! <3

FINALLY! I've gotten my blog to look somewhat proper! <3 Goodness gracious, that only took an entire evening... -__-

Anywho, not much to share at the moment considering it's currently 1:40 AM...I'll have much to share within the next few days, though! This Saturday I have my portfolio review, where it'll be decided if I'm allowed to study in the art department or not. And to be honest...I'm going to pass just fine haha I am not the least bit concerned. The introductory portfolio review is extremely easy. On top of that, this Monday is my last day working at the portrait studio that I've been an associate at since last October. I'm sad to go, but corporate's threats and pressure has just become too much. It's only three girls that run the place, including myself...and I love the other two dearly. They'll be leaving the company shortly as well.

Oh. And I've been appointed as Officer of the Student Photography Organization at Grand Valley. :) First meeting is next week and I have to pitch my ideas! Yikes!

On a bit of a side // ending note, about a week and a half ago William and I had to take a bit of a drive out to drop his car off at the shop, and I ended up stumbling upon what was possibly the most fancy Salvation Army I have EVER seen. It was amazing! I managed to pick up two velvet dresses, and a laptop // hobo bag. Of course, I have no proper photos, but here's a crappy webcam photo of one of the dresses in a burgundy shade. which is my new absolute favorite. Oh, and I love my cat. He's not as derpy looking as he appears in the photo, I promise.

A new year can of course only mean one thing...a new semester! Today marks the second day of the new term, and I have been to most of my new classes. I've once again got a full load of five classes // sixteen credits, and working about fifteen hours a week, but after last semester this seems almost too easy. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have two classes a day - each being an hour long. :) I can deal with that. Plus I have two classes with dear William! How fun :) <3

Anyways, my classes are - Art History Survey II, Geology, Biomedical Science: Human, Health and Disease, World Civilizations, and News in Society. I've been to all but my Geology lab, and News in Society, which is actually a course at the downtown campus that I'll be taking the bus to tomorrow evening. I'm excited -- but also nervous...I've never really explored the downtown campus. Not to mention, I'm not entirely sure what to expect of the course, there's only sixteen students in it. >___< But I guess we shall find out. Regardless, it counts towards my Theme study of Society and the Media.

With getting back to school and work, that makes my time to blog extremely small...I'm really shooting for a 4.0 this term, so we'll see about that. I had an excellent last day of break though -- I ventured to my favorite antique shop with my best friend Stefan, where he came across a MODEL BOAT! I was so excited for him, not to mention it was a reasonable $10! We planned to go thrifting after the antique shop, but the idea of Chinese overtook us...and we had to go fill our bellies. After a recovery session which included Okabu // hxc zumba-ing, we returned to our original plan of the Salvation Army, where we both picked up a few old cameras and I found a lovely nautical dress. I really wanted to post more photos of the findings / what I've been up to as of late, but I just haven't had the time! Hopefully all the excitement will settle down soon.

Interesting new things this evening...I spent most of the afternoon lounging around with a sore back -- I slept extremely poorly the night before. No big adventures or anything, but I have a few new discoveries to share! First up, William came over late afternoon with a $20 giftcard to the PlayStation Network, and he let me choose a game...and I quickly came across a great title, OKABU!

The premise of the story is too cute to pass up...it starts with the introduction of a species called "Cloud Whales," of whom are being affected by the evil Doza machines and their pollution (factories, in a sense). The two brothers Kumelo and Nimbe are given the task of ridding the cloud whales of their illness, and travel to the surface world where they meet the Yoruba people, who team up with the brothers to take out the Doza. The gameplay is repetitive and requires little to no thinking, but seriously -- you get to glide / fly around as a giant CLOUD WHALE...how can that not get any better?! Thanks William! :)

I was finally able to watch the Swedish version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and I must admit, I was not that impressed. Maybe I'm just a die-hard American? Nah, I don't think so, the actors just really didn't hit home for me. The appearances were just too off. Noomi Rapace, honestly, isn't anorexic enough and I felt her performance was extremely dry next to Rooney Mara (Noomi....Rooney....lol). Rooney, on the other hand, completely delved into the role and I really BELIEVED she was Lisbeth. Noomi just looked like they gave her an 'edgy' haircut and threw on some piercings. And shoot, while we're on the topic of appearances, Michael Nyqvist compared to Daniel Craig...? No. Just, no. Mikael Blomkvist is supposed to look stellar at this age, and Nyqvist just looks like, well, there was a meteor shower on his face. I sound extremely shallow... -__-

If you haven't had a chance to read the Millennium series, I would most definetly recommend it! The character Lisbeth Salander is absolutely irresistible in personality and attitude.

To wrap up the day, some photography inspiration shots provided by William...I love the tones in these shots, and they've definetly given me ideas for the future. With winter semester starting up this Monday, I've really got to get myself in check! Plus, everyone knows I'm a sucker for roses.

Thusfar, my plans for tomorrow include trying out 'tuxedo nails,' and being generally lazy once more. :)

Hello all!

Welcome to my first, real, personal blog. Here I'll be posting my daily adventures, photography outtakes, outfits, inspiration, etc. It'll probably take me a few days to get everything tweaked to my liking and working smoothly, so please bear with me!

xoxo --