Planning

For the most part I'm quite the planner. I map anything and everything out including potential catastrophes. I am always ready for anything that may occur. However, this August I've clearly fallen apart. I start a new semester tomorrow. I have done nothing to prepare for it. In fact I'm willing to bet I don't even carry a notebook with me tomorrow. What has happened to me?

My goals before a semester are to be well rested, organized home and slightly bored with myself. This helps me want to start a new semester. None of this has happened this month. If anything I feel as exhausted as I feel at the end of a semester. Wish me luck!!!

I still need to sign up for an online course that I'm pretty sure started today. Clearly, I'm on top of things;-) Where are my classes tomorrow morning? I have no idea and more than likely will just figure it out tomorrow once I'm on campus. I will say the one thing I've managed to take care of is get the old parking sticker off of my car, which is like ripping your thumb off your hand it's so messy. The new sticker is ready to roll. At the moment I call this success. Seriously, 15 months to go!!!

The one thing I have planned is my entire labor day weekend which involves lots of beer, running and tons of fun...maybe I'm acting more like a freshman. Woo Hoo!

Breathe

There are days I honestly think my decision making skills should be revoked especially when it involves school. What was I thinking when I decided to take 2 computer courses in the month of June??? Oh, I know I thought 2 lab courses out of the way and so fast...no, it never dawned on me the workload would be insane. None of that ever crosses my mind. The only thing that does cross my mind is Fall '08 I'll be down to 9 class hours, YIPPEE!!! Now I will have to take a course online but that is minor...I'm totally stoked to be heading to the backside of this degree thing.

2 more weeks and part of my insanity will be over and off to vacation I go, HI-Ho!!!

No Words Can Explain It.

I consider going back to school one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I will say I'm enjoying it even if it involves all nighters (remember these don't involve margaritas, a dance floor or my friends), little to no social life and NEVER seeing the male species...that's quite a bit of sacrifice if you ask me. However, there is a perk to this school thing and it comes twice a year. Oh, yeah, you guessed it semester break. A whopping 4 weeks mind you, no projects, no all nighters (the un-fun all nighters) and no commuting for an entire 4 weeks. It's so exciting words can't even describe it;-)

It's Official!!!

I passed Residential Studio...Yay, Me!!! Nothing like your fate being sealed in an envelope you had to self-address. Thank goodness I needed some good news. Whew!!!

Now I really need to study for my last final;-)

Time

How did it happen? I swear ever since spring break came and went time has been on fast forward. Everytime I look up to breathe an entire week has gone by. I really can not make myself think beyond the day at hand it makes my heart rate sky rocket. The end of semester is approaching fast. It's scary and exciting all at once. This is a make or break semester. I'm in my first residential studio, which is secretly referred to as the 'weed-out class' meaning this is where they get rid of real crappy designers. To say I'm nervous is an understatement. I still need to make some changes to my original projects and complete the final one I'm currently working on...not sure how this is all going to pan out since I'm on the verge of a burn out at the same time;-) I will spare you of my meltdown from last week, emotions were on overdrive!

A few things I've learned about myself or have actually known for a long time and now need to face these facts. I am a very aggressive woman. What does this mean? Not much for the majority of you as long as you don't spend much time with me. I HAVE to find a way to run. It's no longer an option to skip, even if it's only for 20 minutes I have to run, period, end of story! When I don't let's just say it gets a tad ugly. I am a brutally honest woman so when I don't get rid of my energy it comes out in words so please be careful what you ask me, I will answer.

Last but not least I have decided to start training again. Ok, it doesn't officially begin until May 27th but I will be following through this time. I have some unfinished business with the marathon and plan to stake my claim in December!!!


Now to get through today, left, right, left;-)

The Perfect Sunday

The perfect Sunday involves a good run, great friends & champagne...does it get any better than this...I think not!!! It really is that simple. Today, this Sunday, it's perfect and now I'll finish this floorplan for school...I'm happy and complete, ok a little tipsy too, but that totally helps the school work.

This morning involved feeding a herd of dogs for friends out of town, a run in the rain with M, and brunch/mimosas with Jane...this is my idea of a perfect Sunday. I love it!!!

Jane- party shuffle playing 'Long Day,' MB20...oh, yeah!!! I love the poster...I think it needs to hang in my loft;-)

36 Hours

When I think of pulling an all nighter I think of a dance floor with good friends, margaritas and 80s music. Unfortunately, me being up for 36 straight hours didn't involve any of that. So sad that model building takes forever + a day.

Since going back to school my 8hour nights of sleep are something of the past. It's normal for me to go to bed around 2am (again no dance floor, margaritas or music) and sleep for 4-5 hours. I knew this field required insane hours but seriously. There are plenty of gals that always talk about 'I was up all night getting this done'...I just thought 'what a dumb ass, who wants to stay up all night for school?' Ok, as they say you will eat your words. I have officially done just that. When it came time for me to turn in my project I couldn't remember if I had brushed my teeth, showered or eaten I was so confused as to what day any of the aforementioned was done...I opted to shower and my brush my teeth again just to be safe;-)

Without further ado here is my final stuff. I forgot to take a pic of my rendering that accompanied the model. Remember I was no longer firing on all 4 cylinders.

Also, stuff in the house that would be built-in had to be done in 3-D (kitchen cabinets) things such as living room furniture could be done in 2-D. I swear this makes sense!

Model Building

Model building is for the birds. I don't think words can convey my dislike of these things. I didn't like them this summer and I sure as heck don't like them now. I swear for every 1 step I take forward there are about 7 back...it makes no sense.

I have no idea what happens with foamcore between the time I measure it, draw a line and then take the knife to it...somewhere in those steps it shrinks??? Guess what if it's too short back to square 1 until it's right...trust me there are several wrongs before you make a right.

Anyhoo that's the boring stuff. I accomplished my goal of the day for my model...it's a small one but the first one to complete on the day I wanted it complete...yay! me!!!

Here's an idea of my private hell. All the pieces on the left are the rejects the tiny pile on the right are going to make the exterior of this house model.


Now for the complete dining room. It will look strange but in my teenie tiny world this is huge...I'm finally moving to the interior part of this model. Once complete this will be more clear, or that's the goal.



Tomorrow I'll work a little more then off to SXSW for the rest of the day/night...this is supposed to be my spring break. Break means build a model, draw/render a kitchen, write 2 papers and start preparing for a test the week after spring break;-)

LAZY

At what point do you say, get off your ass and go run??? Honestly, I've started a few runs a week, slow & ugly runs mind you. Cedar season was NOT kind to me and no I didn't venture outdoors for about 2 months. Now I'm finding it darn near impossible to get out the door for a run. I have gotten back in the weight room and am slowly starting to work on my core but SERIOUSLY, I have to find a way to make myself run. It's hard to qualify for Boston without ever running.

Today I just kept putting it off blaming all the tests I have next week (good 'ole mid-term week). I finally blew it off and did core work with the promise to get up early tomorrow and log some miles. I did get a TON of lighting done today;-)

Anyone interested in swimming at Stacy pool? Maybe I need a change of pace/cardio. I go through this after every marathon.

All Done

Finally by 2am Wednesday night my project was complete. I worked 18 straight hours on it that day and let me tell you my back is still hurting from being slumped over my drafting table. I think this design thing is going to put me in the grave a tad sooner than I thought. I'm glad it's over and my meltdown on Tuesday as usual was not necessary. Tuesday was the first time I thought maybe I don't have what it takes to design. After yesterday's presentations I think I'm doing ok, not too mention I will improve as this semester progresses.

Slowly but surely...

I'm going to get to the end of this...it may be in the wee hours of the night BUT it's going to happen.

Another step done.

And the fun continues...

Well, I'd like to say my first studio project is going well but that would be a lie. I have no idea how everything will be done by tomorrow's presentation. Yes, blogging about it is a good use of my time...actually my back needs a break from being hunched over my drafting table. Also, I think I will take some advice from a friend's blog and run this afternoon. I think even 20 minutes will help keep my head clear and keep me from going insane.

So here are a few more drawings that I've completed...

Here we go...

And so it begins...my first studio project is due on Thursday and well, I have a long way to go before it's ready for presentation. I did finally finish the perspective part of the project and let's just hope this was the most time consuming part of it. It took 18 hours to draw...I now get to shrink it from 24"X36" to 8"X11".



I realize this is hard to see since it's a pencil drawing right now. This is the den of a house we are remodeling for our project. I've got quite a few sleepless nights ahead of me a test to study for and a paper to write...I heart school;-)

Kenny + Rendering/Annoying= A+

Who knew it was possible...that I could make an A+ on my rendering. I didn't like them so I really had no expectations. However, the following pic got me an A+ and a compliment from my professor. I'm learning in the design world of teachers nothing is good enough. Trust me I'm well aware of how picky I am but these people make me look like a pleasable (not sure that's a word but you get my drift) person. Goodness gracious. Well, without further ado the A+ is...



PS- Rudolph's kitchen was an A. Not too shabby if I don't say so myself!!!

PPS- IPM it probably is crooked. Depends on how I run the 24X36 page through the plotter (the shrinking part) if it will come out straight.

Ok Kenny...

You asked for it;-)

Kenny seems to think it would be a great idea to show the 4 people who check my blog what I do while in school. I will post these things that I've taken pictures of...they will probably be hard to see and the lighting on them well, not so great;-p

I'll start from the beginning, way back in Jan of '07. My very first 'concept' board. Apparently we make these to show clients to hopefully woo them into using me as their interior designer. The best news ever for me at least is I LOVE putting together concept boards. Something about it just makes me happy;-)

Before loading these suckers let me preface that they've been sitting up in my loft getting quite a bit of sunlight so they aren't in the stellar condition they once were. No, really at one time the looked fantastic. Ok, just humor me!!!

On to the summer school projects and introduce the very sharp cutting tools which to this day I still have all 10 fingers and toes. I consider this a major success in my life especially since one of the projects I will post was built on NO sleep.





The above project was my introduction to various materials I will use to build models during my adventure in school. Needless to say these are very kindergarden. The first day Nance (professor that taught Design Development) mentioned some very foreign words to me.

Nance: "Class the next project we will be using chipboard, foamcore & bass wood."
My thoughts: chip WHO???
My next thought: bass and I'm back in the 2nd grade down at the pond fishing. Yes, people i couldn't figure out how bass could make wood. I didn't say I knew much about design other than that's what I want to do so quite a few words are foreign to me. Foam core I knew. whew!!!

That's all the torture I have for today...stay tuned as I will slowly but surely reveal some of my projects. Next semester there will be more house models...so exciting I know!!!

One of Those Days...

Today has been absolutely fantastic. I'm guessing it has a little somethin' to do with the cooler weather. This morning started with the PP workout consisting of the Warhurst. The Warhurst and I have a love/hate relationship. I hate it everytime I see it pop-up on my schedule but fall madly in love with it once it's over. Today would prove to be no different. I won't bore you with the details all I know is the demons are getting quieter each time I run this route and I actually think I'm getting faster. I am amazed I didn't topple over when running the Deep Eddy mile. I don't know what happened to my form but I will say I looked more like a 2 year old just learning how to run, flailing all my limbs everywhere, not so great when there's no light. I'm so thankful noone was able to witness my attractive running style and even more thankful that I didn't turn/break an ankle. Somehow my legs managed to get under me for every wacky step back there.

My other fantastic news for today is I got to register for spring semester and I only have classes on Tues/Thurs for spring. I realize I'm the only one that gets/cares about this but this is THE perfect schedule. 9:30am- 6:15pm are you kidding me!!! I only have to drive to SM 2 days a week. YIPPEE!!! Last bit of good news I got into Studio 1...this is crucial in order for me to graduate on time. Usually there is a waiting list for this class but no sir I'm in like flinn (no idea how to spell that last part...you get my drift)

Now if only I would sit down and work on the 2 big ass drawings i have due. Hmmm, I guess it's one step at a time and the procrastination will have to wait it's turn;)

E-mail Response

My response to C's e-mail today.

Do you dare ask how I am???

It's safe to say this has been a meltdown week for me and it's only Tuesday;)

1 flunked test in AutoCAD- he said it would be easy but funny I think my test was written in Chinese.

Rendering (perspective drawing class)- we always have a sh*tload to do in here, but i enjoy the class so I usually don't mind. this is the class i broke down in...lucky male teacher. thank goodness he likes me.

thursday- test in building codes. i'm skipping 1 class for sure tomorrow in order to study. there has to be something wrong with that statement???

aren't you glad you asked;)

I believe it's safe to say school is kickin' my arse!!! I honestly don't know how people pull this off. I'm going to make this happen!!!

Simple Things = Happiness

AHHH!!! Is all I can say at the moment. Thank goodness I have internet at home again. This morning I decided to check my TX State e-mail, which is something I rarely do since all it ever has are construction updates. However, today was extremely different. I only have 1 class on T/Th and it's smack dab in the middle of the day and a short lecture class at that. Well, this am I have an e-mail from my professor cancelling class due to some knee injury. SWEET!!!

Looks like I don't have to battle the weather afterall;) I feel a nap comin' on!!!

Does It Have To Be This Hard

Why is going back to school at the ripe 'ole age of 34 so hard??? I've moved cities several times to places where I don't know anyone, no home & no job...i consider that way easier than the school thing.

I've started my first full semester and I'm hear to tell you it's going to kick my ass. I won't bore you with all of the details but let's just say finding parking at TX State is enough to put someone behind bars or in the hospital. I now just wear my running clothes in order to get to class on time. I consider this my own personal boot camp...running with a backpack bigger than me and whatever else is needed for rendering.

I also started working last week. I'm doing catering for 34th St. Cafe and I have forgotten how labor intensive this stuff is topped with a non-breathing outfit (totally elevating my sex appeal in this get-up) in this heat...tons of fun. I never knew I could sweat this much. I realize I'm a runner but I'm pretty sure in the past 72 hours I've sweat 1/2 the water out of my body. I think my feet are still pulsating from all of the running around/standing for countless hours over my first weekend of work.

The tough part of all of the above is I don't have any idea how all of these puzzle pieces are going to fit together. I'm exhausted and it's just the 2nd week of school. I managed to get my lazy bum outta bed for my track work-out this morning and my eyes are leaking their so tired. Unfortunately, sleep is one of the first things to go and this is a problem for someone who likes her 8 hours of z's.

My other sad realization for today is I won't be doing a marathon this season. I'll need to downgrade to a half. In a sick & twisted way I'm extremely sad about this but I have to be realistic...it just doesn't fit on my over flowing plate and I really need to relieve myself of some of this pressure.

The Simple Things in Life

I swear the simplest things in life make me soooo happy!!! I love a good night's sleep. I'm not kidding when I call that love. After a great night of sleep I walk around announcing how happy I am for that rest. Last night would be no different. 9 full hours of sleep. I think I was out within a nanosecond of my head hitting the pillow. I woke up this am and thought ahhhh!!!

I won't lie that I'm a complete nerd when it comes down to me and my z's. The challenge of it is I also like to get up early so needless to say I'm usually in the bed with a book by 9pm...and I wonder why I'm single;) Not really but that's a whole 'nother blog.

This summer I came to the oh, so sad realization that sleep a full night of sleep will be few and far between until December 2009...that's when I graduate. The next 2 years are going to be a huge challenge. Some of my projects require me to skip an entire night of sleep i can assure you this is not pretty, not pretty at all.

I apologize in advance (this apology is good for the next 2 years) if I seem a tad cranky. I don't mean it I promise I just don't function well when under less than 8 hours of sleep.