Woke up this morning at 5:30am for work (not so fabulous), but overall work was a great day Coworkers kept wishing me a happy birthday and we even had pizza for lunch at work. After work I bought a few things and headed to Michael’s arts and crafts store to pick up some stuff to make a World of Warcraft inspired bag. Jose and I waited around the apartment before going out for dinner. He ordered me something and it finally came after 6:30pm. I was shocked when he told me to close my eyes and he presented me with a dozen red roses

Initially I thought of The Hunger Games and President Snow, haha (which by the way, I finished reading the final book today SO GOOD!) but they were a nice surprise. After the pretty roses came we left to go eat at Genghis Grill, which neither of us have ever been at. Basically you get a bowl and go to a buffet style area and pick what meats and vegetables you want (all raw) which you can also add a wide array of seasoning too. Then you pick a sauce for your dish as well as a starch and they cook it for you and bring it to  your table when it’s finished. It was SO good and we plan on eating there again really soon.

I had chicken, steak, carrots, broccoli, and white rice in a honey soy sauce. Was very good, also had cheesecake for dessert Also got to raid in World of Warcraft tonight with guildies for the first time which was a lot of fun (even won some nice pieces!).

Overall I had an amazing birthday. Next weekend I am going home to visit family and to celebrate my birthday again Been getting lovely cards from family members also wishing me a happy birthday! This was also my first birthday with my iPhone so I was shocked with how many facebook comments, tweets, and forum birthday wishes I was receiving Thanks again everyone!

Besides enjoying the holidays and the time I spent with my family I have not been up to much. I have been applying to lots of local and some not-so-local design jobs in hopes of finding something (I really don’t want to do retail any longer than I have to!). So my fingers are crossed on that Classes start tomorrow and it’s a great feeling knowing that I don’t have to return!

Anyone have any New Year’s resolutions?  I tend to make the same ones every year. Do well in school (or now I guess do well at my job?/find a new job?), eat better, exercise, be better person, etc. But once again I want to try to do a 365 project … or this rather, it’s a 366 project! I’ve done these in the past (most recent was around July 2011 I did it for about 2 weeks, haha) so I am reviving the website I made for the last one I attempted and deleting the old posts and starting again!

So, Pocket Pix is back I literally decided today to do this (yes I realize it’s the 3rd :P) but thankfully enough I took photos the last two days on my phone anyways. I also love the idea of having a seperate website for a photo-a-day because I can upload them straight from my phone plus it’s easier to share with people. If you’re doing one too let me know! Also link me to your site if you’re uploading them to a specific location, would love to keep track of others and maybe we can motivate one another! Even added a Pocket Pix category here, at the end of each month I’ll post a few of my favorite photos that I took.

This is the painting from my final project in my Painting I class (which grades were finally posted and I got all A’s yay!). This painting has a lot of meaning in it for me and I had a lot of fun painting it. I still may add some more detail work to it as well. First here is the photoshop image that I created that this painting is based off of:

Now here is the progression of the painting itself (click the image for a larger view):

Here is the final image (click image for a larger view), I realize the quality of the photo isn’t that great. Once my digital camera is charged I will take a photo of it and replace the image (took the painting photos with my iPhone).

This painting was inspired by the song “Wishing Weed” which is by Jason Reeves. A very talented singer and songwriter. The song itself is basically about a couple who a no longer together for whatever reason and both do not want to get over the love that they once had. For me though, this song has a deeper meaning. I’ve mentioned this before but not in very much detail. In October 2010 I started dating my boyfriend, Jose, and right around the time we became “official” he was diagnosed with cancer. Not only were we trying to get to know one another as a couple but we also got to go through something most couples don’t deal with until they’ve been married for 20+ years or so. We are both in our 20′s and it’s hard to deal with something like this, at any age.

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard at times. I really loved the song before he was diagnosed, but after him and I really starting falling in love with another the song took on a new meaning for me. The painting is what I picture when I listen to this song. To me it’s about a couple who can not be together anymore because one has passed. Even though they are gone the person is still in love with them and will always be. I know that one day my boyfriend will no longer be with me, that is just the nature of a disease. I know when that day comes it will be hard but I also know that him and I had an amazing time together. He is my soulmate, my one true love, and even though we have to deal with something like this it does not have to affect us negatively. It does not change how I feel about him. I know that he will always love me and I will always love him, no matter what happens in our future.

Also, he has been cancer free since February 2011 though I really enjoyed my painting class and plan on to continue painting (may even paint more about this song!) and I even tweeted this blog post to Jason Reeves, because his music is truly inspiring to me and I’d like him to see that If you’d like to listen to the song it can be found on iTunes, his facebook page, as well as YouTube.

Web Development

This is not our final project. We had to build a social networking website. I chose to create one about gamers. With the help of my super-awesome professor we were able to add the ability of people to upload screenshots to display on their profile. I am really loving this class and sad it’s almost over! Our final project is creating a Wordpress site – think I should be fine with that one  Already turned in this website, just waiting for my grade. And my professor emailed me asking if he can use my website as an example for future semesters YAY!

Here is my website. Feel free to sign up!

Painting I

I think this is a method I may use for a future painting. Creating something in photoshop and then painting it. I am really loving how my painting is turning out so far (the picture is kinda bleh :P). I plan on creating a blog post just about this painting once it’s completed to show the full process for it. As well as discuss why I painted what I did. This project is due Wednesday!

Media Print Problems Workshop

I finished the book resume we had to design and showed my professor on Thursday. She basically told me that I could design something better – and she’s right! I am currently working on a new book (which I’ll post pictures of once it’s finished) but have also been coding away at the website. Still have quite a bit of coding to do but it’s up if people want to see it so far.

Go here to see my portfolio.

In other news, I also opened two new blogs over the last few weeks! ChicksPwn.us which is a group gaming blog! Will post reviews, general gaming chat, and more. I also opened TradeChat.us with my boyfriend (although I’ve been the only one posting haha) where it’s all about World of Warcraft! I also even opened back up my youtube channel (nacochan) where I have been posting WoW videos and soon will post gameplay from my xbox 360 as well as vlogs.

Web Development

This is not our final project and is due December 2nd (our final project has to do with Wordpress :P) and we have to create a social networking website. Mine is called Chickspwn, and it’s a social networking website for gamers (not just females!). The site itself is not fully set up yet but I do have the logo ready to go. It’s originally a logo I am using for a group gaming blog but want to use it for this project as well. I am really excited about working on this project!

Painting I

In painting class we have started our final project. We have to collage something (in photoshop or through photos etc) and then paint what we collaged. The painting has to be based off a song of our choosing and we have to include an element from art history in it. I chose the song “Wishing Weed” by Jason Reeves. When my boyfriend was diagnosed with cancer last year I found myself listening to this song a lot. I’ve been working on my collage in photoshop and this is what I have so far.

The art history element is the melting clock which is inspired by Salvador Dali.  I still have some editing to do on collage (especially the shadow!) but I am excited to begin painting it on Monday.

Media Print Problems Workshop

We started our final project over a week ago. We have to create either a 35 page book or a resume book and create a portfolio website. Since I’ve been wanting to redesign my portfolio anyways this is perfect! I am submitting the book today to Lulu to get it printed so don’t have pictures of it quiet yet but below is what I have so far for my porfolio.

The ribbon up top is the navigation, which will be purple originally but will change colors with each hover.

I’m excited to finish up this semester and excited to finish up all of these projects And of course once everything is completed I will create a follow up posts of the projects

Graduating is a little scary though, not going to lie. With the way the job market is I know finding a job in the field I want (graphic design) will probably be tough but I am up for the challenge. I plan on completely re-designing my portfolio and I’ll start applying for design jobs very soon!

I am very hopeful for my future. I know it will be hard but I am ready. I am ready to get my shiny piece of paper saying I graduated and I am ready to move on to the next chapter in my life!

Anyways, yesterday a friend from work got married and it was a beautiful wedding. It was also done in a lodge that’s near a river (which I have been to before) so naturally I took a few photos with my iPhone.

Currently working on a master copy painting in my painting class and creating a product in my print design class, so once I have more done with each expect lots of photos