Adventures of Finals Week round 2- Sometimes you need a little sparkle

Remember nearly 2 years ago when I went on my epic senior trip?
Well, i bought sparklers so lauren, betsy, sara and I could do them on the beach. But, I forgot about them and all last year I kept saying we should take sparkler pictures and then we never did.

Well, in the midst of starting to pack, i found them and finally got to do sparkler pictures!

So, here are a few of them.

So this is probably weird, but my legs look thin in these.
 I've always wondered what i'd look like with skinny legs!

Precious! Me, Betsy, Lauren.

"Bri" incase you were wondering.

Smile face

lauren

Brianna

hahahahaha

Adventures of Finals week round 1- Freaky {true} library stories.

So here I am, 20 years of age. trying to be all adult like and responsible and so I head to the library to study because I get distracted at my apartment. Mistake #1.

I'm reminded each time I go to the library why I usually refrain from it.
I'm lucky that most of my homework does not require me to go to this place. I feel like a lot of artists are.... different... but at least i'm used to them now. The library has a bunch of super scary individuals in it that I don't understand whatsoever. for instance, today, my adventure included-

A guy laying on the floor breathing deeply with all his limbs spread out like he was going to break out into a snow/carpet-angel at any given moment... that's normal....

This couple who were discussing a particular question in a heated debate until the girl nearly cried....

this athletic looking guy who'd make cheering noises every once in a while and added his name into the cheers. Does anyone know an Andrew Hickman? 'cause that's the name he'd cheer....

A girl that had a huge stack of papers in her hands and she literally sprinted down the aisle with a determination in her face that i wish i could muster. Probably rushing to a final or to turn in that stack of papers.

but the very best one was the following-

so there were like 5 seats next to me open and this random guy chose to sit directly next to me. Not really what I'd do, but maybe he was just extra confident and social? Well, all was going well, Girl and guy stopped fighting after a kiss {JEALOUS! it's my life long dream to kiss someone in the library.... sorry, random tidbit.}, the guy was still laying on the floor in between bookshelves and Andrew Hickman wasn't currently cheering for himself but this dude next to me started to freak me out.
He grabbed his hand really fast which made me jump. I think there needs to be a rule at the library that says something like no sudden movements and gasps because  you'll probably freak the girl out sitting directly next to you.
He proceeded to pinch his palm till it bled. I scooted over. sick.
then proceeded to suck on it. His eyes were wide open and he stared out into space. scooted over more, yet watching intently incase he was a vampire and wanted my blood too. Psycho guy next to me alert!
 BUT, then he jabbed the end of his pen into his bleeding wound and sighed. I completely opted out of studying at this point in need of a trash can to throw up in.

this is false. No one smiles at the library because
everyone is too frightened of the creepers sitting
next to them. true story. 

I left the scary library promptly to the art building where I knew I would be safe. The library is an unsafe zone for me. No fantastic test score on my {non fun} art history final is worth being in that place.

while exiting the library I saw another bizarre thing. while going down the stairs, there was a guy walking up the stairs backwards! and there were about 5 guys at the bottom of the stairs laughing and smiling up at the kid. I'm pretty sure it was some sort of dare to get a break from studying. How one studies there, I have no idea. I probably would have gotten more studying done while performing at half time in the super bowl than at the library.

To say the least, I think I'm going to continue not being friends with that place. How do you people do it???

Did I mention that I had to get a shot this morning? Maybe it made me extremely hyper-aware of what was going on around me. But these stories are not made up!

If you need me, I've nestled myself into the {"cage"} of the Photo lab. The rich smells of  chemicals, the sound of constant running water, and the cool humidity of the place is just what I needed.

Photo Lab, you are my oasis during finals week.

7 days till Europe

Break-up letter

I saw this video for the first time last year. And It cracks me up. Thought I'd share. 

But, i do have to mention a few naughty words towards the end I believe. 

i know, I shouldn't think it's funny. but I do. 

So, if you choose to listen/read it, beware. 

It brightens my day to know that there are such smart people on Earth. 

If I ever write a break-up letter, i'll have someone read it dramatically and post it for you to see. 

or maybe I'll write one just for fun with horrible punctuation and English. But, this will have to wait because I'm just doing this blog to take a break from studying. 

I have some good news and some bad news and some more good news.

G.N. The lilac bushes are in nearly full bloom!!! 

B.N. old farm doesn't own one. psh. LaMe!

G.N. I spotted one on my home a few days ago and I stopped the car, parked illegally, and literally ran and smelt them!

B.N. Betsy thought i was a psycho and took a picture of me smelling them.

G.N. I'm posting the picture for you because I'm that good of a blogger. :)

This picture made me realize how long my hairs are getting! And once again, it looks auburn. Weird. I swear every picture taken of me lately it looks red. Maybe it's changing color again. It was blonde when i was little. Maybe it'll turn green next. *crosses fingers ;)*

Moral of the story:

Take time to stop and smell the lilacs. Cause they only last a short amount of time and they smell sooooo good! 

I'm going to have at least 6 lilac bushes in my future home. 

and I'm going to have them all over my house when they're in bloom in cute white porcelain vases and containers. I can't wait. 

Also, if I ever got to choose the time I got married, it'd be beginning of May because of this flower. Random true fact of the day. 

8.5 days till the largest adventure {thus far}of my life............. shnikes! 

seriously missing

I'm seriously missing this face right now.

Ash sent me this one a few days ago. She looks
SO SO much like pictures of Ash as a baby.
Stinkin' cute.

how could anyone not love her?? She's beautiful! 

I don't know if you know this or not, but i kind of sorta love her.... just a little. ;)

I have some good news for you guys. {and girls}

I'm all the way done with going to classes this semester!!! 

All that's left till i leave for europe-

• 11 days
• art history final {most un-looked forward to event of the semester}
• Take home photo history final {which was going to be the hardest final until my professor decided he loved us and didn't want to kill us with a non-take home one}
• A photo shoot I have yet to start for half of my altered optics photo class...... yikes. I'm going to do this as soon as I'm done blogging.... I promise....
• the printing of all the images for my 2 photo classes. {luckily their all digital other wise i'd be living in the darkroom for the next 72 hours straight}
• a dumb dumb dumb public speaking quiz that I don't want to take because she's making us go to class during our final time {the LAST day of finals week} to get a stupid code to take a 12 question quiz that has to be done on our own time. Which is absolutely ridiculous seeing as how it's only open for a few hours on the LAST day of finals week. If we have to take the quiz online, why can't she let us do it whenever we have time during finals week. *end rant* I might just not take it. 
• Put my portfolios together
• study a ton for art history final. So glad to be done with both halves of the survey after tuesday!
• edit a wedding {i'm nearly done editing the reception}
• shoot a wedding
• go to Gemma Petrea's baby blessing. :D
• pack for Europe and fit all of my stuff for 2 months into a carry-on size bag.... this will be interesante....Because everyone knows how bad I am at packing light.
• write a project outline and description for what I plan on doing in Europe. 
• make my hands look and feel like a woman's again. They hurt so bad. I should have worn gloves the whole time mixing chemicals on Monday. On wednesday, 3 of my fingers started bleeding from being so dry and damaged. {I didn't notice it until i saw a big red blob on my shirt. :( and then I went to a bathroom to try and wash it out and I noticed it was on my face too. I guess i touched my hand with it and blood was on my cheek! Then I wanted to crawl into a dark corner hoping no one saw my embarrassing moment of life. my life is filled with highly awkward situations.} regardless, my hands have trials. We need to work on loving each other more.
• pack my life up and move it home to Orem.
• dreaded clean checks.
• party hearty
• party like a rock star
• party like it's 1999
• party like there's no tomorrow
• party all night long
• ride in the dryers. {because i haven't done this the whole year!!!}
• oh, and laundry. {which is similar to partying like a rock star, right?}

In other news, I'm the proud owner of this super hot swimsuit. I'm stoked beyond belief. I have always wanted a 1 strap {so it's technically 2, but the one is super skinny and can come off if i want it to} swimsuit with frills! I'm going to look stylin' on the beaches of italy and greece! :D

Also, in case you were wondering,
 this is not me modeling the swimsuit.... :P

And now..... I shall go miraculously start and finish my altered optics photo portfolio in a one hour photo shoot....hahahahahahaha.....don't tell my professor....

but first, a funny story. Ash called me yesterday while I was taking a nap {it was a miracle! I haven't taken a nap in eons.} and So I called her back when I woke up. She answered and said, "I'm making out with my husband. I'll call you back." hahahaha. It was hilarious!

Just so you know, if I'm ever making out and someone calls me, rest assured that I wouldn't answer. 

XOxo

I almost forgot!! 9 months from today is my birthday!!! 

14 days is completely 100% too SHORT!

here it 'tis. Sometimes I feel like my
hair wants to be red.... weird.

Remember that calendar I put on my window with how many days till schools over? well, that number is currently at 9. Add 5 days after that and I'll be off in Europe for 2 months.

Don't get me wrong, I am beyond thrilled for this. I am. I've been dreaming of this since I can remember. But, there are so many things I need to and want to do before I go and I won't really be able to do them all.

Anyways, I had the best weekend. It was a blast.

First seeing my little adorable niece, snuggling with her while she was sleeping,
shooting a reception and wedding,
Dark date adventure and evening,
cleaning the church with Glen,
 the gallery I had work in,
Helping make dinner with Kyle for this one event {that will be getting it's own post in due time after I'm given the go-ahead}

Here is the digital file. 

 sacrament meeting talks at church were great,
 wearing my fun yellow summer dress,
 Betsy singing opera in RS,
making cookies with Glen,
drive up the canyon and walk along the river and wading and singing to music really loud with the windows rolled down and sunroof open with glen,
dinner with Betsy Jake and Kyle and friends,
 finished editing 2 sets of bridals,
engagements,
started on an announcement,
and ended Sunday night at 2 am once again {far too late} chatting with Glen when he fell asleep. haha.

Anyways, this is dead week. which is pretty much my last week to get things done. ah! I have a huge to-do list so I don't even know why I'm blogging.

just know, this is the first semester that I'm not looking forward to it being over. It's the weirdest feeling ever. Too many things I want more time for.

and here is a close up, so you can see the
little squares and circle better.
I think it looks like the new animation movies in a way. 

Dark Date= best idea ever!

Have you seen "When in Rome"?
Well, in the movie, there is a part where they are at a restaurant and it's completely black. No light at all. Well, Betsy had this great idea to re create this in our apartment.
I thought it sounded fun, but didn't know if it would work.
So, we taped black garbage bags over our windows and waited till it got dark, made dinner, and planned a way fun after dinner activity. Oh, and asked guys on dates.

Well, while I was walking literally 10 feet to pick my date up, I closed the door and Betsy was off getting jake and none of my other roommates were here and the door was locked!! so, all of our windows are taped over and our door is new so we couldn't even card in. sigh. We ended up having to just climb through a window and re tape it. good thing Glen has mad getting windows open skills.... which kind of freaks me out cause he lives 10 feet from me.

We show the guys the little part from the movie {cause we wouldn't tell them what we were doing} and then turn all the lights off and move to the kitchen. And good news! You could not see a thing! nothing. It was like the same darkness level as the film developing rooms on campus. {which made me so happy for some reason to know that I could turn my house into a giant darkroom if I wanted to!}
It was so so funny. I'm not so sure about What Betsy and Jake were doing, but I think they might have had a mini food fight cause there was a lot of screaming. haha. It was so hard to eat in complete darkness! How do blind people do this?

So after we get done eating, we break out the funnest part-finger painting!! in the dark!

Best idea ever!! {my input to this date} We had like 24 mini paint container things and paper and just drew all over the paper and the bags covering the table and each other. And it was a blast. I poked Glen's eye at some point which I felt bad for, but, we looked so fantastic! I painted his nails, he gave me lipstick, and make up.
Anyways, If any of you want a cheap, way fun date idea, you can use this, you won't regret it.

We went up to the quad after cleaning up a bit and it was lame, but i'd never been there for a true Aggie night so we stayed a bit and watched and got free chap-stick! :D

Then we went to his apartment and ate ice cream and watched a movie and talked and I totally fell asleep. And stayed out as late as our "average" haha. {did I tell you how he taught me how to swing a golf club at 2:30am a couple nights ago? Randomest thing award of the week}

Anyways, This dark date will go down in the history of my top funnest date ideas i've ever done/been on.  

blacked out windows

dished up food before the guys came over

here's everyone. Look at our wonderful masterpieces!

we did really good. :D

can you tell that jake painted betsy? 

Betsy and Jake had tons of fun too

attractive people. 

Glen cleaning up.

You must let me know if any of you do this, k?

Let's talk about how....

Let's talk about how much stuff I have to do in the next few days-

I had a professor tell me last semester that I amazed him with my ability to take on overwhelming amounts of work on a project and actually get it done. I feel like I always take on more than I can actually have time for... and yet, It all gets done because it's my nature to not let anything go unfinished. So, being me, when my professor told me to print my image five feet tall and learn a new editing technique that scared the daylights out of me, I said..... okay..... Why? Why do I do these things to myself? So now, even though I was pretty much done with my work for the exhibition this Friday and Saturday, I have to Bitmap an image so I can print it the size of texas. Okay, more like the size of Utah. But, luckily for me, this Bitmapping shinanigan was F U N! I've always thought it looks way legit,  but we don't learn how to do an image this way till Color photo 2 class.
Once again, Luckily there are peeps in my class who've taken this and gave me a crash course in bitmapping. Literally. It was like a basic-things-you-have-to-know-to-fake-your-way-through-this-image- crash course in 15 minutes. And boy oh boy oh boy am I proud that I actually learned enough to do a semi-decent job. I then spent the next 6 hours bitmapping my image. I'm not putting the image on my blog right now, because I'd rather if you came to see it at Thatcher mansion at 35 west 100 s in Logan this Friday and saturday from 4-9pm. Saturday there is an opening with foodage and I'll be there. It's going to be legit. {Next week I'll put a digital copy of my image in case you don't come..... but COME!}

this was on the library last year around this time.
does anyone remember this??

But, because I'm fairly certain that nearly all of you who has never taken a photo class has not a clue what bitmapping is, I tried to find an image online of what it is, but I failed. I can't find any. And then I remembered my professor saying that he invented the process, so then I stalked a few of my photo friend's facebook's and found one that they did from faaaaaar away. After you do this {if you do it well}you can print 3+ stories tall. And that is just what Bethany and Callee did. Mine is only 5 feet tall. So just a little baby compared to this giant.


So, I have to print 16 sheets of 11x17 paper and wall paper paste them together on a surface of my choosing. I'm leaning towards wood right now i think....
So, I think i'm done editing it. But guess what? This image i did, it wouldn't save! it took 30 minutes to try and save and then it said something about not having enough RAM to actually save the thing. Sigh, so then I did a really scary thing and tried to save it as a JPEG instead of a PSD. Still not luck. then i flattened the image. Which made me want to cry because then all of my layers were gone. and it still wouldn't save! :( so, then i saved it as a .TIFF. poop. Not even what I wanted to do at all. Anyways, It's going to be legit. And take up all my time too.

Next, I have a study abroad meeting tonight. it's going to be a doozy.

Tomorrow- engagement pictures to shoot! yes! in my lovely spot I found! I can't even wait my friends!

Thursday-Have to be completely done with my Bitmap image.
art history reading questions. {sick. I so strongly dislike art history. It's the bane of my major}
Drive home,
see my Gemma,
Shoot a wedding reception

Friday-Shoot a wedding,
drive back to logan
see my show
probably go on a super fun date... :P
Attend true Aggie night {okay let's be honest, this is just a dream.}

Saturday- Drive to Salt Lake,
attend the state convention
drive back to logan
attend the reception of the show i'm in
take down the show i'm in
start editing the 2 bridal sessions i did last weekend, the engagements I'm doing tomorrow, a wedding announcement to make, edit the reception on thursday and the wedding on friday.
And maybe....
sleep a few hours.

Sunday-
I'm taking a nap.
this is all that is officially planned.
but let's be honest, I'm certain that I will be editing like a mad woman again.

and at some point, i have to figure out what I'm going to shoot for my independent projects final....... This will be interesting.

AND I also have to get my little self ready for Europe.

AAAAAAAANDDDD I have to pack and move and clean for check outs of the old farm apartments.

If anyone needs me, I'll be awake most hours of the day. Not that I'll really be all that helpful.....

Awkward post

Sometimes my life is full of awesomely awkward events.
So, I will share a couple with you.

#1- So, I was trying to find this office of this lady named Leah Kennedy in the UPRES building 203. So, naturally, since i didn't know where this building was, looked it up online. It said on usu.edu that it was on the second floor of the library. weird. but, whatever. So i'm wandering around aimlessly on the 2nd floor of the library trying to find 203. but, the lowest number i found was 204. sigh. so i finally decide to be a women and ask for directions. Well, apparently there's two UPRES buildings. and when i searched it, it only told me the rooms in the library for the university press. The building i needed was by the art building, where I just was at previously. Why on earth would a university have two buildings with the same name on the map??

#2- While walking around the library, I heard the following conversation-
{2 guys talking, we'll call them frederico and bobert}
frederico- "last week my sister was really constipated. Like the fecal matter was completely backed up."
bobert. ".......that's.....fun?"
frederico "You don't understand, it was so backed up it broke her tail bone!"
bobert. "wow, dude, you have a cool sister"

That story is NOT a lie. Okay, so the last phrase I made up because he just looked horrified. but other than that. that is TRUE! I'm not sure if they were trying to have an awkward conversation, or if that really was just a normal conversation for guys. It's a good thing that I'm a mature adult, otherwise I would have lost it. Which i definitely did not do. Definitely didn't laugh. at all.

#3- the going to the chem store to fill up the distilled water jugs for the photo lab from the art building to the ESLC. AKA-furthest buildings away from each other. direct opposite ends of campus. I believe we had 3- 5 gallon jugs. So my friend Bethany and I got the infamous red photo cart and proceeded down the hall. This cart has some serious problems. Not kidding. This cart is at the epitome of needing a huge can of WD40. maybe 4. and not just little squeaks. It was LOUD. So here we are, pushing this cart across campus with empty water jugs on it and we had to talk really loud to understand what each other were saying. so, we enter the ESLC and there are a reletively large amount of people there and a loud cart. So, we fill them up and then head back, hoping that the weight on the cart would make them a lot quieter. False. Instead of loud squeaks, it resembled the sound of farting. That was a fun walk back. So, if you were on campus and heard really loud squeaks and such, it was probably me. Well, not me, but the cart that was with me.

#4- Allison and Natalie at wal mart. They were so embarrassing. they sprayed boy cologne on each other. gross. axe is seriously the worst smell ever. Anyways, I can't be seen with those 2 anymore. haha

#5-  that I have 4 awkward events in ONE day. I must be talented at this.


Well, as my roommate Allison says, "awkwardness makes you stronger"

I must be pretty strong.

Makes me.....

You know how I have a little itty bitty cute niece? I'm not sure if I've talked about her much.... :P

All this about babies makes me want one.  Not that I could have one. Because you sort of need a husband, and last time I checked I didn't have one of those. Yep, I don't.

It makes me want to live closer. I can't get enough of that little girl.

Grandpa Cobb called me last night. Our conversation went as followed-

"Hey, guess what I'm doing?"-gpa

"......throwing a partay?" -me

"I'm babysitting!!"-gpa

"Gemma???1?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"-Me

"yeah!"-gpa

"jealous!!"-Me

"I knew you would be. That's why I called."-Gpa

*sounds of jealousy*

"Well talk to you later, I'm going to keep holding my great-granddaughter"

"b..."

*hangs up phone*

"...bye...."

Isn't he a bum? haha. 

Today is Easters. and I didn't get to go home. But don't even worry about it because mom let me talk to little Gemma on the phone. She was hungry {is Ash even feeding her?... Cause I swear that child is always hungry when I'm talking to someone around her} and so she was whining and making sounds. And It completely made my day. I reminded her how incredibly beautiful she is. For the record, I'm going to guess that she will have brown eyes. So, let it be known that that's my guess. 

Editing Pictures makes me want a desktop computer. Because my pinky hurst for editing too long on a laptop. I know, random, but that is a true story.

Random story time-

I took a few pictures of my friend, Kyle, {who happens to be the best friend of my best friend's boyfriend's doctor's sister-in-law's cousin from kentucky } cause he won some pretty snazzy award thing and needed a picture for his bio for this black tie dinner {so i made up the black tie part but you get the picture}. Anyway, he was wearing one of those breast cancer awareness bracelets and I had him take it off, put it on my wrist and then forgot to give it back to him. I noticed it, and figured I'd give it back to him later. Well, the day goes on and keep smelling this boy smell. like I'd rub my eye and then this whiff of boy cologne filled my nose, or I'd just put my hand close to my face and smell it too. I could not figure out why all of sudden I went from smelling like fruit and flowers to boy. Well, finally I was talking about it to Betsy and she was pretty smart and recommend I smell the bracelet. And that my friends, is how a girl can smell like a boy without knowing it. And just to clear this up, this boy smell wasn't bad, it just didn't smell like me. It smelt like boy. And as much as I love a good smelling man, I don't {usually} like smelling like one. 

But, do you want to hear another funny story? you kinda do, huh?

before I gave it back, I sprayed girl perfume on it so he'd smell like a girl. bahahahahaha. I'm clever. Laugh, it was funny. 

Well, In case you're not sick of seeing pictures of this little angel, click here and here. 

I took those pictorals on Friday. I didn't want them to leave. I won't see her for nearly 2 weeks! :(

And, just in case any of you {males} that read this would like to know about and attend, some of my girl friends and I are going to put on a class on how women should and should not be treated. ya know, just to better the world and society for the greater good. 

And, when I have sons, {not that I will because girls are kind of what my family is good at producing} They are going to be the most chivalrous individuals ever. 

this is all. :D

XOXOxoxo

Today

Today

• marks my 1/6 birthday. :D {yes, I do know this}
• is my unborn niece's due date
• my art history paper was due
• I have to memorize my speech
• presentation to belle bridal.
• 6 weeks till I leave for my European adventure!
• i got my art history test back {89% a score i can live with. although it's worse than any other art history test i've taken.....}

Also, for the record, I miss my roommies from last year sometimes. {not saying i don't love mine this year though} Melissa, Anna, Ashley, Betsy- we HAVE to have a girls night before school ends. Brian- you can come too. But only 'cause you told me you read my blog. :P

Did I tell you people that i bought my first pair of toms?? well, surprise! I did! they are dark brown and waaaaaay cute. and comfy. I'm bringing them on my study abroad. 

And just in case you didn't hear, I'm going to be an aunt within the next week. Get your happy faces ready! :D And, I really want to put the guess of her name up. Cause i'm pretty certain I'm right. But, I'll have to converse with Ash to see if she'd care if i put my guess up. If she says no, it means i'm right. If she says yes, i'm probably wrong. 

Because sometimes I take fun pictures

I realize I haven't given you very many pictures in my blog lately.
Well luck is on your side today because you're going to be getting some!Today, I didn't have school. So I went up to campus to take care of some study abroad stuff and buy some 120 mm film. After I grabbed Holga {my cheap medium format camera}from my locker, I put her around my neck and walked all the way across campus and thought to myself "You probably look fantastic with your sunglasses, big flower, poofy hair, camera, and camera purse!"
then when I got home, I walked by my full length mirror and decided that I look like I was a tourist, checking out USU campus....
and then I realized that it was "A-Day" where all the little seniors in high school come up to tour campus. Great. Everyone probably thought I was a weird young thang.

but I don't seem to care too much because at least I know I'll be a good lookin' tourist in Europe this summer. :P {I hope you guys know that I'm not really conceited. I just had to tell this funny story. haha}

I had to put this one up too because you can see my fun fake tattoo .
{it's a bumblebee which just so happens to match my yellow shirt.}

So, yesterday was soooo beautiful!! 

so we decided to go lay on the "grassy knoll"

on side of window. i'm the one with pretty blue hair. Betsy's the other one.

This is the other side of the window. But look below at the next picture!!!

look how fun we are when you slide them together!!!
good idea Betsy cakes! We have the coolest bedroom window ever!

days left of school. one for us to look at, one for
 the outside people creepy looking at our windows.

this is betsy and my st patties day feast.
they drink lots, so we decided to have some sparkling cider. :D

green fries

green corn

green burritos. it looked sooo nasty!!!

green ranch

bubbly

and apple pie that allison made with lips on top. :D

there you go. more to come later.