local interest

I found a really cool blog today that includes recollections of Venice, Playa del Rey and Malibu from the late 1920's on. Great to read the first hand experiences of a native and learn a bit about the history of the area that I now call home. I mean, his childhood home is now subsumed by LAX! Wow.

Thanks, Cal Porter, for preserving the history for future generations.

wait, what?

Mike and I went to Boston last weekend. We were there for his college reunion, but we spent very little time actually reunioning. We did catch up with a few Boston-area friends, including my best friend from law school and a friend of his from college who graduated a year or two after him. Oh, yeah, we also met up with my high school boyfriend and his wife (and infant daughter, who is adorable). It was the first time I'd seen him in 20 years. Whoa.

Anyway, that went pretty well. I'd been e-mailing with David for the last couple of years and we generally knew what was going on with each other. The funny thing was that we determined prior to the trip that Mike and his wife went to the same college 5 years apart and that therefore they would be at reunion events for her reunion as well (they live locally, so not as big of an endeavor for them). So when we met up, Mike and Shelley started talking about school. They figured out that they lived in all the same dorms/houses throughout their college experience. That was a bit random. But cool. 

I think that the meeting went well for all and there was only minimal awkwardness. It was good to see him again and I'm sure at least part of that is that I'm in a pretty happy place both relationship-wise and life-wise. It is good to see that he is as well.

travelog

France was lovely. A bit rushed, but lovely. I had one day in Bruges, Belgium, one day in Lille and three days in Paris. I loved spending half a day in Montmartre, and would definitely return there on any future trips to Paris. Amazing views and a much different feel than the areas close to the Seine. 

I've been rushing, trying to get caught up with my class work in the two weeks I've been back, and now we're about to start one of those busy travel seasons. Vegas this weekend -- we're finally driving there, hitting the road EARLY tomorrow morning -- with Dallas and L.A. friends. Boston in early June for Mike's college reunion (ahem, 20th!). Dallas in late June for friends' wedding party. ANd I got a Save The Date yesterday for a cousin's wedding in Indianapolis in August. We might actually go, because it would be a good opportunity to catch up with my dad's side of the family. I am not in touch with most of my relatives on that side. I think my sister might go as well. We shall see.

like, totally awesome

I just ordered one of these bad boys (not this exact one) from BraveMoonMan's etsy shop.  You can also find felt nintendo controller pouches and calculator wristwatches there.  Wicked decent.

not much, how about you?

Since I'm overdue for a blog update, I figured maybe I'd treat my loyal following (hello? is this thing on?) to a brief list of What Is New With Me:

• I booked a trip to France for early May!  I'll be meeting up with a girlfriend from Dallas there and we'll spend time in Lille and Paris.  She lived in Lille after college and I'm looking forward to seeing that city with her.  I'm also looking forward to seeing Paris as an adult.  It has been 20 years since my last trip there.
• Spring quarter has started.  I've decided to finish up this certificate after summer quarter, so things are sort of wrapping up. I'm taking the final required course -- Design History and Context -- online and I have Package Design and Design Career Launchpad on campus. I'm excited about all the classes this quarter.  Should be a good one.
• I started up a design blog.  Feel free to stop by and check it out.  I plan to continue updating this blog from time to time, but probably most of the art and design stuff I come across will be exclusively on the new blog. I think one of my classmates will be helping out with content over there and I'm excited to get it up and running! 

typography geeks unite!

This periodic table of popular typefaces is really fun.  I've printed it out to take a closer look.

carry on

So.  Here I am.  I haven't had much that I felt like writing about lately, but things are generally going well.  Classes are fine.  Color is challenging but worthwhile and I feel like I'm learning a lot.  Calligraphy is fine, if a bit frustrating because I didn't really realize going in that my left-handedness would be a bit of a detriment.  I like the projects I'm doing for my Design II class better than I like the instructor and her teaching methods.  The one I'm working on now is an ad that employs metaphor to sell a product.  I'm really liking the way it is shaping up and I'm certain it will be a portfolio piece. 

Speaking of portfolios, I really need to get going on assembling mine.  I think I have 2 quarters left after this one and I really should start looking into internships soon. I've signed up for two classes next quarter -- Design History (online) and Package Design.  I generally take three, but the offerings are a bit disappointing.  I have a couple that I'm considering or I might only take two and promise myself to devote the extra time to portfolio prep.  We shall see.

February has included a trip to Vegas for the Super Bowl, a quick trip to Salt Lake City to help out my mom with a meeting she had with her builders about structural issues with her house and a visit from mom to LA last weekend.