Life Just Flies By!

So, I finally have a moment to sit here and think about the past few weeks of my life and how so much has just happened. Life has just been crazy but amazing all at the same time. 

For one, I graduated. May 5th, 2013 will be one of the proudest days of my life. I walked across that stage and completed one of the last promises that I ever made my mother. I remember when I was young, I promised her that I would graduate college and she would be there to see me. Now, sadly she wasn't there in person to see it happen, but I know somewhere in the universe, she was smiling her huge smile as I walked across that stage in front of those couple thousand people, shook the hands of the heads of the University and received my diploma cover. In a few weeks, I'll receive my diploma in the mail and the package will be complete. I am so happy, and will be able to look back on my 5 years at UM-Flint as years of great learning, great growth and amazing memories. 

Later that day, unknown to me, Kevin planned me a graduation party. Though now that I know, I could see where he got really close to letting go the surprise of the whole thing. But he didn't. When I pulled into his driveway that evening, I was welcomed by 30 or so of my closest family and friends who were there to celebrate me. It was one of the best gifts I could be given by anyone (and another thing crossed off the bucket list). I got to visit with people I hadn't seen in a long time and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Yup, he got me!

The week after that was moving week. I had just signed papers on a 2 bedroom/2 bath home in a lovely neighborhood in Flint. My friend Hoffa moved in with me so we could split the rent and the bills. That week was full of friends help (thank you guys sooooo much!), a frenzy of boxes, much cleaning and saying goodbye to Riverfront where I had called home for 3 years. 

I got in and settled a bit before I started my new job at Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy. Yup, I got the official job offer and start date in the middle of my packing and started training on the 13th. Now that I have had 2 weeks of training, I am very excited to start in my department and very excited to be working for this company. I can wholeheartedly say that they care for their employees and it is going to be an amazing place to work, if for only a few years or the rest of my working life. Who knows? The sky is the limit currently and there are MANY chances for advancement within the company.

Lastly, last night was my first official party of the new home. 25+ friends of mine came out to celebrate and hang at my new home. We played games, laughed and just had a lot of fun. It truly was an amazing time and I am so happy they all joined me. It was also Brittney's birthday, which we also celebrated :)

For now, life is pretty good. I can't complain too much! I am so thankful for all my friends and family who have helped me get to where I am now. Of life!

A Month of Letters

So, I have been lacking on the snail mail front this year. I don't know what it is. I guess I just haven't sat down and spent the time sending out mail, though I love it so much. 

My friend Luna introduced me to the "A Month of Letters" Challenge. For the whole month of February, the challenge is to send a letter on each day. That is a total of 24 letters, postcards, greeting cards, etc. through the US Postal Service to recipients.

Earlier this week, I joined Postable. This website allows you to compile an online database of addresses. I put it on my Facebook and Tumblr accounts and asked for addresses. Though I only have gotten a few people, I have addresses for people all around the world (which is exciting) that I can send mail to next month. I can only hope that they write back and I get to know them :)

So, if you want to join me, here is the link to the website where you can learn more and make an account! http://lettermo.com/

And if you want me to send you a letter, PLEASE leave you address on my Postable.  I'll make sure to send you something (I have vowed that if I get over 24 addresses, I will send more than 24 letters!)

Happy writing!

Playlist
1. The A Team- Ed Sheeran
2. Little Talks- Of Monsters and Men
3. It's Time- Imagine Dragons
4. Try- Pink
5. Never Too Late- Three Days Grace
6. Yes- Coldplay
7. When They Come For Me- 30 Seconds to Mars
8. Lazy Eye- Silversun Pickups

One Month Late Christmas!

So, my friend Ryulua had a very busy holiday season that made some gifts come late. I really didn't care when she got me the gift. So, I was given it this Monday, almost a month to the date late. But I was still excited. And I LOVED them!

She told me that everyone needs some art deco tape! I think that this is really cute and I can't wait to start flowering things up!

This is actually a small photo album. It says "Only when you are no longer afraid do you begin to live." That is my favorite quote and has so much history with me. Inside are pictures that she took of me when she came over in December and took photos in the city of Flint. You can see them at Luna's Flikr. If you go the photo album named Flint! Some of them can kind be seen in the filmstrip along the top corner of this photo.

Luna makes zines...(and I am going to make one soonish...when I get up the ambition!) and this is the zine she gave me. This is inspired by "This is Not a Book" by Keri Smith. Keri uses guerilla art to express oneself, and really is the whole reason I started crafting. I find beauty in a lot of new things now and I can express myself in more ways than I used to be.

Some of the pages in here are: Vandalize this page, write an acceptance speech for an award of your choice, and Smile at Every Stranger you see!

This is an envelope made out of a magazine ad. I want to start making these because I think they are just really cool and a great way to recycle magazines!

This is a cool postcard that I can send off to someone :)

And last but not least, a frixion pen. This pen she said is "God" as it really erases as well as a pencil and uses friction to erase. I haven't used it yet, but I can't wait to! :0

LINKIN PARK!!!

So last night was the night I have been waiting for for weeks! Monday night my friend Ryuluna came over to spend the night. Her, my roommate Mindu and I were going to see Linkin Park in concert. It was so amazing!


We got a late start and missed all but one song of the band: "Do I Offend You Yeah?" but they seem cool. Pendulum is really awesome. I want their singer. Oh what a hunk!

Pendulum (watercolour)

Then the band of the night came on! I will probably post some of the videos later on when I figure out how to get them from my iPod and onto here...it could take a few steps.


Linkin Park blew me away. They are such great performers and love the fans. They played a wonderful mix of the old AND the new. This is my second time seeing them in concert and both times they were amazing. I had moments where I wanted to actually cry (as songs reminded me of times in my life when life was hard) and I would have to take a moment to compose myself. 

Linkin Park (Waiting for the End)

Their music has always been one of anger for me. When something had happened that was unfair, or that made me angry, instead of fighting, I would get out the ole CD player and blast some Linkin Park. They helped me through so much anguish in my life and will always be one of my favorite bands.

I woke up today and didn't want to move. As I said to my roommate, "Are you sure I wasn't hit by a small bus last night?" I didn't drink, but I did dance and jump and clap and scream. Granted, I didn't go to band (my head and hands killed) and I woke up at 11 am...then 1 pm...then 5 pm. Basically I stayed in bed all day, but it was quite wonderful. I feel much better now!

Here are some pics of us at the concert!!

Luna being hilarious

Luna and me!

Mindu my roommate and me!

The Beginning of a Crafter

So, my friend ryuluna has gotten me into crafting. And it has been GREAT for me! I found almost automatically that my stress levels have fallen. The first thing she introduced to me is swap-bot which allows one to swap different things with people all over the world. Though I have mostly done postcard and email swaps, I have also started journaling. I am currently hosting a swap for lyric journaling and I am also experimenting with one called a "Multiple Personality Journal." I started that one tonight with my first entry in it with the personality of a fairy that is rather angry...and sarcastic :) 


Luna first showed me the love for guerilla art with Wreck this Journal. I have come to start my own journaling through that. Here are some of my entries into my current journal.

This page was with help of some friends. I posted on Facebook, "How have you changed the world?" and I wrote out some of the responses that I liked. I have plans of asking this question often.

What a fun day! I was a member of Human Scrabble!

I drew this in about 10 minutes. It was one of those draw, and see what happens kind of pages. I find it beautiful even though others may not. This page has a lot of meaning to me.

How I began my journal. The note says to buy something inexpensive as a symbol as you need to create. And I said this journal was what I bought.

Luna has also taught me how to crochet and I have made a scarf. Though it isn't perfect, I still wear it proudly.

I feel there is much more of me to come with crafting.

Song right now: My Own Worst Enemy- Lit.