Vacation

Christmas vacation, what a relaxing time. Today I spent the entire day reading; not a textbook or an article, but a novel. What a novel idea! Imagine me, having the time to read a book for fun! I read Cross Country a book by one of my favorite authors James Patterson. It was another great book by Patterson; fast moving, suspenseful, and gripping. I recommend his books highly to anyone who likes mystery books and is looking for a relatively easy read.

I don't know what I"ll read next but I'm hoping to read a few more books before break is over.

Until next time.

Projects

The reason I have not updated my blog in awhile is due to the time and effort I am having to focus into my school projects. I have three projects that have required a 28 page effort each on my part.

When the semester is over...I will have time again. Two more weeks...

Until next time.

Exhausted

Well after tests on Tuesday and Thursday of last week and tests on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week I can officially say that I am exhausted. Night classes are all fine and dandy until you have night class three nights in a row and tests in all three. Unless you care to scramble facts in your brain, this effectively means that although you studied during the weekend, the practice of studying the night before does not begin until 10pm.

In my case it actually does not begin until 10:30pm giving me time to eat since in most cases I have not eaten since about 1pm. A good study session is about two hours, so that automatically puts me up until 12:30am. And although its a fair assumption that reading pages and pages of accounting text books would put you right to sleep...it is actually the opposite.

You see instead of counting sheep while I lay in bed, operating break even ratios and the margin of safety percentage invade my thoughts.

My tests are now over, and in theory and thought they all went well (in actuality we will see next week). I now have Saturday as my only day to sleep in. Sunday will be spent jumping back into school work, researching for all three of my class projects which will mean committing a significant portion of my day to the lovely library.

Only one and half semesters left...Only one and half semesters left...Only one and half semesters left.

Until next time...

New IPod Nano

My Dad and I took a little trip to the Apple store today and I pretty much fell in love with the new iPod Nano. I personally like the black one the best, but basic is kind of my style. The new screens are larger and you can now have videos on the Nano's (since the last generation)! Plus they hold 2,000 songs which is effectively more than my current iPod holds, so I would no longer have to choose what of my music I need with me.

They are only $149 to start. The contemplation comes with the thought oh its ONLY $149, but it would mean spending $149. Does want = need? Probably not, but they sure are nice to look at.



Until next time...

Bridesmaid Dress!

My sister sent me these pictures of my bridesmaid dress today! Its gorgeous and I can't wait to wear it!





Until next time...

Independent Contract Work

I have finally seen the effects of the term 'networking.' My former roommate Juliet Valdez was hired on at the firm Shubert Flint Public Affairs. Shubert Flint recently acquired the California Republican Party as their client. The CRP hosted their convention in Anaheim this year. As Prop 8 is the major proposition on the ballot this year, the firm chose a wedding theme for the event.

The firm was looking for an independent contractor to fulfill some work orders. The firm needed 200 wedding favors created, 250 'awareness' ribbons assembled, and 36 yellow carnation boutonnieres. Juliet was asked to find someone to fill these orders with a ten day turn-around time. Juliet thought of me, and asked me to submit a bid for the work.

I did my research and submitted a bid for the work. After a weekend of deliberation, I was awarded the work. I received money up front for my costs, and the final payment after completion of the work. I finished all the work on time, and was notified by Juliet that my work was admired and appreciated by not only her boss but those in attendance of the conference as well.

Thank you to Juliet for thinking of me, I appreciate it so. It was a great experience for me as I learn and progress in my creativity and my interest in this strange niche industry.

Here are some picture of my work. The first is of a single boutonniere with a ribbon attached. The ribbon is identical to the awareness ribbons I assembled, the only difference is there was a pin on the back of the awareness ribbons. The second photo is the platter of all the boutonnieres put together for a display.

Disneyland!

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have a friend of a friend sign me to in to Disneyland. Jordan, my roommate Courtney's boyfriend, was nice enough to sign myself and my roommate Catrina into the park for the day. Courtney and Jordan both work at Disneyland and are able to sign a certain amount of people into the park per year. They had to work yesterday, but were able to hang out with us for half the day. The rest of the day it was just Catrina, Robin and I. Here are the pictures from the day, there aren't that many because of some battery issues.


Here's the whole group (L-R: Robin, Me, Catrina, Courtney, and Jordan)


Catrina, Robin and I on King Arthur's Carousel


Robin, Catrina and my shadows.


Me just goofing off.


Robin and I walking.


Me, Robin and Catrina on the Winnie the Pooh Ride!


It was a great day and we even saw a television star! Hayden Panatierre from Heroes was getting off of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as we were getting on the ride. Catrina freaked out because she is a huge Heroes fan, I am not that big of a fan but it is still cool to see people who are on television.

Thank you Courtney and Jordan for getting us into the park!

Until next time...

Video Chat

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my brother. Kyle helped me set up Skype on my computer so now I can video chat with my parents from my room! It has only taken us three years to figure it out, but better late than never. So no more unsafe trips to Panera at 10pm, now I can video chat with my parents from the comfort of my dorm room.




Until next time...

A Wonderful Weekend

Well what a wonderful weekend I had. Let me elaborate.

I am currently taking a class called New Venture and Creation. For the class all students were asked to develop a business concept for a business they would like to see created. I pitched an idea called "Creative Divine." Creative Divine produces high-quality, fully custom paper products for particularly special social occasions.

I found out this weekend that my idea was selected as a top 12 idea for the class, and number 6 overall. This in fact means that my idea will now be used as a basis for a semester long project. The project will be to develop a full business plan for the company. I have two group members who will work with me to see my concept through to creation. I am extremely excited to see what fresh minds can add to my concept and to what level we can take my company.

My second piece of news stems I have to thank my former roommate Juliet for. Juliet works for a PR firm called Shubert Flint. The firm recently acquired the California Republican Party as a client and their convention as an upcoming event. The event is wedding themed based around Proposition 8 and the company wanted 200 wedding favors, 250 awareness ribbons, and 36 boutonnieres made. Juliet contacted me to make the necessary items and work as an independent contractor. I submitted a bid and was chosen to complete the work. The convention is September 27th so the turn around time is fast, but I will make a decent profit. Plus the experience will be priceless and it will give me some more insight on the possibilities on my horizon.

All in all, a wonderful weekend.

Until next time.

Concert Under the Stars

Last night was the concert under the stars. The show was mediocre at best, but we had a fun time hanging out. Here are some pictures!









Until next time...

The New Apartment

Well...the first week of school is over. I've moved into my new room with three new roommates and so far I love it! My roommates names are Courtney, Catrina and Natalie. We all like country music! Yeehaw!! To keep busy we've been playing Rockband. We're pretty good as a group...I'm not going to lie. Our apartment is finally starting to look like a home instead of a sterile apartment. Check out the pictures below. I have pictures of my room and the living room.

The quotes above my bed are from The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch





I made this poster by printing it off through a free web site called blockposters.com.







The living room! Our entertainment system built by my roommate's brother David and his roommate Travis.





Another of my poster from blockposters.com.



Rockband guitars and James Dean.



Thats all for now. Watch for updates about my classes!

Until then...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Here's to my wonderful mother on her birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I love you.

Disneyland

I was fortunate enough to have my friend, Robin Crawford, sign me in to Disneyland to help celebrate her birthday! A group of about 12 of us went and had a great time, here are the highlights. Photos thanks to David Monroy.









































It was my first time to California Adventure and I survived the Tower of Terror! It was a wonderful way to celebrate her birthday!

Until next time.

Later days.

Go Taylor!!

Well on Saturday February 16th my cousin Taylor was in Pomona, California to play basketball with Chico State. Little did she know that Pomona is a mere 15 miles from Fullerton! So along with Jeff and my good friends Emma, Darren and Mitchell we made the trek (yea right) to Pomona and surprised her at her game. She played great, and logged the most minutes she has had all season. Afterward we were able to hang out with her for a little while.



After the game, my mom treated to the biggest Pazookie ever!!! One third chocolate chip, one third oreo, and one third peanut butter cookies with a mound of ice cream on top is how it started, and this is how it ended up:



Overall a wonderful night.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! I know its a little late but what can you do? Here are some picture of the roses Jeff gave me and a picture of us before we headed out. We had a nice dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then headed to the CSUF basketball game.