What a great day!

I am so grateful to be me today! I woke up to a wonderfully white day. I have been wondering where and when it was going to get here, because you know, Christmas just isn't Christmas without snow. The drive to work was a little slower than usual, but I still was able to make it in (another blessing). 

But the following is what REALLY is making my day great. I logged onto view my final grades for this semester and saw this....

Grade Report Martino, Jennifer L. Program Advisor Class First Major Second Major Academic Standing Undergraduate Academic year 1 Interior Design Internal Transfer Fall - 2010 Course Section Title Hours Final Grade FS103 B Color Theory 3.00 A FS101 A Drawing & Perspective 3.00 A GE130 A Art History 4.00 A FS102 B Fund. of Design 3.00 A GE085 C Transitional Mathematics 3.00 A

Yes, that is right, for a workload of 16 credit hours... I received all A's! Wahoo! I'm not sure if that is Dean's List or President's List, but I'm on someones list and it feels great! I will take a little time to celebrate and then buckle down for next quarter. What a great day!

I'm a Pisces... Who Cares?

I don't know if anyone else has ever come across someone like this, but I have, so here is my story...

As I was talking to someone about their behavior in the work place, they interrupted me and said, "Oh well, I'm a Leo, so I naturally am a leader. It's hard for me to take orders." My response... "Who cares? Did you agree to your job responsibilities when you received your orientation?"

I understand that there is a natural tie to your astrological sign and personality, but that doesn't define your character or JOB ETHIC. I could not believe that someone wanted to dismiss unprofessionalism based on their zodiac sign. So out of curiosity, I discovered that a Leo is an "incompatible" sign for Pisces. Does this mean, because I'm a Pisces, I should see about letting this "Leo" go? Fortunately, I'm not that retarded. I'm pretty sure they would never use that excuse again, if I came to them with this discovery.

->Music<-

I have noticed the last couple of weeks how much I depend on music. It sets my mood. It can either motivate me, stir up memories, or help clear my mind. I LOVE MUSIC! I might not know every single word in a song. I might not know who sings it. Heck, most of the time I don't even know the title. I don't care, it is the best way to express how I'm feeling, when I'm doing something. This is going to sound corny, but music makes my world go round. If you are interested to catch a glimpse of my personality, check out my awesome range of tunes on my new mixpod. I found this on my friend's blog and immediately had to have my own (Thanks, Lindsay!).

I know this post is really not anything special... I will follow up with my awesome Halloween costume party pics later this week (...maybe, if I get around to it.)

Good ol' Days of Halloween

For those of us who actually experienced Halloween and its glory in elementary school, do you find the streets eerily empty year after year? Where did Halloween go? I remember being out until 10:30 trick-or-treating (maybe not everyone did this, but I was the "fat kid". Still, I think you know where I'm coming from). Now instead of teaching our kids "Trick-or-Treat", we've instilled "stranger danger" as the theme. I realize the world isn't as naive as it use to be for kids, but that makes it all the more sad to me. Okay, I'll get off my soap box...
 

All that aside, I love getting dressed up and going out for Halloween. This year will be very laid back for me. I guess if all else fails, I could shock a few neighbors by showing up at their door. Now that I work at a Residential Treatment Center, I think it's a little inappropriate to wear my costume to work (darn!).

One thing I'm looking forward to is the day after Halloween. Why you ask? I get to start putting up the Christmas decorations at home and work, of course. Surprising? Probably not if you read my blog regularly. But here I am to spice things up... This year I've been requested to do it...by my manager. Okay, that probably wasn't shocking either. Anyways, in case I don't post anything next week...

HaPpY HaLLoWeeN (The good old fashioned kind)

Quick Thought: My Moment of Deep Thought

As I was getting ready today, I thought up a quote (or maybe even my new life moto) of how I want to live from this point forward:

Life is not one single moment, followed by happily ever after. It's more like multiple life experiences, and consciencely making the decision to be happy.
- Courtesly from the deep thoughts of Jen Z.

Yes, I realize this is just another version of another quote that may already be existing somewhere else.

...Art Institute of Salt Lake City...

It's official, I am back in school. I started yesterday and have made a few observations....

1) There are a lot of "creative" people that are really weird. 

2) It takes up a lot of my spare time (am I ready for this again?)

3) Most of the people at my school are in Graphic Design, Film and Photography, Web Design, but there are very few Interior Designers enrolled in the program.

4) In one day, I met another Interior Design student that is planning on transferring to another program. (I plan on transferring in June to Dallas Ai...cross your fingers, toes, legs, and whatever else for me and then say a prayer that it all works out.)

 

5) After being placed in the "Dummies Math" class, I am feeling extremely smart.

6) In my Drawing and Perspective class, I sat next to a young lady that just graduated High School. It was fine until three other guys came and sat next to her, all of a sudden she was dropping the "F" bomb more often than I could count. I guess I forgot how cool and hot that would make me look... oh well.

7) My car is a disaster with all my books and supplies I have to keep.

Don't take these observations as judgements. Just my perspective of the first day. Let's see what happens today...

Terms and Conditions

For those who have completed school, I am super envious. Good for you for taking the giant leap into debt, all to pursue your dreams. I am having a VERY hard time committing myself to that debt. I feel like I am inching my way towards my career dreams, but the dollar tag is so discouraging. Here's why...

Today, I read through my Terms and Conditions of my collegiate loan. Now, my schooling isn't cheap, so not only do I have federal loans that I will have to pay back, I will also have to pay back private loans. For this year alone, I am having to take out $15,000 in private loans. This doesn't sound bad, until you read the fine print. I do not have a maximum interest rate on my loan, which means, whatever they give me now for the APR can skyrocket above and beyond what is listed on my documents. Case and point, based on a 25% APR, that $15,000 will turn into $124,086.60 after I am done paying it in 15 years. Please keep in mind this loan is only for the first year of my schooling. WHAT!?! I don't know about you, but I can see why they put it in fine print.

Anyways, needless to say, I am very overwhelmed. Everyone says I shouldn't worry myself over the cost, but it is very hard.