The Good & The Bad That Turned Into Good

THE GOOD:
My books for two of my first three classes were suppose to arrive here today, but I was very happy to see the UPS man yesterday leaving a box by the front door!! Yes, that box had my books in there!! I was very excited!! Last night, I even started to read the first chapter of the art history book!! I haven't gotten to any of the incredibly interesting stuff in the book yet, but I'll get to it soon enough.

THE BAD [that turned into GOOD]:
Yesterday, I was getting ready to go outside with Michael while Brayden napped. Just like I always go, I grabbed my camera to take outside with me. I saw that my lens was a little smudged, so I wanted to clean it real fast. Now, I normally don't do this, but I was in a hurry to get outside because Michael just flies out the door the second he's asked if he wants to go outside - but I grabbed the bottle of Windex and lightly misted my camera lens, went to get a paper towel, then wiped off the lens. Everything looked fine, and I went outside after Michael. About 10 minutes later, I look at my lens because something seemed a bit off. Yeah, the Windex got in my lens!! I was so upset!! The Windex wasn't even on my lens for 5 seconds after I sprayed it!! I called the Geek Squad, then went to Best Buy to get it replaced. I get to Best Buy with my sister, and I go to Customer Service. After 5+ minutes of standing there, waiting for them to tell me what's going on, they inform me that I didn't have the protection plan and replacement plan!!!! I was FUMING because I definitely told the guy when I bought the camera that I wanted every little bit of protection/replacement plan and the longest warranty possible for my camera and all of the extra stuff!!!! They then told me that I would have to pay out of pocket for a new lens, but I might be able to get up to 30% off on that new lens. I go back to the camera section of the store, talk to someone who's working in that area, and they tell me that they don't sell my lens separately there, but that I'd have to go through Sony to get a new lens!!!! Are you kidding me?! I was about to lose it - right then and there!! My sister and I just decided to walk around Best Buy and look at pretty much everything else there. About 5-10 minutes later, I take my lens cap off to look at my lens, and guess what - my lens had completely dried out!! There was no more Windex in my camera lens!!!! OMG! I was so excited!! I was so excited that I decided to look at the iPods and accessories. [I've never had my own iPod. I've always borrowed Mark's, but can't now since he took it with him on the deployment. I told him I'd get my own while he was gone.] As I was looking at the iPods, some guy there was buying an iPod and talking to a worker at Best Buy. The worker told this guy about this iPod bundle deal that they have going on. I only heard bits and pieces of it, so after they were done talking about it, I asked the worker what the deal was. The deal was amazing!! It was an 8GB iPod nano, $15 iTunes gift card, iPod wall charger, and iPod arm band for just $179.99!! Yeah, pretty effing amazing!! The 8GB iPod nano is $149.99, the wall charger is $24.99, the arm band is $24.99, and the gift card is obviously $15!! So how could I pass that deal up?! I ended up getting that stuff, and I was so excited because they had only one blue 8GB iPod nano left!! Of course I got the blue iPod because blue is absolute favorite color!! I was so pumped though because that deal was absolutely amazing!! Also, I bought season three of "How I Met Your Mother" while I was at Best Buy. "How I Met Your Mother" is my favorite show!!!! I now have the first three seasons on DVD, and can't wait till season four is on DVD!! I have been watching that show since the very first episode aired on TV. I am a huge, die hard fan and know just about everything about that show!!

I'm just so happy that my camera lens dried out!! I don't know how long I'd have to wait for a new lens to come in and how much money I'd have to spend. I would be a major crab till I got the new lens if I had to get a new one!!

Finally Back!!

I am finally back in Ohio!! Let me tell you, I am very happy!! To me, it is very important to have family around, and it's my main reason for coming home while Mark's deployed. [However, this will be the last time coming home during a deployment since Michael will be old enough to go to school next year.] I grew up surrounded by family, and I look back at all of that family I had around me and truly appreciate it. Actually, we got in yesterday morning around 3:40, and today we went to a birthday party for one of my cousins. [I'm telling you, my family is very close, and I will never take that for granted.] I want my children to be able to have as much family around as possible growing up. I don't want them to wonder who their family members are and what they are/were like.

But now that we're back, that means that I am just that much closer to starting school!! In a couple of hours, I will be able to say that I start school next month!! HA. Within the next few days, I am going to be filling out my student loan application. Once that is taken care of, I will just have to schedule my classes and order my books and software, and then I'll be ready to go for school!! YAY! You have no idea how excited I am to start school!! It's going to be so exciting!! I am so ready for everything that's to come!! I am ready to learn something else that I am so passionate and serious about!!

Today, I stopped at Staples and finally got my 1 TB external hard drive!!!! I've started to transfer some important stuff to it, and once that's all taken care of, I am going to see if my cousin can wipe out the laptop and start over from "scratch". Something's still wrong with the laptop, and I just need to wipe everything out. I'm just transferring my fonts, music, and photos that are saved on the laptop. Then after the laptop's been wiped out, everything's been restored, and I get my new $510 16-program editing set, I will be ready to go!! I can't wait!! I am going to be doing some serious "damage" around here with all of the photography stuff!!

Laptop, Studio, School

I know I posted last night about the five things I would LOVE to have for all of my photography stuff - whether it be somewhere to store photos, store my camera and accessories, or just adding accessories. But this morning, I woke up and thought to myself:

Stephanie, you should get your own laptop just for photography purposes. That could be where you put all of your software, save articles you would find helpful, do your schoolwork, etc. Then Mark wouldn't have to sit around and see all of your stuff on the laptop we have now.

I think it'd be really smart to get my own laptop, and still get that 1 TB external hard drive I want.

I don't know what kind of laptop I would get though. I don't need something that's crazy-expensive, but I don't want some cheap-o either. I'm just going to have to do some research, talk about it with Mark, and go from there. I just know that having my own laptop for photography purposes would be worth it and an incredibly smart thing to have.

Something else I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks now is getting equipment for studio photography. I don't think I'll be getting much, if anything, for studio photography any time soon, but it would be really nice to have that kind of stuff. I'd like to even set up my own little studio wherever we live, right in our house in a spare bedroom, basement, or garage [depending on what we'd have that'd be able to hold all of the stuff]. I know it's not always legal to do that when renting, but I would really like to have an in-home studio with the lights, backgrounds, etc. How cool would that be?! People would come over, I'd give them a little tour of the house and be like, "Welcome to our house. Here's [this] room, [this] room, and here's my kick ass in-home studio." HA. I've already looked into getting studio equipment at B&H Photo Video's website. Trust me, I'm always looking at stuff on B&H Photo Video!! That place is amazing!! And I can't wait to start school because then I'll get a 10% DISCOUNT!! Heck yes!

I can't wait to start school!! It's going to be amazing!! I hate that I have to take "regular" classes, but I'm going to take those classes before I take the year's photography classes. I just want to get the "regular" classes out of the way and then focus on my major. Ugh, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh...I can't wait!! Even if I'm just taking online courses, I can't wait!! I am seriously looking forward to the things I am going to learn and how I am going to grow as a photographer. I'm not going to lie, I think I am a pretty decent photographer. I keep practicing and learning new things on my own, and I think that with taking classes [especially classes from AiP - only one of the best, if not the best, photography schools], I feel like I can become great!! I doubt that I'll ever be one of the famous, well-known photographers out there, but I feel that I'll be great at what I do. But if I do become a great photographer and graduate from AiP, those two things will help me get through the door somewhere, if I ever really want to go work for someone else. The Art Institute is a great school for anything that deals with the arts. Only time will tell what's in store for me, though...and I'm hoping something amazing is awaiting!!

School Update & More

I got a call from my advisor dude at AiP last night, and things are going well. Actually, he said things are looking really great for me!! YAY! All of the stuff that needed to be done on my end is complete!! WOOHOO! Next is just the financial aid stuff has to be taken care of on the school's end. I don't know how long that'll take them, but I do have a while before it needs to be done since I'm suppose to start on July 13th. I just can't believe that I'm wanting to go back to school, especially as much as I do - let alone actually trying to make it happen!! HA. I swore up and down I'd never go back to school for anything, especially if I had to take "core classes". Guess I was way wrong!! HA. But it does feel really good to actually be able to go to school for something that means a lot to me and something that I really want to push myself and succeed in.

So yesterday was pay day. I woke up early, got ready, got the boys ready, and we were out the door by about 6:45 to go grocery shopping. Since we're leaving Monday morning, I only needed to by things for 5 days. I know I shouldn't have done this, but I did anyway...I went to the makeup aisles and bought some makeup. And only one of those things is something that I'll use every time I put makeup on. HA. The other things I bought were 3 Cover Girl eyeshadows [that are brand new colors from CG], 6 Maybelline eyeshadows [most of which are brand new colors], and Maybelline's new Lash Stiletto mascara. The CG eyeshadows I got are INSANE!!! They are bright, metallic colors and I just love them!! I actually really want to go get some more!! Some of the Maybelline eyeshadows I got are pretty awesome, too - while 1-2 are just okay!! I have yet to use the Lash Stiletto mascara. I seriously didn't even need to buy the mascara. I already had 6-7 tubes of mascara before buying the new one yesterday. [And all but two of the mascaras I had before were ones I've bought within the last month or two. I love mascara and have to have different mascaras for different looks.] But the makeup I bought yesterday is to maybe test out and use for when I go home and maybe test the waters and do the extreme beauty shots on people. I know my sister is willing to let me try any kind of hair and make up stuff on her whenever I'm in the creative mood. She's such a good sport!! HA. I'm thinking about buying some fake eyelashes, too, for whenever I do extreme beauty shots. Fake eyelashes are amazing...it just sucks that I can't put them on myself!! If I could put them on myself, I'd be rockin' them almost every time I walked out of the house!!

I've decided that next time we move back down here, I'm not going to paint walls because we hopefully won't be here for long. We'll either go to Columbus, Ohio, because Mark got accepted into MECEP and Ohio State, or we'll be stationed elsewhere. So instead of painting walls, I'm just going to probably get a bunch of new picture frames and hang up some of my photographs on the walls. I don't want plain, boring walls, and photos will definitely "spruce things up a bit". I've already gone through some of my photos and picked out the ones that have to be hanging up on the walls. I'm not going to lie, I am very proud of a lot of the photos I've taken, especially recently, and I think that they should be on display wherever I may live. Plus, I think photos are more personal than just any type of decor. Don't get me wrong, I do love those little things you can find places, but photos are more personal and when I see lots of photos in someone's house, I feel like they are letting me be more into their life than someone who only has a few photos up. Do you know what I mean? But I just want people to be able to walk into my home and look at my photos, and feel like I'm welcoming them into my own little world. And you just never know, maybe someone will really love a photo I have up and be moved by it, even if it's just a little bit of that feeling. I know that I am often moved by photos. Some photos just have that ability to touch ones soul instantly, and those are my favorites.

One Step Closer.

After waiting over a week for a phone call back from my advisor at The Art Institute, he finally called me today. THANK GOD!! We talked about my FAFSA form and how the financial advisors have my paperwork in order [I just had to fill out the FAFSA form], and got some problems taken care of. I was having a hard time with FAFSA because the student loan that I'm still paying on right now is under my maiden name because the financial aid people were being lame about changing my name before. But I got all of that stuff taken care of, and my mom [who was so awesome and offered to fill out my FAFSA form] filled out my new form. So that means I am just one step closer to starting school this summer!! YAY!!

I am seriously so excited about this!! It's crazy!!

I have decided to fill out my application and FAFSA and just start off as a part time student, just so I can get a "feel" of things. Part time for the online division is just one class per every five and a half (5.5) weeks. So once those 5.5 weeks are up, you get anywhere from no break to three and a half (3.5) weeks for a break. I'm thinking that after the first or second quarter, I am going to start taking two classes at a time, making me a full time student. It'd be nice to get more work done so I can just finish the photography program that much faster. Also, the school is a year-round school, so no summer break that lasts 2-3 months long - but I am okay with that because I'll just be taking classes online, instead of spending hours in a classroom away from the boys.

I am really looking forward to this!! I can't wait to actually start!! The proposed starting date I have is July 13th...my birthday!!!! So I will be coming home from my week long trip in Indy on the 12th, then starting school the next day. HA. It'll be one hell of an interesting, yet unbelievably awesome, week for me!! It's going to be great!!

THIS IS NOT A JOKE! I REPEAT - NOT A JOKE!!!!

HA.

Anyway, today has been a good day so far. Wait. Scratch that. It has been a GREAT day so far!! Why? you may be asking yourself. Well, I will tell you why. I HAVE OFFICIALLY APPLIED TO THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH!!!! [Obviously their online division. Duh! I'm not going to Pittsburgh anytime soon - if ever.] The other day, I just started the application process, and today I finished it!! YAY!! I am SO EFFING STOKED about this!!!! I know it's expensive, I don't know how much financial aid I'll be able to get, don't know if I'll get a scholarship, or anything like that, but I'm happy!! I am not planning on trying to "zip" through the program, but rather try and stretch it out as much as possible. If it wasn't so expensive, or we had a crap load of money, I would definitely do as much at once as possible, but it's just not realistic right now. Plus, with two kids, it'd be better to not try and cram in a ton of classes and stuff. I am just definitely hoping that things work out. I am sure everything will work out. But you know how it is - you sometimes second guess yourself and the way the world works once you've done something you think you should've done. Don't you just hate that?! Ugh, so annoying!!

I've been looking through the classes that they have/offer for the photography program at AiP, and the one I am probably most "in love" with right now is the Sports Photography class. If I could, I would definitely become a sports photographer!! I know - a FEMALE sports photgrapher...STRANGE!! HA. But get this, the other class I am looking forward to is Figure/Fashion Photography!! HAHAHA. Two different extremes, yet they are what I absolutely love!! Only I would be so in love with two different extremes. HA. And of course, they just happen to be the two most difficult types of photography to get in to and be taken very seriously. Oh well. I guess I just like to set the bar high, huh?

So this weekend is Family Day for all of the families of the MEU that Mark's deploying on/with. I'm really excited about it!! The weather is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL, which makes it even more exciting!! I have never been to a Family Day before. But I am going to be there taking a million photos with my camera. Oh, you better believe it!! HA. I am going to say right now I will easily take over 100 photos while we're there.

The Art Institute

Between last night and this [early] evening, I think I was close to punching someone straight in the throat. I was SO MAD because of our realtor trying to screw us over, but a good man changed my mood by just talking for a little over two hours.

So, about that phone. The guy called me about 5 minutes after Mark walked in the door when he got home from work. He told me his name and that he's from THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH!!!!! Umm, HELLO!! I was PUMPED!! So we talked for a little over two hours, going over everything [ie. classes, money/financial aid/grants, etc.], and I started to fill out my application for the school's online courses!!!! OMG!! I am SO PUMPED about it!! Mark was happy for me when he found out who I was talking to and what about!! [I have to give Mark credit because he's the one that gave me that final little shove to get my butt in gear and just look at places with photography programs.] On Wednesday, I am going to finish my application and pay the application fee. But seriously, the guy I talked to was telling me that I sounded like I was definitely passionate about photography and have a great drive and determination, and that the school would love to have someone like me be a part of their school. I know, a lot of places say things like that, but if you could ever hear me talk about how much I love photography [and arts, in general], you would truly understand that I love it all and not for dumb, typical reasons. I am HOPING to start taking classes in July!!!! That's my goal for right now. It just stinks because it is EXPENSIVE to go to/through The Art Institute!!!! So if I stick with AiP till I am completely done, it'll take me quite some time finish. I am just so happy about this right now!! I love all things art, I love being able to express myself in an artistic manner, I love every little thing about it all!!!! I just hope that this all works out and that I can take the online courses!! This is something I am so driven to do!!

I have been looking through the Course Catalog online because the guy told me to "favorite" the page, and some of the courses seem really cool. Like, there are darkroom courses, business/marketing courses to help you market yourself and create a business, photo history [I love history of the arts], and some other cool courses. There are some courses that I can tell that I will just fly through, especially because of the cosmetology education/background I have. I also like that you have to do an internship somewhere. It'd be really nice getting to work with photographers that've been doing that stuff for years, and learn from them.

That's all I really have for now. I am going to continue looking at the Course Catalog.

March 20, 2009

I've been busy lately, and I've taken many pictures. My boys definitely keep me on my toes - with my camera always in my hands. Over the last few days, I've taken many pictures of my boys playing around, and I'd just like to share some of them.

















On to some other news that deals with photography:
My husband and I have been talking [more like e-mailing] lately about how I love taking photographs and how I really would love to learn more about photography. I'd love to go to school for photography, like really go to school for it, but I just don't like the idea of having to take "normal classes". Plus, with two kids and a husband hoping to go to school in 2010 so he can become an Officer in the Marine Corps, time and money just aren't there for me to be able to go to school for it. So my husband told me to just look into taking courses for just photography [where I wouldn't have to take anything but photography courses]. I looked into it, and there's this one place back near where I'm from that has courses. Problem is, the courses begin May 30th, and I might not be moved back up to Ohio by then. I would absolutely LOVE to take the courses, but I don't know if I'll be there when they start. I am going to probably contact the place and see how late they accept registration and stuff, because if I do get back to Ohio in time, I would love to go!! I think it'd be great if I could learn more about photography and go on the "field trips" to actually stand next to a [professional] photographer and get their feedback right there on the spot. But if I can't take these courses, then it's going to suck because the next time the courses start again is in January 2010, and I won't be in Ohio then to take them. Hopefully it'll all work out though - and work out in my favor. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?!