I can't believe we're already almost into May...this semester has sped by. A lot of good stuff has happened, but so has a lot of crap.
Let's talk about theft. My valentine's day sucked because somebody felt the need to cut my chain lock and steal my super expensive bike. I don't understand how somebody could just take something of somebody else's and not feel bad about it.
Five days ago, somebody stole my iphone (along with my license and debit card). I literally felt as though a piece of me was taken. I'll be the first to admit I was addicted to my phone, I had just become so dependant on everything it could do. That first day without it, I didn't realize just exactly how much I used it (when I couldn't reach for it) or how many freakin' iphone commercials there are on tv. I am now back on my old blackjack until I can upgrade again in almost a year.
Alright, enough complaining. What good has happened? Scuba is always fun, of course and I had a blast at all the dive weekends this semester.
Alright, so it's been awhile...I finished up my first semester as a photography major and came out with some great shots I'm very proud of in the process. I passed all my other classes as well and I'm looking forward to getting my butt kicked by another round again in a week. The way it worked out, I have to take a digital class before I can take my next round of photo classes, so I won't have that to look forward to this semester, but I think I can still use the darkroom for my own pleasures. I also got to shoot my first professional wedding a month back and it was awesome. It's just such a fun job.
Watched a lot of new TV series this winter break. 3 seasons of Dexter, 1 season of True Blood, 3 seasons of Ugly Betty, and now I've just finished 2 seasons of Lost. I need something productive to do...
Been riding a lot in the park. I'm loving riding the trails. I've yet to make it an entire ride without biting the dust, but this last time was just messed up and hysterical. I should probably get a helmet soon... :)
I'm excited for scuba to start again. I'm cutting back on one of the labs so I can have a free night to either work out or work on skills, so hopefully I won't get so burned out. Plus, there's a lot of the beginner students coming back for their next class so that should be fun.
I'm really excited for a swimming for fitness class I'm taking. It's at 8am, makes for a very busy and very long day, and there will literally not be another day I can sleep in until spring break, but I really want to learn how I can improve my swimming even more. I've started this new thing where I'll sprint a lap, rest 30 seconds, sprint a lap, rest, and repeat for 500m. It's the first time since I first started swimming where I actually get tired, I love it! There's just something so incredibly peaceful and powerful at the same time about swimming.
I'm hoping for a new change in 2009 (yeah, I know, very original...). I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions, but I do want a change. We'll just see how the year progresses. Hope all you you had a great Christmas and New Year's.
P.S. A year ago tonight was my last night in Cozumel. I haven't seen the beach since...I REALLY am getting antsy for some sand action... :-/
So school is kicking my butt. I forgot how much fun midterms are...if I never took another history or spanish class, my life would be great. I am, however, LOVING my intro to photography class (duh). Even though everybody complains about how long it takes for all the darkroom stuff, I love every minute of it.
Sorry, this is gonna be a short update cause I still have another spanish midterm to study for tomorrow.
1. I'll respond with something random about you. 2. I'll tell you which song or movie you remind me of. 3. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me. 4. I'll tell you my first memory of you. 5. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of. 6. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you. 7. I'll tell you my favorite thing about you. 8. I'll tell you my least favorite thing about you. 9. If you play, you have to put this on yours.
Okay kiddos, so a lot has happened since I last updated. I quit my job mid-August. I can't even tell you how happy I am about that. I'm so much more positive, less lethargic, and feel as though I have a sense of purpose again. I don't know how anybody could spend an entire life working a job behind a desk.
Immediately following, I went through my instructor training for scuba. I can honestly tell you I've never done anything as demanding physically, mentally and intellectually. Seriously. For 10 days straight, mind games were played on very, very little sleep, physical exertion was high, and stress was a constant. In the end, we all passed. Now we're actually teaching the classes, some of us with our training wheels still on. That's probably a good thing since we have a TON of students this semester! :)
Immediately following, school started. Sometimes I feel like I'm totally out of my element, going back to school and surrounded by all these younger kids. But on the other hand, I know I'm progressing myself and it keeps me going. Tests and projects are in full swing. My photography class is by far my favorite, I look forward to going every day. We've already developed some of our own pictures and I feel as though I own them, they're completely mine in every way.
Haven't really found a job yet, but there's this really good thing on the horizon. I'm good for money for now anyways. It's weird to think I haven't worked in a month, I feel lazy somehow.
I submitted my resignation from my job this past Monday and will no longer be employed (temporarily) in three weeks. Crazy to think that after two years of mundane, predictable, boring everyday life, my entire world as I know it will change. And I can't wait. For too long now I've had very little to no surprises, change, or even unexpected events occur and I'm getting restless. Change will be good for me. So, I'm quitting my job in exactly three weeks. I will miss some people here, others I could care less if I never saw again.
I start instructor training for scuba three weeks from this Friday. That scares me. I feel in no way prepared enough to be at the caliber I'd very much like to be. But on the other hand, at this point, I just want to get it over with. I'm too much of an analytical person and just want a reprieve from all this worrying and stressing.
The very day after my 10-day training boot-camp-from-hell ends, I start school. It's an unbeliveable mixture of both excitement and worry. I can't wait to start doing something new, something fun, and something I enjoy again. But on the other hand, I'm constantly having dreams where I screw up somehow. It's like that dream where it's the first day of school and you're naked onstage, but it's repetitive and at least I get to keep my clothes most of the time. But I'm ecstatic about learning photography.
So until all of that stuff happens, I'll just continue to work, study/practice scuba diving, and work out. I'm going to have to quit my membership at LA Fitness when school starts because why pay for a gym membership when you get it 'free' at school. I will miss my gym buddy not only for his 'personal trainer'-like dedication, but also for all the good conversations. Oh well.
So for the past couple months...well...almost two years as a matter of fact, whenever somebody I hadn't seen in awhile would ask me what I was up to, I could only quietly mention 'work and scuba diving'. Other than maintaining an ever-present social life and working out frequently, that's pretty much all I do. Don't get me wrong - I love scuba. It makes getting through my job bearable, but my life sems to have been in a holding pattern ever since I took a break from school two years ago and I am very pleased and excited that I now have some solid events coming up.
First off, and probably most importantly, I'm going back to school in the fall. I got really burnt out with music so now I've decided on photography. Even the classes in the curriculum get me all tingly. I'm looking forward to school with an eagerness I've never felt before. Plus (and maybe this is why I'm so happy) I'll finally, once and for all, get to quit my job. I've even got a countdown...not including today I have 40 days left. Hopefully I'll never have to work an 8 - 5 job again.
Secondly, I'm taking an Instructor Training Course right before school to become a certifiable Scuba Instructor. It's going to be hard, it's like a 10-day all-day boot camp. I'm looking forward to it with mixed anticipation. I really like the four other people doing it with me and I feel extremely confident in our group's abilities and dynamic.
Lastly, I'm taking more pride in my body and I've been working out a lot. It also helps that I have a workout buddy who's very motivated himself and motivates me as well. I've even gotten to the point where I feel guilty on the few days I don't work out. I like the post-workout buzz and energy.
There's one other thing on the front I'm trying to work out, but I'm going to keep that under wraps until it's a sure thing.
Until next time... :)
Current Song: 'Grapevine Fires' by Death Cab for Cutie
I know it's been almost inexcusably long since I've written anything in here and for the one or two of you who have noticed, here's my promise...I'm not going to update you now. It's getting to be my bedtime (ah yes...that pesky full-time job of mine requires sacrifices), BUT I do promise to update the cyber world on all that is going on in my life very soon.. Shouldn't be too hard or take too long, but there are some interesting new developments.
Feeling Inspired? 
Monday, April 27, 2009