listomania

• my next tattoo appointment for my sleeve is this weekend! I can't wait to get some work done now that I have some birthday money to spend. I plan on at least getting the rest of the color done, and hopefully will be able to start on the background as well. ideally, I'd like to get it finished, but I don't know how long I'll be able to sit. we shall see! 

photo taken after my last tattoo session in October.

•  we have been total rockstars when it comes to gymin' it up. we've successfully worked out at least 3 days a week for 4 weeks now, and it feels amazing! I took spin class last Wednesday and had a serious case of the DOMS until Sunday, so I spent a few days doing upper body exercises. I downloaded an app on my phone to track my workout routine, and it's really helped to make sure I'm working all of my muscles and I can even check to see that my form is spot on. I've noticed a huge difference in my strength and I can tell that I'm slimming down again after my month long hiatus during the winter. 

• regular season hockey is almost over! I'm counting on my Caps to bring home the Stanley Cup this year... that is, as long as we can make it out of the first round. we're hoping to score tickets for at least ONE playoff game this season... if they're in our budget, of course.

photo taken from last season's game 7 of round 1 against Montreal, which we lost.

• I'm walking on May 1st for our local March of Dimes, and I could NOT be more proud of our team. so far, we've succeeded in becoming the largest team in our area and one of our members is currently in 4th place for most money raised by an individual. we are walking in honor and support of our friend's baby Gianna, as well as others babies who were born too soon. so far, we've raised almost $2,000! if you'd like to help us out and donate (or if you're local and would like to walk with us), you can check out my personal page. go to the homepage for our team (appropriately named Gianna & The Baby Steppers) to read more about Gianna's story! 

photo belongs to Gianna's mama, Stephanie. don't steal, or I will CUT YOU.

• speaking of participation, I decided to sign up for the April Photo Hunt Challenge - you can find the link over on my sidebar under "Current Projects." I've been a huge slacker when it comes to taking photographs on a regular basis, so I'm hoping that the challenge will give me a little more motivation to get my camera out more often. I think now that the weather is nicer, I'll have more interest in getting out and about with my camera. 

• I need a vacation. badly. or I might kill someone. I have 4 weeks left of classes, which includes 3 more discussion posts, 1 more essay (600-700 words), 1 research paper (1200 words), and the final exam, which is in essay format. I am SO ready to be done. 

Happy Tuesday! 

Reverb 10 - December 13th

December 13: Action

When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

the next step for my future is to finish my associate's degree in Interior Design, and I've already begun to take the steps toward achieving that goal. I've recently re-enrolled in school and I just signed up to take my first college course in 4 years. it's a sociology class, which I'm looking forward to, and it's online, so I don't have to worry about driving to campus at all. 

I'm really excited about being in school again, but I'm a little nervous at the same time. I know it's totally not the norm, but I actually LOVED being in school - I love to learn and explore new subjects, and attaining my degree is something I've always wanted. it's a little nerve wrecking to think about how much homework I'll have and what papers I'll have to write, and then think about how I'll actually take classes ON campus eventually (all interior design/architecture classes are held on campus) with my busy schedule. I know it's something I'll have to just deal with and make time for, but it makes me nervous because I know it'll be stressful for me to try and juggle my full time job, my home life, my workout schedule, AND school work.

I know that earning my degree is the best thing for my future. while I (hopefully) plan to stay home when we have children, I'd like to have a degree under my belt so that I can have my own career once our kids are grown. I don't want to rely on Sean to provide for our family forever, and I'm entirely too independent to let that happen anyway.

as I've mentioned (many times) before, design has always, ALWAYS been a passion of mine, and I couldn't imagine studying anything else. there's nothing else out there that interests me as much as the study of interiors and architecture. I know that there is not a huge demand for that profession, and I'm completely aware of the fact that I may not be able to make as much money as I'd like... but I think if I can get my foot in the door and meet the right people, I could have a pretty steady salary.

more importantly, I know I'll be happy as a designer. I think I naturally have a good eye when it comes to space planning, texture & color combination, and textiles, so I'm really hoping that I can learn the trade and know what I'm doing at a technical standpoint. 

don't get me wrong, I like my job now, and I have the ability to go far in this business and make a lot of money... but it's not MY dream. it's not what I want to do for the rest of my life. I see how stressed out my dad is and how hard he still works at almost 50 years old, and I admire him, I really do... but I don't want that stress to be passed down to me... at least not running a business that isn't my own. I want my own business, I want my OWN dreams to come true. 

and hopefully, by going back to school and attaining this degree, I'll be one step closer to that dream. 

broward college

Broward College: Summer Term classes begins from 10th May

Broward College registration starts as the Summer term classes will start from 10th May 2010. Broward College confers Bachelor in Arts in Education Associate in Arts, Associate in Science Associate in Applied Science degrees as well as certificates to its graduates.
Broward College is a member institution of the Florida College System.
Access and affordability were the key concepts behind the creation of Florida’s junior colleges. The system was created to provide a quality education for the two years of college affordable and build the colleges so no student would need to drive more than 30 miles (48 km) to get to attend college.

Sonia Green has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing for The Broward Center for the Performing Arts. She will be responsible for the strategic planning and leadership of marketing, promotions and sales for the center and its affiliated venues. Prior to joining The Broward Center, Green was with General Motors for seven years as director of marketing and sales.

Additionally the college offers a variety of Continuing Education programs and courses, flexible learning alternatives, and dual-enrollment programs for motivated high school students, as well as being home to the College Academy @ BC, a program for Broward County public high school juniors and seniors that allows them to graduate with an A.A. degree simultaneously with their high school diploma. More than 95 percent of the graduates of the College Academy @ BC continue their education.

A memorandum from the Chancellor Division of Community Colleges outlines the Letters of Intent from Community College Presidents including the initiative for Broward College to have the authority to offer Bachelor’s degrees in Education (Middle Grades Math, Middle Grades Science, Secondary Math, Secondary Biology, and Exceptional Student Education) in the Fall semester of 2009.