Downtown

This weekend I ventured to downtown Grand Rapids for the annual art fair Art Prize.

It was amazing. Never knew Michigan could be so cool.

I still want to move away after college, but it was nice to know.

My friend Katie and I walked around for a couple hours and just soaked in the lovely blue sky, the sound of the river slowly flowing by and all of the impressively beautiful art scattered all around the city.

This painting is called "Ceremony of the Oracle"- one of my favorite works of art at the festival. It took the artist 3,000 hours and an entire year to complete it. The picture doesn't do much justice. The detail is incredible and I was and still am so impressed.

This is a close-up of the top of my other favorite work of art. Called "The Three of Re-Life" made from all recycled materials and the details on this one were so amazing.

You can't see the skeleton holding a butterfly, the turtle, platypus, or any of the other little details that made it so special, but it still is amazing. I've always wanted to learn metalworking, but this experience only made it an even bigger goal.

This sculpture was HUGE. It's a dog and his ball made out of all old car parts.

The festival was so much fun and I wish I could've stayed there the entire day. Creativity inspires me and it makes me happy. Maybe it's about time I start on a project of my own.

Living the [College] Life

So as you all know, I'm currently studying at a university. Grand Valley State.

I love it here.

The campus is gorgeous- rolling hills and trees and forestry everywhere you look. 

My classes are great. My Spanish professor has even grown on me quite a bit. 

I wrote my first college paper, spent several hours researching/writing it and got the full points! I was so proud; I'd never put that much work into a paper before.

I also had my first test- and did well on that too! I was so happy.

My new job at Croutons- the salad place at the downtown campus- is awesome. Interacting with customers is so much fun and it's a huge plus that my two co-workers are really, really cool and easy going. So lucky!

Several really good friends have come into my life. Two of them live right down the hall and the other three live on the floor above me. It's great.

Not yet, but I have plans to get involved with the yoga club. I know a certain loved one will approve of that!

And... I'm having a splendid time. I feel incredibly joyous about where my life is and is heading. 

Christmas

Christmas.

I know I'm jumping the gun on this one, but I really can't wait for the holiday season to begin.

About two weeks ago, I started college.

I absolutely love it...

For the most part.

I've never been a big home-body and, in fact, had always thought of homesickness as something completely foreign and out of reach for me.

I also have never (beside my first 21 months of life, which I don't remember at all) lived without my best friend: my sister.

So this whole college thing has been a lot of firsts for me. 

First home away from home, time living with someone I don't know, first sleeping on a top bunk, homesickness, first experience with 100% complete independence. 

I've been loving that last one.

If my heart desires to go on a walk, I go.

Perhaps I'm feeling hungry, I venture to grab a bite of delicious (and sustainable!) food.

I've also been eating much healthier than I did at home.

But.

I miss my old roommates.

My mom and my sister and my kitty.

They were the best.

If there was some way to work out them coming to live here with me at college, everything would be perfect! However, that isn't possible.

So, I'm looking forward to the hugs that don't come so often anymore and the warmth and smells of home. Everything will be that much sweeter and I'm tickled that it's not all that far away.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying myself at college. It's just a tad bittersweet.

Into the second week of school, I really like all of my classes. I'm nowhere near deciding on a major yet, but I'm at least a teeny bit closer.

Here's what I, and the help of some websites- have come up with:

Photography

Clinical Psychology

Graphic Design

English

History

(Insert other possibilities here)

Now obviously those are all just fields of study with various different career choices within them. I still haven't been able to narrow down or delve into them any further. That's where some help from the people who know- and love- me might do me some good. 

And, since I've been pondering the holidays so much, my brain has formulated a bit of a Christmas gift idea list. I love making lists, so here's the latest:

X-Mas List:

50mm 1.4 canon lens

B&W 35mm film for my camera

Diana deluxe set

H&M gift card (this store has slowly been creeping up on my love for Forever 21)

Shirt-waist dress, or anything full-skirted and to at least knee-length

Hats

Of course, this is mainly just for fun- and to ensure I don't forget it all.

In case it wasn't as glaringly obvious as I think it was, the list is very camera-themed. I've been feeling very photographer-ish lately.

I'm lovin it.

I'm also really loving that autumn is practically here!

My favorite season.

Happy fall!