School Daze

Yesterday was my first day of classes at PSU. I decided to take a classic "first day of school" picture of myself since my parents obviously weren't here to do it. My classes weren't too bad. One of them (Computer Graphics for GD) seems a little behind my level but the teacher is funny/interesting and you can always learn new things from new teachers. The second (Intro to Communication Design) looks like it might kick my ass but the projects seem really cool. We are already beginning the steps to create our own typefaces. The teacher is super cool/cute and I am already formulating a mini crush on him (but he's married).


Today was not as fun. Environmental Science turned out to be a hybrid class and a lab science. That means we only meet once a week, have online stuff, and I had to add an 8am lab to my schedule. I tried to crash a French class and after 2 hours of frying my brain with basic French phrases I was let down and unable to add the class. Frustrated and tired, my new friend Erika and I went to Powell's (so I could do an assignment. Yes, my HW was to go to Powell's Books.) and decided to stop at VooDoo donuts along the way. Best idea EVER!!!! I got the coveted Bacon Maple Bar (exactly what it sounds like: Maple Bar with strips of bacon on top!) and Erika got a cute little VooDoo doll donut. Needless to say that cheered me up :D

Music: Yea Yeah - Matt & Kim

We had to make flickrs for my ART 120 class so you can check it out if you want. Its only my design stuff from that class so its good ;D
www.flickr.com/amyalbertson (link to the right)

The New School

Saturday I moved into my new dorm room at PSU. The move went surprisingly well considering there are 15 floors of frenzied students trying to cram all their junk into tiny, shared rooms. To my relief, all of my stuff (even my clothes) fit and I am pretty satisfied with my set up so far. The people here are really friendly, for the most part, and my roommate is really nice. Everyone on my floor seems to be eager to hangout and I'm feeling pretty comfortable even though it has only been 2 days. I've even found friends with a TV who share my guilty pleasure television choices. All quite a relief after my CCA experience. I look forward to starting classes and meeting even more people and exploring more of Portland!

I ran into a small problem while decorating my room. For some reason no types of tape would stick to my walls....but I tried again today and it stuck so we'll see. I cannot live in a colorless world! I need to look at beautiful things.

Today began what they call "Viking Days". Its a bunch of planned activities and information sessions which go on the first week. Unfortunately I missed a few this morning because I was too lazy to get up but I'm looking forward to doing some more stuff the rest of the week.

Music: Ashley - The Dodos

Today is Weird

LAST CALL FOR SACRAMENTO!!! Today's my last day. Tomorrow morning my parents are taking me to Portland and I'm moving into the dorms at PSU. I've been waiting about 5 long months for this. Part of me doesn't want to leave. Luckily a bigger part of me knows that this fresh beginning and new place will be great. I know it is up to me to make it amazing for myself, and that is exactly what I plan to do!

CALIFORNIA I SHALL MISS YOU DEARLY!

Music: Sleigh Bells and Best Coast

Remembering

Nine years ago today one of the most tragic events in American history took place. Nine years ago Islamic terrorists high jacked 4 airplanes, two of which were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

I can't exactly say that I'm glad that I was alive to experience the trauma America went through during this event, but I do remember where I was. I was just ten years old, in the 5th grade, and I was sitting in the car waiting for my mom to take me to school when she rushed out, her face contorted with worry, turned on the car and turned the radio to the news station. She had just gotten off the phone with my dad and I asked her what he wanted. She said that airplanes had just crashed into The World Trade Center. Now I was old enough to understand that airplanes crashing into buildings was obviously out of the ordinary, but "The World Trade Center", "The Twin Towers", these elusive phrases my mother, the people on the radio, and my teachers at school would keep using throughout the day meant nothing to me. I was ten. I had no idea what the The World Trade Center was and that everything I was hearing was the description of a beyond horrific, unimaginable event coming true.

I now know just how important those two massive buildings were. I understand that they were full of Americans working for other Americans. I understand that the bravest men and women in the world died running into the falling, burning building to try to save the people trapped inside. I now understand (hardly) that thousands of innocent lives were lost because a few extremists full of the worst hate decided to commit such an awful act of terrorism. Terror is the word used to describe it, but words can hardly express the gravity of what happened.

Every year for the last nine years of my life, on this day, the 11th day of September, news channels play the footage of those airplanes crashing into those towers and I sit beside my dad with tears trailing down both of our faces for all of the people who died unexpectedly, for all of the people who knew they were probably were going to die going in but did it anyway to help other, for all of the soldiers who ended up fighting in the longest war in American history after the fact, and for all of America who was struck with terror just like us on this day nine years ago.

Music: I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty

Sound of Music

So lately my life has been pretty uneventful. I'm counting down the days until I move to Portland and school starts. I'm actually pretty eager to start going to school, although I'm sure as soon as I start having homework and tests I'll say the opposite. Life is kind of boring and in a stand still, but something exciting is that I recently added a bunch of new music to my iTunes library!

Things I Recently Added/Have Been Listening To:

1) Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Soundtrack (especially tracks by Sex Bob Omb and Black Sheep by Metric)

2) The Pretty Reckless (surprisingly raw and amazing)

3) Best Coast

4) Katy Perry's Teenage Dream album

5) The XX

6) Sleigh Bells

All are great. Depending on who you are, I'm sure you're bound to like at least one of them.

PIcture of Your Favorite Candy

If you're unfamiliar with these sweet treats, they are 1: Swedish Fish, 2: Peanut M&Ms, and 3: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Swedish fish are my favorite candy in the whole world because they taste delicious (a subdued cherry sort of flavor. not too sweet.), are chewy, gummy candies but aren't too gummy or too squishy, and they are shaped like fish!!!!! Of course, I'm a sucker for the peanut butter-chocolate combo and that is why I love me some reese' and peanut M&Ms.

I originally tried to photograph the swedish fish in a plastic bag filled with water, like the fish you win at carnivals or the state fair. That didn't really work because candy fish don't float :(

Music: Cmon - Chester French