Thoughtful

IT'S THANKSGIVING! What does that mean? It means we eat til we can eat no more, wait, and eat more!!!!! No, no, no. I want to take this time to really think about what Thanksgiving is for: being grateful for all of the wonderful things we have in our lives. This past year (and a half almost) I feel like I've really grown up and began to appreciate things I've been taking for granted. This Thanksgiving (or rather, now) I want to list just a few things I'm really thankful for.
1) My Parents: In todays world it is rare to go through your entire life (or even childhood) with both of your parents by your side and in the same house. I used to think that my parents didn't care about me and just counted down the days until I would go to college and move out. I accepted it because I was pretty independent from a fairly young age, and I thought if I just tried to be tough about it I could be an adult from age 16 and do things alone. I was wrong. My parents didn't want me to move out because they were sick of me. They wanted me to go to college and become an adult so they could be proud and watch me succeed; a guarantee that they taught me well. And they did. I'm only a sophomore in college (or really ALREADY) but I am just seeing now, after many life changing mistakes, twists and turns in the continuing journey, that I just might have what it takes, that my parents have always been there for me, will always do their best to be there for me, and I couldn't be more thankful for all the opportunities they have worked hard to provide for me, my brother and our family even through imperfections, disagreements, and hardships.
2) My Friends: Now, I do know a lot of people, but I wouldn't consider every single one of them "my friend". The people this is directed at will know who they are. I admit, I can be very difficult, disagreeable, harsh, and even down right mean with the best of them. But the important thing is that deep down inside I am a good person and there are a few friends I've met in my short 19 years of life who have really made me see that I must be a good person. How? Because they are the greatest of people. I gravitate towards these amazing people who love me and are there for me even when I'm awful to them. They remind me of the capacity to be good, to care about others, and to forgive and look past the flaws and appreciate that people in the world are beautiful and just want to be nice if you let them. They've put up with all my crap for years, and for that I thank them. Thank you for giving me 2nd, 3rd, even sometimes 4th chances and never giving up on me, being there when it means the most, and reminding me that there are great people in the world and teaching me how to be one of them.
3) My Creativity: This sounds awful and conceited, but where would we be if no one believed in themselves? This past year has been difficult. I went from accepting that I was mediocre to, just very recently, realizing my true potential. I'm thankful that I am very creative. My mind is constantly moving and creating. Whether its ideas are useful or not, it never stops. Being creative and making beautiful things is something I enjoy and I'm thankful to be capable. I realize that not everyone is and it is a gift.
4) Less Important Things That Make My Life Enjoyable: being an American, Harry Potter, the indie music scene, golden iphone covers, chicken nuggets, fashion magazines, funny Jewish boys, etc., etc., etc.

Think about what you are (or should be) thankful for this Thanksgiving. Even share if you'd like! I'd love to hear!

And I hope you enjoy the holiday whether you are alone, with friends, or family.

All I care about right now. Midnight, tomorrow.

The Nine to Five

Sorry for the lack of updates. Not too much has been happening and I've been really busy. I suppose that is kind of a paradoxical statement. Mina was here this past weekend. She came to visit Sarah, Elise, and me and we had our fair share of adventures. I'll blog more about that trip when she posts the pictures.
But yesterday I did start my new job. I am now an employee at Gap Kids/baby at Pioneer Place Mall! From 7AM-12PM we had training. That mostly consisted of us sitting in the back room reading from these company manuals about nonsense and then watching a cheesy interactive video about the Gap Card. Some girl called in sick during our training and I picked up her shift.
Here is what I've learned so far:
1. The Gap Card is thee best company credit card with thee best benefits (heavy sarcasm). No lie, it has great benefits if you are a loyal Gap customer, but the video we watched made it sound like God himself would only recommend a Gap Card and no other.
2. You fold A LOT. And that is an understatement. The job pretty much is greet customers when they come in, help them if they want it, which they usually don't, and fold things that are already folded.
3. Only the cutest people come into Gap Kids. They are either cute children, dressed super stylish (accompanied by parents of course) or they are little old ladies buying gifts for their grandchildren.
4. If you like music associated with Disney then you should go into a Gap Kids store, or work at one. They play the Jonas Brothers, High School Musical, Demi Lovato, and then other kid favorites like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.
5. Adults like to come into Gap Kids and see if they fit into the biggest sizes because everything is so damn cute!!!!

Music: Warpaint, Pocahaunted, and Atlas Sound

Draft of my Gig Poster project for Art 118. Band: Best Coast.

Long Live the 90's

Yesterday was a jam packed day. Sam and I went to Sushi, then Portland's Largest Garage Sale, then to Will Bryant's art show, then to dinner with her friend Ty, and then out to the Matador with some other people. The most important parts were the garage sale and the art show.

The garage sale was at the Expo Center and basically was exactly what it sounds like. You pay $4 to get in and then have free range of this huge warehouse of people set up selling their stuff. I got a gold zipper necklace, pokemon and other watch, cool picture of a boy riding a horse, and an old film camera with a leather case. Total (not including entry fee) I spent only like $5. What a deal! The camera should work, maybe with a spare part or two. Either way I'm very happy with my purchases.

The Will Bryant show was awesome. Will Bryant is a Graphic Designer based in Austin, TX who does all these really cool doodle-like drawings of geometric designs, cool dudes, an just fun stuff. He's pretty obsessed with the Chicago Bulls (circa the 90's and Michael Jordan), Space Jam, and likes gold, glitter, and ridiculousness as much as I do. I got to see him give a presentation at school on Thursday and then decided to go to his show opening last night with Sam. I talked to him about how I'm sort of just starting in GD and he told me about how the possibilities are endless and he signed my postcard. This guy is super inspiring and I want to be him when I grow up. No joke.

These are the goodies I got at the show. Signed postcard, Michael Jordan business card, Care Free Cola button, Banana Dood button, and custom Scout Book with stamps (all free!)

Check out Will Bryant at www.willbryant.com

Music: Space Jam Soundtrack

Little Monsters

I know Halloween is actually today but because I am a dedicated and responsible college student, I had my crazy fun yesterday because Sunday nights are not for crazy-ness. In honor of my 2nd favorite holiday (my first being Hanukkah) I dressed as Karen O (the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

Sam helped me with the really cool face paint and I wore bright magenta tights, a short black dress, black jacket, cut off gloves, and short boots. Not gonna lie, it was pretty bad ass. For festivities we chose to go to a party at this church that some people live in. It was great fun. There was a band from San Francisco there. We all passed around the tambourine and danced. A great time was had by all. Tonight I'm going with Erika and Sereane to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show live!

Music: Gold Lion - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs