Feb 3 & 4: Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Wonderful Wizard of Oz Reimagined by bunni711 featuring lace tights

Feb 3: Today has been a long day.  I have so much work to do, it isn't funny.  Plus, I have to have it done tomorrow because Jamie's parents are having a Super Bowl party Sunday.  I finished up the labs for networking, but still have to do JavaScript homework, finish up a homepage for multimedia, take a quiz, and write a short paper (both for networking).

I've been really tired all day and had some random aches and pains.  James and I spent some time together and I worked on my website.  I think my favorite part is working with the graphics.  I like coding, but I really like being creative with the site, too.  We had Subway for dinner and I got a Subway melt, which was delicious.  I also got to read some more of Water for Elephants, which is pretty good so far.  I like the writing style a lot.  I probably won't have a lot of time to read anytime soon with all this homework.  Plus, I don't get a break because I also have to write a paper for technical writing that's due Thursday.  So much work!

Feb 4:  Jamie's birthday is next week and I have a little surprise for him.  Hopefully I'll be able to pull it off.  Sorry there aren't any pics of my hair yet, but I've just got so much work that I don't have any time.  I've been working all day again and got everything done (yay!)  I found out that the JavaScript homework isn't due until next week, which is a huge relief.  I was having a lot of trouble with it.  Hopefully I'll be able to figure it out before it's due.  The only thing I haven't turned in yet is my web page because the teacher wants it submitted in a certain way which I don't understand.  I posted on the class discussion about it, though, so hopefully I'll get an answer before tomorrow.  Otherwise, I'll probably just zip it and explain that I didn't understand her directions.  I'm really happy with my web page.  It's so cute!  We're allowed to do a "service learning project" for this class, and one of our options is redesigning a website for a local business - either Geauga Vision or West Channel Yacht Club.  I chose the latter one.  Maybe I'll post a screen shot or something; we'll see.

I've been super tired again today.  I'm pretty darn sick of being tired all the time.  I wonder if the stress has anything to do with it.  I took a pretty long nap between school work and I feel a bit better.  The important thing is that I got everything done.  I made the Wizard of Oz artwork a little bit ago after I discovered that my JavaScript homework wasn't due tomorrow.  I'm pretty happy with it.  I'm glad I was able to find the little fur hat and crown for the lionness, and I like the little axe earrings for the tin woman, too.  I'm hoping to go read a little before bed.  I guess I'm excited for the party tomorrow, but I usually don't like being around a lot of people for an extended period of time.  That's just my preference.  There will be lots of good food, though, and hopefully James and I will have fun.

I think that's about it!  Have a nice night!

Love,
Christen

Feb 2: Great Day

Teal, Gold, White, and Cream Outfit by bunni711 featuring dara ettinger jewelry

I'm crazy about the shoes in this one.  Of course I would wear this whole outfit, too.  So pretty!  I'm very happy with it.

So today, Jamie came over and we had a really nice day.  We hung out a bunch and watched some tv, but it was just nice to have some quality time with him.  Teddy was hanging around being adorable, of course.  We also had my favorite food tonight: chicken noodle casserole!

Oh, about the surprises!  So I dyed my hair the other day - natural black.  It turned out really well.  It doesn't actually look black, at least not shocking black.  I think it looks really nice on me, though.  It's probably my favorite hair color, so I think I'll stick with it.  I also tried this cool method for curling your hair called sock bun curls.  Pretty much, you take a sock (kinda long) and cut off the toes.  Then you roll it up into a circle.  Then you put your hair up in a ponytail and either wet it with water or use hairspray.  Then you put the sock around your ponytail and tuck your ends in, then just roll it down your ponytail until you have a little bun.  Then, sleep on it and when you wake up, you have really pretty curls!  My hair is so difficult to curl, but this actually worked.  I'll post some pictures, probably tomorrow.  I'm happy with how it turned out and will definitely try it again.  I felt very pretty today and Jamie really liked it too.

We stopped by the library and picked up a few books and some movies.  I got Catch-22 and an Isaac Asimov book, and James got another book by him, too.  We got out Thor, Rango, and Rio on blu-ray (James doesn't want to see Rio, though, so I'm on my own on that one). We also got out Super Smash Brothers for the Wii.

When we got back to Jamie's house, we watched some of the Face Off episodes that I've missed.  They won't be up on hulu until 30 days after they air, so I was excited to catch them as repeats tonight.  I think James liked the show, too.  After that, we played Super Smash Brothers on the Wii.  I didn't like it at first, but it got more fun as I got better at it.  I think I'm better with Link than the other two characters I tried (Pikachu and Samus).  I like the dark Link, especially (I like to think of him as nega-Link).

So, all together a very nice day.  I'm pooped and unfortunately, did not get any homework done.  I guess I've got my work cut out for me for the next couple of days.  We have to finish early this week, too, because of the Super Bowl.  I think we're going to end up staying at Jamie's for the party, even though I'm not a big fan of being around all the people.  I guess there are going to be subs here, though, and neither of us really wants the chili they're having at my house.  It's kind of funny that we always seem to make these decisions based on food...

That's all for today, folks!

Love,
Christen

Feb 1: Wicked Good Fun

Wicked: an inspired collection by bunni711 featuring crystal rings

Today I made this beautiful fashion artwork, which is my interpretation of the Wicked Witches, with a little help from the book.  I really did like parts of the book, even though the ending was a major letdown.  I'm ridiculously happy with how this thing turned out.  I imagine West as sexy but lethal, and East is a rich princess but still deadly, too.  Ah, just so much fun!

So today I have to say that I didn't get much done until the evening.  That's usually when I work best, anyway.  I found out that although we have only one chapter to do for networking this week, there are 26 labs (yes, that is not a typo!)  I was able to knock out 16 of them today, though.  (I really wanted to start my JavaScript project, but I needed to get the labs done so James can use my computer to do his).  Mostly it's the reading that takes up the most time because I like to read the book and do the labs as I go along so that when I'm done I'm ready to take the quiz.  We also have a written assignment due, too.  Plus, I have homework for my web design classes and should start on my technical writing paper due next week.  Who thought four classes could be so much work!  Networking will be over at the end of this month, but I'm worried the two new classes in March won't offer much reprieve.  It's always the semesters you think will be easiest that end up biting you in the butt.

I also made a set in purple, gray, and black today which I started yesterday.  It has comfy yoga pants, a loose tank top, and a cozy sweater.  I'm trying to make outfits that are still stylish but that I would also wear and be comfortable in.  One of the reasons I don't dress up much is that it's never comfortable.  I'm sure most girls would love fashionably comfy clothes.

I spent this morning finishing up The Pelican Brief.  I was disappointed; it was a pretty boring book.  I'm not sure if I really want to read any other books he has written, but I will probably still try The Firm - it sounds pretty good.  This is what's up next:

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen









I've read a little of the introduction and first chapter (not all of either, though) because I like to get a feel for how the book is written to see if I'm interested.  It seems like it will be good from what I've read.  I'm gonna start on that tomorrow - I can't believe how far behind I am now!  I guess it's only a few days, but those can build up.  I'd really like to make the goal this year.  My best year so far was last year with 31 books, so this will be a big step, but if I can stay on track with a book a week, I can make it.

I've also been on Pinterest a lot.  That site is addictive, and I can definitely waste some time one there.  There is a bed spring poking me in the butt right now which makes it very uncomfortable to sit on this bed!  Well, it's late anyway and I should get to bed.  I've been going to bed really late since I've been home - it seems to be becoming a habit.  I'm excited to see James tomorrow.  I have a surprise or two for him.  : )

Love,
Christen

Jan 29, 30, and 31: Life Happens

Navy and Red Outfit by bunni711 featuring red sneakers

Jan 29: Today I did pretty much nothing but work.  I had to finish up my JavaScript homework and do my labs for Networking.  Unfortunately, there were 19 labs in this chapter and many of them had extra load time because of how they were configured.  It took a long time but I finally got it done.  I took a little break earlier in the day - it's not a good idea to work yourself to the bone.  That's something I've learned over the years...  I guess I do put a lot of value in how well I do in school.  You can probably tell by how much I talk about it. It's just nice to be good at something and to feel accomplished.  I don't know if it's a bad thing to have so much of myself wrapped up in my identity as someone who is intelligent.  Maybe I'm really not even as smart as I think, but there is no denying that it's something I sort of define myself by.  I'm working on it, though.

One of the most important things in life is understanding yourself, so I am always trying to glean new information about how I work from the things that happen in my life, how I act in different situations, and what I feel.  I may be a bit irrational at times, but I think the one thing that remains true in those situations is that I am genuine.  What I feel is what I say - I am not pretending to be anything other than what I am.  It's so strange that I spent so much of my life being reserved - or at least acting like it - when really I just crave the opportunity to let my true self out.  I am such an open person when given the chance.  Sometimes too much so.  But I hope that no one can say about me that I'm fake or that I pretend.  I will tell you, I couldn't manipulate someone if I wanted to.  I guess the word is guileless.  Although I wouldn't say that I'm naive at all.  I suppose I can be sometimes - when it comes to things like expecting people to act honorably in all situations.  And I am young, yes, but I am also watchful.  I am still learning but I am taking those opportunities to see the world in a new light.  I hope I never let my notions cloud my sight - I want to see the world in as true a light as possible.  Of course, that's a tall order - how can you see past your own prejudices and the coloring of how you see the world?  These aren't things you do on purpose.  We can only try.

Well, enough of that.  On with the show!  Oh yeah, and we saw that movie Sucker Punch, which I had been wanting to see.  I was doing homework through all of it, but I wasn't really impressed.  I hate seeing movies that objectify women, and I just had a very indifferent feeling about it.

Jan 30: I had a rough night.  I woke up feeling very low and just unsure about some things.  I guess I felt insecure.  This is one of those situations when I start to wonder why I write this blog.  Obviously it would be boring to just list events that happen in my life; I want to write something deeper than that (at least sometimes).  But I also can't spill my guts all over the Internet, either.  I have no idea who reads this blog or how my words come across to others.  I don't know if they make me seem stupid, smart, haughty, pathetic, silly, boring, or anything else.  I have to be wise about what I write.  The Internet is forever, after all.  At least, that's what some people think.  And I have to keep in mind that other people are involved in what happens in my life.  I can't just put other people's business up on the Internet on a whim - I have to respect them and show discretion.  That's a big reason why I never really talk much about my relationship with James.  My reader's (if there are any) are not naive.  I'm in a relationship that has lasted for over six years and you know there will be more serious situations that occur than I will elaborate in this blog.  All I can do is write about what I feel.

Well, I guess I promised I was done with that, but I really am now.  Nothing really interesting happened today.  I'm back at my house and glad to see my family and my puppy dog.  We had some delicious chocolate lava cake for dessert.  We missed our shows, though, because my dad has some political news shows he likes to watch at the same time.  I stayed up late because I was still a little upset, but Polyvore cheered me up.  I made this pretty outfit (seen above) which is both comfy and stylish.  Plus I'm in love with that red scarf.  I'd love to put on that oversized navy sweater right now and just cuddle up.  : )

Jan 31:  The first thing I did when I woke up today was get on Polyvore and make some more outfits.  I was still on there when James called after lunch (and I was eating a late one).  My mom picked up some Nutella and Uncle Ben's rice and I had some rice for lunch.  She had to do some errands today, so she also picked up some yummy cream-filled donuts. I had one and saved the other for James.  It's sort of a tradition to save him yummy food that I get.  He usually does it for me, too.  I miss him when I'm at home.

I watched some design shows in the afternoon and then got started on more JavaScript.  I find it really enjoyable now.  Some of the code I'm writing is confusing - I understand the examples and explanations, but I think maybe the book isn't explaining what we do for the tutorial as well.  Maybe I'm just working through it too fast - I like to get to the actual coding parts.  I caught some more of that Ink Masters show.  I like watching tattoos get made and seeing how they turn out.  It's just another way of making art.  I also watched The Bachelor and it seems like it could possibly be fake.  I really don't want it to be, though.  I like to believe that the stuff on the show is real.  I like to believe that people are looking for love, even though it's on a television show.  That makes me sound so naive.  I guess I really am a little too naive for my own good.  *Sigh*  I think I'll go on watching it anyway.  Even though I can tell they are manipulating me so that I feel certain things during the show - hatred for the jerk in the house, disappointment for the girls that go home, excitement for the dates.  Ben doesn't seem like a likely bachelor, though.  He seems pretty normal.  Plus, he isn't completely ridiculously good looking like some of these people.  He looks like someone I would find cute.  I'm beyond fantasizing about that, though.  Don't worry about me; I have my own relationship and my own happiness to occupy me.

Yes, I have written a lot.  I think it's a good thing, though, because I feel like I opened up more in this post than I do sometimes.  It's been so busy and I had a rough day the other day, so I was getting behind in my posts.  It's nice to catch up and also to have something less superficial to say.

Speaking of getting behind!  I'm behind now in my reading.  School has gotten more intense and this book is really dragging - I'm just not feeling it very much.  Tomorrow I hope to just sit down and get through that baby so I can move on.  Well, I hope you have a great night!

Love,
Christen