CIL's? check

Yesterday I took my final CIL (computer information literacy) test on excel spread sheets, something you have to do before they'll let you leave this school

I passed with flying colors ... 100% baby!

I'M GONNA GRADUATE!

Large and in charge

Just when I thought that I was finishing up what has been the EASIEST semester of my schooling career, life got a little bit stressful.

I expected today to be just like any other Thursday (because Thursdays are the days that I actually have classes), go to my BFA class and listen to everyone talk about the same things we have been talking about every Thursday for the whole semester Followed by my Portfolio class where 3 or 4 of us sit around and talk about what we are working on and what our plans are after graduation.

For those who dont know, everyone that is graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) has to put their work in a final show. Since graphic designers are not really fine artist, we have a separate show from the other emphasis's. So we have a class to plan and talk about out show. At the beginning of the semester we got put into groups according to what we would be doing to help out with the show, and I got put on Advertising. There was one girl, Mikelle, who sort of took charge but Alan (my teacher) felt like she needed a co-chair, just incase she couldnt make it to something or slacked on her duties. He chose me. Woo-hoo.

Fast forwarding from the beginning of the semester to 2 weeks ago. I showed up to class after not being there for 5 weeks (two skipped and one off because i was in brazil, one because alan was at a conference and canceled class, and one because we were at a portfolio review in salt lake) Mikelle hadnt showed up that day so the whole class was bombarding me with questions (because i was the co-chair) that i had no answers to because i had be MIA for 5 weeks. I felt like an idiot so i emailed her and come to find out.. she up and moved to Salt Lake and didnt have any idea what was going on either.

Today it happened again, so after class i finally took charge. I met with my committee, figured out what needed to be done, and delegated it out.

now I am in charge of pretty much this whole event. woo hoo.
If you want to come... feel free!

Dances, BBQ's, and Hammocking

Its a good things that I am graduating, cause I have pretty much checked out of school. The weather outside is BEAUTIFUL, and i want nothing more than to lay in the grass soaking it all in. This weekend was full of wonderful things outside.

Friday night was a dance on the quad. Tera and I wore fake mustaches for the first part of it, and I have never gotten so many funny looks in my life, it makes me think I need to wear ridiculous things into public more often.

Saturday morning my old roomie Katie Lewis (now hunter) showed up to play for the weekend. It was so good to see and catch up with her, cause she's pretty much dropped off the face of the earth since she got married. We had a BBQ at adams park, then we went to Angies and cleaned the sink.

Clean that Sink!

Lizzy and I

Marinda drinking the last of the sink

Sunday after stake conference Tasha, Marinda, Jonny, Joe, Tera and I took the hammocks I got from Brazil to the park and strung them up in a square and spent the afternoon lounging in a Brazillian made hammock writing a letter to my best friend Ky who is on a mission and People watching. Buying those Hammocks was the best purchase i ever made, now all i want to do is go hang out in a hammock.

Hanging the Hammocks

Tera marie

Tasha and her boyfriend Jonny

Four trees, four hammocks

Then the week started and its back to sitting in an office on a computer, I also realized that i left my wallet at the library on Saturday... So that sucks. Only a couple more weeks and its summer and I will be done with school forever. What a great feeling.

What a girl lacks

One thing i have noticed in the world today is that when a girl lacks in looks, she can make up for it in her personality. If a girl is kind of plain, but super funny and outgoing she has just as much potential to have a guy as her out as a girl that is drop dead gorgeous. I think I might lack in both areas.

Spring time hits and everyone seems to emerge from their apartments with their significant other to go on walks in the nice warm(ish) weather. Couples are everywhere. Call in spring fever if you will, but there is something about this time of year that makes people just want to have someone to date. The couples seems to multiply rapidly. Ive tried my hardest to keep my head above water and not notice it so much (since i havent dated anyone in a long long long time) but its hard to not notice when all my roommates are even dating someone. I am super happy for them and i love all their boys, so i am not complaining at all about that. Its just the fact that I dont i guess. People say my sister and i look scary alike, but she seems to always have a boy around. So that is when i came to my conclusion that if a girl is just average looking, she can make it up in personality. Because we might looks the same, but caitlin definitely has the personality.

I'm not writing this post as a 'pity post' or fishing for compliments by any means. It would actually be awesome if any comment that were left said nothing about how much i am wrong and how I dont get asked out because boys are intimidated by me... or whatever. I know you all love me, that is why we are friends. Im writing it because I am trying my best to turn over a new leaf and expose my true feelings and opinions on life, and this is what i have been feeling as of lately. I guess this post was brought on because tonight we went to the true aggie dance, it was on the quad, and when it was over people were just hanging out waiting for true aggie night to start.... as i stood in the midst of all these people there were quite a few good looking guys standing around talking about finding a girl to kiss, and not one of them gave me a second glance. Im not saying im ugly, im really not. Im just average. But whats a girl to do when she is both average in looks and personality?

Thanks for reading my rant... Dont feel any obligation to comment. It feels good to just get it out.

Magazine Layout

Time for more of my school work. I am going to apply for a job at Salt Lake Magazine in the next week or so, and looking through my portfolio I realized I don't really have any editorial layouts, which is probably something I should have considering that is the job I am applying for. So the last couple days I have been working on a magazine spread about homeless people.

If you were flipping through a magazine would this make you stop and read? why or why not?

Dear body...

Dear body,

You are young, 22 to be specific. Why do you feel the need to fall apart? Your knees hurt when you run, and your vision is getting worse with every passing day that you stare at a computer screen for hours on end. Your stomach feels like it has ulcers and not a day goes by that i dont have at least one zit somewhere on my face. Five out of seven days end with a headache and a desire to go to bed early. This week is especially bad when I woke up and your throat was swollen and sore and i could barely swallow. Now that that is gone, your nose wont stop running and I am sneezing like crazy because you are allergic to the spring time pollen.

If you wouldnt mind acting your age and putting off this madness for maybe 30 years or so, that would be great.

Sincerely,
Sarah Jane

The new Mythos

So I realized that i never really post any of my work on here. I think that needs to change. My latest project I have undertook is to redesign a logo for an 'upscale greek restaurant'. This was a project that we did a couple years ago in my branding class, and i completely tanked with my first try:
After realizing that this one logo was really dragging my whole portfolio down, I decided to redesign it, and it came out looking like this:
I was so happy about the way the new mark looked, i decided to design the business system to go with it... and here it is:


So that is what I do for school. Isnt it great!?

what I learned in Brazil

So for the last two weeks I have been in the wonderful country of Brazil. I went down for a service project and learned a lot about the country and their culture. I learned a lot about myself. Im not going to give you a day to day run down of what I did for two weeks, if you want that, we can talk in person and I will show you some awesome pictures. Instead I want to share with you some of the things I learned some funny, some a little more serious.

I learned that I can sleep anywhere, under a seat, on a plane, on a bus, in a car, in the cement, on the carpet, on tile. I can sleep sitting up or laying down.

I learned that Tam airlines is the bomb.com. They give you candy and water when you get on. Their snack is way better than peanuts, and if you are on a redeye flight… they give you a packet of things including socks, a toothbrush and paste, eat plugs, and a comb, and their blankets are way better than the cheap crappy ones delta gives you. Also they gladly give you seconds if you ask for them.

I learned that Brazillians don’t flush their toilet paper. That was weird to get use to.

I learned that in brazil, leisure time is just as important if not more so than work. It’s a good day if you get in 4 hours of working time. Also it shocked them how much we liked to work (they had no idea.. cause to us, we didn’t work at all)

I learned that Brazillians eat A LOT, and when I say a lot... that’s an understatement. I never once felt hungry. Ok that’s a lie… I felt hungry twice. In two weeks. We woke up and ate. Then a couple hours later had snack time. Then lunch, which sometimes lasted for hours. Then midday juice and crackers. Then dinner and finally a midnight snack before bed. Wake up and repeat.

I learned that its perfectly ok to have hotdogs for breakfast.

I learned that the preservatives in our food is what makes us Americans fat, because brazillians eat way more than we do, they just don’t eat the crap we eat.

I learned that chocolate on pizza is delicious

I learned that Brazillians don’t need much sleep. They go to bed late and wake up early.

I learned that all the hype about Rio being super dangerous is a lie. Its just like every other big city ive been to. I didn’t feel any more unsafe than I did in New York or Rome.

I learned that I never feel clean in humidity.

I learned that I knew nothing about Portuguese. And now I know how to say the necessities: yes, no, thank you, nothing, everything good, lets go, bathroom, good morning, good night, knife, spoon, fork, clock, table, cup, blender.

I learned that brazillians are a lot better at picking up English than I am at picking up Portuguese.

I learned as much as I awkwardly smile and laugh when I am uncomfortable.. I do it even more when I don’t know what people are saying to me.

I learned that flirting with someone who doesn’t speak the same language as you is even harder than flirting with someone that does.

I learned that as long as I don’t open my mouth I look like I could be from southern Brazil

I learned that even though driving in brazil is crazy, i felt more safe there than I do driving around Utah.

I learned that brazillians love their hatch back and the game slugbug (or fuska in brazil) is still fun there because the old VW beatles are everywhere.

I learned that my hair does crazy things when I just let it do what it wants, and I actually missed blow drying and straightening my hair.

I learned that in brazil its ok to be 25 and be married to a well off 55 year old, because better to marry someone that is that old that can take care of you, than a loser that is your own age.

I learned how much I really love the grid system in Utah, I was there for two week and never really got my bearings.

I learned that Americans really are kind of rude and think the world revolves around them. Also that nothing screams American tourist than wearing a 4th of july tshirt and carrying around a book about the sites.

I learned that you can actually learn a language from watching movies and listening to music. (I met a girl that spoke really great English and learned it all from movies and music)

I learned how great google translate is when you are trying to communicate with someone that doesn’t speak the same language as you.

I learned how fortunate I am to be living where I am to have the things I have, and to have the opportunities I have.

I’ve only been back home for one day and I already miss it. It makes me so sad to think that I will probably never see the people that I met again. I woke up this morning craving brazillian rolls, scrambled eggs, peach juice and fruit for breakfast... but ended up eating my usual America breakfast: hard boiled eggs, toast and carnations instant breakfast...

and now some pictures from the trip:



the beach at florianopolis
Rio De Janeiro at night
Scott and shad working hard ripping tiles off the walls
The Crew of VIDA
The cute kids we took school kits to
Anna trying to talk to some of the kids.... they loved us.
The botanical Gardens in Curitiba
Working hard at the school for the deaf/hard of hearing
The students with hearing disabilities and us.
Giving a lecture to the college students
The univesity we presented at
Chillin on copacobana beach
An art museum in Curitiba
The curitiba temple

Paranoia?

Ok, So I got this email from my aunt Pam today. Is it any wonder that girls are so terrified of Rape, Murder, and Abduction. This stuff is pounded into our head from birth. I know it is a dangerous world out there for girls, but this stuff gives me nightmares. The mind is a crazy thing, and if you constantly tell a girl she's going to have stuff like this happen to her at some point in her life.... that's gonna do some serious psychological damage. The most vivid dreams i have are ones where I am being chased by a Rapist... seriously I have those. When I first moved into the house I live in now there was a screeching cat outside and it woke both my roommate Tera and I up, and what was our first though? Rapist... She pulled out the last piece of Info on this page 'the Crying Baby Theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana' and we didnt go back to bed for hours... I guess what I am getting at is... its important to be cautious in ALL situations, but you are just as likely to get killed in a car accident... everyone is cautious when they drive (for the most part) but ive never met someone who is always paranoid of death when driving.. So be cautions, but don't let paranoia rule your life.

And with that... Here is the email:

Because of recent abductions In daylight hours, refresh yourself Of these things to do In an emergency situation...


1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do :
The elbow is the strongest pointOn your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!


2.. Learned this from a tourist guide.
If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....Chances are that he is more interested In your wallet and/or purse than you,And he will go for the wallet/purse.RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole And start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars After shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit(doing their chequebook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this Is the perfect opportunity for him to get in On the passenger side, put a gun to your head, And tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.. 

If someone Is in the car With a gun To your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine And speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat They will get the worst of it . As soon as the car crashes Bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body In a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting Into your car in a parking lot, Or parking garage: A.) Be aware: Look around you, Look into your car, At the passenger side floor , And in the back seat B.) If you are parked next to a big van, Enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims By pulling them into their vans while the women Are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car Parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, And the passenger side... If a male is sitting alone In the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted 
his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird.. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door..' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. the Crying Baby Theory was mentioned on
America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana

10. Water scam!
If you wake up in the middle
of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a
burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your
 outside taps full ball so that you will go out to investigate and
then attack.

Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbours!

avocados

So usually I sit down to blog for one of three reasons: Either i just feel like blogging, something awesome has happened to me, or I am putting off something else i should be doing.

Today, its the first reason, and when given the following equation

A + B = C.

(A) being I just feel like blogging and (B) is I have nothing cool to blog about. Then (C) has to be that i will most likely blog about something random that happened to me. So here we go....

Grocery shopping for me is bad news. I try to only go once or twice a month because I am the girl that goes into the store with the intent to buy only milk bread and eggs and comes out with candy, random beauty products, a movie, ice cream, something that was one sale that i've always wanted to try and... milk bread and eggs.

Today however I did it! I successfully went into Lee's with the intent on only buying one Item and when i checked out, I only had avocados. Avocados are my recent addiction. I eat one every day. I get excited to go home and make a wrap so i can put half the avocado on it, and eat the other half guacamole style with chips. I don't know why i think they are so good, but they really are so good. Yesterday i ate my last one, but i was really craving one again today and so I over came my spending spree all for a delicious avocado.




And on another random note: I leave for Brazil one week from today! AHHH!