Photoshop

The first day of my computer class last semester I needed to have someone turn on my computer. I wanted to barf after 5 minutes of listening to the teacher give an overview of the class. I talked to my counselor that same day and told him I wanted a different major. Maybe Art and Communication? He could sell snow to Eskimos. I walked out feeling better but freaked out 10 minutes later. I ended up staying in the class and not changing my major. I sat down after class with my teacher and asked him to show me step by step how to turn in all of my assignments. After 15 minutes he told me that he had never seen that happen before (referring to what the computer was doing). After 3 weeks of not being able to log into the system, turn in assignments, or having any of the programs required for the class, my Professor finally agreed that technology hates me. I had tried to tell him.

I am currently in my 2nd semester of computer classes and I LOVE it! Not only am I gaining the skills I needed last year while designing T-shirts and logos, I am overcoming my fear of technology. Technology will never be easy for me, and whatever can go wrong will more than likely go wrong, but I am okay with that. I will not allow a computer to best me. That is the one of the reasons I wanted to have Visual Technology as my major. I CAN do and WILL do whatever I put my mind to. Even if I have to suffer through every minute of feeling incompetent before I learn to turn the stupid computer on. Not that I'm competitive or anything. Especially not with inanimate objects. Or rock climbing walls.

I designed a flier for Brandon last week, finished one for Raging Red yesterday, and turned in this Photoshop assignment last Friday.

Momentum

I can't slow down. Things are happening more quickly than they used to, and everything has become strangely focused. It all started when my mom read an e-mail to Amberle. There were open interviews up in Logan for Jacob Lake the next day. Oh, its not for me. I happened to be in the room, and without thought I said that I was interested. It felt right. I typed my contact sheet up that night and drove to Logan after school the next day. A week later I was hired. Everything fit into place. No hesitation. The day after I graduated, after my all night Senior party, I drove the 6 hours to Jacob Lake and began a summer of adventure and growth.

2 days after I finished work at the Grand Canyon, I found myself sitting in an auditorium watching a group perform. Come try out! We are Dixie State's new show choir! Be involved in Raging Red! Well...OK! I tried out the following day. I am now more than halfway through my second semester of Raging Red. We are touring in China for 11 days during May. In order to help pay for my trip, I applied to be an RA at the campus dorms. They normally don't hire freshman. However, my abundant charm, good looks, (I think writing 'Evil Overlord' in the previous leadership positions on the application helped) and maturity got me the job. For Christmas, my ever brilliant parents gave me canvas. I am now selling my paintings to help pay for the trip.

Having a normal summer job sounded SO boring. I have so much momentum, I can't slow down enough to even consider it. I gave one of my friends a ride from North Ogden back to St. George. She loved to have a listening ear as she talked about whatever came to her mind. In passing, she mentioned how her friend was a nanny overseas. That night, I signed up on a nanny website. By the next day, I had found the perfect family to work for during the summer. Both parents are Assistant Camp Directors in Maine and they need someone to watch their two kids while they help run the camp.

The more I looked at the camp, the more interested I became. Everything fell into place. Kamp Kohut is where I need to be. I contacted Jenny (who was looking to hire a nanny and happens to be the Staff Coordinator) and told her about myself. She e-mailed me back and said I could apply for the nanny position through their website. The application was the same for the nanny position and a councelor position. I applied on a Wednesday, and Thursday I heard back from her. Ideally, they would like to hire me as the Arts and Crafts Instructor or the Climbing and Ropes Course Instructor. Either position would include being a cabin councelor to kids. After talking to Jenny on the phone, and discussing the nanny, and both instructor/councelor positions, Kamp Kohut has decided to hire me as an Instructor and Cabin Councelor. Not Art and not Climbing, but both! Jenny let me know that they will be sending the contract any day. Here is their website:

http://www.kampkohut.com

Finals will end Friday May 6th. The weekend will find me checking people out of their dorms and doing whatever it is that Resident Assistants do. I will move out of the dorms Saturday and Sunday the 9th I will begin my journey to China. I should make it back to St. George by the 20th or 21st. I will then have 2 weeks to enjoy the company of family and friends. June 8th I fly to Maine and begin my training for the Ropes Course I will be involved with. Camp officially starts on June 23. I will fly back on August 16th, drive to St. George and catch the tail-end of the fall RA training. Dixie State College starts school the next week.

I can't slow down. It seems that every time I have come across a moment to choose, my spirit can't ignore what it craves. There are to many adventures to experience, lives to touch, and friends to make. Wherever my momentum takes me, I plan on learning and growing. And teaching. I might even stop and think about what I'm getting myself into next time.

In 5 Weeks

Everything that we do together as employees starts after work. At ten p.m.. So naps have become a regular part of my afternoon.

Monday Night- Department meetings
Tuesday Night- Sports night
Wednesday Night- Free Night (bonfires, movies, sports, etc.)
Thursday Night- Movie Night
Friday Night- Theme parties
Saturday Night- Relief Society
Sunday Night- Sacrament

Days off and Early off include:
-Sunsets at the Grand Canyon
-Ultimate Frisbee
-Cliff Jumping at Lake Powell
-Navajo Bridge
-Soccer
-Volleyball
-Midnight walks to Jacob Lake
-St. George
-Picnics in the woods
-long walks
-bonfires
-night games
-playing in the pool
-swinging on the playground
-horseback riding. With the guy that invited me about eight times before I went! He works at the trail rides and let me ride for free! Being cute definitely has its advantages.
-working on another painting.
-Sand Hollow
-visit Joe and Cindy
-register for college classes
-Oh....and I had to break into the girls dorm. I accidentally stayed out 2 hours past curfew talking to a guy. Luckily, the second story window was open and I managed to sleep in my bed that night.

I'm sure I left some out. The days are blurring together and I am working with some amazing guys.... And girls. I am making amazing friends and learning alot about myself. Thank you for your prayers! I would love to hear from you!

Jacob Lake Humor

First day. Breakfast. A guy walks up to me, trying to be friendly.
"So do you have any family?"
"No. I spawned from the ground."
There was a pause.
"So you are an only child?"
I sigh. Inwardly.
"I was teasing you, sorry. I actually have three sisters."
Another pause.
"So you are not an only child?"
....
Enough said.

Post Office

I had to mail my dad's keys back to him from Panguitch. They ended up in my bag and he needed to lock up his classroom the next day. Karli and I walked into the Post Office and set the keys on the counter.
I need to mail these.
The lady behind the counter looked at me like I was crazy. "I will need to weigh it."
Both of us waited.
She rolled her eyes "You need an envelope before I can weigh them."
Karli and I looked at each other "Well, do you sell some?"
She pointed to a shelf full of various sizes.
I picked out a good size and set it on the counter.
"It needs to be a padded one."
I switched envelopes.
She waited.
I put the keys in the bag.
She handed me a pen. I handed her the envelope.
She handed it back and explained very slowly that I needed to write the addresses.
I obliged, asking how much first class was.
She printed out everything I would need to mail my package and nearly put the stickers on before I could explain that I was only asking. I really wanted to overnight it.
She seemed to expect this and crumpled up the offensive stickers, briskly printing new ones. She seemed to take a certain pleasure in charging us more for the overnight.
..... I felt like an idiot the whole time.
I thought that Caleb would appreciate this story :)

Scholarships

Last Friday I found out that I received the Presidential Scholarship. This includes full tuition and my first year of housing.


Today, my art teacher asked if I would consider selling one of my acrylic pieces to the school. I will be selling my bike for $175. Done on a 24 x 18 canvas


When I arrived home, a phone call informed me that an essay I wrote won a $1,000 scholarship!
Here is the essay. The prompt was, "How have your experiences influenced your career choice?"


Becoming an Artist

I never sat down and decided to study art. It happened gradually, creeping into my thoughts and actions subconsciously. Until one day, I opened my eyes in order to see myself, and found a desire embedded within me.

I want to create. I want to bring joy into the lives of others by showing them the beauty in nature, and in ourselves. Through art, I find a peace within myself and a connection with others that is difficult for me to acquire otherwise.

While living in southern Utah, I learned to love the outdoors. I craved it. My sisters and I would climb trees, run through muddy fields during rainstorms, and collect red canyon dust. As I grew older, I would take long walks, craving the quiet meditation that comes with nature.

Moving to North Ogden was difficult. I searched for a way to experience that same comfort I found in the outdoors. Eventually, I found it again. Creating my own beauty, I discovered the deep satisfaction that can come with expanding our abilities.

The Frenchman, Teilhard de Chardin, once said, “Our duty, as men and women, is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist. We are collaborators in creation.”

Art brings beauty and enlightenment into my life. Drawing is a meditation that draws me closer to what my spirit craves. Creation. By pursuing more schooling as an Art major, and possibly being able to teach others, I hope to be able to pass on just a small portion of the immense joy I have found in this wonderful process of learning, hoping, doing and becoming.

Jacob Lake

I got the job.
Bethany emailed my mom informing us that there would be open interviews the next day.
Something clicked.
I wanted this.
Typed up a page with my contact information and references, quickly pasted a picture on it.
The interview was in Logan, so I left right after school.
Afterwards I stopped by Teisha's house and we had a good talk.
Gave Bethany a call.
Everything felt right.
It clicked.
I wanted this.
I got the call on March 10th.
I will be leaving the day after graduation.
May 28th.