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Costume

Schools

filled

Well I didn't get the job with Microsoft, I found out today. I'm getting used to it, they must know about my mac ways. Funds are running low and I realized that I can get unemployment benefits since all I've done is work since I was 15. Well it doesn't work exactly like that but I qualified. I know that I've worked for the benefits for rough times but I don't like the feeling, I would rather be working. I am still grateful because it is a rough time right now. I had not even considered applying for it since I thought that I would have a steady income by now.

I finally set up my scanner, cleaned it up and put new inks in it. This all in one monster was originally for my cake project I did my senior year. I filled it with edible inks and printed away delightful compositions of my life. I can't buy any edible inks right now so I filled it with the regular inks it came with. At least I know that when I do have enough cash I can flush out the regular ink and go back to make my edible art.

Here is a photo that I keep on my desk of myself and Matt Chung my lovely friend. We were outside on campus enjoying one of the many food feasts in the year 2008. I miss talking about how crazy and great we are going to be when we are old and wrinkly.

Ryan is leaving again for an internship. It is in New York for 6 weeks with a design firm. Last time he left for 6 months so this should pass quickly. I am so proud of Ryan but I dread him leaving. He is my friend that always has time for me. I met Ryan at the C.C.S. Camp Portfolio when I was 17, and we have been friends ever since. Six years and counting, he has been with me through it all.

(A group photo from the camp. That is me in the yellow, Ryan is the fellow to the left behind me in the striped shirt. Look at all those awkward babies!)

Ryan is clever and caring and damn it I'm going to miss him.

O

I , like most, am in awe of Oprah.

She made this list: "Top 20 Things Oprah Knows for Sure"

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)

2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.

3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)

5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.

6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.

7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)

8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.

9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.

10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.

11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.

12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.

13. Let passion drive your profession.

14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.

15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.

16. Every day brings a chance to start over.

17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.

18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.

19. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.

20. "Trouble don't last always." (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite: This, too, shall pass.)

flight

Saturday Maria, Chris and Matt came over. We bought beer, snacks, made spagetti and picked up a movie. It made me happy. 

A few photo ideas popped into my head this past week which is exciting. For some reason I have been feeling like I don't deserve to take on a project, that is just too ridiculous that I felt that way. I am used to having a directed project, I forgot about my time with my 35 mm before school and competitions. 

I wish that I had something exciting to report on but life has been pretty consistent with "nothing much". 

later and later

What kind of schedule am I on? It is almost 4 a.m...sheesh.

I was talking to my old classmate Nathan Lomas and thought about how much I enjoy talking to him and how I would like to keep in touch with all of my photo friends. I miss making work to show them, and seeing their works of art up aganist the wall. So I asked Nate if he thinks we could start a blog, and so we did it! The blog will be a place for us to have that creative and honest circle again. It is going to be a virtual potluck of sorts. I'm still creating a fun banner for it so once I'm done with that I'll contact everyone and hope they join.

bff

I didn't get the job in Seattle, sad news. The talent manger said that she would put in a good word for me to the other talent managers. I was surprised that just a  couple of days later I was contacted about a possible position in Seattle from a different talent manager. This job is very similar to the last; a contract position with Microsoft. As far as I know it would be for at least a year. I'm happy that Filter has me in mind for some positions.

Matt gave me my birthday present...... A BRAND NEW WACOM TABLET! It is so wonderful and beautiful and my new best friend. I'm so used to just renting whatever I wanted from school. Those days are over and now I can't wait to work as hard as I have to build up a beautiful collection of technology and what nots. Well I guess I just had to love Matt for this one.

Birds

I tried to make a scarf, it looks like a sad pot holder.

I'm trying to get rid of stuff, so maybe I should post the good stuff here and give it away or something. I'm keeping my certificate that proclaims me as master of mythology... or something like that haha.

I like when my friends post photos of their living spaces. They look just like them with their colors, textures and wonderful finds.

I think I should make a photo list of ten things I can do with my new yarn creation.

Time to look through my stuff and decide what is worth holding on to.

Expectations

My interview is already over. It was the first awkward interview of my life. I felt like I was being sold a lemon of a car. The receptionist was the interviewer and ran through a list of questions that had nothing to do with anything. She didn't know anything about the job really and finally grabbed a photographer to tell me. They asked about me coming in, and I said sure... but then they asked what my salary expectations were again. I think I gave a modest and researched answer, but they told me that it was going to be hourly and didn't know the hourly. I said I was no longer interested.

I'm feeling down about this, but what did I really expect?

brring...ring...

Tomorrow I have a phone interview at 11a.m. for a photo job in N.Y. All I know is that it is full time and that I would be photographing jewelry. I'm excited to hear more about the job. Either way it would be an awesome first job in the city.

But...

Dear Seattle,

Please tell me something!

xomr

Shenanigans

This past weekend I enjoyed my one year anniversary with Matt. It is more than nice to have someone you love so much love you just the same.

My sister wants me to take a cake decorating class with her starting tomorrow. Should improve my art... http://micaelaruiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/cake-show.html

I've been feeling pretty gloomy lately, I blame the weather. I did hit up the gym today, but it was a sad work out and a very short one. I plan on actually getting to bed at a decent hour and having a full day tomorrow.

Pump up the volume.

Magic

My head hurt today.

I laid in bed.

I spent quality time with Ryan and Stephen.

Chelsea talked to me, and I enjoyed it.

Matt loved me.

Round Two

I have made it to round two with the photo editor job through Filter! I'm so happy to hear back from them this week. The talent manager and photo editor project manager have passed my test to the in house photo editors to see what they think. I am told this is good news : )

Today is my first official day without insurance, I think my mom is going to get me some sort of insurance if I don't get a job soon. Hopefully I can make her proud and do this on my own.

Second day of free yoga was amazing again. Today we worked on balance, and I love working towards finding it within my body and mind. Oh yeah, so this yoga place offers free yoga to new people and since I have only been there once a very long time ago they gave it to me anyways. I'm hoping to go everyday this week and then back to yoga ON DEMAND... and squeeze in a class once a month. Erica came with me today. I had to talk her into it but she got something from it and will most likely come with me again this week.

I was feeling pretty stressed out before yoga because I had to buy two bridesmaid dresses for Erica's wedding and Magen's wedding. I'm very excited to be in their weddings but I am not used to spending that much money on once piece of clothing for only one day. I'm so happy for the both of them though, and really just want to enjoy the day with them, so I will.

Tomorrow is another movie with Ryan at the Detroit Film Theatre. If anyone else wants to cash in on my Fridays at the D.F.T. just tell me. Remember I have that free pass for two to any movie... so do it! You might be wondering why I don't go with my boyfriend that day. Matt has "game night" on Fridays so I just always make plans for that day haha. And it is just nice to have free movies with friends at the most beautiful theatre with great people around every corner.

today:tomorrow:today:tomorrow