Success. Tis' Sweet.

Last New Years I set two resolutions. And I am happy to say that as of yesterday they have been met. I guess one still has 3 days to go completely down hill but I don't think 3 days is enough to ruin an entire year.

Resolution #1: Make this year awesome to make up for all the crap that happened last year

Done. This year has been awesome. Hard at times but I would take this year over last year for sure. I faced some fears, got to the root of other fears (still working on those ones), survived school and have the best family, friends and boyfriend. With those things in the equation how could I possibly have a bad year? Like I said that there are still 3 days left of the year so it could go completely crazy but I think I would have to have a Job bible story to really ruin my year *knocks on wood*

Resolution #2: Read a list I made of 21 books.

Also Done! And ahead of schedule. =) I got a little worried about this one after school started again but it all turned out okay. In fact I think I read more than 21 books counting textbooks and those things are massive. Due to their dry nature they should almost be counted as 2 books but I'll leave them at one. I had a lot of fun rediscovering my love of reading. When you tell people that you have set a goal of reading a bunch of books they always offer one or two more so I have a list of about 350 books that I want to read. For 2011 my list mostly contains Graphic Design books but threw in some novels too. I'm so excited that I'm cheating and I've already started.

Happy 2011 everyone. Hope it brings nothing but good things for you =)

Double Standard Dress Code

Apparently at my place of work the rule isn't "No Jeans" its just Anna can't wear jeans. I understand no blue jeans and when I first started there I didn't wear any jeans period. But then I noticed some coworkers were wearing gray or black jeans. They were wearing them often enough (and no not just on Saturdays when blue jeans are okay) so I started wearing my gray jeans.

Yesterday, I walk in late I'm frazzled because i hate being late but I just lost track of time and had the I-have-nothing-to-wear syndrome. I'm wearing my gray jeans and the first thing my boss says to me is "Oh you can't wear jeans." I was like okay whatever. A little later she comes over to explain it to me more (because thats what she always does even though I got it the first time). She tells me we can't wear jeans except on Saturdays because we have to be business casual to match our customers. I just keep working and try to block her out. Later I notice her daughter, who has a higher position in the company than I do, wearing black jeans. And yes she wears black jeans almost everyday and never works on Saturday, which is the only jeans are okay day. Not to mention my coworker that I got the idea from since her jeans are a very faded black. Oh and let me not forget the owners son who was wearing BLUE jeans. I've come to the conclusion that the rule only applies to me. If I get a talking to ever again about my dress code violations then I'm just might have to point all these things out. I don't like being a tattle tale but I think it's bull crap that everyone else can wear their black or gray jeans except for me just because I'm not related to the owners or have worked there for years.

A Review

Since I posted my goals for October I figured I should probably mention how it all went. Well I did finish one book. I only have 2 left for the rest of the year to reach my New Years resolution of reading 21 books from a list I made. As for the running once a week. I think I went running 3-4 times last month which averages out to almost once a week but there were times when it was twice in one week. One success and one fail. I'm not too worried about it though. With the school semester coming to an end things are getting CRAZY! I'll be luck if I get a chance to really eat 3 full meals a day let alone exercise. Plus I have to meet with the people that are over the program to see if I can even stay in the program *gulp*. We'll see how it all plays out.

P.S. Total stupid moment. My Typography class has a blog... I accidentally posted this to it. Oops. I hope no one saw it before I realized it.

I Voted!

It's election day. I couldn't avoid writing a blog about it because I'm strangely excited about voting. I actually did a little (very little) research this time before voting so I felt a little more prepared than last time. Yes, I know the last election was more important, at the time, than this one. I won't lie, on several of the people running or whatever I still kinda guessed because it's hard to do research on all of them. Even trying to read through the little booklet they send out didn't help me. So I'm sorry judge people if you're a really good judge and I voted you out because for the most part I kinda just guessed. If you have a cool name you were lucky to get voted to stay in by me.

I really don't understand my excitement for voting. Maybe because I believe my vote counts. Maybe it's the whole gaining complaining rights. Let me explain. I think if you complain about how our country, state, county etc, is being run and you voted, complain on. If you chose not to vote and you complain then you should be flogged every time you complain until the next election. Maybe it's the whole anticipation of waiting to see if the people I voted for win because then it's like Booyah! But then again if they end up sucking then you are like Dangit! Anyways. Maybe it all comes down to one little, simple thing... the sticker! Call me immature but how often do you get things like that as an adult. You no longer get to pick a toy from the chest after your dentist appointment. The suckers remain in their jar at the doctors office. You just get handed the bill and sent on your way. But when you go vote they take you're little plastic card after you have punched in all your elected choices and say "Here is your sticker!" You flinch at first thinking it's a bill or something but then you realize they are handing you a big, red, round sticker that says "I Voted!" Like you have accomplished some great task! You take that sticker with a big Thank You grin, slap it on your shirt and go skipping out. You want to show the world your sticker like its a first place ribbon. Since I don't think going outside and skipping at night is a good idea this is my way of saying, "Look world, I voted! And I have this awesome sticker to show for it!" =0)

P.S. This is actually me in 2008. No one was really around to take my picture since last time my sister happened to be there at the same time I was.

Gap?

This is Gap's new logo. I don't understand what they are trying to do with it but I personally don't like it. Maybe it's because I'm so use to their thin serifed, spaced out letters on a navy blue box. Those letters with their large letterspacing spoke gap to me and now I associate a nice clothing store with. This new logo with its san-serifed bulky type with very little letterspacing and the random little blue box? It speaks computer company to me or electronics. And overall people don't like it, well in the design world. Apparently Gap doesn't really care and thinks they can probably get away with rebranding themselves. I guess the people that shop there probably don't care what their logo looks like as long as the merchandise and style in the store stay the same. I guess we'll see how the general public thinks about it. Rebranding any company is a dangerous thing. Some pull it off really well like Apple. They started as Apple computers with their little rainbow apple symbol and now they simply have an apple on their computers and people know what it is. I guess thats not a whole rebranding its just upgrading their symbol. Beware of rebranding lol jk.

A Break

Today I think I'm just going to complain. Sorry. I feel like I'm not doing so great at this whole college/life thing lol. I don't feel like I'm grasping the concept that my teachers are going for. Maybe it's because one teacher is like a pregnant lady (only a man) and one day he likes something and pushes you in that design direction the next class time he hates it. THEN the next time you present new ideas as well as the other one he hated, because you like it, and then he loves it and tells you it's your best one yet. Trying to deal with that is driving me crazy and gets me very discouraged most of the time. I've lost my energy to want to do anything with this class because he never really likes anything. Well wait he LOVES my company name I created but as for my logo/trademark it's the thing that frustrates me the most. Apparently I'm going to be stuck with this trade mark the rest of the semester. Project #2 for this class is creating the logo, making letterheads, envelopes and business cards for it. Also, we have to create a standards manual for our company. A standards manual basically tells you how the trademark can and cannot be used. Finally at the end of the semester we will have to put together a process book about our company. Everything that went into it; the brainstorming for a company name, logo sketches, roughdrafts of our design manual, the process of making basically everything. It's hard because I'm sick of being tugged back and forth on the matter and I'm losing steam quite quickly over it. Here I am on the brink of being kicked out of the program and I can't find the motivation to fight. It's engulfing my life. I only work 22 hours a week and even with only 2 classes it feels like all my freetime is eaten up by homework. Sigh. I'm just depressed and discouraged today thats really all. I'm actually excited for fall break because a week off school feels like what I need.

You Turned, Now Go

Today's entry states to write a letter to someone who has recently hurt you. I don't really feel like I've been hurt recently. I've been upset about certain things but I think I've been through some "deep hurts" in life that other things just don't bother me as much. Here goes my letter without names or anything so if it doesn't make sense to you then I'm sorry. If you're really curious you can ask me about it and I'll probably tell you.


To Nameless(es)

It's been awhile and I feel that I'm over it which makes it tough to write this, I guess. You may not really care about the issues that you cause(d). I keep to myself alot these days. I avoid letting people in because who knows when they'll turn on you and stab you in the back. You aren't the only one and you did it more than once. It's hard to trust people because I was never really sure when what was coming from your mouth was truth or lie. I knew you for quite some time and had decided to try and trust you. I don't hate you, I forgive you. I've moved on with my life and I'm glad that I've been able to reflect on the time we had together (the good, the bad and the ugly). I am grateful that you are no longer in my life because I've been happy. I do hope that your life is going well and that you will someday leave me alone. You were the one that decided to walk away and I wish that you would just go. You have your own life so live it stop infiltrating mine.

Thanks,
Anna

Vacation and Blogs

This is me in the Amazon jungle.... ok jk it's a Hawaii jungle. Anyway it's a picture of a place I've been and a place I love =0)


How did you find out about Blogs and why you made one: I honestly don't remember how I found out about blogs. I probably started one because someone invited me to check theirs out and I was like cool I want one to whine and complain on. But as you have read I'm trying to change that and not complain SO much ;)

Pictures.

A few of my daily blogs are all about pics and since I usually write my blogs in my class I never have pictures So here are pictures of me and some of my friends.

I have some very awesome friends. I'm glad that each one of them are in my life. They have each had their impact and have certainly helped me out in ways that they probably don't even know. I hope I'm as good of a friend to them as they are to me. Friends are awesome!

Some Goals etc.

Once again getting behind in blogging.  Oops. A few things I've missed from my list of daily posts

Short Term Goals for this month and Why. Since September is almost over I'll talk about October. My short term goals are:

1) Finish 2 more books from my list. Why? So that I'll only have 2 more books left from my list for the rest of the year and 2 months to read them. 

2) Go running at least once a week. Why? Because I need to get better at getting out to run if I want to run a marathon someday. And once a week is a good baby step start. 

Something I'm proud of in the past few days. The past few days? Probably finishing all of my homework ahead of time. Well most all of it...more than I usually do. Just have to read for Wednesday and get stuff for a presentation ready which won't take a very long time. 

 Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad. Too many songs fall into the "songs I listen to when happy" category. When I'm sad I listen to a CD that I made for Trev (and made myself a copy). I like to listen to that because it reminds me of him and he makes me happy =0). When I'm bored I usually turn to Pandora, my Ingrid Michelson channel to be more specific. When I'm hyped I like to play music that I know and can sing at the top of my lungs like "Across the Universe" soundtrack. When I'm mad I listen to the CD I made that I called "Demo it up." It has some kinda heavy, screamish songs.

Impact

Someone that has had the biggest impact on my life is this lady right here. This is my mom when she was little, because I don't think she would appreciate me posting a picture of her nowadays with her "old lady eyes" as she calls them. I still think she looks amazing and not a day over 40. She has made a great impact on my life because she has always been there for me and has helped me through alot of things either by listening or giving advice. She seems to have endless patience which I hope have someday (I'm working on it...it's really hard). She can sew anything from a wonder woman costume for me to a medieval dress for my sister. She always makes me laugh and she doesn't shun me for my goofiness. She laughs at my goofiness which just encourages me more. She can garden, landscape, cook, create new food dishes, knit, dejunk like a maniac, and heal boo-boos. She is awesome and I may have thought she was a little uncool in my teenage years but I have come to find she is the best friend I have ever had. I love my mom and I hope I can be just like her when I grow up! =0)

Another Post & Wonder Woman

I'm trying to do this whole post a blog entry everyday based on this list I snagged from a friend. Obviously it's not working out too well. Here are a few in one post!

The reason behind my blog name. Well I think it explain's itself. My name is Anna and this is where I log some of my thoughts. Anna's Thoughts. I know not all that great or creative but I created it years ago and I wasn't as in tune with my creativity at that point in life.

For pictures of my friends and me I'll have to wait until I am at my home computer because I don't have any on my flashdrive and I'm at school.

A Habit that I wish I didn't have: This is tough because it's more characteristics that everyone has but some people are better at controlling or whatever. I guess I wasn't so critical, unless I need to be for critiques, I don't always share the criticisms that go through my brain but I really wish they weren't there. OH Another habit I wish I didn't have is procrastination! If I could get rid of that I think I would be golden this semester. ..maybe.

My favorite superhero and why: Wonder Woman. I have loved her since I was little, I have been her for many great Halloweens, and she is just one awesome lady that kicks butt!! Her color scheme is great, her powers are cool (who wouldn't want a rope of truth, would have definitely saved me some troubles in my life), and awesome boots. I just love Wonder Woman

15 Interesting Things About Me.

15 interesting things about me.... I'm not sure I can think of 15 but here it goes.

1. I am a Toyota girl. I love Toyotas

2. I want to run a marathon someday

3. You can usually tell how stressed I am by the clutter build up in my room

4. I love waterpolo!!

5. Whenever I do a workout video at home I look on the back to see what the people on the video are wearing and dress accordingly

6.  I love riding on motorcycles. As for driving them... not my talent really.

7. I have a secret obsession with Candy Corns and I could eat and eat and eat them until I am sick to my stomach and still want more. (same goes for chocolate)

8. I've broken both of my feet (not at the same time) same bone, both on stairs at my house (when I was little). Walking down the stairs backwards is not that great of an idea. Neither is running up cement stairs at insanely fast speeds. Just speaking from experience.

9. The library is a dangerous place for me. I wander those aisle and pick out book after book even though I don't have time much time to read with school readings that I have to do. Then they sit there and when I return them I feel guilty almost for not even cracking them open. Yet when I return them I do the same thing only get less books, sometimes.

10. I'm obsessed with Animal Planet. More specifically the Animal Cops. Maybe its morbid curiosity to see how crappy people treat their pets. I don't know why I love watching it. I just do.

11. Number 11 is my favorite number.

12. Also love watching Hoarders and Intervention. Maybe so that I feel more normal about my life and like I have more control of myself than I think sometimes.

13. Whenever I go over railroad tracks or Trax tracks I lift my feet up (if it's safe, sometimes I won't when I'm driving). I had a friend's aunt tell us that it keeps you from aging quickly and so I started doing it with that belief in mind now I just do it out of habit.

14. I hate the sound of crunching metal. The sound when you hear a car accident. Hate it.

15. I love learning new things. It's one of my favorite things to do.  



What makes you happy?

Inspired by my bored blog reading. Yea. I was in class skimming through one blog then clicking the link at the top that says "Next Blog" It's pretty interesting the things that you come across this one was a picture of a lady on a crowded train or subway or something. She was a short lady, you could only see from her nose up. She is holding up a piece of aqua colored paper with the words "What makes you happy?" written on it. It made me think about what makes me happy?

It's tough to pin point what makes you happy sometimes. Having good food when I'm hungry makes me happy. Hanging out with my family does too. Knowing there are people in my life that I can trust. There are a million simple things that can help brighten your day and make you happier. Ice cream, new shoes, a good hair day, seeing a little kid be entertained by a single object, seeing someone else smile, etc.

There the things that sometimes makes you happy and other times makes you sad. One thing for me is Abby. She was one of the coolest dogs and sometimes thinking about her makes me laugh but sometimes it makes me cry because I miss her alot. The same thing goes for those moments where you see something funny or that was part of an inside joke and the only other person that would get it or was part of the joke is someone that is no longer in your life for one reason or another. The humor brought happiness and a laugh to your brain but the realization that you have no one to share it with puts a damper on that laugh.

Well here is to finding the things that make you happy in life and holding on to them to get you through the not so happy times and even your darkest moments.

History Repeated?

You've hear the saying "history repeats itself." If you haven't you must live under a rock or something. But now you have an welcome to the real world. =)

Have you ever thought about living your life over? Sometimes I do. However going back with the knowledge that I have now there are obviously things that I would want to change. However, thinking on it further if certain things about my life were changed then what kind of person would I be? Would I be better? More socially awkward? More out going? Carefree? No one really knows and you could honestly think about this in crazy endless loops.

I think everyone wants to change the things that hurt them. Since they have the knowledge that its going to happen then they can take care of it before they get their emotions involved or time, etc. Just like Bill Murray on Groundhog Day. If you think about all the hurtful things that have happened in your life there are some that you can't change no matter what you do. Death. It's a fact of life. Everything and everyone dies. This type of hurt would be one that you couldn't erase so you could never truly have a hurt free life. Unless, maybe, you lived under a rock but then you might feel the pangs of loneliness... but maybe without ever really having anyone around you wouldn't know what it was like to be around another person so maybe you wouldn't understand loneliness. Anyway back to the point. For me it's hard to imagine what type of person I would be without the things that just plain ol SUCKED in my life. Without them I wouldn't know that I can get through things and come out alive when at the time all I wanted to do was die. I wouldn't have a better understanding of who I am and what I want in life. I think I would still take my life the way it is.. or has been. I've had some pretty crappy experiences but the one that I felt to be the worst of all I am the most grateful for now that I'm on the other side of it and survived it. It really made me be more spoken about what I want and helped me learn to rely on trustworthy others (which is pretty much my God and my family because they were the ones that were truly there for me when I felt I had no one else). And from that I have handled bad times better. When crap happens I think back to that time in my life and realize this new prob is nothing compared to that one. It gives me strength and confidence in myself to carry on.

It's also interesting to see that in your own life, history can repeat itself. I feel like I've had a few second chances with the same situation (almost) but different people. Usually I've blown it the first time so it helps me to do better the next time I realize I have pretty much the same situation on my hands. Obviously everything is not exactly the same and the persons involved do not have the exact same personality or life experiences. I'm grateful for the chances I have to try again basically. I am grateful for the life I have and the trials God has put in front of me only to help me through them. Life is great and you feel yours is not then I hope you can find what will make you truly happy in life and go for it. Goals are awesome. Set them. And reach them. I truly believe you can do anything that you set your mind to you just have to be humble enough to ask for help. Once again life is Awesome! =0)

I dream of Photoshop.

I love photoshop!

I'm no pro but here is a blog that I read today ... well looked since it's mostly pictures. Its amazing what some people can do with photoshop. Someday maybe I can be as good as they are lo, maybe.

http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/strange-funny-photoshop-manipulations/

Check it out.

Dislike for 2012 Logo

This is the logo design for the 2012 Olympics. I'm not sure the aim that they were trying to take with this but I think its ridiculously ugly. My history of graphic design teacher said that they even had it so it was moving and flashing (somehow) but it was causing seizures therefore they stopped that. It reminds me of the 80's that or cavemen drawings. I can appreciate the creativity it may have taken to get this design but the result is not pleasing to my eye. I don't think I'm the only one that feels this way, obviously the group of designers in England okayed it. It just doesn't speak Olympics to me (besides the Olympic rings). The cost of getting this logo was 400,00 pounds, that's $620,775.73.

I decided this needed a face lift and attitude change. Originally I wasn't intending to write all about the sad and depressing things in life but that's what it ended up being. Oops.

Now I am going to try to A) write more B) try to keep it pleasant. I'll probably end up writing mostly about design school and maybe running. I've wanted to run a marathon for a while but I haven't really gotten around to it. School and work are usually in my way especially when trying to do both. When I get into my running training then I'll probably talk about that here and there but for now it will be mostly design school and stuff.

I am starting my 3rd year in the graphic design program at the University of Utah. It's been a great challenge thus far and I expect it to continually get harder. However, for the time being I am pumped and excited. Granted I've only had 3 days of school so we'll see how I'm doing in a month.

Now that You're Gone

Who will open the door for me

because I've gotten quite use to it.

Who will go on long drives with me

just to reach nowhere in particular and turn around

Who will let me help with their mechanic projects

even though I'm just the "go-fer."

Who will be there to tell me I'm gorgeous and mean it

when I'm in my sweats with puffy red eyes.

Who will be a goofball with me

and have laughter to compliment mine.

Who will be the one to excavate my smile

when it had fallen from my face.

Who will Gaze into my eyes

and stare as if they are lost in a galaxy.

But most important

Who will wrap me in their arms

where I feel that everything will be okay.

Trudging

Life is trudging on

And I'm stumbling along

the zeal of life growing dim

In a forest of trees

Each taking their swap at me

Their branches scrathing and tearing

And cutting me down

I continue on

the warm glow slowly fades

All around turns grey

The skip in my step

The gleam in my eye

Gone with the light

As I carry on along this path

The dark seeps into my pores

Numbly walking on

If I fall

The fight to get up could be the end

Clumsily, feet hitting stones

the cold and dark engulfs me

It hollows out my soul

The shell is stumbling on