Shutterbug

I signed out the art department's Nikon Coolpix 5000 for the weekend to experiment a bit with a digital camera. After having some experience with a digicam, I still prefer film cameras over digital ones. I just can't get a handle on all the controls and menus... it's a pain to set everything up for a shot. Plus the response time on this camera isn't exactly that fast. I also don't like how the camera also limits the f-stop range you can use. I ended up getting some nice shots with the Nikon, but I still like my Contax camera a lot better!

View of Highway 7 from the 404:

Pretty sky:

Grocery shopping:

When I Grow Up I Want To Be A... ~Part 2~

I was thinking that after I graduate I would want to really live life, explore and be adventurous before I settle down with a job I'll be at for who knows how many years/decades. I think once I start my job right after graduation I'll never ever get the chance to go off on my own and have fun. And I'm not just talking about a little vacation for a few weeks- I want to venture off into far off places and exotic lands for at least a year and open my mind up to so many cultures and experiences. One of the things that I would really like to do is to teach English in a foreign country, preferably Japan or France, but Eastern Europe and other Asian countries would be amazing too. To have the opportunity to live somewhere outside of North America would give me a different outlook of the world and of life, as it's not the same as just visiting a place for a short amount of time. The only thing that I would be a tad worried about is something my mom brought up: after being away so long wouldn't it be harder to find a job since I'm out of practice (ie. my knowledge will be outdated)? Hmm.. I dunno. But there are so many people who take years off to explore on their own and I don't see them having any problems upon returning to find a job. What do you think?

When I Grow Up I Want To Be A... ~Part 1~

I guess as everyone's getting so close to graduating (or already have graduated), people are asking each other "what do you want to do"?! Some have just been studying in their current program because they can get big bucks in that industry (although they may not enjoy it). Others want to do something they love and don't mind making less money. I definitely want to be well off, but I don't want to hate my job. On the flip side, I see my drawing instructor creating art as a living but he has to teach in order to make ends meet and I don't want to be in that sort of position either.

Wednesday afternoon I was walking on campus and I was pondering these issues (though I have no idea what triggered this introspection). I realized that since I'm studying comp sci and fine art together, I should have a whole range of possibilities in front of me when I step into the real world. Commercial design or computer animation are things that I would enjoy doing while at the same time would allow me to make a decent living. If I had to choose between a great job with okay pay and an okay job with a great pay, I would definitely go for the more enjoyable job... I mean we're talking about 8+ hours/day of your life at the workplace for the rest of your life. But in the course of your life, you can have many different careers. Some may be great, others not as much. And all this depends on timing and chance. The really great jobs are the ones you don't expect and happen when the timing is just right. I have heard so many stories from teachers and profs (and even reading how celebs get their big break) where some event just happens and they land a great job that was unplanned for. Everything happens for a reason. If something doesn't work out well for you then it was not meant to be- something better for you will come later on. You just don't know when.

So, Jason, after reading your journal today (which, coincidentally, was on the same subject :P) it seems like you're in a double whammy situation with the not so great job & pay. I think since this is your first job, it shouldn't be too bad if you stick it out for a bit longer... it's only your first week. Things might look up for you- if not, then it's all for the experience. Any experience you will have acquired at this job will help you in getting another job that's bigger and better. And again, I think it's all about timing. Just don't despair- you'll find some direction soon enough :)

School, School & Shopping

[Mood] Lethargic
[Music] Jason Mraz- Prophet

School's getting crazy. I have so much work and so little time to relax. The first and second weekends since the beginning of school sucked, and to top it all off, I only got 4 hours of sleep the last 2 Monday nights (I had 9 am classes darn it). IT's my drawing class that's peeving me off. Don't get me wrong; the class is pretty interesting and I"m being challeged in so many ways, but jeez does it take a while to finish things for that course! Ok, I guess I'm kind of a slow drawer, but the workload is still a bit much. For example, I was madly finishing off the first assignment that was due today. Because of some misinterpretation, the substitute prof we had last week relayed some ideas that didn't exactly fit with the assignment goal that our prof had. Sooo, instead of getting the assignment off my shoulders, I need to fix up my drawings, which will be due in 2 weeks. On top of that, we just received our second assignment today that is due next week. Oh, did I also mention the daily drawings that we have to do??

I can't believe my first 2 weeks back at school have already been so stress-ridden! According to Michelle's Book of Rules, in order to prevent an early burnout, what's a girl to do but shop? *Grin* Let's just say I did a bit some splurging. I was just browsing throught some stores at Markville Mall on Saturday and checked out American Eagle Outfitters. Lo and behold there was a beautiful corduroy jacket hanging on the rack- it turned out there was only one more in size small, which fit me to a T! A bit on the costly side though. But hey, I DESERVED IT.

Photo Friday: Found

Theme: Found

A beautiful monarch butterfly at Wasaga beach.

I Have Geekish Tendancies

Look ma, I'm 14.20118% geek!

[Brought to you by The Geek Test]

Ryan Is My Canadian Idol

Go Ryan! I already put in my vote :P
If Gary wins, I'll be very dissapointed in Canada.

Friday Five

1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed?
Yup, still the same.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be?
I like my first name but I hate the fact that practically everyone has the same name as me! One variation that I really like is Micheline.

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?)
My dad chose it because he thought it was French (I liked it too because of that reason). Then he found out it was Hebrew instead so he quite disappointed.

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why?
For some reason, I tend to really like J names. Girl names I love are Jocelyn, Jessamyn, and Sabrina. Names for boys that I love are Ashley, James, Josh, Nick, and Ryan. I absolutely hate the name Jeff, as I have realized that all those named Jeff are evil.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com / triggur.org / astroexpert accurate? How or how isn't it?

The analysis from kalabarians.com is more true in the first half, while the last half isn't quite as accurate:

Your first name of Michelle has made you a hard worker with a meticulous sense of detail. You have a great deal of patience and independence, and you can be relied upon to complete your undertakings. You are stable, trustworthy, homeloving, and logical in practical matters, but rather unresponsive to suggestions from others. You resist change. This name does not give you great ambitions, vision, or imagination. It frustrates the expression of your softer, feminine qualities in that you find it difficult to express the depth of your feelings for those you love. It limits you to practical matters of the day, filling your life with detailed routine. hard work, and monotony.

And I thought this from triggur.org was pretty funny:

Expression
michelle is drawn to the scene of an accident by morbid curiosity.
Personality
michelle is childish and immature.
Natural
michelle regularly practice cannibalism.
Emotional
michelle does stupid things to impress people.
Character
michelle will turn on you in an instant.
Physical
michelle could use some penicillin.
Mental
michelle can be apathetic to a fault.
Motivation
michelle hates dealing with the details.

[Q's from Friday Five]

And So It Begins...

Well, I just completed the first week of school. I'm tired and I'm already stressing out over all the assignments I'll have to do for each course. My stage and costume design, drawing, and comp sci courses are especially going to be a lot of work. Not to mention the fact that I also have to be parting with another big chunk of money to buy the endless amount of art supplies I'll be needing for my projects. AARGH!

Today as I was on my way to pick up a book on hold at the World's Biggest Bookstore I passed by a used bookstore called BMV, which sells second-hand books, music and videos (hence the acronym). I spent quite a while in there browsing through the material and picked up some great buys. I got The Virgin Suicides for $10, About a Boy for $5, and Fodor's Exploring Japan for $4, all in really good condition!

Starry Starry Night

[Mood] Sleepy
[Music] Evanescence- Going Under

I went out to dinner last night at Penelope, a lovely Greek restaurant on King Street W. right next to Roy Thompson Hall. Over at Roy Thompson Hall there was a red carpet and a whole mass of people waiting around. Darryl and I went to see what the fuss was about and took in the scene before going to dinner. After dinner Darryl, Justine and I walked back past the red carpet and waited to see if anyone famous would arrive for the gala screening. It turned out that Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins were right where we was standing not too long ago!! *Gasp* Quite exciting don't you think? ;P

Back To School (doh!)

Huh, it's already back to school?? Argh. This week was my only real week of summer... and it felt so weird to not be working anymore! Tomorrow's my last free day before classes on Monday so I guess I should make the most out of it. Lookie my luvy timetable.

Thought Of The Day

Shots suck.

Jason Mraz

I went to see Jason Mraz in concert last week and all I can say is WOW. He's an amazing live performer and so talented. So, I've been listening to all his songs this past weekend. The one's I especially love are You And I Both * Absolutely Zero * No Stopping Us * Tonight, Not Again * 1000 Things * The Remedy.