On My Newest Painting...

I don't know how I feel about this one yet. It is so unlike anything I've ever done before. It could probably use more work, but I have to give it to its recipient tomorrow.

On New Job Opportunities...

Yesterday was my last day of work, which gives me the rest of this week to pack and clean the house. Quitting was relatively painless. My boss was gracious and said he would give me a stellar recommendation, and the programmer who handles my day-to-day tasks even passed my name onto a friend who is looking for freelance writers, which sends me over the moon!

I was so afraid of being unemployed again, but with a fall-back freelance writing jobs already on hand and another job becoming available in the future, I don't think I'll have to worry about money too much while looking for a full-time job I will love. It just makes the moving process a little more stress free. It's funny though; I never thought I would be someone with connections. Just goes to show that sometimes everything works out just fine.

I hope I didn't jinx myself with this post...

On In-n-Out...

While people tell me that one of Chicago's best features is its food, I say the absence of In-n-Out means that it can't be THAT good.

I'm trying to get as much of this tasty place as I can before I move. I have had it twice in the past week. Apparently my hunger for In-n-Out overrides my need to save money for the move.

On How Moving Day is Fast Approaching...

Well, I move on February 25th, so I'm trying to enjoy as much mild weather as I can before heading to the freezing temperatures of Chicago.

I'm really excited guys. And really nervous.

I have my moving truck reserved and my brother's plane tickets bought. I am really glad he is flying out to drive with me. Not only will the drive be that much easier, but I am excited to get that time to spend with him before I'm almost 2,000 miles away (He still lives with my parents in San Diego County).

I got a freelance writing gig to keep me afloat while looking for a job. For that, I am grateful.

I have yet to tell my boss I am leaving. I'm not going to lie; I feel pretty guilty. I am the only in-office employee he has at this point and I know he wanted me to continue with him as his business transitions. But I'm afraid to tell him yet because he might let me go as soon as I tell him. I've decided to wait until I get my next paycheck before springing it on him. I hope he will be fine with it.

But I'm excited. I'm excited to be with James again. I'm excited to explore a new place.

I'm not excited to leave Rachel, but we'll be fine. I know it.

Deep breath.

Smashbook: Scrapbooking for the Non-Scrapbooker...

So I have managed to finish one of my goals for this month of creativity/doing what I love. Meet my Smashbook. A twist on traditional scrapbooking, this is a book that comes in a variety of themes. Each page comes already decorated, which is great for me because I think the whole process of a traditional scrapbook seemed overwhelming, which is probably why I've waited a year and a half to even start. The Smashbook allowed me to make my scrapbook into a much more artsy and less-organized affair. I added pictures, souvenirs, journal entries that I wrote while in Venice and even added a few of my watercolors. I am not quite done with my project yet. I want to add pictures of a few more of my watercolors and write ending thoughts in the back of the book. Over all, I like the way it turned out. Smashbooks are a really great way to scrapbook on the go or to do inspiration journals. Every book comes with a great pen/glue stick, and I accented my book with tapes and notepads that I also bought along with it. Check out some of the pages below: 

Happiness Project: Do What You Love

So I wasn't that great at taking pictures during the past month, but I managed to take more than I was previously. I should consider doing a photo-a-day challenge again, but might wait until I get my iPhone back. Mine broke Wednesday, and I am currently using my old AT&T Go Phone from a couple years ago. I do have a little digital camera that I could use, but that is so much less convenient than the iPhone. Oh how technology has spoiled me. I barely remember what it was like to get film developed...

Anyway, for this month I have chosen to pursue the things that I love but don't make time for. Oftentimes I get home from work and work out, eat, watch TV and play around on my computer, shower, read a little and then go to bed. No where in there do I make time for creating, and, to tell you the truth, I don't even read enough for my liking. So for this month, I'm going to make time for being creative.

I already know a few ways I can do this:

1. I will finish the painting I have been working on since before Thanksgiving for a friend.
2. I will finally create a scrapbook of my trip to Venice almost 2 years ago.
3. I will write at least one short story.

Now fitting this in might be difficult, especially since I just picked up a freelance writing job, but I will work to do each of these things this month, amid my working full time and planning to move to Chicago at the end of February. But even if I don't fit something creative in every day, I will work to get it in as much as possible. Creativity is something you must actively practice, and I want to make sure it is a priority in my life.

And on that note, I wanted to link to something I discovered yesterday: Blossom Magazine. I'll let the online magazine's creator describe it herself: 

"Blossom" is a visual journal that's all about loving your life and living it fully and authentically. Filled with loads of creative ideas and inspirations, Blossom celebrates our creative expression and passions; our mantra is "Create Love, Be Kind and Express Beauty"

On How My Life Revolves Around My Best Friend...

Rachel and Me at a Bridal Show Photobooth

Lately I feel like my life has been revolving around my best friend and her upcoming nuptials. This isn't her fault; I'm probably more excited than she is. In fact, it probably has something to do with how my life has ALWAYS revolved around her. I mean, she's the reason I moved to Phoenix in the first place.
AND TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!

We've always been a bit crazy

On another note, it has been so cold lately. I know I was complaining about the heat before, but I guess I'm just a baby. This cold should help me prepare a little for Chicago.

Dude! Dude! DUDE! Happy Birthday Best Friend!