You know how sometimes people on your friends list post about stuff going on in their life, and all of a sudden you think "Wait a minute? Since when were they working THERE? Since when were they dating HIM/HER? Since when???" And then you wonder how you could have missed all that seemingly pretty standard information, but somehow you feel too ashamed to ask for clarification because it seems like info you should already know? It happens to all of us sometimes.

Please copy the topics below, erase my answers and put yours in their place, and then post it in your journal! Please elaborate on the questions that would benefit from elaboration. One-Word-Answers seldom help anyone out. (:



1. FIRST NAME
Ashley. I used to hate my first name (for the same reason you did panicbutter lol). Because it was so common. I hated having to write down my last name or initial all the time. I stopped caring after a while. Ironically I'm the only Ashley within my major.

2. AGE
21. I'm at that age where I should be responsible and I'm not yet completely. But I DO GET TO DRINK AT A BAR NOW HURR HURR. There's...not much more to say about my age. I still look forward to my birthdays even though I do nothing during them for the most part.

3. LOCATION
Right now I'm in Lancaster for school reasons, but for the most part I've been all over the East coast. I was born in Pittsburgh and lived there for about three years of my life. From there we moved to New Jersey, then to Ohio (and within Ohio I lived in Columbus, Marysville and Medina) THEN from Ohio I moved to Philly. And from Philly I'm here in Lancaster!

4. OCCUPATION
Full time student, Graphic Design major. And part time at Gamestop. Student wise, I really like being a student. Honestly, there's really nothing easier. But I'm scared of when I'll have to be out in the real world. Working a real job and stuff like that. And ugh paying my loans...But Gamestop is just a lame retail job. Ugh, at my new store I don't even get to check out new games for free. I can only do it with used games. I need a better paying job but I don't have the time to offer for one. SUPER LAME.

5. PARTNER
My current boyfriend and I have been dating for a little more then a year. Its been really good so far. It's nice to have a boyfriend who isn't SUPER completely nerdy and into all the same stuff I am, but we still have enough in common to where I'm not dating someone far out on left field. We get along really well and he understands what I need and like in a relationship. I'm happy.

6. KIDS?
No. Maybe someday I'll want some someday but at this moment the idea of having children just makes me sick. I'm far too selfish and into my own stuff to care about another human being like that.

7. BROTHERS/SISTERS
I have a younger brother and sister. I've probably mentioned them before. My sister is about five years apart from me and the older we've gotten, the better we've gotten along. When we were little we used to fight all the time. But I think it comes with maturing we eventually get along. My brother (about six years younger then me), has a lot more in common with me (like with videogames and all that good stuff). Actually we're a bit too much alike and it kind of makes me a bit anxious.

8. PETS
At my home, we have a dog and a cat. Our dog is PJ and he's really big and goofy. He's generally a good dog, even though he might bark a bit. But he doesn't tear up the house or poop around the place. And he's really super sweet. Our cat Meeko gets sort of forgotten about. She used to be really mean (except to me, she was always really sweet to me). And she hates PJ. So she pretty much hides in the basement and when someone comes down she assaults them for attention.

9. LIST THE 3/5 BIGGEST THINGS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE
- School, getting all my shit done and what not.
- Portfolio. Getting all my stupid pieces all ready and placed and what not.
- Uh...I guess trying to get monies and what not? God my life is really boring right now. But everything that's really super important is school related. (PFFFT or videogame, but that's supper gay to mention as important to my life)

10. PARENTS
Ah...my parents. We don't have a bad relationship but I'm certainly not as close as most the people on my F-list. But my parents overall are really good people and only want whats best for me, even if they can be a bit crazy. My parents were young when they had me but we're sort of one of those really rare success stories. They were both super lucky that their parents supported and helped them. It's always sort of funny, because any other parent their age has kids my brother and sister's age and then I sort of show up and their like "Uh...wait, that's your daughter?". The only thing that's really super sucked about that is that whenever they do things with their friends and kids, I sort of get left out. Because there's usually no one my age.
My mother and I have had a sort of argumentative relationship. We love each other, but we butt heads. For the most part I think the problem is we have a hard time understanding each other. She doesn't get a lot of what makes me tic, but at the same time she really tries sometimes and tries to support me. She's really high strung sometimes and deals with a lot of medical issues (which I really wish she would calm down sometimes, because its so much worse for her health). But she's always been really high strung.
My dad is a pretty mellow and chill kind of guy. Totally opposite of my mom. And honestly, they're both so perfect and complimentary for each other, they couldn't have had a better pair. But at the same time, while my mother is more open and emotional, my dad is distant and non personally. He's really super friendly, but he's really non personal with us sometimes. And he can be more of an hardass sometimes when it comes to certain things. We don't really spend a whole lot of time together and its hard for us to really be open and honest with each other.

11. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS?
Of course there's my BFF FOREVS Bethany. She's probably the best friend I've ever had (mmm cheesy). But seriously, there's a lot we don't always agree on, and I know we annoy each other sometimes. But I haven't had a friend who's been more supportive and awesome then her. Despite the fact that we're two very different people sometimes, she's an amazing person and I love her to death.

OMG stuff coming up. I'm so anxious/excited/nervous.

So yeah, my big stinking portfolio review is coming up. I was freaking out about it initially they were like "NO USING ANY PIECES FROM PREVIOUS SCHOOLS". And I'm like. Um...I'm a transfer student. I have maybe two pieces that I can actually use from this school. Corinne and I are sort of scratching our heads going WTF. Until finally they remembered they had transfer students and they were like "Oh but you guys can use pieces from your previous school". The requirement is basically within the past three semesters, and one or two pieces from this school. Which I can totally do. I have all my pieces picked out, I basically need to reprint some of them (and go through and make sure they're ABSOLUTELY PERFECT). I also got this really giant roll of paper. Our school has all the printers we can use for free, which is super. But they don't provide paper. Not so super. But over all it'll be cheaper and better then printing as staples or kinkos. I hate using those services, what if something goes wrong and you go and pick it up and its all FAIL AIDS. Then you have to basically stay and have them fix it. I know you do the test prints beforehand BUT STILL.

Either way. I'm building my portfolio! Like my actual book! I'm so excited! I ordered my book and I just got it today. I picked up a smaller book for illustration work. I don't really have a whole lot for that, since most of my work has been Graphic Design stuff. But I can start building illustration on the side, I have a few pieces I really like, but my big focus is Graphic Design at the moment.

So basically I'll have this review (around December. I'm pretty sure its due around the second week of December) and I'll find out if I'm passed and able to go on my internship during the summer. Otherwise I have to wait until the second semester and have the review again (lame. I don't want to not pass the first time).

But at the moment, I'm just really really super excited to have my portfolio book. It makes me feel...professional. Excited.

Now to finish my stuff.

Overall a pretty mediocre con. I think the best parts were the fact it was so close to home, and that Beth and I got a chance to see a few people we knew (not as many as we hoped for. Sadly, we were forced to miss her friends from her anime club, and I never saw a few people I knew). SO basically here's the rundown.

( Zenkaikon ) and her Ciel. Her skit was pretty awesome, I was mad impressed with the dancing. <3


AND TO END. A nice photo I found of Beth and I. <33</div>

If you want to see more, then look here.

I did get a chance to visit my parents. Beth dropped me off, and it was nice and drama free, since my mom was just really happy to see me. We got a chance to go out and she bought me some a lot of grocery stuff. She also made me some breakfast too, which was lovely <3. Donald woke up around 2:30ish, picked me up and we saw the new Saw movie. Over all it was okay. I enjoyed myself (and it was nicer since one of Donald's friends was working, so we got in for free). But the Saw movies all had a sort of downward spiral. Its like every time they keep going back and saying "OH NO, I SWEAR. THIS PERSON WAS HERE THE WHOOOOOOLE TIME" But at least with this movie, they sort of tied up all the lose ends of every previous movie. They did however do the customary horror movie thing, and leave something so there could be another movie. But I won't spoil that for anyone who hasn't seen it.

AND now I'm home.

OH OH. I got my Maylene wig in the mail (way earlier, but I accidentally had it shipped to my home and not my apartment). AND here it is!



Thank god that this webcam doesn't show how terrible my face looks without makeup. I have to say, this is my FAVORITE wig ever. I gushed about the Ukraine wig, but this one is better. It has the shortness of Ukraine, but this one is far more interesting. This is my first sort of different colored wig, and the pigtails have these neat little clips on the side. Ugh...so...tempted...to start...costume... *-*

ALRIGHT. I'm done now. I swear. So how was everyone else this weekend?

Pffssttssdfsd So I went into work tonight, and we get informed that the VP of the entier east coast is coming into our store and like "OH HAI GUIZ WE'RE GONNA VISIT YOU". So we not only had to rearrange the whole store, but clean the fuck out of the place. It was busy as crap at the same time. On the positive side, it was a really quick work shift. The upper management seem pretty cool overall, I felt a little bad for taking off the week of Black Friday, but when it comes down to it, this is a part time job. It's not my focus. Ugh, and walking home from the busstop...its not the walk. Its the music that comes on my iPod. I have a shit ton of Silent Hill music. So I'm walking along, listening to something fun and happy. THEN FREAKING SILENT HILL COMES ON WHILE I'M WALKING IN THE DARK AND ITS LIKE SCARY AS CRAP. HOLY GOD. EMPTY STREETS AND FREAKING SILENT HILL. NEVER GOOD.

Peoples have been talking about makeup all over their LJ's, it reminded me I needed to buy some more of my own. Foundation primer is...far...too expensive. Even for the brand I like (ugh, it doesn't help that Sephoria is amazing and expensive at the same time). And I'm experimenting in liquid liner for the first time. AW MAN, it was a hawt mess on the first eye I tried it on. Nice and messy. But the second eye went far better. I should have picked up some of those eyelash thickening mascara. I have long ass lashes, but they're thin as hell. And I had quite the experience when I tried to put on false lashes (and now I can't find them, I think they got lost in the move).

I've been re-watching G Gundam, and it reminds me of its awesomeness. It's such a silly anime, with all its campiness. BUT GAWD. There's seriously so much awesomeness. FIRST OF ALL.

( THIS HAND OF MINE BURNS RED! )

Okay, that's all I have to rant about G Gundam. It has some serious plot flaws, but out of all the Gundam's, it doesn't try so hard to take itself THAT seriously. And that's what helps make it so awesome. That, and I have some awesome nostalgia goggles on when I watch it. But it makes me happy. It's been a while since I really sat down and watched an anime. I'm generally more of a manga person.

OH OH. Zenkaicon is this weekend! I can't wait! I'll finally get a chance to wear my maid costume <333 I managed to upset my mother, because I didn't plan on visiting my family (I'll only really be there one full day, and then leave sometime later Sunday, whenever Donald can take me home). Saturday it meant for the con. But my mom go really, really upset. I mean, I get that she'd want to see me, but it just kind of didn't work out like that. It doesn't mean I didn't want to see her at all. But my mother, being my mother, worked the guilt trip thing. So she made me feel bad. Ugh. What is it about my mother that strips me of all confidence and rational thought? She's my mother, she's the only one who can do that. I did keep from falling in the pressure she was pushing on me, but she still managed to make me feel bad for not planning on seeing them. Ugh. They'll see me later in November.

SO ANYWAY. I'll take plenty of photos from Zenkai!

So! Halloween went by interestingly enough. Corinne and I checked out the Halloween party at our school, which turned out to be pretty boring over all. But I was really excited to have a costume for Halloween!

( Photos )

After Corinne and I ditched the party, Beth met up with us and we went drinking. Oh and that was interesting. We saw some pretty awesome tranny's, who were calling me "Nurse Jane". I got a lot of interesting attention due to the nurse costume.

The entire time my voice was cracking out. I pretty much lost my voice this morning. Ugh, and I still have to go into work for a short meeting. I really wish this stupid cough would go away. I feel okay. But I still have the cough and mucus. IDK hopefully by next week I'll start to feel better.

OH OH. BUT. This year, since we have a place to stay for free, Beth and I are going to Tekko this year. So anyone who can make it to Tekko we'll see you there as well <3

Ugh...I've been in bed all day. A cold. I woke up this morning and it was like PRESSURE and MUCUS. AND EW. I went to my class to turn in my stuff, and she made me stay for an hour or so. Before she realized "oh...well you look like shit. OKAY now you can leave!". Granted, she's a nice woman, but ugh. After that point I pretty much slept the entire day. I feel a lot better now, so I should be fine for class and work. My throat still hurts a bit, and I'm still stuffed. But otherwise I'm okay.

I mostly posted this because I knew you'd want to see the animation that I mentioned. It's not the greatest, there's a lot of problems, and I didn't have a whole lot of time to work on it sadly. I'd like to think of it as...a rough sketch.

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/516073

Enjoy.

I'm super stoked. I called in work, to see when I was scheduled, and it turns out I have Halloween off! So my roommate and I will get a chance to go to the Halloween party at the school! I haven't had a chance in a really long time to do anything for Halloween, so I'm really excited. AND I actually have a costume!! I was trying to figure out what I was going to do, and it hit me. I still have my Lisa costume. And at first, I thought I was just going as generic nurse. BUT. I realized her hair is shorter in Origins. AND I GOT SUPER EXCITED.



It's a little bit longer then my Ukraine wig, but for the most part its PERFECT. I can't believe how excited I got. UGN I'll have a costume for Halloween and it'll be cosplay related! AW YEAH HALLOWEEN TIEM HERE I COME. Which reminds me. I need to quick make up a new hat for the costume. My old one is gone, and it was pretty bad anyway. It's a quick process, I just need to do it. That and find some time to work on that Art History paper. Well, its not that I'm worried about time. It's so easy (3-4 pages) I just know how...lazy I am, and when I'll actually get it started. Last minute. Must...try and avoid that.

Beth and I went to the Hetalia World Day thing. It was fun. Minus...the rain and crap all over us.


Beth attempts to murder me. LYRICALLY.


I love candid shots. And I was completely unaware of this one, which made it fun.

I wish I took more photos. Or really any photos. I found maybe one or two of my costume that I liked, but it seems like other people had bigger gatherings. It would have been nice to have a big gathering (and it not having rained down on us, thus, stuck in the mall). BUT, the people there was pretty cool, and I had a good time. I was going to go with Beth to her anime club's Halloween party, but the dates were mixed up, thus, no go.

SO. I am pretty stoked for Halloween now! Which is all I have to really report.

Going home today, which is exciting and stressing me out at the same time. I'm excited to go home and what not, but making sure I have EVERYTHING I need done is stressing me out a bit. And I am just a champ of stress. I'm more anxious because I know my parents were having an issue about getting me home on Sunday, and I need to be home, I have class in the morning and I really don't want to miss my first class (Art History. I actually really like it, but I can't afford to miss it because we go over a lot). But once I get home I'll be happy, and this weekend is looking like a lot of fun (Shocktoberfest! I've never been, but I always heard the radio ads. Looks like funnzies!)

We already are looking at scheduling for next semester. Feels so early, but I guess it isn't. As a transfer, the Dean wanted to speak with me, and make sure I was on the right track and what not. It was almost kind of pointless to be there, because she was basically like "Okay, so these three classes you're just taking the next one up. Then Your going to take this...and maybe this,". And I was like "KAY,". But she brought up something that just makes me feel ugh. There's no way I can take all the classes I need to and graduate next year. I need to mash in a lot of bullshit during the summer. Problem? I'm going on my internship this summer (which could basically be a full time job). Plus there's the money of putting in another semester. I'm very VERY unlikely to get paid while in said internship. Which means I need money. I'm probably going to work while in said internship. Pam (said Dean), was basically telling me "Well...you'll probably get a job and you can work off the extra credits elsewhere if you have to, wherever you are,". And I'm just like, are you kidding me? I mean, a degree is a degree...I mean I knew that I wasn't going to be able to fit everything in two years, but still. Its so utterly frustrating when she's basically telling me I'll have to transfer to another school, probably, if I want to finish and get my BFA. That's why I'm here, to GET my BFA. Why can't we do these internships during our Senior year? Is this common? To do this our Junior year? If I really tried, I could probably jam pack everything in during the summer. I don't know. Maybe I'll be able to fit everything the summer of my senior year. You know, continue my debt, and I'll have a job nearby.

Which leaves me to another point. My apartment. I don't know how long term I can say it'll be. I can't afford the place on my own. While I'm not in danger of losing my roommate anytime soon, she will be graduating her senior year. While I might be/maybe sorta/who knows, still here. I might be thinking a bit too far into this. Honestly, this all really depends on my internship. So there's no point in stressing out over it now, when there's nothing I can do about it. The next thing I really should be concerned about my upcoming portfolio review. I've only gotten...ONE new piece for it! Awesome sauce. It's at least something graphic design related. But my pieces are now just everything I did at Montco. I don't know. I'm being anxious. I'm a pretty decent designer, there's no reason I shouldn't get approved for an internship. And I was able to force and bullshit my way through my first one, so what am I concerned about? Oh just everything, because I like to let stress eat away at my stomach, I'm so heading for an ulcer.

More then anything, I already want a nap. I can't get one, I might just fall asleep in the car when my dad comes and gets me. I was disappointed before that I wouldn't be able to come home sooner (he has a meeting in Lancaster, then around...8:30-9 he'll come and get me). But now I'm kind of glad, because I have more time to get what I need done. Damn...sketches.

So yeah, spent my weekend lazing around. I worked only one day (I don't need money or anything). And I found out I requested off the wrong week, so I had to tell my manager I couldn't work next week. He wasn't pleased. But I'm really sort of desperate to visit home. My dad is picking me up on Thursday, and somehow taking me home on Sunday. Both of my parents are leaving for Pittsburgh (mom meeting with friends, and dad helping his sister), and I'm acting as advanced babysitter. My siblings are 16, and 15 respectively, but they don't want to leave them alone for a weekend. Whatevs. Gives me a chance to be home for a bit (though I don't have a bed at home right now...what with me taking my bed with me), so I'm probably going to sleep in my brother's room or the living room (since he sleeps in the basement). BUT even though I can't see my parents, I'll get a chance to see the siblings and my friends (Donald and Bethany. See, plural).

I'm so not getting any hours coming up, which sucks a bit, but at the same time, sort of all on me. There's this weekend, and then the weekend after I'm doing this Hetalia World Day thing, and then in November is Zenkaicon and Thanksgiving...I think I should be looking for a new job. The biggest problem I had was that I couldn't get a job anywhere up until I sort of settled with EB. As much as I have always detested it, I was starting to look at the local restaurants (not a lot of places) and no one was hiring. I think it might be in my best interest to start looking around again. See if maybe there's anyplace hiring. If any place local is hiring, then I can save money on bus fare at the very least. I don't predict a restaurant, but if I did, I could score some food, and tips would be lovely. Pfft, I think I'm just going to ask straight up for cash for Christmas. Granted, I ask for cash every year. And sadly, I have yet to get it.

( Cosplay stuffs )

OH. MY. GOD. I saw the single most AMAZING fan made film ever. For any MGS fans (I think you are trickssi?). It was made by an Italian group of film students and fans, and I'm so blown away by the production quality of it. First of all its FREE to watch, and all the voices are dubbed over for an English audience. The dubbing is really amazing, very little of that awkwardness that has it. And the voice over for Snake sounds EXACTLY like David Hayter. I seriously thought it was him for a while. I can't fan enough about this. Donald and I watched it together and we were most pleased. Everything is just very true to the games. It's simply awesome.

Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy. I know it takes place after the first game, but I'm not sure if it's an alternative timeline (following Meryl's death) or just in between the first and second game. There's supposed to be another movie after it, so I hope they continue it. It took them three years to make this one. For some reason, for their trailer, they just have the Italian actors speaking, rather then the dub actors. So Snake and the characters sound a bit awkward, but not horrible. The OC characters they made for the movie are pretty good, fitting within a MGS storyline.


Okay, I think I fantarded enough about that. Now time to be a retard fan about something else. I have an animation project for my flash class (lol we're supposed to be learning actionscript, so...okay). But I was having trouble figuring out what I wanted to do. And I was saying "Oh, I shouldn't do something fanarty because I probably won't be taken seriously, blah blah,". Well I did it anyway. I was careful though. I chose Switzerland and Lichtenstein as my subjects, and drew them as young children. It's really basic, since its only a 30 animation. My teacher doesn't realize its fanart, and pretty much no one will, with my style and the lack of fanart working well for me. But I have the storyboard done, and I just need to start working on the actual animation part.

( Fanart stuffs )

How's it going? Going good? Glad to hear. I TOTES FINISHED MY MAYA COSTUME GUIZE. I finally sat down with some free time, and got the headband done. So I finally got everything together, and took a few photos. I'm so happy! Now I just need to wait for my Ukraine wig and I'll be done with my costumes for Ohayo (gawd why is it taking so long to get here, I'm so impatient). BUT SHOW OFF TIEM. Less stupid face since the last photos.

( Costume under cut )

Finally classes have settled down a bit. My Nature Studies teacher has had next to nothing now for assignments, I sent out my letters to leesers and panicbutter so hopefully you'll get those soon. And I got trickssi letter! I don't really have anything special to say...I just sort of wanted to show off. :P

Some awesomeness and failness. Lets start with the awesome.

Got my new Maya wig. I was all super excited and when I pulled it out, the whole bottom part was a MASS tangled mess. I know, this sounds like a fail, and it started that way. But I managed to upgrade my wig skills and I worked on it for a night, combing piece by piece, and then running through with my straightener. THEN, once that was done, I was finally able to style it, with help of my ghetto wig stand (AKA. lamp). I forgot my wig stand at home, so I had to fix up my lamp so I can style it. But it turned out awesome. Now I just need to get new little ball things for the hair, since I can't get the hair in the old ones. But that's fine. I'm really happy with the new topnot. Its thicker and more fitting. Overall, I'm happy. The last thing I need to do with this is the headband and I'll be officially finished this costume!



This previous Sunday my family came to visit. At first I thought it was only going to be my parents, but my sister and brother came, and I was really happy. It was really nice seeing them, and I got a chance to get this SUPER frofro girly drink. Gawd, it was so good. I'm going to see if I can come back home, not next weekend but the weekend after (so I have the time to schedule off work, I'm pretty sure they have the new schedule up by now).

Now for some fail.
( Fail. )

I have plenty of work I could be doing right now. But instead I spend my time on LJ. I am. Awesome. I should probably get back to work...

BUT FIRST.My roommate made cake. SEE HERE.

Omnomnom.

Whew. It's been really busy. Seriously. I know I have a letter I owe to trickssi I swear, I should get it out by Monday. But its been really busy weekend and I feel really worn out. My legs are so freaking sore from walking basically all weekend. And on Monday I have a test for my art history class. I don't think I'll totally rock it, so we'll see if I can study as much as I can on Monday and see what happens. Damn Greek temples, why does EVERY LITTLE PART have to have a name. Damn.

OKAY so my weekend. On Friday I had the NYC trip that I bitched so much about in my previous post. The trip itself was fun, and my roommate and I managed to get into everything for free (thank GOD), and we only had to pay for food while we were up there. I have some pictures GUYZ. Most of them are posted on my facebook, so you've probably already seen them. WARNING. THIS JOURNAL WILL BE TOO FULL OF PHOTOS.


Best photo of Corinne (roommate) and I. Taken at Bryant Park. Seriously the park was so freaking pretty. There was a ton of people sitting out in the sun, just relaxing and having lunch.

( NYC Trip cut )

Okay, I'm done with the art stuff. After MoMA, Corinne and I ate and then traveled home. The bus ride back home was a bit hellish. So many people were so LOUD and we're pretty sure a bit drunk. It didn't help that I was tired, and had to be up early the next morning for another field trip. TO NATURE. I took a lot of photos from here, but there's really nothing amazing to post. Most of the photos I took were for stock purposes, so I could build my collection. We had to be at the school by 9am, and then we drove off to different sights along the Susquehanna river. It was all really pretty. But I was so tired and sore from the day before. The whole thing was kind of poorly planned. I think about three people missed it, when they couldn't afford to.


For you raynebitch88 because I know you love defunct. Defunct signs are the best.

Tomorrow, I get to see my parents. They're coming down to visit and take me out for lunch and what not. So I'm pretty excited about that. <3

( Rant and shit under cut )

Tired. Need to nap this anger off.

panicbutter chose FRAAANCE for me. SO HERE WE GO.

( FRANCE TIME )

I am seriously starting to fail to understand my neighbors. I'm not sure which ones they are, I think they're ones on the second floor, but they are so freaking loud. They have a baby, so you'd think it's just the baby and them trying to calm the baby down, or ignore it, or whatever parents do. But that's not it. Actually, I like the stupid baby over them. The baby doesn't compare. No, the parents are FIGHTING. ALL. THE. DAMN. TIME. I can hear them from my room. Not only that, but I can hear stomping, slamming and god knows what else. Now here's where thngs are a bit silly. My bedroom is facing the front of the building. So my window I can see out onto the streets. I have a door that goes from my bedroom straight to the main hallway to the apartment. So when they're fighting, arguing and stomping down the hallways I can hear it. Even as I write this I can hear them. It's not stoping me from sleeping, but its just really freaking annoying. Whats even worse is that their apartment is RIGHT above my roommate's room. So we can clearly hear each and every pound. I'm not really sure what to do about the situation.

Oh, and because of panicbutter I'm all getting into Vocaloid. So I drew this.


Yup, that is a bunch of PW characters dressed as Vocaloid characters. You can see a better quality of it at my DA here. But I'm pretty happy with it, its been a while since I've really drawn something I've liked, even if they're all SD looking.

I've been watching the cutscenes for FF Dissidia (since I don't own a PSP to actually play it), and I'm kind of mixed. It's pretty cool hearing voices for characters that never had a voice before. I was really sort of surprised at their choice for Onion Knight for FFIII rather then use the characters they created for the remake of III, but he's not bad. He has BEADS. Actually everyone has FUCKING BEADS. All over. You can't escape one character without a million beads all over them in some way. I'm up to his story, Firion's was kind of bland. I haven't played FF2 in a long while, and I played the GBA and PS remake of it. But I do remember a bit of his backstory, so what he has going on in the game makes some sort of sense. The Warrior of Light is kind of LOL over all. I'm not going to spoil anything for anyone who wants to play...I guess what he's going for makes sense, he kind of reminds me of the Super Man of FF.

Okay, I rambled enough.

Why am I still up? Not sure. Because I suck.

This first weeks worth of classes had kept me pretty busy. I'm still waiting for two of my books to come in, which is annoying since I have an assignment due on Tuesday. Hopefully my hippie teacher will just be AOKAY with me not having the books. IN MY DEFENSE. He didn't give us the syllbus until the day of class, rather then posting earlier. Damn...half.com and your super cheep prices.

I was a bit paranoid about the bus situation and getting back from work for closing. I got a chance to try it out tonight and it worked out. The last bus comes at 10:00pm and I get back and safe in my apartment by 10:30 and its all good. It's been raining so much, making it hard to get my laundry done. My stack of laundry is...rather obscene. I need to get that done. Maybe before Donald comes over tomorrow I can get it done.

Yeah. So some doodles now.



This is what I look like on the bus. Because it's been raining and I'm short, I roll my pants up to keep the rain from getting my pants all soaked. I really want a pair of boots I can wear to keep my pants from getting wet. That, and I am OBSESSED with boots. ABSOLUTLY. OBSESSED.

And thanks to EVERYTHING that's been going on in panicbutter's journal. THIS came out.



The first on the left is an original character of mine. IGNORE THAT. And once the conversations started...it went all downhill. As panicbutter was seducing me with Vocaloid cosplay, I was showing my boyfriend Donald some of the outfits, and he goes to tell me. "OH I'M GOING TO BE THE BLOND ONE WITH THE WHITE BUNNY EAR THING". He meant Rin, and was completely joking. Because he know about my cosplay thing, he was sort of teasing. But as soon as he said that...the doodle on the right happened...that would be Donald dressed as Rin. Leave it to Donald to pick the preteen girl. The bottom left was something off of leesers said about trickssi. Oh and the last is for raynebitch88. It's Heat dressed as Jack Frost talking about his favorite thing. Food. Why? Mostly because I love Jack Frost, and Heat needs more costumes I say.

Second week of school starts need week, gotta get back into the thick of things and do my homework. And figure out when I'm going to get my laundry done. Sometime...eventually.

OH.EM.GEE. Its my first day of classes. It's been this huge ass buildup since I have classes so much later then all my friends. And everyone keeps asking me if I'm excited to go back. Well the answer is no. And not because I dread school or anything. Its more like, I've done the school thing for almost four years now (this being my fourth), the shiny new feeling of school has ended. Sure this is a completely new experience, and a new school. And I feel ready for that. But I just don't have that shiny new feeling of excitement anymore. I'm more like: "OKAY. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BE READY NOW?!!!11".

I had two classes today, Nature Studies and Design Studio 3. This whole 8am thing is going to murder me, lyrically. And it's not as though I can really run home and take a nap in between. I just have to buckle down and sleep earlier. And I have a good feeling I will, just because this is the first time in a while I've had classes this early. But I'm a good student, so I'll manage.

Nature Studies is run by the most hippiest science teacher ever. That's kind of a stereotype in itself really. I've had this kind of teacher before. Where they want to be, feel, and experience nature. It's fitting for an art school. The class was really small, there was only 9 people there. But the teacher seems like a really chill guy. Really willing to sort of work around the artist (which may or may not be a good thing. We'll see how many people try and take advantage of that). There was a really nice girl named Lexi who I chatted with after class and until our next class at 10. The only thing that really is going to be hard in this class is these field trips. There's these really nice ones we have on the weekend, where we take a bus to these caverns, and it sounds super cool. But then we have these mini trips that take place during class. We need to find a way down there ourselves. I have no clue how I'm going to get down there. Maybe there's a bus that will take me? I just have to check. If there is, I don't have a problem. I know Lexi drives, but I feel kind of like a tool asking her for a ride. At least until I know her better I can ask. But not right now.

Design Studio 3 is pretty hard core Graphic Design. Being in that class just made me realize how you can tell who's in what major. All the Graphic Design students are dressed fairly nice. Nice jeans, nice shirts or at least trendy shirts. Any of the Fine Arts or Illustration major's tend to be a bit more alternative in their choices. The FA majors being the more hard core of that end. They're the people you see with the dreadlocks, facial tattoo's and what not. And the Photography major's are somewhat in between GD and Illustration. It depends on where they lean with what they want to do. And it makes sense to me. The GD major's generally will work in a corporate atmosphere. They have to get used to dressing presentable, and in a way that would fit in better with that environment. I know the seniors in that major are actually required to dress a certain way (for a certain class...because I think it has something to do with actually doing corporate work, or something along those lines). Not that I'm saying that anyone is dressing badly. I'm just noticing the trends within the different majors. Even though this is an art college, people tend to automatically segregate themselves.

Back to Design Studio. The teacher seems really awesome. I like her. She's really friendly, and outspoken. She knows what she's talking about and currently still works in the field. And I had a good experience emailing her, since she got back to me so quickly (I know that sounds silly, but its so important). I was having major wireless trouble, because for some reason I needed to be authenticated on the wireless network. I had to have the IT guy come in and do it. But I finally got it to work by the end of class. Luckily, we didn't need to stay the whole 10-5 today. She did some intro, some lecture, and then gave us our assignment.

On my way back I found a little pizza place that was giving out $1 pizza to the students at PCAD, so I took advantage of that. Chatting with the guy as the pizza was cooking. He told me that on Freshmen orientation, he was giving out spaghetti for free. And when he would serve it, most of the kids didn't know what spaghetti was. I was pretty shocked, maybe he was exaggerating or something. But how could you not know what spaghetti was?? Italy would not be pleased. Not at all. But when I got home, I ate my pizza and took a short nap. Corinne came back from her classes and now she's working. Which leaves me to screw around a bit before I start being a good student.

OH. I wanted to add some fun doodles, but I can't find my tablet pen. Anywhere. I know it's in the apartment SOMEWHERE, I used it like almost a week ago. But I can't find it now. And I'm really going to need it for the upcoming classes. I'll have to search more thoroughly to find it.

I managed to find the Professor Layton soundtracks online. God, I adore the chilltastic music. It's all so mellow, I adore it. I even managed to get back into the TWEWY soundtrack (I have some MAJOR problems with the ending of that game, but the soundtrack is so much fun).

So yeah. That's my day. Guess I should get started on homework. Fuck.

Orientation was so early this morning, but it went really super well. I was semi anxious that I wasn't supposed to be there today, but I was on the list and everything so it was all good. Our ID badges are really, really ghetto. Its a simple photo copy with our pictures on it and a bar code. Then we got these little security badges so we could get into the classrooms. Our school doubles as an art gallery, so the art gallery part is open to the public, while everything else is all lock and key.

It was all third and fourth year students. The class is so freaking small. All the third and fourth years amount to less then thirty students. Such a different experience then when I first started going to school. But with all the opening stuff, it was all sort of stuff that I wouldn't recognize. I mean it wasn't hard to follow, but there was stuff in there that they expected you to know because you've been there for a few years.

We had a private lunch with the Dean, so she could catch us up with everything that is going on. So it turns out that we have a 2 year portfolio review at the end of this semester, which means I need to get my work from my previous school and whatever I did this semester and present it. Once that's approved, I can start looking for an internship, which is required for graduation. The internship will take place during the summer, and then I have my senior year. Holy crap. All of this feels just sort of...thrown at me. I know that I'm supposed to be sort of ready for all of this, since I've already had two years of Graphic Design, but I'm at a new school, so it feels all sort of overwhelming. There's only seven transfer students, we got pizza and a ton of coupons and stuff like that. Which was nice. The dean seems like such a chill lady, I liked her.

We also had a lecture for EPA regulations. Its kind of funny to hear that at a college campus, but with it being an art school it makes sense. And then after that was a rape and sexual harassment seminar. Super. The lady was pretty enjoyable though. She started her speech with "Now, I don't want you guys to see me as the crazy, man hating rape lady,". THEN after that was a speech from the Graphic Design department head. SO. MANY. SPEECHES. Our GD department is so small. I was surprised at the amount of Illustration majors. OH. What's even crazier is that I saw someone I went to High school with. Someone was introducing the transfer students (with a school this small we're not hard to pick out. But he felt the need to announce it). And he saw me and he was like "OMG ASHLEY". (His name is Matt Frey, Beth, you might recognize him. I had no idea he was an illustration major).

After we got all our stuff and heard about everything, Corinne (roommate) and I made our way back home. On our way back, just right down the street from the apartment, was a yard sale. And I got this AMAZING dresser with a mirror for $19. Corinne and I got most of it back ourselves, and the guy was nice enough to attach the mirror back for me. But its a nice size and I put my TV on it. I just had to clean it up a bit, but otherwise it's in amazing shape. It was such a great find for $19. I love yard sales.

That was pretty much my day. School doesn't start for me until the 8th, so I have another week until then.

OH. And a WTF. But I checked all my school schedule, and they changed the times around for my classes. It's all the same classes...but it got all changed. The same thing happened to Corinne as well. But...it actually works out for the better. Because before I had a class on Friday, but now I have Friday's free.

So there was some mix up with orientation. I swear to god my school is attempting to kill me. But it turns out my orientation is tomorrow rather then the day after. So I had to call off work, on my second day of working. So I look like a freaking spacey jerk. I'm pissed at myself. My mom was really...surprisingly understanding. She didn't give me a hard time or accuse me of anything. I think she realized how upset I was when I was on the phone. But hopefully orientation will go well. SO HELP ME GOD IF IT DOESN'T.

OH. I got my new sewing machine today <3 My roommate (who finally got back from her home) was so freaked out when the UPS guy knocked on our door. But I've been messing around with it all day. At first, I was having major problems with the lower bobbin, the thread was all getting bunched up at the bottom, and I was all WTF. So at first I thought it was the lower bobbin tension. So I ran out to CVS to get one of those eye glasses screw drivers, and fixed it. But it didn't change it. So I was freaking out, all WTF is going on. When I looked it up online and I realized the problem. I DIDN'T SET UP THE BOBBIN CORRECTLY. Oops. Once I fixed that, it was smooth sailing from there. God, I love this thing. I love that its so smooth and seemless, and that I can sew past two layers of fabric. OH OH and I could just rant on and on.
( PHOTO COSPLAY CAMWHORE. )

My roommate got kick out of the whole thing. Which makes me glad, she doesn't feel all awkward about the whole cosplay thing. Not that I really hide it or anything, but when you're living with someone, its awkward when there's two major conflicting interests. But she liked it, and that made me really happy. So far its the crowning achievement of my cosplay career. I feel more confident in making other things.

So I'm hoping my orientation goes well tomorrow. I have to be up early, its at 8:30am. Boo. It's so early. But I have to get used to it. All of my classes are so early. But I still have another week. I can get used to getting up early.

Image Meme - Use any variety of pictures that are already on your hard drive to answer the criteria. They can be drawings, photographs, screen caps, anything you want.

I started this last night and firefox FAILED on me. So now I will start over. Since I really don't save a whole lot of pictures on my computer, my theme is all cosplay photos I've taken!

( Image MEME )