slightly elegant

.......................... After a whole year of being a chemistry major, I have grown less and less excited about being a chemist, and have grown more and more interested in my mathematics courses. So, after lots of consideration, I've decided to change my major to math! One of the big reasons I'm able to make this decision is because of Miss Ashley's support, and her willingness to accept that I might have to spend an extra semester in school. I'm awful grateful that she's willing to stick with me through any sort of change-up, and that she's always such a good sport! Life is so much better when you have the right person with whom to share it. Daniel

When I was registering for my classes for Fall 2012 semester, I got really frustrated because I wanted to fit almost every class into one semester. I was constantly adding and dropping classes; I just couldn't make up my mind as to what I wanted to take first, a class the I am desperately desiring to take, or a prerequisite that I need to eventually take. Agh! You guys, I just love being an art major! I have so much to learn, and I'm ready to just soak all of it up! Sadly, I have to learn in increments of semesters rather than doing everything at once. Now the spring semester is all over and done with, and I am anticipating summer classes in a month. You may think me lame, but I just couldn't go a WHOLE three-and-a-half months without taking another class to learn new design applications and techniques. This semester was spent finishing up all of my foundation classes, so I spent much of my time experimenting with printing techniques and watercolor on my own. I...

It just so happens that America's former poet laureate Billy Collins came to our school to give a reading of some of his works, and Miss Ashley graciously agreed to come along with me! She is admittedly not much of a poetry buff, but despite this, we both really enjoyed his performance. After the show, I was able to get my well-loved copy of Sailing Alone Around the Room signed by Billy, too! Overall, a very enjoyable evening. Daniel

It's homecoming week at our university! The campus is decked out in the school colors, and there have been tons of different events going on all week. Ashley and I met up around noon, and spent the day together visiting with family that was in town, drinking coffee, and going to the homecoming football game. There's a kind of feeling around school that's like a buzzing excitement in the air, and everyone is very festive. What an enjoyable fall event. These Fall weekends have been so relaxing and enjoyable; It's definitely my favorite season, and this fall is even better than usual, since I get to share it with Miss Ashley.  Ashley loves blogging and taking pictures, but she decided to allow me to jot down a few quick sentences for this entry. Hope you're not offended! Daniel

I'm going to bring you along on my adventure in the university art department for the next four years, if you want to follow, that is! :) Critique is welcome! The objective of this assignment was to use weight in the lines to indicate shadow.

My college art classes are opening up my creative side a little more. I feel the need to just make something all the time. I have had a small taste of other college courses while still being a high school student taking college courses for the last two years and I was never really interested in any subjects. I waited to do my art classes while I was actually in college instead of starting them in high school, because I wanted to finish up some of my core classes. I figured I would enjoy my art classes more, so why not same them for last. And man, was I right! I LOVE my art courses! Rather than being stressed like I was with some of my other general core classes like English and math, going to class is actually a stress reliever! When I am in my drawing class, it's as if the world and it's problems melt away. I can't help but have this feeling the I'm right where I belong when I am in the art department at university. Unlike a lot of college freshmen, I'm not...

Getting up in the mornings has never been my forte (actually, getting up at all isn't a strong point of mine, napping is what I do best). I guess I better get used to limited amounts of sleep since college starts this month. I have 8:00am classes all week, and on Monday and Wednesday my latest class ends at 8:30pm. Mother says coffee will become my bestfriend, and sleep will be a long lost relative. Even though I will miss my favorite hobby, I am very excited for college to start, because it means Daniel finally moves up here! We're planning on getting up some mornings and eating breakfast with each other some days, and helping each other study for our classes on others. I've never been this excited for school to start back up!

Ahh! I'm a college student! Whaaah? Today was the orientation for all incoming freshmen. I'm all signed up for classes and what not. You know, I thought it wouldn't be so dramatic for me because I have spent the past two years in a college setting. But, I was wrong. The idea is so surreal, and I had a hard time even comprehending that I was sitting with my advisor picking what classes I will take next semester. So, I guess this is the start of my new adult life.