Busy Busy Busy

I've got hundreds of photos from vacation to post on Flickr sometime, and lots of other mini-trips, too, but I haven't had much time to do anything lately.

School started nearly three weeks ago, and I've been going almost non-stop since, going to class, doing homework, and of course the big thing when you're in art classes...PROJECTS! Ok, so not all of my classes require detailed projects, but a lot of them will at various times in the semester, and I have a tendency to pick things I think will be nice and easy...and make them harder than anyone knew possible (including myself).
On top of that, I have a room that seems to be collapsing on itself and is in bad need of cleaning (before I lose all those projects among heaps of stuff). And of course, that whole thing of just living (i.e., running errands, being somewhat social, eating, sleeping, etc.).

But, to make it up to everyone for not having many photos lately, I posted this, to show what I've been up to.

One week

Only one week left for me at the zoo. I guess I'll have to change the name of the blog.
So if you want to see me in the insectarium, you'll have to come sometime from Thursday to Sunday, because after that, I won't be there!

I will miss the zoo a lot, especially my coworkers, and of course, the bugs. Hopefully I will be able to visit in the future. Maybe even take some photo trips there if I have any free time.

Also, I have posted some photos from the canoe trip on flickr, along with some from the Gardens and (as usual) some bugs! Go enjoy!

Fire?

So after a year of working at the zoo, I've finally been trained about the use of a fire extinguisher. I guess I should just be glad I wasn't required to use one in that year.

However, as usual, the class managed to make something that seems fairly simple into multiple lists of "remember this." Such as the five things to remember to check on the extinguisher before operating it, how to operate it, and what to do before even going to get the extinguisher, etc. Which just makes me wonder...in the case of an actual fire, how many people can remember all that one is supposed to remember, and how many simply panic?

At least I got to use a fire extinguisher on a real fire (even if it was a small one set just for the class)!

Engagement!

On June 20th, 2006, just before going to the Fox Theatre to see Phantom of the Opera, Steve asked me to marry him, and I said yes.

It will be a long engagement, since we're both going to be in school this upcoming year, and schedules just don't seem to work out very well, but it's nice to know that we will be married in the future, and that I can start planning for it.

I seem to be at a loss for words lately, or just get to the point a bit too quick.

my ring

July!

Wow, I haven't posted in awhile. But I do have an update!

After not hearing about the photo contest for a very long time, I got an email today that two of my photos were honorable mentions! They are 5th and 6th place, and will be appearing on the website www.stlmag.com in July. I'll post a more specific address once they're up and I've seen them.

I know, I know, I shouldn't be so excited about 5th and 6th, but I have no idea how many submissions they had, and to be so close to being a finalist is very exciting to me, especially since I haven't entered many contests.

Photo Contests

I'm always a bit nervous sending photos in for contests. I have no idea what will be done with the pictures if they win, if I get to keep the rights or not. But I can hope, right?

Well, here are a few photos I submitted for a contest with the only requirement being that they had to be taken at the zoo (they had no limit for number of submissions). I hope you all enjoy!

Check out my Flickr!

By the way, I'm trying to come up with ways to fund going back to school. If you have any ideas, please share them! Also, if you like a photo of mine and want a print (nearly any size, framed, matted, etc., you specify how you want it), email me about it and we can talk about pricing and such. (I can't afford to do it for free, sorry. Maybe I can arrange that for birthdays and things, but printing photos costs money, as do frames, and it takes longer to put that together than you'd think, and I'd like something back for my time and effort).

Trying again to post pictures....