Stay Positive & Keep Moving Forward

Currently, I have made the conscious decision to try to be more positive in my everyday life. It is important to stay positive in the presence of such negative surroundings. As a part of my decision I have decided to learn one new thing each day. Please...

[emmmmly]

I’m always pushing everyone I know with a DSLR to learn how to shoot manual. In turn, I’ve had several friends in the past year ask me to teach them how. This usually happens when they’re across the country from me, and it’s really hard to explain over the phone. I’ve tried finding free online tutorials, but haven’t found any really good comprehensive ones. Truth is, I never shot manual or even attempted it until I went to art school and took a photography class. I looked at f-stop charts and played with shutter speed and just couldn’t get it. Hopefully, this is an easier guide than what I was able to find back in ‘08. If not, give me suggestions! I’ll gladly try again.

[elempeotis]

Day 3

In less than two weeks, I will be flying to Florida to surprise my parents.

This is a pretty big deal. 

First of all, I only get the opportunity to see my parents about once or twice a year. They live a couple states away from me, so we legitimately only see each other over Christmas break and sometimes in the summers. 

This summer, I am going to be going to the Midwest to be in three different weddings and to visit my friends so I won't be able to travel and visit my parents. Therefore, I just got the sudden urge to buy a plane ticket home for spring break.

Like most kids (at least, I would assume so), I miss my mom on a regular basis. We are pretty much best friends, but we never get to see each other. Even throughout high school we weren't able to see each other often. But we talk on the phone almost every day, sometimes multiple times in the day. 

I usually don't make a major decision in my life without her opinion on the matter. Her opinion means the world to me. 

I owe it to both my mom and dad to at least try to visit when I get the opportunity. 

I AM ECSTATIC ABOUT GOING HOME

Sometimes you really just need to take a break. And right now, I think it is time for me to leave for a little bit. Just to relax.

And it doesn't hurt that we live near a gorgeous beach. 

Over the break, I'm going to work on photography skills. 

I watched a Buzzfeed video about "tricks everyone with a camera should know." Since I just got my camera for Christmas, I decided I should go ahead a learn some different things about it. 

One thing I have always wanted to learn is how to do Bokeh photography. I hear it's pretty easy, but I've never attempted it. And now it's my chance. For those of you that don't know what Bokeh is, here is an example: 

You can cut images into a piece of paper, tape it to your lens, and then the out of focus light forms to your shape. It's wonderful and going to become one of my new favorite things. 

If you know of any photographers that you would recommend that I follow, I would love to hear about them! 

Also, if there is a technique that blows you away, I want to hear about it!

Have a wonderful evening, and feel free to say hi! Good night, and remember...

Stay Positive and Keep Moving Forward

[elempeotis]

Day 2

Today will be easy. The idea of striving to learn is still fresh in my mind. The hard part will be in a few weeks when I just don't want to do anything. And honestly, that happens to me sometimes. I just lose motivation out of no where. 

The best part is that I have learned to work through it. 

Sometimes you just have to get through the hard part because something awesome will follow it. I have yet to be wrong with that theory. 

Recently, I have been interested in graphic design. I think it is so interesting and cool to be able to create something out of an idea.

I have been doing research on different programs and techniques used in graphic design. During this research, I have found some really interesting websites and blogs that are available to graphic designers to answer any questions, and I absolutely love them. 

I have learned so much that I cannot possibly put it all on this post. Although, I did pick out a couple of things I found that were extremely interesting. 

First, I found a website through Graphic Design which described the Meaning of Colors. It's important to think about what emotions different colors effect while designing something like a logo for your company or a graphic for your event. I am studying Public Relations and Event Management at my university, so the effects on my target audience are an important aspect of everything I do. 

It's crazy how we are wired to sub-consciously think certain things of different colors. For instance, we are taught from a young age that: purple means royalty, blue is peaceful and calming, white is pure, red is intensity (such as anger) etc. Although it is sometime easy to overlook those meanings when creating a design.

Next, I found another website that I found extremely interesting from Graphic Design. This website described the Meaning of Lines. I thought it was an interesting read because something as simple as one line can change the whole image. For instance, on the website they had a silhouette of a car. By itself, the car looks as if it is sitting still. But, if you add a few lines behind the car, it gives the illusion that the car is moving forward. 

Isn't that crazy how something as simple as a couple lines can change how our minds perceive the image? 

If you are interested in graphic design, I would highly consider looking around the Graphic Design website. I found it super interesting and very helpful. And because I am a beginner, I thought it was very informative since I do not know a lot of "common knowledge" that seasoned graphic design artists are aware of. 

If you have been involved in graphic design before, are there any sites that you would recommend? What advice would you give to a beginner like myself? 

I appreciate any and all comments and/or advice that you give. 

Thank you for reading! Have a great day, and remember...

Stay Positive and Keep Moving Forward

[elempeotis]

Day 1

I am so excited to begin this project of mine! 

Let me explain. 

I have become extremely aware of how negative people can be lately. If you take a moment and just listen to the way people talk, you will become more and more aware. 

Actually, if you're reading this, I challenge you to just sit and listen to people. 

For instance, today I was in the library and eavesdropped on the people sitting next to me. And before you judge me, let me give the preface that they were talking extremely loudly loud. I don't know. The point is, I was not being nosey. 

Listening to them talk, I found that they were not too fond of their classes and how they had to ACTUALLY do work. FOR THEIR CLASS. I know what you're thinking. What kind of society are we living in? 

Now don't get me wrong, I hate working on projects sometimes. In fact, if we went back to August 2012, I would probably be in the same boat as these innocent bystanders in the cafe but now, I find this a little bit ridiculous. 

But back to my point, it occurred to me, when was the last time that I had been excited about learning? If we don't strive to learn, we will not grow as individuals. If we don't grow as individuals, how is our society going to move forward? 

This is when I decided on my goal for the next year: 

Stay Positive and Keep Moving Forward

I have decided that I will continuously make an effort to be positive in my everyday life. And to move forward, I would like to learn at least one new thing everyday. 

Now, I understand that "Keep Moving Forward" was a saying that came from Walt Disney. But I also think that it became a well-known quote for a reason. Mr.Disney knew what how important it was. And so therefore, I'm going to adopt it in my life. Who knows, maybe I'll become something great like Mr.Disney himself. 

Not only do I want to strive to learn new things everyday, but I would like to indulge in as many experiences as possible. There is no point in sitting around doing nothing. I want to get involved in new things. And what better way to learn than to experience? 

To start off right

I have to tell you about my weekend. First off, I went to my first rave. Well, it was an Excision concert. So not a hard core rave, but either way it was completely awesome. Totally something that I can cross off my bucket list. And definitely something I would do again and I would recommend at least going to one at least once in your life. Call me up. I'll definitely go with you.

As I was telling my friend Miranda about the concert, she told me that she had to share some music with me that would blow my mind. And guess what. 

IT DID. 

This music is electric pow wow drums. See, she is from an indian reservation. So pow wows are kind of a big thing. But I had no idea that this even existed. The artist we listened to was called "A Tribe Called Red." I would recommend listening to it. It'll change your life. Or, in the least, give you a new perspective. 

Well, I guess that's it. I suppose I should go get some rest since I have to wake up in six hours for class. Goodnight, world! Thanks for reading. :)