Christmas Cards

I love Christmas. I sometimes am a scrooge about things, but I really do love it.

After spending my day spending money getting gifts for my family and a few others, I couldn't wait to get home to send out cards to my cousin Greg who is currently Deployed with the US Army.

Last year I had my students make cards and then I sent them to my friend Justine who was Deployed at the time.

I don't have students this year and Justine is home. Greg hasn't been Deployed over Christmas for as long as he's been in the Army. This year he is. And last night his wife Aime told me how bummed out he seemed to be. So I'm sending him a HUGE package of cards that I got at the Dollar Store for him and the rest of his unit.

It makes me smile to send a little Christmas Cheer to some Soldiers that need to know that they are thought of especially during this time.

God Bless,

Olivia

New clothes!

Ok, so I got some new dresses a while back and never posted pictures of them. Well here they are. I bought them both from www.chicstar.com

Great website for retro clothing!

Go check them out, they have great prices!

What I'm thankful for.

As much as I want to be down state right now, there isn't much I can do about it. But I guess that I am thankful that I have been able to make it to Thanksgiving every year before this.

And I want to remind all of you to be thankful for what you have. You many not be where you want to be, but if you get to spend Thanksgiving with a family, even if you don't like that part of the family, be glad you get to see them.

Everyone who gets to be with family, be thankful. Some people don't get to be home and want to be. Like people in the military, peace core, and people overseas doing missionary work. Also people that are teaching English in other countries, they don't get to be home either.

Just be thankful for what you do have. One day you could have nothing wishing you had someone. Even if it's someone you don't like very much.

God Bless,

Olivia

Sound off in 3....2....1

Ok, I'm going to sound off about something that most of my friends might have a problem with. Which I don't think many of them actually read my blog so I'm going to blast away at this thing that has been annoying me.

What has been annoying me is one simple thing. People who don't have jobs and live off of others. I call them "users". I have another name for them, which I choose to keep to my self because it's not very nice.

Lets just say I know a few "users". I wont name anyone, don't worry, but some people might know who I'm talking about.

For starters, I don't like it when people don't work through college. I worked all the way through college with a few given exceptions. The first is when I moved to Mt. Pleasant in 2006. I applied to many places but told them that I couldn't work during the holidays and I didn't get hired. (I was going to Chicago to see the King Tut exhibit). I lived off of about $800 for the semester, walked to class every day and basically lived off ramen and oranges. Until I was hired by Sam's Club in January 2007. I worked at Sam's Club and in the summers had a second job cleaning apartments, until April 2009 when I left for Australia. When I came from my adventures, I worked for the cleaning company until Sam's hired me back. Then they laid me off in February 201o and I decided not to work until the summer, when my cleaning job started. Then I got my teaching job, I didn't have to work in the summer, and now have two jobs.

So I work my butt off to pay for things.

Now now, as always there are exceptions to every rule. Not every person who is going to school and not working piss me off.

It's the general sense of the excuses that come from people. "I can't find a job." "I don't want to work while I'm in school." "I don't have any experience." The list goes on.

So I want to know why some people are too good to get a job while they are in school and while others don't bother to suck it up and work someplace until they can find a job in their field. I did it. My friends Steph, Christina, Jay, Xhafer, Megan, Sid, Cassie, Shawn and many others did it. My friend Libby, Nikki, Luke, and many others still are.

What makes some people too good to get a job at Target, Meijer, Kroger, JC Penny, and even Walmart? I work at Walmart. They give you a paycheck for your services. There's always food service too like Taco Bell, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and lots of others.

Why are some people too good? Or are they just lazy? I don't know. But I know that I have bills to pay and the only way to pay them is to work at a job that I don't always like. But I do it. I know that it's easier to find a job if you already have one. Does that mean that those people don't have to pay bills???

That's when I insert the term "user". A "user" is someone who doesn't contribute enough or at all to monthly bills that they are clearly helping to rack up. Quit being a "user" and go get a job already. It'll be fine. You will live. Even if it's not what you went to school for, it's paying bills. Deal with it until that good job shows up. Just keep looking.

God Bless,

Olivia

just getting stuff out

In the past few months I have been really working on myself and being happy again. Believe me, being sad and a crumpled mess is by far the worst thing that has happened to me. And if it never happens again to me, I will be very happy.

But because of all that I do have my good days and my bad days. I've had a few bad days. And I realize that they are going to boil down and catch fire around Thanksgiving time.

For the first time EVER in my life I have to work both Thanksgiving and the Day after. Now, I work in the Deli, so the Black Friday crap (which really is just piles of crap that makes good people miss out on their family gatherings), doesn't affect me. We still have normal hours. But I will not be home with my family like other people will be.

I know that some people have given up more then I have, say people in the military, but that is so besides the point. I got scheduled the way I did so that I could work Thanksgiving, right in the middle of the day. And Friday I work 5-10.

I honestly believe that the company that I work for really doesn't care that I would like to be home with my family instead of being sad slicing deli meats for people who will just feel bad for coming in.

But that's in the future. I'd like to talk about right now. This is partially hormone induced, partially from being ill for almost 3 weeks now, and a few other reasons I'll keep to myself.

I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. My pants don't fit. All of them. They are too big, and if any of you have gone pants shopping with me, you know how picky and hard it is for me to buy pants that I like. Also, I really haven't the cash to go buy myself some new pants.

I also don't like most of my clothes. I want to look nice when I go to class sometimes, not like crap. And well, I have a lot of crap.

I donno. I'll probably just feel better after my head stops hurting regularly.

God bless,

Olivia

My Favorite Song

This afternoon I heard my favorite song. This is the song that I am going to dance at my wedding for the first dance between my and my husband (Which I have every intention of my very good friend Shawn singing with acoustic guitar... I probably should tell him that). The song that I will sing to my children as a lullaby.

What is my favorite song? Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

I remember that I had this little wind up music box when I was little with the lyrics on it. I believe it also had an image from Wizard of Oz on it.

I sometimes wonder where I put that music box. I think I still have it in my things at my parents.

I always loved this song because the song is so optimistic and happy, like anything can occur if you want it too. And it makes me feel happy every time I hear it and I go seizing the carp (Carpe Diem, my friends).

Gosh I'm so sappy sometimes. But Oh well. It makes me happy.

God Bless,

Olivia

P.S. Click the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k&ob=av2n

I take that back, I do have something to say.

I want to thank Clancy for this. But I want you all to know, I will be commenting more on this in the future.

"Happy are those that dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true."- Leon J. Suenes.

Ok, so here's the future comments on this quote.

People have dreams. No matter what they are, big or small people have them. I, on the other hand, have reality. I know what my dreams are, figure out how to get them, then go get them. Sometimes it takes longer then others to realize the dreams and sometimes things do get in the way, but forging (I made a metals joke... :D...) through the crap and keeping your eye's on the prize, you get what you want.

I almost gave up last year. I almost settled. Then all that mess that I went through last year and dragged everyone else I knew along with me, was an attempt to fight back. I will never allow myself to settle on something good enough when I know that I deserve better.

What I was settling for was a job that as the school year went on, wasn't worthy of what I had to offer. Being beat down by so many different things, I had the choice to either fight the man or give in. I kind of did both, possibly the wrong way of doing it, but I gave in. Not the way they wanted me to, and why would I? With what little respect I had for myself at the end of my first teaching job, I took it and ran off to the U.P.

I now know that I will never make the kind of money that rich people make. If I make a lot it's because I worked my butt off for it. I may decide to go be an apprentice someplace, which I will make more money there then teaching. That is besides the point. I know what price I had to pay in order to fill my dreams and get what I want.

I issue this question to you: "Are you willing to do it? Not just settle for good enough, but keep reaching for the dreams you created?"

Well, are you?

God Bless,

Olivia

Posty posty

I haven't posted in a while. Been kinda blah and sick for a bit.

I'm feeling somewhat better but I need sleep, and I'm not getting good sleep. I may have temporary fixed that problem with my body pillow being next to me again.

Not much to say, well lots to say, just not energy to put it out tonight.

I'm alive and wellish.

God Bless,

Olivia

Epic blog of epicness.

Ok, so it's not that epic. But it's pretty important to me.

I was going FINALLY set up a photo shoot with my new dresses and take some nice photos and show off how nice they fit me.

Well, that didn't happen. My Aunt Fran passed away sometime Sunday evening/Monday morning. I had to run home for the funeral, then while home my grandma's bathroom exploded, and well, my dad and brother did there best, and a professional has to be called in.

But anyway, I wanted to post a statement made by my cousin John. I commented on his status.

John- "Success is overcoming Limitations. Failure is..... accepting Limitations"

Me- "Does that mean that I failed as a teacher if I decided that being an artist was better suited for me? Screw financial stability that comes with it. No one really has that anyway"

John- "Olivia- You as an Artist are overcoming the limitation that the job as an Art teacher became to you. To leave the job that you felt was limiting you is a positive action to overcoming that limitation. Knowing you as I have done more lately, you were dying as a teacher, and like most who accept "lifestyles of quiet desperation" would have lost your connection to the real you. Keep on keeping on.. you will always have my support Cuz!"

And I'll leave it at that. :)

God Bless,

Olivia

Not much to say.

I felt the need to write tonight. I haven't much to say.

Nothing's really happened or ideas popping into my head.

Just is.

I did get to talk to Becky this weekend. Which made me realize more so that I made the right choice (well, it was made for me) to not return to my school this year.

I guess the system has gotten worse. They bog down the teachers with Professional Development, never give them time to work collaboratively, nothing gets done or graded, and teachers are already burnt out.

It's October. Not even halfway. I guess some people will never learn what not to do.

It just reminded me that going to Marquette was the right choice. I have a good roommate, I have two jobs, and I have a much clearer and more relaxed feeling. I may not always be happy, but it is certainly better.

I guess that's all I got. Not much else is going on.

God Bless

Olivia

Haven't blogged

So Libby brought it to my attention that I haven't blogged in a while.

There's a reason for that, I haven't felt 100%. I caught a cold and been feeling down lately and I just didn't want to write a negative blog.

So I didn't.

In good news, I bought a two new dresses and a top towards my steps to be retro. I also have watched Crybaby a few times.

Not that a John Waters movie depicting the 50's has any real weight to accuracy. But I like John Waters' movies. Hairspray, Crybaby, Pink Flamingos, Cecil B. Demented, and other such movies. Some of his movies are based in Baltimore in the 50's. Where he grew up. I think that they are funny.

That's all for now.

God bless,

Olivia

Just thoughts to ramble abouts...

I do a lot of things that are bad for me. Such as I get down on myself for being, me.

Like for having the personality and view of things that I have.

One good example is marriage. I have nothing against marriage, I would love to have a elegant all out class-fest with my family and loving friends. I just haven't really been concerned with that whole step one thing (Which is finding a man to marry) and thus the rest doesn't concern me either. Frankly, I'm just not worried about it. It's everyone else who seems to be worried about it. My grandma likes to make little hints that my Aunt Fran wishes she wasn't so picky when she was younger. Maybe I feel like being picky or just not worried about it.

Being picky... That's an odd thought. Does that mean that I should have taken Shane up on that offer and let him hoist me to be his tehviking wench? Or was I being too picky by telling him off?

I believe that I have every right to chose to be with someone who I actually want to be with. Now, leave me alone about it.

Which leads me to my next point.

I like gallivanting off to places. Which can take me to the other side of the world or move me to Timbuktu. BTW's the next time I decide to move to places unknown or known, someone talk some sense into my while you help me pack.

It's something that I've always enjoyed. I hope to go to Scotland this summer to visit Olivia and her family.

If I was tied down to someone, then I would have to ask them for permission and then consider their feelings before I did anything. And likely I would feel trapped, leave, and not come back for 5 years.

I'd love to have someone who would come along for the ride. Because there is one song that describes how I feel about myself most of the time. Click the link for the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEr2xI7rP-4

See? Basically I don't know where I'm going, but it's gonna be fun from the sounds of things.

Lastly,

My constant want to lose weight. At this point it is for health reasons. I need to lose some pounds to be healthier for both my PCOS and my knees. I want to lose weight, but I know what that entails. I hate working out. I do. I feel great afterwards and with the right support I could get it done. I need classes or a ten minute workout that I can stick to. Plus I don't have enough spare time to dedicate to a full workout schedule. I work 7 days a week, 40 hours between two jobs, and I have 2 lab classes and a lecture. I can't add anything else to it.

Although I did buy cookbooks that are both from Betty Crocker and are diet/low carb recipes. I'll be making a shopping list this week and cooking up some tasty dishes.

Next semester maybe I'll try to take a PE class.

So this is just stuff I've been thinking on in my spare time. I'm not made or anything about it. Just thinking.

I need to stop annoying myself.

Ok, so last night I annoyed myself.

I made up a scenario in my head that kind of happened a long time ago, but hasn't happened recently. Then I made a come back.

I really shouldn't be left up to my own devices sometimes. I got so bored last night that I did this too myself.

For starters, Netflix's playback features got black listed on Google Chrome. Which means I have to use internet explorer. Then when I try to load a movie, it get all choppy and my CPU usage skyrockets from 12% to 98%. Which just slows my computer down.

So that annoyed me.

Instead I spent the better part of last night thinking of this random scenario that never really happened.

In my head it did.

Ok so here is what I did to myself.

Some time ago someone heard that I was an artist. Then asked me to draw them a picture. (Most people at this time know that I'm not that kind of artist) I don't remember at this point in time how I actually responded to this person.

But this is how I responded in my head. "I'm not that kind of artist. I'm a 3-D artist". Of course this is how the fictional person I was speaking with counteracted. "Oh like on the Computer?" This is what really made me annoyed. So I replied "No. Like with metal" And proceeded to go on this long rant explaining exactly what it is that I do.

Basically in the event that this ever happens, I have now prepared a comeback. Hopefully I'll remember it when I need it.

I need to make more friends up here. I foresee this type of behavior continuing.

God Bless,

Olivia

Merph.

I'm annoyed today.

I don't really feel like explaining it.

If you really want to know. Call me.

That is all.

Olivia

Step one to recreating my look: Get hair cut with bangs and wear lipstick

I liked myself with bangs last year, but I didn't keep up with the trimming that was needed to keep my bangs looking nice. So This time I started with a shorter bang that didn't need to be curled to be worn. Basically just brushed and straightened correctly. They aren't true Rockabilly bangs, but all I have to do is add a headband or bandanna and I'm set. It's my interpretation. Plus the girl that cut my hair today didn't really know what she was doing. (I wanna look like Betty Page). I swear she said OK but had no clue who I was talking about.

This is Betty Page, just in-case you didn't know.

I can keep these trimmed on my own, and if I want to make them fuller later, I know how. I just needed a basic guideline. Also I got my eyebrows fixed so that they aren't weird looking anymore.

The next thing I need to do is wear lip gloss or stain in a reddish tone. Of which I have several lip colors of this nature.

Here's a picture of the process so far.

So this is a slow immersion into this. Don't get me wrong, I love being a silly hippy girl with my peasant skirts as well. But a good pencil skirt that hugs the rear just right will get me things. Like beverages.

The next thing is to start buying things that could be 40's and 50's inspired. As long as I put it together right, I'm golden.

So we'll have to see where this all goes. :)

God Bless,

Olivia

What I'm doing up here.

I was asked today by my friend Stephy's mom if I was getting my masters. Kind of.

I figure this might make some sense if I explain what I'm doing. I would love to get my Masters of Fine Arts. It is a very competitive program to get into. Most schools only except 10 MFA students at a time. Not ten graphic designers, ten sculpture artists, ten illustrators, no, only ten students at a time regardless of what they want to study. So it's rather competitive especially if I want to stick around Michigan. We'll see.

I have wonderful talents as an artist. I do. BUT I need them to get better so that I can get into Grad School and get that MFA so that I can have more doors for me. Also it'll help me show my work more. Which could help me become FAMOUS! Oh the dreams. :)

But basically I want my artwork to get better, and the type of artwork that I do involves a shop and industrial type equipment and a place to work, all of which I can't afford at the moment. The good news is, I found a place to do it.

I feel better. When I talked to Stephy's mom she said I sounded a lot happier. That's because I am. I miss all my friends that are 8+ hours away, but I know that it wont be long before I'm home again.

Sometimes you have to get away from everything to remember who you are. And well, I'm starting to remember. I smile a lot more, I feel all fluttery again (Like a butterfly that has a field of flowers in front of them), and I don't feel as negative.

Plus I'm welding again. And that makes me VERY happy. I'm getting better at it too. Even if I kinda singed part of my left eyebrow off. I had my head to close to the weld and too much arc length causing too much spatter, some flash went down my hood, and I smelt burning hair. My head was covered so I didn't know what had burned, and kept going. My roommate Sean confirmed it for me. You can kind of see in the picture that my arch is missing.

This morning I did notice some very ominous clouds. I was worried they were snow clouds. They looked dangerously like snow clouds. They might have been, but the temperature was too warm for it. Winter's coming for me though, I can feel it in my joints. I'm prepared though with warm clothing and boots.

Also, I'm changing my hair style a bit. I'm going for a full on Rockabilly look. And I'll have a Barbie Doll pony a lot. I'll post pics after I get it done. I rather excited for it. I figure, I always admired Rosie the Riveter and well might as well do it up right.

Well, that's all for tonight. :)

God Bless,

Olivia

Musical Goodness

So I went out with Matt to check out a few bands. The one was a local band, Midnight Manual. Not bad. They did a fantastic cover of Kashmir, by Led Zeppelin. I took video of them playing but I need to edit the sound quality before I post it. I did take a few pics.

Midnight Manual is a six piece band with 2 guitars, a hollow body, a bass, drums, and a violin player. They also snazz up the place by dressing in suits and a dress (one girl). They did a couple of covers, but the very last song was their cover of Kashmir. It was the best cover I had heard in a long time. The lead male singer has a set of lungs on him. He could probably cover RUSH no problem. The girl had an interesting voice, she covered Florance and The Machine's "Dog Days". But her voice was more unique. I'd go see them again.

The next band was also a six piece band. The had a Xylophone player, a keyboard, 2 guitars, bass, and a semi ridiculous drum kit. They were called Life Sized Ghost and they were from Grand Rapids. Which was the band we actually went to see. I couldn't really hear the singer, she never asked to have her mic adjusted. They did do a pretty good cover of "My Guitar Gently weeps" as well as their own songs. Many crazy Xylophone solos.

It was a good night. I slept really well after that. The long islands probably helped too. Then I had to drag myself into work. I do believe that I haven't been getting enough sleep. I will try not to wear myself out, or I know where it will land me.

Good night, God Bless. :)

~Olivia

Welding :D

So I "stick" welded today. These are my welds, The top is 6011 rod and the bottom much nicer is a 7018 rod. I'm not very good at it and needed to weld with my left hand. Which turned out to be ok. I had to slow down and move slower, I'm too used to MIG welding.

The difference is, for people who don't know, is SMAW or Shielded Metal Arc Welding is that you take a stick of filler metal that is covered in Flux, put it into an electrically charged handle, strike the surface, as it melts down you have to move your hand closer to the welding surface. This type of welding doesn't require any gas.

MIG welding has a wire feed in the handle. It has a constant speed that you can slow down or speed up depending on how much is needed in conjunction to how much electricity and argon gas are used when it comes to the thickness of the metal. So you just pull the trigger and go. Much less involved and you basically just pull across the surface at a constant speed and you don't really need to worry about moving closer to the metal.

Now I'm sitting at my post in the Monitor's Office waiting for someone to show up who wants to work tonight. There is two other people here. The Ceramic's monitor and a girl working in the Metal's studio.

It'll pick up in a few days.

New Blog

I've decided to start a new blog while I'm residing in the U.P.

I just think that it would be easier for me to get updates to people if I just started a blog.

So here goes. It's September 5th. And we have a frost advisory for tonight.... Welcome to the Marquette.

Basically I'm unpacking more stuff today to get things more organized in my life. Then I'm reading my Welding book. :)