Photoshop-ing around

I follow many blogs including the Digital Photography School blog. They have a lot of cool tricks and teachings in many of their posts, sometimes very cool and helpful, sometimes not so much. Today I came across a post on "How to Make a Photo Collage Banner for Your Photoblog or Website" that shared some techniques that you can use in photoshop or photoshop elements. I'm lucky enough to have photoshop elements! (Thanks Scott :) ) 

I didn't end up making a new banner for my blog but I did play around with the techniques and made a sweet new desktop background:

So fun, right? I have a feeling I'm going to be making many more of these.

-CAUTION-

Spring Break only lasts for one week!!

Is anyone else having a hard time snapping back into school mode? Maybe I'm having a little spring fever or possibly a little senioritis. It's too early for senioritis to be setting in! I'm hoping it's just the week-after-spring-break-ITIS and that I'll be over it next week.

I'm in the Noble right now (my favorite library at ASU). 

But am not enjoying it as much as usual. I snagged a fish-bowl room (first-come-first-serve group study room) and was only in there for 3 minutes before a group came along and kicked me out. The rule is that a single person can use the room but if a group of 2 or more people come along they can kick you out... bummer. So I start wandering the floors looking for a seat with a plug so I can get some electrons for mr. mac... slim pickins. All the seats are taken! This has become my new pet-peeve of the semester: people who sit by plugs but don't use them. If you don't need the plug, sit somewhere else so others can use it! I finally find a chair with ONE open plug, HOORAY! But the story doesn't end there... I'm sitting in this chair, working on a study guide (for my exam tomorrow, oops...) and not too much time passes before this girl asks if she can use my plug (the one that I searched for so hard!). I hesitate because I have a 3 hours class tonight and mr. mac needs to last that long. She tells me, "I'm doing a programming assignment." I wanted to reply: "Okay?" Just because your assignment is 'programming' and computer related does mean that my computer needs are any less than yours. I checked my battery charge and I had a 93% charge so I gave her my beloved plug. I guess that's the end... eventful day at the library, huh?

Well it's back to that study guide now... let's hope I can make it to the weekend!      

SPRING BREAK!!!

I am very overdue on a blog update! So here it comes!

Spring break is already over. Can you believe it? They should really extend that to 2 weeks! Here are the highlights of the week:

Watching the cutest kids ever!

Celebrating Izzy's 21st! 

We're pretty : )

The whole group (I'm sorry Skyra. The other one where your eyes are open is all blurry!):

Spring Cleaning with my mom. No pictures to document the event...

Went to a graduation workshop. This workshop was nothing exciting but the fact that I only have 16 credit hours to go is very exciting! I'll be graduating next December!! Woot!

Did some shopping! Skyra, you're a wonderful shopping partner : ) 

And finally... went to the cabin with Scott and his family. The cabin is always a fun and relaxing time. I started to read: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and I like it so far. It even snowed a tiny bit!

The 'snow' was exciting and reminded of when Morgan and I visited Shannon last year in Chicago. It snowed for 3 days straight, yet every time we walked outside I would react the same way... "It's snowing!!" I'm such an Arizona kid : )

Counting down the days

School has been hectic so far this semester (out of the house 8am-9pm almost every weekday) and I am ready for a break! Here's a few things I am counting down the days for...

12 days till Spring Break

65 days till I'm 21 

78 days till my last final of the semester

86 days till I leave for Honduras

95 days till Maegan gets here

112 days till Morgan comes home

Fortunately, spring break is around the corner! : ) 

Unfortunately, I have to wait a while for the rest : (

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Saving the World

Maybe I'm not saving the WHOLE world but I'm helping out mother earth a little bit. I have been taking two water bottles to school with me everyday this semester (that's about 42 water bottles so far!) and I know that is way too much plastic! Did you know plastic begins to decompose after 700 years? And the average American uses 168 water bottles per year! I have been aware for a while and have finally remedied this situation:

With so many water bottle options out there, I had a hard time deciding (surprising, I know). I didn't want to go the plastic route because of all the issues with the different types. Apparently #2, 4 and 5 are supposed to be OK and #3, 6, and 7 are bad. (#1 is still questionable). I found a couple of cool sites in my hunt. I finally decided to go with these babies made of stainless steel from Klean Kanteen. Here's the specs (according to Klean Kanteen):

- made from high quality food-grade 18/8 stainless steel

- non-leaching and toxin free

- no inner lining, clean tasting

- reusable, 100% recyclable

- reduce landfill waste

- super durable, yet lightweight (8 oz.)

- wide mouth fits ice cubes (1.75" diameter)

- caps are made of pp#5 (safe & non-leaching)

- dishwasher friendly

They are a little pricey but they pay themselves off because there is no need to buy water bottles anymore. And I'm going to have them for a long time! They also come in different sizes and with different lids (including sippy cup lids!). I started using them this week and love them... They help me get my 64 oz. of water for the day, the sleek size is perfect for my backpack, I'm avoiding possible harm from plastics, and oh yeah... SAVING THE WORLD : )

Happy Valentine's Day!

Image created here.

You do not have to be in a relationship with someone in order to enjoy Valentine's Day. It makes me sad when people fixate on that. It's about LOVE.  A couple years ago, I decided to start getting Valentine's  Day cards for my family and I just love it. Unfortunately this year flew by me and I didn't pick up any cards. Luckily I have found a new venue for sending out my love. So go check your Facebook inboxes lovers. And I promise it's more than just an ordinary message ; )

Scott and I celebrated Valentine's a day early this year. For Christmas, Scott bought me a giftcard to Dolce for a couples massage. I decided to use it on Valentine's Day since we wouldn't have to spend any money and it is fun and romantic. The massage was soooo relaxing! Afterward they bring you yummy food from PF Chang's. It was really nice. Unfortunately, I picked up a cold a few days ago (just one of the joys of nannying!) so we spent the rest of the night on my couch watching a movie. We had a wonderful low key night : )

TONIGHT.... I am babysitting. I'm super excited because I have been watching this little girl since she was probably about 1 and now she is 5! Time flies. The reason I am so excited is because I am watching her overnight, so we are going to have a fun girl's night sleepover! Yay! 

Hope you all enjoy your Valentine's Day! 

Remember it's about LOVE : )

Back to school, Back to business

Classes started on January 20th and it has been non-stop since then! May this week will slow down? Not a chance... here's what this weeks schedule looks like:

And let's not forget about the homework that school brings and a couple of other 'pending' activities... But don't you fret, I have been pretty on top of my game so far. I'm enjoying the busyness and am hoping for another good semester this Spring : )