I REMEMBER: MY FIRST COLLEGE APARTMENT

All taken January 2010 in my first college apartment, J1

"I remember" is a photo series I started to look back at old photographs I've taken throughout the years. I've been feeling bittersweet about moving on to the next chapter in my life and I'd like to relive some of my favorite moments. Won't you come along? This weekend I'm in Athens, GA so you'll be getting a lot of "I remember posts"


Dear Apartment J1,

You were my first official college apartment and I thank you for truly teaching me a lot about life, relationships, friendships, roommates, cooking, laundry and of course being the ultimate place to hibernate during those winter months. Something about your wood paneled walls always kept me warm and safe. You were there for probably one of the toughest years in college and possibly my life. They call it the sophomore slump for a reason don't they? Even though you were much tinier than my townhouse now, you always felt like home. Plus, you were a two minute walk from campus! Such a stud you were Apartment J1.

When I look back to that year, there were a lot of things I could be angry about. On a small scale I could be angry at how loud I remember you being since we lived right by campus or on a bigger scale I could be angry at the constant confusion and feelings of lost I felt throughout that whole year...whether it was academically or emotionally, but I wouldn't be where I am today without it.

One thing I do appreciate you for is the constant inspiration I had that year with you. You were there when I got my DSLR camera and you were so patient with my desire to take thousands of pictures, even if close to 99% of them sucked. You were there when my passion took full speed and I will always remember that.

Do you remember when I got locked in the bathroom and when I called Vicki, our landlord, she laughed harder than anything I've ever heard before and that [hot] maintenance man came and got me out?
Do you remember when I spent the whole summer watching Weeds?
Do you remember I acted like a total college student, whatever that means?
Do you remember when I worked at Ruby Tuesday and hated it?
Do you remember when I started to truly fall in love?
Do you remember when I used to come home smelling like photo chemicals?
Do you remember when I tried taking a drawing class and was a-w-f-u-l?
Do you remember awful Biology class?
Do you remember when I tried to be a photo minor then switched to sociology?
Do you remember that hole in our bathroom door?
Do you remember when I picked up the guitar back up?
Do you remember when my roommate Chelsea and I would watch Maury and Jerry Springer?
Do you remember when we would stay up into the wee hours of the morning?
Do you remember when we had to attach the washer to the sink? (old school)

J1, although things were not all unicorns and rainbows, it was truly a wonderful year with you and that, I will always remember.

Sincerely,
Your 2009-2010 tenant

Snow day turned LL Bean Catalogue Photo Shoot

 

 

 

Yes, the rumors are true. Boone finally got snow last weekend. It's been a weird winter this season. Normally I am cursing at every snowflake as a trudge to class with foggy glasses and more layers than a bean salsa dip. Did that make sense? Whatever.

Of course I made my roommates go outside and take pictures with me. Yes, we intentionally wore red flannels. Yes we look like we're modeling for the LL Bean Catalog :) Gotta love it.  

Thank you Boone for not being a complete snow globe in the hands of a five year old this year.

Did I speak too soon?

Music[video] Monday 002 + Update

This week the music video I chose is Sufjan Steven's "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti"
Sufjan is one of my favorite artists & I'm still getting to know his music.
This music video is the acoustic version of his song, but if are not aware of Sufjan Stevens, I promise you'll fall in love with him as much as I did.
This is one song I could listen to over and over and over and over again.
Especially, on vinyl.

UPDATE:

So in the past couple weeks, my life has gotten exponentially busy...in a very resume building, putting money in my savings account, planning naps throughout the day kind of busy. After getting my acceptance for an internship at Appalachian State's University Department of Communications with one of my favorite professors, I was also offered a position as a press intern for Musicfest 'N Sugar Grove. Along with helping with distributing the press releases and making contacts, I am responsible for their social media, including their Twitter account, Facebook, etc. My manager at Primo's also asked me to admin their facebook page, along with my doubled shifts this week (thank you Graduation and Mother's Day) Hahaha One of my other professors also asked me to help facilitate a focus group in May for a few days! So exciting things are happening but my summer will be busy, busy, busy.

Spring semester officially ends this Wednesday!
I just have to get through a week of working and then it's off to Raleigh I go.
To enjoy a little break before I go hard core on these public relations opportunities.
I'm excited to see my friends from their study abroad programs, celebrate their arrival, internships and life! Family and friends are what I need the most & I look forward to being in the same city as them for once!

I'll explain more about Musicfest 'N Sugar Grove in another blog, but for now, you should follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
 

Designated Designer

I realize I haven't blogged in awhile.
Since there is always a scapegoat, I blame my studies, work and the infamous InDesign program.
Many exciting things have been happening, and not so exciting things in my past couple weeks.

1. Got an internship! Summer internship with the Department of Communications at AppState. I'm very excited. I get six credit hours and have to complete 120 hours (which isn't so bad after spreading it over a 10 week period)
2. Found the Mumford & Sons vinyl along with tickets to see them in Asheville! Ex-CITING.
3. This evening is taco + margarita night!
4. I've had some wonderful entertainment opportunities (which I will blog about later)

Anyway -
I decided to showcase some of the design work I've had to do for my Media Publishing class. I have recently realized how much I enjoy designing things like magazine spreads, business cards or logos. I am merely an amateur but as a public relations major, it's good to have different design skills.

Here's some examples of my work:

Business card idea - designed the logo along with the layout of the card.

  

This was a magazine spread I had to create to represent myself. If you click on the photos, they should enlarge and you will be able to read the text.

Those are just a few things that I've been working on in InDesign.
I hope to learn more and eventually create more things with it!

Off to a Ben Folds Acoustic Concert on campus.
A blog about that later ;)

- melissa

Japan Crisis Relief: AppState Style

 On March 24, 2011, the students at Appalachian State University came together to support Japan relief efforts due to the recent natural disasters that hit Japan. Students at AppState donated, planted flags, wore red or white and wore badges in support. We raised over $1,500! All donations were given to the American Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross.

And the event continues!
App State students are planning another fundraising day on April 7, 2011.
So those on campus, visit Sanford Mall, donate any amount and plant a flag to form the flag of Japan.
Together, we can help rebuild Japan.

Here's a few photos from the last fundrasier.

3:30 p.m. - The current flag of Japan on Sanford Mall

One of the flags I planted

Photo of the two flags Hannah and I planted after our donations

It's amazing that AppState can come together and help to support relief efforts in Japan...
how many organizations, local businesses or anyone have come together.

- MV.

you are beautiful

source: here

 

taken Feb. 4, 2010[?]

Got this sticker awhile ago from a seminar about self-image at Appalachian.

Watched a film called Beauty Mark (click for more info)

And even had Diane Israel hold a Q&A session afterwards.

I remember having a good experience.

So remember, "You are beautiful."