TheVacancy.Net Travelogue

It was my first week back in college after taking a year-long hiatus. I graduated from LSU in 2005 and I climbed the corporate ladder for a short time. They should really call it "walking the corporate tightrope."

Last week was almost surreal. I can't believe I'm going back to school. I was so sick of tests, studying, and going to class on Fridays (and Mondays, and Tuesdays...). However, now that I have more direction with my degree, I am more eager to pursue it. Before, I was 18 and LSU pressured me to pick a major as if all the majors were going to be gone if I didn't get one while the gettin' was good. I picked whatever looked interesting.
Who the heck really knows what they want to do at 18? Or 20? Or 25 for that matter? Either way, I am on the right path now.

Also, Friday night was my Engagement party! There was so much effort put into this. Roses everywhere...400 long stem, red roses to be exact. Planning was hectic...we had at least 4 invitations get lost in the mail, and so we weren't sure if invitees weren't RSVP-ing because they weren't coming, or because they didn't even get their invitation! But come Friday night, everything worked out fine. Food, champagne, friends, family...it was great.
My mother went out of her way to make this special. And honestly, I couldn't imagine how it could have been more so. She did an amazing job on the flowers, setting up, decorating, and managing the event. Kudos, mom.
I know she couldn't have done it without the help of my bridesmaids, Bobby, and my family from Idaho, so kudos to you all, too.
Finally, we officially announced our wedding date: ~September 29, 2007~. We updated our wedding site accordingly: TheKnot.com.

And no, mom, you are not Motherzilla of the Bride. I prefer SuperMom of the Bride.

Finally, photography is getting exciting. I have been faced with a new challenge: a photojournalism class at SLU [yes, I am more of a fan of photojournalism than I am a fan of traditional posed photography]. This class focuses on black and white photography AND the darkroom/developing process of photography. In the words of my instructor, it's a "major time commitment" and a financial commitment as well. Big, scary words she used together.
I'm more interested in the experience than I am concerned with the time and financial commitment ahead.

And I think that's what last week was all about.




"Don't need to know where I'm going, just need to know where I've been." --"Mater," from the animated movie, Cars

So family& friends can keep up with me, I have started a public blog!

I don't expect to post in it every day--or every week--but just often enough for you to know what's going on right now.

I have cleared my schedule to re-enroll in college...yes, I am doing it again. Tests and homework were SO much fun at LSU that I have decided to go back and try my luck at Southeastern. Classes start Jan. 16th. Well, the classes that are left will start on the 16th--I don't get to schedule until Jan. 11th.

After graduating LSU in 2005, I ventured into the workplace with the ubiquitous question, "So what do you want to do?" in the back of my mind. After finding three things I don't want to do (secretary, receptionist, and climb the corporate ladder) I finally found one thing I do want to do: Art.

Stop laughing.

Yes, Art. Again I hear the question, "So what do you want to do?"

I want to make Art and get paid for it, dang it. I plan to major in Art with a concentration in Digital Design. Currently, I work for a TV station as a graphic designer and I. Love. It. If the budget (and the Fire Marshall) allowed, I'd set up a cot in the Art Department. It's as if God smacked me in the head and said, "Why haven't you been doing this all along?! I didn't give you a talent so you can waste it sitting in a cubicle!!"

So here we go: SLU Round 2.

I have also expanded my photography beyond Maverick. I took photos of "Karen & Matt" for their engagement and pictures of "Rodney" for his girlfriend. I am truly pleased with how well the photos came out. Next, I have two more photo shoots in the books: one engagement sitting and one portrait sitting.

And finally, I have gotten engaged to Chad Pyle.

We are planning the wedding right now, and so far we have: a date (time tentative), a place & caterer, my dress, his tux rental place, a wedding party, and a photographer. The engagement party is December 19th at 7:00 PM. We'll announce the official wedding date at the engagement party. On TheKnot.com webpage, it says we're marrying Jan. 1, 2010...which is obviously not the case.

Despite all this going on, I am still available on Saturdays and Sundays for photo shoots. Don't hesitate to contact me!