I've been dreadfully busy with school, hence the lack of updates. I'd say Dec 14th will most likely be when I update again, but hopefully by then I will have a yarn of a tale to tell.
Something else: to quote from an earlier post-
"Also, I posted this song b/c I'm becoming a bit insatiable. I have this friend who I've like for a while and while we are just friends I feel like we've gotten a lot closer lately and I'm confused about what he wants from me? Idk maybe I'm over thinking it but at the same time I like that he's relying on me more. It's annoying to learn more things about him that make me fall a bit more every day..."
Well my friend (whom I haven't picked out a pseudo for) is still talking to me every day and I'm still learning more and more each day. He's coming to a party at my house Friday and then we're going on a studio tour (just us two) Saturday. I'd have to say by the end of next semester if we aren't best friends then we're going to be boyfriends. It's ridiculous! But above all, I just enjoy spending time with him. I'm such a dork.
Design your day!
-Andrew ^^
I don't know why I haven't posted this before, it's an awesome song! A great and true dance track that has a powerful voice backing.
This is a few pictures of what I'm currently doing:
My list of things to do by the end of design class tomorrow....just for physical models.
These are mostly teasers to the entire models which will be finished by approximately 6pm tomorrow.
Also, this photo is from the front page of our newspaper! Just goes to show how amazing the LGBT community is around here. Also how hot :p
I chose this song for today b/c a sudden downpour occurred on my way home and just as it commenced, this was the song that came on my iTunes. For real.
Today was a very good day! It was also National Coming Out Day, fyi, as well as Columbus Day.
Things started out with VisComm, which is my 8am class. I'd say the only thing that was stimulating about that class was the fact I sat next to a cute guy, whom I'll call Green (he's in the Gardening Club I go to sometimes). Green is slightly shorter than me brown hair and eyes with excellent facial hair. He also plays soccer and though he had a girlfriend his sexuality is questionable (i.e. not facebook official).
My Italian class went well, I had to give an oral report on curriculum vitae of professors in Italy. Yeah. At least my speaking has improved, so I really liked it, though to say the class was enthused about any of the reports would be a blatant lie.
Design...well I'm happy about my desk critique! Our professor was clearly not happy with the amount of work we had accomplished (he said shit a lot), but when I discussed with him my process and what I was intending to do he seemed alright with it all. If only AutoCAD wasn't so frustrating! Computer malfunctions happen a lot and it's important to be prepared when it comes to these things. It seems they always happen at the worst time, e.g. right before I have lasercutter time. (I will inform what the magnificence that is the lasercutter in a next post)
Since then I haven't done much except prepare everything for tomorrow, a very looooooong day. So long I'm pulling an all-nighter to get all of my work finished tomorrow night. Oh goodness.
I'll make another post tomorrow, but after getting drenched by the sudden thunderstorm I believe it's time for bed.
I usually start doing things without realizing that I forget to explain myself properly. That being said, I will now take some time to properly introduce myself.
My name is Andrew, and I'm a 3rd year architecture/urban studies student attending a top ranked architecture program (if you read between the lines, it's easy to figure out). I'm 6ft tall even, of mixed heritage, understand Spanish and speak Italian. My interests include tennis, volleyball, anime, music, singing, cooking, and watching movies. Overall I'd say I have a very optimistic outlook on things and I'm involved in more organizations/clubs than I should be considering my major, but that doesn't mean I haven't tried to add more things to further complicate my life (self-deprecating a bit). I say that I don't gender discriminate when it comes to dating, though this creates issues on both sides. My lack of time is also an issue, though when it comes to architecture we usually date inside the major, and I can't say I'm without prospects. Speaking of such, one just walked in…
My purpose behind this blog is to give a look in on what occurs here at the school. What it is to be an architecture major, what's expected of you, the (un)certain future, thoughts on the profession, and also a bit of me and what I'm doing as well - it isn't easy being everything that goes against the old reich (old, white, conservative, non LGBT, etc). As an architecture student it is your life for 3-5+ years and studio is home, so this is me sharing something most people don't really get to see. (Also I like to share new music I hear so I hope you're up for that).
First off, just want to say if you don't know about Girls Aloud, and want some wacky, off-the-wall pop music that works, check them out. If you do, then you already know Nadine is the best singer in the lot. This video is also another reason why I don't give up on girls.
Lately I've been feeling a little bit depressed. It's funny, because this isn't an emotion that is foreign to architecture students. It's something that we accept as a consequence of the work we do and the pressure we put ourselves under. Overall I feel that I really should be keeping up with this blog; in fact I'm writing this post in that vein - I need to get out all the work that I've done, look at it objectively [and with an editing eye], then condense and move forward.
Overall the research portion of my velodrome project did not go into my favor. I don't regret the way in which I chose to do it, which was experiment with many different concepts of 'Olympic Caliber Performance' and break them down to small elements, but they felt if I had just taken one idea and exhausted it that I would've had something more developed.
Personally I disagree, just because I feel that this second portion of design is the proper place for that mindset. It's where you have your idea (in this project it is our word) and then create the form from that. My idea is "Maximization" and I really like it. I think it embodies the spirit of my original research in one of its perspectives, that of pushing to the utmost bounds of what one can do and using every fiber of ones build to be the best and push to the top. Right now that's what I'm trying to do. Use everything I have to become the best I can possibly be (and secure my goal of an A in design and obtaining the Design Excellence award this semester!)
Ok - so what I have to do.
1) Remake a model. One of the cruelest things to be told is that your craft is shit and that your models are not on par with the rest of the class. Annoying but it needs to be done.
2) Make a physical model of "Maximization." Overall I've been getting ideas of pulling up/pushing out/holding down so I'm playing with the idea of fibers, sticks, fabric, just things that have a lot of tension inherent in their nature that express what I'm trying to get at.
3)Plan/Section/Perspective. I have to make a 3D model doing the same thing about "maximization" but in Rhino. I'm thinking of using the strength of the triangle as the form giver and then lofting through to make a form
4)Get info for the bounds. The idea of maximization is with the notion that there are bounds which the building must fit into. So, I have to get all the site data from someone else in studio so I have my parameters to work with.
That actually doesn't seem so hard after I made the list. WOW, that really helped! haha
Well it's 3:16am, I can't sleep - might as well get started on this bit.
Also, I posted this song b/c I'm becoming a bit insatiable. I have this friend who I've like for a while and while we are just friends I feel like we've gotten a lot closer lately and I'm confused about what he wants from me? Idk maybe I'm over thinking it but at the same time I like that he's relying on me more. It's annoying to learn more things about him that make me fall a bit more every day...
Either way, design your day!
The new Saturdays mini CD (released only in the UK of course) really isn't the greatest thing in the world, but the two singles, including this one called 'Higher,' are really good pop hits.
Well I'm in the middle of another all-nighter. I know it's going to hurt tomorrow, but it'll be worth it. I think I'm going to have some things for my professor that he'll actually like. Concerning my work with 'Olympic Caliber Performance,' I've divided it into Human + Bike, Curves, and Olympic Spaces. The way it works is that
the space occupied by a human on a bike creates a volume that is regulated by a set of curves, and these curves along with the changes in scale from human to human plus bike create formulas that can be used to alter current spaces to better accomodate for bikes and their travel patterns. So now I'm pretty excited about that.
Though honestly this entire weekend has been very frustrating. It was good to have an extra day in the weekend, though in architecture student land that equates an extra day to work on your design. Not to mention I still have stuff to do for other classes. Notheless I have to believe I can do it and only improve. I can only go higher and higher.
P.S. - the picture here is my desk!
A nice song by an Australian singer-songwriter. i feel I could sing this song to my design professor.
So I'm going to take this moment to just think a little. Though I really shouldn't be thinking right now, per the way the research is supposed to be done, I want to take a couple things into perspective.
First - my house. Good Lord it is a hot mess. I have to do dishes, clean the living room, do laundry, throw the trash, and plan my meals for the week
Second - studio. I have to clean my desk, put together the binder of work, and group together the things that need to be returned home.
Next - Italian class. I need to do the reading for Wednesday and buy the course packet.
Following - Construction. Pick a building to make pretty pictures of.
After That - Environmental Controls. Finish the readings, do the lessons in lighting, buy black paper for the lab project, take the photos for the lab project, start the lab project.
Not to be forgotten - VisComm. Take photos of the coke bottle, draw over them in AutoCAD, transition this to Rhino and put on a box.
Culminating in - Design. 15 drawings, a movable model, plus a starting version of my final poster, which I just realized may need to be entirely finished by that day...
Topping it all off- exercise. I've been good about it this week, but I need to keep it up.
I can say overall that there is a small part of me that wants to die, another part that wants to quit, but overall my mind and body are saying 'show this bitch what you're made of.' So I'm picking that option.
I want to post more concerning my architecture work but until this weekend passes I doubt I'll get into much detail. Plus, I have some really cool photos to upload and this will now be a photo blog! I just need the extra day to breathe (right after I finish scheduling my sleep). I cannot be saved at this current moment in time, but soon enough I'll make it through on my own.
This is for yesterday, when I was at my mother's with a lack of internet access:
When I return to Austin tomorrow it will be a breath of fresh air; the next time I see my mother it will be too soon! I chose this song for today because not only is it awesome, but for the fact that it relates to the current predicament that I can't wake up properly when I'm not in a proper bed. Yesterday I slept horribly! I spent the night on the living room floor (of my mother's apartment for clarification) on sheets that although proper for the current weather outside hinder my attempts at lying comfortably on floor. Nonetheless, I still had some pretty interesting dreams, one about being reassured one hundred from my boss for the week (whether that is 100 dollars or 100 hours I didn't get) along with another dream concerning roaches in my house that weren't roaches but turned into beetles.
This reminds of the movie I saw a few weeks ago, Inception. Before I go any further I do recommend that everyone go see it, but I will warn that it does make you think. Actually, if you don't feel like thinking, you shouldn't be reading this blog :p . Anyway, it deals with dreams and so forth but one interesting aspect of the movie is that of the architect. Without trying to give too much away, this person serves to create the world in which a person's dream occurs. However (quite fittingly), the dream is the one that populates the dream and fills it with his desires. I found this eerily mirroring true like architect-client relationships, especially when if you do things to throw the world out of balance or not complicated enough, the dreamer's subconscious will attack you!
Speaking of architects, today while lunching (yes it was lunch time therefore the word is appropriate) at my favorite Chinese restaurant back in SA I learned that the owner was actually an architect in China before he came here and started his business. I learned about what they want, the process of creating a building and pretty much everything else he could throw us in the 15 minute span he spent teaching us (me, specifically) as we gulped down our egg drop soup and hurried through the last bits on our plates. It was amazing to think of the power that the architect holds in China - they actually supersede the engineer in Asia and it is one of the top professions to be a part of, paraphrasing the owner:
'Top three jobs in Asia: one, doctor; two, lawyer: three, architect
Overall it had me very impressed and gave me reason to rethink my plans. Should I still go to school in England? A part of me is thinking yes, and then move towards doing work in China. Even so, I need to focus on today and making sure I get through this year, this semester, this WEEK before I try and think about future plans. There are always variables that could change the life I end up leading so if they come my way I will flow around them just as always.
This is your wake-up call. Pick up the phone.
It doesn't help to start off the day finding out that in the past month you have gained 10 lbs. Short of being frank, this absolutely blows hardcore to the tenth degree; not simply because of the weight gained but the distance it puts between myself and my goal. Anyway -
I have been absent from my architectonic lifestyle for approximately 3 weeks while I worked as a counselor for a program called the Summer Institute for the Gifted. I can say I personally got some things out of it while at the same time helping mold minds that will change the world in the future. I know for a fact they will hold weight and have impact when one of the 11 year-old there was selling cakes in a business of his own. Moving on, I had fun, a bit of love (yes, these things happen at camps), some reprimanding (never come back late from night swimming in the hills), and overall I think I'll do it again. I can tell you for a fact though that the time I think about having children it will be too soon. It's odd b/c on one end I felt so old in respect to their age, as if the past 7 years has just zipped by. But I know in my mind that it was never that fast and even now I live day-by-day and hour by hour the clock ticks at a normal pace: I don't think I'm dying any time soon (God willing) @.@.
Either way, it's time to return to the way I was before, but in that same token, move to make changes in what I do. Something nice I picked up from working with these kids is consistently working to max on 6 hours of sleep. If I hadn't mentioned before, the way sleep works is that it is in 1-1/2 hour cycles, so I settled on this amount as it would translate well to the work I'll be doing during the school year. Anyway, my bedtime (currently) is 6 am and I can get myself awake a 7am (out of bed at 7:30 at the latest) and be fully functional the entire day. Who knew? For someone who was constantly suffering from insomnia as a fresh-faced you this will help me out very much in future endeavors.
Another change is that of cultural expression. It seems that the longer I've been in college, the more and more I've lost touch with the Hispanic part of my culture. This seems a bit ironic as in all of my projects I stress the importance of expressing one's culture through the creative process, and overall the realization has been a bit shocking. In this light, I have decided to dwell a bit on my past (something I don't usually do) along with practicing my Spanish and watching some telenovelas. May sound a bid ludicrous, but I heard of a Romanian tennis player learning Spanish from watching them and on top of that it is in large part a way to be reminded of what it means to be me.
Sport is also going to be a larger aspect of my life - pretty much the entire idea of health in both what I eat and what I do. Currently as I write this I'm thinking about what I want to do right now for exercise, though I cringe at the thought of the pain the first workout after a long hiatus from major activity. That and I mean major activity. The goal is to push myself to being a two athletic training body, one being my architect and the other is my sportist (made-up word but whatever). This includes not only hardcore training techniques, but on top of that a very stringent diet in that I won't eat anything processed and I'm officially donning the moniker of flexitarian.
Things I am keeping: my love of music, my love of Japanese culture (reviving my manga reading), my practicing of Italian, my penchant for trying new drinks (especially now that I'm 21), and the goal of going to graduate school in England.
I'm still very young so I feel I have tons and tons of life to lead. I have to say that right now this time is for me. It is a very selfish thing to say, but as they say, architects are ego driven, and according to some I'm not. Guess I have to prove them wrong? Whatever happens I'm still smiling, and I'll still be the giggler.
Today is also the day I plan on starting a bit of portfolio organization, though I'm at my mothers so if that actually happens it will be a miracle
I really like this new song and I think it is going in a good direction for pop music right now. Very electro pop and digital without sounding ancient 80s. Her voice is also nice and quite light.
I came in at one as opposed to three on Saturday. Maybe not my best decision to come in and work a 10hr shift as opposed to an 8hr one. But the money is good so I can't complain, except for the pain in my shoulders (a bit sore). So far not that many people have come by, but it is picking up. One success we can attribute to is our location - underneath an apartment building in West Campus. It's something I always try to champion in my voice and design, that it's best to go with a mixed use approach that really exemplifies the complexity of the city and fosters density through interaction. It is also nice to interact with the good looking people who come into the store. ^^ Now that the French Open is over, I have begun to refocus on my design work. Tomorrow is my day off, so I am headed to the library for the day to research, read and design. I'll post my thoughts as I work through the process.
Design your day!
Also, this is one of the reasons I wish to learn Dutch and why I love urban design.
http://vimeo.com/3499612
I reheard this song a few days ago and it brought back all of these memories.
Ok, so I've been very out of it for a good week and a half.
1) French Open!
2) My birthday was last Saturday. My 21st.
3) I left my phone in my friend's car and didn't have it for a week.
4) I hadn't started work.
But now things are getting back on track. The French Open is closing up shop this weekend, and though World Cup will start soon I can just put the games on in the background while I focus on some competition entries. I feel completely rested and recharged from all of my school jet lag, so I think I can get myself in good shape and improve my design work. This also comes after I found out yesterday that a friend of mine from my former year didn't pass Sound Building. I know that whatever happens she is a strong woman and will be fine, but it hits close to home and I don't like this anxious feeling. I just have to take it to heart and fight my way out.
My 21st was something else. What I can say about it is that I did do my 21 shots, I got a body shot at Coyote Ugly (completely worth it), and that I will never drink that much ever again haha. But because of this I left my phone in my car it made things that much more difficult for the following week. I had to keep my facebook open all day and I felt limited in my movement and what I could do. I have to be more conscious of where my things are from now on, I don't want that to have any more hindrances it just gets me off my groove.
At least now I have my job though, and that makes me feel fantastic. We just opened so it was a bit slow, but I really enjoy the environment and I like my co-workers. A bonus as well is that I can walk to work, and I have a lot of friends nearby that can visit me. In fact, I had some high school friends come in last night. Blast from the past.
Overall I feel that there are somethings that haven't really gone my way, but if I take my problems and look at them from another point of view, then I can see the better side of things. I mean, it could be much worse - and in architecture it's all about perspective. My view will not be the same as yours. So if I can change how I perceive things, I can improve my position. This is my weekend challenge.
For now, I will enjoy tennis on tv.
This song is one of those rocking jump around sounds that sounds timeless and at the same time is not in your face. It's all about being buddy buddy or having a friendship and doing things together, having adventures. I really enjoy it.
Haven't posted in a few days b/c they have been blending a bit lately. Though a few things have occurred:
1) Got off the train on the exercise/diet b/c my birthday is this Saturday (turning 21!!) but was put back on it when I ran into a friend from architecture (tall, gay, keeps himself in peak athletic condition) and I'm rethinking it all. I need to be competitive in all aspects. I may not end up being the best - but if I keep working at it I will be able to compete on the same level
2) Been hanging out with one of my really good girlfriends every single day b/c of lack of work. She would be a best friend but she got demoted b/c she doesn't like Gilmore Girls. Who doesn't like the Gilmore Girls?! Something is wrong with her.
3)Been watching the French Open still, LOTS of it. Today there was an excellent match between Fabio Fognini and Gael Monfils that had to be called due to darkness. It'll be like a sudden death match when they go on tomorrow, excited!
4)Started reading "Crabgrass Frontier" from one of the classes I took a while back. While in the class I only had to read excerpts, so now I'm filling in the rest. It's a really good book that deals with American suburbia, so if anyone is into that, be sure to check it out. Also have my Oxford Architecture dictionary, so I have to crack that open as well.
5)Randomly asked to party with a friend last night. Brought up a lot of old high school stuff, very weird but interesting as well. That and I got so drunk off of beer alone (never happened before) and went to Whataburger with new friends. One was Asian (who actually drove amazingly, he's a valet), one had a name like mine and the other went to my hs (who I recognized b/c I thought he was cute back then. still is. haha). Still an excellent time to be had. I just need to tell more friends, take me away for the night. Then everything would be alright and I'd have such a delight. Ok, I'm done rhyming.
Start work in about 1 1/2 hrs as we are officially OPEN! Cannot wait.
Design your day ^^
Ever since I heard the song "Catch You" I've been a fan of Sophie Ellis Bextor. I feel that her new album is going to be a good dance floor stomper that'll be enjoyable by all. I am now beginning to realize that my form of speech is beginning to be "imperialized," if you catch my drift. Hm.
So yesterday I really enjoyed training for work. We got an idea of how to use all of the different machines in the store, including how to make all the different types of drinks and paninis. My goodness - everything tastes SO good I'm really excited about this concept store and I'm glad the drinks are delicious b/c it makes everything so much easier to sell when it tastes that good. There are also very cute looking people who work at the store. I won't acknowledge that they are though b/c I don't want to go down that road. But yeah, everywhere I go - hot people, it's getting ridiculous.
After that, I ended up going to the commencement ceremony by fluke, to see a friend of mine graduate. It's crazy b/c there are so many people that the way it's done is that this ceremony is optional, but it's still a big deal b/c it's on the main mall, there are fireworks, etc. etc, We couldn't find a seat so we didn't stay long, but still it gave a bit of confidence when I saw the people that were graduzating that I knew from the architecture school. It felt good to see them there.
After that we ended up going to my friend's frat party. It was very interesting b/c it was a multicultural frat (of mostly Indians) and it was suuuuuper awkward but I still got drunk so that's fine. In fact, I got pretty drunk. Not trashed, but I felt it for a good while after words. Enough to talk to this guy from my Italian conversation class that I think is hot. It was nice lol
Today I've been watching the French Open. I LOVE tennis. It's the one thing I wish I could've done with my life - I didn't really learn about the sport until I was 13, but nonetheless I'm still very passionate. Who I think will win is Nadal and Henin. Who I would like to win is Djokovic or Gasquet, and then Sharapova or Jankovic. We shall see.
Other than that I'm taking today off. I need to go talk to a friend that is having issues with her bf (they've been dating for over 2 years!) and though I know they were going to come to a crossroads when she decides where she wants to go med school, but that's still a year away.
For me it's bittersweet, I would like to date someone, but I don't want to hurt someone b/c I know I won't sacrifice my future for someone else. At least right now. Things like this always change.
P.S. - go check out Daniel Brands. He lost his match but his looks win the war.
I really like this song. I was going to post the actual video, but I felt like it didn't have the same vision that I see when I hear it, so I didn't haha. I really like their style, it's like what would've happened if disco continued on into the 80s with a touch of psychadelica.
I have to say that I am a fan of dwell. Though some of my professors may argue against its validity, I think it still brings up a valid aspect to the argument of architecture, more specifically what is good architecture. B/c honestly that what it boils down to for a lot of architects - why is this good in the first place?
I found this month's issue to be particularly important to me, as it is concerning megacities, and not necessarily the ones you would think of first - Sao Paolo, Jakarta, Seoul, and Mumbai.
My favorite thing was this quote:
"Arriving at a metropolis is like stepping onto a moving sidewalk at an airport. Your legs are going at the same pace, but the world around you is moving a bit faster. The speed is addictive. Get used to it."
I can't wait to be a part of this!
On top of that, there is also information on parks in the city, which is an important concept in urban areas; where do you go for a breather?
Yesterday was a pretty good day, sans the fact I figured out my gpa and my whole goal of a 3.3. I can say for sure I will have no social life come September 1 (sigh). Oh well, I do enjoy my major and I feel I can make an impact and a contribution to the profession. I also know that if I can pull that off before the end of my tenure at school I can find a way to guarantee a grad student position somewhere.
For now I have to go to work.
Design your day!
Crystal Castles - Celestica
You know, I got over the band pretty quickly when they had their first album b/c a lot of it sounded like white noise to me. But this song is more celestial and etherial so I think I'll give them another listen.
Woke up later again today - 1:30 - as training was delayed YET again. But this time it's b/c they're installing TVs so I let it slide. I want to watch World Cup while I'm working so I cannot wait! I almost went home this weekend back to visit my entire family but unfortunately the timing didn't work out. It's very odd b/c lately I've been wanting to see them. It's one of those things for me that I want to have every now and again but can't do for very long. I love my family, but it really stresses me out if we're around each other for too long. Nevertheless, I know how important they are to me and my success so at times I must succumb. But not this weekend :p
Yesterday, when my friend's friends came into my house and I was in a state of poor dress, I was reminded of how I should be sketching everyday and working on my skills. Well, that didn't happen yesterday - but - I did find a slew of competitions that I can enter and work on during the summer. I like this b/c I can both improve my design process, show you guys some work, possibly get some recognition that will boost my portfolio, and maybe even win some money! You can never have too many supplies in architecture; remember that.
Well for now I'm off to the bank and then late tonight an apartment complex is hosting a late night with free food and drinks. Seriously, around here they will do anything to get students to lease. But it's cool, we get to have fun for free. But during that time I will organize these competitions in order of due date along with setting up a second blog for my atelier (excited!) and then catch up on anime while doing dishes and then fitting in some italian practice in there somewhere. Note that this is all a lot of fun for me!
Tomorrow I'm posting concerning my new dwell magazine that I just received in the mail. Excitement!
Sometimes, I like being told what to do. hehe
The verses have a little work that needs to be done in the mix, but I like the chorus. It's very big and very commanding. Hopefully Ms. Kelly can bring it back.
Yesterday was my first day of training and so far I really enjoy the place and I think overall it's going to be a super successful store - I can feel it. I'm going to not acknowledge that I work with a pretty good looking guy, so I'm only mentioning it once. OK.
Today I was supposed to have another day of work, but it was canceled b/c they need to set up a few more of the machines, so for now I get the day off! (hence why I'm here at home and why I just got up at this hour). Though I wish I would have known my friend, who is my roommate's gf, had to bring in her friends to the house right now. It's a mess! Now I'm totally embarrassed.
Either way, it's really cool b/c I got to do a mini-project with my atelier (if I haven't explained what that is, I'll do it later) and help figure out the color choices for tshirts and apron. I have to say Adobe Illustrator is my number one favorite tool to use for my design work. Revit is excellent in rendering as well, however, that takes a computer hours to just sit there and get work done. Insane!!!
Hopefully today I can command myself to get some work done, I really have not done much at all, and that sucks.
Alejandro Sanz ft. Alicia Keys - Looking for Paradise
Hopefully that works....
Today I started the first of my habit-forming techniques that will help ensure pure success during the school by going to bed at midnight and waking up at 6am. I know some people think that's crazy, to only sleep for 6 hours, but for me that's a great night's sleep and on top of that being in architecture means that every second counts. Today I got up at that time, but then I went back to bed after using the bathroom haha. My body clock doesn't seem to be fully fixed yet, so we'll tweak that. Anyway, today is my first day of training at Dolce Finale and I'm very excited. The Health Inspector FINALLY came, so today begins a summer that will be full of busy busy business; but at the same time I really enjoy working - it's a passion of mine to make people feel good b/c I know at any place that serves sweet things (which are my favorite kind of things) all they're really looking for is a slice of paradise. Well, I have to be there in about 20 so I have to keep this one short, but I hope you all have found your own piece of that pie, I may have found my niche in this quiche. (yes, tacky, I know.)
I really like Ke$ha's music I'm just not a fan of her very much, too trashy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSR1eE9-lRo&feature=player_embedded
I'm using this song b/c it's a video made by a graduate from my school and he also did a really good "Telephone" video before this. Also, yesterday my roommate left for home and I have downstairs all to myself. This means less clothes hahaha. Though overall I've been a bit bad concerning my diet. He said I could eat whatever was left in the fridge, so I decided I might as well finish everything off now b/c my body won't be able to absorb all the calories at once (I know, I shouldn't be doing this in the first place).
Well, I feel a lot more like myself now that I've begun watching anime again (something I was really missing during school) and I think it may be helpful to my overall work ethic during school. It seems every episode I learn something new or am reminded of the morals that I need to embody and exemplify. One, from Ookiku Furikabutte, it about the mind and how it is similar to how we eat. In order to get the most out of it, we have to use our mind in three ways.
1) Focus on the work you have in front of you, the future (think about the food you are going to eat)
2) Focus on what you are doing as you do it (really focus on eating and savor each bite)
3) Focus on what you have done to get where you are and the work you put in (remember the work you did to make the meal and how good it was eating it)
It is by focus on all these aspects that you can get the most out of life.
This is going to be what I am aiming for. The more I get my grades back from this last semester, the more I know that I have to kick it into high gear if I want to make it into grad school, but even that, my closer goal is to pass into the advanced studios, and even before that I need to survive this summer. For the night, I rest; and tomorrow I fully begin again to the fullest!
In other news, I finished up Gossip Girl. OMFGG!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QPTZc1LudI
Katy Perry - California Gurls
This post is about a good friend of mine who I call my "onee-chan," or little sister. She goes to school now in California now, and this song reminds me of her, because just like Katy Perry, no matter the background put behind her, her voice and true self shines through.
I saw a lot of Sex and the City last night with my friends and I learned a lot about relationships and sex, though it's hilarious because a good deal of things I already knew. One of them really bugged me though, and it was the notion of marrying someone who loves you more than you love them. This also reminds me of my onee-chan: she has an older bf over there who loves her to death, but I think it's too much for her and I know for a fact that during winter break she cheated on him with an old bf. So why is she still with him? Obviously it's not what she really wants, which is important in a relationship, you have to want what you have.
Today was a culmination of things both good and bad. Got back my first grade - not excited with C and this knocks me a bit down with my overall goal; however I remind myself that these grades reflect the work I had done and not the work I have yet to do. On a plus I found some design competitions (free entry!) that I plan on participating in. I'm also working with a friend on a side project we're calling atelier A so I'm very excited about that.
I also just realized I missed the new Wonder Girls song! I'll proably post that soon.
Anyway, I went to dinner with a group that was (supposed) to be people that used to live on my floor. Only the main girl who is going off to medical school actually showed up - others had other plans and were too busy - along with my old roommate along with my best friend/his gf and my current roommate. Things went well so (stupidly) I invited him to go out with me. Bad idea. I am already aware of how he is, and none of my friends like him, yet I tried one last time to give him a chance. But no, at the party (which was insane, 3 storys of an apt building with a replica of the school tower that high) he had a problem with me standing where he had been (which is where I had been right before) and decided to shove me over, when I spilled (more purposefully than accidentally) a bit of my beer on him. This caused him to tip the whole cup over, which made more of a mess than anything on him and made him look like a douche in front of frat guys no less. I'm pretty much done trying to be social with him, it's too much work.
Other than that, I had a really good time - saw tons of people I knew, including one guy who was way too trashed for his own good and actually has a secret girlfriend, and then hung out with my good friend Ashley along with the guy who I got over and his new guy who he met two days ago and is really really into him (though old crush is pretty unaware and usually drunk haha). All night he whispered to us "he's just testing, right? right?" while I tried to explain this was no test. No matter - at the end we parted ways with those two left alone and me 6 hours before i have to get up to sing happy birthday for a girl I don't know with people from my acappella group.
This is my social life.
I can't wait to start work.
It's Kylie Minogue's new single, of course I'm going to post it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekPRAeHc-L4
I feel absolutely amazing right now.
I had planned to post today, because I am officially done with school, and was supposed to start work tomorrow. Well, today I watched lots of LGBT-related stuff on logo and current tv and received an e-mail saying that the Health Inspector hadn't come by the restaurant yet. No HI = no food. Oh well, that means I get more time to reflect and develop myself. Also, more time to clean out my studio!
Let's see - where can I start?
I feel like I've been given an entire new start. I picked the graduate school I wish to attend and have a goal. The Bartlett at UCL. It may be an ultimate dream, but I know going there that I can achieve the things I want to do. Also, I'll be in London! I was originally supposed to graduate (just in time to live in London for the Olympics) but maybe I can be there while I do my professional residency.
With this I now have a place that I am moving towards and a direction that I am looking towards, and I really like this. It is also great to have this while I work on improving myself. This comes along with going out last night to Rain (the local spot for well-to-do gays and dance crazies like myself) and looked at the guys around. The guys I wanted - the guys I was honestly interested in - were easily 5 to 10 years older than myself. Which got me thinking, "I have time to work on myself." I mean, I am only 20 going on 21. I have three years left of undergraduate work, not to mention an entire summer where all I am doing is working. I feel that I have my entire life ahead of me and maybe it's the endorphins from breathing in all of this amazing rain but I know what I want and I know that there is more to my life than the parties of west campus and these overly pretentious people who won't let their guard down for a second, along with a bevy of useless frat boys and sororowhores who want nothing more than fame, riches, and status.
I am on my soap box and saying, I design to express myself and the towns I grew up in. I design for the future that will come. I design for the problems that are now. And one day, I will find someone who is better than all the lovers in the world. But for now, I've got to get to the me underneath all these little Russian dolls.
Here's some lyrics I just made and needed to get down:
Walked back in the rain - down the 24th lane
I live only a block away - the end of my day
which has turned into night - only see street light
dripping and drench - I knew everything would be alright
Everything will be alright.
Neon Trees - Animal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY--Yu4kzz0
I really need to post everyday, I think this really helps destress and put things in order. I've become an animal these days - very independent but also have changed my eating habits to what they should have been all semester. That means eating much much more fruits and vegetables - 5 to 10 a day for sure. My goal this summer is to lose somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-50 lbs (possible as I'm over 200) and overall get much fitter and healthier. I'll finally get a chance to do that once I'm now out of studio!
Things that have happened lately - got over the last guy completely after he broke down in my arms about his body image issues and just all the problems in his life. I learned a lot about him, and as I liked him less as a boyfriend I've loved him more and more as a friend. Sappy, I know.
Recently I've also thought that this will be my independent summer. I'm living away from my mother for the first summer ever and it establishes myself as a permanent resident in the city I live in. Walking around the neighborhood tonight, I thought to myself "I wish I was in Europe, bout for now, this will do."
Other things I should be doing - studying for my finals! I've begun a bit already, but going over to my friends to play with her dog didn't help. Also the fact that every time I look at my Italian work it says that things will be OK. I hope so - but tomorrow I study for my Construction Final. I honestly have less than a full hour of studying that I've done for that class, and both finals are on Thursday. I also have to pick up my "composizione" and re-do that, along with calling my mother and sorting a bunch of other things.
Well, nothing is as stressful as architecture was. But of course, I'm going to be studying during summer.
I took a different approach to today.
Though normally I choose to pick a song I'm listening to and discuss my day to day and how that fits in, this post is a bit different. I finally got a chance to see Tom Ford's "A Single Man" and was absolutely taken in by the themes, methods, and expressions exuded by both the characters and the actors that embody them. It truly made me re-evaluate where I am and what I do. I feel that now that I have finished my project I have all of these things that I wish to carry on but that I have been emotionally exhausted. This comes at a time when I need to keep up the best of appearances, especially as we are re-presenting the project on Friday to both city officials and local architects in San Antonio. I hope that I can help spur a change in the city, but also receive a better critique than Wednesday. I feel that it was too shrt - there wasn't enough discussion as to what my project principles were and though it wasn't necessarily a bad review it wasn't a good one either. I think the only thing I did gain was a contact in the SA development office by the name of Richard. He seems like a very nice guy, so it would be interesting to see what is occurring in the city, though he had bad breath, and if you have to time to be well-dressed you have time to take care of things like that.
hifting back to the film, it seems to have reinforced some ideas concerning the type of man - as now I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find a woman with the qualities - I wish to meet. I feel that I want someone who is truly mentally stimulating and able to match me in terms of honesty and insight. Intelligent conversation is my number one goal - the desire to connect on a level that is not merely physical.
To make another note on the film, it really brought back the idea of the Era of Cool - early 1960s mod that really intrigues me. On a final note, Nicholas Hoult is a superb actor and an excellent-looking man.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x58z2a_justice-stress-official-video_music
I have been awake for 29 hours and counting. I have three days to finish my project. I am obligated to attend a dance recital, a musical performance, a birthday party, and my own concert for my acappella group. On top of this my mother is visiting Sunday. Bring it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CeTyIWiBc4
I just diagrammed out my final presentation poster, so over the weekend my goal is to fill it out and have it completed by Monday (fingers crossed!). Currently, I'm trying to calm myself down as I have an interview in approximately an hour. This is basically make it or break it for me for the summer (I like that show, it's so melodramatic!). If I can't snag this job I could get kicked out of my place by the end of May! A college student should not have to deal with this kind of stress but alas this is what happens. At least tonight I'm going to Tiesto! Yes, I had the money to do so, I bought the ticket when I got financial aid. I can't wait, he's one of my favorite DJs of all time and I know I'm going to pull some crazy shapes on that dance floor. One of my favorite songs off his newest album, Kaleidoscope, is "Escape Me" ft. CC Sheffield. I'd have to say that is my mindset right now - just to have an escape from reality for approximately 6 hours after which I return brighter and better than ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4WpOCueL3M
I would have to say this song is very accurate as to how I feel in my social life. But alas, I have little time for that right now :/
In terms of design, it seems like the class has come to the conclusion that our professor is a crazy old man who has little semblance of what is relevant concerning the work that we are doing. In this light, for our redevelopment of San Antonio, we have chosen to create an overall district map that will give some semblance to our design changes and goals for the area. Along with this, we have created color schemes for each district within the area so everything will look nice, professional, etc. so I wonder how this will work with my new design. Think of tiles all over that give the semblance of water. In my review my idea of color was shot down by my professor, but I'll never give up on it. Colors may fade, but the idea behind this is to give the building value and culture. This is in spite of what my Site Design teacher, David Heymann, says about architects lacking culture - just because Loos decided to be such a polarizing person in an article does not mean it is true. Especially coming from a Hispanic background, to say I have no culture is insulting! Anyway, the inspiration behind my building is the importance of water in San Antonio and the courtyard which the building surrounds will contain a fountain and work as a point of axis between the different areas. OOOoooooohhh I can't wait to show up with my poster and everyone be >_> wtf. Ah, I really need to kick ass on this thing.
Also, one of my classmates created a twitter for our Site Design class. There's only three more lectures left, but everything posted so far is golden: http://twitter.com/HeymannSays
Architecture - At this rate, I'm going to have a B- in Construction and that is frustrating. Luckily, my TA is a very nice guy so it's time for some schmoozing (as much as I regret it) but I'd very much like a straight B. In approximately 8 hours I'll have a building review for Design, which I think will go well enough. I'm not worried about it, I just need to have things to show so it should be fine. It brings up a good point - in working with computers and drawings the best work is done through a hybrid approach. It's silly to think in scientific terms such as "hybrid vigor," but it fact it is actually true! It gives you the feel of work that has been done by hand with the accuracy of a computer. That and I hate drawing scale figures and trees (always get flack for them).
Marching Band - Another Day
About Me
- ArchStar
- I am a student who is looking for a way to make my dreams come true, and by doing so fufill everyone's wishes. Though realistically, I still live day by day. This is where the two cross and I figure out who I am and what I must do.