i'm an art major!

More so than other semesters I'm really starting to embrace my art-major-ness. I've got the drawing class and design/color class out of the way (pre-reqs for every other art class) which gives me the freedom and chance to take real art classes. This semester I am enrolled in Intro to Illustration and Media Experimentation. The first one is pretty self explanatory the second class has a big word title. I always saw art-work up from that class in the Spori (art building) and was so super impressed. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty intimidated by this class but am now grateful for it. We're going to do some super neat things that I'm so excited to share with all of you.

For Illustration we first had an assignment, "Fire". We could do any medium, any design, format whatever. I only had acrylics so that's what I chose to do it in. And you can't really see it but for the veins of the leaf I did the Chinese character for fire.


The second assignment that he has all of his classes do was a cookbook. We find a recipe and illustrate it only requirement was that it had to be in perspective. I love this class purely for the chance to just be plain creative. Other classes it's more about technique and then once you get that down you can go draw what you want on your own time. This class we'll have a lot more chances to show off our creativity. We got to choose the recipe so looking it up I stumbled upon this little gem and instantly had a vision of what I was going to do.



Now the best for last. For our first assignment in Media Experiment we started in oils. There are other oil classes offered here that teach you the gob on as much paint as you can technique but our teacher wanted to give us a different technique to have under our belt. This was more oil glazing with photo rendering. That meant we took a picture of a simple object (he said it'd be best with a fruit, or vegetable or just something with a simple shape) all I had was an onion so that's what I went with. After starting it I realized that this was going to be a challenge. But it definately paid off in critiques today in class.
(ps. my camera warped the pictures of them a little bit. the real photograph's colors are a lot cooler but when i printed it out on a 8X10 it really did turn the colors to that greenish gray, and warmer like in my painting...aka looks better in person)



enjoy.

Rexburg... blah.. blah.. school.. blah.. blah..

I just wanted to give a little update on everything that's been happening in a little town we call Rexburg.

Today is the end of my first full week of school which means I have my classes, roommates and teachers down well enough to figure out how this semester's going to pan out.

I'm living at Tuscany again. They really are the best girl's housing around (other than the ridge but that's for the people that really don't care for the rules). My motto here is single rooms save lives. Because they really do. No matter how much you get along with somebody, it's always nicer to have a room to yourself. A nice little retreat and especially a quiet(ish) place to do homework. My roommates are AMAZING, and trust me when I say I'm not using that word lightly. This set of roommates is seriously the ones you dream of having before you go to college for the first time, but you know you're not going to get because you need to learn some life lesson or "people skills". We just all get along so perfect. I've never been in an environment where complete strangers are ALL so kind, nice, generous, helpful and fun. Usually there's one or two that you avoid, but thankfully not this time. (I'll share more about them later).

My schedule is do-able but is keeping me very busy with homework. I'm taking two 3 hour art classes, Intro to Illustration and Media Experiment. They are both wonderful classes that are going to benefit me a lot but both are crazily challenging and completely take me out of my comfort zone. I'm also taking an online Chinese Literature class (to complete the requirements for foreign language), a money management class and the second half of Art History. But the one that I want to brag to you all the most about is my religion class. I decided to take Teachings of the Living Prophets and as I was looking for a teacher on the registration site my eyes scrolled down the list of names and I came to one, Clark.... Kim Clark... well the only Kim Clark I know is the president of.. the.. school. So yes, I am taking my religion class from not only the ex-dean of Harvard Business, but the PRESIDENT of our school and a general authority! I really truly feel most blessed to have gotten into this class, and just by chance! Last class he had a budget meeting to go to, (he team teaches the class with another professor who is a good teacher as well), but today we had the full two hour class to ourselves with Pres. Clark. What I love most is first, just the presence he brings into the class. There's a certain level of authority that enters when he teaches. Also, he is just a good guy. He cares about us students so much, and not just our educational welfare but also our physical and spiritual as well. And he has a sense of humor. We can have fun with him while learning. I just feel super blessed to be able to learn from him every week.

Last of all, recent happenings. Last Saturday our town hosts what they call "Rexburg Unplugged". They take up a side street that connects to main street where local businesses have a chance to introduce themselves to the students. Chantelle and I went because you get a bag full of coupons and there's usually more freebies. We have a Paul Mitchell beauty school that does your hair crazy for free. (see picture). Also in the picture I'm holding not just an ordinary corn on the cob but they call it "Nacho Libre Corn". For any of you who have seen the movie you know what it is. But they cover it in butter, then what they call spanish parmesian cheese and then chile/lime powder. Chantelle was a little hesitant to try but I thought I'd take the risk. And you know what risks sometimes pay off! It was delectible!! I also partook in a night of Craigo's with a group of friends from our first semester here. Craigo's is kind of our thing. And I got to try my very first cookie monster. YUM! (think chocolate chip cookie bottom, with ice-cream, with whipped cream, with caramel and chocolate syrup on top in a pie pan...serves about 8).

my little bag of goodies and a tiger's blood/mango snowcone

So there's a quick summary of what's been going on. I'll be sure to give you some more depth later.

Back At the Burg

Welp I have once again found myself alone back in good ol' Rexburg. I love the start and end of school because that means I get a little mini-vacation at my grandparent's house and get to see family (who I don't see enough of). I was lucky enough to have my dad bring me out and have my good friend Chantelle (went to China with me) come with us.

This semester I'm still living at the same apartment complex, Tuscany, but I switched rooms. I really loved my roommates from Fall/Winter last year but my very first roommate from freshmen year became available and I have wanted to live with her since my first semester. It's nice though, because I am just a tower away from my old room so I will go and visit all the time because 3/5 old roommates are there again.

It's looking to shape up to be a good semester room mate wise. I have Emily (my old roommate) who if you ask my dad he will tell you is full of giggles and happiness. Then there is Kristy and Kaylee who seem really cool and just really nice girls. There's another Jessica (I'll never escape the curse of the multiple Jessica's) who is a freshmen in her first semester. So we're helping her out. And Elizabeth makes six who is from Africa and loves to cook. She'll keep our apartment smelling nice which will either suck or be good depending on how hungry I am. I can't foresee any major problems happening other than all of us just getting to know each other better.

Today was nothing day so Chantelle and I just went to campus and got our books and looked around (I'll update you on the changes construction has brought here) and just hung out. Classes start tomorrow, I only have one from 3-5:45, Intro to Illustration, all I can say is SLEEP IN!

Next week when I've been to all of my classes I'll give a report on how they go. I'm really excited I think I have a good schedule and if I keep myself busy enough I won't get too homesick.


I loved seeing all of my family at grandma's. When I got to see everyone I realize how much I miss them being a frequent part of my life.

Cheers to the Taylor Family. ♥

happy america day

Since the economy isn't doing so good lately we found ourselves with zero plans for the fourth. usually there's rusty's family, people at my dad's work, our friends do something or they have an awesome show at Fort Vancouver. But alas... we had nothing.

The first part of the day was a hit. My dad took us all out to a pretty driving range out in Ridgefield where you hit into a giant pond. Cody, and me had never hit before so it was a bit interesting, but still really fun. We then went back to the Taylor house for a gourmet barbeque. All different kinds of ingredients were present to make yummy little gourmet burgers.

As for fireworks we decided we'd just go up to Cody's house. His house is situated on the top of a hill in Yacolt with a gorgeous view that spans all the way to Portland. So we'd figure we'd bum off other people's shows. We told all our friends they could come if they wanted but didn't expect anybody else. It was perfect. My best friend from high school, Amy came, and our good friend Matt Moss along with Megan and some of Cody's friends... Oh yeah, did I mention a pool? :)

June 25th… The One Year Anniversary

One year ago I was just barely re-adjusting myself to life in America again…and life with a new boy Everything’s just as perfect as it was a year ago..but it doesn’t feel like a whole year went by, as it often happens forever’s just not enough with Cody.

So for our anniversary, knowing me to the be the animal girl I am

We went to the zoo.

the rarest of all, the "cody"-ak bear, jessica donating a dollar via vulture and baby elephant

we have this place in our zoo where you can go into a little area of larikeet birds and buy apple juice nectar and feed it to them. for some reason everytime i've gone in i can just summon birds at will. this is me with the only two red ones that everybody else was trying to get. and yes the one on my right shoulder was licking my face, not biting, licking.

We ended the day with a lovely dinner at McCormick and Schmicks, a very nice seafood restaurant, down my the marina on the waterfront in Portland.

no i'm not dead.. just a disgrace to the blogging world

I don't know how many "i'm sorry i haven't kept up my blog" posts i've done but well.. here's another.

i've been back since april 11th. that's over two months of adventures that you've missed out on hearing about.

I got a nifty new touch phone, the verizon dare, which doubles as a sweet little on the go camera so i'll let the pictures talk for most of it...

there was a beach trip (of course)

this is our ecola beach,

it's perfect because the mountains protect us from blechy wind

ate at doogers (good clam chowder)

some cool flowers growing on a rock

Cruised Portland a couple times... ate at Todai's (the best sushi in the area)

Went to Rhodendendron Gardens,

This was an option for Megan's reception, though GORGOUS, it was a bit of a drive and all of the flowers would've been gone by august.

still, it was a pretty neat place. As shown in the picture, the bushes were HUGE

Played Frisbee at LVP with our good friend Jeff

(some pictures we took after)

Saw a REAL life DeLorean,

proceeded to follow it through town to get this awesome picture, and creeped the guy out, everytime there was a stop sign or light he'd speed off trying to lose us.

bought this creepy "Lanky Cat" for Cody's sister for her birthday

She said she wanted a cat and since I couldn't get her a real one I got her this thing

it's creepy, but cute..?

some stuff that doesn't pictures to go with it:

-i have also looked for a job for the summer....and have failed miserably. I have a job lined up for our county fair working at a burger stand (we know the owners of the restuarant that put up the stand) So hopefully that works out.

-Cody and I are still marathoning Gilmore Girls. We're finally on the last season we have about 8 episodes left. Such the good show.

-Cody's been doing miscellaneous labor for his family earning a few bucks here and there.

-I've been taking up riding my bike (well megan's bike) around town

-We work out at our local gym three days a week

-Still play basketball on thursdays with our ward. Probably the highlight of my week. Don't under-estimate the Taylor sisters

-Cody and I have taken up playing tennis for funsies some days

-Hanging out with my bff Amy who's back from school in Canada

other than that we just keep on keeping on.

Highlight Blogs that deserve their own post to come in the very near future that I should've blogged about but failed to, Cody and Rusty's baptism, and my friend Katie's wedding.

FINAL(s)-ly

It's here.

The end of the semester.

It's mixed feelings, but excitement is definately the dominate emotion. It seems as everything has been building up to the glorious day of Thursday when I have completed another semester. First General Conference brings an extra boost of uplifted-ness-ment (?). I love watching it at the Taylor chapel with my pal Chantelle. This session was absolutely amazing. As a couple of my teachers reiterated on Monday, there could've have been more hope and encouragement from so many amazing men of God. It's nice to know we have our Heavenly Father rooting for us.

I think Rexburg also senses that we need some extra boosts of energy because surprisingly since Saturday we have had gloriously sunny days. It's weird to walk outside and feel warmth instead of being slapped in the face by Mr. Frost. It's like everything in the air and all around us knows we're almost done and it's as if even the chirping of the birds are saying, "you're almost there, just hang on."

I have a couple classes to wrap up. English, Chinese, and art. I'll definitely put some pictures up of my art final when it's completed. But it's still bitter-sweet because this place does have a special place in my heart. I hated being done with my New Testament class. I've had the teacher for three semesters in a row, let's just say I enjoy his courses. I just really get to know my professors so well and enjoy seeing them almost everyday. And of course leaving people. I won't say I'm totally torn about leaving my room mates, but they are still good friends (just not ones that I totally appreciate living with). There's also the new friends in basketball and my Chinese classmates that I'll probably run into but won't be as tight as we were this semester.

But this is the most home-sick I've ever been and I'm definitely excited about that. I love that I get to have a pit-stop at Grandma's before headed home home. And as I hear it we might get some visits from some of the Utah Taylors?.... :)

eep!

and i miss this guy. ♥