Finals Week

Call me overconfident and foolish, but I think I've studied enough. With three upper level photo courses and a science class taught by one of the most difficult professors here at St. Ed's, I've spent much of the semester in a state of acute stress. I take a lot of pride in my grades, of being on the Dean's list every semester. That may not happen this time, but I'm okay with that. For once I was able to play as hard as I worked, though my definition of play may be a lot tamer than yours.

This past week has seen scarce frivolity, though. No surprises, considering finals and everything. I also seem to have reverted back to the emotional equivalent of a fifteen year-old. Pretty awkward for all involved, but I'll get over it. I just need a few days left to my own devices.

My video final is at 7:30 (curiously late for a final, no?) and I'll be showing a film I made in this beautiful catholic cemetery in Georgetown. It's ironic how the town which was so artistically stifling to me as a teenager has become such a place of peace and inspiration for me now. Georgetown in low doses is actually quite pleasant. Just don't try living there.

I went to my study abroad orientation a couple of days ago. They talked about some interesting things but I was just happy to get out of there. If I haven't mentioned it on this blog before, I've already been abroad, to Italy and Greece. I was asked by the OIE staff to share some of my experiences, so I told of how I was licked on the face by a man dressed as a centurion in Rome (I'm sorry to say the lick was not captured but this is the best picture I have, taken moments before the incident). If molestation can be humorous, this was.

Finals, apartments, and Maggie Wall

I'm getting psyched about my trip to Scotland. I bought my plane tickets just a moment ago. Luckily they let me change my course dates and classes, and now I'm going from mid July to mid August. I'll be able to spend my 21st birthday here in Texas with everyone I love (or at least those who will still be in Austin) I've been making new friends lately, and I really hope I'll be able to spend some time with them.

I'll be taking two classes while at the university: International Relations and Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland. The witchcraft class sounds awesome. I spent a good portion of my teenage years as a Wiccan, and though I consider myself more Agnostic now, I still feel a sort of kinship to the pagan religions. The International Relations class will count for one of our required classes here, CULF 3331.

Right now I'm beginning a new quest for an apartment. After my experiences this year, I've decided that roommates aren't conductive to a happy Paige. I've been having little incidents with my current roomie which have continued to build to the point where I know I wont be able to handle living in the same situation another year. (Note, I did apologize about the toilet seat mix up) A friend told me today in class that she'll be moving into a one bedroom one bathroom apartment over at Whisper Hollow. She said the manager was a very approachable woman who looked out for the girls living there (wow, that makes it sound like a brothel) and that the rent was reasonable. If I'm not mistaken, I've been there several times before to visit Desiree and Mario, who have been living there for a while. If it's the same apartment Erin is talking about, then I'm going to try to get a room there. It's a good place with really cool people.

Well, there's more I'd like to write, but I've got to go work on my Multimedia final.

Nothing.

http://www.charliewhite.info/

Space Barbie

I'm floating on a cloud right now. Bill could find nothing to critique about my latest photograph, "Space Barbie"

The shoot itself was slow to start, what with lighting difficulties. A more advanced photo student was kind enough to help me out. When we finished the lights were still too dim for our liking, but I decided to make do, and was careful to hold the camera still as possible, since I tire quickly of tripods.

My model was a girl named Stephania, who I had met at a party last year. She made my day when she messaged me out of nowhere on facebook volunteering to model for any of my shoots. Steph has amazing hot pink hair at the moment, and brought all sorts of beautiful gothic clothing with her to the studio. She also had an impressive selection of crazy fake eyelashes. We had fun rummaging through everything, and finally settled on this gorgeous black dress with fishnets and lace-up boots.

I put the image I showed Bill on my deviantart account, which by the way is here. I also put up a picture from last week which was my first time photographing glass. The feedback I've gotten so far is super positive. Someone even bought me a yearlong subscription to the site, which was very generous.

So all is going well! I'm just looking forward to maybe going to Weird Wednesday tonight and planning the next shoot (which is themed white on white, btw)

I've studied abroad...or two!

Today I've been mostly preoccupied with preparations (paperwork) for my summer plans. I've just been accepted into the University of Stirling in Scotland. I'll be there from mid June 'till mid July, studying ethics and Scottish environmental policy. After school gets out there, I may take a week or two to wander around, perhaps hitting the Netherlands and France, or simply sticking to Scotland and England. I haven't decided yet.

I signed up for housing yesterday, and accidentally selected the newest, likely most expensive dorm. I did this my freshman year of college, and my dorm turned out to be the one renowned for housing the rich, sheltered kids. Now, I've apparently been living under a rock most of my life, but even I don't call my father "Daddy" and act like a girl from "My Super Sweet 16".

But anyway, I'm hoping that they wont really pay attention to the flat I chose, and that the social and economic mix of kids will be well stirred. I've been warned that Stirling isn't the most fascinating of Scottish cities, and that I'll likely be bored in a few days. I don't know how much store I put by this advice, though. I have lived in towns before with nothing but a gas station and a church.

Yet what worries me most about the trip doesn't involve flying (which I'm terrified of, by the way), or being the token obtuse American who can only speak one language. No, I'm worried about something closer to home, and his name is Andrew McGill. I'm going to miss you so much. I find it frustrating that I'll be leaving weeks before you set off on your own trip, and that by the time I return, you'll have just left. We will just miss each other, and that knowledge drives me mad.

Wow okay, back to addressing a broader (probably nonexistent) audience: I'm going to miss my boyfriend. That's my issue, and that's all I'm going to say about it for now.

On a lighter subject, I went to traffic court today! Shut up, it is lighter. Especially since they were all wearing Harry Potter robes. That made my day, even if I was last in line and had to sit through endless court cases in which everyone was embarrassingly more prepared than I. For God's sake, they called witnesses, made Power Points, brought posters of the parking lot...I just sat down and told them my story. Simple as that; we were out of there in less than 5 minutes.

So that's really all I've got to say for now. I'll keep you updated on anything interesting that happens.

P.S. Both photos shown here are from a site called online-scotland.com. Check it out sometime, its got some interesting images.