I use the following sites to teach me to how to design in different softwares such as Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop, and AfterEffects. I love using them! I just wish I had more time to do them and that they were homework assignments. Now...THAT would be an awesome homework assignment!
http://psd.tutsplus.com/
http://vector.tutsplus.com/
http://net.tutsplus.com/
http://learnai.com/
http://ae.tutsplus.com/
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Guard your heart and your lips
Proverbs is a pretty sweet book. It's mainly about wisdom, and such. And I noticed that there are a lot of verses about being careful with your tongues or with words you say. Because most relationships have been scarred or destoryed because a harsh word or selfish actions has taken place.
I found the following verses that takes about your heart, your mouth
and the consequences of not being careful with your words:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." -Prov 4:23
"My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse." -Prov. 8:7-8
"When works are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." -Prov. 10:19
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endures forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." -Prov 12:18-19
"An anxious heart weights a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. " -Prov 12:25
"He who guards his lips guards his life" -Prov 13:3
"A truthful witness saves lives." -Prov 14: 25a
"(Speak) the truth in love." - Es. 4:15
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." -Prov 15:1
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a mand of understanding is even-tempered." -Prov 17:27
"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." -Prov 24:26
God gave us tongues to speak, we can use it for the good or for the bad. That is up to your heart to decide. Is your heart inclined to God or away from God? You can fool people for only so long but your heart will come out at some point. Your words and action reveal what's REALLY in your heart. Think about it... Physically, the heart is the most important organ in your body because it pumps blood to every part of your body...it's your life source. Spiritually, your heart is also the most important...when you give your heart to God...you're really giving God everything in your life...it's what's in your heart that guides your every thought, word, and action.
The bible says that the tongue is like a spark that can start a fire. So...we must be careful of the words we say, and how we say it and WHEN we say it.We must also examine our motives for wanting to say something. Is it to tear somebody down...and feel good about ourselves? Or is it to encourage and build up another person?
Everyone knows what kind of damage gossiping and spreading rumors have caused. If you have been through middle school, high school, or college and have not seen the way the deceiving/lying tongue has caused...then you have been flying through school blind. It's everywhere! Maybe you seen boyfriend and girlfriend relationships broken up because there were a lack of trust in the relationship. Maybe you have seen a person being a victim of bullying based on rumors spread about them. Maybe you saw friendships (or your own friendships) have been destroyed due to the tongue.
Honestly, everyone knows that a kind word builds another up. Have you ever been surrounded by positive and cheerful people? Don't they make you want to smile and be upbeat? It's so encouraging to be around them! Here's a true fact: a positive person tend to be the kind of person that everyone trust with their life.
Be careful of what you say, do or think! What you do in life echos in eternity. God sees all and sees your life, soul, mind, heart, and your ALL.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Summers of Innocence
My younger sister asked, “Are we there yet?” My Dad said with a hint of frustration in his voice, for this was not the first time he was asked that question, “We’re almost there.” My older sister Heather, my younger sister Carrie, my dad, and I were traveling an hour north of our home to help our grandparents get their house ready to sell. My grandparents asked all seven of their children for help to do repairs before moving. I chuckled at my sister’s question because I remember all the times we were overwhelmed with excitement as we dreamed of all the fun things that we could do once we arrived there. We often begged our father to go faster. My dad would grunt and we dare not ask him again, so we tried to keep ourselves busy with something to get our mind off the trip, otherwise an hour trip would seem like a year. There were times I tried to draw pictures of flowers and farmland with extensive detail, in hopes that, when my artwork was done, we would be in Fremont. Other times, I tried to force my mind to rest and fall asleep so when I awoke, we would be there. Now, I am a different person. I am not as impatient as my childhood counterpart, and I could handle the anticipation of watching each evergreen tree in the woods fly by, knowing each passing tree brought me closer to Fremont. After traveling 40 more miles on the black-top highway, we finally arrived at our destination in Fremont, Michigan, where I spent most of my summers as a child. There I was, in the place where my cherished memories gave birth, memories of visiting my grandparents, of camping in the small forest, and of hanging out at the creek under the endless blue sky. I am eager to see those places I treasure in my heart again.
My grandparent’s house was a place that brought my extended families together. Their house sat on a rolling green hill that overlooked Fremont Lake. My great-grandfather built that beautiful house a long time ago; it was half red siding and half beige colored brick bottom, with a big porch on the back that overlooked the lake. I remember coming up there at night to watch the fireworks during the 4th of July season. The explosions of colors lighting up the night sky excited my childhood imagination. I can still smell the aroma of the fresh, homemade peach pies that my grandmother made for family reunions. I recall the gleeful look of satisfaction of my cousins when they uncovered their colorful array of beads that would become refrigerator magnets to display their masterpieces. Once we arrived at the house, my family looked at what needed to be done. Aunts were calling out to each other to grab the paintbrush, or to get a new paint bucket from the hardware store. Uncles were pondering, like mad scientists, on how to fix the leaky pipes and unclog the hairballs. I figured that they were busy, and had all the help they needed, so I decided to visit places that I used to go when I was a little girl who let her imagination run wild. I walked outside, and gleefully skipped down the hill.
At the bottom of the hill across the street was my favorite campground. This campground was where my family and I used to camp for months at a time, and heed many cherished memories. I crossed the street and ducked under the weather-worn wooden fence to sneak into the campground from the back. The campground was not busy because the summer was almost over. There were several rows of RVs, trailers, pop up campers, and tents set up within the campground’s territory. Compared to how busy the campground was at the height of the summer, there were not a lot of trailers. We usually came there during the hot months of July and August to set up our trailer and go camping. A long time ago, we received a gift from my mom’s parents; it was an old, rusty, hand-me-down trailer from the 1970s. The exterior was white with olive green and brown stripes. The interior was ugly; the walls were covered with an outdated, flowery pattern of vomit green wallpaper. The cushions and the fabric for the couch, the beds, and the curtains were a brown, orange, and a beige flowery pattern. Despite the trailer’s lack of modernism, I loved the memories that we made in it. I remember waking up on Saturday mornings to the smell of the blueberry pancakes, the golden crispy hash browns, and the honey-hickory bacon. My father was always a great breakfast cook. I missed those mornings of bliss and just taking my time, savoring every flavor of those meals. I remember the nights that I had trouble sleeping because the crickets would not end their high pitched conservations. I also remember playing hours of card games, such as Old Maid or Speed, whenever there was a rainy day outside. Now we no longer have a trailer, for my Dad felt like camping was a chore more than a vacation because he had to fix up the trailer every time we went. I miss camping, but I am thankful to God for having the experience. Camping in the little forest was a time when my family and I could get away from our busy lives at home for a little while to relax, to have fun, and to cherish our family bonding time.
With a heart of gratitude, I smiled as I wandered down the dirt road that intertwined the camp together. I heard the sound of rushing water, and came to the little brown bridge that towered over the creek nearby; the bridge was one of my favorite spots to hangout as a child. The bridge was important because it was the only thing that connected the campground to the beach a few hundred meters away. The bridge had big strong beams made out of wood. The texture of the wood was not smooth for it had survived the four seasons of weather for ages. I remember my sister crying because the microscopic, wood pieces were stuck in her flesh, for she had moved her hand on the wood in the wrong direction. Despite those minor injuries, the bridge was my lifeline to civilization. The creek was wide but not deep. I noticed that the water level was lower than I remembered. The breeze smelt of seaweed, wet sand, and of fish. Smooth stones of all sizes were scattered across and around the creek. The sound of water, moving and splashing as it overcame the stone obstacles to reach the lake around the stones, made me feel relaxed. I remember hanging out at that bridge with my sisters watching the water spiders glide over the water like Michelle Kwan gliding gracefully over the ice. Sometimes my sisters and I skipped across the creek on those stones, pretending that if we slipped into the creek, we would be devoured by man-eating crocodile. There were times when we let our imagination run so wild that it was hard for us to tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Our childlike faith gave us the conviction that God was a part of nature, and he would ensure that nature would cause no harm to us. I chuckled at the thought of my immaturity as I looked to the east to the setting sun. I figured it was time to me to head back to my grandparents’ home.
I remembered all the times that I watched the lake from my grandparent’s porch, the times that I laughed with my sisters as we played Speed in the trailer, and the times that I explored the uncharted territory of the creek. I smiled as those memories came rushing through my mind. I wished those days would never end. Those summers were truly carefree days; those days were a time when I was able to live to the fullest; I was able to enjoy every flavor of my grandmother’s peach pie or my dad’s brunch. I was able to listen to the sounds of nature without a thought about tomorrow. I was also able to explore the creek without the fear of facing the unknown. Since those simpler times, a lot of things have happened in my life. I grew up and saw more of the world’s unhappiness, and it is difficult for me to live with such childlike simplicity and trust. To believe the old saying, “Everything will be alright in the end,” was also a challenge for me. As a college freshman, I feel I am walking through a fog, not knowing what career path lies ahead; it is a struggle for me to live the life that God has ordained for me. I envied the childlike faith of my past; I had complete, unshakeable faith that God was in control even though I did not know what was going to happen next. While I longed to recapture that faith I once had, I also used the memories at Fremont to remind myself that I could face tomorrow knowing God is sovereign, and as my loving Father, He will care for me always.
My grandparent’s house was a place that brought my extended families together. Their house sat on a rolling green hill that overlooked Fremont Lake. My great-grandfather built that beautiful house a long time ago; it was half red siding and half beige colored brick bottom, with a big porch on the back that overlooked the lake. I remember coming up there at night to watch the fireworks during the 4th of July season. The explosions of colors lighting up the night sky excited my childhood imagination. I can still smell the aroma of the fresh, homemade peach pies that my grandmother made for family reunions. I recall the gleeful look of satisfaction of my cousins when they uncovered their colorful array of beads that would become refrigerator magnets to display their masterpieces. Once we arrived at the house, my family looked at what needed to be done. Aunts were calling out to each other to grab the paintbrush, or to get a new paint bucket from the hardware store. Uncles were pondering, like mad scientists, on how to fix the leaky pipes and unclog the hairballs. I figured that they were busy, and had all the help they needed, so I decided to visit places that I used to go when I was a little girl who let her imagination run wild. I walked outside, and gleefully skipped down the hill.
At the bottom of the hill across the street was my favorite campground. This campground was where my family and I used to camp for months at a time, and heed many cherished memories. I crossed the street and ducked under the weather-worn wooden fence to sneak into the campground from the back. The campground was not busy because the summer was almost over. There were several rows of RVs, trailers, pop up campers, and tents set up within the campground’s territory. Compared to how busy the campground was at the height of the summer, there were not a lot of trailers. We usually came there during the hot months of July and August to set up our trailer and go camping. A long time ago, we received a gift from my mom’s parents; it was an old, rusty, hand-me-down trailer from the 1970s. The exterior was white with olive green and brown stripes. The interior was ugly; the walls were covered with an outdated, flowery pattern of vomit green wallpaper. The cushions and the fabric for the couch, the beds, and the curtains were a brown, orange, and a beige flowery pattern. Despite the trailer’s lack of modernism, I loved the memories that we made in it. I remember waking up on Saturday mornings to the smell of the blueberry pancakes, the golden crispy hash browns, and the honey-hickory bacon. My father was always a great breakfast cook. I missed those mornings of bliss and just taking my time, savoring every flavor of those meals. I remember the nights that I had trouble sleeping because the crickets would not end their high pitched conservations. I also remember playing hours of card games, such as Old Maid or Speed, whenever there was a rainy day outside. Now we no longer have a trailer, for my Dad felt like camping was a chore more than a vacation because he had to fix up the trailer every time we went. I miss camping, but I am thankful to God for having the experience. Camping in the little forest was a time when my family and I could get away from our busy lives at home for a little while to relax, to have fun, and to cherish our family bonding time.
With a heart of gratitude, I smiled as I wandered down the dirt road that intertwined the camp together. I heard the sound of rushing water, and came to the little brown bridge that towered over the creek nearby; the bridge was one of my favorite spots to hangout as a child. The bridge was important because it was the only thing that connected the campground to the beach a few hundred meters away. The bridge had big strong beams made out of wood. The texture of the wood was not smooth for it had survived the four seasons of weather for ages. I remember my sister crying because the microscopic, wood pieces were stuck in her flesh, for she had moved her hand on the wood in the wrong direction. Despite those minor injuries, the bridge was my lifeline to civilization. The creek was wide but not deep. I noticed that the water level was lower than I remembered. The breeze smelt of seaweed, wet sand, and of fish. Smooth stones of all sizes were scattered across and around the creek. The sound of water, moving and splashing as it overcame the stone obstacles to reach the lake around the stones, made me feel relaxed. I remember hanging out at that bridge with my sisters watching the water spiders glide over the water like Michelle Kwan gliding gracefully over the ice. Sometimes my sisters and I skipped across the creek on those stones, pretending that if we slipped into the creek, we would be devoured by man-eating crocodile. There were times when we let our imagination run so wild that it was hard for us to tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Our childlike faith gave us the conviction that God was a part of nature, and he would ensure that nature would cause no harm to us. I chuckled at the thought of my immaturity as I looked to the east to the setting sun. I figured it was time to me to head back to my grandparents’ home.
I remembered all the times that I watched the lake from my grandparent’s porch, the times that I laughed with my sisters as we played Speed in the trailer, and the times that I explored the uncharted territory of the creek. I smiled as those memories came rushing through my mind. I wished those days would never end. Those summers were truly carefree days; those days were a time when I was able to live to the fullest; I was able to enjoy every flavor of my grandmother’s peach pie or my dad’s brunch. I was able to listen to the sounds of nature without a thought about tomorrow. I was also able to explore the creek without the fear of facing the unknown. Since those simpler times, a lot of things have happened in my life. I grew up and saw more of the world’s unhappiness, and it is difficult for me to live with such childlike simplicity and trust. To believe the old saying, “Everything will be alright in the end,” was also a challenge for me. As a college freshman, I feel I am walking through a fog, not knowing what career path lies ahead; it is a struggle for me to live the life that God has ordained for me. I envied the childlike faith of my past; I had complete, unshakeable faith that God was in control even though I did not know what was going to happen next. While I longed to recapture that faith I once had, I also used the memories at Fremont to remind myself that I could face tomorrow knowing God is sovereign, and as my loving Father, He will care for me always.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Get Well Soon
Well...Today, I was pondering about way we interact with each other. We greet each other by saying "Hello" and ask how we are doing. Then we carry on a conversation. Then we say "bye" or "have a nice day," and continue on with our day.
Then I thought about the common expressions that we use everyday such as ""I'm hungry as a horse," "it's raining cats and dogs," "see you later alligator," or "get well soon." Then I realized how silly and mean the expression "Get well soon." I mean, think about it.
Imagine this:
Your friend suddenly has a freak illness that causes her to have unbearable and extreme pain for 20 hours everyday. The morphine that the doctors provided barely does anything to relieve her pain. But one day, you decide to visit the hospital and gave her a beautiful bonquet of flowers, "Get Well Soon" heilum ballons, and a card that wishing her well soon.
What's wrong with that, right? Nothing. Everyone likes those kinds of thoughtful friends. Except when they're wishing them to get well LATER...not NOW! Think about it. Wishing her to get well soon is like saying "I'm sorry that you're in pain, but you'll have to live with the pain a little longer...then you can get better and be painfree." That's cold!
I think from now on...all those "Get Well Soon" cards should say...
on the front "Get well soon" and then in the card it should say "er...may that NOW! We like having you around so get better STAT!" That's much more thoughtful!
Then I thought about the common expressions that we use everyday such as ""I'm hungry as a horse," "it's raining cats and dogs," "see you later alligator," or "get well soon." Then I realized how silly and mean the expression "Get well soon." I mean, think about it.
Imagine this:
Your friend suddenly has a freak illness that causes her to have unbearable and extreme pain for 20 hours everyday. The morphine that the doctors provided barely does anything to relieve her pain. But one day, you decide to visit the hospital and gave her a beautiful bonquet of flowers, "Get Well Soon" heilum ballons, and a card that wishing her well soon.
What's wrong with that, right? Nothing. Everyone likes those kinds of thoughtful friends. Except when they're wishing them to get well LATER...not NOW! Think about it. Wishing her to get well soon is like saying "I'm sorry that you're in pain, but you'll have to live with the pain a little longer...then you can get better and be painfree." That's cold!
I think from now on...all those "Get Well Soon" cards should say...
on the front "Get well soon" and then in the card it should say "er...may that NOW! We like having you around so get better STAT!" That's much more thoughtful!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
What's in common? Oprah & Toothbrushes...
This was a project for my multimedia class...we just had to ask two questions and ask random people and capture their responses on video and then post it online. So here's what I got! Check it out!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Job Outlook for Graphic Designers...
Here I am in the library surrounded by thousands of books, which invoked me to think about education. The words "college," "tuition," "job," and "future" floated around my head. The combination of words made me wonder if I'm heading in the right direction as a junior Interactive Design major in an university. My graduation date is May 2012. It's really not that far away, so I thought what is the job outlook for Graphic Designers?
After some research, I stumbled upon the United States Department of Labor website. After clicking a few links, I got to the Graphic Designers page that provides information about the nature of the job, the qualifications, the projected job outlook and the estimated salary.
The qualifications for the job is usually a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. Looks good so far, because I am currently pursuing one at Waynesburg University.
"Employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 13 percent, as fast as the average for all occupations from 2008 to 2018, as demand for graphic design continues to increase from advertisers and computer design firms." -Bureau of Labor Statistics
"Graphic designers are expected to face keen competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as graphic designers. Individuals with Web site design and animation experience will have the best opportunities." - Bureau of Labor Statistics
After discovering those facts, I was pretty confident that I would be able to get a job because my career field is expected to grow, which is encouraging to hear, especially the way the economy is now.
I am confident that I'll be able to stand out from my competitions when I apply for jobs because I currently have two jobs that is related to my major and is helping me to have real world experience in Graphic Design. I also had other jobs in the past that helped me to get Graphic Design experience in the newspaper, TV, book publishing, and sports world.
But I realized that the graphic designers with the skills in Web Design has the best opportunities as the internet has continued to grow exponentially in the past two decades.
So, I hope for the next two years, I will be able to learn EVERYTHING about making, building, and maintaining websites from the sketching process, to HTML coding, to Dreamweaver, to making flash advertisements, and websites. The more I learn about that, the better chances I have at getting a job that I will love to do.
According to the Bureau, the estimated salary for Graphic Designers were:
Computer systems design and related services $47,860
Specialized design services 45,870
Advertising, public relations and related services 43,540
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers 36,910
Printing and related support activities 36,100
I'm pretty content with the projected salary. I can see myself working in design firms, advertising, or the book publishing industries. According to the list above. The pay is not bad either.
So all in all, the job outlook for Graphic Designers are looking good. I'm over halfway in getting my BA and is on the right track. But I have a feeling that it's impossible for WU or any other school to teach me everything I need to know about Graphic Design in four years. The rest I will have to learn over time on my own through experience. Hmmmm...maybe I'll go to RIT to get a Masters in Computers Graphic Design....
After some research, I stumbled upon the United States Department of Labor website. After clicking a few links, I got to the Graphic Designers page that provides information about the nature of the job, the qualifications, the projected job outlook and the estimated salary.
The qualifications for the job is usually a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. Looks good so far, because I am currently pursuing one at Waynesburg University.
"Employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 13 percent, as fast as the average for all occupations from 2008 to 2018, as demand for graphic design continues to increase from advertisers and computer design firms." -Bureau of Labor Statistics
"Graphic designers are expected to face keen competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as graphic designers. Individuals with Web site design and animation experience will have the best opportunities." - Bureau of Labor Statistics
After discovering those facts, I was pretty confident that I would be able to get a job because my career field is expected to grow, which is encouraging to hear, especially the way the economy is now.
I am confident that I'll be able to stand out from my competitions when I apply for jobs because I currently have two jobs that is related to my major and is helping me to have real world experience in Graphic Design. I also had other jobs in the past that helped me to get Graphic Design experience in the newspaper, TV, book publishing, and sports world.
But I realized that the graphic designers with the skills in Web Design has the best opportunities as the internet has continued to grow exponentially in the past two decades.
So, I hope for the next two years, I will be able to learn EVERYTHING about making, building, and maintaining websites from the sketching process, to HTML coding, to Dreamweaver, to making flash advertisements, and websites. The more I learn about that, the better chances I have at getting a job that I will love to do.
According to the Bureau, the estimated salary for Graphic Designers were:
Computer systems design and related services $47,860
Specialized design services 45,870
Advertising, public relations and related services 43,540
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers 36,910
Printing and related support activities 36,100
I'm pretty content with the projected salary. I can see myself working in design firms, advertising, or the book publishing industries. According to the list above. The pay is not bad either.
So all in all, the job outlook for Graphic Designers are looking good. I'm over halfway in getting my BA and is on the right track. But I have a feeling that it's impossible for WU or any other school to teach me everything I need to know about Graphic Design in four years. The rest I will have to learn over time on my own through experience. Hmmmm...maybe I'll go to RIT to get a Masters in Computers Graphic Design....
Invisible Children
Around 7p.m. last night, there was a sea of college students packed in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center as they waited in anticipation to hear the stories of war and hope from the speakers of the Invisible Children organization.
Invisible Children is a nonprofit organization that use the media to tell stories of war-affected children in Uganda around the world to raise awareness and to raise money to rebuild schools destroyed by the war, to fun educational programs for the kids, and other efforts to restore peace and prosperity to Uganda.
The documentary lasted about 30 minutes, and it was a very informational and moving documentary. So powerful that it brought some audience members to tears as they heard the story of a little HIV-infected girl who wishes that her death date would come sooner so she can "leave this world sooner" and no longer suffer.
There were Uganda students who gave 45 American students a tour of their hometown and school. It became clear that the school was a safe haven for the kids as the teachers provided them with the education and care that they needed. But once, the kids were outside of the school's walls, fear in them ensued.
Many of them fear that they would be captured by the rebels and force them to be child soldiers to take up their cause. The rebels took the power of the country by force and would kill their own people without a second thought. Many of the students at the school had most of their family members abducted, raped, or murdered by the Rebels.
Invisible Children raise money for their Legacy Scholarship Program
which provides free education for selected Ugandan students. In Uganda, education for a high school student cost about $35 dollars a month, and cost a university student $65 dollars a month.
which provides free education for selected Ugandan students. In Uganda, education for a high school student cost about $35 dollars a month, and cost a university student $65 dollars a month.
Sunday, a Ugandan who had the honor of receiving the scholarship and graduated from high school, spoke at the gathering. He explained that the education helped him to see hope and allowed him to have his dreams of becoming a community a possibility. Thanks to the scholarship fund, he is currently attending an university pursuing a BA in Public Administration.
The night ended with the audience applauding the war stories of the children and their fight for survival and hope. Many of them flocked around the tables in the lobby that provided Invisible Children information about sponsoring a child's education or selling gears such as T-shirts, book bag, bracelets, and other items. The proceeds goes 100% towards the legacy scholarship fund.
For more information about invisible children because click here
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