Old City

Today my friend Olivia and I went to Old City and it was quite a treat. I actually have pictures to prove it all! The reason I originally brought my camera was to take pictures for one of my classes. We have to create a photo essay, whatever that's supposed to mean.

The Book Trader, 7 N 2nd St.

We first went went to The Book Trader, this was my second time going so I could focus on taking photos. A lot of them didn't turn out perfect but that's alright! I got to flip through a book about Vincent Van Gogh and read a couple pages about red haired people.  It was so boring, I feel terrible thinking that a book about my people is dull but it truly was. 

After leaving the bookstore and on our way to AKA Music shop I noticed this girl sitting in the alley smoking and my brain screamed "TAKE HER PICTURE!" So I asked and I think that it turned out pretty well! I am very proud of this photo.

There was also this really random mural by this parking lot. There was this goose and the skull above and there was also polka dots and palm trees. I was confused as to exactly what the artist was trying to convey.  

Speaking of art, I saw some beautiful pieces at this gallery, I don't remember what the name was. There were three paintings by this woman and they were beautiful! They were just colors and the paint was so thick that it was pressed up against the glass of the frame. 

I certainly have not seen all that Old City has to offer but I think I want to explore other parts of Philly in the next week or so. I want to venture to Center City and Rittenhouse Square. Should be great!

It's honestly ssssoooo hot, I can't handle it any longer. Where is autumn? I would like to be able to wear scarves, hats and jackets without having a heat stroke. If Mother Nature could make that happen I would be very, very content. I hope she takes requests.

1 Day. 5 Classes.

It's a little after 10 and I have not passed out from running around campus all day going to my classes. It took all of my will power to stay awake in my 9:30 design class but I made it through!

The vibe that I am getting after writing everything in my planner is that I will be incredibly busy doing one thousand projects.  Why didn't I just take one straight up lecture class? I think I made some bad decisions when I did registration. Haha, not really.

I really think that I am going to really grow in my skills as a journalist which will definitely help me out once I graduate in 2015.  Some stuff I may never use but who knows when I will need to know about advertising and three point lighting.

Speaking of lighting, my photo professor is insane and I couldn't be more excited to learn from this guy. He is one of those guys who has been taking photos for years and years and knows what he's talking about, but he's also crazy. He will certainly be pushing me in my photography which could definitely be improved!

And I swear I will be posting photos on here (first I have to take some)! I am hoping to take my camera out this weekend and get some shots at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Center City and of people that I live with.

Today I was informed that I will be employed for the semester! YAY YAY YAY!! I was super nervous that I wouldn't be able to find a job here and I would have to mooch off my mom and dad for three months. I couldn't handle that. But I got a job in my Messiah building to clean. Far from glamourous but money is money! So I'll be cleaning up after breakfast which entails doing dishes, wiping off tables and sweeping/mopping. Basically every job I've ever had put together.

This month I am going to try and plan out my trip to Messiah's main campus to visit my lovely friends that I haven't seen since May. (If you're a friend of mine from Messiah I miss you terribly.)  It's so weird not being there with all of those wonderful people but you know what they say, "absence makes the heart grow fonder".

First Day of Class

So today I had my first full day of class and I survived! After having a horrid night sleep and getting up at 6:45 I made it.

My classes seem good (I have not had all of them yet but these so far are fine) and I think that I will learn a lot in each of them.

My first class is Media Advertising which is something completely new for me! I have never had a class about advertising so I am prepared to fill my brain with new knowledge. My professor gave us a speech about making sure that we get IRAs so that we aren't broke when we retire.

Then I had Magazine Editing which I can already tell is going to be really awesome. My professor has a ton of experience in magazine writing and editing and is really passionate about the industry. I love magazines so it is exciting to be in a room with other people who also share that zeal.

For my final class of the day I had was Photographic Lighting and we literally sat and looked at picture all period. It was actually really boring. This should also be interesting so I am excited for this one as well.

I haven't failed yet! There is still a chance that I will succeed at this new place.

Here

So I have successfully moved into Philadelphia and have yet to cause any trouble or get myself in some ridiculous situation. So I would say that things are going alright.

But the semester is still in its infant stage! There is a lot to come.

In the past few days we have gotten tours of the Messiah house that I'm living in and also a very (very) brief one of Temple University. We have mainly be traveling around the city eating food, drinking coffee and stuff.

On Friday I got to go to a really good Indian restaurant on 38th St. but I cannot remember it's name! Everything was pretty spicy so if you're not into that kind of thing I would not recommend it for you.

Yesterday we served at some church on Allegheny, I got to use my broken Spanish asking women if they needed bags to put the clothes that they were buying in. "Necessitas una bolsa?" My Spanish teachers would be proud.

Today we all went to church together at a place a few blocks east called Epiphany Fellowship which was pretty good. I was freezing cold because I didn't bring a cardigan so I stayed awake for 85% of it. I wouldn't mind going back to the church, it seems like they have a lot going on and really want to reach out to the college kids in the city.  

I have been enjoying living in the city, I have always known that I would feel comfortable living in an urban area opposed to one in the country.  Using SEPTA (that's the train) has been great, I would rather take a train over a car or plane any day!

Classes for me start on Tuesday which I am ready to begin. I have Media Advertising, Magazine Editing, a photo class focused on lighting and Design for Journalists. I am hoping to learn a lot, especially in my photography class.  Improving my photography skills is really what I want to focus on this semester.

Also I think that I am going to invest in a Union Jack (British) flag to hang in my room here.  Keep my hopes high for my journey across the pond!

Packing

Today I have officially begun to pack 75% of what I own into boxes and American Tourist suitcases. The only part I enjoy about this whole process is getting to use my small collection of vintage luggage cases.

I never know what to bring to school especially in a new place so my plan is to just bring everything.

Friday I will be departing from my hometown and venturing off for a few months of insanity. I can only hope for the best though. I plan on sending hundreds of letters so if you would like to write me let me know!

I sound like I'm going to prison. I hope that Philadelphia is not the equivalent of being incarcerated.

As of now there is no update as to whether I got into my England study abroad program so I am still impatiently awaiting my acceptance/rejection letter. Hopefully they will let me know soon so I can have something to look forward to.

Fun fact: you can become a citizen after living in the UK for five years.

Please send positive vibes and prayers my way as I transition to the big city life! I will be posting this weekend to let you all know that I have not died.