Another year passes...

And at the strike of midnight a new year will be upon us. I will be spending a quiet evening at home with my daughter and son and his girlfriend. A perfect evening in my eyes. I am not one to party per-say. I like to visit and socialize, but I am not a drinker, I never have been. I was/am always the designated driver. I felt it was always a good thing so no one ever had to worry about drinking too much. I hope everyone that is choosing to drink this evening has a plan to get home safely.

A new year to me means new goals. I don't really make resolutions, but I do have accomplishments that I want to complete and I do want to learn to accept the things I cannot change. I feel I am ever changing and for the better. Going to college has made me a better person and has made me more aware of so many things. Education, can it really do that? I think so. Education opens doors and minds. I will graduate in May and then I start another new adventure, a career. I have never had a career before. I have had jobs, and my art, which is my passion, but never a career. I miss my art, but it is still there, waiting...

Soul-searching and reflecting is normally what I do this time of year. I feel it is important for each one of us to do that from time to time. We need to know who we are, who we want to be, where we are, and where we are going or want to be. Goals and dreams are also important for everyone to have. For the longest time I didn't dream and I didn't have goals. I didn't like the person I was becoming. I had to make changes for me and I am so glad that I did.

Wishing each of you a wonderful evening. Be safe! Happy New Year 2012! Here is to new dreams, new goals, health, and happiness! Cheers, Tonya

Winter?

I had to "borrow" a winter picture from the internet (hyper-link attached to the picture). Normally, this time of year we have plenty of snow, but not this year and that is fine by me. Some say that it does not "feel" like Christmas without any snow, but for me, I think the "feeling" of Christmas is from within and it is what is in your heart. I simply cannot believe how fast this month has flown by. It is nearly Christmas and I am still wondering where November went? Time seems to go by faster as I get older. Attending college sure doesn't help out with the whole time factor thou.

I am happy to say that I received all A's in my classes, however, I did not make the president's list, but I did make the dean's list. Fine by me! I am happy and I did my best! Two of my generals' classes gave me a 'run for my money' and I honestly thought I was going receive a B in each class. I will take an A- anytime. I am elated to be finished with six more general credits, along side with the core classes that I completed this semester. There was a ton of reading in my generals' classes, as well as, essays, portfolio building, critiquing, discussions, and video watching with writing responses to the videos. They were both on-line classes. I am just glad to be done and I am doing the HAPPY DANCE!!

I have break until January 9 and I am so very thankful. I can breathe and take some time for ME. I created some Christmas cards and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I stayed up way to late but it sure did feel good! I missed creating.

Wishing each of you an enjoyable holiday season. May each of you feel the "Magic" of the season. Cheers, Tonya

Feeling the PRESSURE!

Next week is the last week of this semester and I must admit, I couldn't be more thrilled! This semester has virtually kicked my butt! I am not one that likes to read in long lengths and this semester I have done more reading than I care to even think about. I am not much of a reader, unless it is one of my magazines with my favorite artists or it has something to do with creating.

I am in Intro. to Art (an online course) and basically all I get to do is READ! Yup, chapter after chapter. Can we say FUN? And if that weren't enough, I have Freshman English and more reading. Double fun! I still have to work on my final essay, which is an argumentative essay. I completed my English final today...I hope I did okay. It is a tough class and I did the best I could.

I get to complete four more finals. I will be done the end of next week. It could not come soon enough because I am totally FEELING THE PRESSURE! Anxiety has kicked in and I am exhausted. I really can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Spring semester is just around the corner and I will finally get to play! I am registered for Ceramics 1, Painting 1, Two-Dimensional Art, and I have two online core classes. I just hope I will enjoy myself while fulfilling some of my generals. I completed all of my mandatory generals and the remaining generals were free reign. Of course, I had to sign up for a little bit of art. I was a little bit disappointed that they did not offer a photography course during the spring semester. I registered for what was available.

During the week of December 19, I hope I will be able to create some cards. I know a bit late and they will probably be received late, but "better late - than never!" I am itching to use some of my new Tim Holtz winter Sizzix dies. I want to make something similar to this, but I have not received my pine cone die. The NOEL die is one of my favorite for latest releases. It has such a vintage look to it. My cards will have to do without the pine cone for those that are being sent in the mail. Is anyone else following the "12 Tags of Christmas" on Tim's blog? I love waking up each morning and getting my Tim - tag fix. I love this time of year. I can't believe this is already day 9 and there are only 3 more tags left. I love learning new techniques and I simply cannot wait to have time to try some of those new techniques. I keep tell myself..."all in good time!"

Back to the grindstone...more studying. Cheers to each of you!