I didn't go back to school this year.

Now, before I say anything else let me preface - it wasn't marks, I have a very high GPA at art school (in fact last I checked it was just over a 4.0, I was in the top 5 in every class for my year too). It was money and time and patience. I want to be done of school. This'll be my third degree since 98. I'm tired of school - much as I love learning at art school, I'm tired of homework, the daily slog. I wanted to branch out, have some freedom - save some money and do my own thing. I got SO frustrated when I learned an exciting new concept and was then rushed to something else and not given time to explore it. I was getting burned out - working full time and a full course load of classes isn't easy on the finances, marriage or me. I was exhausted in every way.

Sooooooo - I didn't take any classes this term. Instead:
1. I started playing with a few art exchanges between some international artists I know (much fun - we each start an art book then send it round robin until it returns back home to us, filled with art from all around the world and loads of goodies. I'm working on two sketchbook rounds as we speak- one about to finish, the other just begun. It really sparks your creativity!)

2. I am working at my job and taking a few extra shifts to save money to get a house with my husband sometime soon and bank some cash for the eventual additions (furry (Cormic in January) and not so furry longer down the road - a Douglet as we've affectionately been calling our eventual baby (not expecting right now, just you know - probably in the next year or so)!

3. I've been enjoying time with my family. QUALITY time, suppers, even just plain cleaning up the apartment. Did more training with Arwen. she got her rally advanced and we're progressing to compete in Rally Obedience - Excellent, the highest trial available in that field. Whee! She's one leg from her CD as well, in regular (read: military) obedience too. Doug and I actually have DATES! *yays*

4. I'm exploring my artistic leanings with new art (not posted yet --- soon!) trying to get a gallery show together, and my new photography side business has kind of launched itself out of the blue. I started taking photos of horses and dogs and two months later, I'm at the KWPN keuring, and Horse& Pony magazine is publishing an article about the event using MY photos and KWPN North America has a stallion guide coming out in 2010 with my photos published in that as well! I also got three new jobs - Canadian Warmblood Association's mare evaluation show in October, a Great Dane breeder wants shots of her showdogs for her website and a local dog show is having me cover their three day trials. HOLY! So I recently had business cards and etc done, and have a portfolio up. Sorry folks a lot of my events out there don't get posted her for other reasons - people with showdogs tend to be a bit picky about that. Horses too. I had an art magazine I wanted to enter into a contest for but unless I do it today I've missed the deadline. And I have plans for today. Ah well.

Anyhow - such is life. We're happy healthy and I'm actually glad not to be back in school this year. I miss it yes, but not enough to go back. I'm liking this whole "having time to do my own thing" bit. And with that, I'm off to the Annapolis Valley today - harvest time autumn shots under a blue sky beckon! Wish me luck!

*hugs you all*

PS Can't seem to change "mood" from Anguish to Optimism, but it should be optimism