Tools of the Trade

Well here it is 2 weeks from my last post - where on earth did the time go?

So, as I expected, I'm really loving Design Studio, the Fundamentals of Design class . . . while I am definitely learning so much interesting information and about what I've known all along, that interior design is so much about psychology and how our homes/rooms make us feel, I am more a hands-on person, not a lecture person (is anyone a lecture person?).  As part of taking these classes, I felt the need to transform my former craft room into a design room.  I haven't been crafting lately, so this was a perfect time for this transition.  It's so cool and affirming when timing seems to line up perfectly like that.  This is turning the page to start a new chapter for sure!  We had to purchase quite a long list of supplies for the class and I also purchased a portable drafting board to work on since I can't hang out on campus using their drafting tables.  I was like a kid in a candy store, walking through the art store ticking items off my list.  I love the drafting board I picked out (and was thankful that I took time really thinking out what I wanted to purchase for this) as it is very sturdy and portable (which ended up being such a good thing last night for I had to completely redo my homework that took me 3 hours to complete after I realized I had added up my room measurements incorrectly and couldn't fit the required furniture into the room.  By that time, it was 10 at night and I wanted to be upstairs with the company of the TV, so just moved my operations upstairs and completed the work without a problem.  OY VEY!).

Due to my life-long love of office supplies, having to purchase these tools of the design trade just about gave me hives!

I have to say that I am absolutely LOVING going to school and what I'm going for.  While I had visions of my junior high art classes and how horribly I drew buildings and how slowly I had to work to get my not-so-great artwork even done, I am actually keeping up with the class and able to complete the homework we've been given so far.  I feel as comfortable in both of my classes as if I'd been with these groups of students for years.  It feels REALLY good to be in this setting at my age, the age where I finally really don't give a rats patooty about what people think of me, so I am not at all shy about asking for clarification on something or sharing a frustration about how difficult something was to do, etc..  I was so painfully self-conscious and shy when I was in school in my youth that it was a huge distraction and I didn't get far with my schooling.  I truly think it's backwards that kids at the age of 18 are supposed to have the faintest idea of what they want to do with their lives and the confidence to carry it off.  So much money is spent on college educations that these days seems to go straight down the drain.  UGH!

So, with the deep freeze coming again this week, I will bundle up in my boots and my neck warmer that turns into a hood (that Kylie promptly, with more than a hint of sarcasm told me was quite the fashion statement) and will make my trek across the parking lots and the campus with my college luggage full of my tools of the trade and my portfolio without a care in the world what anyone thinks of me - and boy will I enjoy it!

If any of you are considering heading back to school, whether it is to complete an unfinished degree, to start a new career or to further an existing career, I HIGHLY recommend it.  It's hard work to be sure, but so very rewarding and life giving!