It seems that all I write about in here is how I must make monies but man! I don’t feel like I’m gonna get any more work from my last client and I certainly haven’t been getting anything new. Way to enter a field where most of the competition consists of people with degrees. It’d be nice to have an additional source of income that isn’t my parents, especially after I was somehow convinced into signing up for this magazine service… which, damn it, requires me to pay a lump amount to get out of. A lump amount that I am unwilling to pay at this moment. (I guess I may as well get some magazines out of this while I’m stuck.)

So now I have to pay a certain amount monthly for magazines that I admittedly would be interested in reading (cooking, science??), but are at the bottom of my list of things to purchase. Fuck subscription services and calling me when I’m in a rush. I should have just hung up but in my stupidity, was too nice for my own good.

The simplest solution for now would be to reduce my spending, but it’s practically impossible to do so unless I were to spend all my days inside my house. (Which, I don’t know, kind of sounds like an okay idea at the moment.)

So, although my mom is contributing towards my purchase of a DSLR–I’m looking at an XSi–I’m failing at chipping in my own share. This ain’t cool.

Otherwise, things are good. I’m really enjoying things and the company of different groups of friends, so far on a daily basis (until after tonight), which may have contributed toward my problem above…

Omg I can’t believe it’s the end of July ;O; but I guess this is a good thing because there’re only two weeks of summer school left, and more people will have free time.

Of the many CraigsList listings I contacted for freelance web/graphic design work, two replied for more info. One didn’t reply to my reply, and I thought someone else beat me for the other one–however, I just had to wait a little longer and now I’m doing work for them. I undercharged more than I should’ve (to my dismay), how could they say no?

Anyway, so I just finished (assuming he doesn’t reply back with additional changes) a email flyer design for an upcoming event hosted by Slide/DonovanSF. After some research, I found out that Donovan’s a DJ and his group specializes in event promotion:

DonovanSF is San Francisco’s leading special event promotions company specializing in upscale, sophisticated events targeting a fashion-forward clientelle.
(from DonovanSF.com)

I’m hopeful that this will be a regular gig (they did tell me that these designs were for 2-3 events a month, but I’m still not sure how permanent this is), and that they like my stuff and will want me to continue designing for them. I didn’t really do more research on the company until after I first contacted them saying I was interested. So now, knowing more about who I’m working for feels a little weird when contacting Donovan personally through text/email. Based on what I’ve read about him and personally corresponding with him, he’s seems like a nice, professional guy and not pretentious at all, as one might think regarding to the sophisticated nightlife scene. Nice.

Also working on Jeff’s portfolio/resume and another friend’s philanthroist-related sites. (She’s trying to fundraise a trip to Africa and educate people about HIV/AIDS!) Yay for stuff to add to my own design portfolio!

Okay seriously, where did all my money go?? My goal now is to refrain from buying anything unnecessary until Krystie comes back in August. Of course, that’s saying right after I blew a bunch of money the other day at Banana Republic and VS.

In the meantime, I’ve been looking on Craigslist for minor one-time web/graphic design jobs. I sent out a couple of emails but I don’t think I’ll be getting anything back from them since they were pretty old listings and someone must’ve gotten to them already. I’m creating something like an online portfolio to showcase what I’m capable of doing so I actually have something to present to them. This includes major revamping of the domain. Lots of ideas, just don’t know which to use. If you know someone who wants a small site (blog, informational, etc.) that doesn’t involve online shopping or anything extremely complex for a very modest fee, please give me a plug! I would really appreciate it. (edit: I finished! Aurelae Designs is up and running.)

So speaking of web design, the internet’s moving too fast. My knowledge is becoming outdated! I should learn some Flash and more CSS/PHP. It feels weird when long-term changes are noticeable–like I’m old or something. Before I know it, skies will no longer be blue, but gray (which I swear is already the case), and we’ll have to pay $10 a gallon for gas (or almost entirely be converted to using some other mode of transportation/fuel).

I went to the optometrist today! We went to a new place since my mom got a new job in the past year that actually comes with a vision plan. Like always, I’m excited to get my new glasses. I learned that Kelvin didn’t like my first pair of black-rimmed ones (though I’ve been wearing the newer half-frames since third quarter). I don’t really like them anymore too, but it’s hard not to like BCBG. I asked the optometrist if they accept shadowing requests, and he said that they could try and fit me in! I mentioned that short-term is all right if they’re full, but he insisted that chances are good and that they’re happy to help a pre-optometry student out. I just have to call the head optometrist–the one helped me said he’s really nice and that he’d inform him about me. I really think this is something I want to do. It gets me excited.

Oh yeah, and I thought the optician who helped us was a current optometry student working as an optician for experience. I was curious so I asked him about that and how much experience is needed to become an optician. Turns out he’s currently not enrolled in an optometry school, it’s his first job, and he’s my age. SURPRISE

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I like being home! It’s only been two weeks but I’ve been pretty productive. I’ve sold most of my manga (racked up $250 so far, which is not bad since I thought I wouldn’t get nearly 50% of their original values overall), have been learning guitar (progress is good and I have callouses already!), and pretty much have been relaxing and enjoying things.

Started summer school today though, which will hinder the relaxing part a little bit.  Shouldn’t be so bad though since it’s just for credit.  Wowww so many familiar faces and UCSD-lookalikes!  Walked right out of the Campus Center after getting my ID card in the morning and I see James Jones!! So happyyy I love that guy and how I always randomly run into him and he doesn’t forget about me and still has my photos from senior year in his wallet!!  I was pretty surprised.  It’s good to see that he’s focused and working so hard.  He showed me to my class (what a sweetie) and on the way, we saw Kayla, then Patty walking by or someone we thought looked like her because she didn’t notice us.  I have class with Vu, and saw Vanessa coming in after. John Aganon’s in my second class wow haven’t seen that guy since middle school. I didn’t even get to see who else was in that class because it was spilling out the door thanks to waitlisted people like me. Both of us stood the entire time.

Then I bought textbooks and wtfff so expensive I’m gonna return that anthropology book when the one I get from half.com nearly arrives. It smelled like weed in the parking garage. The sky’s less hazy now.  Gas is expensive.

There’s no place like home!!