weathering the storm

It's common knowledge that Cold and Syracuse were created at the same time in the universe, and therefore are inextricably linked. There are moments that Cold takes a vacation (usually in the summer) and brings in Sweltering as it's replacement tutor, but Sweltering is well loved in the tropics, and usually can't stay. 

To somewhat quote a comedian I saw on comedy central, if Syracuse was an air conditioning unit, it would only have two switches: off, and Antarctica. Unfortunately, the off button has been dismantled. 

Many central New York natives and North East or Mid West settlers (like me and my collegiate friends) are familiar with this weather, and find no harm in adapting. Of course there are the few from California or the Virgin Islands to whom we only shake our heads at when they don their hats, scarves, parkas and other essential "keep toasty" layers when the barometer dips below 65 degrees. 

Today marked the first day where the afternoon high barely reached above 60, a truly beautiful fall day. Though, I am very biased as Fall is my favorite season; the leaves change color, the air gets sharp and clean with the brisk chill, free candy, and my birthday!

Plus, I believe fall fashions the most opportune photography moments. A grey sky is beautiful as it filters the light evenly over landscapes, and colors are able to stand out clearer against a neutral background. 

I was walking between Maxwell school of citizenship and Crouse College school of music on my way back to the dorm, and I noticed the curve of a wall on Maxwell was the perfect photo shoot area with it's red brick and white framed windows. It was almost like a Victorian style colonial house, so naturally I imagined dragging my roommate Kasey to the spot (of whom I used to model in bunches of my photography projects last semester) and stealing a Victorian dress from the drama department in some shade of bright blue to match her eyes with a similar parasol. I think she would kill me, but it would make a fantastic picture. 

As you can see, I find her very photogenic. 

So I'm delighted that the weather has finally turned to something bearable in my description. My mother would love to live somewhere in a constant state of sunshine and 80 degrees, which is nice since she was born in Hawai'i, so she's a heat seeker by birth, but I'm not sure I could stand it. 

And I look better in Fall suited clothing too! Who doesn't love a cozy and fashionable scarf, hat and gloves combination. 

Plus, this also denotes campfire and comfy fireplace season where one can drink hot chocolate and hot cider non-guiltily.  

Hooray.  I love Fall. 

a little background information..

Before divulging into the intricate details of my everyday, I'm sure everything will be much easier to follow if I go through a short history of my past summer and a few extra details, therefore:

When I began applying to colleges, I naturally assumed two tracks could govern my life - music or law. 

My family has been firmly grounded in both long before my birth, as my parents are strong believers in the beauty of music and the truth in the law. Very good teaching methods for a child I think. 

So I was leaning toward majoring in vocal performance or pre law. I was a bit hesitant to choose one entirely, because as much as I love to sing I want to have a secure job that will sustain me, though as much as my bleeding heart wants to defend the righteous I don't want to give up on my passion. 

So developing one moot point after another in my mind, my counselor steered me toward a balance of sorts between the two in communication studies. 

Lord knows that was one of the most nonspecific choices ever, but I found my safe haven at a university I never thought to apply to in the beginning, nor believed I would attend if I were accepted for other extraneous reasons. 

That was mainly because I was untrained in the amazing opportunities and elite education I would receive at Syracuse University at the Newhouse School of Public Communications. 

I arrived as a member of the Syracuse University Marching Band (SUMB) for band camp as a part of the color-guard, and slowly moved into colligate living. 

Originally I was leaning toward Public Relations as a field of study. It seemed safe enough, and an applicable relation to law school or representing a theatre company depending upon what route I wanted. 

But then I surprised myself again and took a leap. 

I wanted to enter a field that would remain challenging but inspiring to me throughout my entire career, so I dabbled in the art of photography, and decided that it was a lot harder than I originally thought. 

Which is exactly what I was looking for. 

In the optimal world in my head I would love to impact the world with one thing. Something "provocative" as my professors would say, and lasting, like on AP (associated press, not advanced placement classes you silly silly people)

I find photography fascinating. 

It's truly a way to communicate live events to people that the artist finds especially invigorating or important.

Unlike print journalism, there is something to look at so the reader doesn't have to stretch their imagination - especially if it's written about something they've never experienced before. And unlike film, the image is focused on a specific moment - the "stop and take a look around" moment greeting cards request of you constantly, though the image may not always remind you of roses. 

It stresses the striking or beauty of an instant. Something to cherish or explore further by examining a flash of time. What isn't challenging or invigorating about trying to create that?

This leads me to my past summer.

I sort of recklessly threw out my name and my little experience to some local newspapers around and about where I live without much return till I called the little gem of a paper called The Star Beacon in the town where my father works, about a 30 minute transit where I live, in Ashtabula, Ohio. 

They didn't have regular funding for an intern, so they pulled me aboard as a sort of free lance photographer under the direction of the lovable and very wise Bill West with the infamous Neil Freider as my editor. 

I was to shadow Bill, and later Warren Dillaway, and submit any photos I took along the way. 

This path not only led me to new methods of photography and wonderful mentors, but I also got to dabble in the writing department finishing my summer season with solo trips to event sites and taking photos to accompany my own stories. 

Seeing my name in print as a cutline (photo) and as a byline (article) has been my proudest moment to date. 

Now an avid Nikon girl, I've stashed away my camera briefly to dabble in the world of graphics (both as a separate interest and as a requirement for my photojournalism major). 

It seems my adventure as a slightly smarter sophomore will be much more interesting than my frightening freshman year. 

I can't wait. 

Have I been here before?

So it's my second or so week back at Syracuse University, my undergraduate alma mater home away from home citrus-y love.

I've been through another grueling but ultimately rewarding band camp experience (of whom our new freshman are really kick butt) and have finished my first week of classes.

There are lots of things to be expected - pay checks, reading assignments, football games, dining hall meals, long walks on the quad and such. You know, what every late teenage girl dreams about in her sophomore year.

With everything beginning again, I've found everything is a bit more familiar and easier to follow.

The whole freshman oblivion has worn off to a point (though I still find myself lost on campus when I'm directed to buildings I've never had to step foot in before, but I'm not the only one. Seniors I call for directions to previously mentioned buildings have no idea either where the heck this freaking class is located, so I'm kind of on my own to find it. But luckily I'm not horrendously shy in crowds, so I ask around till I'm directed appropriately) and a sense of repetition is making me more comfortable by the hour.

Therefore

I've begun this blog as assistance to my poor parents and other extraneous family members (both blood related and those persons close to my heart though not in my genealogy) who within their busy schedules have been following my older sister's blog rather religiously, so I figured that with my awful communication skills (insert inevitable jokes about my major here) any bit helps.

I've also been told that my writing is anecdotal enough to be enjoyable. Through this I aspire to improve upon those entertainment skills and maybe fix some simple grammatical errors as well.

enjoy, this is mainly for you.