Dorisa Will Take A While

This is the class that involves the story from my previous post about my hymnbook cover. For my Intro. to Modern Publication class we were supposed to create a series of direct mail items for a company/service of our choosing. Our company or service can be made up or a real (actual logo can be changed) and we had to use that same company/service throughout the semester in every project. I tried to continue my Pokemon direct mail sales letter from my Copy Writing class but my teacher said 'no'.

So after a couple of minutes of being depressed I decided I wanted to do my series of direct mail on a made-hotel from my script. Before I was kicked out of Media Productions I took Broadcast Writing. One of my scripts became a whole story (not-yet-told) and there was a hotel I made up called the Belvedere Hotel. One of my upcoming events for the Belvedere Hotel was the grand opening of their restaurant/lounge named Dorsia. Yep I never forgot about Dorsia.

Front (you may notice that I used some images from LA Noire)

He said that I had a good headline and a very nice design. I just need to change the contrast to work with the logotext.

I also need to cover up Elsa for my portfolio/artshow.

Back (I deleted some unnecessary text and fixed a spelling mistake)

He also said the back had a very nice design.

To keep up with the 1940s theme for my script I made the design use black and white with a dark red gradient as the main background. To add a bit of elegance and class I put a damask pattern in the background. The symbol I used in my logo was actually made in my Graphic Design class for a previous project and then I added the rest of the words later.

My Graphic Design teacher thought this looked pretty good.

The font I used for the symbol and logo was Andes. For my copy I used Caviar and sometimes Champagne & Limousines, although that would mostly be seen in the rest of my direct mail series. I'm only showing my postcard project because this was my strongest project and I could have gotten an A- if I wasn't a day late. It wasn't my fault the printer wouldn't print out my project. I'm not bitter >:(

Stupid B-

Soylent Green

IS PEOPLE!!!!!!

        I just had to do that. Soylent Green has become infamously synonymous with my name among my friends and teachers at college. They all know it and have tried to stop my plans that involve it. It is unfortunate that only my mentor understands the humor I see in it. After three tries (or maybe four) of trying to do a Soylent Green project in any of my classes, I was finally successful. I was able to make a Soylent Green-like project for my Professional Selling class. My teacher had enough trust in me to make this. He doesn't know what Soylent Green is; I plan on telling him after my graduation.

       For this project we had to make a sales letter, but I had already done one in my Copy Writing class. However that one was for Pokemon, my teacher later regretted allowing me to do it on Pokemon. This class was a business class but our teacher understood that half of the class were Graphic Design majors. So he said we could design it and that the more realistic it was would give us a step up.

       I would have gotten a 96 on this project but it was late. My grade for it went down to an 86 for being a day late. He gave some pretty positive feedback on it – had a good opener, good testimonials, clear benefits, and a nice brochure. He also said I was a good writer and that my sales letter was really good. Too bad I'll have to explain what Soylent Green is after I graduate. Imagine his face ^-^

The font I used for the letter was Baskerville and Luna Bar for the logo.

Unfortunately this and the finished printed product are difference in color.

For some reason InDesign wouldn't give me the same color I had for my logo.

Had a lot of fun making the slogan. Again, only my mentor thought it was funny.

I originally made two versions of the symbol. This one seemed more like an energy supplement for those people who work out. A lot. The one I chose seemed health-foody and "all natural".

Due to my lack of knowledge and time, I was unable to make an envelope for my sales letter.

This would have been the envelope I was going to turn in. (This SO doesn't look like Nookington's)

Even though he said I had a nice brochure I refuse to show it. It may be nice to him but he does not specialize in design. My art teachers would give me quite the critique if I showed them my Soylent Green brochure. I do like the alternative version of my Soylent Green logo so I might redo it in the future.

And yes, I do have too much fun with my projects. I use funny names and weird addresses – one address is at some cafe called Jo Mamma's or something and the other is My Mom's bakery something. Yeah, I like Regular Show. It's awesome.

Of Smugness and Teachers

       For this project we had to make a hymnbook. Unlike the previous projects (i.e. magazine grid) we were able to use color and any other fundamentals of design that we've learned in this project. I decided to make a children's hymnbook using this cute picture I found on National Geographic. As you may tell by now, National Geographic is one of the few places we are able to get pictures while in college. Now we are able to leave campus with our laptops but its easier said than done. The place where I got my internet off campus had become popular. This made the internet slower thus less time to find what I need and use the internet for entertainment purposes. You have no idea how much Failblog has helped me in the semester.

Funny story: My graphic design teacher had this project in his project pile while he was cleaning up to leave the classroom. He had to clean up so that the next class can use that room and the teacher for the next class can use the desk. I was in the next class (Intro. to Modern Publications), which meant the next teacher was also my teacher. Unfortunately while my graphic design teacher was cleaning, my Intro. to Modern Pub(lications) teacher saw the pile and made some funny comment at my project. My graphic design teacher whispered to him and they both looked at me. I hated the smug smile my Intro. to Modern Pub teacher showed. Why am I telling you this? An upcoming project will have to do with that teacher for Intro. to Modern Pub.

Order Within Grids

       For this project in class we had to use a grid for a magazine article. The article had to come from Answers In Genesis and must have followed a grid. Mine was much more simple than the others but I got an A for it. It was late but thankful my teacher saw that it wasn't my computer's fault. After a while we were able to print it out and get me my A. It's a simple design; one picture that being used as the background and using a two column layout for the article. I used a picture I found on National Geographic that was already upside down and turned it back to normal view. Then I made a black gradient on the bottom side of the picture where a huge puddle and reflection showed. This made the article legible with its white type. And that was it.

Unfortunately I had to upload this as a JPEG instead of a PDF so don't mind how compressed it looks. I'm a bit under the weather so I'll upload my other projects later. But what do you care, I rarely upload. And it seems my GracieGrace identity suite is the only project that anyone cares about. Oh well.

And Now I'm Back

Okay, well yesterday I came back. Technically it was today but at midnight.

Yesterday I finished my finals and was at the airport for practically the whole day. After a long wait and flight and some really stupid people in my path, I landed back home later than planned. But while I was waiting at the airport, a friend of mine was trying to look for my blog. So I had to take a couple of things off the blog like a certain green product project and change my description a bit.

I'm going to plan out some things and will hopefully post another project I've done at school.

So yeah... I'm back...again.

I'm leaving again...

Lord willing I'll be back in December. But I'm so scared right now. In an hour I'll drive to the airport and depart at midnight. Unfortunately I won't have a window seat, so I can't watch my beautiful city from above. I'm scared and I don't have the strength to keep me from crying. I already miss my family and my best friend, and I regret not doing much quality time this summer. I wish I could have more time: to spend with my family, to grow as a Christian here, to talk with my best friend.

I don't want to go back, but I know I have to leave. It's just two more years. And I know my friends will be there waiting for me and will welcome me with open arms. And they really are such a blessing to me. But no matter what, God and family comes first. When push comes to shove, I know they'll always be there for me. And I don't want to leave them, I love them too much to want to leave.

Just two more years. God has always been there for me, even when I couldn't see it. I can't ever forget that. I must always lean on Him, never forget Him when things are going well, always remember the blessings He has brought me, and never forget the love He has for me.

So I guess this is goodbye for now. I still have a lot of learning to do and even more growing to do.

                            Learning and Walking in Christ,
                                                                                      Ankoru

Why must I always fail?!

Well as you can probably guess, I'm failing in that weight loss challenge. I believe I have gained weight instead. No surprise there.

Not just that, but I'm feeling so lazy right now and I have no motivation to even do much needed tasks to prepare for the upcoming semester. These are essential for my survival and have to last me until I come back home.

Must get up and be productive.... Where there's a will, there's a way.... But I don't have a will....

Oh and a couple of days ago was my birthday. I'm now 21 and still lazy. I'll be quick, we didn't really celebrate my birthday on the actual day. But on my actual birthday I got the season 2 DVD of BBC's Sherlock, which will come in handy for my sanity's survival. The next day we got cake, but had to postpone eating it because we had to celebrate my birthday at my grandma's house alongside my relatives. After that we finally got to eat my delicious cake, but celebrating my birthday doesn't end there. The next day I get to spend time with my best friend of almost 17 years. She took me out to eat and we went to the Santa Monica Promenade and Pier. We were just walking and it was mostly waiting in line for something but I'm still glad I got to spend time with her. Celebrating my birthday for three days wasn't what I thought it would be, nothing special.

Alright that's it. I'm tired of being lazy, I need to change. If I'm an adult, that means I have to make responsible decisions and see what I can do to better myself. I'm going to make a schedule and to-do-list, watch an episode from Sherlock, and go to sleep early. Or earlier than when I usually sleep. Let the transformation commence. No one will recognize this ping pong.

Silence! I'm finally using gifs.

Why am I even bothering again

Well its summer break (of course), and you know what that means...

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE!!!

Yeah, I know I have been failing so many times at this and I usually gain more weight during break. But this time something's at stake. Did you say steak?

Before we left college for summer, my roommate, her friend, and I took the Biggest Loser Challenge. However, since I'm the heaviest, with more weight to lose, we decided to tweak the goal a bit to make it fair for everyone.

Whoever loses the most weight AND is the most fit, toned or whatever wins. The latter is the main focus of the challenge. The losers will have to buy the winner ice cream from Marble Slab, a place nearby our college. I've never been there or heard of it, but I think my first time should be going there as a reward. I looked up their website and menu, and I'm already planning on what to get.

The challenge will end when we arrive back in college, and we'll check the scale and measuring tape to see who has made the most progress.

This is going to be tough, I have more weight to lose and more flab to tone. I haven't started at all, already gained weight and I have only two months left.

So to my fellow competitors

Live Action Demonstration

Yeah I haven't posted anything in a while, but I've been busy trying to enjoy my summer as much as possible before I have to go back to school. You would not believe how much sleep I've lost and need to gain back.

Anyhow, right now I'm showing my little sister how posting on a blog is done. I'll add a picture and include a video that will somehow relate to said picture. In doing so, I will be making a weak joke. Kill two birds with one stone. Or as how my old roommate would say, "Kill two stones with one bird". We'll never let her live that down.

If there's a camel up a hill

(also new haircut)

So that concludes this live demonstration of how to post something on a blog. You better remember this because I'll be at school the rest of the year.

so very sleepy...

I've been working all night on a side project for one of my family members, I think it turned out alright. But she has the final say if its good or not, better be prepared to make some changes. I'm a little used to changing my projects after I've worked a long time on it. A whole year of having to change my ideas and receive harsh criticism from a teacher, whom I greatly disliked. Okay still kind of do, but I have to change that. I won't dwell on nightmares from my graphic design class anymore.

I changed my profile picture, made myself a logo, got a new theme and made a new banner. I like it. I actually made that logo in the last month of the college semester, and I'll explain why I call it a ping-pong. I was originally trying to make a new mascot for my collegian, and when I showed it to my roommate she laughed and nicknamed it Ping (from Mulan). Ping-Pong, because its a circle. Yeah.

I decided I was no longer a mental frog, I believe I grew up this past semester enough to better understand who I am and no longer was. I will miss those days of being a mental frog. I knew I wanted to add my logo on the banner but the rest of it looked bare. So I decided to add the lyrics to Pokemon World in my banner, it still incorporates the mental frog I used to be. So I'll end this post with the remix of Pokemon World.

I still want to be a Pokemon Master :(

Forced Project #1

I honestly don't want to remember those graphic design classes again. But the majority of my posts this summer will involve a project I did in my second semester graphic design class. This project was a two-part identity suite: one business and one personal. I'm thinking of redo-ing my personal identity suite, but in the meantime I'll show my business one.

I made a fake clothing business called Black Tea. Serving the rich and posh with glamorous and fancy clothing. Or something like that. When I was starting on this project I knew I wanted something like Aquaberry, the fictional clothing brand from Bully. But I mostly made my business resemble Burberry, maybe I'll make something for Aquaberry in the future. It took me a long process to finally make my logo, but I like how it turned out in the end.

The picture above shows the envelope, the (front) business card, and the logo itself. I also had a letterhead for Black Tea, but I don't like how it turned out. I seem to have trouble with letterheads. I made a grey tartan pattern for the background/theme to resemble the Burberry tartan pattern, and used a cranberry color as complimentary/secondary color. I think it looks kind of cool. Now that I'm thinking about cranberry, I may use that later for another project.

Next time I'll have a new logo to show you and hopefully a new banner/background.

GracieGrace Identity Suite

Whoops, I forgot to post this up. Well here it is now.
I had been planning on making something for GracieGrace for a long time, and only recently had I got inspiration for it. Whoa, bad grammar there. Sorry about that.

GracieGrace Logo

GracieGrace Business Card (FRONT)

GracieGrace Business Card (BACK)

GracieGrace Envelope

GracieGrace Letterhead

Like this identity suite way more than the Nookington's one. I had a lot more to work with in this one. A better logo, more background, and a consistent theme. I used a navy blue gradient, just like the one from their front sign and entrance. For the logo, I used a gold gradient, again just like the one from their front sign. The closest font I had that resembled the GracieGrace logo was the Baskerville font. I believe its already included in every computer.

I used the giraffe logo from GracieGrace as the pattern for the background, and used the lighter navy blue of the gradient, and lowered its opacity. I tried to resemble the floor inside GracieGrace, but I made the giraffes smaller, closer, and point in one direction.

My favorite one out of the identity suite is the envelope. I think it's the strongest in the identity suite, and kept the theme I was going for. And yes, I know it would be pretty expensive making the envelope, but keep in mind how expensive the products are in GracieGrace. I'm pretty sure they can afford to make these envelopes. My least favorite is the letterhead, I believe it's the weakest in the identity suite. It doesn't really keep the theme I was going for and I had the most trouble with this one.

Well that's it for the Animal Crossing identity suites. Next time I'll probably change my theme and have my own logo to show. And in the future, someone special will have a blog of her own. She's a talented artist but not in Graphic Design. That's my forte, but you'll enjoy her work nonetheless.

Nookington's Identity Suite

Okay, since I've back home, I have been playing a lot of Animal Crossing: City Folk. Now while I was trying to think of an idea for one of my planned projects, I thought about doing an identity suite for Nookington's. As you can see from the pictures below, it didn't turn out so well. But I can assure you that my next post with my planned project will turn out better. I really like the look of my planned project.

Logo

Business Card (FRONT)

Business Card (BACK)

Envelope

Letterhead

Yeah I know. These really aren't my greatest, but like I said, the next ones will be better.

I Learned My Lesson

Well, that was another long break from writing a post. You see, I couldn't get access to internet for a long time. Only once very briefly, at the airport when I was leaving college for the summer and another time at my relatives house.

Well now it's official that I'm back. While the internet was down I finished three of my projects, two of them were on a whim and the other was one that I had been planning. I will introduce those projects tomorrow, get ready for a lot of Animal Crossing in the next couple of days.

Now for me to explain some things.

As I have previously stated, this year's resolutions have been answered, but not without blood, sweat, and tears. One event has totally changed me. I didn't even see it coming. It just happened without my knowing. And the others for that matter.

You see, I was dropped out of my major. Some of you know that I was originally a double major in Graphic Design and … you-know-what. I won't say what it was, but I can say that I loved that major so much. Even more than Him. And that was my downfall.

I wasn't the only one dropped from that major, others were dropped and a lot had left the college. My major was being dropped and only a few sophomores, and the juniors and seniors could continue until they graduated. My teachers found out a week before the students came back.

This was a really big blow to me. I was devastated. I went throughout the semester a broken person. My friends knew it, my teachers and roommates saw me break down into a million pieces, everyone saw my life spiral downhill. I really loved my major, I actually studied and worked hard for it. I spent so much of my time dedicated to it, pouring out my sweat and blood for my classes. I honestly believed it was God's will for me to be in that major.

I can not tell you how many days and nights have passed with me breaking down, asking and yelling, "Why, God? Why?". I've asked that question so many times, and I went further to turn God away from me. Yes. I have done the worst possible mistake in my life. I actually turned Him away from me.

Believe me when I say this, I felt His presence gone from me. It was actually gone. And it was horrible. Those brief minutes of my life were empty, I really was alone. After my roommate came in and heard what happened, she quickly got some sense back in me, and I asked God to forgive me and come back in my life.

I'm glad to say that He's with me again, and that I regret what I did to turn Him away. I'm thankful that God has provided me with great friends, teachers, and roommates to help me grow and heal. I know that nothing will ever be the same ever again, but I understand that it's what God wants.

What has come out of this ordeal? I realize what's more important in life, and my relationships have been strengthened. Especially with Him. I have truly grown and matured in my walk with Him.

I would like to thank:

My friends, for staying with me even when I was making you feel down with all my anger and bitterness.

My roommates/friends, for being a shoulder to cry on and leading me back to Him.

My teachers (mentors), for forgiving me after the many times I took my anger out on you and for stopping me from taking the destructive path of no return.

And to my God and Lord and Savior, for loving me so much to die on the cross for me and for loving me even though I don't deserve His love or mercy.

Thank you.

I'm Back (again)

Previously on An Encore Everlasting:

Here's my list:
1. Be closer to God.
2. Have more faith and trust in Him.
3. Get better grades.
4. Lose weight.

Well I'm back. And....well....

A lot has happened.

In short, my previous resolutions have come true (still waiting on number 3). I have said before that my first semester Freshman year was the hardest. I change my statement on that. This semester has been the absolute hardest, worst, painful semester I have ever endured.

I'll post the rest later.

Good-bye For Now

I'm leaving in a couple of hours. Why did this day had to come...

It hurts having to leave my family and friends again, but it can't be helped. I've had an interesting week. Exercised, ate a lot of unhealthy food, saw my best friend's dorm, and had dinner with my family at my favorite bakery. I know God is good to me.

I pray that God comforts me as I leave to follow His will. And I pray that I find mercy and favor in His eyes, as I face a new semester. And that He gives me the strength to give up all my fears and burdens to Him, and continue to follow Him.

I'll be back in May, and I'll end this post with a song that played on the airplane (on both flights) when I first visited my current college in high-school.

The Inevitable

That's what I hate about life. There are some things you have to face, and what makes it worse is the fact that there's nowhere to run. I absolutely dread having to go back to college. Honestly, if it weren't for my grades I would hit the ground running. I would be so happy knowing that I'll be taking classes I love, and getting to see my roommates and friends. But now I know my schedule will most likely change, and I don't want my roommates to see me depressed. And there are my teachers to think about too. I don't want to see the disappointment in their faces, and be told I'll have to retake my class(es).

But I've realized that no matter what problem came up concerning with my being in college, God has always made sure I would stay. I guess God really wants me to stay in college, specifically the college I'm attending right now. I pray that God shows mercy again and make the college overlook my bad grades. It's happened before, and I must have faith that whatever happens, that its God's will.

Only a couple of days 'til I leave for college.

Still Trying

Chillin' with mah bubble pipe...

It isn't the best, like all my previous works. But it was kind of funny how the process went into making it. Lately I've been watching Downton Abbey and just recently finished watching the Season 2 premiere. So I thought I should look/feel a bit snooty, but then I realized how that could draw up the wrong kind of attention in real life. Then I remembered how the movie The Goodfellas kept showing up this past week on TV. So, I tried to make myself snooty looking and put myself amongst the characters in the movie.

Well I thought it was somewhat humorous.

Oh yeah, the scary thing. A little background to how this came up: Back in college, a friend of mine used to play the Nancy Drew games. I was interested and actually won a bet on who was the culprit in the game Nancy Drew: Alibi in Ashes. Well after she beat that game, she turned to another game, Nancy Drew: Shadow at Water's Edge. Now this game actually had some scary parts. One in particular, which she purposely showed to me and her roommates. I, of course, screamed like a very scared frog. Here's that scary part:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRa9iyS3pU

Blogger wasn't able to find it, so the link is here instead. Oh and if you are reading this (you know who you are), I still remember that bet we have.

I Am My Worst Enemy

Earlier, still depressed about my grades, my mother said something that both gave me some inspiration and encouragement. She said that I am my worst enemy, that I'm being too harsh on myself and that I shouldn't be worried. That she knows me and that she's not worried about my grades. That really did help, seeing as my family has avoided the subject of school these past days to help me heal. I got some inspiration out of it but it's not much. I used myself fighting against myself, taking the "I'm my worst enemy" quite literally. I put some things in the background as a little joke to humor myself in this epic fight against myself.

See if you can spot the characters in the background

Hopefully some more inspiration will come my way and I can deliver more meaningful projects in the future. I know what the next post will be about, but be forewarned. It might be scary.

God's Been Good In My Life pt. 5

I will continue to praise Him...

Even through trials.

I received my grades from the fall semester. They were not good. And what's worse is that I may not be able to attend a certain class(es) because of it, which ruins my schedule. I feel at my lowest point right now and my grades are just staring back at me yelling out loud "You should have done better, you usually get better grades!". All I could respond was that I honestly tried but I know that is still not a good excuse. I've disappointed my teachers, myself and my Lord. Now I'm not looking forward to next semester having to face the teacher I respect the most. I let him down and I feel so pathetic. I hurts knowing that you tried so hard but it still wasn't enough.

But I must continue to praise Him, even while I'm still hurting.

God has blest me with a supporting mother who knows that I've tried, I have a great sister who never has a frown on her face, and a wonderful friend that has stayed by my side for so many years. I have never gone to bed hungry, God has always provided food. He shows that He loves me in small ways, like airing my favorite movie or song on the radio or tv. God loves me so much and even though I may not have a dad, I have a wonderful Heavenly Father. My family and I were saved from a horrible person, and now my family and I live making new memories that overcome all the previous bad memories. I've had/have wonderful roommates that brought the best out of me. I've had teachers who've cared about me and encouraged me to go the distance. God took me out of so many unpleasant situations, and made sure I would be safe. All in all, I've been truly blest. God has been good to me.

I feel a bit better now. Still hurting but better. I may not sleep tonight, maybe stay up and talk with God and walk in the morning. Will you please pray for me?

Entering the New Year

The Wrong Way that is!

Well aside from starting the New Year with my family watching the countdown, I spent the rest of it watching a marathon of Law and Order (the regular one and SVU). Talk about a downer. Normally my sister and I are loud and always laughing, but after watching an episode of Law and Order: SVU we are dead silent for a good minute or two, not even moving a muscle. But then right after that another episode starts and we pretend to play the instruments during the opening theme song.

Yes it's pathetic but it helps bring up the mood after a horrible case shown on Law and Order.  Any resolutions? Well, yes and frankly it's not new to me.  I'll try to lose weight again. Maybe in the process some inspiration will come my way. But that's not the only resolution I have.

Here's my list:
1. Be closer to God.
2. Have more faith and trust in Him.
3. Get better grades.
4. Lose weight.

Of course there are more but these are the general ones. To tell you the truth, I'm both excited and dreading going back to college. I know what to expect but I also know what could go wrong. I'm afraid I won't get into the program I'm aiming for, I'm afraid my schedule for future semesters will change because of it and I'm afraid my past will catch up with me and pull me down again. I shouldn't worry about that, God hasn't let me down before and I know He will handle this. I'll try to post up some projects before I leave.