Greetings all! It is I, Nicole W. Since this is my first post, I suppose I have to introduce myself. I have neglected to post thus far because I'm really not a very good blogger. Most of my journal writing is the of the boringly introspective and private variety (Read: angst and personal issues!) that most would probably rather eat wallpaper paste than read. However, I will attempt to keep current on my life for the sake of my Co-Names.

So, what about me? I'm one of the spectacularly awesome Nicoles of the group. Like the rest of us, I absolutely adore art. Most of my time is occupied either by creating it or thinking about it. It's pretty freaking magical. Everyone always asks me which medium is my favorite, and up until recently, I'd just pick whichever one I was into most at the moment. But I've come to realize that I love them all and picking my favorite would be comparable to asking a mother to choose her favorite child.

Anyway, when I'm not doing artwork or schoolwork (the two are certainly not mutually exclusive), I can usually be found talking to or hanging out with friends, or just chilling by myself. To anyone who isn't painfully introverted like I am, that may sound pretty depressing; however, but I am the best company. (I never try to talk to me during the best parts of movies!)I love reading, listening to music, secretly watching people, listening in on peoples' conversations (in the uncreepiest way possible), bright colors, baked goods fresh out of the oven, waking up on a weekend with nothing to do, the sound that rain makes on the roof at night, and putting on the first long sleeved shirt of autumn.

Out of the four of us Co-Names, I'm the only one of us still at SSC, but I'm almost done! (Seriously. I just applied for graduation yesterday.) From there, it looks like I'll be going to UCF for the time being. Although this is a less than stellar prospect, I think I can deal. Partly because I'm a bit of an optimist when I want to be, and partly because I am the most stubborn person alive when I need to be. I'm going to major in fine art and Sociology, but I'm not sure about my career yet. Everyone keeps asking me what I plan on doing, but I really have no idea. I just figure if I learn about things I love, it will all fall into place somehow from there.

So, let me tell you about my classes this semester. I'm taking Sociology and Renaissance/ Baroque Humanities online. WORST. DECISION. EVERRRRR. We are 6 weeks into the semester and I have written 6 papers so far (Roughly 5400 words. I just counted.) While I am not the worst writer, I still hate it. So much time has been wasted sitting in front of my computer while silently freaking out about what to write. I thought I was going to save myself a lot of hassle by not having to sit in a classroom and listen to a lecture twice a week, but this just blows. Luckily, the subject matter is pretty sweet. Sociology is freaking awesome. It's basically everything I love about anthropology, but focused on our culture instead of primitive ones.

I'm also taking printmaking and fresco painting, which are both rad. I didn't understand why everyone was so enthralled with printmaking prior to taking the class, but believe me when I say that it is ADDICTING. I even did an extra woodcut just for kicks because I enjoy it so much. Right now we're doing monoprints, which isn't my favorite. It's basically painting on a piece of plexiglass and then transferring that over to a new piece of paper. It can only be repeated one time (hence the mono), so it doesn't really make sense to me. Why not just paint on the paper to begin with and cut out the printing press? I guess I can deal with it though. Mr V went apeshit over my print and called me a Greek alien. It made me smile.

Fresco painting is also cool. Since the class is only once a week, it seems like it's really fast paced. It's a really interesting experience though! The technique itself is not hard, but it definitely takes a certain finesse. We're painting our second fresco next Friday, so I'm sure I'll be kicking some major bootay with practice. Move over, Giotto!

Anyway, since it's now 12:30 and I am sick with round two of the plague that I had a few weeks ago, I shall bid you adieu.

Tip number....10ish- Don't write anything on your hand that you're not okay with possibly also being on your face when you wake up.