Well it's now been over a year since I came back from Japan... and a very emotional year at that. When I first came back I was Japan-sick and jumped right into grad school to be an art-ed teacher... I enjoy teaching. but I hate everything else that comes with teaching so in the end that was not the best career choice for me. I was INCREDIBLY depressed and had a VERY rough first half of the year. I dropped out of grad school to reevaluate what I wanted to do - initially I was thinking of just switching schools and got accepted to SVA's program.. but then I had an epiphany and realized that I really didn't want to teach. (I can get into my views on education and how the song and dance teachers are meant to do to get students to learn is absolute bull s*** and how students no longer have any accountability or their education, not to mention how teaching is thankless job that's extremely underpaid... but that's a whole other rant (^_-)

I also broke up with my boyfriend just after my gallery opening in January... we had a strange relationship and while I knew he wasn't my "forever" (mainly b/c we have VERY different goals and priorities in life.. plus he really likes to go out and drink.. and I don't. Once and a while is fine but not nearly as often as he did) I still loved him... well the person he used to be at least. See I was dating him before I went to Japan.. and while we weren't really together while I was Japan (we both saw other people) we still talked to each other like we were. So when I came home and he was dating someone else it was hard on me. but then they broke up and we got back together... but he wasn't the same person.... well maybe he was... but I started to see a side of him I really didn't like. But then again.. I'm sure I wasn't the same person either. Also.. the girl he was dating is completely psycho... and did everything she could to make my life hell. Did I mention that she worked at the hotel as well? And while our breakup was pretty much mutual... it still made me sad. To make things worse he started dating another co-worker... who worked underneath me! who was one of the most incompetent, attitude problem employees I think we've ever had at the Front Desk! Now before you go thinking I'm just being vindictive... you must understand that I recommended that she be let go about 7 months before they started dating... if it wasn't that we HAD to have someone in that position and that that job is a pain in the neck to fill (try finding a quality person to work a minimum wage job .. it's REALLY hard) she would have been let go. But now I"m not there so I don't care what they do!

Yup that's right I have a new job! Which btw.. completely pulled me out of my depression. Btw.. a lot of people expect you to be able to get a great job in your field immediately after college... and when you can't... people have a way of making you feel like a failure. so if anyone reading this is going through the same thing.. you're not alone... luckily 2 of my sisters went through the same thing... both of them honor students as well... so at least I had someone telling me that it was okay. Anyway, I'm now working as an Associate Game Design Artist and UI Designer for GSN Digital/WorldWinner.. I make video games! I LOVE my job and work with some really cool people who are just as geeky as I am ^__^ While I do miss a lot of my coworkers from the hotel I'm really enjoying my new career and wouldn't trade it for anything. So I just moved up to Boston last month... I have small studio apartment... it's small but it's mine ^__^ and I no longer have to drive 4 hours (2 each way) to work everyday (I was commuting from CT for about 3 months).

I'm getting used to living on my own again (after what happened in Japan I get jumpy sometimes). though I dad have a night terror on Friday. They really suck. I can only remember part of it but I woke up hyperventilating and unable to move for a min. I only remember part of the dream but it was REALLY scary.

Today I bought a fish to keep me company.... his name is Caligula



BTW... I'm looking for a recipe for how to make (Nagoya) Ramen.. like real ramen and not the instant stuff..if anyone has one please let me know!!! Cheers!!