So I know it is Thursday but...

...I have not posted any artwork in a while and have taken some photos of some old stuff. So, "Wednesday Works" will also now include this Thursday's post.

I think I am going to present one of my oldest paintings that I did that can be seen in... my room :) ha

Some friends and I were discussing old shows we used to watch when we were growing up, and I thought it was fitting that I would post this painting. It is titled, I <3 the 90s

Ha. It is sort of funny to see how my work has grown since 2006, which is apparently when this one was painted. You may see some of your favorite 90s reminders such as: TMNT, Salute Your Shorts, Hanson, Saved By The Bell, Hey Dude, Tamagotchi, New Kids on The Block, and TLC!

This was just sort of a fun collage painting that I did complete with splattering paint over top...I thought it was very 90s. When I see it, it makes me smile. Which, is really all that matters, right?! I think so.

I do not do a lot of artwork for myself these days, so it is fun to go back and see some of the stuff I have done just for me. Hope you all enjoy it as well! :)

Busy, busy, busy..

..the theme of my current life.

As mentioned earlier, this semester is full of work. As any semester should be, I suppose. The difference between this semester and most, is that I am being forced to set deadlines. Which is then causing to-do lists, crazy oversized calendars, and time management skills. WHAT!? I have made it through 19 years of schooling being a terrible student. (Now when I say terrible I don't mean I do poorly, I simply mean I have become the world's best procrastinator.) This semester is throwing me for a loop. My procrastinating days are wavering... with all of the due dates, and revisions, and lesson plans, and presentations, and to-do lists - ::sigh:: I am not sure if I will be able to maintain my laissez-faire attitude.

I managed to meet my first thesis deadline (today) by working on my chapters while watching football yesterday. In the past, I would have watched both games, and THEN started on my work...who is this person? I am not sure I like it. But, with graduation on the mind, and thesis defense date set - it has to get done...

..and it will. I just might be more pout-y than normal. My work to fun ratio has always tilted more on the fun side of things. Hence, a change in the system, may take some getting used to, and may include pouting. I apologize for this pout-y behavior in advanced, but, taking my fun away is like taking a blanket away from a child. They whine and cry about it for a while - but, eventually they buck up and get over it. The good thing about this scenario is that that blanket is in storage somewhere, and ready to be brought out again at a later date - just like my fun.

March 17th is the day of defense, and the day Ashley gets her fun back. (I think it is fitting, that it is St. Pattys Day - fun is already built in to that day.) I am officially starting a countdown til the fun days are back...

..2 months til Fun, with a capital F is back! Until then there will little f - fun happening along with LOTS of work.

OH, and Happy MLK Day!

Cheers.

The Beginning to the End.

So yesterday was the beginning to the end. It was the first day of my LAST semester of Grad School! Woo hoo! It is really hard to believe I have been going to school for the last 19 years of my 23 year old life. It also sounds worse when I say it like that.

Yesterday was a little different than most years, however. Normally, I am the student and I am listening to the profs go over the syllabus and being forced to introduce myself and share interesting facts about myself, etc. (which is a bit of a stretch for grad school since there are only 13 of us, and we all know each other well. But for the purposes of this paragraph - just go with it.) But, this semester I am TA-ing for a class. This year, I was the one talking about the syllabus, and pushing for introductions and interesting facts. Of course I had to share my interesting fact as well - which for all you interested, is that I have the constellation of the big dipper made out of freckles on my right forearm - but, all around a different experience. It was such a strange feeling to be in front of the class. Hopefully it will feel more comfortable as the semester goes on. I plan on blogging about my awkward teaching moments later on in the semester, so look forward to those.

Then today we had our first class meeting. We talked about the semester and all about our theses and setting timelines, and goal weeks for defending. O.M.G. I am NOT ready for this. Immediately I felt a ball of stress break right over my head, and then felt the nausea approach. ::sigh:: A procrastinator queen's worst nightmare.

It should be an interesting semester full of an umpteen number of to-do lists. Hopefully, I make it out alive.

Christmas Vacation

Well, I have already been slacking on my posting...

              ...but no worries. It was only because I was actually living my life instead of only writing about it.

Overall, my Christmas break was a good one. Lots of family time - which, if you know my family at all, there is never a dull moment. There was also quite a bit of catching up with friends. I did not get to see everyone and catch up with everyone that I would have liked; but, it realllly is hard to see so many people when you're only in town for a little while and you are car-less. I suppose people will just have to come see me next time. I mean, sheesh, I come to them all kinds of times. Bitter? Nah - just saying. I also got to see one of my brother's bands, and I really enjoyed it. I am sometimes jealous of my brother's ability to play musical instruments. It is so ridiculous. Anyways, my trip finished up with a well-needed trip to see my old college roommate and her husband. This girl is special. She just knows me, and loves me anyways. She is actually the one that inspired the name to this blog...

One day on the phone I was talking about all of my shenanigans, and she said she was so happy to hear I haven't changed. She was pleased I was something consistent in her life despite all of life's other curve balls. I joked, and said, "ha. yea, consistently chaotic." and there it went.

She is one of those that get a kick out of my mind and how it works in crazy mazes. She just knows me. Fully. And I love that. It is good to have people like that in your life.

WOW. I have really gotten off topic. Here are some photos from my lovely break:

 Some of my lovely friends out in EC

 "A whole new world" with my favorites :)

 Zeke's band - Beacon James.. you can kind of see his blurry head back on the drums

 my NYE date, Linds

my rooooomie, Sara <3

I hope everyone else had as lovely of a holiday as I did.

Babies, Babies, Babies

Well it certainly has been the season for reproducing! No, no, DEFINITELY not me - but many others in my world. Two big ones in particular including my sister and Austin, and my dear old friend, Brooke, and her bf, James. So I will be a first time Aunt, and an adopted Aunt.. ha

I don't know when everyone else in my life started being real grown ups, but it still blows my mind that I have friends who are married and/or making babies. These two ladies in particular are very dear to me, and we have been through a lot in life together...so I thought I would feature them both in my blog tonight and take a trip down memory lane...

I'll start with Brooke:

Her and I have been friends since 4th grade. We have been through many awkward stages of life together - that is for sure. 4th grade nerds, 5th grade bullies is our little joke. Mifflin and Rhino days... oh man. We also managed to stay friends through all of the craziness and drama that middle school can bring.

haha here we are at my 13th birthday party - Me, the one opening presents; her, the tiny one by the duck :)

In 8th grade we conditioned together for softball, and both made the JV team along with 3 other 8th graders...we were pretty badass ;). Through high school we really clinched down on our friendship. I think sports really kept us going strong - playing both softball and volleyball. Actually, she is the one who got me playing volleyball. She told me I should come try out because the coach was cute ;) hahaha ohhh lessick.

 The good old JV days. 14-0, I do believe.

Looking a little older here - I believe sophomore year.

Along the way we picked up another one (Cassie), and we became ABC. Pretty much inseparable through freshman and sophomore year. After that I moved to Wisconsin, but, the two knuckleheads surprised me on my first Christmas morning in WI. After that we went on a cruise that summer, and I made annual summer visits to see them. 

Being goofy as usual outside of Cassie's house. I believe this was the day I moved...

 ABC lovin life on our cruise!!

us alll grown up :)

Now I am back in Norfolk, and it has been hard to see each other with my crazy schedule. We have managed to make some music together a little bit, and hang out a few times. I wish it to be more before I possibly move away again. But, thank you Brooklyn for always being someone I can count on. I look forward to meeting your little peanut, and hopefully we can see each other more often these next few months. I love you!!!! So, again - CONGRATULATIONS BROOKE AND JAMES!!!!

Parents - to - be!!!! <3

Alright CR, your turnnn:

Well, obviously this lady has been in my life since I was in the womb...

  he he, I liked this one. :)

My sis used to take care of me, and even speak for me! She even thought I was SOOO cute (cause I was) that she wanted to share a room with me!!! I think she may have regretted that decision later since we then shared a room for the next 16 years... but I loved it and glad it happened that way.

  One of my favorite photos. She really loved me. :)

 we were buddies.

We were there for each other through some tough and awkward times...

 me being a tool, and her being too cool for me :)

hah I found this one.. I have no idea. I'd like to think this symbolizes me being her base of support. :) hah

After she graduated high school, she went to ODU, and a year later we moved to WI. Between all of the every day growing up stuff, we did not see each other much besides major holidays and major events. I did make an appearance down in GA one year for spring break!

 flew to VA for her graduation from ODU

 Trip to GA to see her and Austin - nice hair everyone. ha

 Both made it to WI for Zach's HS graduation!

 She came to my college graduation from UMD and took me and roomie out! :)

and of course us looking fly on the big day! :)

Now, however, I am shacking up with her and Austin - they refer to me as their "adult child." I am grateful for the situation... it really is awesome. It has also been fun to be able to spend time with the two of them. I am SUPER excited about baby G, and have already claimed the name "Cool Aunt Ashley," although the "cool" I am convinced, is implied. CR, thanks for being the best big seester I could have ever asked for. I love you!!! CONGRATULATIONS CR AND AUSTIN!!!!! I love you both!!!

 Well, that wraps up my babies blog. They are everywhere these days! BUT, these two babies are the two I most look forward to. :)

 

See ya later, 2010. Good to see you, 2011.

Well we made it through another year. It seems crazy that 2010 has already come and gone. It's like older people have always said: "enjoy it while you're young, your life goes so much faster when you get older." By golly, they were right! I mean, obviously I know that time does not actually move faster, but it certainly seems that way. I don't know if it is because you understand the concept of time more when you are older, or maybe cause you don't always take the time to enjoy things as much as you did when you were a kid... but some days really do seem shorter then they used to.

As I think back on the year, I try to remember all that has happened and changed....

Jan: Brought in 2010 with my old roomie and her hubby, along with a now old friend. Went ice fishing and caught my first fish in like...10 years or so?

My little fishyyy

March: Ran my first race! I never thought I would get into running, but, I have to admit... its alright :). Now I am signed up for a half for this march - who would have thunk it? Not I!!! I had a wildly extravagant st. pattys day celebration and even sported a bright green wig. It was pretty vivacious. My parental units and lil bro came to town to celebrate a change of command and my 23rd (yikes!) birthday.

 at the finishline

My green wig I mentioned, along with Taylor and Crystal.

Birthday celebrationssss

April: My little brother turned 20 (AHHH!). Celebrated two bestie birthdays - Cassie and Nicoley.

 Big seesters and baby bro - classic

ABC L<3ve 

May: FINISHED MY FIRST YEAR OF GRAD SCHOOL!!!! Celebrated Tay Tays bday and the 2nd years graduation, and had one hell of a time. oh and went to the beach everyday.

Tay's big day

June: Went on my European Adventure. Too much to even say about it, to be honest. :)

When I first realized I was in Europe!

 one of my favs - thanks dals!

funny group shot in Paris

 group shot in Monaco lookin spiffy

 Another fav - Sacre Coeur + Wine = Soooo much fun

July: Celebrated my independence, went home with Nicole, and went to NYC, and made a trip to Nebraska to see my bff Caleb get marrried!! :) oh, and of course did data collection and reduction for my thesis.

 showin nic some love in NYC :)

The grooms best women and his beautiful bride, Em!

August - Dec: Between women's soccer, research, school, and studying my life away for my cadaver anatomy class, I tried to have a good time with my friends :). Oh, ran my first 10k! Got to see a whole bunch of people I love over thanksgiving, christmas, and last night. Had my FIRST  visitor in Va, besides family - Miss Liz! Watched my DOGS rise to victory once again and win another Natty Ship! woot! Saw one of my brothers bands play for the first time and loved it! AND obviously some big news.... Im going to be an AUNT!!! :) If you know me at all, you know small children, or children in general are not my thing... they love me for some reason... but, I only really like the cool ones. Luckily, this one is destined to be cool.

 It was a Halloween 10k... TMNT style on the beach after finishing

 Some lovely ATs and I out

 It seems we only take photos when we look good. :)

The beautiful Liz visiting.

 Research.

 Lovely friends over xmas break 2010!

 Last night celebrating New Years Eve and the end of 2010 with my pal Linds! :)

annnnnd a whole lot more I am forgetting, I am sure.

Overall, a year filled with travel, many different hair colors, and spending time with those I love. I wouldn't have survived it all without you people - and I mean it. Thanks for a good year, and I look forward to, you, 2011.