“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust (…) yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
― Marilyn Monroe

I just booked another paid photography gig in September, and I’m definitely excited about it. It will definitely be my first experience photographing on a boat/cruise, but I’m looking forward to the experience. I also took photographs for Marlaina Brugato’s wedding not too long ago, as the secondary photographer, taking candid pictures and I have to say that I’m pretty pleased. The primary photographer (which was Marlaina’s great uncle) took the traditional photos, so together, I believe we’ll be able to tell a story with regards to her wedding. This was my first paid photography gig, so I’m hoping to get hired for more so that I can acquire some new lenses for my camera, which will inevitably help me take better photos for the future.

In other news, not too many people know but I dropped my first college class, earlier this term. Of course, it was and had to have been the 4 week accelerated course for third year Japanese. After the first week, I realized that I was spending every waking hour working on my Japanese homework, so I decided to drop it and opt to take the full 12+ week course in the fall instead. I’m confident that things will go well, though. Dropping this class, however, allotted me a lot more free time than I’ve had in a long while, so that I could focus on some landscaping, photography and artwork. Thankfully my other PSU class, The US and the World, seems way too easy to be considered a 300 level class. Regardless, it’s a fun and extremely fascinating class, discussing the history of our foreign policies.

Due to my Washington residency, however, the cost to attend PSU is astronomical. I’m only taking 7 credits this term and the cost for classes were approximately $2500. The VA covered the majority of the bill, but $600 has to come out of my own pocket. When I think about the cost of attending at full time, the thought of $1500 coming out of my own pocket is kind of nerve-racking. Thankfully I qualify for some good financial aid to carry me through. These costs though, have opened my eyes to the option of applying to Lewis and Clark college. It’s a private college in Portland that is definitely more expensive, runs on semesters versus quarters, and would require me to pay more out of pocket. Fortunately private colleges offer more grants, so there’s a high possibility that I could get everything paid for. I have yet to fill out the application form, but I’m sure I’ll get onto it as soon as I finish my final essay for this term.

Other than those things, I’m excited to mention that Kessa and Ryan have finally returned from their year-long excursion through South America. She brought us all souvenirs, and mine is an awesome soccer jersey of a team called, “The Strongest”. Anyway, I’m stoked to be rooming with them again, and look forward to our adventures and excursions, as soon as I finish the term.