ENDING OF AIO JOURNEY

So, it's time. I just finished my last class in the AIO, Portfolio. It was the perfect closure to put together all my creations within my AIO learning trip, and it came out really good. I surprise myself, I had more than I thought and I really learned and tweaked my own design style. For now, my Portfolio site can be found at Katabolic Designs temporary address. I hope that I begin the new year with a home of its own for this website, as I hope it will bring on a new phase in my professional life (this time as a Web Designer).

Changes are what's cooking in my pot, I also have to place in halt my prospect project of beginning a Masters in Animation and FX in the Academy of Art. I planned to begin that one in Spring, but I have recently discovered that I am expecting, and my second child is due in Summer... I don't want gaps in the middle of my projects, so I'll wait until Fall/Winter next year to launch myself in that mission... So right now I'll have three focuses: Katabolic Designs, The Green Crew, and my family. Just with that I've got quite a handful!

I'm glad I finished the Web Design Diploma in the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online Division. It truly honed my skills, putting me up-to-date with the latest technologies, making me more marketable and allowing me to actually match my art with computers. I hope that this is the big investment that will be the key to a bright future. I strongly feel that what my BSBA and MBA didn't do for me, this simple diploma will. Why? Because it is in a field that I know I like, and that I know will take me to different artsy/creative paths. I feel it is the beginning of a big, beautiful journey in which I will work with real purpose. That alone takes my breath away.

May God bless my new beginning.

V.

JUST ONE MORE!

Just finished Photoshop and I'm very excited. Just as I wanted & expected, I learned more stuff that I know will make a big different in upcoming designs. Now, I am beginning my last course, Portfolio. Graduation should be December 18th. I won't be able to attend, but I'll celebrate anyway. Whoohoo!

Cruising through the newest course

Well, Web design ended up and had good results. Now I'm cruising through Photoshop. The course should use CS4 but I've managed to go through it with CS3. I love it. I thought it would be too easy, but no... I'm actually learning. Well, maybe that has to do with having the right professor, huh? This one do her own tutorials and gives videos with critiques at every creative assignment. That blew my mind, finally someone doing more than they have to! Amazing!

So, part of what I have done I have uploaded to my artstuff blog DOODLES AND DRAFTS, so go there to see my recent stuff. I am so happy! I will end up with good RECENT material for my portfolio!

And I also might have found the answer to WHAT NEXT? in the Masters program of the Academy of Art University, Online. It has the Animation and Visual Effects completely online... also Illustration... and finally TV & Movies. So... the program really, REALLY attracts me. The application fee is a bit high, but... everything online... I've seen that this has been the perfect tool not to waste my time. I was pondering the Art Institute's Bachellors... but I know that's a 3+ deal. And the Master's degree turns around 2 years... All in all, lets see what happens.

10-4

MY HOMELAND

This sums up the main things that I love about my homeland... Such a small dot in the Caribbean, so many world wonders!

DB2 course finished, only 2 more to go!

It is at least a big breather that the Database2 course went on really fast and ended up in a positive way. Another high A under my belt, and not as stressful as the Flash2 course was. Now, I am only two courses away from completing the WebDesign Diploma: Digital Imaging and Portfolio. I don't expect much fuss on the DI, and I shall complete the serious portfolio site on the second... for which I have a sound idea of what I want and what it should include. I am VERY happy with the name I came up for my freelance business, and hopefully it will be the ticket to bigger things.

FUTURE: Study-wise... I know that animation has been a life-long dream, and although I was ready to give it up to more realistic or practical goals, one little site renew the spark of where I wanted to go with my talent. This made me decide once more that your chosen job should be also your true love: From Marvel's motion comics, the Spider Woman trailer:


So, after drooling over this and after watching the first chapter I recalled where my roots come from (comic books being my first love for so many years). It was thanks to comic books that I drew so many sketches, created so many unfinished stories... and based my imagination fly through science fiction and fantasy realms. I felt I was too old to try going back to this... but this is what makes my blood run faster. Love is love, however insane and unnatainable it may be. So... If I am to go back to study (again), it should do with animation, motion graphics as it is also called. I am so glad I stumbled by chance into Spider Woman! Of all things, I needed to remember!

WORK: Looking for computer-related artsy release, web design or graphic design. I may settle for network support if it is necessary, but I am actively looking to fulfill one of the slots of what I should be doing. Sooner or later the perfect fit will arrive. I hope I can achieve a nice part-time or full-time, and work freelance on the side to meet end needs.

FAMILY: We cannot go back to our homeland, but we need to move. First things first... After job security we will then move and it seems it will be north. I dislike the weather, but right now cannot leave our family situation to chance. Changes in health insurance and in many other areas force us to stay where there is more likely more support for our baby girl. Us parents must just be strong and be keen in our choices. The most important goal: Being together, being near for any emergency, and being positive that a cure or certain treatment will come up very soon.

So, all in all, there is a very positive air lurking in our household. Dreams are being revamped and reinforced, and little by little we are getting near the top of the mountain. Step by step...

~V~

AS3, Web Design II (more PHP) and then some...

ABOUT CURRENT COURSES: Decided to take an extra course so I will graduate in December. That's the sad part (which is not so sad). The plus side is I can keep having just one class per month. So... just the WebDesign2, Portfolio and Photoshop classes, and it all will be over. Yay!

On Wednesday finished the Flash AS3 class... Amen. That was real labor, and kept me literally up all night almost everyday. I feel so drained and tired... but at least I know I gave it more than all i had, and although the class really got on my nerves (and everyone elses's) at least it is over... And now I have the basics for my illustration and web design website, coming soon.

Started on Thursday the Wed Design II class... more PHP. I hope this goes on a bit less stressful, so far I only know one student. everyone else seems to be from other groups, perhaps actually from the web design bachelor degree (haven't met any of them before). Let's see if there's no drama. I'm tired of drama...

ABOUT FUTURE SCHOOL CHOICES: I am stuck between doing the Spec.Ed teaching degree through the West Governors University, doing the Animation & Multimedia degree, or find a PhD and just go for that one. Choices, choices... I guess I'll decide in January. Right now I know I am tired and I need a break, so when this is over I will take a month or two off.

ABOUT WORK: Well... By now everything is a what if. Opportunity, please knock! We need you! With no job, we cannot move... and this place is getting scary. Yesterday there was a shooting that lefty me shaking. We don't feel safe. We need to find a better place, where I can have my kitties, and with enough space for us and maybe for one more. Let's see what unfolds...

DATABASE ENDS, SUMMER BREAK & CROSSROADS

The class went really fast, days flew by and finally it is over. Got a perfect score, so efforts paid off. Very happy and proud of that. Now, we have a 2 week recess, I guess that is mainly due to the 4th of July. Good enough. These last days some things have popped up that demands attention and may actually turn our lives around, for better or worst.

Exploration about Studies
Well, I am in the exploring "what I want to really do for the rest of my life" moment. There are three things that has called my attention, and that I know are in demand and will lead to good jobs. Some faster than the others, but they are real options:
-Rehabilitation Counseling: The RSA is tempting, but would cover from the second year if I get it. And in exchange of paying for my studies I have to work at Vocational Rehabilitation for 5 years. It is a study-to-certain-hire thing. I can complete this program at UMDNJ, but the location of the college branch is a bit far and I have no transportation. And this will take 2 to 3 years to complete. It is a Master's degree, and seems promising... Not thrilled about the distance, though... 2 hours using public transport is something to think about...

-Special Ed. Teacher, focused in Adaptive Technologies: Here I have a few options. I could go Alternate Way, but will need to complete Praxis I and II, submit to get a CE, and then look for a school so I teach under the Alternate program for a year. During this I can take the courses to get at the end of the year the License to teach... Everything is high priced, though. And after getting the teaching certificate, then I can apply to get a Masters in Special Ed. So it all would take me 3 years to complete... I found the West Governor's Online University has a BS in Special Ed, which I think I could complete fairly fast. At the end you take the exams for CE and teaching license. Seems interesting... Also, the Rutgers University at Newark has a Urban Teaching degree that also seems very good... Two years, attending on site.After that then I could take the Special Ed courses/certifications...

-Media Design and Animation: Basically, 2D-3D creations using Maya and the like... At the Art Institute Online. So I do Motion design for corporate or for games or anything that you can think of. Can be applied to Web design, or stands on its own. This is 3 years, taking one class per month so I really learn everything.

The more I read about everything else, I am more into doing the third one... But in order for that to happen I must be certain I am working somehow. If I am working, then I would go for it. The Special Ed. also seems promising, so these two are the main pulls rigt now. I am interested on 3d as well as adaptive technologies...

Explorations about work
Right now I got into an "experiment" as freelance designer. Very recent, as of 1 day ago. I'm gonna give this a big try as this is exactly the reason I wanted to do my web design diploma, this is the job that I need right now so I can stay at home and supervise nurses while actually being able to work. I hope that I get how to use the channels and how to be efficient and fast. Main trial is for the next 2 weeks. After that I will have to go low impact for a month as I'll have my 2 classes together... And then I will be able to go full blown into it. That is the plan so far.

I know that doing web design and graphic art is something that makes me happy. I love the creativity that it all involves, and it uses all my abilities. If it is really worth it, then this is it. I would just keep myself focused in this, and actually move forward with studing to be a Motion design artist (my BIG dream).

So, even if I have 2 free weeks, they are not really free. They are actually filled up with work. I need to, so i am certain of what I want later on. This will tell me if I should go for Special Ed or not.

Explorations about Adoption or Foster Parenting
Some may think I'm crazy, but I think it is all a sane choice that is moved by a big desire to help fix some injustices in the world... a little bit at a time. I'm looking at special needs kids that are without family. I have the knowledge, and the skills, to deal with it... And guide them so they can become more than society expect from them. As a mom to a special needs toddler, I know where it all leads, the amount of job it requires, and the satisfaction of actually having done something. My toddler has a life threatening illness, which she battles every second. She has given my husband and me many lessons about life, in just two years. We are confident we can help other kids that families would not consider even if looking for fostering or adopting. We are looking at kids 11-15 years old, the "dreaded" teens... And one special case that is a 7 year old with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). We will submit the application and try completing the program so we get the state license for "professional parenting", and from there ww will see who could stay with us at first... Our goal is to eventually adopt 3-4 kids, but not at all a time.

Explorations about housing
We are thinking that perhaps it could be possible to get a house in foreclosure that actually has 6 rooms. We have been in touch with some people that have done so, and the slight changes in the house can be done while you are living in it. So it is something to explore. I know that a monthly payment would definitively be lower than our rent! It seems much worth it! And then it would be feasible to make the house handicap friendly, for my girl, and for others we may take in. So thsi is something we are contemplating and actually looking forward to.

Many ideas, many plans, all coming at the same time. All are important. I hope that for one I make the right choices. I feel we have entered a string of good luck somehow. God is putting everything in place, we just have to follow-through with his plans.

10-4

FILM OPORTUNITIES WITHIN PR

PUERTO RICO's WARM WELCOME

ENDING PHP, GETTING INTO DATABASES

Will the despair ever end? I have been surviving PHP (with flying colors) but my incentive for ending it giving it all I have now faces a "not again". My next course is Intro. to Databases... And so, the torture goes on. I will try to be positive, thinking that this will recap what I learned more than 10 years ago when I completed my bachelor's degree. It's just another thing I hate but that I must do. I'll get over this in August when I get my diploma... All this whining has a purpose.

Updated some links in my resume site. Anyway, I have to create a new one as Geocities is going down soon. That's something... I have been using geocities for so long, and it is incredible it will all go kaput. Well... Cleaning up and copying files have been a trip through memory lane... Old sites, old pictures, old stories... So many things are making me feel old lately!

Anyway... The project for the next two days is updating the resume site as I am also actively seeking a job. And this needs to be perfect so honey entice bees. Let's see what happens.

RIGHT ON TO WEEK5 of PHP

So far, so good. The first three weeks were very difficult, but as people left the class and the ambience got more relaxed, these last two weeks have been more "bearable". Our final site is due on Friday... Next week is the last week. Glad this all went fast. I may be good doing programming, but I dislike it with fervor. Next courses left from the diploma will keep making me unhappy: Database, ActionScripting and Web Design II that mixes up everything. I wonder what you get to do in the Portfolio course, besides the obvious (it is the last one to get the degree).

Soon I will list all my demo sites in here. I need to upload in a storage area first, ad I'm figuring out if I'll go with a free service or if I'll actually invest in my own... I'm tired of the hassle of moving from one free space to another, especially when so many don't allow ftp... I'm glad the generic one that I just found does. So far it seems a nice place... We'll see. I have to load 4 sites over there, so I'll be entertained for a while(sites of friends: Steve, Mark, my old hobbie site the Hive, and my professional site... sites done in classes will go to a demo space elsewhere).

Recently discovered Little Airplane as a company. Wow. That is my dream place for working... Creating art everywhere, surrounded by people that do that at all levels and actually love it. It is something I will definitively persue when I get the diploma. All positions require Flash, Photoshop and After Effects as core. I think I would be in 5th heaven.

New course: PHP

Well, out with Dreamweaver and Flash(got A+ on both), on with the newest class. This month is all about PHP. Of all things... I hate programming. But I know that it is important to know how to make some changes and do some design basics (like logins)... I'm not buying the class as what it offers so far is nothing about security which in my head is a most important issue! Anyway...

The first week was a very basic introduction that allowed me to understand that I may not know PHP but I have handled similar things as i took Dbase, C++ and Cobol in the past, and I have configured/updated.maintained a UNIX server when it was all programming and nothing visual... What am I to fear? Well... The only thing to actually fear is having no access to answers because of a bad bad class lecture. And there is only so much a book can actually teach. Which has lead to students being very negative and quite insulting to anything the teacher comments... Which in turn seems very bad as the teacher does not actually make comments of the assignment but of things irrelevant in the given exercises... Bad cycle. I even got a bite from a fellow student because I helped her... Lovely.

Second week was about creating a crash site, creating a form and validating it. So I went with it, created a fake site and created the forms. Hopefully through the next weeks we will get to develop the PHP to make a login work, and for other purposes... We'll see... i am not convinced that this will be a learning experience. Classmates and teacher are too defensive and acting like high school brats. And I know they are all beyond the 25's...

All in all, everything is interesting in its own way. i keep gathering information that I add to this blog's links, so I have a good resource for my works. I am pondering what to do when I finish this in August... I am attracted to Motion Animation and will do some research on what to do to work doing that. Another story, another time.

10-4

Dreamweaver and Flash CS3 courses over

I can't believe how fast this month went. I also can't believe I made it through both courses, as both were demanding. I'm not so happy about the courses in terms that doing tutorials doesn't really answer any questions... But in terms of designing, I believe that I am getting much better at it. One thing I don't seem to stay from is bright colors... What can I say, I like strong colors. Usually I use them in a dark palette, as I love horror and goth, but I forced myself to do something happy for my baby's fundraising efforts... and her site is a lovely baby site.

Between the 30 day hospitalization of baby and the two courses I had no rest and no life. Hopefully now I can at least get some sleep... At least for one night.

Classes and Job Hunt

Classes began on Thursday. Already going crazy. My baby being at the hospital gives a bigger complication. Seems madness, but I go on. I'm lucky to have a very supportive husband that helps a lot.

Taking Flash and Dreamweaver CS3, going towards a diploma in Web Design. The idea is to be able to work from home when I finish it. It will compliment my BSBA in computerized information systems, and my MBS in Human resources and marketing. I believe web design shall bring together my artiste and my techie skills. Since it uses both, I think that I am in the right track for actually working in a field that I enjoy.

After 11 years of working within IT I realize that I am not happy. I feel I let go of my dream to do something simple: Painting. My vocation is painting: Murals, oil painting, watercolors, decoration... I enjoy it and have done it for free, for a long time. My passion for art began with my painting at 5 years of age... I was foolish not to persue a professional career based on that. No, so many years later, I feel a need for more than cables and servers and help desk support and systems administration... I feel a need for being creative, and to paint.

I was too scared to actually do something about it. I had reached a comfort zone where I had a very stable (and boring) job that I knew well, a nice office, stability of paying all my debts, stability to actually go get a house and just keep on breathing. I worked in a government agency, had all holidays both local from Puerto Rico and federal from US... So life was good... Stable, simple and good... Stable, predictable...

Then I had my baby and stability shattered. She was diagnosed with SMA and I had to quit my job, do an emergency move to New Jersey, and stay there. In just weeks, my stable safe world vanished. No job, plenty of debt, and a life-death situation with my baby. Enough to go insane, for most.

The time came to establish priorities. Baby is the highest. Everything evolves around her, as everything about her can threaten her life. I must stay at home to care and supervise her specific requirements. I knew that to keep sanity I needed something from the outside to give me a sense of the "real world". So I started the webdesign diploma... Mainly as a hobby, as a survival mode for keeping contact with other people, for keeping my mind sharp... Thanks to this, being in a "home bubble" has been bearable, as time passes fast and I have no time to think too much. It is a plus that I'm also completing something that will eventually help me complete my "artsy" dream.

I've been job hunting, but the economic situation has not helped. My being overqualified at most jobs doesn't help either. Our current location is lousy to persuit my career goals... even emergency ones. But I won't give up.

I need to land a good job, so we can move to the place I get it, so we all can start to think about actually having a "stable" home, and life. That is the master plan. Now, to put it in action...

"If you don't stop, you'll make it"

Beginning

I know, I know... Another blog... What can I say? Gotta express myself somehow. But this one is a bit different. Here I should keep track of my progress... Professional, personal, educational, you name it. Hope this will point out milestones when I look back 5 years from now...