Pursuit nineteen: A moment captured in time

Yesterday after a year and a half I finally put new ink cartridges in my printer here at school. With the hustle and bustle of schoolwork, studying abroad, and enjoying life, I did not get around to purchasing new ink cartridges for my printer. After setting the cartridges in place and letting the printer do its job of printing out an alignment page, I thought all was set and done. However, a couple of seconds after the alignment page printed out the printer started to print again.

Low and behold, after a year and a half this image printed out before my eyes...

I was shocked and excited to see this photo collage that I created for my fall 2009 Advertising 340 class sitting in the printer for me to view. This collage had been waiting as time past through a year and a half to actually print (I suppose I ran out of ink when I went to print it haha). These individual photos within the collage capture a moment in time when I had the great experience of traveling to Ghana, Africa. Each image has a story behind it for me, so it was fun to take a moment out of my afternoon to revisit these photos that I used to create the collage.

The view from the Cape Coast Castle

Some sweet schoolboys that we met

I was very impressed by her balance

Monkeys enjoying the bananas that we fed to them by hand

Climbing on a canopy walk through Kakum National Park

Although not from Ghana, I used this kite in my collage

A pretty sunset after a long bus ride listening to the same Bob Marley CD over and over again with our bus driver

This random encounter with my photo collage from sophomore year of college reminded me to stop every once and awhile to appreciate the moments captured in my lifetime that have shaped the way I think, feel, act, and explore.

Following my pursuits,

Price

Pursuit eighteen: The (messy) things we do for LOVE

 Having grown up with dogs my entire life, going to college and being without a furry companion for the first three years was a major adjustment for me. So, this past summer I made the big leap and adopted my first pet, Smith, a three-year-old Chocolate Lab from the Young-Williams Animal Center here in Knoxville. It has been a great experience having a dog with me at college, and I do not regret taking on the responsibility. However, there have definitely been some aspects of owning my own dog that I have never had to deal with up until this point... A.K.A poop duty.

As a child I never really remember noticing "Scoop the Poop" signs in peoples yards, but maybe that is because I was in my own child-like world at that point so I never paid attention. However, as I have progressed in age and the world has changed, I feel like there are Scoop the Poop signs everywhere...

Now I am all for keeping the world clean and habitable for all living creatures, but I must admit that I have a major weakness for scooping poop. Thanks to my father, I inherited the inability to be around any displeasing odors or unidentifiable objects. So, this relatively new task of being the sole caretaker for Smith and making sure that I do my "civic duty" by cleaning up his waste has made me grow up in some respects.

However, at points while walking him I have definitely wished that gas masks would somehow come into fashion so that I could walk around seemingly unnoticed while I take care of doggy duty business and retain my sensory sanity...

But until that day comes, I can either train Smith to clean up his own poop...

like this dog here...

or take some of those at times unwilling steps of growing up... and clean up the mess because although this one little aspect of owning a dog is unpleasant, there are definitely more rewards from having him in my life.

Wish me luck on this pursuit!

Following my pursuits,

Price

Pursuit seventeen: "House Hunting"

For all of my avid followers I am sorry for the absence on my blog. I was enjoying time with family and friends over the holidays, as well as looking for pursuits with substance of mine to write about for you!

While at home in Memphis for Christmas break, I spent a good bit of time watching two of my favorite television shows House Hunters and House Hunters International on HGTV (Home & Garden Television) because they happened to be on TV almost every single night. This show is perfect for me because for as long as I can remember I have had a passion that I have mostly kept to myself (really just my parents and a handful of people know) for interior design and the architecture of houses. I enjoy the detail and thought that go into designing a home, the different styles of architecture, and the quality of good craftsmanship.

http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters/show/index.html

http://www.hgtv.com/

http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/show/index.html

The premise behind House Hunters and House Hunters International is to give viewers an inside look into peoples housing options and their ultimate decisions when trying to purchase a home (whether it be for vacation or primary living). During each episode, the person, couple, or family who is looking to buy tours three different homes in a certain city. Each of the three homes can be listed for various prices, have varying architectural styles, and can be located in different parts of a city. 

One of the most fascinating parts for me while viewing these shows is to see what the potential home owner(s) view as important qualities in a home. Is it the size or price that is important to them, the location, and do they like an older home with character or a new home that gives them a fresh start? At the end of each episode, the show has a reveal that announces which of the three homes the participant(s) ultimately chose. I love trying to guess which house they are going to purchase before it is announced (I have even gotten my parents and brother in on this show and the guessing of which house is chosen at the end of the episode haha). 

Whenever I am out walking or driving around I take in the design of buildings and homes. In my recent "house hunt" I captured several photos of homes that intrigued me architecturally. Now let me tell you that I felt like a total sketch ball slowly bringing my car to a stop to snap a photo of these homes all the while my dog was passed out in the passenger seat. The idea of someone writing down my license plate number as a potential robber or creeper in these neighborhoods was comic relief but also a true concern for me haha... 

The modern style of this apartment with clean lines is really appealing to me. I would love to know the interior design style of this apartment (loft style?). 

Although it is hard to see in this particular photo, the stone and woodwork of this home is amazing!

I am also a lover of more traditional style homes.

Following my pursuits,

Price

Special thanks to:

HGTV: http://www.hgtv.com/