Flamingo Pink

______I used to think that I was going to never enjoy going to the college I'm attending, being as large as it is.  I was afraid of becoming just another face that wandered aimlessly amongst the student body like a zombie with its soul zapped out, or like a piece of toast that lacks a hearty slathering of peanut butter, and is thus like every other piece of toast.  I was also afraid of not being able to make that lovely little connection with my teachers, one thing which is pretty important to my wellbeing.

______Thankfully, I am glad to say that hasn't been the case.



______If I didn't have a place among the Art Department right now, I'd be one sad little squid--more specifically, if I didn't have kind words from the art teachers and the head of the Art Department herself, I'd probably not feel at ease being an Art major.  I'd have probably gone onto something more "practical" like advertising or business, and then have ended up miserable among a rigid grey mass of Nike shorts and sorority T-shirts.  But the head of the department knows me personally, and even teachers whose classes I've never taken recognize me.

______Just the other day during my Art Scholarship Exhibition, a teacher who I never had came up to me and said, "I really like your stuff.  I wanted to put all of it up in the exhibition, but that wouldn't have been fair."  I beamed, and thanked him.  That really meant a lot.  I knew who he was and his name, but wasn't expecting for him to know mine.  He called me on the phone once to ask a question about one of the pieces he was hanging in the exhibition, but we had never met face to face.  The fact that he could link art to a name to a face felt pretty excellent--more excellent than the feeling you get when you successfully pass a police car at night when one of your headlights is out.

______As my parents and I left the exhibition, the head apparently took my mom to the side and whispered  "We really like her," pointing at me eagerly.  At last year's exhibition, she specifically told me, "You've found your niche!" I take the things that teachers say to heart, and never forget them.  Even the little things.  I remember them all (clearly, since I've quoted three things so far).





______I'm pretty sure if I had gone on to another major, none of the aforementioned would have been applied to whatever major I decided to choose.  It's like I've still got the benefits of going to a large school (lower cost, academic scholarships, a large campus with lots of amenities, such as a gigantor Starbucks) and a tiny one (knowing your teachers more personally, having classes around the same area).  Who would have guessed that was possible at the world's largest football school?

______Not I, says the fly.



Dress: Cynthia Rowley (via TJ Maxx)
Anchor belt: via Lotus Botique
Heels: Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace: necklace world lol jk Charming Charlie
Earrings: c/o Jojo Loves You
Whale bracelet: vintage