A happy list.

 I consider myself a happy person. I'm a lover of life and try really hard to make every day a good day. I believe in laughing a lot. I hear it gives you abs. Which has yet to happen for me which possibly means I am not laughing as much as I should be? I like to smile. Smiling is my favorite.

So a while back I started having a 'list of the week' that lasted apx 2 weeks. So here's a list I'm titling

Dancing- Not that I have a talent for this. I certainly do not. I'm good at the q-tip dance and I can definitely do the grocery shopping move, but other than that it's probably not a beautiful thing to see. But I think it's fun. I need to go country swing dancing here! It's been far too long.

The eye doctor- I get to see my favorite doctor of all time today! Not the particular person, the particular kind of doctor. Every time you go to a doctor, you have a reason you're there. Doctors will either tell you whats wrong, or give you medicine to fix it, etc. But your problem doesn't go away at the office or hospital. If you broke your arm, sure the doctor will put you in a cast, if you have strep throat, sure the doctor will give you medicine. But will your pain and problems be resolved right then and there? I say, no way! The eye doctor, he solves the problem in the instant. I go in every year with my prescription {unfortunately} getting worse. I leave with a new pair of contacts and my problem is fixed. That second. There is a special place in heaven for ophthalmologists! If I were going to be a doctor, I'd be an eye doctor.

Dried apples- They are a great sweet snack and I really enjoy the texture. Is that weird?

My photography clients- I especially love it when they enjoy the results so much they send me thank you notes. It makes my day.

My pearl trademark- the other day I took a nap and took off my necklace and earrings and forgot to put them back on after. That evening someone totally noticed and asked why I wasn't wearing them! I love that!

Non chlorinated bodies of water- Sure, pools are nice, but nothing beats the summer heat like a cold reservoir or lake or ocean. Too bad Porcupine was too low to go cliff jumping yesterday! I was sad about this.

Creating- I love creating almost anything. Whether it be a beautiful image, a new decoration, a food dish, other art. I love putting things together to make something new and better.

Writing cards- I'm trying to do this more often. I think noticing simple things to thank someone for can make almost anyone happier. I don't want card writing to die. Also, picking out cute stamps is fun.

Well designed advertisements and billboards- There are so many horrible looking billboards on the freeway. I'm on the free way almost every day and it drives me nuts when you can't tell what on earth the billboard is advertising. It also drives me nuts when store advertisements are pixelated and bad quality. Seriously people, can't  you hire someone who will make your company look better?

Shooting in new locations- I have found a lot this summer and can't wait to use them all! They're so pretty! Who wants to join me?

Limeade- Its the best summer drink. Even better than Dr. Pepper. And that's saying something for me.

It just gets Stranger- I'm still obsessed with this blog. And the best news?? Eli is moving back to Utah!! :D Ask me how happy this makes me! Ask me!

Gemma saying my name- It makes me sooo happy! I need to record it so I can always remember it and show it to her when she's older.

French Fries- This is a horrible one. I seriously love french fries. Definitely a weakness of mine. I enjoy trying to new places just to try their fries....

Obviously there are a lot more, but that's the list for now.

-Bri

This has been another round of... Screenshots!

So usually once every few months I put up funny screenshots I've taken from emails I've received, ads on facebook/email, or just anything funny that happens while I'm using my computer. I haven't done one since December probably so hopefully you like long posts of screenshots.

I didn't click to see what would happen though because I already know.

One day I'm going to do this.

an email I got from a professor

If this was a real thing, I'd buy it.

Really Ash?

look at this closely. I still can't figure out
 how that's possible....6.8 of 4.6?

The art building somehow always made my laptop and cell phone change to weird time zones. This particular day it thought it was in NY. It was so annoying.

While watching Hawaii five-0 one of the commercials was for Mormon.org!

never a more true statement. Especially for Ashleigh.

Facebook ads. What gems they are.

Just something to think about.

the plethora of dating ads for me.

I even got a Chinese lesbian one!!

Betsy sent me this. It was her extra credit on a test.
How does she think of these things??

John made a facebook group for my bedroom spiders. We are currently at 5 likes. :D

I was on KSL job sight and this was totally a job. Title: Rockstar.
You'd better believe I applied for it.

PS It's my half birthday on Saturday!

So I have a question.

So I have a question. It's a hard question and I am not sure that you'll be able to answer it. It's a pretty serious question. One that I've had for several years now but recently it has really annoyed me.

What is the deal with guy/men {I don't know what to call males of my age, but that's another question entirely} and being obsessed with fantasy/science fiction?

Don't get me wrong, I don't care that you like reading those kinds of books and watching those kinds of movies, but why is it such a monumental deal to you that I don't? This is in all seriousness. More times than I can count have I met guys/gone on dates with guys/ etc that they literally thought it was a huge deal that I didn't enjoy fantasy and science fiction. {one even had his mouth agape for pretty close to 30 seconds} I guess my question is, why is that a deal breaker?

Let me explain.

So I'm a girl. I'm a pretty girly girl too. So I obviously like chick flicks and Romantic Comedies. Given the choice between that and pretty much any other movie I'd normally choose it. But if you say you don't like watching them, I'd say, "Well that's too bad." and move on with the conversation. But that is not how guys respond. And it comes up on almost every single first date I go on.  In the scale of what is important in life/dating, one's movie/book genre of choice is probably the same importance level as what your favorite cold cereal is. In case you didn't know, that isn't important at all. Sure it might be convenient if your favorite cereal is Reeses Puffs like mine, but I think I'd be okay if you enjoyed the occasional bowl of Wheat Chex too. I don't know about you, but the best dates I've been on have not usually been the ones that we only watch a movie and talk about our favorite books. If that's the only thing you know how to do on a date then I don't want to date you anyway.

This summer I have just been getting the impression that the weirdest things are important to guys in dating that are not what I would consider even remotely important. It's really strange.

I'm going to write a book {or at least a blog post} about the things that aren't that important when first dating someone. It'll be called, So I'm not a fan of Star Wars.

Meanwhile, who has some awesome advice on how to respond and what to say when this conversationally undoubtedly comes up next. I'm all ears.

Also, I thought I'd let you know that it is 

raining out side and the sprinklers are still 

on full blast watering the sidewalks here at my 

apartment complex. 

"Droughts are for poor people." 

{name that movie. And no, it's not a fantasy movie.}

Things you shouldn't do at 2:30-3:30 in the morning.

So last night, I couldn't sleep because my brain wouldn't shut off. There are far too many things on it right now. So instead of reading more humor blogs, or watching the bachelorette again, or changing my nail polish color for the 4th time in 10 days, I decided to try and be productive. I don't think it went too well though, but you be the judge.

First, I definitely turned on the station "80's Love songs" from pandora. 80's songs are currently my favorite. And love songs, you can never ever go wrong with. Combine them and you are most definitely on your way to a productive 2:30 am. {I don't think I'd recommend this because if anything it will just make you want to rat your hair, put blue eye shadow on, and kiss Kevin Bacon.}

The next thing I did was try and find jobs to apply for that had anything at all to do with photography. I went on KSL and typed in a search for keywords like photograph, photography, photography studio, Commercial photography, Photo retoucher, Photoshop, and amazing worker. Or something like that. It came up with 18 results. That's all. #frownyface

I applied for apx 1 that I fit the exact description for, and apx 3 that I was 75% qualified for. Well, I then decided that I might as well apply for the other 14 just in case they need me like I know they do. So I literally emailed every single place with a cover letter and my resume that has little other than photography related things on it to jobs that had nothing to do with photography except in the "preferred experience" section said "basic knowledge of photoshop". I blow that qualification out of the park, to pluto and back so I'd consider that to make up for the things I didn't qualify in. For instance these included but are not limited to-

• MBA
• 12+ years marketing experience
• 10 years manager experience 
• Web design {which if you count doing my own website as experience then I definitely have at least 100 hours of experience/frustration/tears with that so... check!}
• Video production {I made a music video with some friends in high school. Also, I put a video on YouTube once... }
• product management production {repetitive?}
• "A deep understanding of budget management and prioritization skills" {I think I have at least a shallow understanding of this...}
• "Independent skills" {what does this even mean? It had it's own bullet point and everything}
• Clean Criminal and driving record {CHECK!}
• "experience in Hyper-growth of a company" {my facebook photography page jumped 75 likes in 1 week once! I'd consider that "hyper-growth"}
• "Abreast in current technologies and trends in the creative field" {I just barely graduated, so I'd say I'm pretty up to date.}

So in other words It's going to be strange if I don't come out with one of those jobs.

I'm really hoping that the job I applied for that required an MBA and 12 years experience either calls me for an interview or emails me back asking why I even applied. Either I'd call a success, really. 

I just hope that the time of when I sent the emails to those 4 companies I actually could qualify for aren't noticed.... I didn't really think this through. But, I did feel quite productive at the time.

Another thing you shouldn't do at 2:30 in the morning is write in your journal. It can get a little dramatic not to mention illegible.

I also wouldn't recommend making macaroni and cheese. Because A- your mom would tell you it's a horrible time of the day to eat, and B- because it only sounds good until it is made. And then you have to eat at least some of it because it is one of those things that just is not as good re-warmed. 

The last thing I wouldn't recommend doing is drinking 750 ml of water. For obvious reasons.

I would recommend though, sending funny pictures and texts to your siblings, because then they'll wake up in the morning by laughing and thus give them a great start to their day. But don't do this to anyone that will judge you or you don't know too well because then they'll just think you're weird. 

I sent this picture of basmati rice to Ashleigh with a quote saying "The king of Rices!" 

{Someone please name that movie!}

I must really think I'm funny when I get tired and can't sleep or something.

I'll keep you posted on if I get any awesome email replies or a job. If I get one of those jobs I'm going to change the title of this post to "Things you SHOULD do at 2:30 am" and possibly write a book about how 2:30 am is the key to getting a job you're not qualified for but pays well. It'll most likely make the New York Times Best Selling List.

Palm to Forehead Moment

I would like to introduce you to a new section of my blog where I will be giving out an award called the "Mental Palm to Forehead Award". I don't actually smack my forehead with my palm, but in my head I'm definitely doing it.

The following conversation takes place at least 1-3 times a week, and at least 5-10 times per wedding I do.


Person-So you're a photographer?
me- yeah, I am!
Person- my son/brother/niece/step-sister in law/dog is a photographer.
me- neat-o. I love my job.
person- So what do you actually do?
me-...... I'm a photographer. I even went to school and have a degree in it.
person- Oh, my son/brother/niece/step-sister in law/dog has a real job too.
me- Photography is my real job. I'm currently also trying to get on with a good studio or start shooting commercially for a company as well.
person- Oh! Like at walmart, Sears, or kiddie Kandids?
Me- Those aren't exactly real studios. In fact Kiddie Kandids and Sears both went out of business and I hear the Walmart ones are as well... I was talking about a full working studio where the photographers have previous experience and do professional work.
person- I don't know of any of those. Do you want to see some pictures of flowers my son/brother/niece/step-sister in law/dog took?
me- *Mental palm to forehead moment*

That type of conversation is real. Sometimes though instead of them trying to show me flowers, they show me trees or badly edited baby pictures with some sort of filter that creates a neon haze that makes me physically ill.

I'm a misunderstood photographer. I blame this on too many people who falsely use the term "photographer" for a term I call "I own a camera".

In other news I still can't find my sticky note of my awkward stories. Next time, I'm going to make this list on my phone. I still forget that my new phone can do this. That probably deserves a palm to forehead award too.

Also, my new phone takes pictures. I'm definitely not a great iPhone photographer, but I did get this gem at church yesterday. Going to church if you live close to BYU means you go to church on campus. Which is even more bizarre than going to church last year in the institute building. Because on top of sitting in desks you also have fantastic educational posters and fliers like this one along with the smell of chlorine from the pool. Also, there was a mannequin guy showing all of the muscular system in the room. Church in the health sciences {at least I believe that's what the building is} building can be a bit distracting.

But I really do love this poster. There were a lot of anti smoking posters in the room. Does BYU have a problem with smoking? I honestly didn't think they do. haha

The past month of my life.

So I think that I just received the award for world's worst blogger. {except Ash, she hasn't blogged in probably 4 years!!} I don't exactly have a good excuse for this because let us be honest, since moving to Provo I've become relatively friendless.

But let me catch you up on this life of mine.

I graduated. That happened nearly a month ago. Graduation was awesome. Super fun and yes, there was even confetti involved. {I'm sure you were all wondering on that one} Big milestone in the life of Brianna. Still not sure I made the right choice in cramming all requirements into 3 years instead of 4 though.

I moved to Provo. I still feel like my highly decorated in Aggie gear car, Calvin, is going to get egged soon. But thus far, provo is nice. It's definitely hard to make friends when everyone already has their BFFs because they've lived here for several years.

 I've missed logan like a child misses it's blanket. {name that song!} But, I realllly felt like I needed to move to Provo. So here am I.

I've posted waaaaaaaaaay too many pictures on Instagram. So basically I'm "one of those people" now. We all knew this would happen eventually though. Between being a photographer and having the world's cutest niece how could one not, really? I guess I'm trying to say sorry, but I'm not really too sincere about it.

I've read about 3 years of this guy's life and have laughed to tears apx 492837 times. If you want to laugh/cry you should read it. I feel like declaring my love for him via a comment on his blog but then realized that this probably happens to him all the time so I'm not sure it'd work. If you have a cute or creative idea of how I could non creepily tell him, I'm all ears. haha

I've spent a lot of time at my sister, Ashleigh's condo. So much as I'm worried that since I'm their awkward 3rd {or 4th if you count Gemma} wheel all the time, people are going to start thinking we are polygamists. So this needs to change. I'm not entirely sure it will though at the moment because Ashleigh is definitely my best friend in these parts of the woods.

I have my room set up! In my whole entire life I've only had my own room for the equivalent of probably 1 year total. So, having my own room is a breath of fresh air. Plus, it gives me a taste of what it'll be like to set up my own home one day. Which I can hardly wait to play house in real life!

I watched Gemma, {nickname-the tornado} for 4 straight days. Which made me want a baby and which made me not want a baby. Yes, that is possible.

I texted Betsy about 3 cajillion times about something exciting before she even responded. Marriage has ruined her texting talent. {Bye the way, it's her birthday on Sunday and ask me if I've even made an elaborate plan to surprise her this year. The answer is no. First time in years that this is the case. But don't fret, I'll figure something out. And don't worry about her reading this, she definitely doesn't read my blog unless I make her}

I found out why we are in a draught every year. It's because my apartment complex waters the lawn no joke, 4-5 times a day. I may exaggerate numbers on my blog sometimes {like cajillion and 492837} but that 4-5 times is real. The best part though is that our sidewalks are most likely going to start growing because the water mostly just gets them. I'll keep you posted on this because it'll probably be a "breaking news" worthy moment on KSL. Also, I might slip to my death because it's like a swamp out there. And we all know that I've had my limit of 1 concussion this year already.

I thought about posting all of my Instagram pictures here today, but decided that you're thoroughly sick of them already. So I, your welcome in advance, did a quick photo shoot of my own little bedroom. You're probably going to die of cuteness or something like that. {Is it a sin to post pictures of my bedroom in BYU housing?? If so, sorry. I hope I don't offend you.}

Yes, I do sleep with a down comforter during the summer, don't you? 

I just love my wall of picture frames. 

This is my "Brianna Nichole Photograpy office". Business card holder and all.
Also note that there is a picture frame that is empty. Whom ever brings me a picture first will
be placed in it. Or whenever I get around to printing another one of Gemma. The choice is yours

I need some sort of nice thingy to put on my jewelry box. 

Known as "My Heart Belongs In Logan" or "Aggie Pride wall". Either work.
Also, who wants to clean the sink with me next time I'm in Logan??
{Which will  be June 12, so put that on your calendar!}

Love this lace. 

see mom, I DEFINITELY don't have as many shoes as your eldest.
Also, USU photo friends: note that I love you so
much I hung your work on my wall. :D

I had some awkward things happen in my life lately and have been writing them down on a sticky note so I can post about them here because I know you live for stories about my life, but can't find it at the moment so check back {in another month??} and hopefully I will have written about them soon. {longest. run-on. ever.}

-Bri

Want to hear how pathetic I am?

Yesterday I was listening to some great 80's love songs via Pandora, artist taping my images to my beautifully cut matt board for my show. I was thinking about my mental checklist that occurs at the end of every semester. You know how I usually have a count of how many ____'s left till the end of the semester? {I promise I'll get to the point} Here's pretty much how it went:

Photo shoots- 12
Pictures to print- 32
quizzes- 1
Finals-1
Projects-1
Portfolios to turn in-1
Things to get ready for my show- between a 0 and 1.
class days-4
days 'till graduation- 15

And it hit me literally like a semi truck that I'm really graduating.
You're probably thinking, how has it not already? Well I'm really good at mentally blocking out things that I know are looming distantly in the future that I don't want to happen. So I've been doing this hoping that May 4th would never come. It's been working rather well until yesterday....

But it is coming! And I am not sure I've ever been so sad in my entire life! Here I was at my humble 70's kitchen table having this inner battle with myself. It went almost identical to this-

Emotional self- "Wednesday is the last day I'll ever get to shoot in the USU studio!" {tears welling in my eye balls}

Tough self- "pull yourself together, Brianna!"

Emotional self- This is the 2nd to last print I'll ever matt for a gallery in college! {tears reaching the overflow point in my eyes.}

Tough self- "Don't you dare cry, Brianna!"

Emotional self- "I'm almost done with my very last end of semester portfolio I'll ever do!" {full-on crying}

aaaaand my tough self pretty much gave in to my emotional self for a good and hearty cry. And unfortunately it didn't really make me feel much better because it didn't exactly change the fact that I only have 2 weeks left.

Apparently growing up is a reality that happens whether you like it or not.

Advice to those younger than I am- take 10 years {at least} to graduate college. I wish I would have.

So that is my story of being pathetic. Instead of celebrating graduating college, and the great accomplishment it is, I cry because it's over.

I think I attribute this to my childhood of moving every few years and having to say goodbye to the places and people I loved. Every time it was hard. And I knew every time it happened that there'd be people I'd never see again and places I'd never go back to.

I know the same is true for Logan and USU. I have LOVED my experiences here. I loved this school so much. I seriously am inspired and a better person because of the people I met here and I can entirely say I know who I am because of it. I grew up here. I learned more here, not just scholarly and photography related, but about life and the world and what I want out of life and what's most important to me too.

I know that when I move from this beautiful valley that there are people I'll never see again. It makes me emotional just thinking about this! I'm pretty good at keeping in touch with people, but it's not the same. It's hard to say goodbye to a place that has so much meaning and importance to me.

I know I'm 100% ready to plant myself somewhere where I'll never have to say goodbye again with someone who will always be there. I know this is likely not going to happen right away, but a girl can dream, right?

And to end on a non-somber note, ya'll are coming to my BFA exhibition tomorrow, correct? GREAT! I'll see ya there! 7-9 @ Herm's Inn.