What I've Been Up To - week 45

Monday: Printed pictures in Photography class.  Went to the gym and the thrift store in between classes.  In painting, we had our critique of our fruit still lifes.

Tuesday: 2D Design we started painting with acrylic color, making little squares for scales.  Lately, I've been leaving in between my Tuesday/Thursday classes as well, and going to have dinner with the boyfriend before he has to work.  We went to Jamba Juice.  In Descriptive drawing, we worked on our portraits drawing.

Wednesday: Halloween! Printed pictures in Photography.  My teacher HAD cancelled painting class, but he uncancelled it.  In between classes, I went to the mall and got a $2 burrito from Chipotle. YUMMY.  Then in Painting class, we had to watch a three hour demo of how to paint a portrait.  After class, my friend and I wanted to do something, so we got a scary movie from redbox and watched it with her boyfriend.

Thursday: Instead of going to class, we took a "field trip" to Berkeley to visit a museum.  It was kind of boring, but I shot a roll of film while walking around! When we got back, we stopped at the boyfriend's house so he could get food for work and then I went to descriptive Drawing class where I worked on my portrait drawing.

Friday. I spent the afternoon with Daniel, watching Big Bang Theory and laying on his couch with him.  When he had to go to work, my friend Erica and I made plans to watch Magic Mike.  We got pizza, watched the movie, decorated with stickers, painted my nails and laughed our butts off.  I had so much fun.

Saturday: I cleaned my room! so my grandma could vacuum my floor. When I was finally done cleaning, the boyfriend and I went to see Wreck It Ralph (an awesome movie!).  Then we went to Olive Garden for dinner. That Salad, Bread and pasta <3 We were stuffed by the time we left.  Didn't even need to eat that dessert, but it was oh so good!

Sunday: Church and football.  The boyfriend made me update my photography blog, so that's all current now. ANDDD I got to see Baby Heaven :]

What I've Been Up To - Week 41

Monday: Due to my photography professor being in Oregon for a wedding, we had the day off.  I went to the boyfriend's house where we tried to go swimming, but despite the weather being extremely hot, the water was like ice and I felt like I was going to get hypothermia. In painting class that night, we watched our professor do a demo of how to do our fruit still lifes.

Tuesday: Worked on our pattern projects in 2D Design and watched Adam West Batman!  Finished our drapery drawings in Descriptive. Didn't do much else.

Wednesday: Processed film in photography and watched a documentary on Gregory Crewdson.  His photographs were cool looking, almost like a painting, but the content was a bit disturbing. During my break, the boyfriend and I went to the gym.  In painting, we started our fruit still lifes. 

Thursday: Finished pattern project in 2D. Started a new still life drawing in Descriptive.

Friday: At the boyfriend's house, we watched Big Bang Theory, Megamind, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. He now has to work at 6pm, so we didn't get to do much else.  When he left, I picked up pizza for my grandparents and then went to the gym.  When I was walking home, I noticed my aunt was outside, so I stopped to talk to her so I got roped into watching the cousins.  I missed them though. We played veterinarian and watched Aristocat videos on youtube. :]

Saturday: My cousins woke me up at like noon and I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING. My grandma had been cleaning and had boxes of books that she was going to get rid of so I went through those.  I kept 43. Then I showered and the boyfriend came and kidnapped me because I didn't feel like driving to his house.  We went and sat by the lake for awhile, then we went grocery shopping. He bought me apple cider and overpriced chocolate covered pretzels from cute boy scouts and then we went to Walmart to buy the new Avengers movie.  When we got to his house, we ate a TON of food and watched Avengers and multiple episodes of Dr. Who. 

Sunday: Church.  Then we cleaned the boyfriend's kitchen. His mom has been busy lately so we decided to help her out.  After the dishes and counters were done, we watched football and ate food. I took a nap for like an hour or two. Didn't get any homework done like I planned, but oh well. :]

Next Week's To Do List

• School 
• Gym
• No other plans as of right now.

Photo A Day Challenge - September Complete!

YOU, NOW/FATHER//FAR AWAY//MAILBOX//BRIGHT

EVERYDAY//NATURAL//AT NIGHT// MOST WEEKENDS//BLACK AND WHITE

HERO//TOGETHER//TABLE//FAVORITE//FIRST THING YOU SEE

STRANGE//IN MY FRIDGE//PRICE//UNDERNEATH//MANMADE

SOMETIMES//UP//BEFORE BEDTIME//3 THINGS//FRAME

NEAR//LOVE/HATE//A GOOD THING//ERRAND//YOU, THEN

NOW TO TAKE ON THE OCTOBER CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #FMSPHOTOADAY

Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

What I've Been Up To - week 40

Hey Everyone! Before I get into this post, I just want to remind you all that today is the last day for October Sponsor Swaps! Also, don't forget that all of the money from paid sponsorships will be donated to a charity to help spread Christmas cheer!

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Monday:  In photography, we made a contact sheet, which means we printed all of our negatives onto one piece of photo paper so it was easier to see them.   During my break, I worked on my painting homework, then we finished our still lifes in painting class.

Tuesday: Started a pattern assignment in 2D design.  We had to pick a pattern out of our leaf designs and trace it onto a piece of tracing paper.  In Descriptive, we started our drapery study. 

Wednesday: Printed my first actual photo print in the darkroom! Then we watched a documentary about Henri Cartier-Bresson. Worked on my painting homework at home and then we critiqued the classwork and homework in class.

Thursday: Worked on our pattern designs and drapery study.

Friday: Was our two year friendship anniversary! We had planned to make french bread pizza and play video games, but only the pizza happened due to frustrations and lack of time. We spent a majority of the day cleaning the kitchen for his mom because she has been really busy and it was a disaster.

Saturday: was the day that should have been our two year celebration.  We ate lunch at In N Out,  went to see Trouble with the Curve, which I thought was a good moviem, and then we went bowling.  Also, all of my instagram pictures disappeared from that day, which was kind of upsetting.

Sunday: is football and nap day.  I watched the SF game and then fell asleep at least three times.

Next Week's To Do List

• School
• Gym
• Visit our homeless friends
• Football

California Adventures: San Francisco

Hey guys! First of all, I would like to point out that I'm guest posting over on Heather's blog today about why I chose to donate to her Relay For Life fund, so don't forget to check that out!

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Last Friday, I headed to San Francisco (BYMYSELF!) for a photography class field trip to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. I took a form of public transportation that we have here called BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) because driving to SF would be RIDICULOUS. Anyways, when I arrived, I wasn't exactly sure how to get to the museum, so I put the address in my phone and followed the directions, but the directions had me going WAYYYYY out of the way (plus, I'm terrible with maps) so I got lost. Once I found out where I should be going, it was all gravy from there.

I arrived at the museum RIGHTONTIME even though I had been in SF for like an hour and we took a tour through the Cindy Sherman gallery that was being advertised.  I got free postcards and then we left. I wasn't too happy with the art in this museum. Everything seemed too similar. I would have liked to see variety in the different art styles, not just in the mediums being used, but in the colors, concepts, etc. Seriously, most of the photography gallery was filled with photos of mountains. While some were cool and all, they needed other things.

After we were done looking through the museum, my friend and I went off in search for food. It was crazy because we would walk down a street, turn the corner and the same stores and restaurants that you just passed would be right there.  I don't even know how many Starbucks or 7-Elevens we passed, but it was ALOT.  Eventually, we decided on nachos and slurpees, which we ate on some steps we found outside.

A little while after we ate, my friend had to go home, so I was left alone with the crazy people who don't wait for walk signal to cross and the drivers who block the intersection because they don't think red lights apply to them. I ended up walking around the same couple of blocks that I had originally gotten lost in, so I was kind of familiar with the area already.  I took so many pictures of buildings, it's not even funny. I just love cool, old looking buildings like in The Palace photo below!

When I decided to go home, I gave a homeless man my last two dollars and got back on BART.  Overall, I had a wonderful trip and tons of fun.   If you ever get a chance, I would definitely recommend you visit it! It would be pretty difficult to see the whole thing in one day because it is such a big city, but even bits and pieces are really cool.

What I've Been Up To - week 39

Monday: In photography, we practiced rolling film onto a reel for processing and then we watched half of Touch of Evil.  I went home like I usually do on Mondays and Wednesdays, finished my 2D homework, ate lunch, and then started my painting homework while waiting for the boyfriend so we could go to the gym. After the gym, we at dinner and I went to painting class, where we started a new still life.

Tuesday: Critiques of our 2D Design assignments and then spent the rest of class working on drawing leaves! Mine were ivy.  In Descriptive, we started perspective and sat in a hallway and tried to draw it. It's harder than it looks. Especially when you choose an outside hallway and it gets cold at 8pm.

Wednesday:We processed our film and finished watching Touch of Evil in photography. Worked on my painting at home. Then, instead of going to the gym, the boyfriend decided we should go swimming.  We went to his house and found out that the pool felt like ice. So no swimming for us! Back at school, I continued my still life painting.

Thursday:Worked on our assignments in 2D and after class while waiting for Descriptive (a total of 5 hours) and then redid my hallway drawing.

Friday: was an awesome day.  For photography, we took a field trip to San Francisco to visit a museum to see a Cindy Sherman gallery. All of her photos are of herself as a character, which is cool and all, but the rest of the museum was kind of boring. I did get free post cards though!  After that, my friend and I walked around a little in search of food.  We ended up stopping at 7-11 since we passed like five.  After she had to leave, I walked around a little more and took pictures of the city.  These should be on the blog later this week!

Saturday: BABYSHOWER! Okay, seriously, Future sister-in-law is due in like four weeks. How crazy is that? So, when we first found out she was pregnant, I was asked to do the baby shower photos. Of course, I was more than happy to do them. Before arriving, I had some of the maternity photos printed and got some frames and a photo album for her gift.  They also had some of the photos slideshowing on the TV. People kept asking who took the photos and I would be lying if I said the praise didn't go to my head a little.

Sunday: Church. Naptime during football. Painting. I spent a large portion of the day either sleeping or trying to come up with my future photography business name.  I think I have one that I like! :]

Next Week's To Do List

• School
• Finish homework painting
• Two year friendship anniversary with the boyfriend
• Relax after a busy weekend
  

What I've Been Up To - week 38

Monday: In photography, we created thaumatropes, which could be considered the original GIFs. In painting, we worked on our still lifes.
Tuesday: In 2D design, we spent three hours cutting a square to make a symmetrical design.  Unfortunately, I spent that three hours doing nothing because I kept not liking the designs I created. I had woken up late, so I didn't have time to grab any food.  Lucky for me, I have an amazing boyfriend who brought me a burger from In and Out. After he left, I waited for Descriptive to start. We just drew the entire time.

Wednesday: The class walked around campus for about an hour taking pictures of certain categories in photography.  Then professor showed us how to process film, which we will be doing next week. Sat on the couch with the boyfriend in between classes and then finished our still lifes in painting.
Thursday: First, I went to the bank to deposit a check.  Then I went to chipotle to get a burrito for later in the day.  Spent another three hours doing nothing in 2D because I didn't like my designs and started a new drawing in Descriptive.
Friday: I had planned to do homework, clean my room, was my car, and do laundry.  I did two of those.  I read two chapters in my 2D book, that were assigned like the first week of class (I'm so behind) and I cleaned the living room and my bathroom because my grandma asked me too.  I did my laundry, but my room did not get cleaned.  Instead, it looks worse than before.  Oy vey.

Saturday: was all messed up schedulewise.  A friend and planned for a group of us to hang out, but that ended up getting cancelled. I was supposed to go to the boyfriend's cousins house with him, but his sister wanted me to do maternity shots for her since her husband had the night off.  Needless to say, I had to think about my priorities real good. Oh and homework before all of this (you know, the square thing that I kept not doing in class?)
Sunday: Church.  Football. Tiny bit of homework. TACOSALAD.

Next Week's To Do List

• School
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
• Baby Shower
• Football - 49er's vs. Vikings!

Pretty Amazing v.4

Fridays. Well, I was SUPPOSED to clean, do laundry, wash my car, get a bunch of homework done, etc. Let's face it. I overbooked. We all know you can't do that much in one day unless you are super mom, which I'm not yet. Instead, I spent the day doing a minimal amount of homework and hanging out with the boyfriend.
New Friends.She pretty much chose me. I would have been perfectly content to not talk to anyone during class, but she makes it oh so much more phone. Plus, we have PHOTOWARS via Instagram. How cool is that?
Instagram. Maybe it's the photographer in me, but I love instagram. Like many people, I enjoy taking crappy photos throughout my day to share with people i don't know. I especially like when the photo looks so nice that I can tag #nofilter. It makes me feel proud of myself for some reason. I think my new favorite tag is #collegelife though. Anddd I don't find it acceptable that I just realized what #latergram meant. Anyways, you should all follow me: @caitmonstro

What I've Been Up Too - week 37

WE NOW INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BROADCAST TO BRING YOU IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS!

Okay, not really that much of breaking news, but it is important! I just wanted to say "HELLO!" to all of my new followers from The Jersey Flower.

HELLOOOOOOO!

Anyways. I hope that you all comment/email/tweet/whatever that way I can get to know each and every one of you. It is really important for me to have a good relationship with my followers.
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Monday: LABOR DAY! No school and the family had a barbecue. I got to play with my little cousins I can't believe Isabella started Kindergarten this week!
Tuesday: 2D Design. Worked on our projects. We had to make a design out of letters or numbers and play with the negative and positive space. Mine looks like a butterfly. Pictures will come later! In descriptive, we started on a bottle/tea kettle/box composition drawing.
Wednesday: Photography, the class brought in photographs that were made without paper, a printer, darkroom, or a camera. The results were pretty interesting.  I went home in between classes and went to the gym. The boyfriend bought me Jamba Juice, then I went back to school for Painting, where we began a project.

Thursday: 2D Design, we critiqued our projects that were due and started a new one.  In Descriptive, we continued working on our drawings.
Friday: The boyfriend and I spent a lazy day on the couch.  We watched Iron Man 2 and other things.  I did a little homework.
Saturday: The boyfriend decided we didn't go on enough dates anymore, so he took me to Sweet Tomatoes (a salad bar) for dinner and then to see The Words, which was an awesome movie! I'll be doing a review later this week. After the movie, we went to his house and watched Chinatown with his parents and sister.
Sunday: Breakfast at iHop. Church. FOOTBALL. Homework.

Next Week's To Do List 

• School
• Football

Photo A Day - August Complete!

OUTSIDE//ONE//COIN//SOMEWHERE YOU SAT//LOGO

WRITING//8 O'CLOCK//GLASSES//MESSY//RING

PURPLE//SPOON//SIMPLE//ARROW//READY

FOOD//FACES//INSIDE//HOLE//TODAY

COOL//HOME//PAIR//PATH//FRESH

DREAM//TAP//CLOCK//DOWN//CARD
HIDDEN

NOW TO TAKE ON THE SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #FMSPHOTOADAY

Follow along with my August Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

What I've Been Up To - week 36

Monday: School started! Hike up the hill my campus is built on. Black and White Photography class. Our professor had us walk around blind folded for half an hour. It was pretty interesting. I have a five hour break in between my classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I went home. Then the boyfriend and I went to the gym. Go back to school and hike up the hill again for Painting class.

Tuesday: Michael's to get some art supplies needed for Thursday. 2D Design class. Descriptive Drawing class. Syllabus and rules crap. First day stuff. Then I went to Michael's AGAIN because I needed more things and I got out of class early, so they weren't closed yet.

Wednesday: Black and White Photography. We made pinhole cameras and learned how to use the darkroom. My pictures were overexposed. EVERYSINGLETIME. Gym during the 5 hour break. Painting.

Thursday: 2D Design. We started a few assignments, but I didn't have most of the supplies because my mail didn't come before class started! Luckily, my friend let me borrow his.  Descriptive Drawing, where we spent like three hours drawing a sphere, roll of paper towels and a cardboard box.

Friday: Lazy day and homework. I finished one of my 2D Design assignments. Then the boyfriend and I watched Tarzan, curled up under blankets on his couch. Oddly, it was a pretty cold day.

Saturday: So I had planned to go to this Hot Air Balloon Festival. Then I realized that it ended at noon and there was NO WAY I was driving for an hour to go to something that I wouldn't even see because the boyfriend doesn't wake up until like 1pm due to his night job. Instead, I decided to find a different Hot Air Balloon Festival at a later date and we sat around and watched TV all day with the boyfriend's father.

Sunday: Church. Bought art supplies. Watched Super 8, Talladega Nights, and other random things. I was going to finish Narnia, but I forgot it at home.

Really, I did absolutely nothing this week except for go to school and sleep.  I was so stressed out over not being able to get my supplies in time that everything just seemed hectic and yeah. I didn't do much at all.  Things will get better as I get used to my crazy schedule!

Next Week's To Do List

• No School on Monday! 
• Hike up hills
• Take pictures at school
• Movie Theater  - The Words. Possibly.

What I've Been Up To - week 35

Monday: Gym. Then we went to search for Hercules because the boyfriend's copy got lost and we were DESPERATE to watch it.  Once we found it, we went to his house and watched the movie. We also got A Goofy Movie.

Tuesday: I went over to the boyfriend's house. We didn't do much, but we did watch A Goofy Movie.

Wednesday: Gym. It was our 10th Monthaversary, so we celebrated by ordering too much food at Olive Garden!

Thursday: I went with my grandma, aunt, and cousins to visit my great grandmother.  Once we got back home, my aunt and I went to the book store that just reopened, but they didn't have what I was looking for.  Then the boyfriend and I took his friend to the college so he could check on his admission status, or whatever, so we walked all the way up the hill just to find out that the office was closed. I did, however, purchase the last book I needed for this semester!

Friday: Skipped the gym.  Wayyy too sore.

Saturday: We had originally planned to go to Marine World, but due to soreness and the need for relaxation over the weekend, we decided to go to Santa Cruz. Walked around the harbor and down train tracks. Ate at Betty's Burgers, which was full of sexual innuendos. Come on, the burgers had "Betty's Special Lube!"

Sunday: was a lazy day. Went to church and then spent the day reading Narnia. I'm about half way done with the last book!

Next Week's To-Do List

• School Starts on Monday. 
• Hot Air Balloon Festival (Maybe?)

Really, I haven't planned much for next week, mainly because I need to get into the schedule of going back to school and such! So you will have to bear with me for not giving you insight on what is to come yet!

What I've Been Up To - week 34

Monday: Gym. Okay, so I had expected the boyfriend to pick me up, but he was too late, so I ended up jogging there (Luckily, it's only about a 10 minute walk away from my house!). My shoes untied SIX times, my hair tie snapped andddd I nearly got hit by a car. It was awful.  When I get to the gym, Amy, my personal trainer tells me that she is stuck in the office doing credit card stuff and sends me with some guy.Too tired to carry out actual plans so we got Chipotle and chilled in front of the TV.

Tuesday: Supposed to go to Gilroy Gardens, but my cousin, Emily, was sick, so we went school supply shopping instead!  Isabella is going to start kindergarten this year so she was all excited to be getting crayons and everything else she needed. When we got home, I finished reading Charlotte's Web to them. I was going to go to Daniel's house when I was done, but Isabella wanted me to call and ask if he would come over so she could play with us. Of course he did because he's a sweetheart. :]

Wednesday: Cinemark was having a special movie for kids each week during the summer. This week, it was Charlotte's Web (hence the reading).  After the movie, we went to Costco so my aunt could pick a few things up and we could eat lunch. Then the boyfriend and I went to the Marina before bible study so I could take some pictures with my analog camera

Thursday: Gilroy Gardens was rescheduled! and then cancelled due to toddler meltdowns and then back on again. For those of you who don't know what Gilroy Gardens is, it is a little kid amusement park. We went and rode little kid rides and stuff.  It was HOT though.  We started getting hungry around four so we left and went to a salad bar. Then we walked around the outlet mall while waiting for traffic to clear up. 

Friday: Spent the morning looking for classic wooden blocks. Gym. We went to the grocery store and picked up taco ingredients so we could give our homeless friends some food.  Unfortunately, they weren't where they usually are, so we had to leave the food in a shopping cart.  Hopefully they saw it.

Saturday: Maternity photos! I met Daniel's sister at his house and took her to Coyote Hills for the photo shoot.  The pictures turned out beautiful.  Afterwards, we got Chipotle and then watched Monster's Inc. Late lunch with my aunt. Finished reading Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Sunday: Church. Went to his other sister's house in San Francisco to visit.  Watched Treasure Planet.  Then we went back to his house and watched Kung Fu Panda 2.

I didn't realize just how busy my week actually was until my grandma pointed it out and I wrote this post.  My days were jam packed with stuff. I love weeks like this, but at the same time, I'm exhausted!  Need to just have a relaxing week before I go back to school.

Next Week's To Do List

• Relax!
• 10th Monthaversary --> Olive Garden
• Marine World
• Possibly go to the beach

What I've Been Up Too - week 33

Monday: I woke up to a text from the boyfriend telling me to go to the gym by myself for whatever reason, so even though I would have rather gone with him, I went.  I was there for about 40 minutes and about to leave when I got a text from him saying he wanted to go, so I stayed.  I was at the gym for TWO HOURS.  After the gym, we sat on the couch and watched the Olympics. 

Tuesday: I was summoned for Jury Duty.  I REALLY did not want to go. Thankfully, I was excused. The boyfriend asked me to show him how to make pancakes (so he could eat the rest of his grandma's chocolate syrup) so I went to his house, but I had only made them from a box mix. His mom showed us how to make them from scratch! Later, he went to hang out with his friend and I went to the mall.  I didn't plan on buying anything, but how could I pass up $10 jeans and $5 camis? I bought four of each.

Wednesday: Went to the gym and then to the marina.  We were going to go to Bible Study, but I got a headache, so we ended up going to my house.

Thursday: I got a call at 9am asking if I wanted to go to run errands with my aunt (which included going to Target) so I got out of bed and bolted (forgetting to eat and pretty much everything). I bought a cute dress and two T-shirts.  Later that night, we went to the last Concert in the Park of the summer.  The boyfriend came with.  We had a picnic, walked around and danced in front of the stage (in front of people -gasp-).  I had soooo much fun.

Friday: Gym. No swimming, too tired. Olympics.

Saturday:  I woke up to a text saying "Check your mailbox." I had no idea whether that meant now or when the mail came or what, but I checked it right away anyways.  In my mailbox was a hand written note the boyfriend had left me on his way home from work. SUPERCUTE, right? ANYWAYS, Boyfriend decided to visit his cousin, so I went school clothes shopping again.  Ended up buying six shirts (five of which were on the clearance racks).  I visited him in between stores because he hadn't left his house yet and I was really close.  After shopping, I went back home and was sooooo bored.  What are you supposed to do at home in the afternoon? I do not even know anymore.

Sunday: Church. Naps. Family dinner: Spaghetti, Bread, Salad, Watermelon. Closing Ceremonies.

 Next Week's To-Do List

•  Gym
• Gilroy Gardens with the auntie and cousins
• Feeding the homeless
• Maternity photoshoot

What I've Been Up To - week 32

Monday: The boyfriend made chicken so we could feed some of our homeless friends.  We have taken them food before.  I made them spaghetti (really one of the only things I can cook).  They are always so appreciative! When we got back to his house, we went swimming and then watched the Olympics.

Tuesday: I was supposed to take pictures of a recording for boyfriend's mama, but they had technical difficulties, so that didn't happen. Ended up watching more Olympics and then we went to visit my Auntie!

Wednesday: My grandma made me pancakes and eggs for breakfast! I went to the park with my Auntie and cousins.  Then we went to the grocery store, where we got free cookies! After the grocery store, we went to Target because my cousin was going to get a Zhu Zhu Hamster.  I ended up watching the two girls while my aunt went to another grocery store. This was all before the boyfriend woke up! He works nights so he usually sleep until 2pm or so.  When he did finally wake up, we went to a gym to check out the place, but it was expensive to we went to the gym my aunt goes to and signed up for a membership there!

Thursday: The boyfriend and I went to the gym.  Then we went swimming.  Watched the Olympics and then came to my house and crashed on the couch. ...Until two little girls came over and started screaming outside to scare us.  I woke up to screaming and the boyfriend freaking out.  I love my little cousins. <3

Friday: was CRAZY busy! I went to the thrift store with my aunt because it was 50% off all clothing.  Unfortunately, I only found a skirt for me, but we found tons of cute clothes for my cousins.  Then we went to the cousins basketball class.  Ate lunch.  The boyfriend came over and then we went to the thrift store again because he needed shorts for our trip.  We went to his house and then to my cousins soccer class.  Ate tacos at my aunts and then went BACK to his house so he could get ready for work.  Went to my house and relaxed on the couch until he had to leave.  After he left, I packed for our trip.  Told you, CRAZY BUSY. 

Saturday: I droveeeee FOUR HOURS by myself.  The boyfriend had to work the night before so he was a bit too tired to drive.  Also, I enjoy driving.  When I pass semi trucks, I zoom ahead of them (if there's enough room) and pretend I'm in a Star Wars Ship going into hyperspeed. Then we got to the boyfriend's grandparent's house and sat with them for awhile. We were exhausted though so we went to his aunt's house to sleep not too much later. 

Sunday: We visited the Black Bear Diner for breakfast and then headed over to the boyfriend's grandparents' house again.  I had a lovely time.  We left around 6pm so we didn't get home too later.  MORE ABOUT THIS TRIP LATER THIS WEEK!

Next Week's To Do List

• Gym
• Olympics
• Swimming
• Beach With Aunt

Photo A Day Challenge - July Complete!

SELF PORTRAIT//BUSY//BEST PART OF YOUR DAY//FUN//ON THE FLOOR

CHAIR//GARDEN//LUNCH//BIG//FAVORITE COLOR

LETTER//TEXTURE//OPEN//BUILDING//FINGER

SIGN//ADDICTION//PLATE//ANIMAL//EYES

9 O'CLOCK//UPSIDE DOWN//MIRROR//STRANGER//HEART

SUNSHINE//ON THE ROAD//CUP//LAST THING YOU BOUGHT//CALM
TOOTHBRUSH

Considering I started this challenge in the middle of July, it was messed up from the start.  I'm pretty sure none of the days were taken on the correct days and I took multiple photos on days and none on others.  You would know this if you followed me on Instagram.  However, I'm proud to say that I finished before August! All of these photos were taken in the month of July (except for the building. I could never remember to take a building picture, so I used one of late June. Oops).

NOW TO TAKE ON THE AUGUST CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #photoadayaug

Follow along with my August Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

What I've Been Up To - week 31

Monday: Boyfriend's mom needed him at home all day for her recordings (or so we thought. Her guy didn't end up getting there until almost 7!) We went swimming and then I listened to him and his sisters sing for awhile. 

Tuesday: Okay, so I didn't really want to bring my baggage into my blog, but for this to make sense, I have to tell you that Monday night, boyfriend made me a little angry.  BUT by the time I woke up, I had forgotten all about it.  I went to his house and he was making me brownies because he felt bad for being a jerk. Isn't he just the sweetest? Then we watched Star Wars Episode Five (One more to go!).  We washed his filthy car and he bought me film so I can start taking pictures with my analog camera! 

Wednesday: I woke up at like 6:30 after sleeping for four hours.  I was wide awake though and couldn't go back to sleep. The boyfriend and I had planned on staying at my house today, but it was boring, so we went swimming at his. Then we went to Bible Study.  It was a nice day.

Thursday: I gave away a Large ad spot on Twitter. Make sure you follow me so you don't miss any of my spontaneous giveaways and other random nonsense! After the boyfriend woke up, we went to see The Dark Knight Rises. Review will come soon. <3

Friday: I uploaded all of the photos that I missed in the past month or so to my photography blog.  Then, I started getting ready to go see Daniel's grandpa, which will be happening next weekend. We wanted to bring him a bunch of photos to share with him so I spent a LARGE majority of the day choosing photos that I wanted to print.  CVS was having a sale 50 prints for $5. How could I say no to that? I think I ended up getting close to 150.

Saturday: The boyfriend and I sat on the couch watching the Olympics all day, pretty much.  We did go to CVS to pick up my photo prints.  Goodwill to look for some frames, but there were no good ones.  Jamba Juice because I was dying of thirst. Target to get a photo album for his grandpa.  Then we went back to the couch.

Sunday: I drove to church and back, ON THE FREEWAY! Seriously, I'm impressed at how improved I've become at driving in just a few months.  After that, the boyfriend and I got lunch and headed over to a bookstore.  We have been going through this book of questions you should ask before you get engaged, but it's almost over! So we have to find another. Unfortunately, we haven't found one yet. Watched the Olympics the rest of the night.

Next Week's To-Do List

• Feed the Homeless
• Olympics, obviously.
• Swimming
• Road Trip! 

**Sorry for these being a giant blog of text lately! I'll have to start using instagram more often again.

What I've Been Up To - week 30

Monday:  The boyfriend and I tried to go to 24-Hour Fitness to try out their 3-Day trial. Basically, they weren't as friendly as we had hoped and the place smelled of plastic and rubber.  Big bummer.  Since when do gyms needs sales people? Anyways, we went swimming instead. Then, later that night, his momma had a recording for her demo she's working on. :]

Tuesday:  We had a meeting with out pastor.  Kind of like pre-marital counseling, I guess, but not since we aren't even engaged yet, but yeah. We had a nice chat with him, but it brought back issues from my past that I thought I was over...Guess not.  Then we went to boyfriend's house and watched Star Wars Episode Six until we had to go hang out with his friends so they could discuss their fishing day.

Wednesday: I BOUGHT A CAR! It's a Chevy Prizm, modeled after the Toyota Corolla.  I love it so much! I can hardly wait to start decorating it and driving it everywhere.

Thursday: I drove to the boyfriend's house, by myself! Big accomplishment! Then I watched him play guitar while recording for his momma.  After they were done recording, we started answering these questions in a book we have been going through called "101 Questions to Ask BEFORE You Get Engaged."  It's an awesome book and I truly believe it helps me learn him better than trying to just go with the flow.

Friday: Surprise visit from my Grandma! I had no idea that she would be visiting, but she called me on Wednesday to tell me she was here.  I don't get to see her often because she lives all the way in Idaho, but when I do, we have a great time. My cousin made delicious homemade pizza! Overall, it was an awesome visit.

Saturday: Some of the boyfriend's friends were getting together to go fishing and have a barbecue.  If you know me at all, I LOVE barbecue. WELL, except for the sauce, I can't stand barbecue sauce.  Anyways, we went to hang out with his friends for a while and then after we had eaten our fill of steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn, we headed to the movie theater.  We had planned on seeing the new Batman, but that theater was PACKED and we decided to opt for another day.  Instead, we went to the discount theater and saw Snow White and the Huntsman.

Sunday: was an interesting day.  We went to church and then went to the beach to celebrate our ninth monthaversary.  Before heading to the beach, we stopped at Wendy's to get some food, but they gave me a cheeseburger  instead of a hamburger, which upset me because we were already far away and I can't eat cheese (I'm lactose intolerant).  Then we get to the beach, and it's all cold.  I was expecting a nice, warm, relaxing day at the beach.  Needless to say, I was upset the most of the day, without wanting to be.

Next Week's To-Do List

• Monday Demo Recording
• BATMAN! (again, since we didn't get to see it)
• Family Visits
• Beach Trip

What I've Been Up To - week 29

Monday: I hung out in a hotel with my aunt, uncle, and cousins in Indiana.  There was a family reunion the day before and my mom and siblings left that morning.  We spent the day swimming in the pool because it was too hot to do much else.  I spent the night at my great aunt's, which was kind of weird, but it was only for one night.

Tuesday:  I flew back to California! Oh how I missed it. We had a layover in Dallas, and after that, a plane ride that seemed to take FOREVER, but that's probably because I was so excited.  Boyfriend was picking us up in San Francisco.  I hadn't seen him in a month and I couldn't wait.  The traffic was dreadful, but that's to be expected in Cali.  Also, he made us lasagna for dinner, which was gone in three days.

Wednesday: I spent the day at the boyfriend's house.  Swimming.  He has a pool in his backyard and I've been dying to get in it for awhile now

Thursday: I went shopping with my aunt.  We needed new swimsuits.  I've had mine for at least five years. Crazy, right? Unfortunately, I didn't find one that I really liked.  I will have to keep looking.  After shopping, the boyfriend and I went to the movie theater to see The Amazing Spider-man.  Can I just say that Andrew Garfield is my new celebrity crush? He is so hot. After the movie, we went back to the boyfriend's house and watched Monsters Inc. until it was time for him to go to work.

Friday: The boy and I went off in search for a gym.  I had used the one my mom goes to in Ohio, and pretty much fell in love.  Then we went to the comic book store because I "just had to go" according to the boyfriend.  It was...all right, I guess.  We went back to his house so I could say hi to his mom and then watch Star Wars Episode Five. 

Saturday: The boyfriend came over to my house and we stayed there pretty much all day.  I showed him a bajillion pictures from my trip to Ohio and he started teaching me to play the guitar.  I have small hands though, so it kind of hurts.  It's awesome being able to play little things though (-cough-basically D chord -cough-) My cousins came over because my aunt and uncle went to a wedding so we played with them a bit.  Then we went to Chipotle for dinner. :]

Sunday: Church day! It was really nice going back to MY church.  I missed all of the people and stuff.  Boyfriend's mom was having a rehearsal at their house later that night, so we went there and had barbecue ribs, and other yummy food.  I'm not much of a rib fan, but my barbecue chicken salad with ranch and asian dressing was so yummy! I make odd food choices..yeah. So anyways, I took pictures for Mama of her rehearsal and I will be doing the same on Monday for the recording.

Next Week's To Do List

• 24-Hour Fitness: Two Week Trial (we are trying to find a gym that we actually like, preferably in the cheap range)
• Mama's Demo Recording
• Practice Guitar
• SWIMMING!

Photo A Day - June Complete!

Better late than never, right?

MORNING//EMPTY//ON YOUR PLATE//CLOSE UP// SIGN

HAT//DRINK//SIX O'CLOCK//VIEW//WEEKEND

DOOR//LOW ANGLE//ART//TIME//YELLOW

OUT AND ABOUT//IN YOUR BAG//SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW//IMPERFECT//FAVE PHOTO

WHERE YOU SLEPT//HIGH ANGLE//MOVEMENT//ON YOUR MIND// SOMETHING CUTE

WHERE YOU SHOP//BATHROOM//ON THE SHELF//SOFT//FRIEND

This month's challenge was a little more...challenging.  For some reason, I stopped with five days left! I didn't find that acceptable, so I quickly found things to take pictures of the remaining prompts.  Okay, I filled some in with some extra pictures I took in June, but it still counts, right? 

I'm half a month late, but....

NOW TO TAKE ON THE JULY CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #photoadayjuly

Follow along with my June Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro