Just as I had predicted from the previous post almost too many months ago, a lot has happened in that time frame. All for the better, I think.

For my new muse, I had to give her away pretty much the instant I got her I had lost my job when I received her, so I didn't think it would be wise for me to also raise a new kitten at the same time. Luckily though, I only gave her away to my (now ex-) roommate to give to his girlfriend. Still, the kitten lived with us. Her new name is Princess Buttercup, and they found her a new playmate, a male kitten named Juice (so their initials are PB&J- how cute!).

As far as my employment, I am working again As a matter of fact, I have been working for 3.5 months now. I was only unemployed for a mere 3 weeks. In which I got nothing accomplished, except rest. Hah.

I'm a merchandiser at an unnamed retail chain. Here's a description of the title, pulled from fashion-schools.com:
"Job Description: Visual Merchandisers are responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and implementing window and in-store displays for both online and brick and mortar retail stores. Visual Merchandisers must combine their creativity and artistic flair with technical know-how to set up displays that maximize the space of the store while effectively catching the eye and appealing to the senses of their target customers. Their mail goals are:
(1) create and maintain an image for a department or store that resonates with their target customers,
(2) increase customer traffic in the store, and
(3) guide their customers' browsing through merchandise placement and store layout to result in an eventual sale.
Visual Merchandisers may provide input or oversee the design and layout of a store or department, fashion showrooms, tradeshow displays, and any other areas where the store's apparel and accessories are displayed, promoted, or sold. In addition to drawing on their knowledge of customer tendencies when designing their displays, Visual Display Artists take into account current fashions and trends, promotions, and seasonal factors, such as holidays (e.g., Christmas and Valentine's Day). In larger department stores or retail chains, Visual Merchandisers coordinate with the head office and other design teams (including buyers and sales staff) to ensure consistency with the corporate brand or image."

Nothing extremely fancy or too well-paid, but I am having a great time with this new job! It's fun, challenging, and rewarding. Although, there have been a few changes that the team and I will have to adjust to, it's all for the better!

In my social life, my friendships have gotten tighter. Hanging with those that matter the most, and weeding out some that don't matter so much. I've moved to another place to save on rent, with some friends, although I rarely see them as my schedule at this new job is ungodly.

In love, for a while, I was off-market and really happy. But, things have been a little rocky (har har) recently and I've decided to break it off momentarily until we both are really able to work in a relationship. He lives about 100 some odd miles from me, and it's been a little hard trying to see each other every week. Also, there are just things that we both are too stubborn to admit or change that makes it a little harder to be content with the situation. But, in time we will see. It was a really great relationship, and I hope that in the future, our situations will change, trending for us to cross paths again. With that said, he's still coming to visit me this weekend. >.<

And as far as what most of you are here to know me for, my photography. I haven't done any modeling shoots yet. YET! Meaning I will do them as soon as life settles down, and I get enough money to support myself. Good news though, I just got back my softbox that I've lent to a friend months ago. Yay!

Well, that's the end of this chapter. Stay tuned for my changes in my life and hopefully more artwork to put up!

Wow! Such an AMAZING response coming from my most recent deviation! I want to thank everyone for such overwhelming support for my new muse.

But, underneath this photo there is an underlying message. Most of you read about my recent change in work on my last journal entry. Well, as of yesterday, I am unemployed. Worst part of it all, since I am in sales, I was released due to "poor performance" when really, they tried every way possible to start laying off people without having to pay severance.

So, for the time being, I am jobless. But, luckily, some friends of mine are willing to hire me as their house cleaner (omg, really!?) but I cannot complain and should just be grateful that something has come along for the time being. Plus, I can concentrate on shooting more pics of my newest muse.

So a question to everyone: do you think it's worth it to make PRINT available for pics of my new kitty?

Due to the current economic status, the company I work for (which will remain unnamed) has been cutting costs and reducing budget. Hence, my position has been reconsidered and I am no longer full-time, but now part-time. So I will be making much less money these days.

I have two weeks to figure out how I am going to live this way. I live out here in CA on my own; my family is out in TN. I have to find a new place to live, someone to take over my lease, a new job, etc.

I could complain about it. I could cry about it. But, what would it change? I could go on about how many times I've bended over backwards for this company, but it doesn't change the fact that they need to reduce expenses. I've climbed up and quickly went back down in position with them, but it doesn't change the fact that I was a part of their decision to cut back.

But, what does this mean? Everything happens for a reason, right? Now I will have more time to concentrate on my photography and other artistic endeavors. You all have probably noticed I have been very M.I.A. recently on here, because I will trying to advance in my career in retail. Well now that it has come to a halt, perhaps it is time for me to reconsider my career path and my personal goals.

Here's to a new part of my life. Let's hope it is for the better.

...I have lived to this date. Let's hope for many more...



p.s. Will be coming back strong! Je toi promets!

I've been trying to do this one for some time, but at the spur of the moment, I just started snapping away at the dog, and then it eventually came over to me taking pics of myself (how conceited, right?).

There's a lot of songs that ring a bell in my heart or I just simply really like. And I've been wanting to take a picture based around the song. This series is simple and less constricting. I base a picture around whatever song I've been addicting myself to recently. Not that the image itself has to do anything with the song, but it just happens to be that I am shooting while playing this song over and over and over again.

The first one's a self portrait, because it was accidental. I'm in a good mood when I listen to Rihanna's song, "If It's Lovin' That You Want" from her first album, Music of the Sun.