Monday, April 30

Finals!

Today is the first day of finals.

Last year I remember being so scattered and frenzied, but this year I feel so calm and ready. It's really satisfying to see progress in myself like this- I've learned to be better prepared and to pace myself. My mental calmness and balance has gotten so much better through this year, and maybe it's all the long hours alone in the design labs, but I feel really confident and happy when I'm alone.

I think being able to appreciate alone time is so important. I used to worry that I was antisocial whenever I  didn't want to hang out with friends or go out, but now I know that my introvert ways are healthy for me. Realizing this about myself has made me so happy.

Anyway- to get back on track- good luck to all of you with your finals! I'm probably not helping by talking about how good I feel about finals week- if you need to borrow some of my relaxed vibes I'll definitely send them your way!


love, rudi

Wednesday, April 25


Our library stays open super late during pre-finals week, and they shower us in candy and the most delicious donuts you've ever had. 

I love this school. So. Much. Because, yeah, sometimes you just really could use a donut. 

photo courtesy of Maddie Zavala

love, rudi

Tuesday, April 24

    I had the greatest weekend with my momma! She drove hours and hours to visit me this wekend. I bought tickets months ago for mom's birthday to see David Sedaris speak! Mom and I have loved David Sedaris family for years and years- his books on tape have kept me alive during the longs car rides home. It was just a dream come true to see him in person- and then we met him!! 
    It was a really great food weekend, too. I started it off with Five Guys- my favorite burger place- with some friends. When mom got into town it only got better with fancy cheese plates and creme brulee french toast.




This is Arianne. On Friday night mom and I went to Harbinger Night, where the newly published Stephens ladies read from their work, and Arianne read from her piece. It was amazing.


     Here's my pretty momma at breakfast :)

     Here I am in some glasses I bought online- they showed up five times huger than they looked. But at least I found a new costume prop :) Hipster parties, here I come!!!


This is the book I gave to David Sedaris when he signed our copy of his book Naked. I thought it was hilarious- it's a manual to better understand humor and the differences between adult and child laughter. Old books are so funny sometimes.

I never realize how homesick I am until I hang out with my family- I was in a real funk after momma left. 

But now I've got finals to distract me....

love, rudi

Wednesday, April 11

Jumping, Falling, Flying



   I heard this quote during one of the most important and exhilarating experiences of my life. It was in the middle of high school, and I was right in the crux of deciding what sort of person I was going to be. I ended up decided to be an artistic one, and it was a real risk that ended up making high school pretty difficult. In the end, though, it turned out to be worth it.

  I've loved this quote since I first heard it, but I keep forgetting that jumping and taking risks doesn't always mean I will fly. Today I got some disappointing news- I ran for a leadership seat in a club on campus but found out that I didn't get the position. It's hard to be confident and ambitious. When you really work hard at something and truly believe in yourself, the failure is just more disheartening.

   But, while I have to remember that jumping isn't always flying, I have to also remember that it isn't always falling, either.

love, rudi

The After



   Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about donating my hair? I never showed you guys an after shot! So before going out today I snapped a few shots. I lost about 8 inches and was left with this nice little bob. It's a little Katie Holmes in a way I don't love sometimes, and it drives me crazy not being able to pin it up, but I'm so glad I did it. 

   Somebody made a video of the hair cutting event, and when they release it I'll be sure to share it on here. From what I hear it's got a few great scenes of me bawling my eyes out- it was sort of a sad reminder of my grandmother's death to breast cancer a year ago. But it will be nice and cool when summer heats up around here.

love, rudi

Sunday, April 8

Happy Easter!


 I've been on a self-examining hiatus for the past couple of weeks, submersing myself in my own life and forgetting to share anything with anyone. Sometimes it's really great to be introverted and know that I'm able to have a steady, healthy conversation with myself.

  But now it's Easter, which I've decided will be my wake-up call to re-energize my voice and dust off my camera. I've been working on my resume, portfolio, and personal blog (with an attempt at *eek!* personal branding) for summer job plans. Oh- that's related to a great piece of news! 

  I've been nagging my parents for the past five years or so to move away from the small town I went to high school in. After several of our closest family friends moved away, my parents have finally started considered relocating as well. I'm so very proud to say that, after months of planning and searching and waiting, they finally signed some papers for a beautiful little cottage in North Carolina!!


   I'm completely ecstatic about this, as is my little sister because of the swing set in the back yard. I was expecting to spend this summer digging through all my childhood stuff for a super large yard sale, but now I get to spend it helping my family settle in to their new life and discover the quirks of their new town. Oh- and another great part? After just a few days of looking over classifieds and websites, I've found several great design, marketing, and writings internships in the area- for bakeries, local magazines, and design firms. So- the resume stuff has been super on my mind lately.

   I'm hoping to share some of my design work with you guys soon- I've been taking pictures of my work more and more.

   Have a great Easter, everyone! I hope those of you who got to go home and play with egg painting, baby animals, and giant baked ham meals soak it up for the rest of us.

love, rudi