Count 'Em Down. . . 2 Days!

Hello! Soooo, to start off I would like to say that this is my very first blogging experience. I am on my way to Scotland in 2 days and considering the amazingly high rates of calling/texting I decided I should invest in at least trying to blog. Yay!

So anyway, it's Friday, June 18, and I started packing yesterday. Yes, I realize I started late, but hey, I am an art major... I procrastinate... it's what we do. We are the creative thinkers of society who keep life interesting... not running smoothly. Leave that job to the boring people. Haha.

More on the trip: I was one of about 20 students (out of all of the IUP campus) to be invited by the professor to join him on a 3 week journey to Scotland. It was then narrowed down to 12 students and now, a final count of 9! I will be joining these other very talented students on a 3 week adventure about Scotland traveling, sight-seeing, and most importantly partaking in a 3 credit art course. This art course will consist of making projects with recycled materials we find in Scotland.

Back at IUP, the college I attend, I experienced this special form of art making in my 3-Dimensional art course. This course was taught by the same wonderful professor who is taking us to Scotland. The class has helped me grow immensely as not only an artist but as a person. He teaches you how to do things you might have once thought impossible and in the process teaches you how to back up your artwork and stand up for what you believe in as an artist. This is something that has helped me so much in my college experiences so far. My personality is somewhat of a pushover and I always like to avoid problems by agreeing with someone else. Although, during my first semester I often found myself arguing with him over my artwork, constantly supporting what I wanted to do artistically. Which, surprisingly he enjoyed to see. I have grown so much throughout my first year of college and almost all of the important and helpful skills I've learned have been through this professor.

Posted above is my completed Recycled Project from my course at IUP.

So to complete my first blog, I would like to express that my feelings at the moment are very nervous, scared, excited, anxious, and many more!! Haha! I am very nervous about the 12 hour flight to Scotland from New York and the first day in a new country. Although, I think once I finish my first day, I will be so excited and happy to be experiencing such an amazing opportunity. =] I would like to mention that I will miss everyone at home - friends, my wonderful boyfriend, and especially my overly supportive family. I could not have gotten this far without the help of all of you and I will think of you everyday. I promise. I also promise to post pictures as soon as I can and try to keep you updated on everything that is going on! One thing that I know will help me keep my nerves down and my spirits high is my most wonderful friend Deanna who will be traveling with me. She is an amazing person and I am so grateful to not only have her in my life but also to accompany me on this memorable journey.

Thank you for following me on my first blogging experience and I hope that you will also follow me on my journey through Scotland. =]

Cheerio!

-Natalie