5/6 more to go!

SOOOO i have been so busy relaxing that I did not write a super happy post on finishing my first semester. I guess it still hasn't hit me that my first semester is finito! But finally the beginning is over. I'm supposed to be going to Barcelona tomorrow but due to a crazy snow storm that is supposed to hit, our flight has been canceled. I'm excited to see all the cool architecture there! From Gaudi's works to the amazing Mosques, it should be an awesome trip!

but back to my semester! I actually ended up getting SUPER duper sick my last week of the final critique.  I was really beginning to think that I could not make it, my body was failing on me. But by God's grace, he helped me make it through, seeing me every step of the way. I really felt that is was a miracle that I got through the week. Seeing how stressed everyone was did not help. The environment was so tense and everyone's mood was grumpy to say the least. The printers were a wreck, our professor last minute demands seemed like insanity. My project was not even complete till the last 12 hours. I was running on 4 hours of sleep every night. No matter what I did I always felt that there was not enough time. But here I am, still in one piece and happy to say the least. I know I tried and gave it my all, and now I know how to approach studios in my semesters to come. "You are your own worst enemy." That quote is spoken by many, but at that time more than ever did I see it truly affect my work. My self doubt prevented me from even trying. I would go back and forth debating what was "architecturally correct" since I did not have a background, and that would prevent me from making any real choices. Soon, all that time thinking equated to hours down the drain that I could have just made a decision and worked off of.

This taught me to trust my instincts. Even if it's not great, I can work it out later. In the design process, it's all up to the designer and how they can justify their choices. I'm not saying that you should go about and do everything arbitrarily (which actually just means to make a choice, and not simply random) but rather make a conscious choice and learn to work off of your choice. I will try for the next semester to have a stronger voice in the design decisions I make. All in all, I have learned so much and I am so thankful for everything that has occured this semester. From the professors, to my studiomates, to my roomate, to my parents- it all worked out. I hope that God continues to bless me and prepare me for this career that I have chosen. To end this semester in one word- THANKFUL.