Just A Bear.

    Last week was Thanksgiving break, and it started on a relaxing note. I spent the beginning of the week catching up on schoolwork, which felt productive and even met with a close friend for coffee. We had a great time chatting and catching up on life. By Tuesday, I had everything packed and ready for our family trip to Wisconsin where we would be spending the holiday. On Wednesday morning, my family and I left for Wisconsin where most of our relatives live. My parents are originally from there, so we always celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family and save Christmas for a quieter celebration at home. We arrived at my grandma Sharon’s house, my dad’s mom, around 4 p.m. After relaxing for a short while, some of our family members joined us for dinner followed by an evening of card games. Thanksgiving Day began with preparations for the big celebration at my grandma Roxi’s house, my mom’s mom. This year’s gathering was larger than usual with 37 people in attendance. It was ...

This weekend was the first time in a while that I did not go home. Instead, I was on dog-sitting duty for Henley, a golden retriever puppy that belongs to one of my friends. Henley has gotten so big and, thankfully, much calmer. I was initially worried about watching her all weekend because she is usually so high energy, and I never seem to get anything done when she is around. This time, though, she was much better. She just followed me around and lounged on a chair in our apartment that fits her perfectly. I spent most of the weekend with my roommates, caught up on several tasks, and even enjoyed some relaxing time. On Friday, my roommates and I stocked up on our favorite snacks and watched the Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson fights. I have never really been into boxing or fights in general, but we were all curious about this one. Ultimately, we agreed it was a letdown. Neither Mike Tyson nor Jake Paul brought much energy to the fight. I could not help but feel bad for Tyson. He is fifty...

  As the semester comes to a close, the deadline for my capstone project is quickly approaching. This week, we had our capstone presentations, where we shared our project topics and examples with the art department to gather feedback. The experience was definitely nerve-wracking. After dedicating so much time and effort to my capstone this semester, presenting it to those who will grade it most critically was intimidating. Still, their critiques gave me valuable insight and the opportunity to make changes that will ultimately improve my project. That said, hearing that adjustments are needed for something I’ve worked so hard on was a bit overwhelming. This capstone has truly tested me. I conducted five photo shoots featuring my friends participating in outdoor activities while wearing their favorite outdoor clothing. My goal is to tell their stories and show how outdoor clothing helps them enjoy and excel in their activities. I took so many photos that I initially wanted to include...

  Last weekend, I went home to celebrate my sister Sophia’s birthday. Her special day was on Saturday, but I arrived on Friday so we could kick off the celebration with a family dinner. It’s always a treat to spend time with my family, and we were all excited to try a new ramen and sushi restaurant. Ramen is one of Sophia’s favorite foods, so it felt perfect for her birthday dinner. The evening was already off to a great start, but our waitress made it even more fun. She was warm, funny and clicked with our family’s vibe right away. Since my dad had to come straight from work and joined us a little late, there was a comical moment when the waitress called his name for the reservation, only to realize he wasn’t there yet. Once he arrived, she kept joking with him about being late to his own reservation, which had all of us laughing. It was a small but memorable detail that made the night even more enjoyable. For appetizers, we ordered calamari, egg rolls and takoyaki (octopus balls)...

  As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I was thrilled to be selected to attend and photograph the Beard by the Books event, an exclusive culinary celebration hosted by the James Beard Foundation. Held in James Beard’s own historic New York City home, this event was a true feast for food lovers, bringing together renowned chefs and dedicated food enthusiasts for a two-night dining experience like no other. The Foundation organized the gathering as part of their ongoing mission to honor and promote the culinary arts, with each dish showcasing innovative flavors and techniques that made this event unforgettable. The setting in James Beard’s personal residence created an intimate atmosphere, adding a unique layer of history and charm. Guests entered the main event space through a cozy kitchen, where the chefs worked seamlessly, plating each of the 12 courses in an impressive assembly line that I was lucky to capture. Watching them execute every course with such precision was one of ...

I’m excited to officially share some big news: I’ve signed on with Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives as a Social Media Specialist! After completing my degree in graphic design, I’ll be joining their communications department, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue my journey with a team I’m already familiar with. This opportunity feels like the perfect next step in my career because I’ve had such a positive experience with Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. During my internship, I had the chance to dive deep into content creation, social media strategy and graphic design. From managing campaigns to crafting messages that connect with people, I learned how vital communication is in shaping the way an organization interacts with its audience. Every project taught me something new, and I’m excited to bring those skills into my full-time role. One highlight of my internship was working under an incredible mentor who not only guided me through complex projects but also challenged me to think cre...