What makes you so great - Day 5

Day 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? 

My Parents: Because no matter that I do, they are always impressed and stand beside my endeavors no matter what. That's what true love is. (I love a lot of people for this reason, including my lovely boyfriend, Rowan.) 

Day 4 - Your Favourite Quote

Day 4: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it

This quote from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is one of my favourite because it accurately describes the inner workings of my imagination. Whether it be book, movie, or tv show, I can't help but to feel as though I am apart of the world in which they are portraying. Its fun, excited, and lets my brain burst with creative energy. I can be anyone I want to be by reading a book, and jump into any world I see fit. 

Blog a day in May, Things that make me uncomfortable

Day 3: Things that make you uncomfortable
A few things make me feel uncomfortable. Awkward silences, spiders, bees, having to pee all while in a car, having creepy people stare at you at the bar, meeting important people, sitting on the couch at someone's house I've never been to before, living in a city, moving every 4 months, sitting down at a desk for 8 hours a day, commuting for 2 hours a day, eating hummus, smelling strong scents, being antsy.

I'm behind I know... I'll catch up I promise, weekends are hard!

Day 2: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

Procrastination. The reason this blog post is more than 10 days overdue. The reason it always makes it difficult for me to finish projects. Procrastination. The thought that I can finish something later, at another time, that's procrastination. I know all about leaving my assignments to the last minute, choosing to hang out with friends, or work on a project I enjoy, before doing my textbook readings.

But I also know how much I hate procrastination, how all of the sudden I had a project I wanted to work on, and now its been 2 weeks, and I still haven't worked on it. (Where did that time go, I want it back) Thinking you have all the time in the world, just to realize 12 hours before its due, that you really don't. Procrastination even leads me to forget to do an assignment, which ends up in me sending emails at strange hours of the day begging for their forgiveness in my tardiness. (this by the way, happens much to often, and is the main reason I can't procrastinate...)I have a new project, and I am planning it from start to finish with special dates, and no project will be left behind! (err, forgotten). Go me! Stay tuned for my newest project, its going to be a big one, and its going to take all summer, but I am so excited its not even funny!

Smiles,

Vicki

Blog a day in May (Yes, I know I'm behind) - The Story of Your Life

Day 1, : The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)

7 year old me, with my parents and 4 brothers

250 words is really difficult, at almost 21 that roughly 12 words per year, however I don't remember much before the age of 10 so that gives me more to talk about my story of the future and present, more so than the past. However, I was born May 19th, 1992 in Scarborough, Ontario (Just outside of Toronto, sort of still Toronto to some, including me), I have two parents, four brothers, and tons of family and friends who have always been there for me in whatever venture. I lived in the same old house for 18 years in a small town with 1200 people with a huge backyard and swimming pool. We moved two months before I went to the University of Waterloo, and now I haven’t lived in the same place for more than 8 months in 3 years. Crazy when you think about it like that. Currently I am doing an internship at a great company called Women of Influence (still looking for a full-time paid position if anyone out there is hiring!) while working on my own projects including fashion design, graphic design, photography, blogging, working on being the best me possible, etc. I am slowing making decisions about what my future holds, and at this point I strongly believe it will be something fashion or design related, and can’t wait to see what the next 21 years (and more!) will look like down the road. Yay! That was 240 words, now I am at 250!

Interested in doing blog a day in May? Click on the link below for information everyday's topic!

Women of Influence - My New Design Internship!

Last Tuesday I started a new step in my career, I took on an unpaid internship. Although I have little money in my account, and have rent to pay (tomorrow is May 1st, oh no!) this opportunity will be invaluable, and I've already learn so much in just my first week.

Women of Influence has many brands, including a magazine, and puts on amazing keynote speeches from amazing influential people. 99% of the time, these speakers are female, but today I witnesses for the first time in 19 years, a male speaker take the podium to speak with a woman on the topic of Gender Intelligence. Last week, I was able to listen and learn about networking from a CEO of a PR company. Truly invaluable information that in only 1 week, I have already learned from.

With these opportunities come my own ability to network. I have already met so many people who are interested in my design work and genuinely want to hear my story. The event we had on networking really made me think about all the effort we put into creating relationships and how they are often sparked by common interest. She also spoke about the simplest idea of writing to people telling them you enjoyed their speech, or their article, or their art. It's important to establish that sense of acknowledgement and setup that meaningful interaction.

Here are some snapshots of my last few weeks to cap it all off, ENJOY! (and feel free to network with me anytime, I know a bunch of people in a variety of different fields and would love to connect with you, or help you connect with someone else!) 

Instragraming Women of Influence Quotes

My First Macaron, SO YUMMY!

Women of Influence Luncheon featuring John Gray and Barbara Annis!

Created a blog header for Rowan's new blog.

My first food truck experience! Grilled Cheese with Pulled Pork... YUM

If you like what you see please follow me on bloglovin', like me on facebook: www.facebook.com/thepapergalaxy, buy something on etsy: www.etsy.com/s/thepapergalaxy or follow me on twitter: @vickiistace. You can also network with me via linkedin, ca.linkedin.com/in/victoriastacey.

How Rejection Can Only Push Me Further

Rejection: to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff: The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author's latest novel. 

Rejection is hard. It makes us think about ourselves, our faults, what we could have done better. It makes us wonder if what we are aiming for is what we should be aiming at. It can make or break a person's moral, and it can send grown men and women into tears of frustration and self-pity.

I am not talking about a boy who said no to me when I asked them out, although that can be extremely crushing as I'm sure we all know. No, I am talking about the awful feeling you get when you find out you were not chosen for a particular position, over and over again. The feeling of having an email sent to you that says "unfortunately your skills do not match our ideal candidate at this time" is a heart breaker. Applying to tons of jobs, just to find out that not one of them is interested in your particular skills, is depressing. Having interviews, feeling confident, getting excited, just to find out they are going with another candidate, is earth shattering.

But, what can you do with this? What can you learn from this? Be more prepared? Perhaps. But for me, its not about that. Now, its not only about showing the interviewer, or the employer why I am the best candidate, but about convincing myself I am too. Thousands of students, just like me, are searching for a summer job, an internship, a co-op position this summer. I am not the only one who is feeling rejected, but I can be the one who stands up and says, no, I will not let this define me.

Do, I have a summer job yet? No. Do I have a plethora of inspirations, ideas and projects that are going to fill up my time until I do? You bet I do. Will these projects be something I can discuss in my resume and in future interviews? Why wouldn't they be? Pushing yourself to try new things whether you succeed at them or fail, are things you can discuss with a potential interviewer. They want you to show them that you are going to push yourself to do your best within a company, and to create amazing progress for yourself.

So, yesterday during my latest interview, I decided to but my heart out there and tell the interviewer exactly why I thought this job was for me. It was no longer regurgitated "I want to try something new" or "The job description says this" but it was from the heart. I want to make a difference, I want to be that person you say in 6 months, "I'm glad I hired her". And while I do not know yet if I got the position, I know that I met someone who will be in my network in the future. Whether the position fits me or not, I have come in contact with someone who I had a great conservation with, and that I can take with me either way.

So, you don't have a summer job yet either? Make each and every interaction count. Something will work out for us in the end, and that rejection we face will only push us further in our quest for success.

Should you want to speak with me about a position you feel I am the perfect candidate for, please feel free to email me at vlstacey@uwaterloo.ca or check out my linkedin profile at ca.linkedin.com/in/victoriastacey.

I'm Having a Contest!

I've giving away some pretty sweet prizes, and the winner get to choose with one they want!

I have up for grabs:
- A customized Tank or T-shirt (It doesn't have to be Team Daryl!) in your size and colour preferences!|
OR
- A customized Marvel (or other patterned) scarf!
OR
- A pair of custom high waisted shorts (complete with studs/rips)
OR
- A galaxy tank or leggings

All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter form to enter your information, and to like me on Facebook! Want to win really badly? Tweet about the contest, or leave a comment on this blog post about which item you'd choose if you won!

I'll be choosing two winners, so getting liking! Contest will end on my birthday (May 19th) should I get over 50 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Semester, New Challenges, New Me (Sort of, but not really)

Welcome! I have said it before, and I'll say it again (and hopefully keep to it this time), but I am back, with lists on lists of how I want to make the most of my summer, and how this blog (and encompassing website) are going to help! Throughout the next few days, and weeks, I will share with you my goals for this blog, for my artwork, and for myself, and I hope you will stick around to share the experiences with me!

I have tons of fun things for this blog up my sleeve including giveaways, DIY projects, tasty food and more. Along the way sharing with you my student way of keeping things affordable and fun, whilst showcasing my passions (and sometimes talents) along the way.

Now, if you have been following my blog for the last year (although if you are you are probably crazy since I haven't been that active, but I love you all the same!) then you might remember the list of goals I set for my 20th birthday. It was 19 things to do before I turn 20, some of them I accomplished in that month or so, and some of them I finished by the end of the summer, and others by the end of the year!

Some of these are things I didn't finish last year, and some are new for this time around! So here's my new list of 20 things to do before I'm 21 (which happens to be in 49 days!) 

1. Get a Summer Job/Co-op/Internship (If you know someone hired for a PAID position, please send their information my way!)

2. Go vintage/thrift shopping in Toronto

3. Paint - On canvas!

4. Take photos on a roll of film, and get them developed.

5. Eat a good I've never had before - Last year it was Guacamole, what will it be this time?

6. Do something I've never done before - what will it be this time around?

7. Explore a part of KW I have never been before - Victoria Park is high on that list! (Turned into explore Toronto as I wasn't in KW at all!)

8. Do a DIY project a week and post it. - I'm definitely doing projects once a week, and they'll definitely be on the blog soon! Fail </3

9. Go to a new restaurant.

10. Blog every other day (at least!) Fail </3

11. Explore the possibilities of LinkedIn.

12. Sell at least 10 products.

13. Do at least one conceptual and fun photoshoot.

14. Wear a handmade item 4 times a week.

15. Play laser tag!

16. Go to a bar/club in Toronto.

17. Do something out of my comfort zone 
18. Get a tattoo (fingers crossed!)
19. Brand myself, my company(ies?), and my blog.

20. Doodle/Sketch everyday.

If you like what you see please follow me on bloglovin', like me on facebook: www.facebook.com/thepapergalaxy, buy something on etsy: www.etsy.com/s/thepapergalaxy or follow me on twitter: @vickiistace.

Alice in a Different Kind of Wonderland

Read about Alice (Laura) in a different kind of wonderland here..

http://vlstaceyfine229.blogspot.ca/2013/02/alice-in-different-kind-of-wonderland.html

Big thanks to Laura (roommate and bffl) and Rowan (boyfriend) for their help in making this piece happen!

Alice In Wonderland - Hybrid Media Project 2

Please check out my latest inspiration for my new project for my Hybrid Digital Media class.

Enjoy <3

http://vlstaceyfine229.blogspot.ca/2013/01/alice-in-wonderland-lightbox-assignment.html

The Interior of my Passion

I just blogged about my lasted project for my Digital Hybrid Media on my course blog page. Check out the analysis and artist's statement at this link:

http://vlstaceyfine229.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-interior-of-my-passion.html

With the start of a new semester, I am hoping to blog more often about my projects.

Stay tuned.