Oh...just livin' the life!

Ok, prepare yourself for this post...it's about to be all over the place and possibily quite long as I try to recap the past week.

Where to begin...

Well I guess the best place would be to start on the 19th.  That was a wonderful yet crazily busy day around here.  Jeremiah came over to install the inverter, I picked up Emily and her dad from the airport, and attempted to make a late night run to the grocery store.  So basically what that means is:

1. We have an inverter now!! Aka power 24/7 (or at least close to that)!!
2. I have an American roommate now, who is fabulous!
3. I learned late night runs make me anxious.

Let me first say how nice it is to have power!  Oh I can't even put it into words.  I didn't know what to do with myself the first night.  I was able to cook, clean, and shower all WITH light!! Amazing I tell ya, A-MA-ZING!  Not only that, but my groceries now stay fresh, we can pump water even if we lose city power, and it's pretty awesome getting to sleep with a fan at night.  Simply wonderful.

Our inverter!! Thank you SOOO much Jeremiah for installing it!!

Second, I love, love, LOVE having Emily here!  Things were definitely getting lonely around the house and I was beginning to feel pretty lost on this journey.  It is so nice having another American my age here to laugh, joke, and talk with each day.  She also has incredible ministry ideas and dreams which gave me a new passion for this ministry.  Plus, we are learning that our strengths and weaknesses really balance each other out, so it's gonna be amazing working and living with her this next year.  Thank you Lord for providing a friend and ministry partner for this journey!

Emily and Me with Frosty at the Christmas Bazaar last week.

Third, I'm learning more and more that some things make me down right anxious here (and in the States as well if I'm being honest).  This seems to develop more as I get older, but I've learned a lot about myself over the past few weeks.  I learned that I don't like crowds, tight spaces, or sitting in a car on a street surrounded by 100s of people and cars waiting in line to go nowhere.  Pretty silly I know, but on more than one occasion I have had to give myself a pep talk to get through an uncomfortable situation.  I'm also learning that I'm not nearly as adventurous as I thought I was.  Trying new things is hard for me and really does take some major pep-talking most days!  I'm working on it though!

A little dose of perspective the other day.  This couple lives and works on the rock pile you see, which is right outside of our gate.  They were washing clothes that day and laid them out to dry on top of the dusty pile.  It reminded me to always be grateful life's blessings!

Other than that, things have just been busy around here.  Emily and I have gotten full force into ministry duties, getting everything typed up for teams, dreaming up ministry ideas, and trying to put things into action.  We've also been working out the kinks in some areas and have gotten this house really looking nice. There are some things we'd like to do to make it even nicer for when teams come, but that will come in time (and when the budget is available!).  Please keep us in your prayers as we work through all the details, try to discern God's will, and depend on Him for our continuing source of peace and joy.

I also wanted to update you all on the lady in the hospital I wrote about last week.  Emily and I went to see her on the 20th, to check in on her progress and provide the hospital with some resources for long-term care.  She said she was feeling pretty good, but from talking with the doctors it is becoming clear that she may have early signs of dementia.   They are still working on determining her true state of mind, but they are pretty sure she's not fully there mentally.  They also told us that she refuses to have her leg amputated.  The wound care doctor at Bernard Mevs (the hospital she's at) is going to try and save the leg, but it will take a long time and a lot of prayer.  The best part of our visit was praying over her and we finally learned her name.  Meet Ifanya (or Efanya - not sure of the proper spelling).  Please keep her in your prayers as she has a long journey of recovery awaiting her.  Please also pray that the hospital will be able to find a long-term care facility for her soon.

Ifanya.

So yeah, that's basically the gist of life here right now.  Add in a trip to the local market, Creole lessons, a few 100 ants, lots of laughs, and a little bit of frustration, and that pretty much sums up life right now!

 From our trip to the local market today!  Lots of fruits and veggies to choose from and it's just around the corner!

 I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty excited about our Christmas decorations!  The reindeer will somehow find its way back to the States with me eventually!

I really do love being here and am finding more and more peace each day about this calling.  God is teaching me some pretty big and hard lessons about myself, but I've grown closer in my walk with him than ever before.  Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers!! We really do appreciate them all!

Ps.  Keep a look out here, on Facebook, and via email for an upcoming Christmas Catalog for HFMS.  This is a great and easy way to help get involved with missions while also supporting our ministry here in Haiti over the Christmas season!

Ok, I think this post is long enough.  Bonnwit (goodnight)!

Study Break aka Procrastination

I should be studying for my final exam that I have to take tomorrow afternoon, but I can't seem to focus.  I presented my Senior Seminar project today and I am SOOOO very excited that I can't get my brain to understand that I still have one more exam to take before college is truly over.

Did I just say over?   Weird.

I felt such a great sense of pride today as I walked out of the presentation room.  That is the last project I'll have to present here at HPU.  Today is the last time I have to walk into Norton Hall to do any type of work.  Today I finished my interior design degree.  Can you say crazy/the most exciting day ever?!?

I honestly didn't think this day would come.  But I made it, and I can officially say I survived design school!   And since I am so eagerly looking for another procrastination method, I'll post some pictures from my senior seminar project for you to enjoy!

This is the building I was asked to design for my Senior Seminar project.  It sits downtown in High Point, NC in the center of the furniture market area.  It is 8 stories high with a basement below.  I was asked to propose a design that would allow this building to become the New School of Art & Design for High Point University.

 This is a view looking into the space that I made into a gallery for the New School of Art & Design (see below).  It had floor to ceiling windows, lots of natural light, but very little display space to begin.

This is a view of one of the floors higher up in the building that was unfinished.

My proposed design for the 2nd floor of this building.  This floor houses security offices, gaming studios, and graphic design studios.  There are also multi-use classrooms as well as a large locker room for students.

 My proposed design for the 3rd floor.  This is where you'll find the student lounge (see below) and photography classrooms.  There is one large darkroom as well as 6 individual darkrooms for students to use independently.

 My proposed design for the 5th floor.  This is where the Interior Design studios will be located, as well as two large critique rooms and two material resource rooms for students.

 Above is a rendering of what I would propose the lobby to look like for the New School of Art & Design.  I designed a custom fountain that sits under a large and beautiful crystal chandelier.  On either side there are large glass doors leading you into the gallery and retail space.

 A rendering of what I would propose the gallery look like.  Those are curved moveable wall systems that will allow for various art displays to be in the space.  They are covered in bold beautiful fabrics by Knoll that I am absolutely in love with!

A rendering of the student lounge.  All of the seating is moveable to allow students to work collaboratively and have a space to come to relax.  There is a large kitchen area in the back equipped with snacks, coffee machines, and a refrigerator for all of the late nights! The furniture is also covered in the same fabrics as seen in my gallery space to add a pop of color.

 Perspective of what the retail store would look like.  I chose to put in a 24-hour access store for students to buy and have access to all of their daily project needs.  No more late night Hobby Lobby runs!

And then lastly, this is an axonometric view (aka looking down into the space) of the first floor.  This allows you to see how the lobby, retail area, and gallery are laid out in the space.

While I am very glad that this project is over, I also really enjoyed getting to work on this type of space.  What you see above is only a small portion of my project, but I think they give the best insight into my design.  I can't believe my last project here at HPU is done.  Hope you enjoyed it!

As Promised...Picture Overload

Earlier this week I showed you the before pictures of the showroom I helped setup this market.  Well, as promised, here are the after pictures.  I can't take credit for the furniture selection, placement, or fabric applications in the showroom, but I did help unwrap, position, accessorize, and light all of the areas.  Take a look:

 First view when you walk into the showroom.

 Around the corner from the main door.

 One of my favorite areas in the showroom. The Gemini sectional with some great new fabrics and bold colors.  Oh, and did I mention how much I LOVE the little round chairs called Le Pouf.  They are so fun and oh so comfortable!

 The first area in the showroom I helped setup.  Funny thing is I was just telling my aunt Missy that I wasn't sure denim was in right now.....clearly I was wrong.  Ha!

Lounge and bar setup in the front of the showroom. I love all of the colors used this market!

The Ava sofa.  My absolute favorite piece this market.  I love the clean lines and shape of this piece.  I've always wanted a beige sofa and I've fallen in love with this one!  There was another sectional in the back that was more plush and comfortable, but I just love the shape of this piece!

Debra did a great job selecting pieces and fabrics for this market.  I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a great lady and get some hands-on experience with design.  It challenged and inspired me to push my abilities and not just go for the ordinary.  I love getting these opportunities and truly enjoyed this market more than any before.  I'm a little sad that it's the last market I'll work as a student, but I look forward to coming back hopefully as a buyer next year!

Thanks again to Debra Venti for allowing me to have the opportunity to work with her this market!  You are an incredible designer and woman!  Thanks for all you've done for me these last few markets!

Life Update

It is 6:40pm on April 19,2012.  I am currently in Norton, doing nothing other than waiting for our Steakhouse reservation at 7.  I have completed, PDFed (yes I made that up), and submitted the last phase of my Senior Seminar project.  Aka I'm basically DONE!!!!!!!!!!! Ha!  And it's an entire day early (I think that's a first!)

While this day has been nothing short of chaotic, it has turned out to be a pretty great day.  I got some training in for Market, took a final exam, presented my portfolio, and submitted my project.  I'd call that a successful day!  Not only that but I also realized this morning that this is my last day of class.  Ever. 

Try to wrap your head around that for a moment......I know I can't either! It's absolutely insane! I never in a million years thought this day would come.  I still have a few minor things to do for my portfolio class, I have to present my Senior Seminar project, and take my sociology final exam, but basically I'm done with college.  Insane.

On another note, I have spent the last week working very busily in the Lazar Showroom helping set up for market. As you may know from past posts, I've worked in the Lazar showroom for the past three markets assisting the Florida sales rep with his clients.  This time, I contacted Debra Venti who is in charge of all of the fabric selections, applications, and setup for market, and asked to be a part of the premarket.  It has been an incredibly long week, but I have absolutely loved getting to see this side of market!! This is one of the first times I have actually gotten to have hands-on experience with design.  I was a bit hesitant and unsure of my abilities at first, but once we got into it I got really comfortable with things.  I learned floral arranging is not my strong suit, but I love to accessorize. Design is definitely not a glamorous job, but it is so rewarding! I learned a lot and took a lot of inspiration from Debra and how she set things up.  It's true, only 10% of design is taught in the classroom, the rest you learn in the field!

When we started the showroom basically looked like this, except it was completely empty minus a few tables and lamps:

As we worked and unwrapped all of the furniture that slowly came in, the showroom began to look a little more like this:

With a lot of this:

Sadly, that's only the wrappings from about 20 of the 240 pieces of furniture we unwrapped this week.  I told you, it's not glamorous!

For a while there, Debra was worried the showroom would not get done, but we did the entire space in 5 days! Kind of crazy, but so rewarding to see!  You'll have to wait to see the after pictures until later this week :)!

On a completely other random note, I figured I should update about my graduation challenge....or lack there of.  With the last phase of my project being due today, finals right around the corner, and market starting I have had very little time to workout.  Plus when there was time, I was so tired from running around High Point all day that I was just plain to tired and lazy to go workout. Does helping unwrap and move 200 pieces of furniture count at all?? I know, I know, those are just excuses.  I'm letting myself fall back into my lazy ways, but I'll get back on track after market!  I had hit the 10 pound mark, but unfortunately I'm back to more like 8 pounds lost now.  That's still progress, but not nearly where I wanted to be at this point. I just need to make the time to go workout and not let tiredness be an excuse anymore.  This summer Cassie and I will be workout buddies, so I'm hoping that will keep me motivated.  I can do this, I just have to put in the effort!

Speaking of tired, I think I will head to bed now.  Seeing as how I started this blog post at 6:40 and it is now after 11pm.  My first day of real market begins tomorrow!  Time to bring in the money!!

Goodnight!

So Excited!

Guess who's not working tomorrow! Yes folks, that'd be me!  We had so few customers today, since all of Jack's big customers came in early this market, that Jack said he doesn't need me tomorrow.  As sad as I am that I won't get paid for tomorrow, I have to admit I'm a little excited that I don't have to get up super early and sit in the showroom for 8 hours tomorrow. Now I get the chance to actually go through market and enjoy it as a designer should.  Jessica and I are going to explore tomorrow and get into as many showrooms as we can.  I'm excited to see everything new this market and get a little (or a lot) of inspiration for all of my projects this semester.  Market here we come!

And I get paid tomorrow..so that is a little exciting as well :)


Then, I will be heading to good ol' d-town to get some more clothes from home.  I forgot to bring my winter clothes after fall break so I've got to go get those.  There are a few other items I keep meaning to bring back too so they'll be making a trip back with me as well.

On a WHOLE different note:  I think its time to give you the latest update on our Haiti trip. So here's the low down.

Cassie and I will be heading to Haiti on December 27th for 2 weeks.  We'll be staying and working with Dorothy Pearce who runs the Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue.  Dorothy takes in children who are malnourished, nurses them back to health and then returns them to their family.  She also takes in children with AIDs or disabilities that deem them unwanted in their culture.  She gives those children a permanent home or an adoptive family.  She provides all her children with love, care, education, and nourishment both physically and emotionally. I worked with Dorothy last time I went to Haiti and absolutely fell in love with the work she is doing. It is truly inspiring and unbelievable.  There has not been a single day since that trip that I have not longed to return.  When Ethiopia fell through for Cassie and I, and we agreed that God was not calling us there this year, Cassie mentioned trying to go to Haiti.  Things fell together within a week and we can both say 100% this is where God is calling us. We are so excited to see what God will do during our time there.  I have longed for the day to return and cannot put into words how excited I am.  I've talked for years now of feeling called to do missions in Haiti, and God has truly showed his power through this trip.  I cannot wait!

How can you help?  Well we need your prayers.  Please pray for this journey, our safety, our travel,  for the people in Haiti we'll be working with, and for God to prepare their hearts for our trip and ours.  We want to be a light for Him while we are there and we need your prayers.

We also need financial help.  We are both students and it is next to impossible for us to come up with the money on our own.  We need to raise $1700 each and could really use your help.  There is no such thing as too small of a gift.  Every little bit adds up and we truly appreciate it.  So far I've raised about $500, that means I've got $1200 to go.  If you would like to make a donation, just leave me a comment or send me an email (hemria08@highpoint.edu) and I will give you the information on how to do so.  

We're so excited for this journey and thank you in advance for your support.  

One more day

It's day 5 for me here at Market.  I'm not feeling very well this morning and I'm really tired.  I've been getting 10+ hours of sleep each night, but it doesn't feel like enough.  The long days of sitting here, and helping customers has taken its toll.  My roommate Meredith is sick and losing her voice, I'm just praying I'm not next.  It seems crazy to me that this time last week, I was at home with my family, enjoying good meals, relaxing, watching TV, and not having a care in the world about school.  Back to the real world I guess.  That week was oh so nice though.

Market has been pretty good so far.  The best days are the ones filled with customers because the time goes by so much quicker.  I only saw two customers yesterday, and even though one was here for an hour and a half, the day seemed to slowly drag by after lunch.  I've been here for almost 3 hours today and haven't seen a customer yet. The showroom is actually very quiet this morning.  Most of the reps haven't seen many people either.  I don't know if everyone decided to come in early this market or what, but I sure hope it picks up today.  I still get a little nervous when talking with clients, but it gets easier each day. The products are beautiful and practically sell themselves.

On another note: I want so badly to curl up on our sofas in the back room (you know the over sized super comfortable ones I showed you yesterday) with a blanket and take a quick nap.  I think that would help me feel better, but unfortunately is not an option.  I just keep praying it will fade off and I'll get my energy back soon.

Well I guess that's all for now.  I've got a few other blog posts planned for today so be looking for those. All this down time at market has led to a lot of new posts for all of you readers.  Keep reading please, and leave some comment love!

One more day of market, I can do this.

As promised..

Here is a quick glimpse into the Lazar Showroom this market.  They are displaying a lot of new fabrics, bold colors, and beautiful forms.  They have classic pieces with neutral fabrics, and then wow pieces mixed in with bold patterns and crazy colors.  I love the appreciation shown for color and the exploration of different fabrics and patterns.  There is something for everyone in here and some of the pieces are simply stunning.  I have a few favorites (i'll mention them below) that I would love to own someday.  Well without further ado, here you go.  Enjoy!

Below: Our front room is featuring a new lounge sectional in very vibrant colors.  Pretty fun if you ask me!

 Below: This is one of my favorite chairs.  I love the pink swirled fabric contrasted with the plain white seat.

 Below: I love these pillows. This is in our main room of the showroom.

Below: One of my favorite EarthDesign sofas.  I love the fabrics, and it's ecofriendly!

 Below: I love this fabric on a set of dining chairs.

 Below: My absolute favorite part of the showroom.  I love the sofa in neutral colors with the gray wall behind.  Last market they had the most fantastic pillows on this setup that I am dying to have.  I'll post a picture of that setup later.

 Below: These next few pictures are in our Luxury Collection.  I call them the "give me a blanket and call it a day sectionals."

 Below: This is one of those bold color fabrics I was talking about.  I don't know that I would put them in my place, but they definitely make a statement on the showroom floor.

 Below:  Another twist on the turquoise and orange color combination I mentioned in a previous post. Beautiful.

 Below: I love this sectional and the purple with the beige main fabric is just stunning.

Well that's a short glimpse into where I'm working. What do you think? [I may post more tomorrow. I'll have plenty of time on my hands :)]

Saturday Afternoon

How are you enjoying your wonderful (cold) Saturday afternoon? I'm enjoying mine in the Lazar Showroom giving clients tours and enjoying the beautiful pieces on display.  My day started off early, 8am, unlike yours probably, and will continue until 5.  The mornings can be a little slow in the showroom, but after lunch, things start to pick up.  I've helped three clients today so far, and hopefully two of those will be returning later to make an order with Jack.  Right now I'm just sitting at our little cafe tables scouring the world wide web to keep me entertained.

I was a little nervous this morning, feeling like I wasn't prepared enough with the new products. However, after my first tour, things really came back from last year.  I try to be confident, knowledgeable, and slow/clear in my speaking. Usually the clients will end up leading themselves through and I can follow their lead on their interests and go from there.  My favorite clients are the ones who recognize that I'm a student helping Jack, and are very understanding if I don't know the answer to their questions.  I write their questions and interests down for Jack so he can follow up with them later.

Market can be a very overwhelming world for students working it for the first time.  Between the shuttle schedule and locations, to the various buildings with different entrances and connections, to the 1000s of people rushing past at every given moment.  If you don't know what you're doing, or have someone with you who does, it can get a little scary.  Luckily Jessica showed us the ropes last year, and I almost feel like a pro...almost.  It's very empowering to be a part of such a wonderful event and to be surrounded by people who share the same passion as you.  It's all very exciting, but wonderful at the same time.  If you love furniture or design, you should definitely check it out.  I can give you information on how to get in (since it's only open to the trade).

Anyways, happy Saturday! Hope yours is wonderful!