Jan. 2

Everything is done for NYU and Duke so all I have to do is focus on is Pratt. Making sure that my portfolio is perfected is hard because stuff keeps acting crazy. I have three days to make sure everything is right. I completed my application and now its just my portfolio. I have to take my time and pray that everything falls into place.

Jan. 1 New Year

When I got home I was tired and emotional so I went to sleep. People dont understand how a smile can be so deceiving. I have to put on smiles for the rest of the year so no one actually knows what is going on on the inside. I guess this year has to be more about me and do better. I know a lot of people are going to be mad at me.

Dec.31 New Years Eve

I got up around ten or so again and got dressed to go into work at ten. I got in and helped a few customers before Kirsten came in. I thought she wasn't going to come in today I was about to be sooooooooooo mad. But the day went like any other Saturday a lot of laughs and talking. When I got home my family was getting on my nerves so I texted Shareefa to see what the plans for tonight where. I didnt go to church because I couldn't be around my mother for another moment. So I brought the New Year in with my babies.......

Dec.30

I slept in today till about ten then woke up to get ready for work. I went in at about 2 today since I did not have school. Work felt longer since their daughter was there. She is really annoying and to touchy. If you barely know a person then why do you feel like it is okay to invade their personal space like come on....but I am working on my temper for the most part so I tried to stay away from her today

Dec.29

I was so bored today. I MISS MY UNIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But since nobody texted me Im just going to sleep and finish my supplements. I have been finishing my NYU and Duke stuff because they are due in the New Year. Nothing but me, my bed and the commonapp.......

Dec.28 Pratt Essay

How Art Became My Life

By Amber C. Mc Kenzie

            Art, to me is an individual’s distorted vision of their environment. Reared in an environment where art is all around it becomes a paramount part of everyday life. When your world is suffocated with darkness the arts may be your last way to elope.  Taking vision in the flight of birds to rainbows casted in concrete is all considered beauty. Throughout my educational occurrence I have encountered a copious amount of art experiences that enveloped my dreams.

Art has the power to change lives. Art is depicted from the beauty an individual chooses to grasp from its creation. Growing up with parents that did not have the possibility to exhibit themselves, my mother wanted her children to have the opportunity to express themselves as individuals. As a child I was placed into everything my siblings had prospect to. My brother and sister was accomplished artist that won awards and strived to express beauty into the world. Their passions inspired me. Knowing art was something inherited I involved myself in everything from visual to performing arts even cosmetology. Drawing hours throughout the day to expand my talent was rewarding. I chose after school art programs which developed my vision. I saw a love that had no base of discrimination. Art gave me ample time to discover myself. In my completed artwork I was able to always see my light shining back at me. I enjoyed it all yet something was missing.

As time progressed I realized that what I was yearning for; fashion. Fashion to me is an expression of self without even speaking a word. Fashion elements of color, design, style, and taste all could define a person without reading one chapter in a book. My sister use to explain to me you have one first impression on the world. Always questioning myself what will I choose to give them? Reading Andre’ Talley’s articles in Vogue Magazine I knew fashion was the step in the right direction. Despite the small town I live in where it has been frowned upon to be bold in fashion. I decided to choose my own destiny which always caught my attention. Randallstown is like a city of clones, where no one has a distinctive style. It seemed like everyone was on trend report. I rebelled against the thought of being like another. It was not who I was or who I am. I once read a quote from the great Coco Chanel, “in order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”.  I aspired to be remembered for what risks I took. I changed my hair to every shade of the rainbow, studied fashion guides as if were my daily word and took from my fashion influences. Never having much money I made fashion work for me, I bargained at thrift stores, sales racks and my family’s classics.  I took risk with color always keeping in mind my past art training. My ability to understand, focus, compile and execute my vision in art always paid off because I had a chance to shine. For instance, in the fifth grade I took the risk to make a garment. Cut up some of my mother’s fabric, which made her so mad to create a dress for my American Girl doll; it was a white wrap dress with a sticker for a design. I didn’t change her clothes for about a month; I had a new love. My tenacity in art, fashion and beauty complimented me.

            The pride gained from knowing somebody appreciated my work was an innovative feeling for me. This became the fuel to my ambition to become a designer. The ability to change fashion became my new addiction. My production of art had to be precise because it had a meaning behind it which conveyed my message. Most people don’t understand that fashion is more than the clothes you put on in the morning but the reason why you put them on.  I will continue my passion leaving my fire trail through the fashion world.

Art has been there from the beginning and will remain when I have nothing else. It is what got me to my highs and picked me up from my lows. My ecstasy and anguish; art is what sets me apart. Art is my life.

Dec.28 Ladies Day

My mommy, Drea and I all went shopping today, it was okay for the most part its just my mommy likes to act like she know everything. She does not fully understand us so she likes to tell us things we already know which is really annoying sometimes. Honestly I don't even talk to anyone like that because they think they know whats best for me but they don't because we have two completely different journeys. People have to know the person as a whole before they speak to they about things in life......