Gettin Settled

So I'm here!!! I've officially been a resident of Rochester, NY for 17 days now, although it doesn't feel like I've here anymore than 3. So far I've determined that the city is lovely. Especially the weather. I don't think it's broke 85 since I've been here, and I've donned a hoodie more than once. My anticipated 'tiny' studio turns out not be that tiny. Well, it's still tiny, but just right for me. In fact, you can do a cartwheel in the middle if you like! I know because I just did one (I've recently adopted the cartwheel scale to determine the size of any given room, I think it'll go mainstream soon). My mom worked her tail off to make it feel like home for me. She did everything from hanging pictures and perfect red curtains, to stocking my fridge full of goodies. Can I repeat, my fridge. A whole refrigerator just for me. Now that's a little nuts :) Here are some pictures of the place. I still need to add somethings to the walls, but I think it's looking pretty darn great for only being a 2 1/2 weeks in.

Here's the before.

 I was told that the piece of wood on the wall was to hang a flat screen TV on. Instead, I hung a huge mirror there. I guess I'd rather look at myself than most of the things you see on TV these days. Not quite sure what that says about me haha.

A before of the kitchen area.

After, the view as you walk in.

 This is after a little hard work by my mom and I, but mostly my mom. And didn't I tell ya the red curtains were great!

The sleeping quarters....or the other side of the room haha

 You may not believe it, but my mom and I built that futon with only our bare hands and a flower handled screwdriver. You don't have to tell me you're impressed. I already know. Also, Kit's picture she drew/painted for me looks super great right there doesn't it!

The kitchen

Please note that my mom took the time to put hooks on the wall for my towels and pot holders. Wow. And also, Galamo roomies, you are well represented on the fridge (my fridge, oh I just like typing that)

The wall opposite my desk

The bookshelf was also built by my mother and I, but once again, mostly by my mother. Also, there is the one project I've completed since I've been here- The Wall of Frame (close up below)

The Wall of Frame

I got this idea from a friends house out in Colorado a couple of years ago. The had one huge frame with a bunch of little frames inside it. I'm too cheep for that. So we found a very large and very ugly painting of a sailboat for $5 at a thrift store and ripped the painting out and hung just the frame on the wall. I then added some of my fav black and white pics printed out either from Kodak with a white boarder (aka. my cheap version of a frame) or used ones I'd developed in photography class last fall. I'm kinda in love with it :)

So there you have it. A little sneak peek into my world here in Rochacha. In my truest attempt to make it feel like home, I've got a loaf of banana bread baking right now (smells glorious) and am looking forward to a night of eating and book reading. And I'm pretty sure a package full of my moms cookies just arrived as well :) Gonna be a good good night!