Kansas: Where I grew up.

I spent my childhood in western Kansas.

I was not raised by MTV, popular culture or by fads. I grew up playing in parks and rivers, performing piano and choir, reading library books and racing cars on my bicycle.

One year my Grandfather purchased an Apple IIc for my family. It was then, at seven years of age, when I first used a computer.

I started to collect the latest video games like DigDug and Lemonade Stand. Then, one summer, I lost my privileges to play those beloved computer games. I sat, festering in my punishment, staring at a blank computer screen.

I desperately searched the house for the games my parents hid from me.

Box: Put stuff in this.

As I was searching under the computer desk, I found an old box. Inside were dusty, unused computer manuals. These texts of knowledge contained everything I ever wanted to know about my computer, including how to program! I spent hours reading and learning everything I could.

I programmed my first video game when I was eight.

My family moved my freshman year. My new school was small, but full of opportunities.

Painting: It is art.

I started on the soccer team. I took all of the computer classes I could. And, I discovered my hobby as art could be more than a hobby.

My art teacher quickly became my favorite. I started taking independent classes in art to work on my portfolio for getting into an art school.

I travelled around to the colleges and portfolio reviews and was even offered a couple scholarships.

I had every intention to go to art school after high school. A career in software wasn't even on the horizon.

Then, one day, I received a phone call from a family friend saying, "You should call my friend about a job."

The Phone: It calls people.
Money: Pays for stuff. Confuses everything.

A phone call led to an an interview, a summer internship, and then a full time position as a programmer.

I gave up art school to start a career.

I was on a small team, of four, developing a new application. I worked with experienced programmers, absorbing as much of their knowledge possible. Their guidance was my education.

After a year of development, we had our first installation. I was able to see how people used our software. Numerous phone calls of "This isn't right" and "This is confusing" highlighted an important flaw:

If the user can't figure out how to do something, the software doesn't work.
Software: It doesn't work unless you can figure it out.

The approach of "What can our software can do?" wasn't the approach needed for software development.

I changed how I develop software. I changed to "How can my users do what they need to?"

This was my new art: The medium of software design

Career vs Art: The battle of the century.

Naturally, the pursuit of my career took a toll on my art.

I ended up telling myself that I didn't need art in my life. I tried to supress it.

But, I was always drawing and designing. I had to realize that I was always thinking like an artist. I found out the hard way: I can't avoid being an artist.

Knowledge: Stuff that makes you realize stuff

Identifying who you are is half the battle. Figuring out your strengths and weaknesses happen from life experiences. Once I was able to embrace it, I knew what I could do. I could think straight. I could develop and grow. I could create personal goals that were based off of my personal needs.

Knowing who you are is liberating.

I am an artist. I need to be creative.

Growth: Should be exponential

An important part of living is growth.

If you are honest with yourself, you can identify the areas in which you need to improve. Whether it be spiritually, emotionally, physically or intellectually, we all know where we need to grow.

I have realized the massive debt I have, in my life, to the opportunities I have been given. I owe it to myself and others to improve. I am doing this by furthering my education.

Universities: Did you know they started in with churches?

I am currently double majoring at Washburn University in: