Yes, I finally did it! I joined SCBWI. It's a professional organization for writers and illustrators of children's books (verbatim from their site).

You should check it out, just in case your curious: [link] They're having their biannual conference in NYC at the end of January, but I'm too poor to go...well, I also have classes, so maybe next time! Their summer conference is in LA, and I hear that's a bigger conference than the one in NY. For someone not going, I'm strangely excited about it...

And because of SCBWI, I was able to join an online illustration critique group. The Illustration Board is comprised of 12 aspiring (like me) and professional illustrators alike who give invaluable advice and constructive criticisms to each other. Sounds awesome, right? I can't even say how happy I am to have made it in before they closed membership! Except for my never ending artist block, that is - but I learn so much just by reading comments on other artists' works. Come check it out! You won't be able to comment, but the art is FABULOUS!

Anyway, I've been really sick since the 3rd. I probably have bronchitis, but I'm too stubborn to go to the doctor, so I just muddle along. Hopefully, it goes away on its own...In the meantime, between football (I can't believe that Eli played so terribly!) and drawing, I'm keeping busy till the Spring semester starts on the 20th. If I'm still sick by the 20th, I'll be very *very* sad about it.