Scavenger Hunt Sunday: October 30, 2011

Macro

This isn't as 'macro-ish' as I would have liked, but I do really like the bokeh effect going on.

Found Texture

The texture of the clouds on Thursday night's sunset was amazing.  (Btw--this was SOOC.)

Home

Obviously not my home, but it was someone's home.  Dad found this itty bitty (can't really tell in this picture) nest in a bush by our garage.  It was very well hidden.  And it looked so peaceful.

Cover

Part of my 52 week project.  Story of this picture to come later....

Tree

I love fall trees!

Liked up here.

Pawsitively Great Grand Opening

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to photograph the Grand Opening event for Pawsitively Great, a new pet grooming company.  I met them when I photographed the Big Brothers/Big Sisters dog walk back in May.  I'm so glad they remembered me!

So I don't bore you, I picked my top 5 photos from that day.

Izzy.  The sweetest dog ever.  She hung out with us all afternoon.

Leo.  He is a puppy and so well behaved.

Leo's sister (I don't remember her name!)  She is very talented.  Abby definitely couldn't do this!

Two of the ladies that work at Pawsitively Great had babies 4 days apart.  I couldn't help but share this little treasure.  So precious!

Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen

Because I am frustrated with school...

Because this is my go-to song to calm me down....

Because this song is for me...

A (Somewhat) Happy Tuesday

There were many times in the last year where I felt like things were just holding on by a single string of thread.  My family's bond was stronger than ever but we were trying so hard to survive and to overcome our biggest obstacle, fighting cancer.  (And I am happy to say things are going great there.)  During that time I moved home to be closer to family.  I don't regret that one bit, but some friendships didn't develop quite like I wanted because of the distance of our homes.  I stayed in school as a full time student, but my grades suffered a little bit.  Taking 2 hours out of my day just to drive to school and drive back home is a lot.  It is precious study time, or family time, or friend time that was wasted.

Yes, my family will always deal with the life of 'after' the diagnosis.  Yes, I am still in school...taking even more hours than last year.  Yes, I still commute to school, taking 8 hours out of my week just to sit in the car.  

But things are seeming to come together a little bit.  I don't know what this change is.  Maybe it is the fact that I've grown up a little.  Maybe it is just timing.  Maybe it is just the path I'm suppose to follow.  I don't know what it is, but I am glad that it is happening.  

This week is the half way point in the semester and things are insanely crazy busy.  In the next two weeks I have three papers, five tests, and two projects due.  All in eight class days.  And I can't help but think...How is that even possible?!  And sometimes I wonder how I will make it through the next two weeks.  

But then I'm reminded about the good things that are coming about right now in my life.  

Spending time with my family and making memories.  

Celebrating another birthday and another year of life for my dad.

Making plans with high school friends.  

Making new friends.

Reminiscing a wonderful weekend.

Hoping for another great weekend.

Restoring friendships.

Planning trips.

Seeing graduation in the horizon. 

Those are the things that help me get through the rough weeks.  Days full of hope, days full of potential, days that are beatifully unexpected.

"The word LISTEN contains the same letters as the word SILENT."

~Alfred Brendel

12 of 12 | October

To be honest, I was hoping this month would look a little more fall like, but there is only so much you can do when you are in school all day long....

Here is my October. 

01.  Abby taking a snooze when I woke up.  I love this sweet pup!
02.  Getting ready for school.
03.  Just starting the 1 hour drive to school.
04.  Bought my cap and gown for graduation, which is in 2 months!!  Woo-Hoo!!!!
05.  Self portrait with my cap.  (I needed an extra picture!)
06.  Today was the perfect fall day.  Unfortunately I was in class all day long.
07.  My school notebook.  This thing is pretty heavy and we aren't even half way through the semester.
08.  On Wednesday I stay in KC and have a girls night with my friend, Jenny.  We went to Price Chopper to get a few things for dinner.
09.  Dinner.  Chicken fried rice--yum.
10.  Gracie, Jenny's sweet dog.
11.  Girls night always comes with a little Revenge.
12.  Me and Jenny.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday | October 8, 2011

Landscape

A photo I took while photographing a wedding.

Color Wheel

Black and White

I know this doesn't follow the typical black and white photo, but I had to leave it in color because I loved the little spec of green grass in his mouth.  It was there the entire photo shoot and I thought it brought a lot to his personality...I'm assuming.  (I'm counting this as black and white because the cow is black and the background is pretty much white.  I figured that counted!)




 

Food

Recipe found here.

Blank Space

Week 40 | October 7, 2011

In the blank space and vast openness of a pumpkin field.





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A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

For my 52 week portrait project this week I wanted to go pick pumpkins.  This is not a tradition for us by any means.  And to be honest, I felt like a little kid for wanting to do this.  I don't think mom and dad were into the idea very much, but I wasn't going to go out there by myself so they got dragged along.

And it turned out to be a wonderful little trip.

I enjoyed it.  Mom enjoyed it.  And dad enjoyed it.  Our Friday turned into a fun new adventure.  A memory made.  (And possibly a tradition in the future?!)

52 Week Update | Week 39

Week 39 | September 27, 2011

Philadelphia by Parachute

This is my new soothing song. 
Perfect for a stressful day.
Enjoy!

September by the numbers

September was busy.  School is definitely in full swing and I'm really beginning to feel it.  Unfortunately October is going to be even worse.

(Actually I think I'm realizing what is yet to come and it's starting to stress me out....)


Instead of doing the month by pictures, I decided to do it by numbers.

4-Number of people who played mini golf
3-Family functions
2-Concerts
3-Days I spent pet sitting
1-Cancer survivor lunch (so glad to be able to say SURVIVOR!)
9-Homework assignments (probably more, but that's all I have written down.)
3-Tests
5-Papers
6-Girl nights
1-Wedding
1-Daddy/Daughter date (he came to KC while I was in school--hung out with him during my breaks)
2-Nights babysitting
90-Years my grandpa has lived
20-New rushees in Delta Sigma Pi
2(1/2)-Hour nap I needed after my flu shot
4-Birthdays
3-Number of hours to complete my first class at Archivers with my friend Jenny

I guess some of that sounds more fun than stressful, but having that come right after a funeral, getting used to going to school 4 days a week (as opposed to 2), taking 15 hours, and driving an hour to and from school each day...it really starts to wear you down.

Well, off to bed I go.  To start a new week and a new month.
Good night!