Just wanted to drop in and say HOLA from Mexico! Hope you're having a wonderful week... :)
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Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Viva Mexico
We're here in Cabo, and it's beautiful and wonderful and perfect... I won't have time to write much this week, but I'd like to drop in with a picture or two each day. Here's a simple shot out on the beach last night. This world is such a shockingly beautiful place, and I love to get outside our bubble and be reminded of that sometimes. So thankful for this trip. Happy Tuesday!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The actual internal monologues of Cooper and Gracie
Cooper and Gracie were born into the very same litter, but could not be more different. Please see below for actual internal monologues for each, respectively.*
*because I am the dog whisperer and I know these things.
**the following is based on true-life events.
***I'm sorry that Gracie cusses so much.
**the following is based on true-life events.
***I'm sorry that Gracie cusses so much.
COOPER
Me: "Cooper, would you like to GO FOR A WALK?"
Cooper: What? Oh GOD, really? REALLY?! Oh my God! Mom, you have got to be kidding me! GAAHHH, this is incredible! This is the best thing ever!! I AM FREAKING OUT! Can we go now? Hurry up Mom! Where are your shoes? MOM HURRY! AHH, I cannot contain myself! This is definitely the best day of my life! Weeeeeeeee!!!!!
Me: "OK, Cooper, I see that you're interested in the walk. Let's go." (puts on collar and leash with difficulty due to the squirming, and heads out the door."
Cooper: Oh my God, it's really happening!!! This is amazing! This is the most momentous occasion of my life! I will pee on all the things! It will be fantastic! (dives into a low bush, literally, and pees in it.) Oh dear, must save potties for other bushes as well... such as THIS ONE! (pees on next closest bush.)
Me: "OK Cooper, let's keep moving."
Cooper: OK Mom! Whatever you say! This is so fantastic! LOOK! A man watering his lawn! Hiii Man Watering His Lawn! I'd stop and say hello, but this is the best moment of my life and I really cannot be bothered with you right now! Oh LOOK, a fire hydrant with lots of urination on it! I must urinate here as well! This is MAGNIFICENT!
*things continue in this manner for several minutes, until we see another dog walking with his mommy on the other side of the street*
Cooper: OH MY GOSH! A FRIEND! Mom let's go see him, please? Please? Please? PLEASE?! MOM! MOM! Let's go!" (Tugs at leash with all his might) A NEW FRIEND A NEW FRIEND A NEW FRIEND!!! Moommmm!!
*A few more minutes pass and Cooper pops a squat to poop.*
Cooper: Mom, I wouldn't be so fat if you walked me more. I poop on EVERY SINGLE WALK, YOU KNOW THIS.
After the poop, we start to run the rest of the way home. Cooper is feeling extra fantastic.
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GRACIE
Me: "Gracie, would you like to GO FOR A WALK?"
Gracie: What? Oh! Yes! I think I would. Yes! I think I WOULD! This is wonderful! However, I feel uneasy about it. There is lots of danger out there. Many threats to our safety. Many enemies. However, I would still like to go for the walk. But I definitely feel uneasy.
Me: "OK Gracie, it'll be super fun. There really isn't any danger. Here, let's bring your muzzle in case there are any other dogs who get the bright idea to approach us."
*Puts on collar and leash, and we depart.
Gracie: Oh my goodness! We are outside of the house! We are outside in the world! This is my dream come true!! But oh God, A MULTITUDE OF SMELLS. This is overwhelming! I feel threatened! I smell 14 other urinations on this first bush alone! I MUST NOW SWITCH TO HIGH ALERT. However, I will add my pee here as well, and then sniff around some more.
Me: "OK Gracie, this is called a WALK, not a SNIFF. Let's move on!"
*Gracie reluctantly complies.*
Gracie: OH MY GOD A MAN WATERING HIS LAWN! STRANGER DANGER!!! He must be eliminated! How dare he exist on the same Earth as us! This is terrible! I will definitely bite you, mister, don't come another step closer! I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU BUT I DEFINITELY HATE YOU!
Me: "Gracie, that man is across the street and THAT IS HIS YARD. He has every right to be there. Chill out, jeez!"
Gracie: Mom, I don't like him, I don't like him one bit. Oh! Some poop on the sidewalk!
*Things continue along these lines until we round a corner and encounter an orange tabby cat lounging beside a bush, just a couple feet away. Gracie lunges at it, and I struggle with her, holding her back with all my might as she writhes around, trying to get free of me.*
Gracie: A cat! OH GOD A CAT! Die mother *ucker DIE! How dare you lounge around like that! I will kill you for this!!
*Ninja Cat decides it's a good idea to attack Gracie and comes at her like a spider monkey, standing on its back two legs and batting at her with his front paws.*
Gracie: WHAT THE *UCK IS HAPPENING!! I knew these bastards were bad news, I KNEW IT! Mom, let me at 'em!! THIS IS THE WORST THING IMAGINABLE, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! Deathcon Four! MUST ELIMINATE CAT-THREAT! RAAAHH!!!!
*I get Gracie under control and cat does the reasonable thing and runs up a tree before it gets ripped in half. We return home, my heart pounding out of my chest and Gracie's view of the world as a terrible place reinforced.
THE END.
(they really are very different)
(read Gracie and Cooper's sibling "love story" here)
Thursday, October 3, 2013
To build a home
We're going on month six since we signed the contract on our new home, and month five of living with my mom. The house is slowly but surely coming along... well, mostly just slowly, but there has definitely been significant progress in the last couple weeks. They bricked the outside, mostly drywalled the inside, and poured the driveway. Now all we have left is a million other things that go into piecing together a home. But it will be beautiful, and it will be worth it, and I already envision our future there. Just waiting on that future to begin...
Monday, September 23, 2013
Life Lately
Day 15 of Blogtember: life lately.
I've sort of written a couple life lately posts in the last week or so... shame on me for not thinking ahead to today's post topic! But life, lately... is good. Really, really good. I am happy. Our house isn't ready yet, or anywhere near ready, but they started bricking the outside last week, and dropped off all the drywall, which was encouraging. Then it failed a few insulation inspections and it rained for like 50035973513 days, so of course more delays, more delays, more delays.
But I have my little family and I have my passion for the work I'm doing right now, and we've been blessed with our first set of incredibly beautiful fall mornings, and that is just a breath of fresh air. There have been movies and popcorn and cuddling and date nights and coffee in bed each morning and new rules going forward to show love with conduct instead of just words. It's a good plan, and it's been working, and our lives are happier for it.
Hope you have a great Monday!
*Prior Blogtember link-ups are missing at the moment, but should be back online soon!
I've sort of written a couple life lately posts in the last week or so... shame on me for not thinking ahead to today's post topic! But life, lately... is good. Really, really good. I am happy. Our house isn't ready yet, or anywhere near ready, but they started bricking the outside last week, and dropped off all the drywall, which was encouraging. Then it failed a few insulation inspections and it rained for like 50035973513 days, so of course more delays, more delays, more delays.
But I have my little family and I have my passion for the work I'm doing right now, and we've been blessed with our first set of incredibly beautiful fall mornings, and that is just a breath of fresh air. There have been movies and popcorn and cuddling and date nights and coffee in bed each morning and new rules going forward to show love with conduct instead of just words. It's a good plan, and it's been working, and our lives are happier for it.
Hope you have a great Monday!
*Prior Blogtember link-ups are missing at the moment, but should be back online soon!
Friday, September 20, 2013
COMFORT
Today's Blogtember prompt: React to this term: comfort.
Oh, comfort. My life has not been comfortable in some areas lately. I'd rather not go into detail, but trust me on that one. There have been moments where everything comfortable for me has been threatened, has felt destroyed, has been in question. But so far I’ve learned that the times I’ve been most uncomfortable have also been the times I achieved the most growth in my life and in my relationships. Comfort is not something we should seek exclusively. Where is the adventure in that? Where is the becoming-better? If you find the only decisions you’re ever making are comfortable ones, there may be some reevaluating in order.
It’s interesting that I would pick this particular prompt for this particular day in September, some weeks ago when I made the list. Interesting, indeed.
Comfort is a nice feeling, but you’d never know what it means to lie in a truly soft place unless you’d also experienced the opposite. Be grateful for discomfort in your life, as well as comfort, because they really are two sides of the same coin, you know?
That's about the best I can come up with, for a Friday. :)
Tell us about what comfort means to you in the linkup below today's featured SOML sponsors... :)
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Oh, comfort. My life has not been comfortable in some areas lately. I'd rather not go into detail, but trust me on that one. There have been moments where everything comfortable for me has been threatened, has felt destroyed, has been in question. But so far I’ve learned that the times I’ve been most uncomfortable have also been the times I achieved the most growth in my life and in my relationships. Comfort is not something we should seek exclusively. Where is the adventure in that? Where is the becoming-better? If you find the only decisions you’re ever making are comfortable ones, there may be some reevaluating in order.
It’s interesting that I would pick this particular prompt for this particular day in September, some weeks ago when I made the list. Interesting, indeed.
Comfort is a nice feeling, but you’d never know what it means to lie in a truly soft place unless you’d also experienced the opposite. Be grateful for discomfort in your life, as well as comfort, because they really are two sides of the same coin, you know?
That's about the best I can come up with, for a Friday. :)
Tell us about what comfort means to you in the linkup below today's featured SOML sponsors... :)
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Miss Shanna writes a fabulous blog called Because Shanna Said So, and if you haven't heard of her yet, well... you might want to check and see if you're under a large rock! ;) Shanna is a wife and mama to two beautiful girls, an Austinite, and her blog features stories from her life and lots and lots of fantastic fashion inspiration. First get to know her a little better here, then browse some of her style posts here. You will fall in love with this lovely southern lady, I guarantee it.
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Stunningly pretty Anna writes a blog called Happy Medley, and her story is quite unique. This lovely lady was born and raised in Russia, but her family moved to the states when she was a bit older - with only 8 suitcases to their name! Anna learned English, met a fellow Russian guy and started a family (how cute are they?), and she now writes a life and style blog full of "ideas for a happy and simple life." Drop in and say hello! :)
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Moments
Day 11 of Blogtember is simply a memory you'd love to relive.
And you know, I've been thinking hard about this one, and the conclusion I've come to is kind of eye opening. If I could relive a memory, it wouldn't be one of our amazing trips to Hawaii or New York or South America, or the time I lived in Germany as a child, or even a moment on my wedding day or something obvious like that.
No. I would relive a family dinner, sitting opposite my Grandma and listening to her stories. I would relive a long, tight hug, and the way she smelled and how soft her skin was. I would relive the laughter when she scoffed at a photo I took of her, and said she looked "too old" or "too wrinkly." I would relive moments with Edd, the time he told me he always wanted a daughter, the time I almost crushed him with an uncharacteristic-for-our-relationship hug when he came home from the hospital after another surgery, another scare, another close brush with death. I'd relive simple moments with people I love. And it's so eye opening to realize that those are the moments I'd choose, because they happen every day, and we take them for granted. Inspires me to slow down, experience, and enjoy the people in my life and the important things. Because people really are the important things.
What about you? What memory would you relive? (And don't worry, no one will judge you if you chose that trip to Disney or something!) ;)
And you know, I've been thinking hard about this one, and the conclusion I've come to is kind of eye opening. If I could relive a memory, it wouldn't be one of our amazing trips to Hawaii or New York or South America, or the time I lived in Germany as a child, or even a moment on my wedding day or something obvious like that.
No. I would relive a family dinner, sitting opposite my Grandma and listening to her stories. I would relive a long, tight hug, and the way she smelled and how soft her skin was. I would relive the laughter when she scoffed at a photo I took of her, and said she looked "too old" or "too wrinkly." I would relive moments with Edd, the time he told me he always wanted a daughter, the time I almost crushed him with an uncharacteristic-for-our-relationship hug when he came home from the hospital after another surgery, another scare, another close brush with death. I'd relive simple moments with people I love. And it's so eye opening to realize that those are the moments I'd choose, because they happen every day, and we take them for granted. Inspires me to slow down, experience, and enjoy the people in my life and the important things. Because people really are the important things.
Read a little more about Edd here
Read a little more about my Grandma here
What about you? What memory would you relive? (And don't worry, no one will judge you if you chose that trip to Disney or something!) ;)
Monday, September 16, 2013
Love letters to two dear friends
Blogtember topic for the day: Write a public love letter to someone in your life. (It doesn't necessarily need to be romantic.)
Today I found that there are two ladies I really wanted to write to - both are so special to me and have been so impactful in my life. Here are my letters...
Dear Kristin,
I'm not even sure where to start on this letter - it's funny, because we've had our ups and downs in this weird online/offline friendship, but one thing that remains constant is that I always have so much fondness and warmth in my heart for you, and I'm always so thankful you're my friend. You've said before that you feel out of place in this world, like an outsider sometimes, but I disagree, and I think you belong very much and add so much beauty, specifically to anyone who is lucky enough to be close to you. You've inspired me endlessly with the warmth of your beautiful home and spirit, the way you care for people (the way you've cared for me), the care you take for the small details of your world (you know how God-awful I am with small details, so I find this particularly inspiring), and the fresh perspective you always give me and which always surprises me in pleasant and helpful ways. On more than one occasion you've given me advice that was exactly what I needed to hear and saved my life in different ways, and I've appreciated our relationship of accountability, even when it seemed like I didn't. For people like me, accountability can be extremely annoying but nonetheless extremely important. I've loved growing closer to you over the last year in particular, and I hope that only continues. I respect and admire you more than you know, and I'm so proud of all you continue to accomplish.
Lots and lots of love,
Jenni
Today I found that there are two ladies I really wanted to write to - both are so special to me and have been so impactful in my life. Here are my letters...
Dear Megan,
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAUTIFUL! You're 27 today, an age I know you've dreaded for some silly reason, but don't worry, I'll be there with you in just a couple more months. I bet it won't be so bad. :)
I wanted to thank you today for 11-ish years of loyal friendship. You and I have known each other through so many clunky and awkward stages of life - the end of high school, all of college, several boyfriends, big life changes like marriage and moving and the death of loved ones and redefining who we are after school and after we both worked at that same little restaurant for weirdly lengthy amounts of our life, and moving into new homes and thinking about babies and planning for the future and worrying about getting older. We had so many Friday nights and Saturday or Sunday mornings together, bitching about nasty customers and loving on old people and rolling in the tips and late nights at Chili's and the movies when we had to be back up in four more hours for the next shift. We've been friends through all of that, though you've always been more constant and reliable than me, which is part of your personality as a Caregiver, I now see. Thank you for being my friend through it all, even when we got on each other's nerves, which is bound to happen over the course of 11 years... ;) One thing is for sure, I never stop loving you, respecting you, and admiring you for your wonderful heart. Cannot wait to see what the future holds for us both. It's always nice to walk through life with a friend, isn't it? Hope today and year 27 are beautiful, just like you. :)
Love, love, love,
Jenni
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Dear Kristin,
I'm not even sure where to start on this letter - it's funny, because we've had our ups and downs in this weird online/offline friendship, but one thing that remains constant is that I always have so much fondness and warmth in my heart for you, and I'm always so thankful you're my friend. You've said before that you feel out of place in this world, like an outsider sometimes, but I disagree, and I think you belong very much and add so much beauty, specifically to anyone who is lucky enough to be close to you. You've inspired me endlessly with the warmth of your beautiful home and spirit, the way you care for people (the way you've cared for me), the care you take for the small details of your world (you know how God-awful I am with small details, so I find this particularly inspiring), and the fresh perspective you always give me and which always surprises me in pleasant and helpful ways. On more than one occasion you've given me advice that was exactly what I needed to hear and saved my life in different ways, and I've appreciated our relationship of accountability, even when it seemed like I didn't. For people like me, accountability can be extremely annoying but nonetheless extremely important. I've loved growing closer to you over the last year in particular, and I hope that only continues. I respect and admire you more than you know, and I'm so proud of all you continue to accomplish.
Lots and lots of love,
Jenni
Friday, September 13, 2013
A self portrait plus a life update
Eek, happy Friday the 13th! ;) Today's Blogtember topic is simply a self portrait. Here it is, folks! This is the way my face looks most of the time. Half covered by a camera. ;)
I thought I'd also take this opportunity (you know, an easy day in the challenge), to write a little about what's going on in my life at the moment. As many of you know, we are waiting on our house to be built, and in the meantime living with my mom. (read a little more about that here if you haven't already.)
Well, it's been five months since we signed the contract with our builder, and over four months since we've been living with my mom. We were thinking our house would be done by early to mid October, WORST case scenario - but currently the house is only about 40% finished. The build has been going at an absolute snail's pace. To add insult to injury, a house directly across the street from ours, that was started only about a week before ours and ISN'T EVEN SOLD YET, is about 2-3 weeks from being completely finished. The bastards. Yes, we are bitter about it.
We're still making the best of the situation, but it's hard to feel in-limbo for so long. Hard for us, and hard for my mom to have perpetual house-guests, I'm sure. The stress of the whole thing is really starting to take a toll on Matthew and I a bit, and we're ready to have this weird living/waiting situation behind us. However, at this point I just know the move into the new place is going to be the biggest stress-ball of all, since it will likely be taking place during the absolute busiest time of year for my photography business, not to mention immediately before/during the holidays. Sigh.
But we are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed. I know it's true, and I really am happy despite our less-than ideal situation. Life just isn't ideal sometimes, now is it?
Other than all that, I am just plugging away at the upkeep of this blog and my business, which I'm so proud to say has really taken off for me lately. I wake up every morning completely EXCITED to jump into my work. It's pretty much the best thing ever!
So those are the two things that have been consuming my life, as of late. The build/wait on our home, and being the best small business owner I can be. Life isn't very exciting right now, but that's OK. There are seasons of life. I think this one we're currently in coincides with the actual season - it's just a long, hot summer. But after summer comes fall, and that's my favorite season of all. :)
Link up your self portraits below today's featured SOML sponsors! Happy Friday...
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First up is something not normally featured here - an e-course! This particular course is led by Melyssa of the Nectar Collective and Erika of Chimerikal, and it's called EVERYDAY HAPPY. These girls summed up the course best here:
"Everyday Happy is a positive, soul-renovating experience that delves into the core of who you truly are. It utilizes journaling, spirit-building, and community exercises to access the most radiant version of yourself and help you unlock your happiness potential. This course is unique — it builds positive self image, reconstructs your habits, and connects you to other participants in a thoughtful, like-minded community."
Sounds pretty darn amazing, right?! Get to know the coaches here, take a look at the FAQ page here, and reserve your spot ASAP if you'd like in on it. Spaces are limited and the course begins October 1st.
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Next up is Marolsha, an Etsy store you've probably seen mentioned here on SOML a time or two before. Marolsha stocks the prettiest and most inexpensive jewelry - perfect for gifting (to someone else, or to yourself!). I absolutely love the vintage and timeless feel of this perfect little shop. Take a look, and get ready to fall in love.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
How has social media changed you?
Day 8 Blogtember topic: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.
This one is difficult for me because blogging and social media has changed my life so much that I hardly know where to begin. For the sake of this exercise, I just went back to the very first post on my very first blog - if you’re wondering, it was on July 6th, 2008. It’s interesting, because I found that my writing voice and style has actually not changed much at all since then. But boy, so many other things sure have.
Blogging and social media have had many both positive and negative effects on my life. For one thing, they’ve caused this addiction in me to share my experiences with others. I used to live my life in a solitary fashion - you know, like most people do - but now, if I can’t photograph it, instagram it, tweet it, blog it, share it with the world, it almost feels like it wasn’t even worth doing. It’s such a strange thing, and when I put it that way, it sounds sort of negative (not to mention pathetic). But I find that in my life, this is a good thing. I am naturally disinclined to change, grow, experience new things, and get out of my comfort zone. Blogging and social media have helped me be less that way. Because, you know, my blog would be boring as hell if I remained a sad stagnant hermit covered in dog hair who mostly never leaves the house.
A second way that blogging, in particular, has changed me, is that it’s given me confidence I never, ever had before. I specifically remember being at the grocery store one day, a few months after I started Story of My Life and after I had picked up a few dozen or maybe a couple hundred readers by then. I remember noticing I had this extra spring in my step, and a stronger sense of self than I had ever had before. I remember noticing that and then immediately attributing it to my blog. People cared what I had to say, my great passion for writing was being affirmed, and I was connecting with people in a way I was missing in my “real” life! It just generally felt really nice. To have found a niche, a hobby, and something I knew I could excel at.
Social media has also caused me to be really freaking ADD/all-over-the-place, which I discussed in this post (the response to it was pretty incredible… so many of us suffer with this!). Since I already talked about it, I won’t go into anymore detail on that one. I’m getting a LITTLE better about this though. Re-training myself to focus when I really need to. It’s not easy.
And finally, this conversation would be so incomplete if I didn’t mention the way that blogging and social media have had an incredibly globalizing effect on my life - meaning, it’s brought the entire world right here into MY world. The things I have learned have been countless. The relationships I’ve made have been priceless. The art and talent I’ve been exposed to have been inspiring and invaluable. Basically, it's all made a giant world feel so much smaller and less intimidating. Maybe that’s the optimist in me talking. But I think it mainly just comes from a place of genuine passion for social media and other humans and their endless abilities to share and create.
What about you? How has blogging and social media changed you? Speak up in a comment or in the linkup below!
This one is difficult for me because blogging and social media has changed my life so much that I hardly know where to begin. For the sake of this exercise, I just went back to the very first post on my very first blog - if you’re wondering, it was on July 6th, 2008. It’s interesting, because I found that my writing voice and style has actually not changed much at all since then. But boy, so many other things sure have.
Blogging and social media have had many both positive and negative effects on my life. For one thing, they’ve caused this addiction in me to share my experiences with others. I used to live my life in a solitary fashion - you know, like most people do - but now, if I can’t photograph it, instagram it, tweet it, blog it, share it with the world, it almost feels like it wasn’t even worth doing. It’s such a strange thing, and when I put it that way, it sounds sort of negative (not to mention pathetic). But I find that in my life, this is a good thing. I am naturally disinclined to change, grow, experience new things, and get out of my comfort zone. Blogging and social media have helped me be less that way. Because, you know, my blog would be boring as hell if I remained a sad stagnant hermit covered in dog hair who mostly never leaves the house.
A second way that blogging, in particular, has changed me, is that it’s given me confidence I never, ever had before. I specifically remember being at the grocery store one day, a few months after I started Story of My Life and after I had picked up a few dozen or maybe a couple hundred readers by then. I remember noticing I had this extra spring in my step, and a stronger sense of self than I had ever had before. I remember noticing that and then immediately attributing it to my blog. People cared what I had to say, my great passion for writing was being affirmed, and I was connecting with people in a way I was missing in my “real” life! It just generally felt really nice. To have found a niche, a hobby, and something I knew I could excel at.
Social media has also caused me to be really freaking ADD/all-over-the-place, which I discussed in this post (the response to it was pretty incredible… so many of us suffer with this!). Since I already talked about it, I won’t go into anymore detail on that one. I’m getting a LITTLE better about this though. Re-training myself to focus when I really need to. It’s not easy.
And finally, this conversation would be so incomplete if I didn’t mention the way that blogging and social media have had an incredibly globalizing effect on my life - meaning, it’s brought the entire world right here into MY world. The things I have learned have been countless. The relationships I’ve made have been priceless. The art and talent I’ve been exposed to have been inspiring and invaluable. Basically, it's all made a giant world feel so much smaller and less intimidating. Maybe that’s the optimist in me talking. But I think it mainly just comes from a place of genuine passion for social media and other humans and their endless abilities to share and create.
What about you? How has blogging and social media changed you? Speak up in a comment or in the linkup below!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
One click changed it all
Blogtember Day 6. Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn. I'm not really going with the obvious answer for this one. I could say something like "the day I met my husband," and that would most certainly be a time my life took a complete 180 degree turn, but I've already told that story. You can read it here, if you fancy.
No, the defining moment I wanted to write about today was so much more subtle. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but now I see that moment as the beginning of something really important in my life. It was in late October of 2010, and I attended a family Halloween party. I was snapping photos with my little point-and-shoot digital camera, but then my mother-in-law asked me to take a few of her and her mom, since they both had cute costumes on. She handed me her DSLR camera, and I started snapping.
It's not very often that you remember the way you actually felt in a particular moment years in the past, or remember the actual thoughts that went through your mind. It must be an exceptional feeling or thought, whether positive or negative, to cause it to stand out among a million other memories. But that's how I remember that moment. As something very quietly exceptional. I fell in love with the way that camera felt in my hands. I fell in love with the sound of the shutter clicking as I snapped. It felt as though some tiny little light snapped on, like something woke up inside me that I hadn't previously known existed.
And then I proceeded to badger my husband for the entire month of November, until he purchased me a DSLR for my birthday. ;)
Since then I've taken plenty of bad pictures, tried to sell some of those bad pictures on Etsy (hahahahah), experimented with editing styles that make me cringe to look back on, started a business, done things wrong, done things right, made great friends in my clients, and continue to learn and grow along the way. I've realized that you don't just go from zero to incredibly amazing as a photographer (or anything, for that matter) overnight. It takes lots and lots of time and practice and hard work and honing that only comes from time and practice and hard work. I am nowhere near where I'd like to be as a photographer. But do I feel completely in my element? YES! And I can trace it all back to that one little moment back in October of 2010, when my life took a turn. Funny how that works sometimes... ;) Tell us about your turning points in the link up below. Happy Tuesday!
No, the defining moment I wanted to write about today was so much more subtle. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but now I see that moment as the beginning of something really important in my life. It was in late October of 2010, and I attended a family Halloween party. I was snapping photos with my little point-and-shoot digital camera, but then my mother-in-law asked me to take a few of her and her mom, since they both had cute costumes on. She handed me her DSLR camera, and I started snapping.
photo cred: Smitten Imagery
It's not very often that you remember the way you actually felt in a particular moment years in the past, or remember the actual thoughts that went through your mind. It must be an exceptional feeling or thought, whether positive or negative, to cause it to stand out among a million other memories. But that's how I remember that moment. As something very quietly exceptional. I fell in love with the way that camera felt in my hands. I fell in love with the sound of the shutter clicking as I snapped. It felt as though some tiny little light snapped on, like something woke up inside me that I hadn't previously known existed.
And then I proceeded to badger my husband for the entire month of November, until he purchased me a DSLR for my birthday. ;)
Since then I've taken plenty of bad pictures, tried to sell some of those bad pictures on Etsy (hahahahah), experimented with editing styles that make me cringe to look back on, started a business, done things wrong, done things right, made great friends in my clients, and continue to learn and grow along the way. I've realized that you don't just go from zero to incredibly amazing as a photographer (or anything, for that matter) overnight. It takes lots and lots of time and practice and hard work and honing that only comes from time and practice and hard work. I am nowhere near where I'd like to be as a photographer. But do I feel completely in my element? YES! And I can trace it all back to that one little moment back in October of 2010, when my life took a turn. Funny how that works sometimes... ;) Tell us about your turning points in the link up below. Happy Tuesday!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Where my ENFPs at
Day five of Blogtember! Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (more detailed info on the Blogtember prompts post)
Dress: c/o Hazel & Olive | Belt: Target | Necklace: c/o Moorea Seal | Bag: Target
Hope you all had a nice and restful weekend! We're back at Blogtember today, and I hope that even those of you who are simply quiet readers or not participating in the writing challenge will still complete the Jung typology test and determine your profile type. It's really quite interesting! I've mentioned it here briefly before, so some of you may have already completed the test.
I'm an ENFP. ENFP through and through! My jaw must have hit the floor when I took this test for the first time. It pegged me so perfectly that it was almost weird. Both my good traits, and my bad ones. Then I had Matthew take the test too, and it was actually one of the best things we've ever done for our relationship, funny enough. To see some of those qualities we both admire and, let's face it, despise in each other written out like that, all scientific-like, was so, so interesting. It has actually helped us to accept one another's strengths and weaknesses, and move on a bit from focusing on the negative so much. (he is an INTJ, by the way!)
Here's just a few points that really stood out to me as true about myself:
"Because ENFPs live in a world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. They place no importance on detailed, maintenance-type tasks, and will frequently remain oblivious to these types of tasks. When they do have to perform these tasks, they do not enjoy themselves. This is a challenging area of life for most ENFPs, and can be frustrating for ENFP's family members." - from here
-Things like cooking and cleaning are extremely difficult for me to focus on. It was interesting to learn that this is a very strong characteristic of my personality type.
"ENFPs have what some call a "silly switch." They can be intellectual, serious, all business for a while, but whenever they get the chance, they flip that switch and become CAPTAIN WILDCHILD, the scourge of the swimming pool, ticklers par excellence. Sometimes they may even appear intoxicated when the "switch" is flipped." - from here
-This could not be more true! Matthew and I had a laugh at this one. Often late at night I turn into a very annoying and silly other-version of myself, like some sort of weird split personality. I have no idea why. Must just be an ENFP thing! ;)
"One ENFP colleague, a social worker, had such tremendous interpersonal skills that she put her interviewers at ease during her own job interview. She had the ability to make strangers feel like old friends." - from here
-Specifically that last line rings true for me. I connect with almost everyone I meet. My #1 goal is always to make people feel accepted, admired, and like a friend.
"ENFPs are basically happy people. They may become unhappy when they are confined to strict schedules or mundane tasks. Consequently, ENFPs work best in situations where they have a lot of flexibility, and where they can work with people and ideas. Many go into business for themselves. They have the ability to be quite productive with little supervision, as long as they are excited about what they're doing." from here
-All the above ring so true for me. I've always wanted to work for myself. I do really well on things I'm excited about. I am basically a really happy person, and I don't stress a lot. The times in my life when I've been least happy are when I've been "confined to schedules or mundane tasks."
I could keep going, but those are some of the major ones I wanted to respond to about my type. Hope you all enjoyed this exercise as much as I did!
Dress: c/o Hazel & Olive | Belt: Target | Necklace: c/o Moorea Seal | Bag: Target
*I recommend putting your letter personality type in the link title, so people with the same type can meet others like them! :)
*I recommend putting your letter personality type in the link title, so people with the same type can meet others like them! :)
Friday, September 6, 2013
That time I almost died in a plane crash
Day FOUR of Blogtember! A story about a time you were very afraid. Here goes.
At the time of the incident, I was about 8 years old and living in Germany with my military family. My mom, sister, and I hopped a cheap Air Force flight to Oregon where my grandparents lived - it was one of those giant, green, military cargo planes where the seating is made of nets and you have to wear earplugs to drown out the roaring of the engines. In other words, not your comfy commuter jet (but tickets were something like $8 per person).
Everything was groovy until just before landing in Seattle. My sister and I made friends with another little girl on the flight, and we all got to go up into the cockpit and "steer the plane" with the pilots. My sis and I had just returned to our seats since we were getting ready to land in Seattle, and as we began our initial descent, some sort of hatch popped off the top of the airplane, causing rapid depressurization and sudden loss of altitude. Sparks flew, a coffee pot exploded, people were screaming and rushing to put on their oxygen masks, and a male flight attendant was sucked up to the ceiling where the hatch was and then dropped back to the floor.
I remember asking God why he would allow this - my very worst fear - to happen to me (because it felt for some seconds that the plane was definitely going down). It was absolutely the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced, and I'm basically scarred for life. I'm like a nervous little hamster on airplanes now. Every strange whine of the engine and jolt of turbulence sends me into full panic mode... heart racing, palms sweaty, eyes darting around... I'm super fun to fly with.
But indeed, we made it out of that airplane alive. We never really were crashing, I suppose, it only just felt like it. But nevertheless, an ambulance was waiting to rush all passengers to the hospital, and I ended up with a perforated eardrum and could barely hear for two weeks.
After that experience, I like to think that my odds of dying in a plane wreck are even lower than they ever were before. I mean, seriously. Who survives an explosive decompression on an airplane and then goes on to die in a separate crash?
Let's hope no one.
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Here's a couple featured SOML sponsors, and if you're participating in Blogtember, leave your links below! :)
A Home Away From Home is an expat blog by a sweet girl named Jenna, currently residing in South Africa with her fiancé (the fiancé part is a new development, by the way!). Jenna recounts her exciting adventures overseas complete with lots of lovely photos (how magnificent are the animals in this post?) - always fun to see a peek at the world through the eyes (and lenses) of other bloggers. Go here to learn a little more about Jenna, and what brought her to South Africa!
Kristie Was Here is authored by, you guessed it, a lovely lady named Kristie! Kristie is one of those bloggers that puts all the rest of us bloggers to shame - her words slide off the tongue (err... computer screen) like butta, and she makes you think and laugh and cry with her. You can start by exploring some of her "best of" posts, and of course follow along with her this month during Blogtember! You will love this girl, particularly if you enjoy reading posts of substance.
At the time of the incident, I was about 8 years old and living in Germany with my military family. My mom, sister, and I hopped a cheap Air Force flight to Oregon where my grandparents lived - it was one of those giant, green, military cargo planes where the seating is made of nets and you have to wear earplugs to drown out the roaring of the engines. In other words, not your comfy commuter jet (but tickets were something like $8 per person).
Everything was groovy until just before landing in Seattle. My sister and I made friends with another little girl on the flight, and we all got to go up into the cockpit and "steer the plane" with the pilots. My sis and I had just returned to our seats since we were getting ready to land in Seattle, and as we began our initial descent, some sort of hatch popped off the top of the airplane, causing rapid depressurization and sudden loss of altitude. Sparks flew, a coffee pot exploded, people were screaming and rushing to put on their oxygen masks, and a male flight attendant was sucked up to the ceiling where the hatch was and then dropped back to the floor.
I remember asking God why he would allow this - my very worst fear - to happen to me (because it felt for some seconds that the plane was definitely going down). It was absolutely the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced, and I'm basically scarred for life. I'm like a nervous little hamster on airplanes now. Every strange whine of the engine and jolt of turbulence sends me into full panic mode... heart racing, palms sweaty, eyes darting around... I'm super fun to fly with.
But indeed, we made it out of that airplane alive. We never really were crashing, I suppose, it only just felt like it. But nevertheless, an ambulance was waiting to rush all passengers to the hospital, and I ended up with a perforated eardrum and could barely hear for two weeks.
After that experience, I like to think that my odds of dying in a plane wreck are even lower than they ever were before. I mean, seriously. Who survives an explosive decompression on an airplane and then goes on to die in a separate crash?
Let's hope no one.
* * * * *
Here's a couple featured SOML sponsors, and if you're participating in Blogtember, leave your links below! :)
A Home Away From Home is an expat blog by a sweet girl named Jenna, currently residing in South Africa with her fiancé (the fiancé part is a new development, by the way!). Jenna recounts her exciting adventures overseas complete with lots of lovely photos (how magnificent are the animals in this post?) - always fun to see a peek at the world through the eyes (and lenses) of other bloggers. Go here to learn a little more about Jenna, and what brought her to South Africa!
Kristie Was Here is authored by, you guessed it, a lovely lady named Kristie! Kristie is one of those bloggers that puts all the rest of us bloggers to shame - her words slide off the tongue (err... computer screen) like butta, and she makes you think and laugh and cry with her. You can start by exploring some of her "best of" posts, and of course follow along with her this month during Blogtember! You will love this girl, particularly if you enjoy reading posts of substance.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Call me Unsolicited Advice Girl
Blogtember Day 3. Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.
Advice. I'm drawing a blank on this one! The funny thing is, I am a chronic unsolicited advice-giver. Oh, you have a problem? I know just the thing you should do! And I will share it with you, even if you didn't ask! This trait has gotten me into trouble a couple of times. It's in my nature to want to help make things better for people, so I give advice. But some people just want to be listened to. Maybe that's my advice today. Some people just want to be listened to. They just want you to say, "yeah, that must be really tough. I'm so sorry you're going through that." Sometimes they don't want to be given an entire roadmap with detailed instructions on how to maneuver their current situation and come out on the other side, a better and more successful human. Even if you feel you can offer that. Some people just want to be heard.
ALSO. Here's something my dentist once told me, and it was life-altering. Think you don't have bad breath? When you floss your teeth, smell the floss. Particularly if you don't floss often. It will scare the shit out of you into flossing, I promise. Sorry that's gross, but you might've needed to hear it.
You're welcome. That is all.
Advice. I'm drawing a blank on this one! The funny thing is, I am a chronic unsolicited advice-giver. Oh, you have a problem? I know just the thing you should do! And I will share it with you, even if you didn't ask! This trait has gotten me into trouble a couple of times. It's in my nature to want to help make things better for people, so I give advice. But some people just want to be listened to. Maybe that's my advice today. Some people just want to be listened to. They just want you to say, "yeah, that must be really tough. I'm so sorry you're going through that." Sometimes they don't want to be given an entire roadmap with detailed instructions on how to maneuver their current situation and come out on the other side, a better and more successful human. Even if you feel you can offer that. Some people just want to be heard.
ALSO. Here's something my dentist once told me, and it was life-altering. Think you don't have bad breath? When you floss your teeth, smell the floss. Particularly if you don't floss often. It will scare the shit out of you into flossing, I promise. Sorry that's gross, but you might've needed to hear it.
You're welcome. That is all.
Shirt: Ruche, Jeans: J. Crew, Necklace: c/o Noonday Collection, Boots: Langford Market
Side note: Have you heard of Noonday Collection? I love me a good company-with-a-cause. Proudly wearing a piece from them in today's outfit post. Check them out. (the lookbook is stunning!)
* * * * *
Side note: Have you heard of Noonday Collection? I love me a good company-with-a-cause. Proudly wearing a piece from them in today's outfit post. Check them out. (the lookbook is stunning!)
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Share your advice posts below! :) Happy Thursday!
and PS - did you see Bonnie's guest post just before this one, on 10 Not-So-Obvious Blogging Tips? Talk about great ADVICE! Check it out.
***If the link list below isn't showing up for you, clear your temporary internet files and it should work! :)***
***If the link list below isn't showing up for you, clear your temporary internet files and it should work! :)***
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Pied-á-terre
Day Two of Blogtember! If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?
above via Corcoran, $1,649,000, Greenwich Village
Easiest question I’ll ever answer. This one’s been a dream of mine for years now, and I have this funny feeling that if it never happens, it will be my one great sadness, you know?
I’d move to New York City. Live and breathe it for three whole months (or six… or twelve… or maybe indefinitely). Stay in a cozy apartment somewhere in Manhattan - bonus points for exposed brick walls and bright, east-facing windows. I’d soak it all in and I’d write all day, every day, in my little desk by a window, or at a cafe, or in the park. I’d visit museums and art galleries and eat the best food and learn about people and learn about myself. I’ve always thought that if I ever have anything good to say (to write), it will be said from there. From New York. That city has my heart.
Any wealthy benefactor/readers out there want to buy me one of these apartments? Hey, just throwing it out there.
above via Corcoran, $649,000, Chelsea
above via Corcoran, 1, 475,000, West Village
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What would YOU do with three months off from your life? Link up below! :)
***If you entered your link between 8:30-8:45 AM central time, please enter it again! List wasn't working properly so I had to make a new one. :(
***If you entered your link between 8:30-8:45 AM central time, please enter it again! List wasn't working properly so I had to make a new one. :(
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