Jackie & Nick

It's such a great experience to be able to photograph a friend's wedding and Jackie & Nick's was nothing short of fun and relaxed. I have many more photos coming your way, Jackie.

Much love and many blessings to you both. Love you guys.

Love and all its forms

Just when you think you will never know Love the way you feel you are meant to experience it, or that it just wasn't meant for you, and all of that self-serving BS starts to creep into your head, God slaps you in the face and reminds you of the Love of another kind.

For me, it is in the face of a newborn baby boy.

My heart has expanded so inexplicably, suddenly, and has ballooned to a much larger size than I ever thought possible. All thanks to this precious little face.

Godspeed, little man

Sweet dreams, little man

Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings

Godspeed

Sweet dreams

"Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)"

-Dixie Chicks

Forgiveness (A personal decree)

I've noticed that the subject of forgiveness has been a constant in my life for a while now. Whether it be through a random post or message, or as an actual Critical Thinking assignment in response to The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal. I suppose you could say something or someone is forcing me to take the time to truly reflect on this topic and how I should I apply it to my life and personal experiences.

The notion of forgiveness has long been a subject that has been indoctrinated and engrained in my memory for as long as I can recall. I was raised devout christian and have been taught that it is necessary to forgive those who persecute, taunt, and do me wrong; it is a type of testament to God’s love to forgive and you must do so if you wish to be forgiven for your own wrong-doings as well. I was not allowed to partake in my church’s monthly communion service without doing some serious self-examination and determined that I was not “at fault” with my brother or my sister, or rather, any member from the congregation. If after doing so I had found that I had hatred in my heart or done somebody wrong, I had to then approach said person and ask for their forgiveness. It was not until then that I were to have been able to take part in the service, a service that was held in remembrance of Jesus Christ and his unwavering love and forgiveness. It was noted that Christ’s teachings also required for me to “turn the other cheek” and that I must forgive my brother “seventy times seven”. It isn’t until now, until I have experienced some more serious, emotional attacks to my person that I have begun to question whether this theory of the practice of forgiveness can be applied to any and all situations, or if one must forgive at all costs, or if there are certain situations that do not warrant forgiveness.

My response(s) to this keeps changing over time. I have, however, come to one conclusion - that everyone truly is capable of forgiveness, of forgiving, and being forgiven. But, it is a choice. You either decide to free yourself of hatred and anger or choose to hold onto it. Those that you ask forgiveness from may not always grant it, and that's okay so long as you have done your part.

So today, on my 30th birthday, I have decided to forgive the person that matters most to me - myself. I am letting go of past wrongs and mistakes that I have made while well aware that I have asked those that I have wronged to forgive me. I am starting over.

"Another Person's Eyes" by Charlie Veitch...

"To err is human, to forgive divine." - Alexander Pope

Oh.

You people actually read this stuff, eh?
Oh, okay.

I'll try and keep you abreast of what has been happening.
But first this...
http://www.loribell.com/index2.php

Went and viewed Lori's work this weekend and it inspired me to dust off some toy cameras that were sitting on my shelf and start shooting with them. Will let you know if I achieve some decent results.

Ciao!
xx

Musica!

I'm constantly on the look-out for new musical artists that will stir and inspire me. However, I somehow always get questioned on my musical tastes. I've been asked such silly things as "Why THAT artist?" or my favorite "How could you listen to THAT?!" My response: How could you NOT? Limiting your musical tastes is the equivalent to limiting the types of foods that you are willing to try. Sure, everyone's got a different palate and are partial to certain genres. But me? Nah. I'm open to most, including Gospel and Country.

Lately I've been enthralled by Sarah Jarosz. I'm a sucker for amazing lyrics that have been paired with languishing melodies and Sarah's music just "does" it for me. Besides, her music has just enough Blue Grassiness to make you want to jig to. Pair that with the fact that she is only seventeen and has already jammed with Ricky Skaggs. Wow.

Anyhow, you should check her out:

Myspace

Chain emails

I receive random emails every now and again. Okay, A LOT of the time. This was by far one of my best reads (as far as emails go anyway.) Enjoy!


Truer Words Were Never Spoken:

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.
Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.
An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.
As you grow, your associates will change.
Some of your friends will not want you to go on..
They will want you to stay where they are.
Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl.
Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream.
Those that don't increase you will eventually decrease you.

Consider this:
Never receive counsel from unproductive people.
Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how.
Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.
You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.
Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere.

With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it.
Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life.
Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.
If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.
"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses."
The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad.

Note: Be not mistaken.
This is applicable to family as well as friends.
Yes...do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family, for they will always be your family no matter what.
Just know that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above.

"In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us.
In Adversity We Know Our Friends."

"Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them."

"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a
prevailing attitude."........................ Colin Powell

I guess I have come a long way, huh?

I must tell you, there are times when I feel I haven't accomplished anything in life. I fall prey into thoughts of the typical American Dream- if I only had a house, some kids, a decent husband, some pets, all would not be lost. I would not be living in vain. However, if you know me, you'll know that I am anything BUT typical. Besides, contrary to popular belief, now is not a good time to buy property. But that's a whole other post in and of itself.

My sister and I were driving over to New Cuyama (CA) yesterday and she very much put things into perspective for me. She mentioned how much I had done for myself, seen some things this wonderful world has to offer. She mentioned certain things that she admired about me. And let me tell you, being admired my oldest sister (on my Mom's side) means a lot to me.

Anyhow, she stated that I had done more than her and my other sister took the time or effort to do; I got involved in school, FINISHED high school, had a chance to drive a couple of new vehicles, lived on my own, attended college, took on the challenge at a young age to drive hours away from home on my own (Which by the way, I still do. I love the taking the seven-hour drive to visit my parents in Arizona on my own. It gives me time to think). She also pin-pointed that I was forced to be an individual fairly early on in life. I grew up as an only child, really. Both my sisters were well into their teens when I was born and left the house soon after. I'm thinking I was about three when they did so.

Case in point; I have to remind myself that I do have a lot to offer, that I have come a long way and done plenty for myself on my own, and that I also have so much more that I want to accomplish. Not all is lost. I am merely self-sufficient. Most importantly though, I love my sister and she admires me. And sometimes, that's all that matters.

______________

On a completely separate and random note:

I'm gonna make the effort to write on more cheerful topics. Such as...oh, I don't know. My sarcasm? Mmmm, yes.