TRANSITIONING | HAPPY SUNDAY

From the photography jobs that I take on, to the little projects that I choose to work on... both are so much different from each other haha. But what I've learned through capturing moments lately, is creating or pulling out that story thats hidden behind it all. I signed up for another 6 month class that I took a couple years ago through my work, so that I could make a book from my trip to Europe. I'm definitely going through a transitional season emotionally and spiritually so I signed up hoping it would inspire me more. I recently got a small book and some postcards made through Artifact Uprising. Kind of loving their 100% recycled paper. I will be using them for my final book for the art show that I'll have my work displayed in coming up in February. 

A few quote that I've found dear to my heart:

 "Without a clear purpose, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, or other externals- hoping each will settle the confusion or fill emptiness in your heart."

"Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do less. Prune away even good activities and do that which matters most. Never confuse activity with productivity."- Rick Warren

AT THE APPLE ORCHARD | SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

My mom, sister, brother, his daughter and I took a short trip this weekend up to Solvang for Danish Days. We take many trips here. This time was special because it was our first mini trip away with Novalee and it's tradition that our family comes up here once a year. Though we usually have more family come up, it was bittersweet because not everyone was here to bicker and fight with. ;) Our grandparents were especially missed by me this weekend because they originally started this tradition. And if it weren't for them, we wouldn't continue to have and create more memories with our family in this little town.

Short story about the man behind the Apple Orchard. He used to live in Hermosa Beach and visited up here all the time. He finally decided to stay and make this place his home. I've been brought up here since I was four or five years old. He's always been here. Dedicated, I'll say! :) Our visits wouldn't be the same without this apple stand!

I'll have a blog post later this week of the Classic Organic farm stand! Happy weekending! 

Life Lately

(photos taken with my iphone)

I just got back from a short trip to Catalina Island with some fellow photographers. This time I got to watch them work a wedding and enjoy this beautiful view. Happy weekend!

BALBOA PARK | SAN DIEGO | DAY-VENTURE

Took a little day trip down to San Diego with some friends earlier this week. Marolly (Happy Birthday Cholo) and I tagged along with Hattie to visit her friend Mary allll the way from Boston.  Both her and her family were adorable! We had some lunch and walked around Balboa park. Then headed to Old Town for some tacos! It was a nice little break away from la.

Some new things are up ahead. Taking another art/ portfolio class September-February. Dropping some hours at my day job and trying to get back on track with photography, blogging and traveling. Stay tuned? Ok, cool. :)

Euston, England | Day 8

Hattie and her lovely sister! Awesome meeting her and her boyfriend!Delirious love! Hehe. Tired babies. 

Yep, I'm still going through photos from my trip haha. These were from our last night in London. We went to dinner at Nando's.  A very yummy place we ate at a few times! We met up with Hattie's brother, sister and her boyfriend and it was fun! We definitely miss Erin and I miss being away from here... lol. It feels like such a blur being back home. It's only been a month, but if feels much longer than that. Hoping to plan more smaller trips this summer around California and around the states!

THE FINALE | DAY TWO | Paris, France

If you can see the photo above, this happened on a daily basis while we were traveling. Pulling the kids stroller and our luggage up and down stairs in parks, subways, metros, etc. if lifts weren't available. Which was a fun experience. You'd be surprised at some of the generous people who would offer to help every once in a while. (Amelia's glasses above are from Bonlook.)

I got to try my first every Glace! Which was followed by being yelled at by a french woman who I was ordering from. It wasn't a very lovely experience, but was funny afterwards haha. I'm American, what can I say?

We ate lunch that afternoon with this amazing view above!

Again, the architecture!! Notre Dame... 800 years old! 

Had to try the snails! I've had many different, strange foods in my lifetime. Like crickets, rotten duck eggs.... and now snails. They were surprisingly really good. The texture was just really chewy lol. But I loved it! Glad I got to try it. :) 

So here we have the last actual day/ night in Paris. I loved it! :)

But I'm going to go in a different direction with this blog post. Even though people probably just look at my blog like they would read a book with pictures... but only not read the words. I still thought I would openly talk about how I've been since I've been back. Normally I don't like opening up and posting about my personal life because mine is messy haha. But I thought it would be somewhat encouraging to a point. While feeling stuck in certain life situations... it's true that you can actually try to pursue a desire you have or a talent while in the midst of those situations. Sayyyy whatttttt!? Yes, you can try. Which is where I'm at... the trying part.

Anyway, I love my family and some coworkers, but I desperately needed to get away for a little bit. I needed a little bit of change and pace. If my life from your point of view looks amazing, thank you haha. But I think it's important to openly share about where you come from sometimes.

But I blog and edit out of a 2 1/2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house with 6 people (including me) and an almost 1 year old. I blog from my 13" Macbook. Currently from my bed, hunched over like an old woman. I've never owned a desk in my life. There's no room... Basically I just want those to know that it is possible to work out of a very limited workspace and living situation. If you choose to make it happen. Don't give up friends!! 

I just turned 25. I'm still living at home, never have moved out of the city I grew up in and feel a little trapped. Only I'm not, I'm just really horrible at making decisions. There's probably a million people who have already traveled the globe by the age of 21 and I've only just started! It's funny, the position I have at my job is shipping and receiving and mail order. Those are only two main things that I do at the little camera shop. I ship used photo equipment across the world and have always wondered what those lifestyles were like. (I also pick up my bosses dog poop, but thats beside the point). 

 In lots of ways I feel stuck. But realize how grateful I am and where God has already brought me through to this point. One fact to know with what you want to be doing is, at some point you will feel stuck, but keep on pushing through. Do what you love.