The Windy (Cold) City

Last weekend I went to Chicago with two dear friends of mine! We stayed right by Michigan Ave. and did a lot of shopping and sight seeing! It was a great escape in the middle of a crazy semester!

Thinking...

It is way too late to be up. I have been spending the last couple of weeks thinking. Thinking about everything that is being piled on my shrinking plate. That it seems like the work of many instead of just one.
Thinking about faith and what it all means. I have been feeling really disconnected with the people who I have come to love and value, yet I feel more connected with my personal walk and journey. I don't know why that is. Maybe it is because I am being led away to something new, fresh. Only time will tell.
Thinking about Ireland. Holding my breath until I hear the word. I am craving this adventure from the tips of my toes to the highest hair on my head. I know that whatever will happen will be for the best, yet I get this feeling of heartache when I think of being passed over.
Thinking about my past. The people who have been threaded into my life's tapestry. Many of them are woven in more than once. The bright colors. The dark grays. So many people have impacted me. The amazing purpose behind each other. The amazing piece of art it has created.
Just Thinking...

Today...

Today is the day that I have been waiting for. Although I know it will not last, it is still a little gem that is part of the treasure that is in store. The warmth of the sun kisses me through the light breeze. My toes are joyfully wiggling in their temporary freedom. I can close my eyes and breathe in the moment. The smells are fresh yet moist; refreshment at its fullest. Today has been the day I have been waiting for.

Ugly Trees, Fun Art

Walking down state street I found myself looking up! I saw shoes and a orange cone in the trees. Although I see that uniqueness in that, I do not like littering. It is ugly to me when someone purposely leaves their unwanted goods for other to see and discard. However they did make for some fun photo editing...

Family Fun in Madison

These are a couple of weeks old. Better late than never, right? My mom came down for the weekend and my brother came up for a day!

We enjoyed some local Wisconsin Cheese.

My mom and I went on a winter wonderland drive.

Wisconsin's Capital.

Signs on the back of a sign at The Old Fashion.

State Street.

Wisconsin's State Capital.

A church by State Street.

Middle of a Highway

The middle of a highway in the middle of Mongolia. That single shot captures so much. To me it is loaded with meaning. Some of it ironic. Some of it painful. Some of it wonderful. In that moment the the world seems to be moving so slowly. Although I felt like I was loosing my breath, everything was under my control. The world around me seemed carefree. I was lost and didn't know it. It was the calm before the storm. It was the rest before the test. I didn't realize what was in store. I am not that girl anymore. I shine with a new hue of gold, that did not grace me before. I look at that girl with a type of pity. The journey took her so long. She stumbled and fell down the valleys and crawled up the mountain. The thoughts of being back at that moment entice me. I know better then to wish it. I am better off here. That moment in time is long gone. It is for the best. That moment in time when I sat in the middle of a highway in the middle of Mongolia.

Beauty from a Brother

My brother and I rarely see eye to eye. Do not get me wrong, I would lay down my life for him. I stumbled upon these photos that he took this past summer on a road trip to Washington. I never knew that my brother could take such beautiful photos. For this weeks Ugly to Attractive I am displaying the photos my brother took. To display that sometime my ignorance of others talents and assumptions of their lack of ability (ugly thoughts) and lead to the discovery that even a brother can capture beauty in a moment through a lens (beautiful thoughts). I love you Matt and Happy belated Birthday!



(used with permission)

Attractive Feet

I do not like feet. It would a great thing if I never had to touch another foot again. They are dirty. They are ugly. I was curious if I could take some photos of my feet and make them look attractive. And this is what I cam up with! Of course it did take a good deal of editing, but I think I successes in my goal.

A new photo challenge to myself: to take photos of things I find unattractive and make them attractive.

Winterm

This Winterm I am taking Art Structure, which has proven to be a lot of fun! Today we took simple paintings that we did yesterday and added texture to them. I learned a lot of great new techniques! Tomorrow we have to make a book out of all the techniques we learned throughout the week! I am sooo excited!

Warm Snowy Fun

Lydia and Bekka






Bekka and I

I was able to meet up with some dear friends for a day in Wisconsin Dell's Wilderness Lodge. We had such a great time catching up!