Photo Project: Macro

I've finally chosen photos for February's monthly photo project. These are all pictures from my backyard. Spring is waking up and showing it's blooming face here in the PNW, and I'm loving every blossom, sprout and leaf!

Some new green sprouting up. I recommend clicking on the photo, so you can see a bigger shot.

Our quince tree is blossoming like crazy! It's full of these tiny white flowers. The only thing about this tree is that we do nothing with quince. You can make preserves, but we don't do that. So, when the fruit is overripe and starts to fall, it gets pretty squishy. Anyone want to do some free quince-picking?


A shot of the birdhouse hanging on our quince tree. Our realtor, Katy gave this to us as a little housewarming gift. I've yet to see birds inside, but I'm sure they hang out when I'm not around. Maybe I'll leave a snack for them.


I took several shots of the daffodils, but this one turned out pretty interesting (at least I think so). I like how the details of the petals are blurred, leaving a golden glow around the - oh, what the hell are the little pollen sticks called? Botanist, I am not. Anyway, I like this.


In almost all cases, I am a hater of pink. I despise pink. Very rarely do I enjoy being surrounded by pink. I do, however, make an exception when it comes to flowers. I love pink flowers. What a crazy world I live in. This is from our hybrid plum-cherry tree. Or is it a cherry-plum tree? This has been the mystery tree to even my landscaping friends. All I know is, when this tree fruits, the little pinkish-red-plummy-cherry fruits are delicious! If anyone knows the real name of this tree, pass that info along to me, would you? Thanks!

This month's project: Night shots. I'm excited about this project, because I'm really bad at it. Hopefully I'll stick with it and learn a thing or two. I have one already. It was from Disneyland (as if you couldn't figure that out).

I'll post more pics later. But for now...

It's been a while, I know.

Time isn't flying by any faster, and days aren't getting any shorter, yet somehow I feel as if there are never enough hours in the day...

Oh well.

Here are some pictures from my trip to California. It was one of the best trips yet! I had an amazing time with each and every single person I was able to spend time with. I love my family more than words will ever express, and miss them every day, but my life is here in Oregon, and here I will stay, eagerly awaiting family visits :o)

I bought everyone some chocolate mustaches. I hope hope hope everyone enjoyed them!

We went to my Aunt Peggy's house to see her, my Uncle Marv, and of course Grandma. I was a little nervous seeing Grandma because she had been in the hospital only a couple weeks earlier with chest pains. We were worried it was her heart, but when I saw her, she was zipping around like her normal self, and even showed us how to make her world famous peanut brittle! She made the first batch, and Greg took a crack at making the second batch. His turned out pretty good, but you could tell which one was his, and which was Grandma's.

Our first full day in California was spent at Disneyland. It's funny how much I miss it now that I can't go every day. I was lucky enough to get to enjoy the parks with my mom, my brother, my sister and my niece and nephews. I have to admit, this was the best time I've had visiting my mom. We usually end up getting in some stupid argument where tears are eventually shed, but not this time, and I'm very grateful for that. I love this picture because not only did Nikki take it (she's got a really good eye!), but because of Erica's nice tooth bling, and especially because of Kody's little face sneaking into the shot! Nice job!

You can't tell, but Nikki is riding next to me. It was her fourth time (I think) ever riding Space Mountain, and even though she didn't show it while waiting in line, I could tell she was a little nervous :o) I think she was putting on a brave face, because she was the only little one hanging out with the "big kids". But when we got seated, and the roller coaster started trudging up that hill, she hid her head in my lap and kept it there for pretty much the entire ride. It was cute. And when the ride was over she lifted up her head, showed a big grin and stated, "I did really good this time - I didn't scream once!"

I know it sounds silly, but I was kind of nervous to see the kids. It had been over a year, and even though Erica does a great job of letting them know who "Tia Kika" is, I was still worried that they'd be a little uncomfortable and unfamiliar with me. I was dead wrong. Silas was the one I was most worried about, since I moved to Portland before he was even born, but right when he saw me, he ran into my arms and we spun and spun and spun! All my worries spun right out of my mind, too! Silas was wearing the dorkiest (therefore, cutest) little boots, hoping it would give him enough added height to ride Star Tours, since he's a HUGE Star Wars fan. Alas, he was a hair short. Really, a hair. Like, a millimeter too short and they wouldn't let him ride. Oh well. It's been about a week, so I bet he's tall enough now.

Most of the times I visit California, I enjoy the company, but by the time my vacation is up, I'm ready to go home. This time around, I wanted to stay. Not for California, but to spend more time with my family. It was such a wonderful trip, and every time I go back, I leave a little piece of my heart with them. I wish I could give them my whole heart. I wish they'd all slowly (or quickly) move up to Oregon. But our lives are our lives, and we must follow where they lead us. I hope, though, that our lives soon lead us back to one another, even if it's only for a visit.

Free Write Time

Empty.

Wandering within myself, I roam the empty halls.
Give, give, I want to give - thought, idea, knowledge, heart,
but they lose themselves within this vast space inside me.
Force the fervent beings of my core to free themselves and show the world,
my loves, who I am.
Past the humor, past the fun, into the depths of somewhat dark and gloomy patterns that

repeat

repeat

repeat themselves,
creating a vibrant, furious piece of my soul.
Will you hate me?
Will you be scared?
I am.
The emptiness is so heavy, it weighs me down, paralyzing me.
On one end, I sit with the ease of positivity, the carefree choices that have no real meaning,
that give no real life.

These simple moves, these unimportant choices, make up the me you see.

Art Night!

The time has come! Our first gathering of our Art Collective Collaboration Ampersand Awesomeness Organization Group (the name is still in the works)! We meet tonight at my place, which gives me an excuse to clean, cook a meal for friends, and be the awkward hostess that I've never been trained to be. I'm really looking forward to it!

No Yanks Allowed

I have unofficially joined a camera club. Unofficially because the club is in the UK, and only professional photographers living in the UK can join. Seeing how I am neither a professional photographer nor a resident of the UK (though I wish I was!), I cannot officially join, but I've decided to follow their lead and complete their monthly photo assignments. It's a fun way to play with my camera, practice techniques and strengthen my keen eye (which, right now, is not so keen). I really enjoy having a topic given to me - it helps me stay focued, allowing me to create portfolios that actually tell stories, rather than random hodgepodge images that make the viewer feel like they have ADD. I haven't created a story yet (which shall be told in 6 images), but here are a couple of practice shots. Oh, and the topic this month is macro photography.

Pretty Darn Accurate

I took a personality trait test online today. I have to admit, these results are pretty damn accurate. So, if you want to know what I'm like, have a looksie:

Trait Explanations

Openness

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer novelty versus convention. Approximately 85% of respondents have a lower openness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is far more intellectually curious and sensitive to beauty than most. You might say that your beliefs are individualistic and frequently drift towards the unconventional, and that you enjoy your imagination and the exciting places it takes you!



Conscientiousness

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer an organised, or a flexible, approach in life. Approximately 56% of respondents have a lower conscientiousness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is random and fun to be around but that you can plan and persist when life requires it. From your responses it appears that depending on the situation, you can make quick decisions or deliberate for longer if necessary.



Extraversion

This trait refers to the extent to which you enjoy company, and seek excitement and stimulation. Approximately 21% of respondents have a lower extraversion raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who prefers low-key social occasions, with a few close friends. You might say that it's not that you are afraid of large parties; they're just not that fun for you.



Agreeableness

This trait refers to the way you express your opinions and manage relationships. Approximately 58% of respondents have a lower agreeableness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who gets along with people well, especially once they have proved themselves trustworthy to you. Your responses suggest that you do have a healthy scepticism about others' motives, but that doesn't stop you from considering others to be basically honest and decent.



Neuroticism (Emotional stability)

This trait refers to the way you cope with, and respond to, life's demands. Approximately 11% of respondents have a lower neuroticism raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is calm and emotionally stable. Based on your responses, you come across as someone who is rarely bothered by things, and when they do get you down the feeling does not persist for very long.




Jungian Typology Estimate


Research has found that the Big Five personality traits are significantly related to Jungian Typology (e.g. the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). This is a popular alternative personality framework regularly used for personal development, in which Types are used rather than Traits. Based on your Big Five trait scores, your estimated Type is shown below:

INTJ

Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

INTJs are very analytical individuals. They are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. They are also commonly not susceptible to catchphrases and commonly do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank or title. Hallmark features of the INTJ personality type include independence of thought, strong individualism and creativity. Persons with this personality type work best given large amounts of autonomy and creative freedom. They harbour an innate desire to express themselves; that is to be creative by conceptualizing their own intellectual designs. Analyzing and formulating complex theories are among their greatest strengths.

All Grown Up

Back in September, I entered an essay contest. I didn't win. So now I can post it on my blog.

A few days ago my friend told me about an essay contest in a magazine. The challenge is to write about the moment or event that happened in your life that made you feel like you had become a grown-up. It's really got me thinking. What has happened to me that has made me feel "all grown up"? I'm not sure that moment exists. I grow. I learn. I have matured, but am I a grown-up? That seems like an end, a finale. Some days I feel like an adult, and other days it blows my mind that I'm closer to thirty than I am to twenty. One day I will feel accomplished, and the next I will feel lost. All grown up? No. That moment does not exist to me. I am growing. I am an adult. A child's spirit and an old soul both reside inside of me, and both are always learning from the other.

I felt grown up when I had my first "real" boyfriend, then realized how little I knew about love until I met Greg, and I still feel that there will always be more to discover about him and about love.

I felt grown up when I got my first job, but I understood what a true work ethic was years later.

I felt grown up when I stayed strong in front of my father when he was in the hospital having heart surgery, but I felt so little when I broke down once I got back home.

Maybe feeling grown up doesn't come from one pivotal moment. Maybe it reaches us like ocean waves- at times a moment of adulthood will crash into you, and if you don't dive under, immersing your whole self into the wave, it will knock you over. Then at times, maybe the tide is so low that no matter how far you reach out, you can barely reach the water, or you can only test the water with your big toe- too timid to just run in, because the high tide might roll in and overwhelm you (grown up situations can be scary). It ebbs and flows. It comes and goes. Adult. Child. Grown up. Lost. I am all of these. Perhaps it is this understanding- that the title "grown-up" doesn't have to mean I'm done growing- that has made me realize that I actually have become a grown-up.