Welcome to 2012

Hello 2012!
Something about this year feels special.
Maybe because for the first time since college, I know the direction I want my life to go.
Not that I'm all that sure that I will get there, or that the path will be as I envisioned.  But the fact that I have a sense of direction is exciting.
Already it has been a busy year: Offer to do a shoot for a singer, the largest print order I have ever had, and I lead the 5 minute tech meeting for the volunteers before church for the first time.  That last one may not seem like such a big deal...but it falls right into my New Year's Resolve: Bravery.
People scare me.
I could give you all kinds of reasons why, but it boils down to the self confidence that I have always lacked.  Perhaps I really am silly with nothing but ridiculous ideas, and everyone has every right to judge me harshly.
Or, maybe I'm just human like everybody else.
Whichever the case, I have resolved to be brave!
I resolve to post that kind comment on facebook
I resolve to lead the church tech meeting
I resolve to host more parties
I resolve to talk to people I barely know
I resolve to not avoid the personality behind the counter whose humor I cannot keep up with

I had decided this the first week of January, but while I was nervously getting ready to lead the tech meeting, another resolve hit me: Humility.  On the surface it looks like a weakness, but actually I think it is bravery's true strength.  I may not say all the right things, I may not make sense, I may not have makeup on (and I didn't); but I will offer what I have, ask for help, and take your criticism.  At least I did at that moment; bravery and humility are going to take some work!

Happy New Year!!!!

2011: Year in Review

Ah, late as always, here I finally am to reflect on the old 2011.

It wasn't a bad year.  Actually it was a surprising one!  Surprising 'cause I started the year off pretty lazy.  I had already lost my weight, I kinda knew what my resolves were, but I wasn't really motivated.  So I stepped into the new year unsuspecting and with fuzzy ideas of what I thought I should do with myself.

But, one thing I've noticed about God is that he likes to jump out and surprise you right when you think you should be comfy.  Moses, Mary, the shepherds, Paul: they were all business as usual, when out of nowhere--BAM!  God says, "Hi there, your life is going to go this way now."  And just like that the sea parts, the Savior of the world is born, and you spend the rest of your life braving the hatred of the sea and Romans for the greater good as if its nbd.

Of course, 2011 wasn't that giant of a surprise, but for me...well, there are parts of it where I feel as if I had just been picked me up and whisked away.

First stop was family vacation in San Antonio in March.  Lovely place!

I wanted photography work, but I wasn't really looking.  Then April hit, and my Aunt asked me to do a shoot for Gary my cousin.  Such a blast!  But I didn't think it was too out of the ordinary; I was just thankful.

This is what really got me near the end of May!  A wedding!!!!!  

First time ever, and totally unexpected!!

I'm so thankful to Blessy and Sean for letting me be one of their wedding photographers.  Thank you, thank you!!

Not far on the heals of the wedding was a precious family shoot for Angela and Brooks in June.  Thank you both!  And thank you Emily Luke for recommending me :)

I had a lot of fun doing my cousin Abby's 21st photos in July.  She is so photogenic!

My second wedding ever in August!!  I was so excited to do another one!  Weddings are by far my favorite.    Thanks, Jacqueline and Daniel!!

Here's something I really didn't see coming!  I didn't post anything about it because I was kind of embarrassed.  Me modeling??   Someone actually asked me to model for them in September...I thought Jared was crazy.  He said something about my long neck and "edgy features", so I thought, "Okay, why not."...I flipped when I saw the photo!!  Jared isn't crazy, he's magic.

Then I turned 26 later that month...old old old, haha!  What else could I have done but pretend I'm a kid and go to the zoo.

This session in October was so fun, especially since Marie and Francis are awesome people with the cutest love story!

In November, I thought my string of photo work was over.  I decided to be a little more proactive and ask someone to model for me, and I'm so glad I did!!  Thanks again Emily!  I have so much fun working with you.

Before I could finish editing Emily's photos, Marie recommended me to the awesome Cacal family.  Little did I know that November was going to be one of my busiest months! 

Before the month was over, my dear friend Faith asked me to be the photographer at her super fun b-day party for her Mr!  Such greatness everywhere!!  I found out that I really like doing parties too!

As a little extension of the birthday festivities, we did a photo shoot with Luke and his friends.  Really such a crazy fun group!!

I actually had two more photo sessions before the end of the year, but I haven't had the time to post them...too much holiday shopping and eating, haha!  All in all, I can't believe how blessed I was to have so many photo sessions with old friends and new this past year.  With my hopes and resolves being a bit stronger now, I'm excited to see what will happen this year, 2012.