Photo Challenge: Day 14

“Letting go has never been easy, but holding on can be as difficult. Yet strength is measured not by holding on, but by letting go.”
-Len Santos

Day 14 (05/31/11): A photo of whatever you please.

At 2:45 this afternoon I walked away from the school I've taught at for two years. I waved good-bye to good friends who I will truly miss. I packed my car with the last few mementos from my teaching experience. 

I'm not really sure where I go from here. I hear that we may be moving out of state (note the sarcasm!), but we're still waiting on a date, so it doesn't feel quite real yet. I have applied for a couple of design jobs in South Carolina, but have heard nothing back. I have itty-bitty dreams of freelancing full-time, but I have no idea where to start. 

I’m putting on a strong façade, answering inquiries with “We’re excited to take this next step in our lives,” and “I’m confident that this is moving me where I need to be.” I'm trying to take it easy and enjoy these first few days of summer vacation. But I'm much better at being nervous and scared than I am at being patient and go-with-the-flow.

Photo Challenge: Day 13

"There are 3 key things for good photography: the camera, lighting and... photoshop."

-Tyra Banks

 

Day 13 (05/31/11): A photo edit that you like.

Would you believe that this image started life as two separate photos? I started photo-shopping photos back in high school. (Callie, remember those photo collages where you got buddy-buddy with Joseph L.?) In places where a tripod and timer just won't do the trick, it's a skill that has come in handy. The image above is concocted from two photos at the beginning of our first hike at Mount Rainier.

Photo Challenge: Day 12

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

-Joseph Campbell

Day 12 (05/30/11): A photo experimenting with bokeh.

Happy Memorial Day! I'm so proud to live in the home of the free and the brave. Sending out heartfelt thanks to the many men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect and serve our country. Thank you!

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[By the way.... if you're unsure of the term "bokeh" (as I was when I started this challenge), then take a look at these awesome examples. The term simply describes that awesome photography style of blurring the background. Rob is really good at this, in fact, he took the photo above at the Seattle Zoo last summer. He'll have to teach me!]

Photo Challenge: Day 11

"[We] live with our heels as well as head and most of our pleasure comes in that way."

-John Muir

Day 11 (05/29/11): A black and white photo.

I'm running a day behind, but only because I've been busy around here, enjoying these days of "almost summer." Today Rob and I went hiking at one of our favorite local parks (another thing I will miss when we move!). The temperature was warm, but we were dressed appropriately and brought plenty of water. Luckily the path was pretty shaded, too. 

Strange thing though... we were almost the only ones out there enjoying this beautiful day. We hiked almost five and a half miles without seeing a single soul. That is, except for a giant snake sunning himself on the side of the trail about a quarter of a mile in. After that, we upped our tempo and kept our eyes peeled for any of his "friends."

Photo Challenge: Day 10

“Celebrate endings – for they precede new beginnings.” 

-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Day 10 (05/27/11): A photo of whatever you please.

The day has finally arrived. The day that I've been waiting for since school started. The last day of school for the students. This has been a tough year for more reasons than one, and I have to admit... I was not the least bit sad to wave goodbye to the buses.

And, after the final bus call, I drove my car up to the bus lanes and started packing my boxes in. The first of many moves I will make this summer!