Changing Colors

Yes the colors do change in California too. Except instead of this happening in September/October, it happens in late November. I think in SoCal we have about one week of real winter. Most of October-February is a glorified fall season. But in reality I could not handle anything else.

Sunrise

Yes - I did say sunrise. Every Wednesday now I have to get up at the wonderful hour of 6 am in order to get ready and make it to the class I am observing. I must figure out a way to have my first period be a prep period or invest in a really good coffee brand or I am never going to make it as a teacher.
On the bright side - I do actually get to see sunsets. This is only because it doesn't get light until 7 am. Once daylight savings time ends though, it will back to waking up after the sun rises (I can then pretend it is later than it actually is).

Top Ten

Since today is 10.10.10 - I've decided to name my top ten photos of all time that I have taken. These are either places that are important to me on a sentimental scale or best showcase my talent. They are in no particular order. 

1. Yosemite National Park - Elizabeth Lake. This was taken back in 2005 and the two hikers in the background are my sister, Katie, and my cousin, Wyatt. I love this picture because of the snake-like river and the color contrast. 

2. Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. Also taken in 2005. I love this picture because of its sharpness and brightness, even though it was taken before I owned my digital SLR. I love how good this picture still came out, only proves how amazing Yosemite actually is. 

3. Surfers at Huntington Beach. This is one of my first action shots on my Nikon D40. I believe it was Christmas 2008, right after I got my first Nikon digital SLR and upgraded from my Fuji Finepix. 

4. I love this picture because I loved my trip to England in 2004. This just happened to be one of those pictures that I wasn't thinking about when I took it, and it later became my favorite picture from the whole trip. 

5. Fresno, 2007. This is one of my all time favorite photos. This was taken during my first time at FUI and we are all having a quiet retreat day. After about an hour of journaling I decided to travel the Fulton Mall and take pictures. This became my iconic picture for all things relating to Fresno and became the start of worship through photography.

6. The Big Island, Hawaii in 2006. This trip was my high school graduation present from my grandparents. They have a time share condo on The Big Island so it turned into a family vacation. This was a random drive that turned into a rainy day that turned into the best pictures from the trip.

7. Jamey and Eric's Wedding, Bakersfield, CA in April 2010. This was the first wedding I was ever a photographer for. I was so excited to be included in this celebration but also thrilled that I was one of four photographers. It really takes the stress off.

8. Jimmy and Kari's wedding in Washington. May 2010. I wasn't a photographer for this wedding but I still love how this picture turned out. Jimmy and Kari were the first InterVarsity friends of mine that are my age to get married.

9. I love taking pictures of flowers. And of the hundreds I probably have this one is by far my favorite. First off, the rose is in perfect bloom. Second, it just rained, which makes all flowers look fantastic. Third, this was right outside my house so I got to see this every day.

10. Finally the last favorite. This is also from the 2006 Hawaii trip. Not to re-state my weakness for flowers, I do love the color combination of the white and purple flowers. Another picture where I wasn't expecting it to turn out as good as it did.

Night Vision

I confess I've never been very good at night photography. I was trying to get the stars in the sky as well as the light overing of the small city of San Luis Obispo. I was trying to capture poetry and alas, sometimes you cannot capture what the eye sees. 

Through the Eyes of a Lens

I see the world through pictures. I have seen the world through they eye of a lens since high school when I joined the yearbook staff. I recently was told by a friend who I hadn't seen in several years that he was excited to see my photography stick. He thought it would just be a phase. Clearly its not just a phase and moving from a hobby.
But I write too. Little recently but I do. Now if I could be inspired enough to combine the two in this blog, I might have more than just three readers.

Landscaping

My dad finally finished the landscaping for his house. This was a year long project (maybe even more). He has roses along the side of the house, lights along the pathway, and yard finally full of grass (rather than dirt). It actually looks like someone lives here...

Rose Garden

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake..."

We had church today in the rose garden. It was Christina's brilliant idea to have not only a picnic but also to have church outside. It is one of the most people spots at our church.

Quiet Times in Fresno

Today was my first day in Fresno for my six week urban internship project with FIFUL. We started out our staff orientation with a retreat of silence in order to get our hearts and minds in the right place, which was necessary because when Sarah and I moved into our apartment, we found it to be completely unfurnished. We had a feeling this might happen but there aren't even lights in the bedroom. But it's ok to not be in control and to not have lights in the bedroom. All my posts for the next six week will contain a story about FUI so far and of course a picture. Want to read about other stories? Well go to the FUI 2010 blog to find out more.

Trespassing Part Two

Andrew and Teresa wanted engagement photos taken so I willing drove them to the same spot they got engaged in. This would be the second time I "trespassed" on someone's property. It wasn't really really trespassing since a.) there was no sign forbidding it and b.) we were in between two properties so the line was fuzzy. It was well worth it since the pictures turned out AMAZING!

Final Papers

Thanks to finals and papers, I ran out of time for picture taking. So instead please enjoy this wonderful filler from Yosemite. New pictures will come I promise.

Lupin

You may be wondering where is the amazing and lovable werewolf from Harry Potter (before Twilight fever hit of course) -but that is not this kind of Lupin. It is the beautiful wildflower found in Yosemite - where I am not going this year. But I will find a way. Plans are being set in motion to make it happen. You see I have this streak - I have been to Yosemite every year since I was born. Even the year it was snowed in - I still managed to go. I am not ruining my streak by any means... just how to I do it?

Cesar Chavez Day

Thanks to Cesar Chavez for not only the amazing work he has done with labor rights and immigrant workers - but he also gets me a day off of school.

This allowed me to go to the beach for a bit and take a short retreat day and chill with these seagulls.

Don't Feed the Squirrels

Seriously these squirrels were begging me for some tasty treat. I was a little afraid they were going to bite me. At first I was like "awesome, these squirrels are really posing for my pictures" but then I was like "these squirrels are giving me the evil eye" and then I was like "they are going to to bite me the little nasty beasts."

You know they are serious when they say "Don't Feed the Squirrels" because these buggers were all over me trying to get food - and it was creepy. They are not house pets people.

Royal Way

I love when I find flowers in our front yard - its God's gift to me and my camera.

Lady Bugs

Chelsey, Marissa, and I went on a hiking adventure and found hundreds of lady bugs. Apparently there are millions in the area - we didn't find the huge swarms of them so they are still beautiful.

Trespassing

On our way to Spring Break Camp in the Sequoia Mountains - our car decided to take a quick adventure. That meant pulling off the to the side of the road, crawling under a barb wire fence, and crossing into what was most like private territory. Sure we may have been trespassing, but I would consider it exploring.  But we didn't harm anything - just looked around.

And this is what we found so it was worth it.

To Ireland? Or not to Ireland?

I wish I was here - I know its not Ireland but even more special.
Although Ireland would be nice - as long as it includes a pub. It seems like the Irish thing to do.

That's as festive as I get for St. Patrick's Day.

Beauty in the Ordinary

It's nice to take a moment and find beauty in the ordinary things of life.

Then I have to come back to reality and study for finals. Woot. (Not)

Wise Man, Rich Fool

"A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees right through him."

Orange Tree

I love having fruit grow in our backyard. These oranges were quite delicious.