Beginnings

Last Saturday was the Gateway Martial Art's tournament  and this little boy won silver in his age and belt division. He's only a white belt, but he couldn't stop staring at his silver metal. I kept thinking "This is only the beginning." 

Cookies and Smiles

I love baking, and I love making people smile. 
Cookies make people smile.

Beauty Everywhere

Even in death

Making up for Lost Time

Long time no see.

Change of plans.

Due to the lack of a real computer and the limited time I have access to a laptop, I've decided to change this to weekly updates, and just post photos throughout my week, making sure to take a photo everyday.

With that said, he's a boat load of pictures, in no particular order, to make up for the lack of photos. Don't hate me.

Colors of Chicago

Lights

Me in the city I love - Chicago
No, I did not take this picture

The dance company that took the trip to Chicago last weekend
I love these people
And I didn't take this picture either

It's all fun and games

Until someone wipes out
Then it's hilarious 

City Streets

Dreamer

At the Joffrey

Macy's

Lovers in Chicago

My one true love

Friendship Bracelets

And so it begins. My sister is making friendship bracelets for her boyfriend. I remember making tons of these for my current boyfriend, and I just think it's sweet that my sister has adopted this. She asked if it would be a good Valentine's Day present, and I told her yes. She also told me how she found a pattern with hearts on it, and I told her no, a guy does not what to wear a bracelet with little hearts on it. I suggested the color combination of red, black, white, and grey. Today she made Grandma take her to the store to purchase "manlier colors" and proceeded to whip out 5 bracelets by the time she was in bed. 

Tru wuv. 

Sunday Naps

William had the right idea this afternoon. He snuggled himself right up on the recliner and took a little nap. He looked comfy, at least. 

Merry Christmas William

Grandpa Phil finally came up for his annual Christmas visit. We all got our Christmas presents, though you could almost call them Valentine's, since it is less than a week away.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight.

Just a Little Snow

It snowed.

Lord Help Me

You know you've gone crazy when you scream "I want to take a picture of your cheerios!" at your eleven year old brother trying to enjoy his bedtime snack. 

Pizza Omelette

Perks of being my brother:

1) I'm a girl, so I won't beat you up

2) I can drive, so I'm usually the one driving you around town

3) I make omelettes at 10:30 pm upon request

My youngest brother has taken advantage of the omelette deal, and it's become a habit. Yesterday he had two. Tonight I made sure to use an extra egg, extra cheese, and I added pepperoni. Tons of protein to keep that little guy full. 

Until tomorrow morning, anyway. 

Scuffs

I finally got around to a dance picture.

These feet belong to my good friend, Emily. She is breathtaking. I have no doubt that some day she will be a principle ballerina at a major ballet company. She has that drive, that passion, that only a few people have. She's one in a million.

A lot of people dream.
Only a few people do.

Peeping

Apparently I wasn't done with the cat pictures like I thought. 

Listening

Tonight our dance company performed as part of a local high school's jazz concert and dance. It was a lot of fun, and really tiring. My dad came, and being the music nut he is, he listened the whole time, tapping his foot, counting, and feeling the different rhythms. He was definitely in his element. Just listening.

Leo

Say hi to Leo.

He's so cute.

This post wasn't actually posted on February 1st because I didn't have any internet. But you can check my camera - this photo was taken on the first. Still counts.

Scones

Who takes 200 pictures of scones? I do.

I kept yelling "No one eat the scones, I'm still taking pictures of them!"

The only reason I stopped is because my camera was yelling at me to get a different SD card because I had filled the other on up. I figured that was a sign to stop taking pictures of food. 

I managed to narrow down from 200 to 3. Not bad, if I do say so myself. 

Cat Number Four

Wednesdays are the worst days for photos. I'm gone for over 24 hours. I have school from 8-3 and dance from 4-10. Do not be surprised if Wednesdays happen to produce the worst photos. I gotta do what I gotta do. And besides, not every photo is going to be perfection. And not every day is meant to be a post picture worthy day. But I've committed myself to this project and I intend to live it out. 

And yes, we have four cats. You have now been introduced to all of them. 

Closet Cat

This is Cali. 

Cali lives in my grandmother's closet. 

Ever since we moved, she's made my grandmother's closet her own little den, and only comes out to eat. 

She's always been kind of an oddball. 

Anyway, she actually came out of hiding today, and I saw it as an opportunity to snap a few pictures before we all forget what she looks like. 

She really is a really beautiful cat. 

Kitty Feet

Meow

Remember When

My idea with this picture was to capture the bowl of ice cream, with the TV in the background, and the back of my brother's head in the foreground. It kind of worked. 

This 365 is meant to challenge me. And it has. I could have taken a photo of the bowl of ice cream. Or of someone eating it. But I decided to go with a different angle, and to attempt to tell a story or capture a moment. Like this one - a Saturday evening spent watching Mythbusters and eating Cookies&Cream ice cream with my brothers. It's not a "wow" moment. No one got married. A baby wasn't born. But it's one of the memories I'll look back on and say "Remember when..." 

Falling Magic

I saw a picture, and at first I thought "Well, they obviously aren't a good photographer, everything is out of focus." Then I looked closer and realized that they weren't focusing on what I thought was the main subject, but on the foreground - the snowflakes falling. It took me three trips out in the 15 degree weather to finally get a picture that I thought was acceptable. Changes in shutter speed, focus point, and ISO, and I ended up with this.

Falling magic.

Eyelashes

I've always loved this type of shot. I don't know why. It just seems magical in a way. Like you can almost see them thinking, or day dreaming. And the detail in the eyelashes always amazes me. It's peaceful. 

Eighty-Eight Keys

It's rare that someone isn't playing the piano. Usually it's Beth, the musical prodigy. If it's not her, it's the up and coming rock star Clay, composing his own songs. Or it's the cat in its failed attempts to be sneaky.

Soul Mates

This is Benny. 

He's my dad's best friend. Soul mate, if you will.

I'm serious. Benny waits for Dad to get home from work. He sits in Dad's lap. He sleeps in Dad's bed. He follows Dad around. 

And Dad, well, he's pretty attached. 

It's actually quite cute to watch my dad greet his furry friend. "Hey there buddy! How are you, huh?" Slightly high pitched voice, and kisses included. 

Who knew a 40 year old English professor could be so attached to a cat? 

It gives me hope for the future.

The Universe Isn't All Crappy

You know hose days where you feel like a complete waste of space? A failure. A nobody. And you don't really know why, but the only thing that you can think to do is lie in bed and cry, and you realize that's all you'll every be good for.

Yesterday was one of those days. It was bad. And I didn't really have that positive of an attitude when I woke up today either. I woke up late. I looked like crap. I didn't even get coffee. But later in the day, things started to work out. 

For one, I only had half a day. 

Two, some of my photography might be published. 

Three, I got to watch my stupid TV show. 

Four, dance actually wasn't horrible. 

Five, my best friend is living her dream, and it's amazing to watch. 

Six, the headache I've had all weekend went a while for a little while. 

Seven, my boyfriend actually found time to call me.  

Eight, even though it's 1.6 degrees outside, I came home to a warm house.

Nine, my bedtime tea included an inspirational message.

Maybe things aren't all that bad. For a Monday, anyway. 

Just Another Cookie in the Wall

I asked my dad what I should title this photo. He said "Just another cookie in the wall," and Mom laughed. Apparently it's a Pink Floyd reference. I said they were weird.

It's been a really lazy Sunday. But it's nice. Lots of coffee and cookies and stupid TV shows. Yet I still managed to get my homework done and get a work out in.

I've been debating a tattoo. I thought about getting one on my right pointer finger, on the outside edge, that said "The Simple Moments." When I photograph, I want to capture the simple moments. Those things in everyday life that make it worth living. The sound of your brother practicing the guitar. The smell of freshly baked cookies. The comfort of a hot cup of tea. These are the things that I want to preserve. The things that we take for granted.

The simple moments.

Hits The Spot

Dad's bedtime snack - a classic.

Bookworm

This is where you usually find my brother. Drinking tea, eating chips, and reading. It's a nice change from the headphones, computer, and video game combo he usually has going on. He's reading Ginger Pie. I love that book. To be honest, I don't really remember much, besides that I love it. But it did made me smile to see him reading it.  

Tea Time

It's been a very long and tiring day. 

And the only proper way to end such a day is with a cup of peppermint tea. 

1.2.3. - The Begining

A three sixty five photo challenge. So cliche. But needed.

My goal - to find beauty in everyday

The simple moments.

Here's a catch up, since I'm slow on starting this.

One.
Cozy socks.

Two.
Grandmother's ring.

Three.

The sound of home.