Meg, the Model

She normally shies away from the camera and doesn't enjoy being in the public eye. In fact, many times she told me to put away my camera when people were coming our way. However, my roommate Megan, who I convinced to be a model for a day, turned out to actually be a bit of a model. 

It's been at least one year since I last really used my Nikon SLR, which is sad to say the least, considering I love photography! And I am completely out of practice unless you count my point and shoot. After viewing photography blogs, like Jasmine Star's and Shannon's, religiously the past six months, I decided it was time I pulled my own camera out and relearn how to use the beautiful piece of equipment. I enlisted Megan for a "portrait" session so I could test out lighting and not be horribly embarrassed if the photos turned out awful. I would say it was a success for my first time shooting in a year, although I do have a long ways to go. Here are some I liked. 

sundays

The early morning glow and overcast skies of Costa Mesa near Newport Beach greet me Sunday mornings as I drive to the 9 a.m. service at RockHarbor Church. I love Sundays. There is something about waking early when half the world sleeps and driving to worship. This morning at church, the worship set was longer than usual before the sermon and I was able to fully let go of my surroundings and bask in the love of our Father. 

I recommit my life almost every Sunday. I've been doing this for as long as I can remember. I ultimately become more grateful and realize, in a deeper sense, what it really means to be a Christian. It makes me, hopefully, a better follower of Christ. However, I wish everyday was like Sundays. 

I want to recommit my life to God each and everyday. I want to take time to know Him and worship Him more each day just like I do on Sundays. Everyday should be like Sundays since I am a follower of Christ seven days a week, not just one and sometimes being a Christian the other six days doesn't mean I'm following Him directly each moment. Here is to treating each and every day like my Sunday drive to church — quiet, reflective and worshipful. 

missing

As I sat comfortably on a settee in my own corner at Corner Bakery Cafe with a mug of coffee and plate of chocolate chip cookies on Thursday night, I felt a bit like a student again. I'm not sure if it was because that was how I became accustomed to study in college for four years, but I think I got more work done in my two hours at Corner Bakery than I do in half a day at work. This could be because I don't have people interrupting me at Corner Bakery, emails coming in constantly, and a phone ringing every once in a while, however, I was focused nonetheless. And I don't doubt a good cup of coffee, the rain, and jeans help me work more efficiently. Not to mention, the cookies.

On that tone, I miss being a student. Sitting and studying. Constantly learning. Late nights and no classes or work on Fridays. I sincerely miss sitting in lectures and being a sponge, soaking up information and hearing from people that are more intelligent than I may ever be. I'm hoping grad. school is in the future. Until then, I will enjoy working and I'll admit, I do love not having homework hanging over your head constantly and being able to sleep in on Saturdays. 

*Photo taken by Faith Martinez at Associated Collegiate Press Conference in D.C. last year. 

february & the kingdom

I'm in slight shock that we are already one month into the new year. Sheri, who I work with, told me the years go by quicker as you get older. This makes sense as I vaguely remember the time period of waiting to turn 10, 12, then 16 was incredibly long. Now, it seems like months go by as weeks.

Remember when you would start planning your birthday party three months in advance and it would seem like forrevverrr until you would actually get to eat your birthday cake at your 9th birthday Zoo extravaganza or whatever the theme may have been.

I'm not going to lie. I turn 23 in less than two months and it kind of scares me. I'm getting older. I know I'm not older. But I'm getting older. And if I'm perfectly honest, I don't view 40 as even being old, barely 50. In fact, the idea of being 80 sounds great. But it's all relative. When I'm actually growing deeper into the double digits of my twenties, it scares me. (When someone else is, I am excited for them.)

God, I'm good now. I have a full-time job, great friends and I'm 22. Do we really need to deal with aging, more bills, and the whole less time to live thing?

Unfortunately, I don't think God is going to stop the aging process and really I am working towards Him, not for myself. Therefore, if time is going to go quick, I better start using my time wisely, make stronger decisions and do my part in furthering the Kingdom everyday — not in the mindset of 'in the next year', because apparently that's comin' quick.

my absence

My absence from blogging is really my addiction. An addiction to remembering high school, the cliques, the good kids, the Christians, the jocks, the drinkers, my love/hate relationship with my high school boyfriend, being a cheerleader, the ups and downs, and the list goes on. Really, I don't like remembering high school all that much. I loved high school when I was in it. I cried at my high school graduation because I didn't want to leave — remember I tend to become attached to places. But all that changed after I left.

The summer after I left, it was no turning back. I had good times, but that part of my life was over. In fact, I don't even like driving by my high school unless I have to. I think a lot of that comes from the fact that high school was such a different time and a different mind set, a slightly less developed one.

However, I can't help but laugh with joy and cry with resonance (and enjoy it) when I watch Friday Night Lights, the NBC television show which I quickly embraced as an addiction after two episodes a week or so ago after reading Brett's post. I actually ignored life to a slight extent last weekend so I could catch up to Season 3 (Thanks to Hulu).

Friday Night Lights is a great rendition to what life was like in high school. It's not the everyday high school drama broadcast on television. To me, it actually depicts what life was like in high school — everyone competing for something, wanting something more and in a sense as much as there are cliques and stereotypes, there are always those breaking them. The one difference is this small town is obsessed with high school football and I can tell you from watching the last two seasons I think I understand the sport more now than I did in two years of cheering for a bottom of the barrel losing team every Friday night. So even if I am spending my time watching television, at least I'm learning something about football, remembering high school positively or receiving wisdom from the high school guidance counselor, Tami.

one more thing...

I want to blog more! 

So expect more to read because I want to make this blog more of a priority than I did last year. Not to mention, I wrote the same amount of posts in half the time in 2007. Think I was a bit busy last year? Yes!

lookin' up the road

With the new year comes a renewed state of mind and also a new set of personal goals...or renewed goals! :) I wanted to make sure my New Year resolutions were practical, realistic and fun! Here is what I came up with, hopefully, they stay resolute.

1. Journal every day for one year: Journaling and documenting one's life is very important to me. It's not only fun, but is also a great writing exercise. I actually started this back in November. So far, so good! Also, yes, I use an actual journal. As much as I love blogging, I'm a paper person.

2. Create a habit of working out: This is something that has been inconsistent in my life since I quit cheer in high school, unless I was in a PE class in college, but I can't really do Gospel Aerobics without an instructor, can I? So, my plan is to start with twice a week and move on up after that. And my goal isn't to lose weight, just to feel healthier and be in shape.

3. Freelance for a magazine: Really, I would like to be published in a magazine by next year. I've been published in the Whittier Daily News, but besides that stint, I have not been published outside of a student publication. I want to branch out as a writer and have something to build my career upon besides my current job.

4. Brush up on my French: I've taken approximately 5 years of French classes and have never been fluent. A main reason: it is uncommon to find someone that speaks French! However, I want to brush up so when I move there in the next few years, I'm not completely lost.

5. Talk with God everyday: This is something I went to spend more time doing. Most people call it quiet time. I just want to take time and talk with God or sit quietly and make an effort to grow in my faith and more towards being Christ-like each day.

6. Have more craft time: Last year, I spent barely anytime making cards and doing crafts. I used to never give a store bought card, now I find myself always giving store bought cards - which are great and fun for the occaisonal note to someone, but I want to make sure I spend more time doing crafts and what I like to call art therapy. :)