Exploring

I know, I know, I haven't written in awhile. My apologies. It has been a rough transition back into life in g-vegas. However, after a rough patch, my sister got home and a few days later we both went to the Greenville Humane Society and each got a puppy. In fact, we adopted sisters! So, I went from not wanting to write while sad to not writing because I was having too much fun playing with my new best friend. My sister's dog (Goose) will live with her while she finishes law school and mine (Koru) will move out to Colorado with me while I finish school out there. So even though they have to be separated, at least they'll still get reunions.

I've been nervous about how Koru will enjoy the snow and the cold. Luckily, I got to test out how Koru would like snow when my Grandmother got snowed in North Carolina and I got to drive up to rescue her (my car is the only one in the family that has 4WD). I took Koru up with me and her reaction to the snow was priceless - she pounced on every shadow, ran up hills only to slide down them, tried to eat the snowballs thrown at her head as they dissolved, and overall never wanted to leave. Seems like she'll fit right in.

I wish everyone a wonderful night and day tomorrow (whether you are celebrating Christmas or not). The best part about all of this Holiday madness is that it reminds us about how time, understanding, and fun with the family are important to happiness in life. I give everyone my love and cheer. Y'all deserve only the best.

My Christmas presents for your eyes are these amazing Flikr photostreams: Bladerunner, Lightmechanic, BlaisOne, Tackyshack, & Biskitboy. This is also cool: Space Collective.

Also, I'm pretty sure these are mandatory to watch every Christmas season: PC Xmas, 12 Days of Christmas - Straight Chaser, & Improv Handbells.

Light In Our Darkess

With only two hours left in the day, I was finally able to reach my computer to post an image. However, it has been a hectic day, so let me explain just a bit. Photography is not something I consider myself to be overly passionate about, but it is something I care a great deal about. I always took photos of everything growing up, but they weren't good (although, like any kid, I thought I was a genius at the time). However, a community service trip to Tanzania the summer after my sophomore year of high school changed things. I began to concentrate on photography as a serious hobby, going to every website I could to get tips on aperture, shutter speed, photoshoot ideas, and photoshop shortcuts. However, I also began to concentrate heavily on film, it was what really got me excited (and still does), so I underestimated my love for photography for a while and got bored.

Senior year came around and I became good friends with a guy who loved music, film, and photography, as did I.... his amazingly artistic interest in photography re-sparked my interest. No matter how much I knew, he always challenged my knowledge and knew 10 times more than me. He encouraged me to see photography as I saw film: a lens through which to view the world outside of normality. I began to use photography to cope with my emotions surrounding common high school occurrences: issues with friends, feeling different, "the great college search", etc. Little did I know that the photography my friend got me re-interested in would be one of the devices I used (then and now) to cope with my despair after his death in May 2007. He had challenged me to challenge myself when I got bored of what I loved. His birthday also happened to be on December 10th. Instead of celebration, it's been a day of tears, yet I have confidence his artistic talents, rare and pure kindness, as well as his bare hugs live on in the lives he touched.

He is continually missed and loved.

"Goodnight Sweet Prince"

Flowing

I decided to post another photo today with green in it to show support for the Iranian protests. The flowing water adds depth to this photo and, for some reason, gives me a sense of hope when thinking about the situation in Iran. We need to continue to show our support to the Iranian people and push our news stations to do the same. What if you were the one fighting for your freedom?

Take a look at what people are saying: http://weareallneda.com & Iran election

Photo taken at Jones Gap State Park (South Carolina).

Look Mom, No Hands

I wasn't quite sure what photo I wanted to post today, but after browsing through my photos from my recent time at the beach, I decided on this one. I was sitting outside on my dock when the local ducks decided to swim by and I grabbed some bread to feed them. I got this shot when my dog walked up to join me on the dock... needless to say, I don't think the ducks appreciated her company as much as I did.

Eye Of Mr. A

Today I have another photo of a critter. I took a photo of this alligator at Huntington Beach State Park. I visited the park with my mom yesterday to take photographs of the birds and hoping to get a few of alligators as well. Little did I know, I'd be able to takes tons of photographs of alligators around sunset. Though there were bigger guys than this one, I liked the lighting on him and the water around him.

Beach Sky On Fire

I have been spending the past couple of weeks at Litchfield Beach and for the past few nights, lightning has been catching the sky on fire. If you know me well, then you know I am completely terrified of lightning. However, two nights ago I sat outside on my front porch for two hours durning a thunderstorm to try to get a good picture of lightning (something I have been trying to get for a year now). I managed to get 9 photos of lightning and of those, I was satisfied with about 5. Pretty good odds, so I'd say it was a success.

Low Country in the Midlands

This past weekend I was in Columbia with my sister. While she ran, I walked a bit and took photos of at least 50 turtles, 1 snake, and a couple of birds among other things. I took this photograph with the thought of making it black and white. However, in the end I think it looks better with a bit of faded color than none at all.

Colorless Bloom

I took this photograph in high school when I was going through a "black and white flower" phase. I love to take photos of flowers as a stress reliever, but I rarely go back and look at the photographs because I find them boring (for me, flowers are a bit too perfect to be interesting). However, occasionally I go back and find a photo that intrigues me.

Friendly Neighbor

I took this in Georgetown, SC at Independent Sea Food. While my mom was inside, I stayed outside so that I could photograph all of the birds hoping to get lucky (on this particular day there were two pelicans and three herons). This one was the bravest, he actually tried to walk in the door of the place.

There's Always Something New To Be Found

I had a friend visiting me recently for over a week. During the course of her trip, I took her to all of the best spots in South Carolina: Greenville, Pawleys Island/Litchfield, and Charleston. Yesterday, for her last day in town, I wanted to take her to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I meant to go to Ceasar's Head and Table Rock, but we ended up in Jones Gap. Once there, we went on an uphill hike to see Rainbow Falls. I had never done the hike before, but it was completely worth it. The falls are gorgeous and even though they aren't nearly as tall as Raven Cliff Falls, it was wonderful to get up close to them and relax after the hike with the mist of the falls spraying us. If you live in the area, you should definitely try it.

Brookgreen Arches

This is a photograph taken at Brookgreen Gardens last summer. It is a spectacular place and I have been there to take photographs many times. This is one of the more subtle photographs I have taken there; it does not show the amazing statues, beautiful birds, or colorful flowers. It doesn't really say much about the character of Brookgreen at all, but I really like the shadows and multiple frames in this photograph. What do you think?