picture

I scanned this negative myself on our photo printer/scanner.  Now I know why labs charge a lot.

 

This picture is from Lynda’s office in Hawaii.  I liked her version of the ABCs.

Skid Row

reconnect

Last Saturday, before the marathon day, I had a break. It was nice and brisk last week, which was a blessing, because if it were THIS hot last Sunday, I would have fainted during the half. God really blessed California with real fall weather, if only for that week. I’d like to think He answered the prayer I had when I signed up for the race, because I do remember praying for not-dry hot weather.

Last Saturday, because I knew I had the day to myself, I resolved to do nothing besides picking up my packet with the run buds and having lunch with Robyn. The whole day was mine. I finally got to stop and think. I walked outside on our deck and it was all sun-shiny and fresh and I realized that I hadn’t done that in a LOOONGG time. I used to love just being outdoors in my own backyard. I’d bring a book, a towel, journal, my ipod and maybe a snack to read, sit, write, listen to and eat on the grass. I usually end up falling asleep, but I loved doing it. Poshi would even join me and Mako too, when he was alive. I’d even just take pictures of whatever in the yard. I’d think and pray and totally have a ball with myself and nature.

But somehow, that doesn’t happen anymore.  And I don’t read.  I just look at pictures.  And I don’t pray or listen to music as much and realize how much I love both when I do get around to it.  Nor am I out and about when the sun is out.  It’s just been busy, I guess and when it’s not…I sleep.

So when I stepped out that day, I decided to have a go in the yard again.  Because it was Mom’s bday weekend, I decided to bust out the camera and take pictures of all the work she’s been doing there.  It’s something she takes joy in, and since I’ve stopped hanging out in the back, different things are blooming and growing, including the persimmon tree we all thought was barren.  She’s also always bugging me to take pictures of her flowers.  It was also nice to take pictures just because I wanted to and not because I was hired or being paid.  It was good.  It felt like before.

plumeria

my companion

chrysanthemum

sampaguita

persimmon

guava

banana

tools

sky above

This is another thing I do less of…blog. And it feels good.

and thus ends my h$#%-month

more pics from the month later…

these last few days & next couple weeks

saturday: shoot from 1-3, hollywood bowl 630, got home around 2am
sunday: rest and recoup, church shoot from 5-8, visit joon, home by 1am
monday: day off, but lesson plan for 2 hours, nap then go back to church to shoot from 530-7ish, run 4 miles, home by 11
tuesday: wake up at 6, @ work by 715ish, good teaching day, drop off film on melrose, eagle rock again for church shoot from 6-830, lady upsets me, joon’s apt, get home at 1130, sleep at 1230
wednesday: okay teaching day, go back to eagle rock for dinner with alpha and church high school shoot, home by 830 (!! early !!) but too tired to run, eat sardines, joon comes over

tomorrow: i get a break! but i get to edit and run oh and sort through pictures with rachel for mom’s party.
friday: another break! but i get to edit and run again.

saturday: back to church to shoot (and that’s it, but probably more editing)
sunday: 8am call time to shoot another church event, stay to capture other services, attend my own service and shoot the cafe after the last service from 730-830

monday-thursday: back to the grind + editing

friday: mom’s 60th birthday, shoot a recommitment ceremony
saturday: cousin’s birthday party (and jason mraz at the hollywood bowl, which im missing)

sunday: HALF MARATHON, mom’s 60th birthday and retirement party

monday: collapse. maybe take a day off…maybe
tuesday-friday: some dinners with friends and bf
saturday: family shoot

i pray for peace and sanity and perspective. it’s all blessings.

BUT I’M TIRED!

[how do you make a crazy, spiral-eyed emoticon???!?]