Truth

I couldn't have put it better myself;

"I learned that true friendship is not measured in distance but in depth."

Originally posted but this lovely lady.

Good Riddance 2008

So we've finally made it, the end of the line, the finish of all races, the final countdown. Instead of recapping the year in big long drawn out and most likely confusing paragraphs I'm just going to fill out this survey I found Please enjoy!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Hm toughie. I'll go with moving out and into my own apartment for the very first time in my at the time 23 years. It was scary, exciting, nerve-wracking, and amazing all wrapped into one. My little shack was adorable and I definitely left my mark. I moved out six months later when finances got tough, such is life.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't even know if I made one last year. If I did it was probably along the lines of lose weight and if so the answer is a quick "no".

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

This girl at work gave birth to her first son. She was made to be a mother.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, Thank God.

5. What countries did you visit?
None this year, though I did make the 11 hour trip up north for the first time in about 5 years. Is a memory I'll cherish forever.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A lot of things actually. I don't really like 2008. A lot of stuff happened that couldn't be controlled and put a damper on our spirits. How about for now I'll say financial security.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
No specific dates but I'll remember mid-January when I decided to end a 3 year relationship after much contemplation. It was hard because I realized I had to rely on only myself after it went down. It was totally worth it. Then sometime in the end of February when I gave this guy a chance and it turned into a really good thing. I can't believe it's almost been a year since it happened but I could not be any happier about it. The 4th of July. A drama filled time period that taught me a lot about the people around me, the evil, the good, the ones that will stick with you through it all and the ones out there to hurt you. It was a crazy time period and one I'll never forget. Oh and I got to see a beautiful place in South Carolina where I planned to get married one day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Now this is another tough one. My achievement probably was sticking up for myself and my values. To stop accepting the way people treated me and get rid of them. That was a hard thing to do because it messed with my livelihood and I still haven't recovered from that.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Being too trusting of people. I made friends with a few individuals I thought I could trust though I should have known better just from how they treated everyone else. Nowadays new individuals don't know much about me. My word vomit is kept to a minimum and I think it's better that way.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had to go to the ER this year. I was in a severe amount of pain and so afraid. Let's just say I'm glad that's over.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't buy it but the best thing I got this year was my Nikon SLR. It opened new doors for me and the limits are endless.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
hmmm Celebration? What?

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those assholes I referred to earlier.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, bills, bills. Not much money for fun this year. I am looking to the new year for financial gain. :)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My camera, way freaking excited, my trip to Myrtle Beach with my best friend in the whole world, I wasn't sure I was going til right before. Seeing my NY roots again. The adventures with my new love of my life.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
hmmmm Probably some Killers song, maybe their new cd, or the "Don't Shoot Me Santa Clause". Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" because it reminded the lovebug of when we first started dating and so it will now remind me of it. ha

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
Happier (especially in the relationship department), fatter(truth), poorer (Oh God I'm poor)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Hmm this is a tough one. I always try to do things I like a lot, so nothing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complaining.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Crying the first half with my loved one, but Christmas Eve was nicely spent with his side of the family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yeah, it was pretty rad.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Dexter. All those stupid reality tv shows you find on MTV and VH1. I love it.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate has anger, I'm not angry anymore.

24. What was the best book you read?
I dn't know. I'm reading one right now called "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" and it's really empowering. This year I've read less fiction and more....other stuff? Weird.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jack Johnson. Yeah I know but I didn't really give him a listen until this year and now he's a regular in my car's 6 cd rotation.

26. What did you want and get?
I wanted a lot of things (admittedly) I also got a lot of things. Most of these were not materials.

27. What did you want and not get?
Peace, less stress, a break. I'm getting it in 2009 though, I will be sure of it.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh man, I really enjoyed watching the Dark Knight in IMAX. I just love IMAX films.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 and I was at a friend's wedding in the mountains as their wedding photographer.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not dealing with everything we did earlier this year. It was excessive.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Not much, I've let my body go, I'm just sort of wearing clothes that fit. And honestly with all the things I ran into this year weight was the last thing I worried about. This will change though, I miss the heck out of my healthy adorable self.

32. What kept you sane?
My man, my family, my best friend. When the world felt cold I could turn to them and know people still care and will love me forever.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I gained respect for Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I know I'm so freaking sorry but their tv shows changed me!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election was crazy. Good riddance Bush!

35. Who did you miss?
My family. Still do, I should be with them right now.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I didn't really meet anyone this year that made me crazy. The new people at my new/old job helped add humor to my life and make it bearable.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Don't be so trusting, don't tell all to those you barely know, keep positive, believe in the positivity in my future, be happy because life is hard.

Whew, I'm done! Happy New Year everyone.

First Sale! First Sale!

Woohoo! *Does jiggy dance* (no really)

I just sold my first item on Etsy! So excited. Someone liked my art enough to want it in their home!

Yayayayayayayayayay!

I'm So Excited

I can barely stand it. Lately I've been antsy to get something (ANYTHING) accomplished and after starting my etsy shop last night I've been inspired. As soon as the beau gets his things together we are going to make a trip to the arts and crafts store to spend hours looking for ideas. Definitely getting more canvases.

I remember growing up I was always doing arts and crafts, creating things and ever since going through the painful process of growing up I sort of tossed it to the side. Well, I'm back (not in black) and ready to get dirty (figuratively speaking).

A Few Etsy Finds

I've decided that from now on anything that can be creatively handmade will be purchased through Etsy (or I promise to at least try).

Here are a few finds I WANT WANT WANT (want);


(Made by J2Jewelry)



(Made by WillOaksStudio)

Pearls and silver are so pretty together and I don't own one item of jewelry with pearls. I think these would set the collection off right. :)

I am a Business Owner

RoyalDreams is the name and specialty prints are my game.

haha Actually I have an Etsy shop now so support your lovable, starving (not really) artist and shop here!

Thanks you!!!!

Some Days Are Good Days

Sometimes amidst the sadness and stress lie a few days where there's a break in the clouds and the sun shines it's face. Today was that day and for no particular reason at all. After having to cancel our trip up north yesterday I was a wreck for most of the day but after hearing their responses I began to feel better. Just an FYI, responsibility is a bite in the butt.

Anyway, today was well spent. A nice calm day with my beloved trying to figure out our future steps. If we keep our fingers and toes crossed it looks like things are gonna be alright.

Without the support of my family and my loved one I'd be lost.

How to Make Girlfriend's Day Better

What do you do when your girlfriend has been bawling her eyes out nonstop all morning because she can't see her family this holiday season? Why you cover your face in glitter and hope for the best.



Might I add that I have the most amazing, incredible, sexy, wonderful man alive?

I do, yes I do.

Wallowing in Worry

I can't help it. The bills are piling up and the stack of money is dwindling away. What are we going to do? How will we ever make it? I am so scared of how deep this hole could get that I just want to bury myself in it in hopes of having it end. I know I'm being taught a lesson but I can't get around the destruction enough to see the light.

Help!

The End Result

The other night we baked cookies and had a terribly fantastic time spreading homemade frosting along with sprinkles all over the place. Very tasty evening indeed!

Spreading Cheer

This morning we woke up at super early 8:30 in the morning most likely because we went to bed super early the night before. Anyway, we had a fantastic time getting up together and sharing our morning rituals which due to work and other events we rarely get to do. We headed to Shoney's for the breakfast bar and enjoyed heaps of scrambled eggs, chopped potatoes, and Christmas cheer.

During breakfast Justin told me that his grandmother hadn't put up her Christmas tree yet because she couldn't get to it and refused to ask anyone for help. She had commented to his mother that she just didn't feel like the Christmas Spirit was with her this year and a little bit of cheer was missing in her household. So while gobbling heaps of good food we devised a plan.

After breakfast we headed to a store and gathered a tree stand and gigantic poinsettia, afterwards we picked up a cute little tree perfect for her packed living room. With the tree over his shoulder Justin rang the doorbell waiting to greet her with a jubilant Christmas call. She came to the door in pajamas with a phone to her ear and we could hear her telling Justin's mother we had tree in tow and she had to go.

We spent the day decorating the tree, eating homemade pot pie, and learning how to make peanut butter rolls. When we left we knew her Christmas just got a little brighter. She noted that this was the first real Christmas tree she's ever had and the smell was making her smile ear to ear. It felt great to give to someone else and see the impact it had. The reason for the season.

My Personal Sedative

I know I mentioned earlier that when things aren't going as planned I like to clean my living space. That will work for calming the nerves for a little minute but what I've realized recently is I can lose myself in photography for hours without even noticing the time go by. I feel an itch to take pictures at least every week and am always go through old archives and messing around on Photoshop, or learning more about my camera or any gear I can gather up. I get into a peaceful zone where troubles seem far away and all that matters is improving.

Also, I really really want to work out again. If anyone needs some last minute Christmas ideas I recommend an elliptical or weight machine. Thanks!

One of my favorite shots recently;

Quick Little Bugger

hahaahahahaah

FYI to all you cat lovers out there

Can't say I didn't warn you.

When the Going Gets Tough

I get cleaning. As you all know cleaning is probably my least favorite thing to do. I just love to let things slide until I can't even walk around the room. However, it seems that in highly stressful times my place is immaculate. Maybe my thought process is since my insides are all scattered maybe the place I'm living in shouldn't be. Maybe spending a few hours on a deep overhall keeps my mind off the troubles and on that troublespot. Or maybe the path to a better tomorrow starts at home.

Who can relieve their stress in a messy room anyways? Not us, that's for sure.

Jay, Blue Jay

Jay, Blue Jay
Originally uploaded by Phillip Chitwood

Tweet! Another favorite. View large for the incredible detail. Birds and snow just seem to go together.

Dedicated to my Sister

That we are....

Check it

How cute is this face??

Robin...

Robin...
Originally uploaded by tears of a clown

A new treat! I'm going to start posting some of my favorites from flickr. There's some amazing art that the world should see! Keep your eyes peeled for some incredible work!

You Know How I Know You're a Photographer?

25 Days [3]
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Sunshine.

You get caught doing bizarre things whether it's setting up a scene, contorting your body in a weird position, or carrying your camera in unconventional places in public all for that shot despite the weird looks.

That's how I know you love to shoot and when I see it my heart fills with joy.

Flickr is my second home. :)

You Know When You Just Know

When things just click right into place
like it was supposed to be this way
Just like water runs down
and the sun rises and falls

Like pieces of a puzzle
lost in separate boxes
in separate states
finding their connecting piece

Like milk and cookies
bacon and eggs
items somehow less grand
without their counterpart

You know when you just know
there are no more questions
no more fear, no more sadness
and it will taste as good as bacon and eggs

-Kern

Earlier this Day

So my dog this morning came to me and whispered in my ear with his doggie pleading eyes and said "My dearest wish is to be as bright as the tree in your living room."

So he became the brightest little tree I ever did see.

Dinner

I kill potatoes!

In Hard Times

Children of the 80's and 90's we've grown up in a very privileged world. In a world where every kid participating in sports received a trophy, where punishment at school was no more severe than extra time spent after the last bell and every person was given a fair shake. We were given the biggest gifts and allowed the most freedoms. We didn't suffer from the pains of major world wars or the depression right on our doorstep. We didn't have to fight for our simple rights. We don't know what hungry feels like, wonder where our next home will be, or the threat of fatal disease. We are the lucky ones.

As time will have it we are due for some hardships and maybe it's best we remember the open arms we had growing up, the helping hands that reached out everywhere we went and return the favor to the older generation and the younger ones growing up in this decade. Let us not forget the greatness of our childhood and the values encroached upon ourselves. Help your neighbor, remember your family, and stick together.

Times will be trying and doom is imminent but it does not need to leave a scar.

Oh God, I love Christmas

You guys are going to get sick of me these next few weeks. I'm sitting in my semi dark living room with the tree lights on and XM Holiday music on the tv. I just painted my nails a very cheery burgundy and have been editing some Christmas themed photos.

Snow and Lights

We were lucky enough to get blizzard like snow for a few minutes right after we put the tree up!