Rain, rain, please please stay

Because you make Tulsa more pretty.

I took some pictures of the rain.  Yeah.
It's been going all day.

Happy Easter. :)

Thankful Thursday

This will be a short post, without pictures, because I don't really feel like blogging.

1) I am thankful for Zoe's life and the support and sympathy I've received from family and friends.  She is missed.

2) I am thankful for the rain Tulsa has gotten today and will continue to get throughout the week.

3) I am thankful for a free, delicious meal tonight at Elote before the Maundy Thursday church service.

4) I am thankful for my Design Professor who is allowing me to clean part of the room before the rest of the class so I can leave earlier.

5) I am thankful for tax returns.

6) I am thankful that Aubry is back in Tulsa for this week.  It's been wonderful being with her.

7) I am thankful for the opportunities God has presented me with lately.

8) I am thankful for my somewhat photographic memory/good memory in general.

9) I am thankful for summer being so close.  May 2, my summer begins.  What?  Insanity.

10) I am thankful for naps and coffee to get me through my sleepiness.  But I am also thankful for feeling tired, knowing my body needs sleep.

I think, with the loss of someone (something) important in my life, I have been reminded of how much I have to be thankful for.  Even with Zoe gone, and even though I am still sad, I can be thankful, and I can be happy.  

Things are looking up.

Oh! And my family is already looking for another miniature dachshund.  I am so excited.

Remembering Zoe

This post will be a remembrance of Zoe Pinot Grigio Waters, my obese, dappled miniature dachschund.

Three years ago in November, Zoe was born.  I had been wanting a little wiener dog for a long long time.  And one Christmas, some family was in town.  They had a tiny, tiny, tiny little spotted grey wiener dog.  She could fit into my hand.  She had blue eyes and was teeny.  I loved her right away.  And I begged my mom to talk with my family about having her.

That Christmas, Zoe was a part of our family.  And she fit in beautifully.

Zoe was never sad.  Her tail was always, always wagging.  Her ears sometimes turned inside out, but that made her cuter.  Zoe smiled a lot.  She would like to snore a little bit when she sleeped.  She also liked to sleep on top of you, in your lap, up against you, nearly pushing you off the bed.

Zoe loved to eat.  She loved to eat.  Zoe really enjoyed eating.  Anything.  And everything.  She ate a lot of chocolate and we called her "bad dog."  She ate our leftovers and we called her "fat."  She hopped up onto the dinner table and began licking anything on the plates and we'd say "Zooooeee..."  

And she would wag her tail.

Zoe loved going on walks with her sister, Lucy.  My mom would take them on walks, and as soon as they saw the leashes, they would start yapping and getting excited until they would shake.  Zoe loved walks.  Even though her two-inch-long legs couldn't make her go terribly fast, she was still faster and stronger than you.  And fatter.

Zoe loved going on adventures outside.  This was always a little bit frightening, because she was quick and short and not easy to see.  But she always came back home or grew too tired that we'd be able to catch her.  She loved feeling free from the house.  She loved sniffing everywhere and eating gross things.  But she escaped too much.

Tonight, she escaped for one last time, doing what she loved the best--running around, exploring.  I'm sad to say that there was a car in her path tonight and she didn't make it back home.

Zoe, I'll miss you.  I love you.  You are the best weiner dog in the world.  So happy and care-free.  We could all learn from you.

Rest in Peace, Zoe.  I wish you were still here.  I love you.

Hooray for being alive

Today has been lovely.
I woke up really sleepy, but hit my snooze button a few times and got some more shut-eye.
Woke up about 45 minutes before class and hopped in the shower really quick.
Got dressed and ready and then went on about my day.

I got an iced dirty chai which woke me up pretty quickly.  And was much needed for Brit Lit.
But Brit Lit wasn't that bad.  My professor's voice was half-gone, so today, the class led discussion.  I thought it was pretty productive.

After class, I went to Worship on Wednesday and got my Jesus on.  The message was so good--about how even when we feel stressed or like we're suffering, we should still rejoice, because God is the reason we should be living.  I dunno.  I especially needed to hear that because I've been feeling really stressed about moving/transferring/finals/writing papers.  It's just good to hear that God won't ever leave us, ya know?

And then for lunch, we had chicken fried chicken.  Which I have been wanting for months.  And we had carrot cake, which is one of my favorite desserts.  Yay.

And class was good and life is good and it's gorgeous outside and ANTM comes on tonight and Harry Potter comes out at midnight tomorrow and I am just so happy.

So, world, how was your day?

Charlie and Molly!

Today, I shot one of the sweetest, most fun couples ever.  Charlie and Molly have been together for five and a half years today!  This shoot was Charlie's birthday present to Molly.  I think they both had a good time.  Here are some favorites. :)

I still need some practice with directing the lovely people I'm shooting.

These two were just so natural...it made shooting them a breeze.

Hope you enjoy. :)

Band of Horses show!

Okay, so as I blogged earlier, I got a press pass for the Band of Horses and Kings of Leon show.
Well, I found out that it was for the first three songs for Band of Horses.  I didn't get to stay for the entire concert...but man, those 15 minutes in the pit were so much dang fun.  I took about 200 pictures in 10 minutes.  I don't know how.

Here are a few from the show (and sorry if they're really similar).  Enjoy.
:)  Ahhhhh.  It was just so much fun.  I definitely want to start shooting more bands, I think.

I know there are some out of focus...I still need practice.

But it was such a blast.  I can't stress that enough.

:)  I am about to go to a Madmen party.  Have a lovely evening!

Thankful Thursday, Fancy Friday, and HOLY CRAP I'M SO STOKED!

Hellloooooo, darling blog readers.

Since, you know, I don't blog nearly as much as I told myself I would in January, I'm going to combine three blog posts into one.

With that said, here is the first section:  Thankful Thursday!

1) I am thankful for my boyfriend, Ethan, and his ability to cheer me up.  I was having a pretty rough day yesterday.  But we skyped and he talked me through it.  It was just so so so good knowing that I have somebody who accepts me and loves me for who I am, no matter what.  

2) I am definitely thankful for my best friend, Marielle.  We live so far apart, but I love that she texts me when she's excited about something or just needs to release her thoughts.  Her birthday is coming up, and I've been thinking hard about what to get her/what to do.  Unfortunately, her birthday falls on finals week, so I'm very busy with studying and getting prepared, which sucks.  I'll be home soon after finals, so we'll be able to properly celebrate then.  I love how she never gives up on me.  We have such a strong connection.

(Pardon or faces/tongues, please.)

(Also, this is about almost 3 years old, I think)

3) I am thankful for the lovely, Amanda Keith, and her generosity/humor/and mad talent in the photography biz.  I won her giveaway for The Rockettops album (which is awesome) she had on her blog a few weeks ago.  I got it in the mail on Monday or Tuesday.  Also, I know I've mentioned this before (and very recently), but I CANNOT WAIT to shoot a wedding with her this summer.  I know I'll learn a lot and have a great time.  Plus, we're both really weird/awkward/sarcastic.  So, I think we'll be getting along grrrreat. :)

4) I am really thankful for the burst of motivation I received this month.  I'm trying to lose a few pounds/get into shape/tone up for summer/life.  And I've been doing really well...exercising daily for a good amount of time, eating really well, getting enough sleep.  Pretty much, I've been kicking butt.  But it's also weird at the same time, because I'm hardly ever motivated to work out.  So, I keep thanking God and praying for the constant motivation.  It's going really well.

5) I am thankful that summer is almost here.  And that Aubry will be home soon.  And that I have wonderful opportunities for grow and travel and love this summer.  I've been stressing out lately about transferring, but I know God is taking control.  Everything will work out.  But this summer...man, oh man...I'm so so so dang pumped.

Moving right along to Fancy Friday! Woo!

Things I fancy!

1) I love this.  Seriously, I do. 

2)  This happy, happy goat.  What an odd little cutie.

3) I die every time I see this.  *sigh*  So adorable.

4) This pink Leica.  I would faint if presented one of these.  And I'm not even the biggest fan of pink.  But there's something about this...Gosh.

5) This nifty triceratops necklace.  Ethan loves triceratopses (triceratopses...plural?...whatever.)

6) This pretty Peter Pan tattoo.  I've made up my mind that my 3 favorite Disney Movies are:  Aladdin, Peter Pan, and Robin Hood.  I think. :)

7) This simple and true reminder. 

8)  This! Ha!

9) This lovely, whimsical, bright kitchen.  Adore.

10) I honestly have no clue why I don't own this yet.

Seriously, get in my life, shirt.

AND FINALLY...THE HOLY CRAP, I'M SO STOKED part of this post....

Drumroll, please!!

Actually, this is probably only exciting to me.  Haha.

Buuuuttt...tonight, I am going to the BOK center to shoot a Band of Horses and Kings of Leon show!

I am so excited.  I have a press pass and everything...get to be right up close.

Should be good and fun.

This is a pretty big deal for me.  Haha.  I've never actually done legitimate band photography, but I've always wanted to.  I get to enter into the VIP room and everything.  Gah!  There are no words.

So, I am hoping it all goes well.  I technically can only shoot the first 3 songs for Band of Horses, but that works for me!  I'll try to stay for the whole show.  But I'm unsure if I'm able to or not.

So so so so excited.

Yay!

Ahhhh!!

Also, other good things of the day...it's Friday, and I have yet to hear that dang Rebecca Black song.  So far, so good.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed I don't hear it.

Oooookay.

Have a lovely Friday, everyone.

I'll be sure to post Band of Horses photos soon. :)

No more 365!

I've decided to stop doing my 365.
This may come to a shock to some of you...probably not though.

Here are the reasons why:

1) I think the first week of it was really the only time I actually took a picture every day.  I've needed to catch up so much, it's just getting old.
That is my fault.

2) I don't actually think it's helping me grow as a photographer.  I believe I know what my style is and I believe it developed a little over the course of my 365, but I don't think my pictures in my 365 are improving.  I'm just taking them to take them.  Which is not passionate.

3) I'm not enjoying it.  If I want to be a photographer when I grow up, I better freaking love it.  And I do.  I really do, but this project felt more of like something on my to-do list rather than something I felt like doing.  I want to enjoy taking pictures.  I want them to have meaning.

So, there are my reasons.  Do not fear, however, with the taking out of the 365 from my life, I feel like I will be more devoted to producing good shots with more meaning.  I want to create something awesome.  I have a few shoots coming up that I am so excited about because I know I will give it my all and not worry about getting my 365 for the day.

I want to step up my game in photography.  And I know cutting this out seems like an unreasonable thing to do in order to step up my game, but I am confident with my future. :)

I have a couples shoot this weekend that I am very very excited about.  I'll keep taking pictures and I'll keep posting them on here, but they won't be part of my 365.

Now, I'm off to watch Robin Hood.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Thankful Thursday!

Oh yeah...wanna know how awesome I am?
I went grocery shopping today for all natural/whole grain/super healthy/vegetables and fruit/ stuff.  And then when I was watching ANTM tonight, I ate a near whole row of Oreos.

I suck.
Haha.

But what can you do? :P

(pardon my manhands)

I hope your days were lovely, to each and every one of you. :)

Sorry I've been absent from the blogosphere.  I've been soooooo oddly busy.

And sleepy, so, you know, I've been sleeping a lot.

Love to you. :)

Hooray!

April is here! Which means...SCHOOL IS NEARLY OVER!
Which means.........SUMMER IS SOOOOO CLOSE!

I really cannot wait for summer.  I think it's the summer I've been so excited about.  I'm traveling a lot (I didn't get to last summer), I am (hopefully) getting to shoot a lot of weddings or engagement shots, and I get to spend time with the people I love the most.

And then there's that sense of being completely free, which is so so exciting.  Hopefully, from this summer on, I'll be able to not "work" for money, but be able to do what I love--photograph.

My best friend, Marielle, and I, decided to begin a tradition: make a list of things we want to do, accomplish, and try, and try to complete them over the course of the summer.  I'm sure there will be so many fun things on it.  And ideas and adventures we'll do together that will pull us even closer.  I am so excited.

So, here are some images that remind me of summer.  I hope you enjoy!
(All images are from Pinterest)

Do you have any plans for the summer?