August 19, 2010

stirring old interests!!!

So, I should be thankful to Carrie for stirring an old interest that has been dormant for the better part of two years, at least. As you may know, her and a couple of friends chipped in and bought me a digital camera for my birthday. It isn't one of those fancy Cannon or Nikon cameras with a million settings that professionals use, it's simple and perfect for me at the moment. Carrie, Scott and I were out at Penn State College Campus because I wanted to take pictures. I haven't just gone out to take pictures in a very long time, though I did was down in April, but it didn't stir anything then. We were walking around campus and I was finding shots that I wasn't sure would come out well, but regardless I took the shot and hoped for the best. And so we continued to walk around campus and I was taking pictures of the old building I saw through the branches of trees that hung down over them. And I was taking pictures of flowers, the way I used when I would go to Portsmouth when the gardens were in full-bloom! It was when I was taking pictures of some blooms at the O.H. Smith Botanical Gardens at Penn State, that I remembered how much I really did enjoy taking pictures of nature, and some people, especially people I'm with that know I'm taking their picture. Somehow, this part of me was lost and buried since that awful break-up two years ago. And now you may ask what has happened. I am thanking my best friend and favorite roommate in whole world for this new stirring of an old interest that's been waiting, apparently, for the right opportunity to shine again. I never took photography classes, so it is completely a hobby and one that I have realized that I find true solice in. Even though I don't own a fancy digital camera, I have one that is doing a good enough job for me at this present time and if I feel like this interest can go anywhere, I will save the money to purchase a "fancy" digital camera, though sometimes I miss the 35mm with exchangeable lenses that I first started with. Today, Carrie and I returned to the Botanical Gardens so she could get some shots of the water lilies that are bloomed only during the day. I found some shots that I thought were interesting enough for me, and so I joined Carrie in sitting around the little pond and thoroughly enjoying what I was doing for the first time in a long time. I found shots that I was hesitant about, but took them anyway. When the day was over, or Carrie's battery died, we came back to the apartment and I let her look what I had taken over the last few days. And to my surprise she was impressed by some of them. She even gave me a couple of suggestions on post-editing for a couple of the shots I took. Listening to her and hearing what she thought was important to me and I realized then, that I have truly and regrettfully missed just going out and taking pictures of what I see in nature. So, my mission when I return home is: to go out as often as I can and just take pictures. Take pictures of whatever I see and am inspired by regardless of if I think it's going to make a good shot or not. That, to me, is the fun and joy of photography and what I have missed for far too long. So, here's to new adventures with an old interest!!!

August 15, 2010

life

Well, it looks like I will be moving back to New Hampshire on Saturday! I had an interview at one school in the State College Area School District, I ended up not getting that job, but the pay was less then what I would make at home even though they include benefits. I need to go back home for me. I wish I had a good reason why, but I don't. I told Carrie, and I know she's a little disappointed, but she's alright with my decision. I will be back down to visit as much as I can. And hopefully back down next summer before my sister's wedding. My computer, I think, as shit the bed!!!!! I'm hoping that when I get home, I can figure out what's wrong with it. Tuesday, Carrie, Scott, and I will be walking around Penn State Campus so I can get some pictures, just in case my computer's gone. And then Thursday we are going to celebrate her birthday before I leave with a trip to G-Man to see Emily's ToyBox. It should be a lot of fun and hope a lot of her friends and co-workers show up. So long, for now.

August 3, 2010

life

Well, it's August now and things are still going pretty good. I have an interview on the 11th at Easterly Parkway Elementary School. Fingers are crossed, but I'm not putting everything into getting this job. It's important for me to make more than what I would at home because I'll be paying for rent plus all my other bills. Everyone has been really supportive of me and it makes me feel good and that this is a good decision for me. I'm still nervous about moving down here, but I know I'll be fine in the end. I have friends here that will help with the transition and are being supportive whether or not I get to stay here! I'm looking forward to the up-coming planning of Sara's wedding events! I know there's still a year left, but there's a bridal shower to plan and a bachelorette party to take place! Dress shopping for the girls is the next big thing on the list! Not sure what's going to happen with that because Katie and I will be in burghundy dresses, while the bridesmaids will be in black dresses! Black is a little easier to shop for, because the shade isn't going to change from fabric to fabric! We'll see what happens. Sara's gown is ready to be picked up at the shop and brought to mom and dad's for safe-keeping! She is going to be an absolutely beautiful bride and the dress she pickd is totally my sister. It shows her personality amazingly. I realize that my thoughts are kind of scrambled together, but right now that's what's going on in my head. I do apologize for those who have a hard time following the thoughts here, but to me, a blog is like a diary and I should be aloud to ramble. My heart is not breaking so much now for my friends who lost their son! It's getting a little easier every day to think about them without wanting to cry! They received my letter and told my dad that they were very happy to have received such a heart-felt letter from me. I thought that a sympathy card was just not enough, so I sat down and wrote them something special while choosing the right words that I wanted to use! My parents are going to stop by their place to go out on the boat, for a little while. I believe this will be good for both my parents and the Stimsons. They still haven't buried their son yet, but I believe it's because of the arrangements that have to be made at Arlington! I am so glad that his final resting place will be in such a place of honor! I know that it may not help his family heal thinking about it that way, but who knows, it just might! Anyways, I got a call from my friend Sultan at about eleven o'clock this morning. It was nice to wake up to his voice on the other end of the phone! I haven't talked to him in quite a few weeks, so it gave us a chance to catch up wtih each other. He's doing well and is glad that I'm doing well. I haven't seen him in about a year, but we keep in touch with phone calls and emails, so I guess it's alright! Carrie and I have been looking for apartments on the internet with the hopes that I'll get the job here. We've found a couple that we really like, though have to wait and see if I'll be able to afford the move. It's been interesting looking for apartments and thinking that Carrie will be my roommate! I don't mind the idea, it doesn't scare me, it baffles me to think that I will be sharing a place with a person whom I hve known for the better part of twenty years! And, I do believe that it may just excite me a little to think that I will be leaving the town that I have spent the last twenty-seven years living in with my parents! I know that I will miss my family and friends back home, but I also know that this will be one of the best things to happen in my life!


Well, I guess that's it for now. Gotta eat dinner and get ready to go to Champs for Matt's birthday!!!! GOOD NIGHT Y'ALL!!!!