Theme Songs....

Have you ever had a theme song? For a day, a week, a month, or even a year? You know, that one song you listen to over and over again. Each time singing the words at the top of your lungs. And you can't help but smile every time you hear that one specific song. Don't lie! We have all had a theme song at one time or another. I know I have had many. Sometimes they last for a day. Sometimes for a week. And sometimes for a month. I just can't help myself. I discover this amazing song, fall in love with it, and the next thing you know I want to spend every second of every day with it. I will listen to it while I do homework, while I check my email and various photographers blogs. I will listen to it as I walk to and from school or when I go jogging. Basically, no matter what, my theme song is always running through my mind. O.k. pause......if we're being very honest here, well, then, this week I have had two themes songs. And I can guarantee you that they will be my theme songs for next week as well.

#1. Glee: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"- Of course one of my theme songs would be a Christmas song. Tis the Season!! This song is absolutely amazing and it warms my heart every time I hear it. The arrangement is beautiful and the girls that sing this song have such beautiful voices it makes me jealous. Listen to this song, I promise you wont regret it.

#2. Auburn: "Perfect Two"- I can't even describe how much I love this song. It is so stinkin' cute and yes, it's a love song. A cute love song that will simply put a smile on your face each time you listen to it. I one day hope to learn how to play this song on the guitar so that I can sing it to a very special boy.

So, now you know mine. What's yours?

What comes next?

Someone once told me that our intended plans hardly ever workout. This past couple of weeks, I found this to be true as all of my plans came crashing to the ground. Everything. One moment I knew what I was doing, I knew what I wanted, and I knew where I was going. Then as soon as I turned around, it all disappeared. Its the worst feeling ever. Not knowing what I am doing or what I want. Not knowing what comes next. What comes next? Where do I go from here? Though I am still unsure, though I am still confused, though I am still lost and feel completely hopeless, I know that there is a plan for me. I know that whatever happens next will be the right thing. Though I walk blindly into the darkness, into the unknown, I walk with faith and hope. So, what comes next? For me, my dream, my love, my passion, my photography. Though I do not know what tomorrow holds or where I will be in the next few months, I know what I ultimately want. I know what my dream is and I am going to do anything and everything to make that dream a reality. What comes next? My photography!

"Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, and today, today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."

24 days and counting....

That's right internet.....24 days. 24 days till what you might ask. 24 days till I get to go home for Thanksgiving break. For those of you who don't know, I am currently residing in Provo, Utah as I attend Brigham Young University and in 24 days I will be home in Arizona. If you couldn't tell I am super excited. It has been 6 months since my last visit home and if you ask me, that's far too long. It's actually the longest I have ever been away from home. So yes, I am super excited and I hope and pray that these next 24 days will be somewhat speedy.

For now, to pass the time, I have kept myself busy with school, work, and photo shoots. Yesterday, despite inclement weather, I had a photo shoot with my sister Courtney and her good friend Whitney. I was terribly upset that the one day I had scheduled a photo shoot it had decided to down pour. However, though the conditions were not ideal, we did the best we could and I was able to capture a few good shoots. Thanks Court and Whitney for being my models and for making the best of the rain, cold, and cloudy sky's.

Writer's Block....

For the past two hours I have pathetically and hopelessly sat at my desk staring at my computer trying to write a post for today. I have started and deleted four different posts, all of which were completely lame and pathetic. I hate to admit it, but I seem to have an awful case of writer's block and yes, I am going to blame it all on the insanely difficult political paper I am attempting to write for my English class. Let's be honest, that paper is not going so well either. So, in light of this fact I decided that this post will be a "Quote of the Week" post. Happy Sunday!

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...its about learning to dance in the rain."

New Blog, New Brand, New Me

A couple days ago as I was sitting at my kitchen table contemplating life, in efforts to procrastinate doing my homework, I began to think about my photography and more specifically about my dream to start my own wedding photography business. After some extensive research I came to the conclusion that it was time to start fresh, to start new, to start over. For the past few months I have been restlessly trying to figure out what my next step would be. I continually kept asking myself where do I go from here? Finally a couple days ago I figured it out. I finally decided what my next step had to be in order to bring myself that much closer to making my dream become a reality and it all starts with a new blog, a new brand, a new me. Its time to re-design and re-invite my business. There is much under way and I am so excited to see my thoughts, plans, and ideas come forth.

My research, thoughts, plans, and ideas....oh, and of course a "TO DO" list:

Music...

Plato once said, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."

For my sister Courtney, music is her life, music is everything. It is her love, her passion, her dream. For the past 8 or so years Courtney has gained a deeper understanding, a deeper meaning, and a deeper love for music. She has played her viola in front of numerous audiences and has touched the hearts and lives of many. She has lifted the weary soul, given hope to the hopeless, and as Plato would say, "flight to the imagination." For Courtney, music and her viola are what brings her the greatest of joys. As I have seen her love and passion for music grow, I have also seen her commitment and her determination grow. She has worked tirelessly and has put in numerous hours of practice in order to be where she is today. As a sister I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished. Congratulations Courtney and may all of your dreams come true!

I had to include this photo. It shows her personality so perfectly!

BYU....Year 3....

The night before the first day of school is always interesting. To some it's like Christmas Eve and to others its a night they pray will never come to end for fear of what the tomorrow may bring. To be honest, for me personally, the night before the first day of school is one that I pray will never come to an end for fear of what tomorrow may bring. This year I began my Junior year of college here at Brigham Young University and it began just like all the other years. I woke up that Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. contemplating the classes that I would attend that day. With each minute I became more and more fearful of the unknown.

With each new semester there are new classes, new professors, new trial, and new challenges. And with each new semester the same fear I always have creeps up inside of me and I begin to second guess myself. I begin to doubt myself, I begin to doubt in my abilities and potential, and my self-confidence lowers dramatically. This semester has been no different. This semester began just like all the other, I feared that I would not be able to succeed in any of my classes. I feared that my classes would be hard, too hard that I would not be able to do well in them academically.

With so much fear, stress, and worry I called my mom for help, strength, support, and comfort. Being the wonderful mother she is, she sweetly reminded me that this same fear, stress, and worry comes every semester, yet every semester, despite how difficult my classes are, I succeed in them. Every semester I work hard and achieve the desired grades that I had hoped for. She then wisely told me, "Never second guess yourself.....No excuses."

This semester will require more dedication, more motivation, and more hard work than any other semester that I have completed. However, I know that if I work hard and do the absolute best that I can do, then I will be able to do well in all of my classes this semester. With hard work and determination, nothing is impossible.

Game #1: BYU vs. Washington