Bluer than Blue

I have to admit this entry is inspired by friend A's blog entry [we may have not met personally but i truly admire not just her awesome work but her simple, yet strong and real self]... thank you for being a great influence.

I am feeling a little bit blue today... i won't elaborate why but i feel like the people around me loves me or like me not because of who i am but because of what i can give and provide them. Do i make sense here?

In the back of this head of mine, i keep thinking what if i am gone one day, do you think they'll miss me/myself or will they be upset because all the material things and services will be gone as well.

I am just hoping these people one day will be able to be appreciative, be satisfied, and be thankful for what they have... and be HAPPY with it... *sigh*.

Grateful Week

There's a lot to be thankful this past week.

***

BLS [basic life support] and NRP [neonatal resuscitation program] re-certified --- i am good for another 2 years ... that means i can keep working, unless if i get laid-off [hope not].

***

Finally, got a new desktop [with these hobby of ours, our old one cannot keep up], a bigger tower and capacity [triple the size of the older desktop] but mostly we're grateful we had a great amount of deal from Fry's electronics --- SALE! SALE! SALE!

***

Booked our yearly summer getaway scheduled on the 3rd week of July for a week --- Santa Monica, California here we come.

***

Spent an ample amount of quality time with the family almost everyday of this week --- pool/water fun, outdoor playing with the girls, indoor playing [Wii rocks], and real food [chicken nuggets/wings, pizza, chinese food, sushi, ice cream, etc]... i bet my diet plan is screaming for help --- isn't it we're allowed a free day *giggling*. Don't worry, today is my last day of being bad... back to my 1200-1400 ADA calorie low carb diet by tomorrow.

It feels really good though.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

***

~ By the way, photo shown above and below is an unknown weed that i cleared out from our front yard --- just took a few shots before i took it out. ~

Another version of the said weed.

Greatly Motivated

There is no better time than now. The time to live is now. The time to dream is now. The time to imagine and forget the past is now. The time to shine is now. The time to bleed, sweat, and determine yourself for the things you want most is now.

Anonymous

[i am immensely pushing the lines above into this head of mine so to speak]

I am somewhat nervous for a friend/colleague at works upcoming family photoshoot.

This friend of mine asked me few weeks ago if it's possible to take their family photo after seeing my pictures --- she already have the location but needed a photographer... and i finally said yes and set up the date mid of July [since both our schedule is crazy - that's the earliest available date that we're both open].

Now, i am questioning myself... "can i really do this?"
I keep reminding this friend of mine everytime we bump at work that i am just a hobbyist, not a professional and she keeps dispensing the idea, that everything will be alright and i can do it...
since then i keep convincing myself that it's going to be OK, *sigh*.

Lifestyle Photography

I came across this site from someones prompting to look at her portfolio, from then onwards I've been drawn and hooked to her piece of work.
After following her sets almost everyday i concluded that if i decided to pursue such hobby professionally this is what i want,
to be like her... a Lifestyle Photographer
Focusing more on pregnancy, birth, newborn, babies, kids, family, and couples.
I find it very inspiring and delightful to cover such life's milestone and event --- it's naturally moving.

Ok, ok, ok, I am just dreaming. There's nothing harm in dreaming, this is just a thought that possibly be dismissed anytime.

How about all you photography hobbyist out there --- what kind of photographer are you?

Lifestyle photography is pictures of people doing everyday things - cooking, on vacation, parenting, dealing with health or financial or business situations - the list is endless.

In most cases, Lifestyle photography is upbeat, optimistic, fun, and lighthearted. The lighting is usually natural looking; the aesthetic effect is "light and airy." The models are above-average attractive and energetic, but not 'model pretty' - they need to be believable.

And the locations are actually locations. If they are in a studio, then an environment is staged to help tell the story of the image. There is always an implied context or story to the images.

Lastly, because it is aspirational, Lifestyle photography needs to have great production values. This is commercial imagery that paints an ideal - all of the details must be attended to including lighting, casting and styling.

taken from Photoshelter - School of Stock

*****

Baby M at 19months old --- one of my indoor model =)

Games and Emotions

To win without risk is to triumph without glory. --- by Corneille

My Ate L's spring season soccer game will be ending soon --- their last game will be next saturday with an after game party at a park.

As I was looking back at their photos from previous games it made me conclude that despite the game is just for a little league class they do put so much emotions to it. If i can rerun it in my head their former games, it seemed like they're having so much fun but if you really look deeper like in a movie in a slow motion mode you'll notice they do put a lot of heart, dedication, and effort in each games.

But because they are young kids you'll see a lot natural cuteness in them --- how can you not love them =)

I'll surely miss the practices and games weekly but for sure we'll see each other again next soccer spring season.

Way to go team JAGUAR!!!

My Girlfriends

Gems may be precious, but friendship is priceless! - Unknown Author

Today me and my girls [Ate L and Baby M] went to have lunch with my previous work girls in Labor and Delivery at MiMis Cafe [my first] *hmmm, yummy food*.

It's so funny how we stayed good friends despite our current different life orientation --- some retired, some went to different work place [like me], and some stayed in the same place. It's very heartwarming knowing that we kept this connection regardless of each and everyones lineage in this lifetime.

I can just recall when i started working as L&D RN [labor and delivery] here in the US they were there for me, they are like my instant family. A gal from the Philippines who's malnourish or rather 15lbs lighter then just took her flight bravely in a different country [US], culture shocked... But thank God this girls were and are still awesome --- guided me big time, helped me grow, and assisted me adjust to the new settings of the litigious work i currently have and been a part of my personal/family life for ages [bridal shower, baby shower, delivering one of my girl, and my girls yearly birthdays]... Although, I personally think that's why this bond stayed intact because of our high respect with each other, which i believe matters most.

Let's stay in touch my valley girls. Miss you a lot. The girls and I had a great time =)
Love you more!!!

The photo appears noisy, taken using my small point and shoot camera [canon SD600]
From Left to Right: Terri, me , ate L, baby M, Viv, my mama Renee, and Lisa

True friends are forever, for friendship wraps itself around the heart. Thank you for always being the true and special friend that you guys are to me. I will hold our friendship close always.

*****

I have to add this in this entry. This is my lunch today --- my Ate L who's 5 yrs old took this shot and i think she did good [got lucky probably]... by the way photo unedited straight from my P&S camera, just added her watermark =)

Hibachi Style Grilled Salmon [i love fish]

Hope Abides

This current struggling economic country is getting into our existing day to day life. Frustration is just enevitable and i don't want to get into the course of abasement. It's getting annoying *sigh*.

We don't need to live in a mansion, neither drive a mercedes or BMW. We just want to live life normally and comfortably.

I am just hopeful the current toil will turn around soon --- i am seriously hoping.

Hope abides; therefore I abide.
Countless frustrations have not cowed me.
I am still alive, vibrant with life.
The black cloud will disappear,
The morning sun will appear once again
In all its supernal glory.

by Sri Chinmoy