Photo Challenge: Day 8

Tonight was "Pink in the Rink" with the Idaho Steelheads. St Luke's is partners with the Steelheads, so I got 3 discounted tickets to the game and went with my roommate, Colette, and my friend Michelle. I took my camera to practice sports photos. 

Here's the goalie...

 and a Mighty Mite...

and the best part about hockey (fights)...

This one was taken by Michelle...We liked the flinching ref

Photo Challenge: Day 7

Here is my beautiful boy...I love this dog so much. He's extremely photogenic too. Here he is catching a few zzzz's on the couch.

Here he is...looking...I don't think he cared too much for the flash in his eyes...

Photo Challenge: Day 6

Attention, Attention - I'm pleased to announce the newest member of my family. Meet Pear. He is a 2008 Honda CR-V LX 4WD. You're probably wondering why I named Pear, well, Pear. The truth is, I was signing the paperwork and noticed that the CR-V's color was listed as "Royal Blue Pear." It was supposed to say "Royal Blue Pearl," but the "l" was cut off. For some reason, I thought it was hysterical. Yes, it was a long day and I was relieved it was almost over...I decided in that moment that my new CR-V would be known as Pear. So here is Day 6's photo of my new SUV - 

Photo Challenge: Day 5

 Kaya - Psychotic Spy Ninja Cat. In all her glory. Minus the acrobatics...

Photo Challenge: Day 4

Here is today's photo taken with my iPhone. You may think it's a bit odd, but I found a lot of beauty in this little "flower" that I made. 

Photo Challenge: Day 3

Today's photo was hard to do. It's easy when you have a camera out all the time cause you're sight-seeing. It is not so easy when your camera is packed in your carry-on and you're going through airports all day. I took two photos all day and since neither of them are fantastic photos, they do have meaning. One is a picture depicting the delay out of San Francisco airport. The other is my friend, Toby, making me dinner when I got home. It was nice to have a friend offer to feed me after a long day of snacks...

Oh, and by the way - I accomplished another goal - Visit Washington D.C.

Late Night Swim

I decided I would occasionally update everyone on how my other goals were going. Quick review: 101 goals in 1001 days. Started the project on November 4, 2012. As of today, I've fully completed 4 goals.

1) Write a letter to Robin McKinley. For those of you who don't know who she is, we clearly haven't ever talked books. She is my favorite author who is currently alive. She wrote my favorite book, "Beauty" and she amazes me with her incredible ability to tell a captivating story. I sent off the letter on 11/09/12.

2) Visit the National Zoo. Done on 11/17/12. The following pictures are (in order) One of the lions guarding the entrance, a fishing cat, and a red panda. It was very beautiful and fun!

3) Go swimming in the sea at night. This was completed last night, as a way to celebrate my birthday! The moon was bright with scattered clouds (we decided it looked like baked marshmallows on top of yams...). Andrea (sister), James (brother), and Shauri (James' wife), followed me to witness my insanity. They kept insisting the water was too cold. I figured it couldn't honestly be any colder than the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon Coast. Here I am prior to entering the water.

Here I am after about 30 seconds in the Atlantic Ocean...with my support crew...

4) Pay off my car loan. This was accomplished much earlier than I expected. In fact, it happened quite abruptly, while I was taking a nap...the darn airbag punched me in the face and woke me up... Turns out I rear-ended the LDS missionaries' Chevy Silverado 1500 truck. It was on Cole Rd, about 500 feet from the turn off to my house. Traffic was slow and I got drowsy. Probably the happiest accident I've ever heard or seen. I was cited by the BPD for driving at unsafe speeds for the condition. Condition = sleeping, so I should have been going 0 mph. My insurance determined my poor car was a total loss. Hence, car loan paid off...Now I just need a car...before it snows and my motorcycle is useless.

Photo Challenge: Day 2

Of the handful of pictures I took on my last day at OBX, NC, this one won out as my favorite. This girl is not a blood relative, but she is my "niece." My first full day with the gathering, I helped her and another "nephew" play hide and seek with my oldest nephew. This little girl captured my heart. Here she is, NOT enjoying her trip to the beach. However, she is bundled up safe in her daddy's arms and her eyes are turned to her mom, who stands close by. My favorite moments of my trip were interacting with the children and this girl made me so happy when I would hear her ask for me by name. I wanted to capture her happy, but this was what I got instead. A little more somber than I wanted...but isn't that just life?

Photo Challenge: Day 1

So this was a sight-seeing day for me. I'm in North Carolina on the Outer Banks. The day started out with Richards' family pictures taken by Shauri Dewey (James kept trying to entertain the children to keep their focus). I took this picture of the whole proceedings. I know I'm only blood related to Andrea and her four children, but Dan's family has become my family too. So it was fun watching them all posing. It made me so happy to spend my birthday with such good people.

Okay, I have this thing about Buddy Bison. He brings me so much joy. I know it is supposed to be 1 photo a day, but I had to add this one of Buddy Bison. He decided to prove how brave he was and crawled into this alligator's mouth while we were at the North Carolina Aquarium. Notice, not a bit of fear in Buddy's face (don't worry, the alligator is not real). I know you are worried, so don't even lie... My nephew helped Buddy Bison pose for this great shot.

End - Day 1.

101 Goals in 1001 Days

I got a roommate recently, Colette. She's pretty much awesome. She introduced me to a website called "Day Zero Project." On the website, you can create and track a list of goals. The most popular list on the site is called 101 Goals in 1001 Days. She's been working on her goals and I was inspired to start my own list of goals to accomplish.  You can see my complete list here.

One of my goals is to complete a 365 day photo challenge. I'm going to start tomorrow, on my 27th birthday. That will be Day 1. My 28th birthday will be Day 365. I wonder what will be seen through my lens as I start this project? Will the world look different to me at the end of the year? What changes will occur over the next 365 days?

I've been amazed at how much has changed in the last 365 days. I awakened to a realization that my marriage needed to end - and end it did. I've experienced joy, freedom, and relief. I've also experienced depression, loneliness, and hopelessness.

I've made new friends that have taught me so much about relationships and acceptance. I've drawn closer to my family. I've found a new independence and confidence that I didn't know I could achieve. I've gotten a new job that I love. I've seen new places and experienced new things.

Starting the 101 Goals in 1001 Days is just another way to explore myself, my interests, and to push myself to be the person I want to be. I think about my goals and it changes how I approach each day. I feel a purpose and a drive to accomplish more, see more, experience more, and be more than I am currently. It is very exciting.

So starting tomorrow, I'll share one photo a day with a short description of why I took it. I'll also try to keep this blog updated with my thoughts and adventures on other posts.