When you turn in your hours in a timely manner to the person who does payroll. But then the person that does Payroll goes out of town on vacation, and neglects to give you your paycheck, even though you turned in your hours several days before they left. And while they are enjoying their nice little vacation, you have expenses coming in (like the health insurance payment that automatically withdraws from your bank account each month) and you start overdrafting on your account (because, well, you were supposed to have your paycheck by then)- and then you have to pull money out of your savings account to pay for someone else's lack of planning. And then when they finally do get back from their nice vacation, they still don't get your paycheck to you, because they have a "stack of other things to get to" - WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU???? AND WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID THAT YOU FAIL TO REALIZE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GREATLY AFFECTED BY YOUR SERIOUS LACK OF PLANNING???? ARRRRGGGG!!!!
You know, I'm all about people taking a break and vacations. Those are needed. But why in the world would you leave a bunch of loose ends when you leave? If you can't finish everything before you go, can you at least set a system in place to take care of things while you are gone??? Don't be stupid.
in the meantime I am quickly losing my faith in humanity and their ability to function on an intelligent level. And my fridge and pantry shelves are quickly becoming bare. And I've had a serious craving for some homemade Pretzel Balls from a local market, and NO MONEY to purchase them! AHHH!!! I'm so frustrated.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Random Events and Thoughts.
I'm going to try to blog quickly today, because I have an agenda full of things to do today - mainly to continue working through the Photoshop tutorial that my father lent me and to study flash photography. I've been trying to learn as much as possible before the next two weddings in August.
So here's a couple of things that have happened recently, and a couple of things that have been on my mind -
I made these two pictures on photoshop this week for a for a friend of mine's two daughters. They had a birthday party earlier this week, and I didn't have a card to put on their present. So I decided that I would make a card with their picture on it (because they really can't read anyway) and that way they would be able to tell whose present belonged to who. It was a fun photoshop project.
Joel got a sunburn on his head from doing yard work in the backyard last Saturday. It was really horrible. His head actually blistered, and started oozing orange goo from his blisters. (I know you wanted to know that. You're welcome)
I've been doing Yoga for about two months now. I skip the weird meditation part and just do the stretches. I'm really starting to see the results. I really haven't lost any weight, but I have gained a lot of inner strength in my core. I like it.To lose weight, I would have to be doing cardio regularly. For now, I'm just sticking to the yoga.
Recently Joel installed a Nintendo emulator on the Wii and so we've been playing the original Super Mario Bros
from like 1985. We've been playing it like every night. I lose frequently, get aggrivated and quit after about half an hour - but it's still a lot of fun. I've also started to play Zelda. I watched my brother play it on the Wii all week when he was visiting last week, and it caught my interest. What is happening to me? I'm turning into the biggest dork ever. I think that being married to a nerd turns you into one. I'm almost convinced.
Two serious thoughts -
I have come to the realization recently that my relationship with God over the past year is not as close to Him as I have been in the past. Reason? Some of you could probably guess. I've allowed certain difficult situations to choke out my love and passion for God. They've distracted me, and deterred my focus - kind of like a weed in the garden - like the weeds that are overwhelming the rest of the plants in my flower beds that I hate to keep up with. I've had so many "weeds" in my life, it's taken a while to pull them out. It was difficult to focus on what's really important because the "weeds" were all that I could see. But now the weeds are becoming more and more sparse. It's good. And I feel like I can finally see. It's been a journey. And once again, I desire to have that deep and intimate relationship with God that I have in the past. And that's what I'm working on again.
Someone told me something last week that really stuck with me. They told me that I have so much potential that I can do great things in my life. You know what? That's not the first time that I've been told that. My husband tells me that all the time (but a lot of times I think that he just says that because he is in love with me...love makes you see things a certain way). I've had music teachers tell me the same. I never know what to do with these comments. To me it seems strange that someone would tell me something like this. My husband gets frustrated when he tells me about my great potential, and I act like I don't believe it. But I began to really think about "The Potential" issue this week. I believe that deep down inside, if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish it. So when I act like I don't believe when a person tells me that, it's not that I do....I think that it's the fact that perhaps I don't see it (my potential)...and even moreso, deep down inside, reaching my full potential scares me. Yes, that is it. I'm scared. But I have no idea why...it sounds ridiculous.
Hmmm...this blog took about 30 minutes to write. Not quite as quick as I would have liked.
So here's a couple of things that have happened recently, and a couple of things that have been on my mind -
I made these two pictures on photoshop this week for a for a friend of mine's two daughters. They had a birthday party earlier this week, and I didn't have a card to put on their present. So I decided that I would make a card with their picture on it (because they really can't read anyway) and that way they would be able to tell whose present belonged to who. It was a fun photoshop project.Joel got a sunburn on his head from doing yard work in the backyard last Saturday. It was really horrible. His head actually blistered, and started oozing orange goo from his blisters. (I know you wanted to know that. You're welcome)
I've been doing Yoga for about two months now. I skip the weird meditation part and just do the stretches. I'm really starting to see the results. I really haven't lost any weight, but I have gained a lot of inner strength in my core. I like it.To lose weight, I would have to be doing cardio regularly. For now, I'm just sticking to the yoga.
Recently Joel installed a Nintendo emulator on the Wii and so we've been playing the original Super Mario Bros
from like 1985. We've been playing it like every night. I lose frequently, get aggrivated and quit after about half an hour - but it's still a lot of fun. I've also started to play Zelda. I watched my brother play it on the Wii all week when he was visiting last week, and it caught my interest. What is happening to me? I'm turning into the biggest dork ever. I think that being married to a nerd turns you into one. I'm almost convinced.Two serious thoughts -
I have come to the realization recently that my relationship with God over the past year is not as close to Him as I have been in the past. Reason? Some of you could probably guess. I've allowed certain difficult situations to choke out my love and passion for God. They've distracted me, and deterred my focus - kind of like a weed in the garden - like the weeds that are overwhelming the rest of the plants in my flower beds that I hate to keep up with. I've had so many "weeds" in my life, it's taken a while to pull them out. It was difficult to focus on what's really important because the "weeds" were all that I could see. But now the weeds are becoming more and more sparse. It's good. And I feel like I can finally see. It's been a journey. And once again, I desire to have that deep and intimate relationship with God that I have in the past. And that's what I'm working on again.
Someone told me something last week that really stuck with me. They told me that I have so much potential that I can do great things in my life. You know what? That's not the first time that I've been told that. My husband tells me that all the time (but a lot of times I think that he just says that because he is in love with me...love makes you see things a certain way). I've had music teachers tell me the same. I never know what to do with these comments. To me it seems strange that someone would tell me something like this. My husband gets frustrated when he tells me about my great potential, and I act like I don't believe it. But I began to really think about "The Potential" issue this week. I believe that deep down inside, if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish it. So when I act like I don't believe when a person tells me that, it's not that I do....I think that it's the fact that perhaps I don't see it (my potential)...and even moreso, deep down inside, reaching my full potential scares me. Yes, that is it. I'm scared. But I have no idea why...it sounds ridiculous.
Hmmm...this blog took about 30 minutes to write. Not quite as quick as I would have liked.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The wedding.
Did you guys miss me? Of course you did. So the wedding that Patty and I shot went really well. We didn't mess up the pictures. I think we did a great job, especially considering that this was our first wedding. I think that I like the wedding photography business. I would like to continue down this road. It also can pay out a LOT of money. I now understand why wedding photographers are so expensive. I learned a lot from this wedding and I know what I need to improve on. So this month I plan on putting a lot of time into studying the areas I'm weak in...because I have two more weddings next month!! Very exciting.
Here are a couple of my favorites from the wedding.
Here are a couple of my favorites from the wedding.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I'm tired.
I'm incredibly tired, and therefore probably should not be writing this blog. I may look back at this tomorrow and realize that I sound stupid and then delete it. Maybe.
Today I went with a friend to lunch. We had a good time, and a lot of good laughs, especially about comparing marital experiences. That's always fun. I love being able to laugh with someone else who understands the ins and outs of being married. At lunch her two-old-daughter covered her clothes with melted chocolate ice cream. I found it quite funny, and laughed at her. (Because I'm nice like that) After lunch we pretended like I was interested in renting an apartment in these new, trendy apartments near the mall. They are totally chic...and we were dying to know what they looked like on the inside. So we visited those new trendy metro apartments, and got a tour. I would totally live there if Joel and I were younger, and if we didn't have a crazy, active Border collie. Before we went home, she had to run into a store and pick up an item really quickly. I waited in the car with her two daughters (ages 2 and 4). While we were waiting, I taught the older one how to make fart noises with her mouth and the palms of her hands. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I'm bad like that sometimes. Let me tell you, that was one of the funniest things I've witnessed in a couple of months. Her daughter caught on quickly, and proceeded to show her mom when she came back to the car, and then continued making juicy fart noises and then laughing hysterically the whole entire way home. Her mother thanked me and reminded me that payback would be sweet when Joel and I have kids. (I agree it probably will, but it was totally worth it) We all laughed as she continuously made those nice juicy fart noises and by the time I got home, my sides hurt so bad that I could hardly breathe, and wiped several tears from my eyes. My point in saying all this is that I'm glad for friendship. I'm glad to have friends where you can be yourself, and you can love each other for who they are, despite the obnoxious things they may do (like teach their children to make fart noises). It's good to have friends.
And one totally random thought to mention - When is it that you can say that you are a "professional photographer"? I would love to say that I am a professional photographer, but I don't feel like one, nor do I consider myself to be one, perhaps maybe an amateur, but not professional. But at what point do you cross the line between amateur and professional? I don't know. But I have a personal goal to become a Professional Photographer. But how will I know when I get there?? Hmm...
Today I went with a friend to lunch. We had a good time, and a lot of good laughs, especially about comparing marital experiences. That's always fun. I love being able to laugh with someone else who understands the ins and outs of being married. At lunch her two-old-daughter covered her clothes with melted chocolate ice cream. I found it quite funny, and laughed at her. (Because I'm nice like that) After lunch we pretended like I was interested in renting an apartment in these new, trendy apartments near the mall. They are totally chic...and we were dying to know what they looked like on the inside. So we visited those new trendy metro apartments, and got a tour. I would totally live there if Joel and I were younger, and if we didn't have a crazy, active Border collie. Before we went home, she had to run into a store and pick up an item really quickly. I waited in the car with her two daughters (ages 2 and 4). While we were waiting, I taught the older one how to make fart noises with her mouth and the palms of her hands. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I'm bad like that sometimes. Let me tell you, that was one of the funniest things I've witnessed in a couple of months. Her daughter caught on quickly, and proceeded to show her mom when she came back to the car, and then continued making juicy fart noises and then laughing hysterically the whole entire way home. Her mother thanked me and reminded me that payback would be sweet when Joel and I have kids. (I agree it probably will, but it was totally worth it) We all laughed as she continuously made those nice juicy fart noises and by the time I got home, my sides hurt so bad that I could hardly breathe, and wiped several tears from my eyes. My point in saying all this is that I'm glad for friendship. I'm glad to have friends where you can be yourself, and you can love each other for who they are, despite the obnoxious things they may do (like teach their children to make fart noises). It's good to have friends.
And one totally random thought to mention - When is it that you can say that you are a "professional photographer"? I would love to say that I am a professional photographer, but I don't feel like one, nor do I consider myself to be one, perhaps maybe an amateur, but not professional. But at what point do you cross the line between amateur and professional? I don't know. But I have a personal goal to become a Professional Photographer. But how will I know when I get there?? Hmm...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Canyon De Chelly
Here they are - photos from my non-vacation getaway last week with Joel (on his business trip). By the way, in case you are wondering how to pronounce the canyon's name, it's "Shay". I don't know why. Navajo, I guess. And one more thing - I apologize ahead of time if the pictures take a long time to load. please forgive me.
this one should have been rotated. sorry. this is the view from the bottom of the canyon wall
Rock stack on a canyon outlook. Some people do weird things. (but it makes a great photo)
on the edge of the canyon.
Indian ruins.
This seriously looks like a face!!!
Canyon lookout.
Yes, I know I'm amazing. And I know my hair looks great too.
This is us.
We hiked down to the bottom of this canyon. 2.5 miles both way, and 500 feet below. It took us half the recommended time. We definitely got a work out.
On the way down into the canyon.
Window Rock, Arizona - headquarters of the Navajo Nation. Serious business!!
this one should have been rotated. sorry. this is the view from the bottom of the canyon wall
Rock stack on a canyon outlook. Some people do weird things. (but it makes a great photo)
on the edge of the canyon.
Indian ruins.
This seriously looks like a face!!!
Canyon lookout.
Yes, I know I'm amazing. And I know my hair looks great too.
This is us.
We hiked down to the bottom of this canyon. 2.5 miles both way, and 500 feet below. It took us half the recommended time. We definitely got a work out.
On the way down into the canyon.
Window Rock, Arizona - headquarters of the Navajo Nation. Serious business!!
Thoughts on Monday
I have exciting news - this is my last week of work!!! WooHoo!! I'm very excited. I have three days of work left (that is, if they don't call me and tell me to not come in). These last two weeks have really accelerated my desire to quit work, probably because the end is so near. I feel like my manager has been doing her best to fire me before my last day has arrived as well. All of the sudden, I have gotten continuous threats of being written up if my performance is not at a certain level (if I don't increase my sales, if I get caught doing a sitting when the parent is not in the safety zone, if I don't do at least 2 extreme croppings during the sales, blah, blah, blah). I think that my manager's goal is to fire me before my last day because it would probably look better. I don't know. Whatever. Honestly I try my very best every day that I work, so if I do get written up, it wouldn't be for a lack of effort. HOWEVER my manager is on vacation for the rest of the week at the moment, and so that means I probably won't get written up. HA! In addition to all of these battles, I was scheduled to work on a Sunday (once again) and of course called and let them know that I wouldn't be able to come in (HA) but the best part is that when I called, nobody answered the phone, so I left a message - which means that I got the last word without having to get yelled at...or lectured...or given a guilt trip.(double HA.) I feel like I won. I feel like it stuck it to The Man. It's a good feeling.
I bought this shirt today:
It amuses me. I've been meaning to buy it forever, but never got around to it. I remembered this weekend, and I could only find it one place online. I had to buy a size larger than what I wear, only because they didn't have my size. It should be ok, the shirts look like they run small anyway.
This weekend is the wedding that I am going to help shoot! I'm really excited. I've rented an extra camera lense online to help me add variety to the pictures I take. I've also been trying to prepare like a mad woman, reading material and planning to make sure that I do a good job, and not mess up these pictures (wedding pictures are seriously important). I know that shooting weddings are incredibly stressful and difficult, but I really think that I can do it.
this week, I plan to:
- work out
- have a Keva Juice with a friend (one of my favorite places)
- go out to lunch with another friend
- finish reading the book I've been trying to finish since about February
- rent a movie that my husband would not enjoy watching with me (any suggestions?)
- edit photos - specifically from the canyon last week. so will have pictures to share with you very soon from my adventure last week. In the mean time, I have two photos to share with you....
I took this photo last week. Joel and I were with our pastor and his wife driving out behind their neighborhood. The pastor was showing us the undeveloped land, and neat photo opportunities of the desert. At the corner of one of the dirt roads, there was a chair. It was totally random. This totally amuses me.
But I have a question for you guys. Same picture, one is in black and white, and one is color. Which one do you like better?
I bought this shirt today:
It amuses me. I've been meaning to buy it forever, but never got around to it. I remembered this weekend, and I could only find it one place online. I had to buy a size larger than what I wear, only because they didn't have my size. It should be ok, the shirts look like they run small anyway.This weekend is the wedding that I am going to help shoot! I'm really excited. I've rented an extra camera lense online to help me add variety to the pictures I take. I've also been trying to prepare like a mad woman, reading material and planning to make sure that I do a good job, and not mess up these pictures (wedding pictures are seriously important). I know that shooting weddings are incredibly stressful and difficult, but I really think that I can do it.
this week, I plan to:
- work out
- have a Keva Juice with a friend (one of my favorite places)
- go out to lunch with another friend
- finish reading the book I've been trying to finish since about February
- rent a movie that my husband would not enjoy watching with me (any suggestions?)
- edit photos - specifically from the canyon last week. so will have pictures to share with you very soon from my adventure last week. In the mean time, I have two photos to share with you....
I took this photo last week. Joel and I were with our pastor and his wife driving out behind their neighborhood. The pastor was showing us the undeveloped land, and neat photo opportunities of the desert. At the corner of one of the dirt roads, there was a chair. It was totally random. This totally amuses me.
But I have a question for you guys. Same picture, one is in black and white, and one is color. Which one do you like better?
Monday, June 16, 2008
I'm in AZ.
I am currently typing this from a hotel room in Arizona. Joel and I are not on vacation, but I went with Joel on a business trip. We are in Chinle, Arizona. (where?) It's northern Arizona. On the Navajo reservation. It's pretty amazing out here, and it's totally a new experience for me as well. I've never really spent much time on an indian reservation before (other than the field trip I went on in elementary school). Joel and I totally stick out like sore thumbs here. We're so white. I'm not used to sticking out like that. For the most part, I've always been able to blend fairly easy with everyone no matter where we went...except when I was in Kenya. Yeah. So anyway, while Joel is working on his lovely networking engineer business, I hang out at the hotel, swim in the pool, and just chill. It's awesome. Chinle itself isn't that exciting, but the really cool thing is there's this canyon about a mile from our hotel called Canyon de Chelly. Let me tell you - It's AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL. It's not the Grand Canyon (I've haven't been there yet) They have Indian Cliff Dwellings in the Canyon. The walls of the Canyon are a beautiful streaked red color. The views are spectacular. Absolutely breath taking. The sunset over the Canyon is fantastic! Being here seriously makes me just marvel over just how much of an amazing God that God really is. It's so beautiful here. I just had no idea how amazing this place is. I'm so excited to be here...and I'm not even on vacation! So anyway, it's pretty amazing here. I love it. I have pictures to share, but I'm too tired to put them up tonight. But I will soon.
One more very cool piece of information that I've been dying to share with you guys - I put in my two weeks notice last Thursday at work. YAY!! Don't get me wrong here, I love my job, but I'm ready to move on, plus I've pretty much always hated the inconsistent work hours I have, among the fact that our work hours are consistently being cut, which makes the 45 minute drive to and from work a little frustrating when you only end up working for about 2 hours. But-- I got a lot out of my job. I'm leaving with lots of knowledge in my head about portrait photography, I've earned my certification through the company, and I have tons of experience in photography, AND dealing with insane customers who stomp out after blaming you for their child's bad behavior. I really feel like I've gained so much from this job....and now I'm ready to be done...and travel with my husband on his business trips and take vacations and be the spontaneous couple that we love to be.
Pictures soon to come.
One more very cool piece of information that I've been dying to share with you guys - I put in my two weeks notice last Thursday at work. YAY!! Don't get me wrong here, I love my job, but I'm ready to move on, plus I've pretty much always hated the inconsistent work hours I have, among the fact that our work hours are consistently being cut, which makes the 45 minute drive to and from work a little frustrating when you only end up working for about 2 hours. But-- I got a lot out of my job. I'm leaving with lots of knowledge in my head about portrait photography, I've earned my certification through the company, and I have tons of experience in photography, AND dealing with insane customers who stomp out after blaming you for their child's bad behavior. I really feel like I've gained so much from this job....and now I'm ready to be done...and travel with my husband on his business trips and take vacations and be the spontaneous couple that we love to be.
Pictures soon to come.
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