This is an article I wrote on Travel Photography for my job.  I like that I managed to express how I feel about photography pretty well.  So I figured I’d share it on here. Enjoy!

People go traveling to see sights, meet new people and try ethnic foods.  Not only do they want to experience these things, they want to remember them.  With a camera, you can.  Memories that would otherwise gradually blur and lose detail come back in sharp relief when you see a photo.  Photographs can bring back sounds, smells, and especially emotion from the times and places that they were taken.  They’re a special way to capture moments that pass and are gone forever.  They seal a place in time to a thin strip of paper, or a computer file, that you can access whenever you want.  Photographs are amazing, and there are all sorts of things that you can catch with them in your travels.                  

For example, a sunset in New Zealand, the churning green sea lit by the bronze light of the fading sun.  This photograph not only brings back the sight, but also the sound of crashing, hissing waves and the scent of salt brine.  Crying gulls, the feel of your spouse’s hand warm in yours.  The feeling of quiet, peaceful exultation, the happiness of the moment.  Photos are so meaningful.  They give you something to look back on later in life.  You can remember people you used to be with that aren’t in your life anymore.  It can be a melancholy thing, but it also helps you appreciate that every moment and the people and things within it are priceless.  That instead of looking constantly toward the future, craning your neck toward that ‘perfect time,’ you can realize that you’re there.  That you always have been.  That being alive is the greatest adventure there is.  In that, photos are almost spiritual.  Not necessarily in a religious way, but in that they speak to the soul, and portray deep truths.

Not only are photos emotionally meaningful, they’re aesthetically pleasing as well.  The arrangement of objects inside of a photograph plays a key part in how the photograph communicates over all.  The subtle shade of shadowed green leaves against a vibrant blue sky provides such a contrast that both stand out, crisp against one another.  Even a dead, stark scene like a field in the winter can hold some visual appeal.  For example, a cold-blackened tree against the pale, luminous sky.  A few blurred birds fading into the mist.  A  single leaf clinging to a twig while the rest are buried to sleep in a smooth drift of snow beneath.  Though the scene holds a rather apathetic air, it’s still nice to look at.  It’s almost like musical notes, how a certain arrangement strikes a chord that resonates within.                                    

Some examples of ideal object arrangements include: keeping the focal point in a third of the photograph, as opposed to dead center.  This lets the image lead up to it, instead of making it jump out of the middle.  Catching the rays of the sun on something, rather than the glowing orb itself.  This lends a softer light rather than the explosion of white that can otherwise appear.  Layering elements together –a flowery hill with a moss-covered stone, a butterfly perched on it, white sand sprawling out behind until it’s swallowed by the green of the sun-glinted sea.  Maybe a boat in the distance, riding the waves.  A happy child peeking out of the leaves, with a landscape behind them.  Forest leading to a tunnel, that opens up to a waterfall or sky.  There are so many variations available –you just have to get the right angle.  Blending colors is always a good technique as well.  It catches the eye, making the picture really pop.

Photos can also capture laughter, a small child all too soon to become an adult, muddy hand prints, a father passed away, a pet cat from years ago, etc.  They are kind of sad.  It’s almost like a window to the past.  A frozen image, a glass pane over a life and people in it that used to be.  But it does help you appreciate what you have now, and offers the knowledge that, though everything will one day be gone, you can most certainly enjoy it while it’s still here.  You can live life to the fullest and take risks that you’d normally hide from. 

That way when it does all pass on, if you ever find yourself alone and empty inside, you can take out an album and lose yourself in the faces of loved ones, the glimmer of stars, a frisky cat, a sunlit forest, every picture you’ve taken throughout your life.  You can see your brave moments, the adventures you went on, the people who loved you and love you still.  And you’ll be content with your life.  Sometimes all you need is a little reminder to realize how much you really have lived –and that, along with everything else, is what photos give you.

I went shopping a couple of days ago with Sam.  We checked out Trendy X Change and Plato’s Closet.  At Trendy X Change I found this really beautiful sundress.  It’s cream with flower and vine print all over it, with a peasant top cut.  The skirt flows out form my hips really nicely.  I also got a red/black/white plaid shirt.  It’s peasant-cut as well, and apparently red is a good color on me ‘cause I felt hot in it.  I got a T-shirt that says love with gold tracery and a blue butterfly, one with roses and butterflies that’s a lot finer of a material, an orange peasant tunic top made of this stretchy knitted material with black tracery and a cute flowing yellow baby doll top.  I also got some short shorts, a skirt, sandals and 4 necklaces.  All of the shirts were $4-$6 and the shorts were $6 too.  Each necklace was $4-$5.  The sundress was only $7.  The skirt was $5. The sandals were $5.  The grand total was like…  under $100, for basically a new wardrobe.  I freaking love Plato’s Closet.  It’s even cheaper than Trendy X Change, with a lot more to choose from.  I’m gonna get some heels there tomorrow for modeling. 

Speaking of modeling, I’m getting really close.  I noticed that when I get this close, I start to eat more because I’m scared.  It’s rather infuriating.  This went on for like, 5 days before I put a stop to it today.  I mean, I still exercised.  The damage wasn’t too bad.  But I ate like 1,500-2,500 calories a day.  I’m supposed to have under 900. Today I’m only having 720 though, so that’s good.  My hips are pretty defined now.  My tummy is flatter.  It’s my thighs that are annoying.  They hold so much fat, it’s not even funny.  Luckily they’re pretty slim now too I guess.  Anyway…  I should go write articles.  So long for now.

I wish it was hundreds of years ago

That I was born and left to an orphanage

Made no friends, no attachments

Worked on a farm

Earned some gold pieces

And left it all behind

Bought a pony, some supplies

And rode off into the forest

The shadowed, dappled floor

Soft and padded with memories

My pony and I

We’d wander far

See ocean-side towns

Tiny and glittering like seashells

In the distance

The sand spreading, wind-tossed

The waves undulating faintly

The intricate scent of salt and secrets and brine

Dust under the pony’s hooves rising

Smelling of sweet, warm earth

Grass licking my bare feet

Sleeping in the trees

Moonlight at night

And so many unobscured stars

Like a fairyland, uninhabited

Except the small cottages

Smoke puffing from hand-made chimneys

Baking bread wafting

Flocks of sheep

Rolling hills

Such a gentle, peaceful era

I don’t belong here now

With the cars

And noise

The pollution

And media and ads

What happened to authenticity?

Without it life lessens to a mere shell

A game without any fun

Filling our heads with ‘facts’ and figures

To make ourselves something more

What more could we want

Than to rove and roam

To see this planet’s splendor

To gaze upon a myriad of sights

Neverending views forever changing

Daylight, moonlight, starlight

Forest, ocean, meadows and sky

Just my pony and I

Until the day I died

And in death, I’d not think

What did I accomplish

Was my life worthwhile?

But let my thoughts wander

Through past wooded clearings

Barefeet beneath lapping waves

A child’s laughter

Little crabs scuttling and chasing after

Wild apples picked from climbing high

Laying beneath the eternally spreading sky

And lose myself in dreams

Of the past, my life

And the adventures of my pony and I

I’ve had a lot to do lately.  For instance, I thought that rent went down in April to Summer rates ($225/month), but it actually stays normal rates ($300/month) until May.  It’s a good thing I thought to double-check with John, ‘cause I thought we’d have enough and to spare for rent, groceries, the Holi Festival of Colors, Hunger Games, etc.  Nope.  As a matter of fact, I had to stay up from 3:30pm until 7:00am to finish 20 800 word articles.  And I did it.  Which I’m pretty proud of, not going to lie.  So we’re covered rent-wise, I was able to get my bikini for meeting with Melinda and we even got lotion and gel too.  Unfortunately that means that the eat-lunch-then-shop hang out with Maren, Camille and Amanda I’ll just be shoppingandI won’t be able to go to the Holi Festival of colors.  It’s too bad.  But not the end of the world obviously. 

Anyway, last night was…  pretty traumatic actually.  Walking the river trail with Maren and Sam was really nice, but when Sam and I got back and walked in the door, 2 drunks dudes were waiting for us.  And they were pissed.  I walked over to start kneading Sam’s bread for lunch when Jordan came up to the counter and so did Jarett.  I noticed they were staring at us but didn’t think much of it.  Jordan commented that there were eggshells in the sink, and I said, “Yeah, that’s pretty gross.  I wonder who did it.”  Apparently that lit the fuse, ‘cause after that Jordan was abruptly (and loudly) stating how fed up he was with our messes while Jordan exclaimed, ‘BULLSHIT,’ whenever I tried to defend myself.  I kept my tone kind and was hoping to calm them down.  I offered to clean up, but said that I hadn’t made any of the mess.  I really hadn’t…  I can tell you what I eat each day and what dishes I use.  It isn’t much, and I’ve become obsessive about washing and putting away the dishes directly after use.  I have scrambled eggs in a small pan and use a spatula on them.  I put those eggs on a plate along with 1 light blue mug of grapefruit slices, 1 Christmas mug with a blueberry flax muffin in it and 1 dark blue plastic bowl with almond milk in it (to dip said muffin in).  For lunch I use a light green flat plate that I eat a hummus tortilla off of.  Dinner I use an orange bowl for my soup and the same Christmas mug as earlier for my flax muffin.  That’s it.  Those are all the dishes I use, and I clean them after every use, not only ‘cause I’m tidy but becausethey’re all I use.  I don’t understand why they have to blame Sam and I.  We’re very tidy.  If I spill anything, despite not having a rag, I use my hand to smear it off.  Nasty, right?  But I clean it.  I think that since I’ve been busy working so much lately I haven’t had time to clean up the entire kitchen after everyone else so their mess has accumulated.  They noticed the difference and blamed us, since we’re the only thing that’s changed around here when we moved in.  Funny thing is, right when we moved in they blamed us for the kitchen and we hadn’t been living there more than 3 days to a week.  It was filthy the moment we walked in.  The sink was full of dishes that weren’t ours.  It’s just frustrating that they blame us just because we aren’t all buddy-buddy like the rest of them, ‘cause we’re shy.  They’re friends -they wouldn’t blame each other.  Us, though?  We’re the weird vegetarian hippies who eat tofu and hike all day.  It’s just unfair.  It makes me sad.  I stood up to them as long as I could but finally couldn’t hold back tears and ran upstairs to blubber.  Humiliating much?  Yeah.  Still, I’m sorry that they’re so upset about it so today I cleaned the kitchen for them.  Hopefully that cools them off.  Sam didn’t say anything while they were yelling at me, but luckily afterward when I left he took over and stood his ground.  He got an apology from Jordan, but I’m pretty sure Jarett is just unreasonable.  He was so pissed.  Jordan was at least trying to be civil… well…  not really…  moreso than Jarett though.  Jarett’s kind of a jerk it seems.  I hear him yelling at his sweet little girlfriend while she cries all the time.  Angering.  But yeah that was yesterday.  Basically sucked ass.  Which is a lovely mental picture.  I’m sure people wanted to read about that, but I had to rant apparently. 

Um, what else is new…  well, I measured my waist the other day and it was 25 and 1/2.  Just a half inch to go now.  My hips on the other hand, could really use some work.  37 still.  Damn them, haha.  It’s okay though, I can tell they’re slimming.  They usually go after the body fat on the rest of my body, once I’m very thin.  That’s ‘cause the body burns fat from everywhere at once,  not just problem areas.  Melinda and I are meeting sometime next week now (instead of this Saturday) ‘cause she’s been swamped. Oh, and the bikini I got for our appointment is so cute!  I think so anyway.  The yellow is a bit much, but I like the flowers and the cut is flattering.  Here’s a picture of it:

Darn, it’s blurry.  Oh well.  Not much else to talk about and this post is super long already.  So…  so long for now!

…just aren’t the greatest.  I woke up late ‘cause I was really tired and got behind on articles.  So I have been up ‘till 11:30 working on the silly things.  Luckily I’m setting the alarm for 8 tomorrow no matter what.  I have four to do a day to afford basic things like groceries and rent as well as socializing money and wedding savings.  It’s a pretty big workload, at least for me.  I’m probably just a super slow writer though.  But I’m glad to have a job where I can work at home on my own time.  Anyway, Sam and I go hiking every day now.  It’s pretty awesome.  We also buy our own healthy groceries.  Lots of produce, mainly vegan food, and exercise.  We’re getting really healthy.  And I’m getting skinny!  My waist started at 26 and 1/2 and now it is 25 and 3/4.  My hips were 38 and 1/2 and now they’re 37.  Progress.  I’m meeting with Melinda later than expected (the weekend after the 20th now) so that gives me more time to prepare.  I decided I’m cutting out desserts entirely, unless Emily makes homemade cake (which I will never in my life refuse) and except the occasional Raspberry Utah Truffle.  Like, once every couple weeks occasional.  Also no carbs, except special occasions like hanging out with Maren and Amanda.  And if I’m offered pizza ‘cause…  pizza.  Everything else is gone.  That should speed the weight loss a bit, along with 3-4 hours of hiking a day.  Anyway I’m boring even myself.  Sam kind of hates me now so that’s fun.  I’m really lonely and stuff.  Not to mention really mentally exhausted from writing so much…  man.  I’ll post more when I’m happier!  No need to share the blues.  So long for now.

As soon as the money transfers into Sam’s and my account from my pay check.  It’s really cute!  Here’s a picture: 

Yay!  Now I’m gonna eat breakfast (a blueberry flax muffin and 1/2 cup lightly sweetened grapefruit slices) and shower and then get to work to earn money for rent, girl’s day out with Maren and Amanda, Holi, groceries, Sam’s new contacts and dentist appointment and hopefully The Hunger Games in theater (later this month -with popcorn) as well.  I’ve budgeted it all out.  :) 

(via thecolorgreeen)

(via thecolorgreeen)

The 100 calorie muffin… or bread…  or pancake…  with no carbs.  Here is the recipe for the muffin version:

• 1/8 cup ground flax
• 1/2 tsp coconut oil
• 1/2 baking powder
• 2 tablespoons eggwhites
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp Stevia
• As many blueberries as you like in your muffins!

Directions: mix all these things together and microwave in a mug for 55 seconds.  Watch the little brown puddle in the bottom of your cup puff up into a huge, fluffy, delicious muffin with no carbs.

Note:  this is actually the recipe halfed, as I like to keep my meals 200 calories or below and I usually have a couple a day.  But it’s still big enough to give me my carb fix (even though it doesn’t have carbs.  It’s mental) but if you don’t mind it being more, double the recipe and have a BIG muffin haha.  :)

I made the bread recipe up myself (so difficult bahaha):

• 1/8 cup ground flax
• 1/2 tsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tablespoons eggwhites
• 1/4 tsp salt

It’s really yummy, especially crumbled on top of soup.

I’ve yet to try out a pancake version, but what I’m gonna do is just pour the liquid onto a pan like I would a pancake.  Probably make a bunch of really mini ones and put some berries and a little natural maple syrup on it.

This is a pretty awesome discovery in my opinion…  I can have bread, pancakes, muffins…  even CUPCAKES!  I just remembered!

Cupcake recipe:

• 1/2 avocado
• 1 TBSP agave nectar
• 2 TBSP cacao
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions: blend until creamy and put a dollop on top of one of the muffins (without berries, with 2 tsp extra stevia).

More caloric, but not by much and it’s completely healthy and beats real cupcakes (AKA pure sugar and calories).

So yup!  I’m officially super excited.  I’m a no to low carb diet and I always miss those kinds of things a lot.  Here’s an easy, healthy fix.  Not that anyone who actually reads this blog would be interested, but hey, I figured I’d chatter away happily anyway. 

So long for now!

A small handful of blueberries, 1/2 cup lightly sweetened grapefruit slices and 1/2 a can of soup, totaling 200 calories.

As of Saturday I have a 25 waist, though it’s probably more like 25.5 from having food back in it.  I ate well Friday night and Saturday.  Sunday I ended the day with a mini pizza and some cheese…  bad Stephanie, but I’m back on track today! 

For lunch I will be having a hummus burrito, totaling 200 calories.

For dinner sauteed tofu, lots of salad and 1 cup of almond milk, totaling 185 calories.

Grand total for the day: 585