BanAnnalise

2010-05-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

My blog has taken up residence elsewhere. You can catch me at:

http://banannalise.wordpress.com

Later, all!

♪ MUSE....they set my SOUL ALIGHT ♬

2010-04-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

On Monday Carissa and I had the chance to see MUSE in concert. Absolutely phenomenal! On my list of "Most amazing experiences that have happened to me so far -" This was definitely in my top 5. I've always loved their edgy, mysterious feel and it was incredibly surreal to experience it firsthand. Its like they temporarily ripped me away from my present state of cares and worries - and then transported me to another dimension where I was spellbound and mesmerized. Natural born entertainers at their finest! The best Christmas present ever! Thanks Mom & Dad!

"Time Is Running Out"

Funny story actually about this - last year, exactly around this time, I saw a clip on youtube of the audience helping out on the chorus of this song Live at Wembly Stadium. I was in Alaska and remember thinking -"Oh I would kill to be able to be a part of THAT! - maybe when I am in Utah..." Wow. I never would have thought! My dream came true! (I did the best I could with the camera :P) - pause the music player at the bottom of the page

2010-04-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

April is my favorite time of year. There’s so many wonderful things about it. It’s the hope that better and warmer weather is on its way, buds on branches, color bursting forth from the ground, and the air is just sweeter. Easter has always been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. Easter egg hunts in full snow gear, and trudging through knee-deep snow banks is just one of the wonderful childhood memories. Another was bringing down the Easter decorations from the attic. I don’t think there was anything more exciting in the world as my 5 year old self, with trembling hands, revealed my… sock bunny family. They were my little friends I had the privilege of entertaining for about a few weeks till the boxes returned back to the attic. April also is my birth month. I’ll be 24. Wow. (That’s an understatement)

“Easter is a time of healing – Oh, how we need His [Christ’s] healing.” - Richard G. Scott

2010-03-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

"I have woven a parachute out of everything broken."

- William Stafford

Spring is coming. I can smell it in the air and feel it in my bones. I'm trying to keep patient.

I Think I Can, I Think I Can...

2010-02-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

A valuable lesson I have learned over this past week: Positive thinking WORKS! I’ve been experiencing lots of worry, panic and self doubt regarding things such as midterms, my upcoming internship, lack of money, etc. All I’ve been doing is hoping for the absolute best and replacing negative thoughts with positive ones – and it’s amazing how well everything is turning out. The thoughts you think really do show up visibly in your life if you truly believe them. Cheesy but true. Its called The Law of Attraction. Google it. Very powerful stuff. Thanks for beating it into my brain, Mom. J

Above is a memory mobile Carissa gave me for Christmas. I love it. Starting on the right going counterclockwise is a picture of my silly Dad, My little twin pals (Bonnie and Amelia) right before I left for UT, and finally – my favorite, Carissa and I riding our awesome trikes back in 1989. (click to enlarge)

2010-02-14T18:33:00.001-08:00

Out of boredom I was scrounging through a bag of Brach’s Sweethearts “The Official Candy of Love” (or so the packaging claims). Does anyone with taste buds actually eat these? I’ve always thought they were only good for decoration of sugar cookies, which are then picked off before eating. I guess they are also a source of entertainment. They always make me laugh. I think about 85% of the bag I wouldn’t say to another human being …haha, ok – maybe. I liked the “ASK ME” heart out of all of them. It was an instant flashback circa 2001, a little high school wallflower me. Years have flown since then but I still have a little place in my heart for that sweetheart…still a testament to a shy girl J Happy Valentines day, everyone!

I'm ALL smiles

2010-02-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

I kept humming the Beatles’ “Good Day Sunshine” and “Here comes the Sun” as I was eating my grapefruit this morning. I guess that’s my subconscious’s way of celebrating its citrusy awesomeness.

Lessons in Transit

2010-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

I learn something from everyone. Everyone has something to teach me about life.

Today I sat next to a man on the train who had no hands - or ears - or nose. His skin was severely scarred, and stretched very thin. His face didn't look far from the distortion you would see in a halloween store. He buried his face in his scriptures and turned the pages with his boney nubs for fingers. My heart broke. How old was he? I haven't a clue. Skin usually makes that apparent. What must life be looking through his eyes? As some teen boys were gawking and staring back in his direction, all I could think of was the beautiful spirit that was trapped inside. I can't even find words to describe the instant love I had for this man.

He stood up and let me scoot by him as the train approached my stop. I smiled 'Thanks" and he flashed a warm and genuine smile at me. It's like I saw life in a whole different light. Till now, I haven't truly realized how our souls are worth so much and our shells of bodies are nothing.

My life has changed from this one moment.

♥Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God - D&C 18:10♥

2010-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the Christmas present, Richard

Some things I have learned:

♥When I look for love in unlikely places, I usually find it.

♥Smiling at strangers really helps brighten my dull mood days.

♥I'm learning its not selfish, but very important for me to put myself first. When I take care of my own happiness and needs - that love and happiness pours over into the lives I come in contact with.

♥If I walk with my head just a little higher than usual, I can see the world better (literally and metaphorically)

♥I was venting to a wise co-worker a while back. I told her how I only believed I was beautiful when I looked in the bathroom mirror - but once I left the security of it I felt like this monstrous blob that everyone pretended to like. Due to this belief I would run to the bathroom multiple times throughout the day to check if I was still the same girl in the mirror. My co-worker set her paperwork down, took her glasses off and stared intensely at me. She said: "You are always going to be that monstrous blob until you see Annalise through God's eyes".

2010-01-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

My favorite bracelet

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost...I am helpless. It isn't my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

II.

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don't see it.

I fall in again.

I can't believe I am in the same place. But it isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

III.

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in...its a habit.

My eyes are open, I know where I am.

It is my fault. I get out immediately.

IV.

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

I walk down another street.

Just Chillin' with the Twins

2010-01-07T00:19:00.000-08:00

In less than 24 hours I will be on the plane that will take me back to Utah. My trip here has flown, but at the same time I feel like I really have had a lot of good time in with friends, old co-workers and family. I'm glad I was able to spend a lot of good quality time with the Willets family. I'm going to miss them a lot and the girls are getting so BIG and speaking so well! Some of the things they say and their facial expressions absolutely KILL me.

Silent Mooney Me

2010-01-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

One of the things I have desperately missed about Alaska - (and most of my fellow Alaskans go "What?" when I tell them this) is the moon. I really LOVE moonlight. Especially when it's filtering through naked, frosted trees in January and pours across the snow. I love the eerie and beautiful atmosphere it creates. One thing I have always loved to do is gaze at it while I listen to Debussy's "Clair de Lune". As cheesy as it sounds, when I listen to it - its like I have this romantic connection between myself and nature. Its just me and that beautiful ball of light. Yeah. Maybe its true about moon-gazing and how is been known to make folks looney.....

2009-12-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

Another year is about to pass me by. So much triumph and trial. So many lessons learned. And most importantly, I - Annalise Arnold am NOT the same person I was a year ago. I don't know how else to emphasize that besides the "not" in caps. I have resolutions, a whole list of them. But I think for the sake of this blog, I will do a better job of taking more photos and updating. I lately have felt lack of passion and motivation for whipping the camera out. But that will change - 2010 will whip my lazy butt into shape. Happy New Years everyone! I hope its filled with joy, self-fulfillment, and productivity.

ARNOLD SISTERS - The Reuniting

2009-10-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

We're sharing a room. Thats okay. Laugh all you want. I'm a little skeptical myself :) We vowed after fall semester of 2006 - NEVER AGAIN - but I'm hoping that in three years time we've become a little more adaptable.

A Small-Towner's Perspective on City Livin'

2009-09-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

If life has been said to be one big journey, then I guess today I realized that detours make the trip so much more worthwhile. Oddly enough, this whole day actually started off with one. My bus decided to switch routes and left me with the better choice of walking to the train station for school. As I was walking across the apartment complex's parking lot, an eccentric, yet friendly middle aged woman in her PJs was standing outside of her wide open front door taking a drag and was talking to someone inside her apartment. She smiled at me and mouthed what must have been "Hi there" because I had my iPod in. I smiled back, said hi, and kept walking. I decided to yank my earbuds out and I guess whoever was in her apartment asked who she was speaking to and I heard her say "Oh this cute girl who was walking by..." I stopped in my tracks, smiled to myself, and yelled back laughing "thanks!" They got quiet and then started chuckling and said "no problem!". That really made my day. I think I smiled a good portion of the day due to that. After class I decided to take an adventure around SLC. There's something about walking downtown a busy city with a book bag flung over your shoulder. It makes you feel like a part of the whole thriving metropolis scene - the trains, skyscrapers, men with hard hats and jackhammers, endless coffee shops and people bustling about like little hurried ants - or so they seem with all the tall buildings. I guess its not such a bad thing to be small. I guess the lowly appearance of people in such a setting just magnifies the great things they all accomplish together to keep the city running. I took the train to some places I had never been before. I leaned my arms and head on the seat in front of me and stared at the blur of color and motion that passed by. Having my iPod in made me feel like I was in some urban themed music video.

Wandering Fools

2009-09-10T00:09:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, a guy will catch my eye and I will think "Wow, loving his fashion sense, the hair, the indie insignia on his messenger bag, the gentlemanly manners and suave smile etc..." That happened today in the school bookstore. And every once in a while, I will find myself in a classroom with a helplessly idiotic blonde bombshell who thinks that the words 'Profanity' and 'Pornography' are "the same thing". That happened today in my first hour class. And I guess the real mystery which I feel I will never be able to solve or explain is how the these two seem to find each other. That was my disappointment today as I was walking towards the train headed home - holding hands.

No loss, right?

My form of homework procrastination.

Laborious Day!

2009-09-07T22:24:00.001-07:00

Labor day....oh, what a day...

So to sort of bring us up to speed - I've been in Utah for a little over a week, have been moved into the apartment a week from tomorrow, and I am in my second week of school.

Rachel had to work for a good chunk of the day, so I was left to figure out what to do with myself. As cheesy as it may sound, I have been reading this self-empowering book aimed at women which was recommended by Russelle. I love it. It is full of wonderful thoughts and ideas. One of the topics discussed was about how people (not just women) need to be more comfortable with the idea that its okay to be a self-entertaining person and not be afraid to go out and do fun things alone. Just yourself. Some people can't bear it. I guess I'm comfortable with that idea to an extent, but one suggestion was to go to a movie alone. That was a new one for me. So I decided to go out on an adventure and find the nearest movie theatre on foot. What was originally intended to be a mile and a half walk turned into 5 miles - ONE WAY! I got lost and all turned around, but by that point I had already had swollen feet and thought - "I've already come this far, I'm not about to give up and go home to an empty apartment and hours of nothing to do". Ultimately, "sticking it out" paid off and I made it to the movie right as the opening credits were rolling. I felt like a champion. I went to see "(500) Days of Summer". It was a Sundance Festival film which never made it to Alaska and was only playing in select theaters down in the states. I saw it advertised months ago and it looked like my sort of movie - in a non-chick flicky, indie film way. I really liked it. Plus, I've always loved Joseph Gordon Levitt. And surprisingly enough I loved sitting in that theatre all by myself. Half-way through the movie though I got this strong wave of thirst hit me hard due to the non stop walking and 85 degree weather. As soon as movie was over I dashed to the concession stands and got the largest Icee I could possibly buy. It tasted like absolute heaven. I sipped that sucker down in about the first 2 minutes of my walk, and then at my half-way marker of making it home, I stopped off at 7-11 and got another one. My feet still throb. Same with my head. Oh! and something else comical...I have a drastic sunburn in the shape of the scooped neckline of my tee-shirt - and to make it worse, the outline of the necklace I was wearing is traced onto my skin. Its actually quite hilarious. Hooray for spur of the moment thrills to explore - I've got my fill for a while :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD0NpFSADM

Sunset shoot

2009-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

I've been experimenting with light a lot. "Understanding Exposure" = excellent read! I learned SO much. I love this field which is down our drive home.

Insert catchy blog title here _____

2009-05-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

You can tell I haven't updated this in a while. My creative writing juices are usually ever flowing, but I cant even think of a blog title *gasp*

So here is the story behind the balloon graffiti. I have gotten the same question over and over which goes something like: "Woah. wait. Did you DO that???" Depending on the person I totally play along and freak them out. But no, I do not find the art of vandalism acceptable in any way. Even for a picture with my adorable kid sister. Where I work, I run errands (running to MD offices, pick up supplies at the hospital) everyday around 3 ish. I was dropping off some paper work at one of my usual stops and I noticed, painted on the wall behind the Soldotna Key Bank parking lot was this heart shaped balloon. It must have been fairly new because I have taken that route daily for almost a year and never noticed it. I knew instantly that I had to take Carissa there and just have some fun. The residents of the creepy drug dealer apartments a few feet away were gawking at us and making us feel awkward...but we shook it off and just decided to have fun. So there is the story. I have integrity.

Own Worst Critic

2009-04-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

My Photography confidence lately has had a huge blow. I don't really feel like explaining it....but its just a work in progress. I did some late senior pics for Brittany. Its so easy for me to listen to that little voice inside my head nagging at the list of things I did wrong...(too low of ISO, constantly blowing the highlights, wrong usage of f/stop.....it goes on) But amidst all this, I'm determined that I have come to far to let that sort of thinking cripple me. And the fear can be paralyzing. Wait. Let me clarify. Perfectionism is paralyzing. But I ended up taking this picture that despite the fact it was severely underexposed, it gave a great mood.

I love Easter!

2009-04-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

I used to pull these little guys out of my mom's easter decorations when I was little. She'd tell me that she would search the house and find them in my little doll house or windowsill. I think I felt like I was 3 again cause I found myself, once again, playing with these little chicks.

Happy Birthday to me

2009-04-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today I turned 23. It was great. My co-workers spoiled me all day, and I had an awesome time with the family. We also got to check out that new restaurant/brewery "St.Elias". I got some great stuff. Also, this pic was the only documentation that I got of my big day...everyone else's camera "was dead" and mine was just too intimidating to take on, so I took this myself before I took a wish and BLEW! All in one try! Mom made the cake from scratch. Ain't she wonderful?

Just Walking

2009-04-02T23:56:00.000-07:00

My boots and I took a walk today. This extending afternoon light really does something to me. In a good way.

w/♥ Annalise

This weekend I....

2009-03-16T00:18:00.000-07:00

He Was a Skater Boy....DAD?!

2009-02-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

My Dad is many things - I guess you could say a jack of all trades. But I was not prepared when I found a tattered piece of poster-board with old newspaper clippings from his HS days, hidden in my parent's bedroom corner. I had two inital reactions: #1 - "DAD??!! NO way!" and #2 "What are you doing keeping 30 year old newspaper articles in this condition??!!" He just shrugged his shoulders and mumbled something nonchalantly like "oh, that was so long ago...no big deal.." I'm sorry but seeing my Dad doing skater tricks, 70's hippie hair and shirtless is not "not a big deal" this is HUGE!
He told me the story behind it. I guess he had a photographer friend who was looking for a skater pics and saw my dad practice his moves in a nearby Arizona park and wanted him to pose for his article in the Tucson Daily Citizen

So I tried the best I could manage and scanned these clips and hope to expose the young Mike Arnold, and possibly embarrass him. Love you dad.

"He's Acrobat-y"
Things are not necessarily heads-up when Mike Arnold takes to his skateboard. Most boarders have trouble maintaining stability on their feet. Mike, a senior at Santa Rita High School, finds that style a bit old-fashioned. The scenes were shot at McKale Center at the University of Arizona.

"Tina, You Fat Lard, Come Get Some Ham!"

2009-02-17T23:36:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist using that title cause its probably my favorite line from Napoleon Dynamite. Because of it, I laugh every time I see a llama. I have been feeding my neighbor's llamas for about 5 years now, here and there when they go on their biking trips. I'll admit that I get a little nervous getting into their fence when it has been a while since my last feeding. They really aren't threatening creatures, but they are tricky little devils let me tell ya....they know what they should and shouldn't be doing. Its too complicated to explain, but I have to scold and shoo them when they misbehave. And I dont care how many times the little black one sneakily nudges open the hay door (I purposely shut tight) and has his big buck toothed snout inches from mine when I turn around - I nearly pee my pants from fright! But all in all, they are interesting mammals. Interesting looking too. Something of a resemblance between a rabbit and a camel?

Shadow, you silly!

2009-02-09T00:06:00.001-08:00

So I love my doggy. Have I said that before? He such an intelligent canine and is so involved with us! Today I felt a little sick, so I decided to stay home from church (Shadow liked that because that meant he didn't have to go in the kennel) But we played a little bit outside as I was walking around enjoying the sun, Shadow just sat right smack dab in the middle of the driveway, staring off into the trees, trying to make the rest of the family come home faster. I would call his name, jump around in front of him to break his pathetic little focus, but there he sat. So eventually I was able to get him to leave his lookout and jump around in the snow. I took this after the fact and I love his little wet nose and all the little snowflakes he gets on it!

TA-DA! Complete!

2009-02-07T18:26:00.000-08:00

I finally finished painting and decorating the room! Hooray! I love it! I have always loved the color blue, and I have always been the sort of person that like simple things. I tried to focus on making my room a place where it would be really easy to relax in. Not a whole lot of distractions. If only I could keep this room forever! It will probably be used as a guest room when I head back out to college (maybe this fall). But for now, I'll just enjoy!

Buyers Remorse? Highly Doubtful...

2009-01-30T22:01:00.000-08:00

Alright. I am insane. I know it. Someone just please tell me already. In my previous blog I was talking about how psyched I was about getting my new telephoto lens...and then I mentioned that I desperately wanted another lens (the 50mm f/1.4)
but that one would need to wait for another time. Yeah, "another time" happened last night after a spending a good hour on one of my friend's page on Flickr (click here) These pics were all taken with this lens I caved in and bought last night. I am uber excited.....but after this, no MORE! (well I'd maybe buy a proper speedlight next... ;P ) but that is out of the question right now. I regret to say that I haven't taken any pics with the new beast of a lens I just got cause I really would feel more comfortable waiting for the UV filter (which prevents any dust or scratches) which should be here any day now from Amazon.

BOKEH, BABY!

2009-01-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

I am happy to say that I finally ordered my lens, and it wasn't the one that I was talking about in my previous blog - its a 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto lens
I ordered it saturday night and I am just antsy for it to come in! I realize that Tamron isn't the top of the line lens, but I have a Tamron wide angle and I have been very happy with it....just trying to live within my means, right? But isn't it always the way it works? The second after you get something you've pined and drooled over you start craving something else? What is it about the human condition that causes this? Or is it just really a personal issue? I say this cause I am now lusting (hahah, nice word usage, right?) for a 50mm f/1.4 lens. Its a tiny little thing. not too expensive. But takes GREAT shallow depth of field pics. So as of late I have fallen in love with what's called Bokeh photography.

"Bokeh: (derived from Japanese, a noun boke 暈け, meaning "blurred or fuzzy") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens using a shallow depth of field.[1] Different lens bokeh produces different aesthetic qualities in out-of-focus backgrounds, which are often used to reduce distractions and emphasize the primary subject." - Wikipedia.com

Here are some examples on the wikipedia site:

Isn't it...... ....AWESOME?!

Sister Withdrawls!

2009-01-11T17:49:00.000-08:00

Carissa will be happy to know that EVERYBODY asks about her, whether I am at church or even my work! "How is she doing?" "Is she having fun?" and of course they always say: "I bet you miss her!" Well, with total 100% honesty. no. I dont. (now just let me finish before you disown me, Carissa, if you are reading this) I think its a combination of several things: a) Her work caused her to rarely be at home b) and when she was home she was always chillin' with her homies instead of her awesome sister c)I was prepared that this time would come and finally d) I don't think it has really sunk in yet totally. It just feels like she's taken a 3 week shift at Whitter. But I figured for some fun, Carissa, and also because I believe that every cloud has a silver lining, I would look on the bright side of the situation and think of the good things have happened due to your absence.

1. I can locate all of my make-up now

2. I save 10 minutes of my morning get-ready-for-work routine by not having to search for my hair straightener

3. I no longer have 1:00 am calls asking "Are you still up? Cause I need you to tell mom and dad I'm gonna camp out at _____
(insert friend's name here)"

4. I don't have to hear the snapping/popping of your gum

5. I have absolutely no problems with being late to places

6. and here's one of my favorites: NO MORE COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!

7. and finally, (and I am being more sincere here..) I probably talk to you now more than ever, whether it be via facebook, skype, text, phone conversation....I miss you more than ever!!!! So you know, Carissa, that all of this is just my way of cheering my self up, cause I am so lost without you! (haha...I was listening to Chicago's "If you leave me now" yesterday while I was painting my room (well once your room, ha!)....and typically I would think of that as a romantic song, but I thought of YOU!!!!)

Hmmmm....Something new?

2009-01-06T23:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I wish that I had some sort of photography to post but that just isn't possible at this time (refer to previous blog) I am praying every night for some sort of improvement in the weather but it still remains in the negatives. So in the meantime I have been plotting out my new room. Now that Carissa has flown the coop and is at LDSBC I get free reign over her room and....its time to paint!!!! I probably should have taken a before shot to show the yellow she used for her walls. So I wandered around Home Depot and finally found a color I fancied in the kiddie Disney Behr paint section. If you are so curious as to what will be developing here soon, you can find it as "Home Town Hero". Actually, here's an online swatch (lucky you)

But I plan to paint two walls, as well as the ceiling pure white, and the other two blue. I will post some pics as soon as I get it done.
In the meantime I am gearing up for my next photography class next week. THink COLOR! That is my favorite thing about photography....I mean, I really do love black and white, it has its own artistic movement to it, but I love colors in photos that just POP! So that will be definitely something to look forward to. I think this is the only time in my life that I will pay college tuition JUST for the sake of learning because I WANT to! haha. But I plan to buy a new lens here this semester because after smashing my old one last september, leaving me with just a wide angle lens, it has been a wee bit challenging. So now I have my sights set on a 70-200 mm zoom/telephoto lens. Its a little spendy (its probably going to take up 3/4 of my next paycheck, but it will be way worth the investment. If this is something that I want to get better at, then I need good equipment - not the nicest, but Good.

Oh, the Weather outside is FRIGHTFUL!!!

2008-12-30T00:32:00.000-08:00

MAN! Its days like these I pray for the strength to NOT strangle my Dad for making the fool decision to settle in ALASKA! (Okay....not strangle, but you get the idea) Today was -30 in Sterling. Driving to work at 6:30 am was a joy (hear the sarcasm?) My defrost decided to take a vacation along with my best buddy, the heat button. But you see, I am unique. Everyone has to scrape the outside of their windshield to hurry along the defrost process, but I have to also take my scraper and scratch away 1/4 inch of ice INSIDE my windshield. And along with every other window which will improve my on road vision. My drive into work is roughly 20 minutes (add an extra ten on icy roads) and the entire trip - with my eskimo hood, insulate gloves, wool scarf and my toasty Ugg boots - my entire body was shaking so hard, it was all I could do to keep the steering wheel steady. Has anyone experienced cold so bitter that their body just naturally goes into nausea/throw-up mode? Sorry. its gross, but I came real close several times and I was wondering if I'm just an exception. I guess I could go on and on about the cruelty which has been dished to me by mother nature, but instead I'll switch gears and show the beauty of it all.....if I could only capture the weather in a picture and send it YOUR way!!!!

Reflections on December

2008-12-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

Our final project was to present a portfolio to the class, revolving around a certain theme. Mine was centered around things that come to mind when I think of the month December. And mind you, these pictures were placed in a strategic order because sequence supposedly means EVERYTHING when you are presenting a portfolio. So....enjoy! (Remember to click on the pictures individually to get a better view)

I like this better in color

Carissa Ellen

2008-10-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

My sister is pretty. No. Gorgeous. And its a great thing to have such an amazing model for my numerous dig. photo homework assignments. This week was portraits - shallow and great depth of field. The lighting was amazing and we did it all locally about a few miles from home - under and around Moose River (Isaac Walton Campground). I am really gonna miss her when I take color photography next semester. Anyone willing to be my next victim?
(Click on the pics to get a better view)

Time OUT!

2008-09-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

This week was incredible! For those who are not of the LDS faith and are reading this - this week the women of the church had an awesome opportunity to drive up to Anchorage and attend what is called "Time Out for Women". It was a two day conference where we could come together as women and take time to strengthen ourselves spiritually. We had amazing speakers who made us laugh and cry. I think my favorite talk was by Sheri Dew who has served in many church leadership positions and is CEO of Deseret Book co. I bought one of her books entitled "No One Can Take Your Place".

She spoke about how powerful of an influence each one of us can have on the world. We are often tricked by reading headlines on magazines at the checkout stands such as "100 of the Worlds most Powerful women" - and upon opening it we find merely actresses, pop stars and corporate millionaires. She told us how much we as women, who truely go about doing good and serve others have much more power than we give ourselves credit for.

Hilary Weeks, an amazing singer sang all throughout the conference. She makes such beautiful music. I had a chance to talk to her before the begining of fridays meeting, she is very down to earth. She's also pretty awesome cause she's an Alaska native. But the best part about TOFW was that I was able to spend some quality time with Mom and Carissa - its definately gets harder to find the time. I was also able to spend time with Rachel, Rita, Robin, Melinda....it was a great reunion!

The Theme for this year's TOFW was "A Joyful life - Acts 2:28"

The "book store" featuring the speakers books and Hilary Weeks music

Carissa, Mom, Ardeth Kapp, and Robin

Rachel & Rita (Darn it Rita - I couldn't get you to stop talking :P )

Randomness.....

2008-08-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

I like this one alot!

"Just lie down in the ferns!" ...."But I dont want tooooo!"

Sunshine!

Only in Alaska will you find this....

On the way to pick weeds and what did I see....?

Funny man

2008-08-07T00:43:00.000-07:00

I dont care how many times I watch this, it still hurts when I laugh. Got to love Brian Regan.

Oh, PS....you might want to mute my music which is located at the top of the page on the left hand side

Munchikins

2008-08-06T23:08:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post some pics of two of my favorite little people in the world...
(I'm not putting a name with these cute faces for privacy reasons)

I call her "curly fry" take a guess why?

Cook Forts!

2008-07-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the remains of the ingenious Cook kids tree forts. I came across them as I was feeding the neighbors llammas. It was every sentimental to examine it all. I was much too little to really remember what they orginally looked like, but I thought I would document them before they completely disappear. You remember these, Rachel?

Here is a dump truck and a "little people" I found beneath all the rubbish...I totally remember that truck!!!

SHADOW

2008-07-20T19:56:00.001-07:00

Forgot to mention that I finally recieved my Nikon SLR camera Saturday!!!! It was a happy day. I have been fiddling around with it, reading the instruction manual and just alot of experimentation. I convinced shaddow with some yummy chummys to do a mini ameteur photo shoot with me. Here are the results at some of my first pics.

Fish Frenzy

2008-07-20T18:59:00.001-07:00

I got off work friday around 6'ish totally psyched about the weekend.... you know - renting some movies, staying up til the crack of dawn, and the best part - SLEEPING IN! But my plans were shot when Dad asked "So, you wanna go dip-netting with me?" Instantly I started to pull reluctant-disgusted-annoyed-faces which promped him to wave his hands at me in frustration and turn towards the stairs. All my Dad has to do is wave his hands in an "I give up" motion and the guilt comes heavy. So I chased him down before he closed the door on me and told him "I'll do it". He woke me up at 6:00 (its a saturday!!gahh!!) and we threw a wagon full of equipment: fillet knives, cutting boards, and nets, into my Dad's one ton, pea green Ford. We made our way about 30 miles to the mouth of the Kenai River, and it was PACKED. In the 15 years I have gone with my Dad fishing, I had never seen anything like it. If you've never been to the Kenai beach and seen the rat race - its pretty much like this: Picture men in neoprene chest waders, with gigantic hand held fishing nets along the shore, standing anywhere from knee to arm-pit deap. Some people choose to walk along with the current, while others choose to stand elbow to elbow waiting for the fish to come sauntering into their nets. So as I unload the gear, Dad begins to slip into his fishing gear. This process used to embarass me, but now I have learned to embrace it. My Dads outfit is very unlike everyone elses. A wet suit and flippers. Some people find it quite comical, watching him enter the water 30 yards further than everyone else, floating down the river, merely his head bobbing like a little sea otter. Well, I do anyway. But he's smart. On an average run, he usually catches two fish within his first five minutes. My job is to watch him bob down the river from my little lawn chair and at the sign of struggle run down to the shore and with my small lead pipe and finish the job. Its always my favorite.

sleepless

2008-07-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

Here I am again, awake at 3:00 am and there is no going back to slumbering. That also happened last night. I used to have insomnia way bad in high school and I am crossing my fingers that it's not creeping up on me again. What to write? I finally ordered my camera? I am feeding llammas morning and night? My lips are chapped because I can't breathe through my nose? meh. This is lame. I'm gonna give the night another try.

Happy4th

2008-07-05T01:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence day, USA! We are so blessed. Despite all of the "crap" going on over seas, retarded candidates for the up-comming election, heart attacks at the gas pumps, and massive inflation in, well....everything, America is still God's chosen nation. I heard a quote earlier this morning that went something like this: " To be born into freedom is an accident and to have it is a privalage." Maybe I butchered that. Who knows. But it is true. It definately is something that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Mind Purge

2008-06-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight my brother has invited eight of his fellow X-box/halo nerdlings as part of celebration of his 17th birthday. So I won't sleep tonight. My Ipod may possibly be my savior tonight, maybe not. I was actually just thinking about the Ipod today, how they've totally revolutionized the music industry. They say that within the next two years CDs will be non-existent and all music will be purchased online. Crazy thought. It totally blows my mind how a burnt cd which I created with approximately 13 songs on it would fit into my cd/cassette boom box of about 2 feet wide - and now the 745 songs I have can all fit in the palm of my hand. Is anyone else floored by this besides me?
I find myself getting stuck into listening to the same music genre, and even a certain song for a long period of time. I mean, when I first bought "Rock the Casbah" by The Clash from Itunes, I listened to it for about a week straight.

Amateur Ambitions

2008-06-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that discovering new hobbies is a healthy thing to promote well-adjustment in young adults. Being the health conscious nerd that I am, I decided to get digging and find some incognito talent. I finally think I found my niche. Photography. I checked out books, googled, and even asked some professionals to get some helpful advice. AND I FELL IN LOVE. With a camera. The dSLR Nikon D80. My ideal camera is the D300 which ranges anywhere between $1,800 – 2,000.00. That’s just not logical for an 8 to 5 receptionist. But the most valuable advice I have received from the experienced is that the value of photos doesn’t lie in the camera body – but in the lenses. Wide angle, telephoto, fish-eye, zoom, blah blah blah….. I think this is where “Digital Photography for Dummies “ kicks in. I’ve been stashing aside some savings for my big amazing buy and by next paycheck (a few days!!) I can. My hopes are to start this out as a hobby and turn it into a side business as my experience stacks up. I’ll be sure to post my first amateur photographs as soon as that day comes!

Blog Virgin

2008-06-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

I've heard of this new world wide sensation called blogging and I want in. How this works, I'm not exactly sure, but maybe this can be an easier method of documenting my life, because sadly journals are a lost art in my case.
I want to "blog" not just to connect and catch-up with close friends and a handful of aquaintences, but to have a place I can go to write my jumbled and confused life down. My mind works in a weird way where I have to get my issues on paper (or online in this case) in order to iron out the kinks.