Well it’s the last day of January and it’s been a long and dreary month to say the least. I’ve stuck to my goals for this year (so far!) and it’s been a tough go trying to take a picture a day when it’s pouring rain out.
One month down. Eleven more to go.
I’ve been feeling a bit sluggish lately because of all of the rain that we’ve been getting out here. For the longest time I couldn’t figure out what was bothering me but when I woke up to sun this morning everything about my mood changed. Amazing what a little sunshine can do for you..
I’ve been monitoring this shrub quite closely over the past few weeks. Throughout my runs I find my self pre-occupied thinking about which species is going to make an appearance first. Usually during a training session it’s best not to stop and smell the roses but I always have a quick glance. I had a gut feeling that this little guy would be ready to make an appearance the second the sun finally decided to come out and clearly it was ready.
I’m trying not to dominate my blog with macro shots of flowers/plants but I seem to gravitate towards these. Can you really blame me? This flower looks like it’s smiling in the sunshine..
It’s been amazing to re-experience Vancouver through photographs. Every time I’m out on a walk now I imagine what it would like through the lens. Would I be able to capture that moment the way it was the first time I saw it?
These moments left in Vancouver are important to capture because it’ll be what I walk away with at the end of April. Granville island is where my adventure in Vancouver first started and has brought a lot of excitement to my life. Tonight, I added another memory at Granville Island to the list with Alvin;adventures together are awesome as always. I’m glad he had the patience to sit back and take pics with me.
Another day, another night shot.
Not practicing my photography skills here but this is equally important. More photography tomorrow.
You may be worn out, tired, and barely hanging on but there is always going to be someone out there that finds beauty in you that you can’t seem to find in yourself. These are the people you want in your life forever.
From a single droplet on a leaf to an ocean full of them; our world revolves around water. If there is too much of it we move, when there is too little of it we relocate to find more.
If people realized how crucial it was to protect our watershed I wouldn’t be constantly inserting educational messaging into my conversations with people. Would anyone really want to enjoy the beach if it were covered in garbage, sewage, or worse if there wasn’t any water left for us to cool down with? I’m thinking that people won’t realize the importance of protecting the water system until it’s too late.
We don’t need to take 20 minute showers. We don’t need to run the taps while we are brushing our teeth. We don’t need to water our grass every single day. But, the majority of people out there do because they can, because we are privileged enough to have access to fresh water the second we turn the tap on. Imagine what your life would be like if you couldn’t do this?
Think about it. If you can honestly say that you are making a conscious effort to protect our water system then I applaud you.
Protect what’s precious. Every bit helps.
"Water, whether still or in motion, has so great an attraction for the lover of nature, that the most beautiful landscape seems scarcely complete without it. There are no effects so fascinating as those produced by the reflections in nature’s living mirror, with their delicacy of form, ever fleeting and changing, and their subtle combinations of colour.”
~Montagu Pollock - Light and Water: A Study of Reflection and Colour in River, Lake and Sea, 1903 ~
I had little motivation to get out there and take pictures today. The sun hasn’t made an appearance in quite sometime now and I’m starting to really miss it. Nothing looks very beautiful or inspiring right now.
Quote: When you hear a boy ask why the sun comes and goes, tell him because in this life there is no light without the dark – anon
That may be true but I think we can create our own light in the darkness. Today I am working at doing so.
Friends have always been an important aspect of my life and even more important to me since being in Vancouver. When I first decided to move here I dropped everything; my family, friends, relationships, and my comfort zone to come over here to start reinventing my life.
I would be lying if I said it’s been easy since being here. Without my friends to help pick me up I’m not sure I would have finished the journey. Friends come and go and I still believe that no matter the length of time or the distance that separates me from them, they’ll always have a place in my heart. I’m grateful everyday that I have such amazing people in my life.
Tonight was Karina’s house warming party. We sat around and talked and laughed the entire night. Reflecting back on the night I couldn’t have asked for anything better (well, if a dance party was included I wouldn’t have complained!).
I left with a belly full of food and a heart full of love. Thank you for an amazing evening.
Dogs are always so loyal, excitable, dependable, and patient. They live in the moment, forgive and forget, and show their true emotions at all times. Why can’t humans possess the qualities that most dogs do?
One of many dogs waiting on Main St post farmers market visit. This one was obviously posing for the shot.
Quote of the day: Those thinking it’s impossible shouldn’t interrupt those who are doing it. – anon
For a couple of years now Carolyn and I have had dinner dates at her house where we cook a pretty interesting dinner. On the menu tonight was Thai noodle salad and tzatziki sauce with pita and carrots. We could make mac and cheese together and I would still find it delicious but these creative dinners make it feel like I’m back at home.
Tonight was a variation on the dinner date because it was the second legendary MJ dance party. Once the hearty meal has been consumed we dance for a minimum of two hours to Michael Jackson’s: The experience Wii video game. If you haven’t experienced one of these parties you are definitely missing out; it’s not only great exercise but it’s amazing for the soul.
After the MJ dance party finished Alvin and I continued the dance party in the car. New theme – 90’s! He created an epic playlist that we busted a move to for over an hour. We may or may not have stopped for frosties, burgers, and fries and consume these products in a deserted parking lot.
Overall, tonight was filled with friends that are like family, stories, laughs, and A LOT of dancing.
This week was the photo gallery for the photo club that I joined with Kara. Walking through the gallery for the first time made me a little nervous; would my pictures fit in? Would people even want to look at my work? When we arrived I think excitement just took over as I saw our pictures on the wall. To be honest, it was a really proud moment for both of us.
Since most of you probably weren’t able to make it in person, here is a glimpse of the gallery.
I’m going to bombard you with more pictures because I had a long exposure workshop at the photoclub last night. I just couldn’t decide which pictures I wanted to post so you get a taste of both my day and night (I promise I do go to school!).
This shot was taken at Tower Beach at UBC. We went when it was pitch black and used a long exposure to capture the landscape. Taking pictures in the dark is a lot of trial and error (well, it seemed like more error than trial). I like the way that the water looks foggy after a long exposure and that it creates an eerie feeling. Good technique but I’ll need to practice making a sharp photo when I can’t even see what I’m shooting at.
I decided to explore a part of UBC that I’ve never been before and stumbled upon this beautiful garden The best part about being in Vancouver is that it could be snowing but so many plants here stay green. You witness life every single day even though it can feel drab; I believe subconsciously that this is why people are so happy here without the sun. Another thing I will miss about Vancouver.
I took some other pictures today but this made my day and I believe that it is definitely blog worthy. 9:30 am is my somewhat dry class and I usually stare and day dream about how my professor has no wrinkles at his age! This morning was a different story as my fellow wellness peer, Stella, surprised me with this deliciousness. When she pulled it out of her bag I teared up a little bit, it’s something so thoughtful and unexpected but was the best surprise I’ve received in a class before.
Is it weird that this sandwich made my day so much better? I’m pretty sure I told every person I talked to today that Stella made me this masterpiece.
Stella, I owe you big time! I may not be able to make something that will satisfy the taste buds quite as well but I will definitely put my best foot forward and give it a shot one day.
PS. Sandwich included cranberry, turkey, lettuce, sprouts, and a hint of mayo. Trust me it’s even better than it looks (hard to believe hey?!).
Today it looked like the perfect day to try riding my bike for the first time this year. It took me about half an hour to get it road ready again because it spent a few months collecting dust in my apartment.
I finally got over my anxiety of riding in Vancouver (it seems like a death wish sometimes!). A few minutes into this bike ride my legs felt like jello and they didn’t want to keep riding – those hills seem to be killers and I’m better at eating them for breakfast than a mid afternoon snack. I took a bit of a detour on my ride and stopped off at the sailing club for a photo op. Ya, guess who parked her bike here?!
I wasn’t feeling that inspired taking photos today so hopefully it will be a bit better tomorrow.
In Vancouver spring comes months before it does in Calgary which gets me thinking about gardening way too early. I visited the community garden close to my place to get some inspiration for the douglasdale/glen community garden that I’ve been working on and probably took 200 pictures more than I needed.
Even though things haven’t started growing quite yet I still find something so peaceful about these living spaces. I could have spent all day here but my memory card ran out of space.
The Swedish Experience
Kara’s neighbours for the last few months are two girls from Sweden. They decided to invite over some of their new found Canadian friends for some traditional Swedish meatballs. If you know me you know that food is the way to my heart and I’d do anything to get invited to a once in a lifetime event like this.
Thank you Malin and Josefine for an amazing night and for being patient with Kara and I trying to learn Swedish. I think we have a few great sentences up our sleeves and will practice up before we head over there.
I didn’t take this picture today (trust me I did take one although it is currently with Kara and may be posted if it turned out ok).
Kara and I started our day at the UBC Photosoc printing off our pictures for the gallery next week. It’s a pretty exciting moment for me because I honestly never thought it would happen. Each member of the club is encouraged to submit 5 photos which will be displayed in the student union building starting next Tuesday.
As I was printing my pictures all of the students at the club were commenting on how dark/morbid my photos were. I didn’t realize how true this was until they were all together; mannequins, a crow, a haunted looking armoury, and a gloomy beach shot. This photo was my odd one out. I took it on a walk on Main St and obviously had to stop to take a picture. Flowers always stand out to me because all of them are unique, this one in particular was the only iris that was in bloom. I admire the strength that plants have even in the poor, gloomy, snowy conditions.
I’m proud of the photos that Kara and I submitted for the gallery and it was a proud moment for both of us this morning. I know I have a long way to go but I have to admit I look forward to every moment I’m holding my camera. It’s been great capturing everyday life out here in Vancouver this year.
Here is the picture I was going to post. I decided not to change the picture of the day but did promise to upload it.
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