weekly inspiration, part 2: "The View From Here"

This week's prompt for the MCP Actions Photo Project was "The View From Here."


Since I'm pretty much the best girlfriend ever (ask SG, he'll agree!), I made the 2 and a half hour drive up to Bakersfield in a Jeep that felt like it was going to tip over at the slightest wind.  I did this not only because I am the best girlfriend ever, but also because SG turned 30 this past week and his greatest joy in life comes from anything related to Jeeps.  So, my view all weekend long was of dirty, oil-covered men, Jeep parts, and SG's cousin's front yard.  Luckily, there was a beautiful, flowering tree in the neighbor's yard that I was able to take of advantage of.  :)

SG was practicing his welding, and made this.... Isn't he precious?!

Although working on Jeeps is not my number one choice on how to spend a weekend, it was great to see SG so happy! And, I was able to take some photos, so all in all not a bad weekend!

weekly inspiration, part 1...

My cousin, JW, turned me onto this great website, MCP Actions (http://www.mcpactions.com/, if you want to take a look).  Not only do they have upgrades to Photoshop (some of which are free) and tutorials/tips, but they are also hosting a great project that is perfect for the photographer that is "stuck in a rut" {like me}!

The project is this: 

In photography, as with any job or hobby, it is easy to get into a rut. If you have ever needed a little photography lift, challenge or some inspiration, that is what the new MCP Project 52 is all about. Imagine taking pictures once a week just because you feel like it. Visualize photographing something while not pressured for the perfect shot.  Envision shooting just for yourself. Every week for up to 52, starting today, you can join MCP Project 52. You will be able to shoot something important to you, like your child, nature, the city, or something silly you just notice, like your toenail polish chipping. Or if you are up for a challenge, you can even play along with our weekly suggested theme.

I am starting a bit late, but I am still so excited to participate in such a great project!!  My New Year's resolution was to start working on my photography again, and this is the perfect motivational tool!  Not only will it force me to break out the camera at least once a week, but it also will give me some inspiration to find some new subjects!  (If you are interested in finding out more about the project, or want to check out their site, click the box to the right!)

This week's theme is "Open Your Heart".  I have chosen to use a photo that I posted from this past weekend. It was taken in Seal Beach, CA, and I just decided to draw a heart in the sand in honor of Valentine's Day.  Even though the heart was badly drawn with my toes, I think the photo came out great -- I especially love that a portion of it was washed away by the ocean.  Looking out at the ocean has always given me a great feeling of peace, and in a way, this photo is a great representation of that... The ocean had taken a part of my heart in the sand, just like it holds a portion of my own heart.  {That may have been the cheesiest thing I have ever said, hahaha!}

Open your heart...

my valentine...

So there's this guy, and he's pretty special...

Not Special Ed. {like this picture suggests ;)}, just special.  He has been in my life for over 2 years now, which means I have tons of photos of him {I won't bore you with all of them -- just a few ;)}... Like any relationship, we have had our ups and downs, but through it all, he has remained a constant in my ever-changing life. He encourages me, supports me, and is one of my best friends.  I thank my lucky stars that I met him, and that I gave him a second chance ((when we first met, I was still into the fraternity boys, so I stupidly overlooked the great man that had come into my life... thankfully, he was pretty persistent ;D))...

This Valentine's Day was actually the first one that we have spent together.  Two years ago, we had been apart for about two months, and February 13th was the day that I finally agreed to see him again -- it probably would have been a bit much to see each other on V-day right after re-connecting.... Last year, we were together, but apart.  He was in Fort Benning, Georgia, just starting his training in the Army Officer Candidate School program.  To celebrate, I baked him some Valentine's brownies, picked out some of his favorite candy, and a goofy card [I'm not big on the sentimental cards].  I put it all in a box with a few pictures of us and mailed it off to GA... So this year, being able to actually spend Valentine's day with him was really special!  Started the day off with him asking me to "be his valentine" (so cute, right?!), then he brought me a delicious sushi lunch and GIANT card at work, and then a romantic dinner at McCormick and Schmick's and a night in Manhattan Beach... A perfect Valentine's day in my book!  I could not be happier :)

<3

a day at the beach...

Today, since it was such a nice day (gotta love Southern California!! upper 70s and sunny all day!  I was in shorts... in FEBRUARY!!), my friend K-la and I spent some time at the beach!  We got some lunch [which took surprisingly long, considering we just got bean and cheese burritos] and then strolled down the beach with Bruce, the puppy she was watching.  A great way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The light on the water...

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And on a completely different note, here's a photo of my kitty, Missy, that I came across when uploading the photos from today.  Isn't she pretty?!