"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do is increased." Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’ve been trying to think of something intelligent/substantial/thought provoking to write.
That hasn’t happened, so I’m deciding to just write.
I’ve left facebook once again and plan to remain removed. I’ve had the question why a lot. The short answer is that I feel like I miss the days of no facebook on my brain. I want to be present in my life – I pride myself on that. I want to actually be friends with people who I claim to be friends with or who claim to be so with me. Facebook has become too much of a show for me.
I did keep a souvenir – an internet meme sent to me last week when I was sick. I hope you take it to heart as much as I have. (I threw in a picture of some adorable squirrels too! Ya know, ’cause I love ’em.)
The best quote of the week ..by far. Yoga was my much-needed escape this week. Sometimes my escape is running, but this week it was definitely yoga. And the place was Bull City Yoga. With Ali as the instructor. It was a whole hour and fifteen minutes of complete Me Time. Away from worries and stress and concerns and thoughts. It was my break. I hear people tell me all the time how they never get a break. They rarely (if ever) take time out for themselves. One thing massage therapy taught me, and yoga reminded me, is that you have to take time out for you. You’ll burn out and crash if you don’t. So this is one thing I’m going to work my hardest at incorporating in my life. And I’d encourage you to do the same : ) In the long run, it’s an unselfish thing. People love you and need you.
I’m thankful for: Yoga, and class with Ali!
B.
One of my favorite Maine plates, which seems to fit today.
Oh! And peeps ..I found another blog to follow! Courtesy of Ash & Cole Gorman (their site is blestphotography.com) & the new one is (www.autumnharrisonblog.com). This couple is a DJ/photographer duo!! How stinkin’ cool is that?!
“Enthusiasm finds the opportunities, and energy makes the most of them.” – Henry Hoskins
“A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections.” – Joseph Addison
“I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” – Socrates
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
Last week I spent some catch-up time with my friend, M. We visited Blend Cafe in Durham in the Golden Belt (which I didn’t even know existed before that day). I kind of knew a part of the Golden Belt, but I just didn’t know I knew. I’m confused, show of hands – who’s with me?! So I’d been to this place called The Scrap Exchange before, but because I entered the parking lot a different way, I was unaware of what awesomeness also existed in this chunk of the town. There’s Blend, The Cotton Room (a great event space), The Scrap Exchange, Liberty Arts, artist studios, a yoga studio, & a host of other venues. After lunch at Blend, we were given an unofficial tour of a few other locations. We ended up taking pictures on the dock – we were goofballs! Hope you enjoy our results!! ALSO – thanks to M, I now know that Obladi Oblada is a song by the Beatles. Yes, my music knowledge has improved immensely in recent years, peeps. Here’s a video of the song!
There was also one day where I spent the better part of an afternoon with my bfrand. I’ve seen many-a-day with this lady. It’s rare to find one (let alone two..my second person being my guy) person who gets you & has had a similar life path. Thanks to A&P (anatomy and physiology) I met this awesome chick and we’ve been together ever since. This particular day, we ventured to Cocoa & Cinnamon in downtown Durham. A pretty neat spot off Geer St. Where I was fascinated by this place called Motorco down the street. I still don’t know what was written on the sign some guy was standing next to..that will probably bother me for weeks. We visited Daisy Cakes before they closed (love their desserts!). It was B’s first time there. She approved : )
We wandered around downtown for a bit after that with Baby (my camera) in hand. We caught some pretty neat shots! One of my favorites is the one looking down the track. And it only took about 50 tries to get our reflection picture, but we did it! I could not imagine my life without this girl! Everyone should have a B in their life.
The next day, my cat and dog were especially clingy and looking so cute, so I got Baby back out. I went for a brief and freezing walk that morning and noticed how our flowers were starting to bloom outside. When the sun peeked out a bit more, I took Baby outside and clicked the shutter a few times.
It was nice to have a bit of free time last week & enjoy it with some special peeps!
I am thankful for: friends & pets!
B.
A Bull creation outside Liberty Arts..way cool!
The dock
My gift from M – a necklace with a map of Maine!!!
There were many events in November! I donated blood early on in the month. I love the ladies over at REX! I also discovered my blood type, which was pretty cool for me. And I got a sticker!!
Paker and Otis was on the “visited” list. I discovered some reminders of Maine while at lunch that day..namely, a little lobster!
There were more crafts in November also. M and I made a turkey out of a Solo cup and construction paper. It was awesome! My boyfriend and I also ended up making our own Christmas trees out of felt – Best. Michael’s. Trip. Ever. So much fun! It’s pretty awesome to be able to shop with someone who shops like you do. Haha!
Thanksgiving was spent in Maine. I had so much fun! There was a visit to the Longfellow house, a walk around the golf course (complete with finding 52 golf balls), a painted puffin in Portland, 2 cent bridge, & a second visit to Fort Halifax. I’ll hop on my soapbox once more to say this – if you’re fortunate enough to spend the holidays with your special someone, appreciate it. Make a special effort and let them know how much it means to you. Hopping down now.
November also brought a photo shoot of sorts for M for their family Christmas card. We had so much fun! It was an awesome learning experience too in having a photoshoot with kids. A day or so after this, we discovered a Winter train exhibit at the Museum of Life & Science. It was so cool!!
I am thankful for: planes, reminders of Maine, craft stores, memorable moments and the photos that capture them.
Trips..Holidays..Crafts. October had many memorable moments!
First up..my first trip to Maine wasn’t over until early in the first week of October. Other places we visited included: Samantha Reed Smith statue, Maine State House in Augusta (so cool!), & Old Fort Western. The places were incredible, weather was awesome, and company was the bestest! I also was unfortunately reminded of how hard some goodbyes can be. This is my PSA: if you’re with someone who is your most incredible person, tell them. Show them.
A few weeks after the Maine trip, there was a beach trip with my dad’s company. So fun!! (I should mention I got a movie date with my daddy during this month too!) We went to Corolla and were able to stay in an incredible house on the beach! It was called “The Dream” and so lived up to it! There were wild horses, pool tables, great conversations, glo necklaces, and UNO!! On the way home, we even got to stop by Kill Devil Hills! I hadn’t been there in 10 years!
The month of Halloween – probably the holiday I least look forward to. But last year it was fun. M and I made crafts for the occasion all month long! We also had some random baking & drawing days. Love that kid.
The very last day of the month, I trekked it out to Fearrington Village. Such a cool place! They were decked out with decorative pumpkins! My mom created her first scarecrow – and it won the competition at work!
All-in-all, October was a pretty great month.
I am thankful for: family, the beach, wild horses, cameras, phones, & paint.
sometimes it’s worth getting lost to see who will come looking for us. ~ robert brault ..via @TamaraLackey
“Anything is achievable. Be positive, be enthusiastic, and project confidence.” – Sarah Doukas
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” ~Buddha
“Sing your song. Dance your dance. Tell your tale.” – Frank McCourt
Allow me to begin this post about September with a song entitled, “September” by a musical group you may know – Earth Wind & Fire. Thank happy goodness I was in Aromatherapy (maybe?) at the time. Regardless of the class name, my classmates helped me tremendously by thinking of this song title. I happily hummed the melody for the better part of 3 classes and one glorious day, S came to class and told me the name of the song! Here is a youtubed version of the song for your enjoyment..
My excitement and distractedness toward the middle of that month stemmed from one of the happiest events (I’ll venture to say) of my life. Yep, peeps, I said it – “of my life”. I have a valid reason..in the month of September, I met one of the greatest men ever. And no, I’m not just saying that because he’s my boyfriend. I’ll avoid getting too mushy on you and tell you of some of the best places we visited my first trip to Maine instead!
Our first date was to see the Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, ME. So pretty! The weather was incredible the first day there and we got some pretty awesome pictures! We also got to see (and walk to) the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. It was a long, but pretty fun walk in the rain mist. We saw tons of lobster buoys and passed a few other couples making the mile long walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse. That same day we met Andre..well, sort of..there is statue of Andre the seal, who was very popular in the ’70’s. Andre spent his summers in Rockport, ME and his winters in Boston, Mass. for over 20 years. We experienced a bit of Camden that same day – a town we plan to visit again for sure! We made the drive up to the park there which overlooks the bay only to be greeted by fog. Not to worry – it cleared! There were so many new discoveries and memorable places. Stay tuned for more!!
Honorable mentions:
**the grasshopper M and I found in his backyard – little dude was staring at me from behind the flower! Simultaneously way cool and way freaky.
**painting days with M – we painted outside – the weather was still pretty awesome, and one day we made an early Halloween craft, courtesy of Pinterest!
I am thankful for: airplanes, Andre, neat towns like Camden, the fog clearing (literally & figuratively), grasshoppers, paint, music, email.
B.
Portland Head Lighthouse
Andre
The view as the fog cleared.
Walking the breakwater at the Breakwater Lighthouse in Rockland, ME. Standing at the lighthouse.
To the heroes.
To the fallen.
To the brave and fiercely courageous.
To the ones who are still here to feel pain on this day, and everyday for the ones lost.
To remembering and never forgetting.
“Happiness is a direction, not a destination.” – Unknown
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” – Aristotle
“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” – Bill Cosby
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
So there’s this thing called the CowParade going on in the Triangle. There are nearly 80 cows decorated by various artists placed throughout the area. From what I understand, this is the first CowParade in the US to have been placed in an area and not just confined to one city.
M and I found 9 today in the area close to the Durham Bulls Ballpark. We took pictures of 6 and saw 3 more on our drive home. M really enjoyed seeing them! We even passed 2 moms with their little ones while on our cow hunt. Seems to be a popular idea!
I am thankful for: art.
B.
One of my favorites!
Wild for Bees (Burt’s Bees) in the background, & Night-N-Day up close. The only 2 we thought we’d get to see.
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson
“If you’re doing your best, you won’t have any time to worry about failure.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Where there is love, there is life.” – Ghandi
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” – Robert Byrne
When a 2 year-old looks at you and says, “Brittany, hold me and dance!” your heart is bound to melt a little. Today was another great Monday with the tiny human. Lots of this new game I invented which involves running from the front of the house to the back of the house. Oh, and sometimes the small person will ask you to hold their hand whilst running – that’s difficult, friends.
I introduced him to the song “The Loco-Motion”. I can still remember the first time hearing that song as a kid. It was on a kid’s video about trains and all the kids were doing this little dance like they were the wheels of the train. Haha! Oh the things I recall.
After hanging with M during the day, I booked it over to school for a little reading time pre-class. I ended up being the nap monitor for a classmate and my teacher. Call me crazy, but I kind of think it’s like the best thing ever that our “desks” are actually massage tables and that the scenario of me being a nap lookout is like the coolest!
“We need men who can dream of things that never were.” – John F. Kennedy
“It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.” – Seneca
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” — Irish proverb
Sun and rain, so different. Yet, only by working together do they create harmony and life. –Fa Zhou (Mulan II)
Today will be known as the day I discovered that “Dimples are actually caused by a facial muscle called the zygomaticus major, being abnormally short!” My favorite muscle has revealed the reason as to why I hold it so dear. Plus it’s a fun word to say!
I am thankful for: the return of loved ones after being away on vacation.
girlmeetscamera 