Self Portrait Project Week Two

Last year, I got sucked into several photo challenges. Problem was I had difficulty keeping track and keeping up. At first it was a fun way to drive others to my blog, but ultimately instead of spurring my creativity, it hampered it. 

This year, I plan to have my own 365 project and my own 52 week self portrait project. I had intended in participating in the Now You as a way to network with other photographers, but I procrastinated too long and missed the cut off date. While there is a part of me that's disappointed, there is another part of me that feels free from the need to perform. 

Last night as I relaxed in bed, I took a few self portraits, one of which I feel satisfied enough to be brave enough to post the result. When I look at it, I feel my skin looks thin and stretched out, but it is what it is. It's strange how the camera picks up a reflection of someone I don't know, don't feel. 

Yet there is no denying that over the past four months, I feel I've aged 40 years. Though I don't want to admit it, this is probably the person others see when they look at me. 

What Will Be

Almost four years ago, a new journey began for me. Sufficed to say, it's not a trip I would have chosen to take. But like everything in life, good comes with the bad and, thankfully, there have been a lot of blessings.

After over 6-months of chemo, I was given a reprieve in December 2009 and was told that it was likely that I would be able to be off the poison for up to a year. It's been three years and this Thursday, I begin a new regiment of chemo. This time around, I asked for a port so I won't need to be stuck with a needle 6 times a month.

To say that it's not the way I wanted to start the year is an understatement. I've not really been looking forward to 2013 as I have no idea what it may bring. Truth is, I really don't want to think ahead. Still, it helps to make plans for the future.

Things I want to do:
1. Select my one word that will be my word for the year. It was a difficult selection. Joy, love, hope, faith, journey, persevere, fight, act, serve and believe were in the running, but none of these truly struck a chord in me. As I was driving to Greg's today, embrace seemed to embody all that I want 2013 to be.
2. Participate in 365 where I purposefully take at lease one photo a day representing something special in the day.
3. Participate in 52 weeks of me in which I take a self-portrait.
4. Buy a polaroid. Learn to use it
5. Buy 620 film and shoot with my dad's old Argus 75.
6. Write, every day. Write with purpose and meaning. Write a book.
7. Travel. Drive up North for a week and if possible, across the country.

Those are just a few of the things I want to do this year. The good news is that I'm back to feeling like making plans, like doing things which is part of the reason I selected embrace as my word for the year. I want to embrace my loved ones, embrace life, embrace the things that I feel passionate about, embrace things that come my way, even if they are unexpected, embrace the purpose that God has determined my life to be.

It was easy to do today, surrounded by family and friends, armed with my camera, filled with the Spirit of the Lord. It was a good day, a start of a good year. Unexpected, but good. I am so blessed, so very blessed. I pray that this will be a good year from start to finish. I pray that I get to finish it and celebrate another Christmas and another New Year.

Light in the Darkness

For this weeks 52 Photos Project, the theme is Light in the Darkness.

I saw this as I drove into the office earlier this week. The sun was just rising and the building around the corner was picking up the light. I checked my rear view mirror, there was no one in sight at that hour so I picked up my phone and snapped.

Pink

This week's 52 Photos Project theme is "Pink". I had a few things in mind for the photo but the moment I saw this bike chained to a rack I knew this was my shot. It stood out in the crowd of bikes, the perfect shade of pink, highlighted with enough rust to make a girl happy.

Good thing it was chained up or I might have been tempted to take it on a joy ride.

Meet Me at Lifeguard Station #5

This week's 52 photos project theme is "Where We Meet". This is the place that calls to me. This is where I go back to think, to enjoy, to be. Sometimes I take a kindred spirit with me, sometimes I just go on my own. It doesn't matter if it sunny, rainy, cloudy, hot or cold, though I do prefer it during the off season without the crowds that come with the summer. Still, I'm willing to share if need be.

To see where other's meet or to learn more on how to participate in the 52 week challenge, click on the link below!

Let the Sunshine In

Just as soon as April ended and May began, so it seemed that the sun stopped doing its duty. Yes, there were cloudy days and rain in April, but when the rain was gone it would give way to bright, clear blue skies. I was so looking forward to more of the same, but instead for the first few days of May, there was nothing but gray laden skies.

By Wednesday, I had had enough. As soon as I finished work, I headed west to the beach, hoping for a break from the dull, lifeless sky. I wasn't disappointed. As I got closer to the shore, to the east, the skies were still blanketed in a gray haze, but as it was getting ready to drop off the edge of the sea, the sun was breaking through the film of clouds.

There, I found my haven. It was just enough sun to brighten my spirit and yet because it had been cool and cloudy, there were very few people on the beach so it was mine for the taking. In the water were a few surfers enjoying the waves, taking in the last of what the sun had to offer. And sunshine was back in my heart.