I’ve tried to move this blog away from super personal posts – I’m not sure why, but I’ll probably think about it for a week now- but this is quite a personal post for a good reason. The Paper Mama recently posed a challenge for the general internet community (which I discovered via Brenda) to take pictures of ourselves – and be proud of them. SO HERE I AM! Not a perfect hair or skin day. Just me. Unedited. The only makeup I’m wearing is mascara (because I have a complex about my pale eyelashes). Straight face (which some people have told me looks angry or sad).
The challenge also includes the following written prompts to give you an idea of what I’m up to currently:
Obsessing over my new camera and lens. A Canon 60D with a 50mm 1.4 lens (used it to take the above picture with the wireless remote shutter). Having a fully functioning DSLR is bringing me back to my great love of photography. I take it to the classroom with me every day (I so wish I could share the images of the kids with you… it’s just not really legal!) and have a stylish and functional camera bag coming soon to make it possible for me to carry it all the time. It’s good to be back.
Working on conscientious eating. In an effort to be healthier and happier with my body, I’m cutting back on most starchy foods and meat during the week while doubling my consumption of vegetables and fruit to make up the difference. If I feel like I need to add some bulk to my salads, I spoon in a 1/2 cup of quinoa. I’m also trying to avoid refined sugar. Though, I do allow myself to “cheat” on the weekends because I LOVE food and I’d miss pizza and pasta too much otherwise. I’m also working on my fitness because I don’t want to be upset by my flappy upper arms in all of the wedding photos.
Thinking about Early Childhood Education. Graduate school is quite something, really. It is all-consuming and exhausting and frustrating, but it is also enlightening. I really am learning. I’m thinking more deeply about my profession and what it means to the world, about how to excel in it, and about where it might take me. I’m thinking about how Early Childhood Education came to be so important to me. I’m thinking about how I can make it more accessible. I’m thinking a lot, often, about the cultural nature of human development.
Anticipating THE WEDDING!!!! I’m getting so excited for our party. I’ve had a vision of this day for so long (since the summer of 2010, so, really not that long compared to those who have lifelong wedding scrapbooks), and I am eager to see it fulfilled. It means I’ll get to see so many people I love from so many distant places, which is really the best. It means I get to share vows with Alex (which we have not yet done- the civil ceremony was quite simple) and that’s incredibly exhilarating.
Listening to Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra. I am so into this song right now and the video is also exceptional. Also on heavy rotation: Love on Top by Beyonce. Alex is a little bit (a lot) obsessed with Bey and her key changes and her sultry voice, but I’ll admit it… I love this song, too.
Eating Trader Joe’s Unsulfered, Sweetened & Dried Mango. I know, I know they’re super high in sugar, but I feel better about eating these as a sweet snack than, say, a Snickers. If I’m craving something sweet, I have three pieces and that’s it! I want to try the freeze dried mango bits next time.
Wishing Our move back to the East Coast could happen sooner. We’ve talked a lot about the future and what’s next and a whole lot about where‘s next. The Bay Area offers so much excitement and great energy but it’s not home. It feels incredibly far away from home. It’s not exactly practical to pick up in the middle of a master’s program (in which I’m doing really well) just because I’m homesick. I wish it were now, but hopefully between now and then the days pass quickly and are good to us.
