559 Words on Stopping to Smell the Roses of Life

“Make sure you stop and smell the roses,” is a phrase that’s been tossed around my entire life.  Its something you SHOULD do… or so we’re told.

Well, this summer I leanred how incredible it can be to do just that.  To take time to appreciate God’s wonder and creation, to travel and see what is out there in the world, to pull over and see that thing that peaks your interest…. and it has truly been a blessing.

I took a few trips with my boyfriend this summer that completely showed me how “stopping to smell the roses” can really make an effect on you.  I’m always busy. ALWAYS busy with work, school, homework, etc. etc. etc.  So, when we both had a totally free day we decided, ‘it sure would be cool to see the coast of Washington for once’…

So we went. Right then and there.  We drove to the ferry, hopped over to Kingston, and pulled over whenever we wanted to pull over.  We left at 8 o’clock in the morning and didn’t get home until 10 in the evening.  But what an incredible day it was.

We walked on the Dungeness Spit, we saw my grandparents, we ate at a crab place at sunset, we swam in Lake Crescent, we saw the wonder of the coast (that looks more like the moon on a foggy day) and just spent the entire day smelling the roses.   We literally set out to the coast with no plans, nothing set in stone, just the urge to see something new and different, and follow where the road takes us.  So when we saw road signs for something interesting (like the most Northwestern peak of continental America), we went there.  We only had cell phone service for about 20% of our trip, so it was a time to be together, to explore, to see the wonders of Washington.  How amazingly relaxing that day was.

It makes me think about how important it is to follow the road in front of us – the road designed for us.  Not only how important it is, but how rewarding it can be.

Sometimes its so difficult for us to trust God, to follow the path He sets out for us, because we don’t know where that road may go.  But when we DO follow His path… the things we see, the moments we experience, the things we learn to appreciate more… well… those things are life-changing.

So take this as a challenge to you.  Next time you’re free, drive somewhere. Somewhere off of the normal beaten path.  Drive where you want to drive.  All YOU need to do is make sure you have enough gas, and make sure to stop and smell the roses.  Pull over when you want to pull over.  Swim in the lake you think is pretty, eat at a restaurant on the side of the road that looks wonderful…

You might be amazed at what you can find, and what you can learn about yourself, and your friendship with God.  Trust the road, it’ll take you where it’s supposed to.

104 Words on Symmetry

I’ve become a fan of symmetry and repetition lately.  Something about it is artistic, no matter what I’m photographing… in this case, a bowling alley.  I also like that in this photo, a face from a video screen above the lanes is reflected in the glossy surface.

Have you ever noticed symmetry and repetition in life… especially in nature?  Isn’t it amazing to see?  Maybe that’s God’s attempt to add a little artistic aspect to His creation.  A garden of flowers – tulips.  A plant with leaves that are nearly identical.  Symmetrical flowers.  So intricate and delicately designed.  Beautiful.

Have you seen repetition or symmetry lately?

493 Words on the Grand Opening of the Hard Rock Cafe – Seattle

This week I got to go to one of the coolest industry parties I have ever been to – the Grand Opening (invite only!) VIP Party for the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Seattle.  It was hard to pick which photos I liked the best because I took so many (0ver 300) in the three hours I was there!

The first photo in this blog entry is of people sitting in the dining room of the cafe.  The dining room is almost completely symmetrical, and I loved capturing the ambiance in the room in this shot.  The bright lights shine down on the people sitting in the booths, spotlighting them like a rockstar on a dark stage.  The back of the dining room reads “Love All Serve All.”  The Hard Rock slogan is seen everywhere in the newly open downtown business; the employees are incredibly diverse, but equally interesting and fun to chat with.  I had a conversation about pins with a gentleman with two mow-hawks, at least ten piercings on his face, and tattoos covering his cheeks, neck and hands.  I was so happy to see that every customer treated the employees the same; there was no judgement based on appearance.  I wish everyone was so lucky in the work place – or in life in general.

The second photo is of the “Guitar Smash” they did in lieu of a ribbon cutting.  They had about 15 local “celebrities” smash guitars outside the building’s front doors, taking up the entire street.  The “celebs” ranged from Steve Pool, the weather man from KOMO 4 news, to Sir Mix-a-lot!  There were people from evening magazine, local bands, and more.  It was so cool to see them all smash their guitars in unison on the sidewalk.

And the last photo is of one of the appetizers that were so incredible – a mini Hard Rock burger.  There was endless food to eat, live music, and mingling with all the people from the Seattle music and entertainment industry… it was a dream.

I walked away with a Hard Rock VIP pass, a cool lanyard, a wrist band, and memories to last me for ages.  I was just excited to be there, at the Grand Opening for something so wonderful, so perfect for Seattle.  My family has been going to the Hard Rock Cafe for ages – there used to be one in Whistler that we went to each time we went to the resort town.  I’ve been to the one in Paris, and Denver, Louisiana… and I KNOW I’m missing somewhere else… but its an incredible restaurant chain.  A place to recognize the amazing musicians that have brought their sounds to all of the corners of the world.  Who have helped millions created memories and special moments in their lives.  Musicians who have helped people get through the hard times and celebrate the great times with their songs… music is so powerful and so wonderful, I was more than happy to be there celebrating the opening of a restaurant that recognizes that.

Ever been to the Hard Rock?

233 Words on Sisterly Love

This is the first photo I’ve posted that I didn’t take myself – in fact, I couldn’t have taken it.  That’s me nestled in a pink blanket on the day I was born.  My sister is inspecting me in my plastic sleeping place and my mom is watching from her hospital bed.

I recently came across this photo while going through boxes of pictures at my grandma and papa’s house in Wenatchee. I couldn’t resist posting it and writing a little about what it means to me.

The one thing this photo says to me?  Love.  The way my sister has her head tilted to the side,  peering into the tiny box I’ve been placed in.  Wondering who I am and what kind of sister I’ll be.  Looking at new life and deciding that she’ll always call me, “Baby Sister.”  That was my name to her for many, many years.  My parents have adorable videos of them asking my sister, Alex, “who is that, Alex?”  Her reply is always, “that’s Baby Sister.”  That’s love.

There are so many cliche things that people say about sisters, but they’re all true.  She’ll love me no matter what.  She’s always wanted what’s best for me.  I have a piece of art in my room that says, “I am twice blessed – my sister is also my friend.”  So true.

She’s loved me from day one.  Here’s the proof.

What actions say “love” to you?

74 Words on How Music Speaks

I took this photo back in 2007 with my little point-and-shoot Canon camera.  To be honest, it was a totally luck shot, however it remains one of my favorite photos of live music.  This is the front-man of The Rocket Summer.  I was so happy that I caught the movement in his hair, the lights behind him, and the energy of the moment.

Music somehow always speaks, even when it’s silently pictured in a photo.

199 Words on Home’s Hidden Beauty

I took this photo less than 30 minutes ago.  I spent the afternoon on the Eastside taking my little brother clothes shopping, and on my way west on the 520 bridge, I had trouble keeping my eyes off of the beautiful sunset.  I wish I could have pulled over on the bridge and captured that moment.  To my left and my right were dark grey clouds, and I could see the rain falling from them… but straight forward was a beautiful break in the clouds, lighting them with blinding light, the rays of the sun beaming down onto the city.  It was unbelievable.

I took this photo down at Shilshole Bay.  I was planning on heading to the beach at Golden Gardens, but the boats and the sunset were too pretty to pass up.  I’m always shocked by how different the sunset can be every evening in this state.  I love it.  It makes me want to camp out at the beach every evening.  Isn’t Washington beautiful?  I think where ever I go in life… I’ll end up in Seattle in the end.  I don’t think I could stand being away from here for too long.

What is your favorite part of your home?

180 Words on Being Moved by Music

I took this photo of Jimmy Eat World back in November of 2007.  I went to the show with my sister and her boyfriend, and I have only been that mystified by live music a handful of times.  I have a passion for the arts, especially music, and I love trying to capture the moments that the stage brings.  I thought this photo showed well how the audience was feeling much the way I was – mystified.  There wasn’t a lot of movement unless they were playing one of their more powerful rock songs.  It was an incredible show that I wish everyone could have seen.  If you don’t know Jimmy Eat World’s music, check it out here.

I am starting to think that anything can be captured by music, even things you cannot see clearly.  Emotions, feelings, sounds, atmosphere… music.  Sometimes its nearly impossible, sometime it takes 100 shutter clicks before I actually get the photo that describes the moment.  But when I do… its always a picture that stays close to my heart.

What’s something in life that has been difficult for you to get an accurate photo of?

214 Words on an Inspirational Young Woman

What an emotional day this was for me.  Last Monday, Ashleigh Lowery, whom I wrote about in the Falcon this week, invited me to her chemotherapy session at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  Ashleigh is battling two types of cancer, takes classes at SPU, works at the Purple Cafe in Woodinville, and is just trying to live like a normal 25-year old.  She is an inspiration.

This photo was about 45 minutes before the chemo actually arrived. In the pink sweater is Ashleigh’s mom.  Ashleigh was so open and honest with every question I asked, making sure I had all the details.  The nurses and the doctors smiled when they saw her and asked her about classes and how she was doing.  She is loved by everyone she meets.  What an awesome person she is.

I thought it would be easy, but man, was it difficult.  It made me realize how much in life I take for granted, how blessed I really am to live the life I live.  God has blessed me more than I know.  I am so thankful for my health, my happiness, my friends, my family, and my faith in Christ.   This day certainly put everything in perspective for me.  I am blessed.  So blessed.

What has made you count your blessings lately?

20 Words on Noticing the Things You Usually Walk Past…

I like to notice the things that people tend to walk past.

What’s something that you have realized is beautiful lately?

31 Words on Finding Windows XP in Real Life?

Real life Windows home screen?

Taken at Gas Works Park, Seattle.

February 2010.

Have you ever seen anything that looked like it was out of a movie?  Or off a computer screen?