changes || life

I'm back! Actually, to be honest, I didn't do quite so well on my media-fast being in a media-centered program. I did make sure to be intentional with my time and what I was doing with the computer/anything media related. 

There are some changes to my blog. First, I'm not longer operating under www.hannahgram.com. The domain name expired about a few days ago and I decided to switch back to having a blogger domain for now until I figure out what I should commit to.

I decided to make some changes. This blog is going to be my personal life blog. I want to be free with what I write and share, but keep it a bit separate from my photojournalism things. 
I've decided to have a tumblr for my photojournalism related photos. Check it out! 
I'm also in the process of deciding how to make a real website.

A lot has happened in the month of January.
I'm mentoring a few more girls.
I'm shooting a LOT more than I ever did. I guess I feel more motivated. Once you get into the grind of things it becomes a part of you. I'm producing work I actually like. Before I took pictures for the sake of an assignment.
I'm experimenting with my flash so my pictures can turn out better. 
I moved into a new house where I live with one girl and her two cats. The one cat won't leave me alone. 
I'm making new friends at school. I'm enjoying their presence and the fact that we connect and can talk for hours even though we're still getting to know each other. 
I am eating much healthier after I did the Daniel fast. It's cheaper too.
I'm working out at least 1 or 2 times a week. It's better than last year where I didn't do anything.
One of my goals was to go to one event a week. So far it's been working out.
I started to read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. What a powerful book. I recommend it!
My friend started an online magazine called Re.write Magazine. Check it out! Link is also on the side.

“No hatred” - Corrie Ten Boom 

As this month has come by, I came to a deep realization of how I want to live. I want to live by hope. It's easy to despair or be cynical in life, but I don't find that it helps. I want to live against what's the norm. Despite naturally being a cynical and critical person, I'm going to choose hope. It doesn't come naturally. We'll always hear disheartening words, but find the sound of hope in your life. It restores your mind, soul and spirit.

I have much more to share, but I'll leave it at that for now. I want to commit to at least 2 entries a week!

Here are a few photos from January!

lots of cooking

my groceries for january

housewarming party at the guys' house

tech & media team

mailboxes by my house

"I like adoption" || video

This story was beautiful. Only 6 minutes of your time!

hopeful wanderer || life

It's the first day of school. I'm starting my second semester. After this semester I have two more left. I'm on my way to being half finished. I want to start the school year off well. A new year always brings in motivation and a desire to do well. 

I'll be doing a few things to get some clarity and direction for the first part of 2013. I like to divide my year into thirds. 

Normally when I make resolutions I become overly ambitious. But as the year goes on I become pretty hopeless about it. 

This year I want to be hopeful about these goals.

1. I'm on a Daniel fast with my best friends. We're doing it to support a friend who started last week, but we're also doing it to get some clarity for this new year. We want to make it fun while we do it. We're going to collect recipes, take pictures, write down revelations etc and then make a book at the end of it. We also want to start the year off with healthy discipline. 

2. I'll be going on a partial media fast for 21 days. I've had to adjust it a bit since I'm in a media studies program. No blogging, no gchat or facebook chatting, no youtube videos, no instagram, no twitter, no idle internet surfing, only check facebook once a day etc. You get the point. I've done it once and it was pretty refreshing.  

3. Keep in touch with people. Email back within 2 days. Skype with friends overseas. Meet up with people even if I'm a bit tired. 

4. Go to the school's gym 3x a week. Try to snowboard once or twice this semester (this is sad but I know I'll be really busy)  

5. Cover/take photographs of an event at least once a week or once every two weeks. 

6. Take on a personal project monthly. It's ok if it's a small one. 

7. Take online lessons on web design

8. Read one book a month.
9. Catch up on New Philly sermons.
10. Keep track of finances/get better at budgeting (I need some help in this area... desperately!)

dear 2013 || life

Dear 2013,

                 I'm really excited for you. Your older sister, 2012, turned out to be amazing. So much increase and newness came with 2012.
                 This year I am expecting to live in faith, hope and love. Along with those I know peace, joy and goodness will follow. I look forward in anticipation. I'm excited for the new people I will meet, the new places I will visit and the new things I will accomplish. 

                 I am excited to be stretched as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend, as a mentor, as a photographer and as a person. I'm ready. 2013, you're another opportunity for me to do better than last year but to do it all under the umbrella of grace. Mistakes will be made, but there's no need to despair. Mistakes are necessary to grow. 

                 I ask for new and challenging opportunities. I ask for wise words to permeate in my heart. I ask for joyful experiences. I ask for love to be poured out. 

                 I will be wise with my time and resources. Guide me to the right people and in the right direction. Let not a single minute of my day be wasted. Rather, let me lavish my time and resources on people. I'm here for them. Challenge my introvert nature to love fearlessly and faithfully. 

                I can't do anything on my own, so thank you Holy Spirit for the privilege to join you on your adventures for this upcoming year. I will go where you go. I will be as light and free as a feather. 

                                                                                         Yours truly, 

                                                                                                            Hannah Love