Bolivia is Beautiful || Rewind

From June to August in 2009 I went to Santa Cruz in Bolivia for a short mission trip. When I look back I mix of emotions arise. I'm regretful for a lot of my shortcomings and inability to really help, but at the same time I loved the city and what I go to see of this country. I love South American/Latin culture. It is beautiful and a lot of the countries haven't been tainted by the Western culture. At least in Bolivia, they have a lot of people who have resisted any American or European influence.

It's been about 3 years and I hope to go back one day. I'd love to see the rest of South America.

It's funny looking at how far I've come also in my photography. Back then I was so clueless as to what the aperture was or shutter speed or ISO. My handy D40 and 18-55mm lens did the job and got me started. Now as I get new gear I can't wait to travel the world and do these countries some justice to show what is unseen and hidden to the rest of the world.

By the way, if you haven't tried empanadas yet, you must! Bolivian ones. I've tried other ones from Argentina and Paraguay, but they are the best in Bolivia.

Has anyone else visited South America or Central America?

this summer || my life

Inspired by fellow blogger, Allie, I've decided to make a list of what I'm doing and hoping to do this summer. I haven't met anyone that doesn't like summer. Summer is a playground for a dreamer like me. I feel like anything is possible. I'm not sure if it's the sun or warm weather that makes me feel like I'm on top of the world, but whatever it is I'm excited. 

Here is what I'll be doing this summer

- California trip [Liz and Mark's wedding, road tripping along the coast of California and make a visit to San Diego, eat lots of good Mexican and Korean food, play at the beach, catch up with old friends]

- Toledo, Ohio [Sarah's wedding, my first wedding photography gig, skydiving in Dayton, hanging out with the 6pack minus Sarah :(, there will be a LOT of painful laughter this weekend...there always is]

- NYC Trip 1 [Seeing Jesus Culture. I actually didn't want to go, but when I found out that Bill Johnson was speaking I signed up right away, road trip to NY with church friends, family trip after for 2 days]

- NYC Trip 2 [Brian and Jane's wedding, hanging out with Tanya, meeting up with Laura, visiting my dear friend Becky, exploring new parts of NYC]

On top of these trips I plan to read a lot, paint and create more than I normally would, play soccer/frisbee/volleyball whenever I have the chance, work hard 

I'm HOPING for one more trip in August to Chicago. I found direct flights from Waterloo to Chicago. My cousin keeps making plans so I want to go and a friend told me he has an extra ticket to Lollapalooza for the Sunday which was the day I wanted to go to. I'd love to see Sigur Ros, Of Monsters and Men, Bombay Bicycle Club and Justice. It's worth the 95 bucks, right?

What are your summer plans? I'm kind of overwhelmed with all that's planned ahead, but I look forward to it since the past two months were kind of boring. I'm ready for these adventures even if means my bank accounts suffering.

creative work advice || life lessons

This is amazing advice for anyone pursuing an area of work/interest pertaining to the arts/creativity. I feel like he's speaking directly to me where I am right now. I get frustrated with the things I create because it's not what I want it to be but I know what I what. I get frustrated with the lack of support and even encouragement to be a sub-par photographer, as if I can't do any better.

"It takes a while. It's going to take you a while. It's normal to take you a while. And you just have to fight your way through that."

May is a month of rest. Taking a break from doing and instead resting especially with photography. I know the video above says to do a lot of work, but right now I feel the need to rest.

As I prepare to go to school in the fall, I started to think about all the ways that I could be ready. I was looking into photography opportunities, internships, jobs and what not. Everyone's advice is to go out and do as much as I can on my own so that I can get a lot of experience. Sometimes when I look at how much other people have done in regards to photography, I feel really inadequate. I wonder if I should just go to school for something else that doesn’t require much work and get a job. But I felt like God has been telling me to be still and stay hidden. It doesn’t make sense because I should be equipping myself with photography skills and knowledge this summer, but God kept saying, “remain hidden”. 

Although I’m poor in the photography world and lacking in experience, I have the kingdom of God where I lack nothing. Though right now I don’t have any experience or any credibility in the photography world, I trust and believe that God is preparing heavenly riches for me that will be manifested in my future job. Though in the natural my situation looks pitiful and kind of pathetic, I am blessed from a kingdom’s perspective. 

After May, June will come and I can't wait to participate in the 30 Days of Creativity where I will push myself, create, make, and challenge myself in new and old areas of creativity. I'll start to do more with the blog, but at the same time it's SO nice out! I don't like sitting in front of the computer during the summer. 

Luke 6:20

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

really on a break || my life

A few days ago, as my cousins were having tea, I got called out for being a faker. I was supposed to be on a social media fast but I was still blogging and checking twitter/facebook from time to time. So I decided to take a real break. So I'm really on a break and it's good. I'll blog when I want to, I'll check facebook when I want to and tweet when I want to, not when I think I have to.

I still read your blogs and I hope that when I'm back you'll read mine. thank you for being a faithful reader of my humble blog.