Tuesday, August 26, 2008

her perspective

I had a conversation with my 5-year-old niece today. It went a little something like this, 

Arlee: "Becky, are you gonna get married to someone else besides uncle Mark?" 

Me: "No way! I don't want to marry anyone else!" 

Arlee: "Well then, maybe you and Mark should get married again so that you can have some kids." 

I guess if you haven't had kids after five years of being married, you just have to start over. 

Monday, August 25, 2008

Homework #3

Last week's homework wasn't terribly exciting, so there's not much to share. 

I did get a cool picture of a spider...
...and some fun shots of a couple bees...

...but that's about it. (And this wasn't even really a part of the assignment.)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Hooked

We moved our bed into the living room this weekend. It fit perfectly between the t.v. and the couch. Now we don't have to ever stop watching the Olympics. 
Anyone else this addicted? 

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Homework #2

Playing with White Balance -- not as fun as the first assignment, but such a helpful thing to learn. 

The assignment was to take the same picture using each different white balance setting. I did this with several different subjects, but I liked how these flowers turned out. Some of the differences are very subtle, some are very obvious. 






Friday, August 8, 2008

Seriously?!

I met a friend downtown for coffee today. 

I was thrilled to find a close parking spot and immediately began rummaging in my purse for some change to pay the meter. After only 15 seconds of rummaging, I looked up to see the meter-man already writing me a ticket. 

Are you kidding me?! 

I swung my door open and he walked to the side of my car and stood there with his ticket machine and eyebrows raised. "Ma'am, you can't sit in an expired meter," he said in his best you-stupid-idiot-tone. 

"Um, I just got here. I'm looking for change." 

"You better hurry because I know that you have been sitting here for a long time. I walked here from all the way across the street." 

Oh, you mean the street that is 20 feet wide and takes 20 seconds to cross? You're right, 20 seconds is way too long to park, unbuckle, take my keys from the ignition, and locate a quarter. I'm sorry for not paying for those 20 seconds in your precious metered space. 

Here, let me put in an extra dime to make up for it. Go be rude to someone else. 

Monday, August 4, 2008

Homework #1

I'm taking a photography class for the next six weeks. After week one, I felt like I was completely in over my head! Apparently, I know nothing about my camera! Here are a few pics from my assignment this week. This week I chose to practice capturing motion and had to get one "good" picture from each of four categories.

First, take a portrait.

Next, stop the action.
Third, show some motion. (But not too much!)
Finally, keep the motion in the background and the subject in focus.
**This last picture looks much cooler if you click on it and view it full-size.**

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The Big One-Eight

When I was five, I started praying that God would give me a little sister. I remember looking at my other friends and realizing that I was one of the only ones who did not have a sibling. I thought it looked like fun to have a permanent friend in your home. Someone you could play with without having to ask your mom if they could come over.

I told everyone that when I got a sister, I would never, ever fight with her.

Three years later -- just one week before my 8th birthday -- my answer to prayer came in the form of a tiny, wooly-headed, little baby named Emily. Never was there a prouder big sister.


Two days ago, my sister turned 18, and I am still so proud of her. She is funny, compassionate, easy going and understanding. She is athletic, smart, and a good friend. She has goals and dreams and she loves the Lord. I could not be more blessed!

I took Emily out the night of her birthday. We celebrated with some lemonade - purchased from the most adorable 10-year-old street vendor.


Then a new piercing...



...and a few lotto tickets. (none of them winners.)

I still can't believe that she is 18-years-old, but I love the fact that she is growing up. I feel like the "age difference" between us closes every year and that our friendship gets better and better.