Pomp and Circumstance has faded. Friends and family have come and gone. Reality begins to set in...
All day I have been in the process of packing up my apartment and getting things organized. After three years, I will call 2021 Apt A home for only 37 more days and I couldn't be more excited. Of course it is bittersweet, as this was my first apartment by myself and a stepping stone that has shown me just how much strength I have. I never had to ask my parents for money to help pay the rent for this apartment, nor for my other bills while I was here. They supplimented me in other ways, as in helping out with school, but I took another step to becoming completely independent. There are also many memories in this apartment. The first few nights of living here, Cordell stayed with me. This is the place he knew every time he came from Antigua to visit and every room of this apartment holds memories of the two of us. I cooked the first real dinner for him in this apartment. I lived here throughout my entire journey in photography school, but now is as good of a time as any to move on. Florida, you have been good to me, but it's time to try new things.
So the road to graduation has officially ended and the ceremony was a success. I love my friends and know that we will keep in touch no matter where life leads us from here. I officially have four degrees now. A high school diploma, AA, Bachelor's of Arts and Associate of Science, making me the class of 2002, 2006 and 2010. What's up next for 2014? Gotta do it big haha.
So I have really been spending a lot of time with my friends lately and I must say, they are pretty amazing. We have the best times and then come home and Facebook about the quotes from the night for hours. I wonder how long this Facebook fad will last until it's on to the next thing, but I'm extremely grateful for it! While some choose to keep their lives private, and respectfully so, I enjoy the fact that my life and personality are all laid out for people to see and read about. Thank you Monica, Brooke, Jonathan, Pamela, Ellen, Bruno, Liz, Leilani and all the amazing other work friends that I have. Also thanks to Michela, Kim Aiken, Colleen, Takiya, Kisha, Laura, Amber, Mark and all my other friends. Thank you for making my life so amazing and worth getting up for in the morning. We have had some unforgettable times and I'm sure they're not going to end any time soon!
As I continue to see how my life will unfold from here, please continue on this journey with me.
GO ORLANDO MAGIC!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
My Life. Where Amazing Happens.
Bittersweet.
That's exactly what this moment feels like. I can't decide if I am happy or sad. Excited or nervous. I think that it's all of those rolled in to one. My stint at Daytona State College is officially over and graduation lingers in the distance. I have a new part-time job as an assistant to a food photographer and yet I just said good-bye last night to one of my favorite people on the planet, Brooke Caccavelli. Funny how life works. I don't know why I got so emotional, but I did. I cried all the way home, mostly thinking of how I just said good-bye again to another friend, Liz Durbin, earlier in the week, and how it seems that as soon as I get close to someone, they always leave. Even with all that, I have been the happiest that I think that I have ever been. Maybe I'm afraid that they'll take my happiness with them when they leave. I used to be so afraid to say that I was happy, because every time that I did, whatever I was happy about went away. But now, it's as if I have had something lifted off my shoulders. I am no longer dependent on a man to make me happy, but dependent on my friends, of which I have the most amazing ever. I could not ask for better people in my life right now.
So yesterday was a success and a disaster. I did not really know what to expect, but in the whole scheme of things, they went smoothly and ended well. I made a thousand U-turns trying to find where places were around the studio. I ordered lunch from the wrong Panera and they were angry when I cancelled the order. I freaked out that I did not buy the correct looking broccoli, lemons or limes and felt nervous at times when I was just standing around not doing anything. But I got my own key and at the end of the day when Susan and I were talking with one of the stylists, Susan said that many people from Daytona State have wanted to work with her over the years, but I am the one that got the position. I sealed the deal when I sent a Christmas card (thank you, Patrick Van Dusen!). She said I did very well and that all of this was just part of the learning curve. I am so blessed to have someone that is so successful take me under their wing. This is what I've been hoping and praying for for so long and I really feel as if this is going to lead me to something wonderful. God is so good.
So here's to new beginnings. A chapter in my life is about to come to a close and a new one is beginning. Here's to that new chapter being even more amazing than the last.
*CHEERS*
That's exactly what this moment feels like. I can't decide if I am happy or sad. Excited or nervous. I think that it's all of those rolled in to one. My stint at Daytona State College is officially over and graduation lingers in the distance. I have a new part-time job as an assistant to a food photographer and yet I just said good-bye last night to one of my favorite people on the planet, Brooke Caccavelli. Funny how life works. I don't know why I got so emotional, but I did. I cried all the way home, mostly thinking of how I just said good-bye again to another friend, Liz Durbin, earlier in the week, and how it seems that as soon as I get close to someone, they always leave. Even with all that, I have been the happiest that I think that I have ever been. Maybe I'm afraid that they'll take my happiness with them when they leave. I used to be so afraid to say that I was happy, because every time that I did, whatever I was happy about went away. But now, it's as if I have had something lifted off my shoulders. I am no longer dependent on a man to make me happy, but dependent on my friends, of which I have the most amazing ever. I could not ask for better people in my life right now.
So yesterday was a success and a disaster. I did not really know what to expect, but in the whole scheme of things, they went smoothly and ended well. I made a thousand U-turns trying to find where places were around the studio. I ordered lunch from the wrong Panera and they were angry when I cancelled the order. I freaked out that I did not buy the correct looking broccoli, lemons or limes and felt nervous at times when I was just standing around not doing anything. But I got my own key and at the end of the day when Susan and I were talking with one of the stylists, Susan said that many people from Daytona State have wanted to work with her over the years, but I am the one that got the position. I sealed the deal when I sent a Christmas card (thank you, Patrick Van Dusen!). She said I did very well and that all of this was just part of the learning curve. I am so blessed to have someone that is so successful take me under their wing. This is what I've been hoping and praying for for so long and I really feel as if this is going to lead me to something wonderful. God is so good.
So here's to new beginnings. A chapter in my life is about to come to a close and a new one is beginning. Here's to that new chapter being even more amazing than the last.
*CHEERS*
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Heads in Beds. Chicken and Chairs.
For the first time in my life I am not worried about what the future holds. I am hopeful and excited for the adventure that awaits me. It finally hit me the other day. I am almost finished with this chapter of my life and am about to move on. I am trying to take in everything around me. I realized just how many memories I have here in Orlando, both good and bad, but they make my life what it is today. From my first move to the UCF area and transitioning into adulthood, to meeting the most amazing people at the Sports Complex and everything in between. I would not change my life. I have made mistakes, but ultimately learned from them. I have realized that I am stronger than I thought and that if I put my mind to something, it will become reality. I'm going to miss it here, just as I missed NSB after I left. I am blessed with the most amazing friends that are continuously telling me they don't want me to leave and a family that has been there for me through the ups and downs. I am truly blessed and thankful for it all. Sometimes I take it for granted, but when I think about it, I realize that I don't know what I'd ever do without them. Thank you all for the most amazing 26 years. Let's keep it going.
So I don't really write too much about events that have occurred, as I do not want this to be a diary of 'this is what I did today,' but whenever something pertains to reaching my photography goals, it deserves mentioning. So the other day I shadowed a Disney photographer, the ones that do weddings and conventions. It was very interesting and enlightening. I learned that I know more than I thought I knew, and that was very comforting knowing that I can be successful at this stage.
We were doing what was called a RUSH bridal shoot and we started off by picking up the bride and groom (Amy and Mark) from Disney's Wilderness Lodge. We then drove over to Magic Kingdom and took shots in front of the castle, behind the castle and a few other locations. The set up was fairly simple. Camera mounted on the tripod with on-camera flash and a stand that held another off-camera flash, as well, that slaved to the first one. There were also small daylight balanced video lights, the size of my palm, that I had never seen before, but helped throw lots of light on to the couple. Very convenient. Joe, the photog, realized that he had forgotten to stop by and pick up the bouquet, so he was forced to take the beginning shots with her posing her hands as if she were holding it, until it arrived. Then we traveled to Hollywood Studios and took photos in front of Tower of Terror, the hat, Star Tours, the Muppets fountain, the Chinese theater and a few other locations. All of the bridal shoots are done before park hours, so it was neat to be able to see the park without having to be working turnstiles.
We then returned to the office and since it was a RUSH, Joe began editing right away. He was unaware of how to place the bouquet into the bride's hands, so he called over Bob, the Photoshop guru. I told him that I knew how I would do it, but didn't know if it was the easiest or most efficient. He asked how I would do it and I told him I would lasso the bouquet, drag it over and erase to the background. He said that was exactly how it was done! It made me feel good that I knew something the photographer didn't know.
The coordinator Tonya then gave me a tour of the building. Disney is amazing. I know I say a lot about how horrendous it is, and yes, it can be, but there are parts that are just amazing, I will admit. In this building they do not only the photography, but graphic arts, audio and video, floral designs, celebration baskets and so much more. Just seeing so many creative people under one roof made me happy!
Well, today is Cinco de Mayo and my friends and I are having an epic party! Plus, Liz comes into town this evening and I am super excited for the next week! School is almost over and then it's time to pack up the apartment. I can't wait for my first 'white' Christmas.
So I don't really write too much about events that have occurred, as I do not want this to be a diary of 'this is what I did today,' but whenever something pertains to reaching my photography goals, it deserves mentioning. So the other day I shadowed a Disney photographer, the ones that do weddings and conventions. It was very interesting and enlightening. I learned that I know more than I thought I knew, and that was very comforting knowing that I can be successful at this stage.
We were doing what was called a RUSH bridal shoot and we started off by picking up the bride and groom (Amy and Mark) from Disney's Wilderness Lodge. We then drove over to Magic Kingdom and took shots in front of the castle, behind the castle and a few other locations. The set up was fairly simple. Camera mounted on the tripod with on-camera flash and a stand that held another off-camera flash, as well, that slaved to the first one. There were also small daylight balanced video lights, the size of my palm, that I had never seen before, but helped throw lots of light on to the couple. Very convenient. Joe, the photog, realized that he had forgotten to stop by and pick up the bouquet, so he was forced to take the beginning shots with her posing her hands as if she were holding it, until it arrived. Then we traveled to Hollywood Studios and took photos in front of Tower of Terror, the hat, Star Tours, the Muppets fountain, the Chinese theater and a few other locations. All of the bridal shoots are done before park hours, so it was neat to be able to see the park without having to be working turnstiles.
We then returned to the office and since it was a RUSH, Joe began editing right away. He was unaware of how to place the bouquet into the bride's hands, so he called over Bob, the Photoshop guru. I told him that I knew how I would do it, but didn't know if it was the easiest or most efficient. He asked how I would do it and I told him I would lasso the bouquet, drag it over and erase to the background. He said that was exactly how it was done! It made me feel good that I knew something the photographer didn't know.
The coordinator Tonya then gave me a tour of the building. Disney is amazing. I know I say a lot about how horrendous it is, and yes, it can be, but there are parts that are just amazing, I will admit. In this building they do not only the photography, but graphic arts, audio and video, floral designs, celebration baskets and so much more. Just seeing so many creative people under one roof made me happy!
Well, today is Cinco de Mayo and my friends and I are having an epic party! Plus, Liz comes into town this evening and I am super excited for the next week! School is almost over and then it's time to pack up the apartment. I can't wait for my first 'white' Christmas.
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