Aloha Oe, My Dear Hawaii

As promised, here are some photos from my family's trip to Hawaii this past March. I know, I know, these are coming really late in the game, but they are finally here, nonetheless.

I flew separately from my family to Hawaii, since it didn't really make sense to drive to Cedar Rapids, then fly to Chicago before flying to the Island. Adam picked me up at the airport, and I marveled at the full rainbow between the mountains. It was as if the Island of Oahu was welcoming me personally... Once we got settled in, we did some grocery shopping with Adam at the commissary, since we had a full kitchen in our hotel room, and we went out and took a walk on Waikiki beach later that evening.

Our next day, we scheduled our guided tours for the upcoming week, then took a trip to Hilo Hattie's, a huge store with all kinds of Hawaiian souvenirs and goods. Hilo Hattie's has, in their lobby, the world's largest Hawaiian shirt, a 400XL.


Dad really enjoyed this shopping trip after we had been there for a couple hours.


The next day, Sunday, my dad surprised my mom, informing her that they would be renewing their wedding vows in Turtle Bay, where they honeymooned nearly 20 years ago. (Dad and I had been scheming for months secretly to set this up.) We visited New Hope Church, then visited Adam's base at Palm Circle (he is really roughing it being stationed in Hawaii).


After our visit, we then headed for the north shore. On the way there, we stopped at a restaurant my parents ate at while on their honeymoon, Jamieson's By the Sea. SUCH great seafood.


The ceremony, led by Ron Valencia - a pastor who my parents met on their first visit to the island.

At Turtle Bay, during the ceremony. I love the look on my mom's face.


Family photo op - look for this one in the Christmas card, people.



The next day, we headed off bright and early for Hanauma Bay, a collapsed volcano-turned coral reef. It was our first time snorkeling, and we all had to learn the hard way how far down you CAN'T go before your snorkel fills up with salt water. It was an amazing experience. The snorkeling, not the inhaling seawater.


Hanauma Bay


That afternoon, after returning from the bay, Sam, Jacob and I headed down to Waikiki again (a grueling 4-5 block trek) and relaxed by the shore. Thanks to Sam for making Jacob into a sand woman, anatomically complete. Classy.


An acquired friend, we built lots of sand castles and sand carwashes and sand jacuzi's together.


I just couldn't get enough of the beach... consider me a natural beach bum.


The next day was a busy one for us, we headed via tour bus to Pearl Harbor and were taken to the Arizona Memorial which rests on top of the actual ship sunk during the attack. It was sombering to be there, standing on top of a ship that became a permanent tomb for so many sailors, seeing the oil surface that still seeps up from within the ship.


Next stop was a guided tour of the battleship Missouri. This thing was gigantic, and amazing. Our tour guide was really great.


The next day was our big trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center, where Polynesian customs, dances, etc. are demonstrated throughout the day. On the way there, we saw a sign for a "scenic point," and after getting out of the car, came to realize just what "scenic" really meant - a fascinating maze of lava formations stretching out into the water. We went exploring.

Mom included in the photo to give you a sense of scale...




We were hungry after all that exploring, so we decided to try out a Hawaiian McDonald's.


We actually didn't try the platters, but we DID all have Haupia pie. And oh, was it amazing.


More scenes along the way...



At the Polynesiah cultural center







She was really excited about getting to try that Luau food.


After the night show



And fun was had by all...


I hated to leave Hawaii, but if there's anything I can do about it, this will NOT be my last visit. Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Can You Hear me Now?

Just a quick note to let anyone reading this know that my cell phone is dead. I dropped it, and it has bitten the dust. Permanently. And in my new place, there is no land line, so I am unreachable, except by email and other online messaging methods, until I get a new phone. Blah.

Coming soon... (tomorrow?)... Hawaii photos!

Since this is a photo blog...

I've begun to realize my "shutterblog" has taken on a non-photographic form lately, mostly due to a crazy schedule and a lack of internet connection at my new apartment. While I'm here at Panera downtown, I thought I would upload some new pics, and hopefully continue this at least once per week. There's a LOT of work I've done lately that I haven't put up.

Tonight's photos are of Jen and Steve's engagement shoot, I will be shooting their wedding later this year. They are a very laid-back couple, and a lot of fun!










And just so you know, this one was NOT really my idea, but once Jen had mentioned it, I forced them to let me shoot it. :-)



Coming up next... the long-overdue Hawaii vacation pics

Home, sweet home.

This is the last blog I will ever write from room 1818A in the University Center. I am moved out! My room is very bare and I check out in the morning, then will head to my new short-term home in Wrigleyville (Go Cubs!) This move has been a very stressful one for me. I didn't really pack much before a couple days ago, and, well, you never realize how much STUFF you have until you have to pack it into boxes.

I have too much stuff. I'm not kidding, it barely fit in two car trips, and that's after sharing a closet of one of my 18th floor residents who is living at the UC over the summer.

This summer's goal: DOWNSIZING, and not buying more household objects or clothing. Except for maybe a wedding dress, that doesn't count.

I bravely faced the rainy weather this morning when I took a carload up to my new apartment by myself (since Josiah was at work.) I unpacked that baby in 35 minutes with no help, I was so proud. I figured, "I don't even have another load that size, this will be easy!" Then I went to my internship and wore my little body out, then I went to class and wore my little brain out, then Josiah drove my car to the UC so I could pack up the rest of my belongings.

The freak-out began.

TVs, surround sound, DVDs, dishes, blankets, photographic lighting equipment, pillows, random desk accessories, a scanner/printer and toiletries take up a little more room than you would expect. And nothing is ever made better by a heavy box whose bottom gives out on the sidewalk. Outside in the loading dock, I reached a meltdown point, thank goodness Josiah was there.

There are many good reasons why I will marry this man. Tonight he reminded me of his true love for me... when I reached the point of tears he held me and comforted me, telling me that he had been praying while I was up in the room, and that we WERE going to get all the stuff in the car, though it really seemed impossible, and that he wasn't going to leave me until I was moved in and safe at home. He cancelled work in the morning with his boss, and held my face in his hands and told me MANY times as I cried how he loves me. He carried all my heavy boxes while I carried lightweight items up the stairs, and would not stand for me telling him how bad I felt that he had to give up his sleeping hours to help me move. I can only hope that with God's guidance, I can love Josiah like he loves me, that I can be the wife he deserves.

I love you, babe.

My Legs = JELLO

Today I whipped out the ol' bicycle in Chicago, Josiah and I both brought ours back with us when we came back this week. It's a relatively nice day outside, a little chilly but not too hot to bike, so I called Josiah up and told him I would come visit him at Moody via bike.

So we went riding.

Roughly 15 miles. I google mapped it. I am exhausted. The trip north on the lakefront trail seemed easy, so we went all the way up to where I exit Lake Shore Drive for my internship. Unfortunately, the trip back was into the wind and slightly uphill most of the way. I was sooo happy when we reached Chicago avenue again (where Moody is located), then groaned at the fact that I still had to bike back to my place.

I am hurting. Maybe not the best way to kick off the biking season, my first time this year and going 15 miles.

I keep telling myself it's for physical fitness. You know, when I can't walk in the morning.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

It has been a ridiculously long time since my blog has seen any action. And I apologize for this fact. A 17 credit-hour semester is mostly to blame. Also procrastination during that 17 credit-hour semester. And sleepiness and fatigue due to the procrastination during that 17 credit-hour semester. I could go on...

Usually for me, the end of May means summer vacation's beginning. And while my 17 credit-hour semester is over and I am surely rejoicing, this summer is a lot different than any summer I have ever encountered. This is my first full summer living in Chicago, and on top of still working at Segway (now as a certified tour captain), I am interning two days a week with photographer Stephen E Gross (Real Life Weddings), taking two photography classes at Columbia, getting an apartment for June and July in Wrigleyville (Go Cubs!) and...

JOSIAH AND I ARE ENGAGED!


Tuesday afternoon, Josiah and I headed to Iowa to spend five days with our families and friends, and he popped the question near the half-way point, in Galena, Illinois. Josiah was pretty fatigued from his new job at the school and mentioned he had wanted to make more than one pitstop on the way back so he would stay awake. Little did I know that when I suggested we pull off in Galena to explore the downtown area, that we would make our way up a walking bridge over a river and I would be proposed to! It was wonderful, and beautiful, and we both cried a little in happiness. On the way home, we plugged in Josiah's iPod shuffle that he had filled with love songs... what a romantic guy. I am so blessed to have such a great fiance!

Philosophical Question of the Week

If a potassium deficiency is in fact what causes your body to bruise so easily, and bananas contain huge amounts of potassium, then WHY do bananas bruise so easily?

Striving vs. Abiding

I awoke this morning at 6am, reset the alarm for 7am, then 7:30am. I just could not get up, I was so tired. So I dragged myself out of bed finally and got dressed, combed the hair, brushed the teeth, and sat down on my futon to look over my assignment papers. I was still so tired, I fell asleep briefly. Finally I gave up, reset the alarm for 11:45am and crawled back into bed.

I should have been shooting all this morning, having all my film turned in by 10am, but I also needed the rest so badly. It's an overwhelming feeling, when you are so behind on everything and don't have the energy to do it. Once I finally got up, I grew anxious about trying to get it all done. I sat down at my computer and checked my email, and here's an email devotion that my dad forwarded on to me this morning. It was just what I needed. A great reminder that all my efforts will leave me exhausted, unless I abide in Christ.


Striving vs. Abiding

by Os Hillman

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. ~ Psalm 127:1a

What does it mean for the Lord to build the house? It almost seems a contradiction when we consider that we might be the builders in this passage. God wants us to allow Him to build the house. He explains further:

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:1-2).

God is telling us there is a way of working without striving. There is a way to conduct business without sweating and toiling for outcome. His warning to each of us is to avoid thinking that outcome is based on our sweat and toil. Outcome is based on obedience. That outcome is sometimes more than we deserve. Sometimes it is less than we hoped for. His desire for each of us is to see Him working in our daily work life. He wants us to avoid looking to our own effort to gain an outcome.

One day Jesus called out to Peter from the shore of the lake and suggested he throw his net on the other side of the boat. It was this simple act of obedience that yielded a tremendous catch that he would not have received unless he obeyed.

We are called to work; He is called to bring forth the fruit. He is the vine. We are the branches. Fruit comes forth naturally from a healthy tree.

Today, ask God to show you when you enter into striving. Ask Him to show you the difference between loving trust and obedience and striving for outcome. It can be challenging for us to balance this in our daily work experience. He wants to help us walk in this freedom and rest.

My Studio, aka The University Center

Today has been a busy busy day. I have taken a lot of pictures here in my building, some for assignments and some for fun. I will be forever grateful for the day that I have a real studio to work with and not my dinky light set, seams of cheap paper that need photoshop-ing, and the hassle of moving lounge furniture to set up my shoot. Though the situation may be less than ideal, however, I have gotten some really great shots today, and I am learning to make my little light set work some magic. Here are some of my shots from the day:


My beloved, half-heartedly posing for me (not really posing at all I guess you could say) as he watches the Avalanche beat the Redwings. Yay!


Tony, a resident on my floor who I randomly pulled from his room to sit for me. Ah, I love being an RA.


Ashley, a fellow RA, and a real sweetheart.


My wonderful roommate Hayley. We've concluded after today that she makes a good model, has good photo-viewing opinion/expertise, and a GREAT studio assistant.


Brentley = Happiness.


Chioma, who shall photographically stun the man that her mom is trying to set her up with with.


What else is new here in Chicago? Josiah and I went to the Colorado Avalanche game here at the United Center, and boy did we have a blast! We love going to hockey games, especially for $8.00 a piece. I think Josiah's dream is to live in Colorado together with season tickets. I have many more photos to post from the game, but I picked one of my favorites. We are kinda silly sometimes.


I've been swamped with assignments this week, the teachers are really piling it on with midterms around the corner. I just keep telling myself that there are less than two weeks until I'm in Hawaii! *Excitement ensues.* This past weekend I had a photography workshop for two days, and on each day, I shot nudes for about 6-7 hours. It was a good experience to have under my belt, though not really my favored genre of photography. Needless to say, I won't be posting any of those pictures online.

Well, that's all, take care everyone! Tomorrow I'll be up at the crack of dawn (actually before it!) to shoot pictures until around 10am. A full day ahead of me - wish me luck!