A Stealthy Surprise That I Didn't See Coming

I sat there frozen in disbelief as Cody knelt down in front of me with a tiny box in-hand. Looking around the room in the busy restaurant at the people watching this happen, I said, “Are you effing serious?!” Tears immediately began streaming down my face before the moment really even sunk in. As I sat there crying uncontrollably with my mouth wide open, utterly speechless, I failed to hear the remarks he had so carefully crafted and practiced. My mind was mush. I melted into Cody's arms before I even mustered any sort of coherent response. He stopped and apprehensively asked, “So...is that a yes?!” All I could do was shake my head up and down and quietly utter a “UH HUH," as I began sobbing even harder.

{My One-of-a-Kind Engagement Ring}

You think that you'd be ready for a surprise like that when you've been waiting 5 ½ years for it to happen. But you're really not. I thought I'd be jumping for joy. I thought I'd scream out loud in an attempt to get everyone's attention, but I was just in shock.

It occurred to me that it was somewhat odd that Cody wanted to plan a trip to Charleston. You see, we had spent October traipsing all over the Eastern US, and the last thing I wanted to do was take another trip so soon. However, he was adamant. That should have tipped me off, but it didn't. Getting engaged was the furthest thing from my mind because I was not going to get my hopes up only to be disappointed. He kept calling it a “girlfriend appreciation” weekend, which I thought was really sweet. In the 5 ½ years that we've been together that's never happened. That should have tipped me off, too, but it didn't!

{Me & Cody • Circa 2006}

My mind was elsewhere, I suppose. I'm glad, though, that I decided to let go and allow the trip to happen. Can you imagine if I said NO after all the preparations he made?! Talk about being disappointed. I'm sure that he was really relieved when I finally agreed to go on the quick getaway to Charleston. Who knew it'd take so much arm twisting to get me there?!

A QUEST TO CONCOCT A ONE-OF-A-KIND RING

When he presented the ring, I was a little baffled by its appearance. To be completely honest, I was thinking, “WTF?! Why is it so weird looking?!” The setting was askew and quite odd, nothing like the typical engagement rings I've grown accustomed to seeing. I think that the confused look on my face said more than the words I spoke, because Cody said, “If you're not happy with the way it looks, I can get the guy to recast the ring.” Secretly, he was hoping that's not what I wanted. The idea of being able to redo it was somewhat appealing, but I knew that wouldn't be right.

He then told me the story of how he so thoughtfully brought this token of love into existence. It began with his idea to have a ring made that had the look of a twig. We are both so connected to trees and nature that it seemed like a novel idea. The problem was finding someone that would agree to carry out his vision. From what I was told, there were countless emails and calls made to numerous jewelers only to be told that they wouldn't be able to help him.

{Me & Cody • Circa 2007}

Thankfully, that didn't stop his quest to find someone who would be willing to work with him and the diamond taken from his great Aunt's ring. It wasn't until a couple of months ago while talking to his boss that he got a recommendation for a local jeweler. After meeting with John from DogsKin Studios, he finally found someone who would be willing to help him bring this ring to life.

WHY I LEARNED TO LOVE MY RING

The ring was cast from a dying birch tree that I spotted while Cody and I were walking around Bass Lake on 09.10.11. We stopped to identify this tiny budding tree that was losing a battle to the beavers who had destroyed it. Finding a tree budding at this time of the year was pretty rare, but happened to be exactly what Cody was looking for. From what he told me, he took the opportunity to slip one of the twigs down his shirt sleeve without my knowledge, so that he could take it to John, so he could start creating the engagement ring.

{Me & Cody • Circa 2009}

After hearing the story of how this ring came to be, I began to love it a little bit more. I realized that his idea of a perfect ring was, in fact, pretty darn perfect. He revived a diamond from a family ring, melted down his class ring to create the setting which was cast from a twig that he selected while we were on a walk?! I mean, come on! It is truly one-of-a-kind and can really never be replicated or replaced. That's special. Knowing what he put into it makes me feel special, too.

WELL WORTH THE WAIT

After all the tears and unfounded fears that I had about reaching this level of commitment in our relationship, I now know that this was exactly the right time for this to finally happen. He proposed on 11.11.11 in the city of Charleston, SC, which happens to be one of our favorite places, with an engagement ring that embodies our love in the most perfect way possible.

{Me & Cody • Circa 2011}

A lot of care and thought was put into this proposal, and I feel extremely lucky to have someone like Cody by my side in this life. Someone who's been with me through the hard times and life-altering moments. Someone who loves me and accepts me for who am I no matter what fickle mood I may be in at the time. Our relationship is far from perfect. I am far from perfect, but we can overcome the imperfectness together.

While I am not ready to set a date or start planning a wedding, I am eagerly looking forward to and am excited about spending the rest of my life with the most amazing partner ever!

Question: Tell me...How do you keep love alive in your relationship? 

What advice do you have for a couple who are in it for the long haul?

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Confessions of a Lazy Travel Blogger

{Random Instagram Image}

Here's a fun fact: My first blog post was published on June 26^th of 2006. That means that I've been blogging on Wayfaring Wanderer for a little over five years now. Sheez louise, that's a long time! When I started blogging, I had no clue as to what it was all about. Honestly, I don't even remember how I learned about blogs or what actually made me start one. What I do recall is that blogging was something I started doing as a means to substitute what I was no longer able to do, which was rock climb. Wayfaring Wanderer didn't even start out as a travel blog, really.

(I've talked about why I was no longer able to do rock climb many times here on WW, so I won't get into any further detail about that, but if you're interested, you can get some insight here: How I Reached A Path of Happy Healing.)

Over the years, WW has taken on many different forms and has gone through several transformations in the process of my personal growth. There's a lot that I learned during this time, I've healed in ways that I never really expected (physically, mentally, and emotionally), and have had some crazy dreams come to fruition since the inception of my lil' ol' blog. From my solo journey to Oahu, Hawaii to the all expenses paid foodie blogger event in San Diego furnished by Sony Electronics, I've had a lot of awesome things happen over the years.

Blogging has been one of my most favorite outlets, but it's also come with its fair share of struggles along the way, too. What I love most is how I can look back on where I used to be, so that I can better appreciate where I am right now. Without acknowledging where you came from, it's hard to grasp how far you have come. At least, that's how I feel about it. Blogging has made that possible for me and that's another reason why I love doing it.

BAD HABITS DON'T BEGIN OVERNIGHT

When I get all sentimental and start sifting through my archives, I cringe at some of the old photos and how I mutilated them in photoshop with unnecessary filters and adjustments. Now, I barely bother making any adjustments to my images in photoshop. And my writing, oh lawdy, it was atrocious! However, with time (and practice), I got much better. To date, I've published 537 blog posts, so I'd hope that there were some lessons I learned along the way!

{Random Instagram Image}

Back in the day, I used to blog 5 days a week, which seems completely absurd to me now. I'm lucky if I can manage to publish one blog post a week. I've gone through phases where I'd blog a whole lot and then taper off to nearly nothing only to come back again full force. There's been a lot of up and down when it comes to blogging for me. It's easy to get burned out. If you're a blogger, you know! One thing I do know is that I've never given up on it entirely. I couldn't. For some crazy reason, it means too much to me to keep it going that I couldn't bear to quit all together!

I'M NOT REALLY LAZY, JUST INCONSISTENT

When I go quiet, it's not for lack of things to blog about, because I have a list of potential posts that's at least a mile long. And I'm always going somewhere fun and taking pictures along the way, so material is plentiful. In all honesty, I probably have enough stuff to blog about for the next year if I planned things out properly! There are so many places I meant to blog about, but never made the time to do so. Making time is one thing that is extremely important when it comes to putting together posts, and that's exactly where I've failed lately. I just haven't made the time. It's not that I've been o-so-busy. The truth is that I just haven't set aside the time required to get the job done.

{Random Instagram Image}

Another thing that I let cripple my ability to blog is just the fact that more eyes are reading my posts than ever before, and it's slightly overwhelming at times. You know, it was easier to blog when you knew that people weren't reading what you had to say. However, now that I have regular traffic, things have changed. As a result, I've become slightly more judgmental of what I produce. You'd think that it'd get easier over time, but that's not always the case. The problem is that I need to stop being so critical, and just put it out there! Who cares who does and doesn't like it, right?! Just get it out there so that opinions can at least be formed one way or the other.

MY PLAN FOR BECOMING A BETTER TRAVEL BLOGGER

One of my main issues with inconsistency is that I've never really come up with a schedule for my posts. I just sort of do them on the fly whenever I feel like it, which isn't the best way to approach blogging. That is, if you want to build your following and keep people coming back for more. After all this time, I finally realize that, and I'm prepared to do something about it. One thing that I need to revisit is the direction and design of my blog. The current layout is about 2 years old, and it doesn't really feel like me anymore because I've expanded my adventures beyond my own backyard. Since I've graduated with my graphic design degree, I think it's time to redesign WW, so it suits the type of traveler I am, not the traveler that I used to be 2 years ago.

{Random Instagram Image}

While I'm working on the Wayfaring Wanderer redesign, I will also be working on bringing you more content consistently. My goal is to blog at least 3x's a week with regular features. People seemed to enjoy the “Choose Your Adventure” series I experimented with last month, and I'd also like to revive “Foodie Fridays" because I'm always eating good food everywhere I go, and I would really like to share with you. If you have any ideas, throw 'em my way!

So, there you go: Confessions of a Lazy Travel Blogger

I'm far from being perfect when it comes to blogging, but I genuinely want to be better than I have been. One of my favorite things to do is share my photography and stories with you in hopes that it will inspire your own adventures close to home! If there is anything, in particular, that you'd like to see on WW, I'd love to hear any suggestions you may have. Please feel free to share here in the comments or on the WW Facebook page!


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My Birthday Weekend Recap | Boone, NC

I must confess. This year, I was a little bummed out about not having a grand getaway planned for my birthday. You see, for the past four years or so, taking a trip for my birthday has become a tradition, but not this year. It's mainly because October has shaped up to be a pretty packed month for us. So, I figured it would be best to stick close to home since plenty of travel lies ahead in the coming weeks.

When you compare a birthday spent in your typical surroundings to vacations in Hawaii and Las Vegas, you're bound to be met with a bit of disappointment. Thankfully, I still have vivid memories of those treasured times to sustain me until my next big escape. I make it sound like I never get to go anywhere! Haha Really, my birthday wasn't bad. In fact, it actually turned out to be pretty awesome with all the fun stuff we ended up doing.

My birthday started with Cody staying home from work, so I didn't have to spend the day alone. It was a nice surprise. We had breakfast at one of my favorite places in town, Melanie's. Then we walked around the Turchin Center to take in some art. Cody and I stopped in at Stick Boy Bread Company for a birthday sweet treat—a slice of mocha ganache cake. Later in the evening, after a pleasantly laid-back day, we headed up to Mellow Mushroom to hang out at the bar (it's become one of my favorite places to go). All in all, it was a pretty tame day. But it was just what I needed!

The birthday fun didn't really stop there, though. There were other plans in the works that I wasn't privy to. Friday evening, Cody had a surprise planned for me. It was fun not knowing what we were doing, that doesn't happen all that often around here because I'm the planner. I was extremely surprised to find that I'd be having dinner at a restaurant that I've wanted to eat at for quite some time now, The Mast Farm Inn. I couldn't help but giddily jump up and down as we walked toward the old farmhouse. It put the biggest smile on my face. The food was delicious, and I can't wait to share!

Still not ready to relinquish the birthday spree, we decided to head down to the town of Wilkesboro, NC on Saturday for the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival. We heard about the festival from a friend, and thought it sounded like fun. It covered a pretty large area and had hundreds of vendors selling food and handmade items. The event was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. As a bonus, we were able to get our fair-food fix in the process! Think turkey legs and cotton candy :D

Saturday evening, after the apple festival, we made our way to the Holmes Center here in Boone to catch the Appalachian Roller Girls' last match of the season. It was my first time getting to go to one of the events, so I was really looking forward to it. I still don't know the ins and outs of the rules, but I really enjoyed watching them throw down.

Recounting these birthday events makes me realize that we did a lot this past weekend! There was definitely no time for me to be bummed at any point about not going out of town. Once the weekend got going, I didn't really even think about it. Cody did everything he could to ensure that I had a wonderful birthday, and I'll be the first to tell you that he did a great job. It was an awesome birthday, and I can't wait to share more!

I do need some help, though. You can imagine that I have tons of photos to share with you, but I'm at a loss as to what I should show you first. To relieve some of the pressure, how about you help me choose which outing I'll cover here on Wayfaring Wanderer?!?! I'll admit that I've been somewhat of a slacker lately when it comes to sharing my adventures, so I could use some direction!

What would you like to see first? Refer to the photo above!

A.) Brushy Farm Apple Festival

B.) Surprise Dinner at the Mast Farm Inn (UPDATE: This is now posted!)

 C.) Appalachian Roller Girls (Derby) (UPDATE: This is now posted!)

Let me know by casting your vote in the comment section here on the blog. 

Or you can share your choice on the WW Facebook page. 

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Celebrating Spring with Shutterfly {Giveaway}

While it has most definitely warmed up here in the High Country, the weather still likes to yo-yo. Some days it's nice enough to keep the doors open, which the kitties really like, while other days, it's downright icy. Although not cold enough to warrant our monitor heater being turned back on. It's been at least a month or more since we shut it down, and I'm determined not to turn it back on at all to save oil. So far, our temperatures here in Boone, NC haven't dipped back down that far (knock on wood). Who knows, though, maybe we'll get one last snow?! I would be perfectly fine with that so long as it didn't kill all the precious plants people have begun growing, seeing them freeze is a crying shame.

After enduring frigid temperatures and snowfall during the harsh months of winter, spring is a highly welcomed and anticipated season for many folks across the country. A number of us are sometimes left aching for an inkling of days with warmer weather because those at lower elevations get to experience spring sooner than we do. It's torturous, and I find myself getting a little jealous of those enjoying warmer temperatures earlier in the season. What makes the transition even more difficult is seeing all the beautiful photographs of the blossoms blooming, because I am eagerly awaiting my turn to take some flower photos, too. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy getting a glimpse of what we will soon have coming our way, but it's such a tease! (I'm not the most patient individual)

As far as I'm concerned, we have officially crossed over into spring! The flowering trees, flip flops, and festivals are all sure signs that we are finished with the frosty days of winter. Whether or not it does decide to come back and pester us one last time, I'm over it. It's that simple. I'll stay focused on all the wonderful things I want to plan for the months ahead instead of worrying about what may or may not happen. Boone's weather has always had a mind of its own anyway, so being flexible (and prepared) is a must if you live up here in the mountains.

That's part of what makes being in Boone so awesome, though. This town is unpredictable and full of surprises! It's beautiful up here no matter what season it happens be. However, spring is so much sweeter since it follows the wintry weather most of us are desperately seeking a break from. I love spring and I'm celebrating it the best way that I know how; it involves a lot of time in the sun and being on the lookout for flowers!

Flowers are my favorite. I could take photographs of flowers for hours on end. Seriously, you let me loose in a garden, and you might be waiting days before I return. Some of the usual flowering trees that I like to revisit were just too quick for me to capture this year, but I'm keeping a close eye out now. One thing I keep reminding myself of is to enjoy spring while it lasts because it'll be gone before you know it!

The coming of spring brings many things (not just flowers), there are occasions to celebrate, new beginnings (and endings) to commemorate, along with other thrilling announcements to share with family and friends. Reasons to celebrate are all around!

How will you celebrate spring this year? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

This post is sponsored by Shutterfly for their Spring Announcements promotion. They will be providing a special giveaway that I am giddy about awarding. One winner will receive a Shutterfly promo code that is good for 50 5x7 flat or folded announcements/cards OR one 8x8 20-page photobook! You could use it for Mother's Day Cards, Birth Announcements, or any other occasion they have to offer. I'm excited about making a photobook, personally, because I have yet to do this with the plethora of images I'm hoarding on my hard drives. 

To ENTER the Shutterfly giveaway, all you have to do is leave your answer to this question in the comment section, “How will you celebrate spring this year?”. Extra entries (1 each) can be received by following Wayfaring Wanderer on Facebook or Twitter. Another entry can be gained from sharing a spring related photo (anything you choose) on the Wayfaring Wanderer FB wall. To let me know you have completed any of these steps for extra entries, just leave a message in the comment section of this post. Please be sure to include the pertinent information that I will need to contact you in case you are the winner. Thank you & Good luck! This giveaway is now CLOSED, the winner is announced HERE.

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How I Reached a Path of Happy Healing

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Chronic pain was part of my daily life for over 3 years. This was after I had major neck surgery to remedy the issues I was experiencing, which were 3 ruptured discs in my cervical vertebra. I was in the dark about what the source of this pain was for several months before finding a doctor that could properly diagnose me. At that point, I was at my wit's end with the daily pain, and I was willing to do practically anything to lessen or get rid of it entirely. The doctor assured me that after the procedure the pain would subside, and I would be back to 'normal' in a matter of months after my surgery. Having felt like I exhausted all of my other options, I decided to go through with the surgery. That was 4 years ago.

Today (Jan 31st), is the anniversary of that surgery. It seems sort of morbid for me to celebrate such a painful time in my life, especially since it completely changed everything about how I chose to live and what I was capable of doing physically. One thing that I missed terribly was my ability to rock climb. Before the neck issues, I climbed about 5 days a week—it was a huge part of my life. Even though I was left with a void that climbing could no longer fill, I was eventually ushered onto a new path that brought me to where I am today.

I overcame many obstacles during that time period that were extremely difficult for me to come to terms with. Now, I see how necessary it was for me to shed my old ways in order to be open to all the new experiences I wanted to have in my life. When I no longer had the ability to rock climb, I had more time to devote to photography. Reigniting my passion for taking pictures was one of the greatest gifts to come from this life-altering experience. Now, I look back on what happened as a blessing.

Not only did this experience guide me to a path where I am finally following my dreams, but it also helped draw me closer to a partner who has been there for me through thick and thin. Chronic pain can get the best of you sometimes if you don't have the will to fight against it; Cody was a real trooper when I had bad days. I'm very grateful that Cody has stuck by me through the good and bad.

It wasn't until April 2010 that those 'bad days' became few and far between. A friend introduced me to Yoga, and I've been practicing it almost daily since that time. There were moments when I felt as though the chronic pain would never go away. I consider myself extremely lucky that I could find a way to make that happen (finally). There were many occasions during the days of chronic pain that people suggested I take up Yoga, but I pretty much ignored their willingness to offer assistance. I'm glad that I finally wised up and changed this painful pattern once and for all.

This past year has most definitely been a time for healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's so nice to look back on this time last year when I had no idea that the discomfort I was experiencing would diminish. It's a reminder to me that something that is bothering or worrying you today won't necessarily be there as you get further down the road. The fact that I'm sitting in front of this computer without a stitch of pain is a testament to the fact that things don't always stay the same, even if we feel as though nothing is changing.

January 31st, 2011 I will gladly celebrate my neck surgery anniversary because, in a way, even though it could be considered one of the worst things to happen in my life (so far), it's also one of the best things to have happened to me, too. 

Related Links:

• One Year Surgery Anniversary (2008)
• Forgetting that Fear 

Facing My 30's Fearlessly!

In a few short hours, I will be crossing the threshold of my tumultuous twenties and stepping into, what I know will be, my burgeoning thirties. Unlike many other people passing this milestone, I won't be entering my thirties plagued by hesitation or crippled by reservations. Quite the contrary, actually.

For the first time in my life, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be, barreling down a path that I'm not afraid to conquer. It's scary, yes. But I'm not scared.

I'm also not feeling unsure or confused about what I should be doing with my life because I know, and I'm doing it. It's been staring me dead in the face for longer than I care to admit, but I wasn't ready to fully engage with such "risky" endeavors until now.

In the past seven months (since I was laid off), there have been some major transformations taking place to prepare me for this next phase. Being pushed into doing something that I wouldn't have mustered the courage to do on my own has turned out to be the greatest gift I could have ever been given.

Since I've been away from the confines of an oppressive office environment, I have realized that the talents I possess shouldn't be squandered. Instead of quickbooks and spreadsheets, I should be utilizing my camera and other skills to demonstrate what it is that I am really capable of creating.

Along with awakenings, this time has been for healing, too. Emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally, nothing has been exempt. I have emerged an entirely different person, one who is happy, confident & motivated. And I'm feeling more determined than ever to transform my long-held dreams into a reality.

So, no, I'm not scared of facing the vast amounts of amazingness that lies ahead of me. Okay, so, maybe I'm actually terrified. But you know what?! I'm going to do it anyway :D

This is me saying that I'm willing to do what it takes to make it happen, all while embracing the unknown with reckless abandon. I want you to know....I want the universe to know....Hell, I want to shout it from the rooftops! I'm not afraid of the BIG BAD 3-0! Bring it :P

You know what else I want to shout from the rooftops? That, I love you. You, meaning, all the beautiful people who support me and believe that I have something special to share. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, it really means the world to me.

Related Links:

• A Reminiscent Roundup: Oahu, Hawaii {This is where I was last year on my BIRTHDAY!}
• Wordful Wednesday

Travel Quote: Journeys

It has been one busy month. Not that I'm complaining because I obviously enjoy being on the go. In the past few weeks we have taken a trip to Charleston, attended the Music on the Mountaintop Festival and hung out with friends at a house on the lake for Labor Day weekend. 

In between those adventures I have also been busy trying to stay on top of schoolwork (graphic design studies) and fit in a few projects of my own. One of which included my very first bonafide photo session. The maternity session went very well and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I hope to share once the clients have had the chance to look them over. Tomorrow, I get to do the pictures of their new addition, which I am equally excited about!

So, yeah, I've barely had time to breathe. And, really, there's no end in sight until winter hits. That's when I'll hibernate (maybe). This morning I woke up to do yoga on the porch with 55 degree temp. Apparently, we will still have some summery temps with highs of 80 for a little while, though. I rather like the cool nights and chilly mornings with sunshine sprinkled in the middle.

Fall is right around the corner. It is one of my favorite times of year, but I'm also happy that winter is on the way. We've had such an action packed spring/summer and I'm ready to slow down a little bit and catch up.

Just a quick note: There's a watermark at the top right hand corner of my photo. After finding yet another one of my images being used without my permission or proper credit, I finally decided it's time to add one. It physically sickens me to find my photos being used by someone who doesn't have the courtesy to say, "Hey, this is who took it."

I really don't know how I've found them being used,as many times as I have, but it also makes me wonder how many I DON'T find. This time, I decided that Ive learned my lesson and that if I continue to let it happen, it's my fault. I know that adding a dumb ol' watermark won't absolutely prevent people from using them, but it may make doing so a little more difficult. I want to share. I don't want to hoard my photos for fear that someone will use them and pass them off as their own. Those people suck, btw. Seriously. So, yeah, I added a watermark.

Where We Wandered: Highlights from 2009

This is by far the longest I have been MIA from this blog. I've thought about blogging those excluded adventures more times than I can count, but my follow through is what was lacking; I kept finding something else to do. It seems like the longer you let it go, the easier it is to keep letting it be.

It started with me becoming much busier than I anticipated when I took on a new responsibility and it basically just snowballed from there. I haven't really told too many people about my new endeavor, but I suppose that there's no harm in sharing with you now. In November, I started a journey which includes taking classes that will help me acquire skills needed to work in Graphic Design. During this time I will still be keeping my regular 40 hour a week work schedule, which has created great difficulty in my efforts to maintain balance, but I am slowly learning how to stay sane.

This is why I had to temporarily let blogging fall (even further) to the wayside, that, and I seem to go through a similar phase around this time every year. My once a week blog post should have been easier to manage, but alas, I couldn't even keep that going! I have so many great things to share with you that I haven't been able to lately, although I will have time to play catch up before our next big excursion--Puerto Rico in March. Until then, I would just like to start the year by reflecting upon what has been posted thus far.

*A few Highlights from 2009*

• We joined PACT, a non-profit associated with the NC Wildlife Federation. I took on the task of creating and maintaining their newsletter and other media. Doing the newsletter is really what helped me realize that I was very interested in learning more about graphic design. Current Project: Newsletter for PACT
• I went snow tubing for the first time (March 09)! haha Not a huge highlight, but it's good for a laugh :D Sunday Flurry

• Last year's first vacation wasn't until April when we went to the Outer Banks of NC for Cody's Birthday. Some sand and sea images may be just what you need right now if you've been battling winter like we have! Outer Banks Series
  

• Spring was when we got really busy! First camping trip to Mount Pisgah, Stumbled upon Moore Cove Falls, and we attended Appalachian Trail Days.
• We beat the summer heat at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

• I conquered my fear of public speaking!! Before and After.
• Waterfalls, Wildlife and Caves....Oh, My! In July 2009 we went to Shenandoah National Park where we did lots of hiking, saw tons of wildlife and toured a cave. It was a beautiful place!
  

• A relaxing getaway to Hot Springs, NC was one of my favorites.

• MY BIGGEST TRIP OF THE YEAR was when I went to Oahu, Hawaii for my birthday. It was also pretty monumental because I went on that adventure solo (without Cody), which was HUGE for me. I left with a new vision and direction for where I wanted my life to go, a life changing event to say the least. Oahu Hawaii Series
  

• Our first time going to the NC State Fair was also a blast!
  

*Click on the italicized links to be taken to blog posts with more photos*

WOW! I'd say that we had a pretty action packed 2009, wouldn't you--and that's not even all of it?! Looking over my archives helped me to realize the numerous changes I have undergone over the past 12 months. And to think that I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough?! haha I think that this simplified outline can prove otherwise. The transformation, however, is no where near complete...well, really, it won't ever be. One thing that I do know is that Cody and I encountered a great deal of highlights throughout 2009, and I can only hope that 2010 will bring just as many discoveries as the year unfolds.

I hope you all had a terrific holiday season! :o)

Taking the Leap

Well, I did it!

And, truthfully, it wasn't that bad. I practiced with Cody what I had planned
to say, but in the end, I really didn't use the entire 'speech'. Before the meeting I
received so many reassurances about my public speaking concerns because I
couldn't help but share my anxieties. Talking about it helped me overcome my
worry, and the support was more than I could ask for. I can't say that I felt
completely at ease, but I held my composure fairly well. It feels great to say
that I actually faced this crippling fear, and as a result, I may do it again.
Hopefully, with far less anxiety next time. Someone suggested that I do a
class on Photoshop to help with their newsletters!?!? We'll see.

Thanks again for your encouragement and well wishes!

On Sunday, we did have time to do a little sightseeing.
I hope to have a field trip ready for Friday!!

Facing a Fear

My hands begin to sweat, and my heart begins to race. It picks up so quickly that it is feels as though it is going to explode from my chest! The further along I go, the worse it becomes. This is me in front of a crowd. Nervous. Just thinking about it gets me worked up. I'm going to share a secret: For as long as I can remember, I have avoided public speaking *gasp*. For me, it's a big deal. And, I'm really tired of "it" being a big deal, too. I want that to change.

Some of you may remember me mentioning that Cody and I joined PACT. This conservation group is the local chapter of the NC Wildlife Federation. When I became a member, I also took on the responsibility of Newsletter & Media Chair since they had open positions. I wanted to help.
This was my first time doing a newsletter, but I was willing t to learn.

Erin (The President) gave me full creative control, which just made the task even more daunting. But, I managed to come up with some ideas after scratching around on the internet. For the record, the term "scratching around" equates to hours and hours!! I've become a lot more comfortable with creating these sorts of things in the past few months.

"So...what does this have to do with public speaking?"

Well, Christopher North, the Conservation Director at the NC Wildlife Federation, asked if I would give a little talk about the newsletter I do for PACT at a Leadership Training Summit this weekend in Charlotte. Other local chapters will take part, too. It sounds a lot bigger than it really is. Anyway, my first instinct when I read his request email was, HECK NA!! followed by, I CAAAN'T DO THAT!! Then, I decided not to respond immediately with my usual gut reaction. Instead, I gave myself a little time.

I am choosing to thrust myself OUT of my comfort zone! For real. I'm freaking out!
I need encouragement. And LOTS of it.
Wish me luck!

Newsletter Samples
*The PACT logo was NOT created by me.

And I thought it was April?!

Every possession and every happiness is but lent by chance for an uncertain time,
and may therefore be demanded back the next hour.
~Arthur Schopenhauer~


On one hand:
My car ran perfect to and from our weekend destination.
I was perfectly healthy, not a cold or infection in sight.
We were given some lovely spring weather.

On the other:
Today, it is stalling out on me!
Last week, I was plagued with a sore throat and sinus congestion. (I felt horrible)
The minute you turn your back, you get hammered with SNOW. (In April!)


In so many ways I can relate to this quote right now. For days, I have scanned pages of quotes looking for something that could encompass this somewhat turbulent time period I am experiencing. It wasn't until today that I found one. Now, those are not the only reasons I was on a hiatus. When I would feel the fleeting urge to blog, it was swiftly met by another urge that forced my attention elsewhere. I just didn't have the desire or inclination to make it happen.

Cody and I traveled back to Kingsoport, TN for my cousin Cahty's wedding this past weekend. Preparation for the trip dominated the majority of my spare time but I still had loose ends! Thankfully, everything went pretty smoothly despite the mishaps encountered along the way.

An eventful visit with my Dad was probably the highlight of my weekend though. The wedding was great, but I hardly ever get to hang out with my Dad. If it weren't for the wedding, I would have only seen him once this year while I was home at Thanksgiving. I wasn't the only one glad to see my Dad, Cathy was overjoyed to have her blood relatives with her on the special day.

My Dad was asked to walk her down the aisle since her Dad couldn't be there in the flesh. He carried a mini-laptop that connected a live feed of every step to her parents via a video chat. The power of technology allowed them to experience it with her even though they were 7,000 miles away. Isn't that amazing! Oh yeah, I almost left out that I was a bridesmaid.

Sunday was our free day and we all stumbled upon some pretty fun things to do. Guess what?! We are going on a field trip this Friday! So, please have your permission slips signed and turned in no later than Thursday evening. Hope you can make it!

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

Clearly, Out of Focus

Photography deals exquisitely with appearances,
but nothing is what it appears to be.
~Duane Michals~

I am extremely honored to announce that Wonder Collides was an
Award Winner in this years Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition!
I probably don't really have to admit that I was plum tickled to find out the wonderful news, but I WAS :)

This year, we really enjoyed the photographer's reception, and spent much of our time schmoozing with other attendees. Last year, I didn't talk to anyone, really. It just goes to show how much has changed during this time. I definitely felt a whole lot more confident this go round. And maybe having been through it last year lessened any anxiety I would have experienced. I'm sure that it was a combination of many things. Either way, we had a great time, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate.

After the reception, we headed over to the Banff Mountain Film Festival since they awarded free tickets to all photographers in the competition. I really like that these events coincide with one another. We saw some really great films. Lucky for me, I didn't have an emotional breakdown like last year! However, they did have some very touching and awe-inspiring movies, but none that made me cry like a baby.

I'll let you in on a little secret:
I knew I was going to win all along :o)

Hope you all had a terrific weekend!

Dancing with the Daffodils

Posted in Today's Flowers

~Daffodils Brings the Spring~

We all love the daffodils,
We place upon our window sills.
We like how their pretty faces,
Brighten up our living spaces.

Is it Spring or Winter still?
Look upon the nearby hill.
Spring is here with tweet and trill,
If there blooms the daffodil.

If you do not find it there,
You have no need to despair.
Try as gloomy Winter will,
It can’t hold back the daffodil.

Dark green blades and bright faces,
It will bloom in all places.
You might as well give it room
The daffodil intends to bloom.

By: Linda Burns

I spent very little time "Dancing with the Daffodils" this weekend. I did, however, spent much of my time working on PACT's monthly newsletter. I was also attempting to learn how to do an html email, but after a few hours, I gave that up. Deciding that a pdf file would be just as good, I was able to finally get somewhere with the design. So far, I am pretty happy with what I have come up with. Once finished, I will share it with you--one more page to do. This is my very first newsletter, I hope that with time, I get better at laying them out. A few weeks ago, I signed up to be PACT's communication and media chair, so I will have more chances to streamline the process.

Surely, you had a more exciting weekend than I did. What did you get into?

Transformation takes Time

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
~Anaïs Nin~

{A Video: For the Photographer*}

If you are a creative type, I highly recommend that you watch this video.


I have watched it a few times. I love this video.
What I would have to say about this piece now, can't
compare to how I felt when I first saw it and left a comment.

Your words most definitely struck a cord with me…..
this is truly a treasure I am glad to have stumbled upon……Right now, I feel human.

We all struggle to find our own voice.
You are not alone, my friend.
-WW

*or any other creative type

Amongst the Chaos

Weekend Notes

1. Frames Finished: 5
   
2. Need: Eco-Friendly Glass Cleaner
3. Order Prints for completed frames
4. I am enjoying this book: Blue Highways: A Journey into America
   
5. We took a brisk photowalk on Saturday afternoon, the temperature was 61!
   
6. Friday we visited local shops and dropped off Valentine Cards to sell!
   
7. Saturday we got ready to go out, but ended up just staying home. Next time.
8. I have been gathering images for my vision board and tonight I started laying it out. Hopefully, I will finish it tomorrow.
9. Also, have you noticed the FREE desktop background over on the side bar?!
   

I feel like we had a productive yet laid back weekend.
How was yours?

Golden Boundary

“Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow”

Norman Vincent Peale


The anniversary in which I spoke of in my last post is connected to my neck surgery. Saturday, Jan 31st marked two years since I had 3 discs removed from my neck. I can tell you that my healing is far from over because I continue to struggle with pain every single day. Luckily, some days are better than others. I know I don't expose my daily issues with you on a regular basis, but I think that this passing is worth acknowledging.

After deciding that my anniversary wasn't going to be spent focusing upon where I have been, but upon where I wanted to go, I needed to find some inspiration. Something that would propel me out of this funky-dunk I have been in. What better way to do so than to take steps in the direction of where I hope to be. I have been thinking a lot about my photography and who I am as a photographer. More importantly, I have been giving much thought to where I want it to take me.

So far, I've had some great things happen for me in terms of photography and believe me, I am eternally grateful, but I want to go beyond what I have become comfortable with. It's easy to enter photos in a contest, but what about really putting yourself out there? That's what I aim to do.....put myself out there! And what better place to start than in my very own community. It's not that I haven't given thought to it before, but back then I wasn't fully equipped to follow through with such notions. But I'm ready now!

Cody and I spent Saturday galavanting around town visitng local galleries and shops. Galleries and shops where I could potentially sell my offerings. I mainly wanted to see what else was out there and whether or not I could compete. I determined that I could and that I would. Even though I wasn't prepared to show them anything, we couldn't resist talking to the owners/shopkeepers about how to go about doing so. We did, however, spend this weekend getting some things ready so I can return prepared. This is something that will benefit the both of us. Cody can make the frames and I can take the pictures! We are the perfect combo :o)

I don't think that I have to tell you that I was beaming after such positive encounters, but it really did feel good to just do it! I should be more proactive in "putting myself out there" without fear of being rejected because it's gonna happen no matter what. It's better than not doing anything at all!!

~

I really can't thank you enough for the boundless encouragement and support this wonderful community creates. I truly feel lucky to have folks like you to share and draw inspiration from.
Thank you.

If you're interested (links):

• More insight about my surgery.
• Good things that have happened to me in photography so far: here and here
• The cards we made to sell in the local shops: Etsy shop
  

The Alternative to Resolutions

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

Traditional methods of "getting things done" just haven't worked for me. Time and time again I will find that 'to-do' at the end of my list that will inevitably get transferred over to the next one I create. I have often wondered why I do that. Is it the task itself that seems daunting? Or is it just not that important? But, if it wasn't that important how did it end up on my list in the first place? Well, I let go of the why and instead concentrated on what I knew. I finally understood that my relationship with those to-do's needed to change, but how?

I decided to reformat my life.....

As I looked over the seemingly endless to-do list, I realized that all of my items could fit into a category. I began to formulate categories with a general idea in mind, areas in which I wanted to place more of my focus on but can't seem to find the time to do so. I hand selected the categories while keeping what I value and love about life in mind, as well as those hiding in between. I started with a pretty long list to say the least.

Breaking down the reformation......

Having a list of things I wanted to do within a week's time was far better than adhering to a list that didn't allow for deviations. It basically gives me a selection of to-do's that are parallel to my ever changing moods. I am still keeping a master list of items, but have included a weekly category sheet where I add accomplished tasks that get paired with the closest matching category. Since defining the categories is up to me, some things can go in to more than one. By mid-week, I surprised myself with how much I managed to get done.

How to go about reformatting your own life.....

The categories are made up of keywords, all of which I believe are important for me to achieve. I came up with mine based on the things I love/like to do and more importantly the things I wanted to focus on doing more. Having this list has forced me to find ways of incorporating those to-do's in a way that works best for me. As a result, I have crossed off a lot more items!

I know what you're thinking, "This is as clear as mud!" or "What are these so called categories?!" I've got something better than lengthy explanations about what I picked and why. How about a visual aid! You know I love those.



I'm sure you can see why my list contains certain items within, if you were to make a list, I bet you would come up with a few of the same selections. Of course this method won't work for everyone, but if you think it will work for you, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. If anything, you may create some new habits that are actually good for you!

Who knows...maybe you'd be brave enough to share your categories or alternative methods of getting things done?! If that sounded like a double-dog-dare.....it was! :o)

Melancholy Mood

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

My mind and emotions are in the process of recharging.
Keeping a low profile is the best I can do right now.

Enthusiasm and energy have temporarily fallen to the wayside,
and as a result I'm finding motivation harder to come by.
Daydreams, however, those are plentiful!


“For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.”

~William Wordsworth



Tomorrow, on WW you will find a guest post from Cody!
He will be sharing our newest green initiative.
So, please check back.

Moments : Scary Thought

the impulse is strong
impossible to ignore
Glorious Journey



“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality,
and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.”
~Samuel Johnson~


As far as travel goes, I'm pretty new on the scene. Even so, there is no mistaking that its magical grip has taken a hold of me, and I don't foresee that it will be letting loose any time soon. This innate and undeniable desire to move consumes me in ways that were completely foreign just a few years ago. In fact, traveling isn't the only thing that's new to me.....Photography.....that's new, too. I didn't get serious about photography until I had my neck injury/surgery and since then it has, what I've said on many occasion, filled a hole that rock climbing left behind. This hobby is anything but a passing phase, if anything, the passion I have for my chosen craft grows stronger by the day. My photography also lead me to traveling more, before 10/2007 I had never stepped foot on an airplane. Even though I've only done it twice since then, I now crave to pack up and go!

When thinking about vacations I always find myself dreaming about the west coast. This year, I plan to take my birthday trip on that side of the country, again. I can't help it, staying away is just not an option. After getting a taste of Big Sur the Pacific Coast will always remain near and dear to my soul. I think about that April 08 vacation all the time. It was truly an amazing experience for me. I was lucky enough to witness some of the most breathtaking sights along the coast of Big Sur, however, I do want to venture to new territory. Let's face it, I'm a new traveler and I've got a lot of ground to cover, especially since I haven't even been abroad yet! Seriously.

I want to formally announce for the sake of myself and the universe where I plan to go for my birthday trip in October, but I sort of want it to be a bit of a surprise. I also want to do a giveaway when I do it, so be on the look out.

This is a photo of a collection I just found a home for. I'm sure you've collected random bits while on vacation or an afternoon stroll. In my collection you will find shells, cool rocks, sea glass, frilly feathers, mini cones, dead butterflies, and whatever else catches my eye! I put that little reminder in with the items since most of them were picked up while we were on a trip. I read those words, "Imagine Life Without Vacations", and I cringe!! All the more reason to keep my eye on the prize.

Posted in Haiku Friday, & Photostory Friday

Harmonious Me

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

Happiness is when what you think, what you say,
and what you do are in harmony.
~Mahatma Gandhi~

This Week:

• Cody walked me to work on Monday and along the way we saw the most magnificent rainbow. Getting my hair soaking wet ended up being worth it.
• Speaking of hair...I still need to share some photos....I'll get on that!
• I realized that we still have a blender. I bought some fruit, yogurt, and juice to make smoothies. They are so yummy and super duper easy to make. I used frozen fruit.
• The above photo was taken on our Sunday afternoon walk. The weather was unbelievably warm for this time of year.
• However, the daily rain may prevent me from getting in another walk this week. Maybe the forecast will change?! We'll see.
• I'm also happy about getting to bed earlier, which is why I need to cut this short. G'night.