Friday, October 19, 2012

Challenge Day 4: Something You Feel Strongly About

This challenge thing is really challenging me! I get all excited and then my brain kinda just stops and I can't think of anything to reply to it! Hmmm....I feel very strongly aboutttt....being happy about just who you are.

I feel somewhat like a hypocrite saying this, because I have yet to get to that point completely, but I do think it's something we need to value more. I think that you can't be happy in anything you do unless you are happy with yourself. You can't be happy with someone if you don't trust who you are. Being yourself and being comfortable in your own skin is key to overall happiness. If you accept yourself, you can be happy doing anything - work, life, friends, relationships.

Not too long. But it will have to do. Look for one more post for today! I will hopefully have up my baby/family pictures I just did :)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Challenge Day 3: A Risk I Took

Hmmm this one actually has me pretty stumped. There's a lot of things I've done in life that I don't necessarily consider as risks. I think that a lot of things I do, because that's what needs to be done at that time! But let me think....

I know Megan will probably be like, oh Michelle, you're such a copy-cat, but it's probably the biggest risk I've taken thus far. Now granted I went with a group, but going to Australia was huge for me.

Growing up I knew I wanted to travel, I wanted to see the UK, Italy, Germany, Poland - most of Europe actually (that could be my obsession with anything WWII though...), but Australia, for some reason, wasn't ever really on my list of places to go. Until it was. I think the biggest part of Australia being a risk, is that I had literally 2 days before we left, turned 18. I had just graduated high school. I had no clue what I was walking in to!

The worst part of that trip? The stupid flight. When you spend a grand total of 36 hours in air, bus, or waiting, you don't tend to want to do anything.

We had some grand times in Australia.
   - It was the first place I had my first legal drink
   - I went snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef
   - I had to navigate bus schedules on my own
   - I lived with a family I had never met and without anyone else in my group for a week
   - I for the first (and last time ever) had to hitch hike to get home
   - And I met the most amazing people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. People who are nice and friendly and open because that's just how life is! You'd never meet too many people in the US like that.

I would love to go back one day. Maybe even a one-way flight?

There's so many other things that happened, but I don't think I could get through this post too quickly. Needless to say, I had a travel bug; traveling to a different country (that isn't Mexico or Canada) only heightened it. If this question had popped up after July of next year I would definitely say Rio is going to be that risk of a lifetime.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? Hahahahaha talk to me in a year!

Me and my roomie Megan (not the same Megan I'm copy-catting)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Challenge Day 2: My Family

Before the past two years, this would've been a really really easy post. Now? Not so much. My family has become a tumultous mix of confusion, due to my parents going through their divorce. But in the sense that I hope my family reads my blog here we go:

My Dad
  - my dad was someone I always looked up to when I was little. Not to get too deep into things or to try to rock boats or anything, but we've definitely grown apart lately. Not that I'm not trying to stay open-minded; but with his brain injury it's hard to talk reason sometimes.


This was my family pre-divorce proceedings.

My Mom & Sister
  - these two have become my rock. Not that we are bffs and get along all the time, but they're who are still here. Without them I wouldn't have a place to live, I wouldn't have what I have today. They are here through all the tears and fights and frustrations and we have definitely learned to deal with each other much better than we used to.




Lastly, My Brother
  - I miss my brother. I miss being able to freely talk to him. I feel like there is a void that has grown between us in the past year or so due to "choosing sides" so to speak. I wish (and hope) he was reading this and if he is that he knows I love him and miss him and wish that these things didn't have to keep us all apart.  And I'm stealing his fb picture as I don't think we have anything updated with any of us.


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Watch for Some New Photos & Challenge Day 1!

So I totally realize how lonely my blog has been lately, but I've been uber busy trying to be a socialite (that I'm so not) lately! Quite honestly there's a bit of an infatuation going on, but that's not public knowledge at the moment! :)

However, to sorta get the ball rolling again, I have done a recent photo shoot (with the promise of a few more before winter). It was the first time I'd done a baby shoot and, if I do say so myself, I feel it went really well! Baby Emma is still so tiny that we couldn't do a whole lot because she still can't support her own head, but what we did get are some pretty priceless pictures! Make sure to keep coming back because they'll be up here real shortly! I may just leave one for ya ;)

So, I did decide (after reading a fellow friend's blog) that I want to do this challenge. It's a 30 day thing, and they're generally short and sweet and to the point kind of things so it should be pretty easy. Should.

Here it is and I'll post to my first challenge question.

1. Five traits you like in a guy/girl
2. Your family
3. A risk you took
4. Something you feel strongly about
5. A book you love
6. Bullet your whole day
7. Your views on mainstream music
8. Five pet peeves
9. What you ate today
10. How important you think education is
11. Your academics
12. Put your music player on shuffle and write the first ten songs that play
13. Five guys whom you find attractive
14. A movie that you love
15. What you wore today
16. Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality
17. Something you always think “what if …” about
18. Something that you are proud of
19. A problem that you have had
20. Five items you must have
21. Your fears
22. Your hopes for the future
23. One of your favorite memories
24. Something that you miss
25. Five words/phrases that make you laugh
26. Something you’re currently worrying about
27. A quote to try to live by
28. Somewhere you’d like to move to or visit
29. Five weird things that you like
30. One thing you’re excited about

Ok so to get this all started: question numero uno - Five Traits You Like in a Guy

1. A Sense of Humor: I'm sorry, I like to be serious just as much as the next person, but people who take life too seriously end up not living. I like someone who knows when to be funny, but also when to be more serious.

2. Tall: I know, I know. I get that I come in around 5'3'' and that all my tall friends are like, save the tall ones for us why don'tcha! But I honestly like a guy to be at least 5 inches taller than me. I want to be able to rest my head on his chest.

3. Not Stick Skinny: seeing as I already sound like a brat, let's add another. I (as most of you know if you've read any of this blog) have some reservations about my weight (face it, who doesn't!) and I just can't date someone who is skinnier than I am. That's awkward and I would feel like I would squish them! I'm not talking rock hard abs (although I'd like a bit of muscle), but get some meat on them bones!

4. Family Oriented: I want to marry someone who has the same ideals as I do. He needs to be family oriented. Maybe not right away, but I do want a family and I want someone there who wants a family just as much. Someone who isn't afraid to work hard for the good things in life.

5. Driven: Not necessarily to the point of work-a-holic, but someone who knows what they want in life and have worked toward it. This doesn't mean you have to be a rocket scientist, just have goals in mind and the initiative to achieve them!

6. Looking back I think I should probably have 6 since it wanted traits not attributes and I listed two attributes lol so for number 6: A Good Sense of Integrity and A Moral Code: I don't want to deal with lies, dishonesty, cheating, etc. I want someone who isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in and fess up to his misgivings. Someone who isn't perfect, but can accept that he is mortal, he will make mistakes and that it's ok to learn from those mistakes.

Pretty tall orders I suppose. But then again, I really don't think I get any guys who actually read this. I hope that Megan is ok with me taking this. It sounded fun!

Here's a preview at Baby Emma's photos :) expect more!


Oh and if you couldn't tell, I finally decided on a company name :) EP is short for elllium:photography

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Most Traumatic Experience of My Life

Ok, while the title may be a little over-exaggerated; it's not by much. Last weekend we went on a four wheeling trip to the Eastern part of Utah; to a place called Carter Creek. So, because I had to work, my mom and sister went up earlier in the day with everyone else that was going. The directions weren't very clear and there was absolutely no cell service up there.

After I got off work, I went home and packed and had left the house by 5:30. It should've only taken about 3 hours to get there, but just as I was coming out of Park City, I ran into a traffic jam. And when I say traffic jam, I mean dead stand still, put your parking brake on, traffic jam. It took me no less than an hour to get down the road 9 miles.

Well, the light was definitely fading by the time I hit Evanston and I still had around 60 miles to go. With no way to get a hold of my mom and sis, I was left to my own devices and the hope that the directions I had were correct. My gas was getting low, but I made the decision to not fill it up - I had, at the time, more than a 1/4 tank left. Well, as it turns out the directions SUCKED! I went wayyyy past the turn - which, by the way, if you're going south on I-150, don't show where you turn off, but do if you're going north. So I blundered along, and turned off on the road I assumed was the right one. Needless to say, after the 4 miles I was supposed to travel, the camp was still not showing up and by now it was pitch black. My gas was going down and it was now 9:30 pm. I was utterly lost. I kept going back to the ranger station, but there were always weird cars with just a sole guy driving, so I refused to get out! I was in tears and couldn't believe I was as lost as I was. By now I figured, well might as well try going back.

Of course this is when I realized the sign was facing the north. I finally got turned onto the right road and made my way toward the camp. It goes without saying, that by now I had been crying for a good half hour. I hadn't wanted to sleep in my car, let alone be stuck in someplace I didn't know, without a gas station for 50 miles. I didn't make it to our camp site until 10. I didn't ever think I would have a thing like this happen, and I never realized how scary it would be until I was in that situation. I just kept thinking of all those horror movies when people get lost in the woods and die! Yes, again, an over-exaggeration, but still!

Word to the wise, always fill up on gas, and google things before you leave!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

22 Things in July

So as I haven't really posted for like, all month, I figured since I turned 22 this year I would give you the top 22 things that have happened this summer to me (by the way, I'm really, really good at making lists):

1. Well since this is the number one thing that has happened this month, and since my birthday is the 1st day of July, I think my birthday comes in at number one on my list for this summer! Happy 22nd to me!

2. My best friend in the world came to Utah for 2 weeks! We had so much fun in everything we did! Thank you for saving me from boredom Amy :)

3. We started painting the house. This doesn't sound too fun, I know, but it's been so much fun seeing color come to life on our walls. Something that hasn't happened in over 10 years (since we bought this house).

4. I have spent the most money in my whole life this month. At least that's how it feels. I feel like I've been very much so broke. Not a good feeling I would like to let you all know!

5. I have drank the most alcohol in my life this month. I mean, if we're talking shots of pure alcohol then, no not this month; but, with Amy, who I must say loves her alcohol, it was like all the time! I have fun with alcohol, but it's a lot more fun when  you have someone else who likes to have fun :)

6. This summer has been the most relaxed summer I've had in a long time! We haven't really gone a lot of places, but we have had a nice relaxed time!

7. This is a first in my life: we did not buy fireworks this year. Not that I felt bad, in fact, I felt better NOT buying them because of all the fires that have happened this year.

8. We saw the Disney movie Brave. Which I must say, was an amazing movie!

9. I finally (after years of asking) got a KitchenAid mixer! It's beautiful, espresso brown and I love it! I have already used it multiple times!

10. I didn't have a single photo shoot this month. Hopefully soon I'll be taking a lot of pictures!

11. Helped host my first yard sale. Note to those who think it's easy, it's not. We spent 13 hours setting up before spending another 12-14 for two days to sell everything - still didn't sell everything, but made a good pull.

12. Tried finishing my bathroom. Have to figure out the spout and faucet for the bathtub but we got new lights put in (need better light bulbs) and we're getting the door knob put in today! Stupid cheap doors that don't have anything chiseled!

13. Finally, like most people have already, been forced to join timeline on fb. I hate when facebook forces you into something. Which they seem to do very often. Can I just say ugh? It looks sloppier, and I feel like it isn't as easy to use. I'm sure other people think differently, but I don't really enjoy it. Lame.

14. Found my therapuetic hobby. Painting by paint brush and not by roller. I can't tell you how many people have looked at me like, really? get over it. We all need something to help us relax at night. Well, painting isn't definitely mine.

15. Have really enjoyed having DVR this summer. I don't know how I lived without it in life before now. It's been amazing to be able to watch my favorite shows when I have the time! It has especially been really nice for this year's Olympics. I love the olympics, but rarely get to actually watch them in full. Or even get to watch the sports I even want to actually see. However, I am frustrated that we don't have NBCSports. I really wanted to watch Soccer. Sigh.

16. Speaking of soccer, I don't think I ever mentioned it when it actually happened, but back at the endish of June (which really shouldn't make it on to my July countdown) I registered to play on a 19 and over soccer team! :) I can't tell you HOW excited I am to actually get to play soccer again! It's all rec league but I'm so excited I can barely contain it. We will start practices in August. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful soccer relationship for the first time since high school!

17. I have been trying to make a decision as to how to drive greener (as well as save myself some cash!). I got a brand new bike at Christmas, my work is only 7 blocks, but it's 7 blocks...uphill. I'd love to ride my bike, but it just makes me feel dirty. If it were the other way around, and I was riding downhill to work and uphill to home it'd be fine. However, I am now debating a scooter :) I'll give more on that later.

18. I have decided that it's harder to come up with 22 things than I thought!

19. I finally organized all my folders from last year. I think a teacher should do this every single year! I can't tell you HOW much I got rid of! It feels really really good!

20. Um....only 2 more things!

21. Didn't go anywhere farther than Ogden this month.

22. Just realized I may need to take these pants back to maurices, as they're brand new and the zipper area is already coming apart. Lame. :(

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

A Long Time Coming

So it's been a very interesting summer so far! Not too much to complain about, except for maybe the fact that it seems to be slipping away soooo fast that I can't catch up! Not ready for the next school year - THAT'S for sure! But I have been slacking in some areas - mainly, in that I am behind in publishing photos - which is an almost never occurrence for me! Business photos are rather hard to get actually! But I hope these turned out.

This is a place that in the past year I have frequented quite regularly! I love their nail technician Denise (you can check out her awesome nails here). So one day I went in and had my camera to show her my adorable school kids and she was like ooooh you should take some pictures for our facebook page! Sooo needless to say, I tried taking pictures, and when you're not doing the posing and it's indoors it calls for a lot of work, but these ladies are so sweet and funny and they were not fazed at all by the fact that I was in their business (no pun intended!). You really should check out their facebook page here and if you need anything, make an appointment! They're very down to earth and easy to talk to :) so without further ado, here are the pictures I snapped of them :)







Needless to say, there is a lot that I need to catch everyone up on! It is coming, I promise, just not today! Remember, I'm still taking appointments for shoots :)