Neruda and tonight.

Tonight I am tired, but I feel like a live wire. This graduate program is so challenging to me in terms of opening up new ways of thinking, in ways I'm not used to. I've never been to the place where my knowledge is measure by what I say instead of what I made, until now. That is the challenge I face here, it's my goal to turn what I'm learning into pieces that change minds without any talking. 

A friend from high school whom I hadn't thought of in a very long time had this Pablo Neruda poem on his Facebook wall, and it strengthened me in my beliefs about what I want to do in my short few years here in the North.

Tonight there is rain in the autumn hills around me and this poem in my heart, and I feel tired but alive, and well. Below the poem is a photograph I created for a concept project in college, but it works as a metaphor for me at this moment and with this beautiful piece of writing. 

You start dying slowly if you do not travel,

if you do not read,

If you do not listen to the sounds of life,

If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly

When you kill your self-esteem;

When you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly

If you become a slave of your habits,

Walking everyday on the same paths…If you do not change your routine,

If you do not wear different colours

Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly

If you avoid to feel passion

And their turbulent emotions;

Those which make your eyes glisten

And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly

If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job,

or with your love,

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,

If you do not go after a dream,

If you do not allow yourself,

At least once in your lifetime,

To run away from sensible advice…

- Pablo Neruda

                                                                              Lord prepare me to be a traveller in the world, and across my own life.

Apartment tour.

I am in love with my new home. Technically it's an apartment - but it is absolutely deserving of the word HOME! Oh yes, and it's the first place I've ever had to myself. What can I say, we graduate students need our space :) I had no idea what this apartment looked like when I decided to just go with graduate housing, but I think I made the right decision!!! Anyways, here's a little home tour of the new pad. Yep, it's heaven for all the things I've inherited, found, and made. Along the way are tips to reuse everything from family heirlooms to magazines for a new look at no cost. Save that money!

 First dishes ever! And my grandmother's cookie jars.

 Take those cabinet doors off and voila - no more claustrophobic kitchen!

 Easy wall art: pretty magazine spreads.

My desk area is pretty much the only part that's new- save the antique ice chest holding up the white board. The plants you see in some of the pictures were chosen based on their ability to improve indoor air quality: Areca Palm, Peace Lily, Dracaena, and Money Tree.

 That chair is one of my main photo props. The lamp was my grandad's doctor's office exam light, the TV table was also his, the bookcase/china cabinet was a south Texas find.

 Cots can stand in as couches! Both end tables are antiques.

 This cute little table was my aunt's and mother's when they were in school. The art on the wall ledge are either my own photographs, calendar images, and pictures from friends.

The wood candle holders were made by a bride and groom as wedding favors from tree limbs in their yard.

 More inherited pieces - the bed frame, pillow, and wall art.

 Antique store finds.

And the original view. Like I said, it's heaven.

Farm Day

I was the documentary photographer at the 2012 Farm Day here in Waco, the World Hunger Relief Farm's annual "come out and see us" day of learning and supporting. From a visit from the camel corp to a biking benefit to learning how to make your own compost, plus a lunch of Farm-raised goodness - all who came out to see the Farm left knowing a little more about some big issues facing our little planet, and how they can help!