Hi friends! I know I haven’t been too interactive with the blog world lately, but I promise things will return to a more normal schedule soon. Here’s what I’ve been up to lately:
I’ve been photographing people… a lot.
While I love capturing photos of food and cooking that make your mouth water, I’ve come to realize that I have a HUGE passion for portrait photography. I started putting more of an effort into understanding movement and the dynamic nature of people (food is much more stationary, believe it or not…) and think I’m getting a little better with every shoot I do. Progress is exciting! Here are a few shots that I took of Kyle’s little brother, Adam, and his girlfriend, Taylor, a few days ago. Adam is incredibly stubborn when it comes to taking photos, so the fact that Taylor and I were able to convince/bribe/threaten him to go down to the trail behind Kyle’s house and stand still for some shots was a victory in itself. I like to think that if I can handle him, I can handle anyone haha!
If any of my lovely readers live up in the SB or Los Angeles area and need some photos done, feel free to shoot me an email 
!
I’ve been relaxing at home.
After finishing the summer courses I was taking up at Santa Barbara, I headed back to my hometown to spend some time at my parent’s house and get a change of scenery. This means drinking copious amounts of homemade lattes (mooching off their Italian espresso machine) and vegging my life away in front of the TV with some Netflix. I started watching Bridezilla and actually can’t stop from having it playing it in the background when I’m in the living room. It’s such a mindless watch and beyond entertaining. Those girls are absolutely INSANE and I can’t help but laugh out loud by how ridiculous they are.
I’ve been (reluctantly) getting ready to start college again.
Last year was really rough for me. Not just busy rough, but the sort of rough that drains you and makes you feel uninspired and stressed beyond belief. I didn’t mention how bad it got on the blog since I wanted to keep my little corner of the web a happy place, but I lost weight because food started to make me nauseous, couldn’t sleep at night for more than a few hours at a time, was studying 24/7, and was just very unhappy in general. I even considered going on anti-anxiety medication to help me stop worrying about every little thing. I’m not predisposed to needing medication for anything, but the recommended schedule for bio majors last year (two bio classes, physics, organic chemistry, physics, plus labs for all the classes) left me with not enough time to put in as much time as I’d like for each, making me feel unprepared since I didn’t have as many hours as I would usually like to put into each class. I have a type A personality when it comes to school, so this took a huge toll on me and the stress got pretty unbearable at times. I just don’t feel ready to start again.
Luckily, I’ve gotten through my hell year (and actually got great grades, so at least all that work paid off!) and am excited to actually be able to pick the classes I want, rather than having to follow an exact predetermined schedule. Even though I’ll still be busy, this next quarter should leave me with more free-time and I’ll be taking classes that I actually care about and that won’t ruin my life haha. My current schedule include courses in molecular genetics, neurobiology, psychology, and an American literature class. WHEEE!
I’m heading back Tuesday night with Kyle (classes start Thursday), so hopefully the year will start off on a good note.
I’ve been crafting.
Newest obsession? FLOWER CROWNS.
So there ya have it! A quick look into the gist of what I’ve been up to.
I hope your Monday goes by quickly, my friends!
I ended up developing anxiety symptoms last year when I was doing exams too, it was so rough. I refused to go on anxiety meds though as I didn’t want to become dependent on them. I’m trying to put in place little safeguards to make sure it doesn’t get as intense this year – putting in the work early, practicing mindfulness exercises, getting into an exercise routine – and I hope that it works.
Hope you look after yourself too, it’s not a nice place to be!
PS. Adam and Taylor are too cute, great photography!
I remember my hell year (engineering major). I had to repeat a class, so I think your doing good. Once you’ve made it through that it’s smooth sailing so I think you will be just fine. Enjoy your last few days of freedom while they last!!
I’m so glad you got your “hell” semester behind you. That’s how last fall was for me. It made life pretty unpleasant. It’s so exciting to see you’re growing passion for photography. If I lived anywhere near you I would definitely hit you up for some photos
they look awesome!
While my schedule definitely is not anything like yours was, I so understand feeling worried to the point of actual nausea over school. Last night I was up half the night because my brain just WOULD. NOT. STOP. doing computer science code. Awful. I’m SO glad the worst is over for you though! Celebrations! Hooray for Netflix! Now just send me your American version so us Canadians can actually have some good stuff to watch, mkay?
I’ve missed seeing your face around these parts! But I’m glad to hear that things are going well for ya
Your photography is gorgeous, and please send me some of your craftiness! I used to be crazy about crafts and DIY projects, but lately I feel like work and blogging take up all my creative energy… which isn’t horrible, but I definitely miss making stuff for fun.
Awesome pictures!! Also, you brother looks a lot like you!!
You’re absolutely gorgeous – I love that flower crown! I hope this next school year is much better than the last. I’m so glad you made it through with good grades! The bad times always make us stronger, even if we can’t see it at the time
My junior year was really hard too. I remember just beig annoyed with the whole academia world. I blame O-chem and those awful labs. But things looked up my senior year. The end being in sight helps a ton 😉
I totally feel you on the last year. I think Bio is one of the most stressful majors partly because most people are pre-med which adds a level of competition. I had one week where I basically ate exclusively dried fruit because it was all I could stomach. This year already looks way better! (Although I still have 2 chem classes and another physics class-booo.)
Such beautiful pics! I’m glad he came around taking them because they’re phenomenal.
I’m glad you made it through your courses last term… it really does get better. If you need someone to email and vent. I’m here!!…I got you girl!!
I’m so sorry to hear how rough last year was for you in terms of anxiety. I’ve definitely had similar feelings in the past and yoga has helped me in the most amazing ways. I hope this year is amazing. And can I please have whatever coffee drink that is?!
Helloooo!
You deserve those good grades and beyond! Hope you don’t have to go through that again!!
Woah. Thats some serious stress.
Those flower crowns are awesome, especially the last pic of you and the flower crown is gorgeous! But…who does the photographing when the picture is of you? :}
Have a good day!
you are beautiful and talented and wonderful and you will KILL this quarter <3
I LOVE YOU!!! COME BACK TO MEEEEEE!!! <3
These pictures! You are sosososo talented. And GIRL. I’m in LOVE with your watermark. I need to design one still! And um please make me a flower crown? Please. So adorable.
Praying for a wonderful year for you! I know you are going to have a productive, and fun one! PS- yes I am just now catching up on your blog- sorry!