Aperture Priority

My new Sony NEX 3 camera came in the mail a few days ago, and my dad's been taking me out for some practice shoots. Aperture? Shutter? Manual mode? I know NOTHING about photography! And so we're doing a crash course. Because I'm going to the UK and Ireland to see castles, my dad took me out to practice taking pictures using the "castles" we had on hand:

Taking pictures from moving vehicles takes lots of practice!

My dogs are happy to serve as models. Worthing was chewing a bone when I asked him if I could take his picture. He dropped the bone, sat up, smiled, and waited for the shutter to click. Then he promptly lay down and began chewing again. That's a dog who knows how to pose! Next thing you know, he'll be handing out autographed glossy 8-by-10's of himself.

Beginning the Journey

The tickets are bought, the suitcase is packed (well, almost), the camera has been ordered (expect GREAT pictures to come!), and everything is coming together. It still doesn't seem quite real that I'm leaving so soon. I'm going on an adventure! I've been preparing by reading classic Irish, English, and Scottish literature and by keeping fit.
As I scramble to prepare, I've found time to ponder on the journey of life. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." It's true, and we often forget how important it is to enjoy the journey. Every minute of life is precious, and if we wait too anxiously for our "ship to come in", we'll find ourselves anxious even after the anticipation is over. Don't waste your life waiting for that one thing you want to happen; find happiness now in what you do have!
I say this as a reminder to myself, because I often find myself ping-ponging between discontent and apathy. This is not a problem with my situation, but with my attitude. I'm so very grateful for this trip I'm going to take, because it's helping me focus on enjoying the journey. Scotland, to me (as ridiculous as this may sound), is not just a place, but an idea-- the idea of me returning to my mother country, of discovering the secrets and wonders of the wilderness there, of coming closer to God, of meeting new people and learning new ways. It's a lovely idea! And even if this trip does not take me as much in Scotland itself as I'd like, that's not really what I am going for, anyway. I'm going for the journey.
As I begin this journey to my homeland, I can't help drawing parallels to the all-encompassing journey we are all making-- to go through this life into the next, into the true homeland we all will find. Our destination is to be surrounded by those we love and have "lost awhile", who are waiting for us on the other side. But to truly enjoy the destination, we must give our all and enjoy the journey. The destination is waiting there for you, so make the most of yourself on the way! It makes me think of the old pioneer song-- "Though hard to you this journey may appear/'tis not so, all is right!/How can we think to earn a great reward/if we now shun the fight?/Gird up your loins, fresh courage take/our God will never us forsake!/And soon we'll have this tale to tell/All is well, All is well!"
And if we have the faith that they had, all will be well, for nothing can harm or disappoint us.
And why not help someone else along their journey, too? I've found that contributing to others journeys make mine more sweet. Life is also about who you make the journey with.
Those are just my travel-musings, serving as my reminder to not be so excited for my trip as to forget the exciting things going on every day. And my resolution for tomorrow is this: Live it Up and Enjoy the Journey!
Hahaha and now I'll go listen to a song by Journey....

A Summer of Firsts

I am taking my fate into my own hands this summer.
Now, you should understand that I have not always been the most adventurous type, but this summer I have made amends. I decided that I am officially a country girl, so I should start doing country things, and that sort of inspired my ambition to seek out the unexplored. So far this summer, I have:

1. Shot a gun. I really don't recall ever shooting anything besides a B-B gun, and so I was a little hesitant to even touch my grandpa's old revolvers. But he took me to the shooting range, taught me everything there is to know about gun safety and cleaning, and then taught me how to shoot. Good news: I hit the target.

2. Caught a fish. Yes, it was very small, but it counts! I also, for the first time, have a fish story to tell. It was dusk, and the fish were jumping. I had just caught my first fish, so I was convinced I had talent. I cast off several times, with absolutely no success. Finally, I gave one perfectly beautiful cast, and as I was reeling in, I felt a tug. It was a pole bender! In my mind's eye, I pictured myself reeling in a ten-foot pike. The only problem was, I couldn't reel it in! This thing was a MONSTER. I called for help, but just as someone came to rescue me, it got away. Still, everyone patted me on the back and told me how exciting and promising it was that I almost got the fish. I overheard them whispering later on that the biggest fish in the lake were very small trout, because nothing bigger could actually live in such shallow water, but I was not daunted. Someday, when they drain the lake and find the skeleton of a huge monster fish, they'll know.

3. Rode a horse. I didn't ascend or descend gracefully, but it was totally worth it. I've had the music from The Magnificent 7 stuck in my head ever since. I think it's everyone's secret dream to become a cowboy/cowgirl.

4. Caught a crawdad. It was dead, but I caught it.

5. Ate Gelato. MMMMM!

6. Rode a ferry.

7. Went roughing it, without even a camp stove, a change of cloths, or a restroom. It was an enlightening experience

8. Made a wish on a shooting star!

9. Ate Calamari. It was delicious, other than the tentacles, which, I confess, gave me nightmares.

10. Visited a mission.

11. Ate fish n' chips by the beach... DEFINITELY doing that again! It was the BEST!

12. Ran a 5K color run.  I confess I walked a little bit of the way, but I got very colorful! Next time, I'm running every step.

13. That's unlucky, isn't it? Well, I guess some would find it unlucky to meet Thor...

14. Off-roaded across stretches of the Nevada desert. It was actually an unplanned adventure, but turned into quite a story... let's just say one needs to be careful while traveling with one's grandparents. I was amazed how well their minivan handled on sand...

15. Watched an ENTIRE 8-hour BBC drama (it was Bleak House... SO amazing) in one day, a new record.

That's all for now, and I'm running out of summer! But this month marks the final few weeks before I set out for Dublin and then SCOTLAND! on my next grand adventure. This short summer of firsts is turning into a year of memories and adventures that I'll treasure forever.

Illustrated Annotations... or, in other words, doodles

It's getting to the end of the semester, and I thought I'd celebrate early with a gallery of my best class-time doodles. I think I should count each class as a credit in art, because I'm steadily improving. By the time I graduate, I'll be a master!

Amazing Grace

"Then Sings My Soul, My Savior, God, To Thee- How Great Thou Art!"
-Stuart K. Hine

Today I am thinking how incredible it is that we can all come to personally know the most intelligent, creative force in the universe. Even more incredible is that this being sacrificed His only Son to bring us back to Him so we can be like Him. The way is easy, and the burden is light.
It takes me back to the old hymn, Amazing Grace: "'Twas grace that caused my heart to fear, and grace that fear relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6xhxKHdG7g&feature=share&list=PL228A59AA17D3A2B7

"My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more."
Mosiah 27:29

Trusting in the Savior can bring you the greatest peace and happiness you can ever find.
I experienced this change of heart when I was younger- I grew up in this religion, but I always had wanted to know if it was true for myself. I didn't believe right off. But I prayed and read the bible, and it taught me many things. I began to feel a connection with God, and that little connection grew into a relationship that has helped me through the most trying times.

Medusa in the Morning

I was doodling in math class, and a poem sprang to mind... very reminiscent of how my morning went:
When I look into the mirror,
My face turns hard as slate;
For my hair looks like Medusa,
And I'm 20 minutes late.

The Pleasure of My Company

"How many gifted pens have penned that Mother is a boy's best friend. How many more, with like afflatus, award the dog that honored status. I hope my tongue in prune juice smothers if I belittle dogs or mothers, but gracious, how can I agree? I know my own best friend is me!" - Ogden Nash, "Compliments of a Friend"

I usually consider myself a "people person", but on days like these I find myself enjoying spending time with just me. Is that weird?

I'm procrastinating on my religious studies homework, but I don't feel badly about it. Sometimes it's just more important to Be Still, and ponder.
...And blog a little.