Change is Good?

So, I don't know what I'm doing.

As you may have already noticed, I changed my blog up a little bit. I decided to officially start using this space as a place to display my photographs and document my journey of becoming the best photographer I can be. I know this is going to be a work in progress, and I hope that you'll stick with me along the way.

Also, just to make things a bit more streamlined, my blog has a new address, www.michellegarciaphoto.com. So please take note. Don't worry though, this blog is still very much about Edward and Michelle (and Lucy). I would never disappoint our avid readers. And on that note, yesterday was self portrait day. Yes, we set up the tripod and switched on the self timer, Holla!!




Thanks, and feel free to come along for the ride.

Mini Me

Introducing Mason Donavon.

Marvin, my surfing buddy, just had a baby, Mason Donavon. Mason is a super cutie that is the spitting image of his daddy.



Congratulations Marvin and May.

Joe

It's a rainy day, so why not mess around with Photoshop a bit? I'm desperately trying to get the hang of that program. It has been my arch nemesis for far too long. Well, this is what I came up with. I'm just throwing around ideas for logos and names, just in case I decide to do something super awesome with my photo obsession.

Anyway, the above pic documents the remnants of one of the best cappuccinos I have ever had. Mad props to Lamill! Lamill is this fantastic little coffee house in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles.

They also have this legendary coffee maker called The Clover. It is an $11,000 (Yes, that is 3 zeros) machine that claims to brew the "perfect" cup of coffee. Each step in the brewing method can be individually customized; grind of the bean, temperature of the water and brewing time. So, instead of sharing from a large kettle of brew, your coffee can be made individually for you.

I know, I know. It may sound super pretentious and unnecessary, but it really is a fantastic cup 'o joe. Especially if you are a coffee junkie like me.

Face Time

It's raining. Edward is sleeping. It's getting dark. Norah Jones is singing.

***

Thinking about how I need to show more appreciation for these AMAZING people in my life:























...and all the other fantastic people in my life that I don't have pretty portraits of. You guys are my rock. Thank you for helping me realize how lucky I am. I couldn't do anything without you. I love you.

Personal Anthem 2010

Keep Breathing

The storm is coming, but I don't mind.
People are dying, I close my blinds.

All that I know is I'm breathing now.

I want to change the world, instead I sleep.
I want to believe in more than you and me.

But all that I know is I'm breathing.
All I can do is keep breathing.
All we can do is keep breathing now.

All that I know is I'm breathing.
All I can do is keep breathing.
All we can do is keep breathing.

All we can do is keep breathing now.

-Ingrid Michaelson

Listen here.

Cookie Monster

Trader Joe's makes a tasty cookie called the Joe-Joe. It's basically their take on the Oreo, without all the trans fat and hydrogenated oils. As an added bonus, during Christmas time, candy cane pieces get incorporated into the creamy filling, adding a bit of holiday cheer. Well, now, Trader Joe's has really outdone themselves by making...wait for it...Doggy Joe-Joe's!





Lucy loves her Doggy Joe-Joe's!

M & M

Yeah!!!

Marisa and Mark are getting married, in 92 days to be exact! This event has been 13 years in the making, so it's going to be amazing.

I'm not sure how this all started, if Marisa asked me to take their pictures or if I just pestered her into doing so. Either way, I'm so happy I did. I am so honored to be a part of their wedding and for a chance to document how much they really do like each other ;)
























Awesome photo by Edward




Awesome photo by Edward



Marisa and Mark, you guys are so awesome and I am so lucky to have you both as friends. (Who else is going to show me where the bathroom is at the carwash?) Thank you so much for letting me do this for you. You guys have something that is so special and your love will last a lifetime. XOXO.

Finally Legal

You can't go wrong with Disneyland for some good old fashioned fun.

This past Sunday was Leslie's birthday. Leslie is one of our besties and we couldn't wait to celebrate Magic Kingdom style. It was the usual suspects: Leslie, Thomas, Alex, Alli, Lauren, Jen, Edward and me.











Disneyland always makes you feel like a kid again. In Leslie's case, it shaved off ten years. Happy 18th birthday Les!! You're finally legal.

Unseasonably Warm

I started out the day feeling so unmotivated. What else is new?

I don't really know what's feeding this lack of motivation. Is it the taunting list of things I have to do? School work. E-logs. Putting away Christmas decorations. Cooking. Cleaning. Paying bills. Is it all the stress of life? Retirement savings. Life insurance. Student loans. Nest eggs. Work! Or is it my constant daydreaming of all things photography that keeps me away from my responsibilities?

I've never really been one to run away from responsibility, but today, I just wanted to make like Forrest Gump and RUN!!!



When Edward got home from work today, we took a drive over to Malibu. We both had stressful weeks, so it was a welcome adventure. I really love Malibu. It's just far enough out of LA that it's not overcrowded with traffic and pollution (except in the height of summer).

Our drive through the canyon was so beautiful. The yellow glow of the setting sun was spilling over the mountains. We made our way to Point Dume. I hopped out of the car and scoped out the scene. It was unseasonably warm. The golden haze of the sun was skipping over the foliage and the ocean was a silvery blue. It was the most wonderful thing I had seen in a long time.

Being there made me happy. It was refreshing. It was like all the weight and worry inside of me went away with the setting sun.

How does God do that? How does He know the perfect way to renew your spirit?









Amazing.

Auld Lang Syne

Every New Year, Auld Lang Syne is played at the stroke of midnight and someone always says, "What the heck does this song mean?"

Well, let me educate you on one of my many random facts. Auld Lang Syne is actually a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. The song that many of us are most familiar with is actually the English translation of the poem. Occasionally, you may hear the song sung with some of the original Scottish words..."And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o’ thine! And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught, for auld lang syne."

Auld Lang Syne means "days gone by" or "old times". So it's actually a song about reminiscing about old times with your friends. Also, the first, and most familiar part of the song..."all acquaintance be forgot", is actually a question not a statement. Should we forget about our acquaintances and good old times? ...Heck no!!

I remember this past NYE my brother-in-law, Eric, was listening to this song and said, "This song kinda sucks, why are they singing about forgetting your friends." Haha. Well, now we know it's not!

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, the English lyrics to Auld Lang Syne:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And here's the hand, my trusty friend,
And gives a hand of thine,
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Also, I can't leave you without some pics of our wild and crazy NYE festivities. We stayed home with some friends and played Cranium and indulged in some yummy food and drinks.











Happy New Year!