a few more

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amie, preview

beauty:

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i'm sorry it's me again, i needed something to post...

this up close and personal look into my life is a bit intimate.. i usually don't disclose my inner dork to the public but tonight was an emergency! ahhh i'm sorry that i am posting pictures of myself again!!! i've just had a strong compulsion to post ALL DAY LONG and haven't had ANYTHING to post! or to shoot (my roommate is tired of me shooting her)!!! so as a result you get me again. i have some awesome engagement sessions coming up soon.. this is a slow month but sometime in february things are going to get crazy busy. wait for it!

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stereotypes

at BYU are accurate. especially when it comes to dating and marriage. this was the most shocking thing to me when i arrived at the Y three septembers ago, the first sunday school class i attended in my freshman ward was about eternal marriage. since we were freshman the poor kid adapted it to be more along the lines of eternal families and the future rather than laying on the pressure from the get go, but still, there it was. it's no small secret that the highest goal other than high academic achievement is having the majority of students graduate with an eternal MR or MRS to cheer them on as they walk, with perhaps a baby or two on the hip. not going to hide it, i'm definitely a BYU baby- i remember attending my father's graduation. this is memorable because i had a new dress, my hair was curly, and i was CUTE! also, it was long and i hated it. plus we had to take pictures afterwords. gross! ;)

today we received our new ward directory which inspired this post. i think it's hilarious, i'm sorry if it reinforces any BYU haters deep seated disgust with the school (which i am not intending to diss in any way, i LOVE my school, this is just funny because all the things you hear about it are true).. anyway, this is what we have been given, as commentary and a joke about the reputation that ward directories have (you can see me on the bottom left. i'm in the second photo.):

so here we have our ward "menu" .. recently in-n-out burger opened a store in orem, it's lovely and everyone is obsessed. there are paid traffic directors in the parking lot for crowd control, i'm not kidding. anyway, this directory fits beautifully both the popularity of in-n-out as well as a huge stereotype that ward directories are "menus" for the "meat market" - also known as BYU singles wards. i am in awe at the creative, humorous minds that devised this. we see the front caption "quality you can marry," highlighting the point of the directory - to look over available options. i also think it's interesting that in-n-out is a burger joint.. essentially making fun of the fact that we are all "meat" (hamburger, specifically). GROSS! this semester's edition has the included feature of highlighting the interests/talents/hobbies of each person. this is lovely as it makes for a better selection of what is appealing and what is not.

i don't know where these ideas and disgusting terms came about, but it's funny and i am greatly amused by the obvious statement made by this directory.

other things i have learned about the dating culture here:

- if you go on a second date, it always means something.. wink wink

- people really do get engaged within 3 weeks of meeting each other. i've met and heard of several.

- there are people here who talk marriage before relationship. really.

- DTR (determine or discuss the relationship) is a real term and frequently happens around the 3rd-4th date

- for this point, oh man there are some things i REALLY wish i could say.. i'd be so bad if i did! ahh. i can't elaborate on this one though....

- general byu stereotype: it is a bubble. a happy bubble. a competitive bubble. a wonderful bubble. i'll be sad to leave.

i love BYU. i really really do. i can't imagine being anywhere else. it's a wonderful school, my education is excellent, the people (in general) are really really GOOD people. the campus is beautiful, clean, and smoke free (yay). i love it. however, i can't deny that there is a lot of truth to the talk about the pressure to date and marry, and i can't deny that occasionally i get caught up in it all.. for example (do not think less of me when i disclose this), next friday i will be attending a school hosted speed dating event. mostly because i have nothing else to do, but i have to admit i'm curious. what kind of people are drawn out of the wood work to actually go to those things here? i can only imagine. maybe i'll have a follow up post next week.

i'm going to be 21 next month. in this culture, i'm an OLD MAID. i know it's a bit ridiculous, but it's funny and i'm not really concerned. there is so much going on that i'd hate to miss. for example, my photog business! i love what i'm doing, i LOVE it! also, i'm thinking of serving a mission for my church in the next couple of years. a study abroad is also an option, maybe going to the jerusalem center next fall or winter. how COOL would that be?!?!?! plus i work with so many couples, it's satisfying to live my love life vicariously through them ("them" is all you happy people reading this). :D

life here is so interesting.

boo, i have a cold.

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random pictures

i know i haven't been posting a lot of client work lately. there will be a huge in flux of post like that soon enough. seriously, this blog has no idea what's about it hit it. for now though, before all of those lovely sessions begin, i am left to take pictures of random things around my place during my homework breaks.

my car. i love it.

this is what i've been reduced to, taking pictures of my sweats and slippers, the attire i wandered outside in to snap the pictures above.

i hope everyone is having a lovely day!

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let me ask you:

what would YOU do if you were all alone, avoiding homework, and consciously ignoring stress? this post is the product of me, tonight, in such a situation. first, we have photo evidence. i was the only one home, so for lack of better models here are a few self portraits:

disclaimer: i was not really this excited. fake enthusiasm gets me through.

next, view this personal survey, stolen from facebook (these are the ultimate time wasters):

Where were you 1 hour ago? in my benz, dancing with jane, singing "i believe in a thing called love"

Who will be your next kiss? that is yet to be determined

Are you wearing socks right now? no. and my feet are cold.

When was the last time you went out of state? well i went home to lovely TEXAS for christmas

Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days? yes, but it was sold out so we left. boo.

What was the last thing you had to drink? fresh tap water, delicious

What are you wearing right now? what i wear always: college sweats and a ratty hoodie. mm!

What was your last purchase? del taco, it's gooood.

Last food you ate? again, del taco.

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? i just checked my call log. i've been especially busy on the phone today, as compared to usual. i've talked to 4 people! jane was last though.

Have you bought any clothing items in the last weeek? oh no, i buy food.

Do you have a pet? no. you just reminded me that i was planning on buying a fish after christmas, now i am happy because i have something lovely to look forward to this weekend.

What's the last sporting event you watched? oh, you know, just a bit of football on tv. (don't hate, i have to say this: i do NOT understand why people are so crazy about it. my hypothesis is that people (men) have to find some way to dominate others. since killing each other isn't socially acceptable in modern society, they have to resort to games where grown men run after pig skin, wear small pants and jump on each other. *shakes head.* maybe i'm wrong. maybe i just don't understand. anyone care to enlighten me?)

Are you a Pirate? arrr. yes, in a past life.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be? well somewhere not here, where it's warm preferably. maybe california. or perhaps the caribbean.

What is the last thing you purchased online? "along for the ride" by sarah dessen, a teen novel for my adolescent development class. i have to do a creative book report on it, i'm planning on something like a scrapbook which i'll make with pictures i take. i need models. i'll post the pictures of course:)

One thing you hate about yourself? well this is positive. m. i hate (loath, despise) my fingernails.

Last play you saw? oh boy. i can't remember, not for a million dollars. rrr. uh.... hmm. nope. no. i can't remember. how un-cultured of me.

What are your plans for the day? well it is night, and my plan is to read for classes as soon as i finish this. i have now moved to the laundromat, when jane's clothes are dry i will go home, drink hot chocolate, and go to bed.

Ever go to camp? yes, girls camp. lovely!

What do you know about the future? it will happen. i plan to be there.

Are you wearing any perfume or cologne? no. i need to buy new scents. any suggestions?

How is one to classify you? classify me? what? i need clarification on this question. apparently i should be classified as "confused.." right?

Do you have a tan? not in january!

How old do you want to be when you have kids? old enough to be responsible, so not right now:)

Last person who made you cry? well my friend jane, but it was a good cry.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? just my little attached ear lobes. when i was a freshman in high school i wanted so badly to pierce my nose and change my name to chloe. i did not do that though, seeing as i wanted to stay a part of my family.

How old are you? i am currently 20. i will be 21 on february 12. if anyone is interested in gift giving, i like foreign chocolate. please.

Are you glad you took this survey? i am glad.

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i'm looking forward

to all of the amazing weddings that are coming up this summer. oh my goodness, this is going to be a fabulous year. i'm so excited to work with all of you cool people. i'm also excited to start posting the beauty that's coming:) i can't wait. mm! this is going to be the best summer ever!

by the way, i did complete the to-do list yesterday. i thought, reflected, considered, contemplated, and pondered, then i went to sleep. that's about it, besides a bit of spontaneous bowling, an animated movie (monsters vs. aliens) and some muddy buddy snacks which were consumed with best friends. mm!

now listening to: "from where i'm standing" - schuyler fisk

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this morning...

i woke up disgustingly early, unintentionally. i don't see any reason to wake up before 6:30am on a HOLIDAY morning!!! NO! but i did. i couldn't go back to sleep so i grabbed my camera and ran to my car to rove provo for damp morning inspiration.

things to do today:

- think about all the homework i have due this week

- consider doing my body good at the gym

- contemplate the possibilities of a shopping for an adorable handbag to convert into a new camera bag

- ponder how i feel about grocery shopping so i can eat this week

- reflect on the opportunities a weekday off of school present in getting ahead.

i think i'll just go back to sleep. then i will probably go look for handbags, it's the most appealing thing on that list.. or maybe i'll just lay in bed and watch episodes of "The Office." happy martin luther king jr. day!

this is the view behind the dumpster of my apartment complex. mm!

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janis kids...

are so darn cute.

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oquirrh mountain temple

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del taco

kirsten and i have a haunt.. it is del taco. we get fish tacos and cups of beans. all the time. today i took my camera because i have to remember these great trips. mm!

my new roommate and friend brittany celebrates obscure holidays. today was "hat day." tomorrow is "appreciate dragons day."

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light

last night i went to a dance party with my best friends. there were millions of glow sticks so of course we had to take some home. then we made pictures.

also, my website is up again and all of my galleries and pricing are updated. things are about to take off!!! i can't wait for this year's wedding season!!!!

BOOM

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kirsten

taken last night in our apartment complex. kirsten consented to being a body for me to photograph as long as she didn't have to look happy. win:

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wheeler girls

my aunt brought her babies for a couple of days to our house, we did a mini session and managed to get some gems despite bad light and two little girls who did NOT want to participate:)

beauties:

oh tears!

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welcome, 2010

i believe that a post about babies is a great way to start off a new year. we have family in town, they brought their babies, yum.

i have a cute baby on my lap!!!

hazel beauty:

hazel's older sister, emmeline beauty:

nathan beauty (i kid you not, i did NOT edit his skin or eyes to look like this. it's basically real life):

esther beauty:

last picture: i told her "make a pretty face" and she did this and held the face until i snapped the picture. ahaha.

emi doesn't like spencer. she sat on his lap without moving or even looking around for a while. even this was an improvement on last night, she screamed for 10 minutes when he tried to pick her up.

i found a little quote that is my motto for this year: "no resolutions, only change." i made a list of 6 areas of my life and what i need to have happen in each in order to be balanced and productive. every week i will measure my current state of being against it and find what i need to work on the next week. here's to change!!!

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