My 'New' Camera

My Aunt Jo is an amazing photographer. Whenever I'd visit her down in Oregon, she'd let me play with her camera and I'd spend the whole time shoving it in peoples faces, trying to capture the 'moment'.

So a few months ago, I sent her an email asking if I could buy her old canon, knowing she'd recently acquired a new one. Not long after, I got a response saying that no, I couldn't buy it, but she'd give it to me! I was so, so excited and told everyone about my new camera and when I flew home, there it was in my room waiting for me. Needless to say, my family and friends are constantly annoyed with me, because I rarely go anywhere without my camera.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures I've taken so far . . .

THANK YOU, AUNT JO!

Thanksgiving Day Yumminess

Black Friday

Today was the first day I've ever done the whole Black Friday thing. We stood in line in the pouring rain for two hours in front of Target waiting to get inside. For me, it wasn't really about the deals or saving money. I just had a lot of fun hanging out with friends and family, huddling in line together over coffee and under umbrellas.

We went to breakfast to celebrate our victory!

So how cool is this??

My Dad recently went to see Donald Miller speak and guess what he brought back for me?

Home Sweet Home

So I finally get to announce my presence in Spokane! For the past two months, I've schemed with my friend Heather trying to hide the fact that I was coming home two weeks earlier than I'd told my family. I rewrote my travel itinerary, threatened people against posting on facebook, and generally lied a lot, but honestly it was all worth it to see the looks on their faces. Priceless, just priceless.

There is nothing like being home for the holidays and I can't wait to blog about it all!

Too Cute . . .

Handmade Birthday Gift

Happy early birthday, Lynn! And thank you Anneke for modeling for me!

Frangipani Phoot Shoot

Kreativ Blogger Award

A big thank you to my good friend, Jen from I believe in Love for nominating me for a Kreativ Blogger award! It's a big compliment for me as Jen is the one who first taught me the ins and outs of blogging.

So the rules of this award are as follows . . .

1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated.

Seven things about me you may not know. . .

1- I really hate seafood. The smell alone can make me nauseous.
2- I let my alarm clock beep for about 45mins every morning. It's surprising my roommate hasn't smothered me yet.
3- I hate talking on the phone. Lets meet for coffee instead.
4- My craziest ambition is to one day sit on a couch opposite Oprah and talk about a bestselling book I just wrote.
5- If I could vacation anywhere, it would be to the Oregon Coast.
6- I'm a lot more like my mother than either of us will ever admit to each other.
7- I hate change and I probably always will.

And my Kreativ Blogger nominees are . . .

1- Lindsey from A Journey of Hope- I love how honest and real you are!
2- Hayley from so this is love . . .- cause you're cool.
3- Jen from I Believe in Love - I know she's already been nominated, but she's pretty darn cool.
4- Karli from Karli Fairbanks- I love her music, graphic art, and writing.
5- Kellyjo from Kell-logg - I'm amazed at the things this girl can create.
6- Amber from Eternal Grace Photography- Your photos are beautiful!
7- Ana from Barefooted Blessings- We've never met, but her blog is crazy cool.

This was fun.

Saying Goodbye for Now

My friends Jeremy and Jen Price along with their kids Joshua and Emma Grace leave tomorrow for the States on sabbatical. I'm so excited for them to get some much needed rest and relaxation, but at the same time I'm desperately sad to see them go. Their family has been a stable presence in my life ever since my move to Africa and it's hard to imagine living here without them.

Here are a few things I'll miss . . .

1. Teasing Jeremy for his 'lumberjack' impersonation' . . .

2. Spending time with Joshua and Emma Grace . . .

3. Coffee dates with Jen . . .

4. Brainstorming on our Macs together over coffee . . .

5. Jen teaching me about photography/knitting/cooking/blogging/life . . .

6. Taking trips to Capetown together [it's only happened once so far, but I have hope for future trips] . . .

I know that they'll be back and that this goodbye isn't forever, but that doesn't stop me from getting a little teary eyed.

Donald Miller

I love Donald Miller. There I've said it. The truth is out. Everyone makes fun of me, because I practically stalk him on facebook and twitter. I admit I have stalker-like tendencies when it comes to Don Miller [okay maybe Zach Braff as well], but if you love his books like I do you'd understand.

I have a deep passion for the subject of Identity and how worldview, experiences, and other people can influence and shape who we are. What defines our character? What does the Gospel of Jesus say about who we are and who we were created to be? Do our actions define us?

Donald Miller addresses these questions and many more in his book 'Searching for God Knows What', one of my absolute favorite books. Every time I read it, I pick out new things that I somehow missed before. I would encourage all of you to read it if you get a chance.

Miller's new book, 'A Million Miles in a Thousand Years', just hit the shelves not too long ago. I can't wait to go home for the Holidays and pick up a copy! I've heard great things.

Photos found through Google images

Summer in Africa??

It's in the Air . . .