Epic Journey: Part 26 - a year in review (almost)

It has come to my attention that it has been quite a few long months since my last blog update.... This is something that I hope to be able to rectify in the near future, as now I have have tons of time to do such things!!!

Let's just have a quick breakdown of the past few months since my last post:
There was Summer and I was working really hard....
I did some work for The Pink Ribbon's Project http://www.pinkribbons.org/
They needed some images done for promotional material of a, then, upcoming event. All the images involved pink umbrellas. you know that one guy who went around and took crazy pics of himself in a pink tutu? Well, their idea was to be something similar. They wanted to have the umbrellas represent that breast cancer is "all-inclusive" and that we ALL suffer from it to one extent or another. That we are not alone. Even if you've never had it, chances are you know someone who has or at least know OF someone who has...

 

I also did some Senior Portraits...

There were ponies...

Did some commercial work for a friend's portfolio... (as soon as he gets his site done I'll post the link. He does GREAT work! I'd LOVE to give him some referrals!)

Had a group project for an Art History class - was allowed to take pictures in the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. Really neat place!!

  

This sexy cowgirl hit me up for some location shots - WOW! Check out her "mermaid" hair (Ok, yeah, I'm a little jealous...)

Then later the same day I shot an engagement ceremony that was AWESOME!!!

There was more group work for Art History... Glenwood Cemetery, also in Houston.

Was one of two togs at the school fashion show... (This was a learning experience - was NOT aware of the SB900's issues until halfway through the show. UUUGGHHH!!) Also, this is a prime example of how stupid you look taking pictures with a cookie sheet... I mean tablet... V_V

Then there was Fall and I was working really, really hard! I had a part-time internship job that was almost 50 miles from home - ONE WAY! I was also taking a full load of courses, as well as doing my own stuff on the side! MAN, it was TOUGH! Still managed to keep on the Honor Roll and get all my work done. Learned a LOT about what I CAN do vs. what I WANT to do haa haa!
(I'll spare you the photo breakdown of this part as it was really a lot of finalizing the work I had already done and getting ready for graduation...)
I lied... one of my pieces was put on display at the AYAM museum :)

Then came Winter when I busted even MORE ass and won Best of Show and graduated with honors!!! (Thanks Mom, for taking pics! The ones that were taken by the staff photographer left a lot to be desired.....)

Portfolio Show

 Eyes closed - OF COURSE!!!

It's been a really awesome adventure so far... I started this blog to document my journey through college, but I realized it's not over at graduation. The adventure continues!! I'll try harder to keep up with the posts because I have decided that I'm just not ready to be done yet. I have so much more work to do and I would like to document my progression as I make myself into the person I will yet become... Being able to look back and see how far I've come will be great motivation! I can't wait to see what stories Ima get to tell, and I hope that you will enjoy them as well. Thanks for stickin with me this far - the best is yet to come! **high five**

Epic Journey: Part 25

Well, there has actually been some things going on, but they're not completely finished yet, so..... Ima wait a bit before I go abloggin 'bout 'em

Here's something I CAN tell you about, though...

I went to the Texas Frightmare Weekend convention with a dear friend this past weekend. We got those obligatory wristbands they give you at concerts and such. When we got back from the show he wanted to take his off and was tugging at it and pulling at it and started looking for scissors to cut it off.
I've been there, you've been there, I think most people at one time or another in their lives have been there - and the darn thing just won't come off 'til ya cut it! Right?
Nope. I figured out an easy peasy way... If you already knew about this then shame on you for not sharing! If you DIDN'T know, then you might enjoy this 2-second trick :)

F@#K YEAH! I WENT TO A SHOW!

Oh, now it won't come off forever and ever

Not so fast there, buckaroo...

Just look for the stickum part where it sticks together.

It's the part that got stuck to your arm hair when they put it on crooked, remember?

Find the "tail" that hides under the stickum part.

Pull it down in the opposite direction it was going.

The little ziggy-zaggy cuts make it so you can't use the bracelet again,

 but also make it come off really easily!

TA-DAAAAAA!!!!!!

Free Cat Toys!

You're welcome.

Epic Journey: Part 24

Lemon water, sweaty sheets, and bare feet....

Suffice it to say... I've been sick! For the first time in nearly a week I feel almost human again. Time to do a bunch of laundry and get caught back up with the life I've been circumventing for the duration of this near-plague. Missed a full day of classes, haven't checked the mail, geesh - I haven't even been OUTSIDE since Thursday!

One of the things I normally love to do - cook - is one of the things I felt least like doing, but Friday night (before the full weight of the suck was beset upon me) I stuck it out and made a really good soup. I would wager that soup could have saved my life! Ok, maybe not quite THAT good, but good enough that I wrote down the recipe so I could make it again - and that makes it at least worth sharing:

*2# Pork Loin - quartered

*½ large white onion – small dice

*12-15 large baby carrots – halved

*1 med-large sweet potato – peeled and large dice

*1 stalk of broccoli – cut into bite-sized florets

*1 yellow squash – diced

*4 – vine-ripe tomatoes

*¼C marinara sauce

*4C water divided (3 to blanch toms, 1 to cool them, ALL to go in the soup!)

*2 TBSP minced garlic

*1 tsp AWESOME salt ( I used Himalayan Rock Crystal Salt, but a nice sea salt would work, too)

*1 tsp cracked black pepper

*1 tsp basil

*1 tsp oregano

*¼ tsp thyme

Over med heat - brown the loin quarters in the bottom of a large pot – olive oil with salt, pepper and 1 TBSP minced garlic.

While the loin browns, chop the onion into small pieces, then the carrots, then peel and chop the yam.

Once the loin is at least seared on all sides, add in the onions and a couple TBSP of water as well as the dry herbs. Let this cook at least until the garlic juices start to caramelize. Stir frequently.

When you add the onions, in a separate pot start the 3C water to boil – sprinkle liberally with salt

Pile on the orange things in the main large pot. Let this cook for a while over med heat while you blanch the tomatoes in the separate smaller pot.

Blanch the tomatoes – Roll them constantly in the boiling water 1 at a time for about a minute each. When you lightly tap the stem area with the edge of the spoon and the skin splits, take the tom out and gently roll it in the remaining cup (or so) of cold water that you have in a separate bowl to stop the cooking action. Do this for all 4 toms. Remove the skins and place the toms in a medium bowl and break them harshly – Give them large chops in the bowl, just enough to break them up into pieces that will cook down once they are put in the main pot. Spoon on top of the broken tomatoes about ¼C marinara sauce. Just enough to give the toms a boost, but not take over…

Once you are done blanching, pour the boiling water and the cold water into the main pot. Allow this to simmer for about 5 minutes. Raise the temperature to med-hi and allow to boil for at least 15 minutes.

Remove the pork chunks and let them rest on a plastic cutting board for at the very least 10 minutes. Shred them entirely using 2 forks and return the meat to the pot with the remaining TBSP of minced garlic. Add the toms, broccoli, and squash and reduce heat. Stir well and simmer for at least 20 minutes on med heat.

Makes about 5-6 2-cup servings depending on how much water was actually used and how big your veggies were… Unless you’re serving a large group you should expect leftovers!

I think perhaps next time I'd try it with a couple chicken breasts instead... Maybe add some jalapeños ... or bacon. Can never go wrong with bacon!

I've got a couple photography-related projects working out in my head so I may have more fun stuff to share next time! I am just barely able to function now, so gimme a little time :)

Epic Journey: Part 23

Also... New links to share!

After much deliberation and a bit too little sleep the decision was reached to put some of my prints up for sale. If there is any interest in seeing one of my images on a regular basis in a place besides the interwebs, see what I've got goin on over here! Theory being, I have it all set up to where you just click on the "buy"button and choose the format of print you'd like. Doesn't sound too difficult ...who wants to try it out? Check back as I am of the mindset to add a new image or two almost daily!

http://marystephensphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/Gallery-Arts-Lost-Soles-Project/G0000PJLsD5qb8x0
 AND
http://marystephensphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/Arts/G0000jUYLK0Vs26M


I finally decided I should do something about the crafts that are just piling up all over the place. Namely, my Cigar Box Purses. Etsy is helpin me out with a snazzy little slice of the webbernets to share them on. Check 'em out! This is but a smattering of what I have posted over there ^_^

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MCSPhotoCrafts