Sunrise

I woke up this morning and my first thought was that in less than 4 days I'll be waking up to the sun rising over the mountains instead of over the ocean - and I can't wait. Don't get me wrong, I love the ocean sunsets, but the thought of waking up in my own bed, looking out over the mountains and knowing my family and friends are nearby thrills me like nothing else.

I've only been away 7 weeks this trip, and it is only a short visit home, but the thought of seeing everyone I love in person rather than on Facetime has me so full of energy. I'm not even dreading packing the way I usually do.

When was the last time you woke up so excited you couldn't wait to get out of bed and get the day going?

"So I'll wait for the sun, I'll wait for the light."
Joe Purdy - The Sun Pin It

Snow Canyon

I wanted to kick 2014 off in the right way, so I headed to one of my favorite places on earth, Snow Canyon, to do a bit of hiking. There is something about those rich red rocks and a blue sky that call to me. It was the perfect way to spend some time thinking about what changes the year was going to bring and what I wanted to accomplish.

I enjoyed spending the day outside so much, I may just have to find a way to make it an annual tradition.

Pulling the photos out again this month, also gave me a chance to check back in on the plans I made that day - to see how I was doing with some of my goals and plans. Truth is it was a good reminder I need to get busy with a few things, and a chance to be grateful that I'm making progress on some of those goals.

I had such a good time at Snow Canyon, that when my family was in town a couple of weeks later I talked them into making a return trip with me, including this little Dude, I hope this is just one of many visits we make together to this beautiful place.

"I stared up at the sun, thought of all the people, places and things I've loved."
OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself


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A Look Back to India

 I just finished up a month long, online Lightroom class, where I learned some great new things (even after using it for several years.) On the second week we needed some photos for adjustments. I decided to dig back into my photo archives to some photos I took when I lived in India. This was before I got interested in photography, didn't know what a dslr or Lightroom was.

I had a basic point and shoot camera that fit in my pocket and no idea how to use it. I thought it would be interesting to see what I could do with some of these photos and Lightroom. 

Looking back I realize that my first 6 months in India in 2008, was what sparked my desire to learn more about photography. India was so colorful, and different from everything I'd experienced to that point in my life. Just being there made me want to find a way to capture the experiences I was having and the things I was seeing.

"My age has never made me wise, but I keep pushing on and on and on."
Imagine Dragons - Nothing Left to Say

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It's been a while...

I know, I know, it has been forever since I've been in the mood for this little blog. Strangely, even with a move to a beautiful new place and a more regular schedule (i.e. not too busy to blog) inspiration has been missing. My camera rarely comes out of the closet and even the camera on my phone gets little use.

I decided not to worry about it, figuring my energy was simply focussed on assimilating in a new job and culture. Still I missed having a creative outlet. So when my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas I decided I'd ask for tuition for a Lightroom class I'd wanted to take for a while. Hoping that taking the class would force me to pull out the camera again.

Taking the class inspired me to get up at 4:45 on a Saturday morning in hopes of capturing some sunrise beach shot. As you can see, the weather didn't cooperate, it was a very moody morning with only hints of sun peaking through.

I loved the morning I spent on the beach, and realized there is a lot to love here in Australia. Being a 15 minute walk to the beach is just one of them.

I'm not going to promise to start blogging regularly again, because who knows. But I do hope the camera comes out a bit more often as I've missed that creative feeling I get when it does.

You said, remember that life is 
not meant to be wasted
We can always be chasing the sun
So fill up your lungs and just run
But always be chasing the sun
Sara Bareilles - Chasing the Sun Pin It