From the 53rd Floor

I conned a friend into catching the sunrise with me a while back, and it is a good thing I did. We hadn't been out more than 30 minutes when it started to rain. Kind friend that she is, she then invited me to her apartment on the 53rd floor just off the beach.

This may have been my favorite beach trip yet. Good conversation and a yummy breakfast to eat while watching the sun and storm compete for dominance; pretty much the perfect morning.

Her views are spectacular, and I'm a bit jealous. She doesn't even have to crawl out of bed to catch the sunrise in the morning - she can watch it roll in every day from her apartment.

"We're the fire from the sun, we're the light when the day is done, we are the brave, we are the chosen ones, we're the diamonds."
Johnnyswim - Diamonds


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Surfing

Some mornings I'm lucky and the surfers turn up to entertain me as I walk. I'll admit, I'm a bit jealous of their skill and bravery. I don't see me taking up surfing while I'm here, but I do admire those who do it and who love it enough to get up crazy early every morning.

I'm not going to take up a new career as an action photographer any time soon, but trying to get clear shots of them actually standing up is a challenge that keeps me pushing my skill lever. So far it is more about luck than skill, but I'm improving.

A friend looked at this photo and asked how I got his perfectly lined up with the horizon, I wish I could say that was planned and carefully composed...but the truth is it just happened.

I'm actually starting to think there are some similarities to surfing and photography. I watch the surfers spend time out in the water, watching for that perfect wave. They try and set up for it to hit it and the right exact moment. Sometimes they fail and sometimes they don't and get a spectacular ride. The secret to both seems to be keep trying.

"Speak your mind, just be bold."
Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again Pin It

Early Bird

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, it is no surprise that I've been taking advantage of living 15 minutes from the beach and my early bird leanings to catch sunrise at the beach as often as possible.

Usually I just take my iPhone to capture the morning. But occasionally I bring out the big guns and take my real camera out. I had a lazy Sunday so I thought I'd clean off last months photos from the card in my camera; and rather than just file them a way, I remembered I had a blog I hadn't posted to in forever so I thought I'd share a few here.

I keep thinking I'll get tired of photographing sunrises, but it seams that every time I go out I see something different. Different weather means different colors and depending on the direction I walk who knows what I'll find.

The good news about being in the Southern Hemisphere is that it is winter now, which means the sun is rising later and later and I don't have to get up quite so early to enjoy this time of day.

"The sound of love astounds me every time that it calls."
Ingrid Michaelson - Wonderful Unknown Pin It

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

Weekend

Friday afternoon I realized I had no plans for the weekend, and, after several weeks of full weekends spent with friends/family before I moved, preparing for the move or settling in, it was a strange feeling. It was also the first time the reality of the move hit me; I realized I don't really know anyone yet, didn't really know my way around and, perhaps, worse that I am likely to be in that weird, new place for several more months. Luckily I've moved enough to know that feeling is temporary and that I just have to live through it.

I did a little research and found a place to get a haircut. Looked up Farmer's Markets and bike shops, then got serious about learning the Saturday bus schedule. I ended up putting together a pretty great weekend, and thanks to my bike shopping I'm already looking forward to next weekend and a long ride on my shiny new cruiser.

Any other ideas for getting adjusted to a new city?

"Could fee the sun about to rise, when I realized we had nothing to fear."
Marc Broussard - Home

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Wet But Well

I am happy to report that all is well here in Gold Coast - wet, but well. I've met some very nice people at work and am hoping I'll soon sort out all the names. I think I'm getting an idea of what my job will entail and am starting to form a game plan. I've been told a don't have a think American accent, which I've decided is a compliment. My only complaint would be the very stormy weather.

Normally I don't mind a bit of rain, and in fact I quite like the dramatic skies it brings, especially when I'm taking photos. But, since my commute involves a bus and 20 minutes of walking the torrential rain and winds that turn my umbrella inside out have me grumbling. Fingers crossed the weather changes soon or I'm going to break down and buy some rain boots.

"Change this feeling under my feet."
Kathleen Edwards - Change the Sheets Pin It

Getting Settled

It's been nearly two weeks since I arrived in Australia. The time has flown by as I worked my way through my to do list. I've finalized my visa/residency permit, I've established bank accounts, sorted out temporary housing, internet and phone, gotten a bit familiar with the city and most importantly, I've found a long-term apartment. All just in the nick of time, as I start working from my new office today.

A few impressions during my relatively short time here: Australian's are really as warm and welcoming as their stereo-types say. I've had great conversations with complete strangers and received so many genuine offers of help and great advice.

Terms of endearment are alive and well - I've been honey-ed, dear-ed, and sweetie-ed all over the place - and I have to say it beats being ma'am-ed any day of the week.

I could learn to love the beach - it's too cold to consider sticking my toes in, but I kept finding myself drawn to the shore just to watch the waves roll in.

I'm looking forward to diving into work today - I know it will make meeting a few people here easier and it will be good to have a bit of structure back in my week. I do, however, feel a bit like I'm a 12 year old girl on the first day at a new school, wondering what I should wear and hoping I'll have someone to eat lunch with! Fingers crossed it will all go well and that the cool kids like me!

"Seems those ordinary days are the ones that last"
Missy Higgins - Cooling of the Embers Pin It

Gold Coast Rain Forest

On my last day in Australia, I got away from the beach and explored the nearby rain forest - it was beautiful. I'm more of a mountain person than a beach person, so getting away from the touristy crowds filling Gold Coast to the quieter mountains was the perfect way to end my visit.

I usually take my Canon point and shoot camera on trips like this where I'm trying to pack light, but left it in Istanbul so I was left with my iPhone. A lucky circumstance, it forced me to spend some more time playing with the iPhone and the apps I've been downloading and not using.

I suspect my iPhone will get more use now that I've figured out how much fun it is to use. It seems like January is always a month where I'm looking for something to spark my creativity this year I found it.

"I see the beauty of the light of music."
r.e.m. - You are the Everything

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Catch You While I Can

David Nail - Catch You While I Can Pin It

Burleigh Head

I'm still in Australia and while today was spent at work far from the beach, I have my weekend memories to keep me centered. I think it helps that I lived in Rio for a couple of years and learned that even when you are living in a place where the rest of the world vacations sometimes you have to ignore the beach and get down to business.


I am coming away from this trip with firm offers to teach me to boogie board and maybe even surf on a future visit. Frankly I think that see visions of hilarity in their future if they offer to team the pasty girl from the desert who doesn't swim well to surf.


I finally get a true day off tomorrow - I'm still trying to figure out how to spend it, but I have my fingers crossed that it will be a blast.

"Wouldn't you like to know how far you've got left to go."
Beach House - On the Sea Pin It

Broad Beach

I arrived in Gold Coast on Wednesday afternoon - but it took until Saturday afternoon to break away from work and get to the beach. I also just happened to have downloaded a new pak (Tintype) for my Hipstamatic iPhone apps (thanks to the recommendation of UrbanMuser at Mortal Muses.) Without a doubt, the best 99 cents I spent all week.


By the time I got to the beach the day had turned very cloudy - great for my very pale skin - but even more so for my photos. The gloomy weather coupled with the new pak made for some very moody photos.


I brought my regular camera with me to Australia, but didn't have it when I got to the beach on Saturday and to be honest, I had so much fun playing with my iPhone I may leave the camera in the hotel safe the rest of the trip.



What was the latest photography iPhone (or Android) App you fell in love with?

"If it's the beaches' sand you want then you shall have them.
If it's the mountain's bending rivers then you will have them."
The Avett Brothers - If it's the Beaches Pin It