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February 12, 2010
Things that make me happy: Awesome Local People
As if I needed more reasons to love Portland more than I already do, the fantastic Amy Olson creator of beautiful jewelry interviewed me for her blog Portland Loves Local, a delightful blog about, well, Portland and its vast roster of talented artists that she runs along with photographer Misha Ashton. I appreciate anybody who takes great pride in their town and in the people that make it work. So I was quite honored when Amy asked me I'd be willing to be interviewed. Of course!
Please visit their blog! Even if you don't live in Portland, you might feel inspired to discover more about the local talent in your town.
Hearts!
Posted by starmagn at 02:48 AM | Comments (4)
February 11, 2010
Things that make me happy: Watercolor
"How do you cope with this Portland winter?", a friend asked me last week. I had absolutely no answer. It is no secret that January and February are my toughest months, emotionally, ever since relocating to the States and more specifically, dreary, Sunless Portland. I can't tell if it's the constant sprinkly rain (I am a huge fan of big ol' fat rain) or the dark mornings or lack of Sun or the post-Holiday blues or the slow season in photography or being new to the business and freaking out about the slow season or the fact that it is weird that I have actual no-sessions weekends now instead of having 10 sessions a weekend and 40-hours-a-week day-job...or what. But SOMETHING gets me really down.
And in the two Winters I've spent in Portland I haven't done a single thing to combat it all. Until I somehow landed on this blog: Color Me Katie. Extremely adorable and full of color, love, balloons (!!!) and inspiration to be happy. I believe you should also embrace feelings of sadness and helplessness, if only for a bit. They are, after all, HUMAN feelings. We are not perfect. Eventually, you feel tired of not wanting to face the world every morning.
So, I am devising activities to clear my head of any lingering negative thoughts, like learning watercolor! My obsession with watercolor runs deep, but I have never been able to acquire this skill. Finally, the timing is right now, as a dear friend gave me a kit back in Christmas! I grabbed a Beginner's book from the library, starting with very simple lessons. Not skipping, like I usually do.
Why, this surely makes me happy :) :) :) :) :)
May I ask, how do YOU cope with consecutive negative thoughts? Do you just ride it out, or do you combat it?
Have a great day! Noodles!
Posted by starmagn at 02:43 AM | Comments (2)
February 07, 2010
2009 : A year in review? : March
Now I know why people told me to hold on, hold on and brave the Winter for the flowers will bloom and you will be amazed. Swoon swoon swoon swoooooon. Cherry blossoms everywhere. It was a like a dream come true (minus the allergies, woah)! My friends hosted crafternoons, dinner, lunchies, picnics, walks, photo adventures... all welcoming the nicer weather and the fruit of all that rain.
March marked the first wedding of 2009, an intimate ceremony held at an old elementary school in Forest Grove, OR. Lovely. I am very much looking forward to this March 2010. I can already spot the buds on bulbs all around. *happy smiles*
Posted by starmagn at 02:18 AM | Comments (0)