good morning

[dia de los muertos dog from masks y mas in ABQ, NM]

Just a smile to say hello and good morning and thank you :) 

There has been so much that has gone on this summer, and I have managed to photograph just about all of it.    From the amazing vacation that week took, to the several shows we saw of good friends bands play, to the music video that was shot in our home, random drinking adventures and outings, the Olympics, more home improvements, and family visiting.  I have felt bad for not updating because I feel like the next post should be about the Vegas leg of my vacation, but it's so much and a little overwhelming.  It will come in time, and it will be beautiful. In the meantime, I will not let it hinder me from sharing other things before.

You can slowly start to see the end of summer which makes me so happy!

Albuquerque, NM 2012 6/9 - 6/12

I used to live in Albuquerque, NM.  Originally I am from Virginia, but I did spend nearly 7 very influential years in New Mexico and the desert.  What brought me there?  A long and old story, but easily, love.  I was accepted into an entirely new family and way of things.  I don't think that I could live there again, but I certainly took a lot from there and it shaped me for the better I think.

We left in 2007, and found ourselves back suddenly in July of 2010 for two weeks for one of the worst experiences that I have had to go through.  That was the last time I was there.

So I can honestly say that when Jem told me we were going to ABQ and Las Vegas for my birthday, I was nervous.  I wanted to go back, but I wanted to be able to be at peace and not think for the whole trip to ABQ about the accident and what we all went through the last time we were there.  Jem left a few days before me to go to the ABQ ComicExpo, and to spend time with family from out of town.  I got there on the 9th, and things just sort of fell back into place.  Sure, the thoughts were there but they weren't overbearing.  Jem and I were able to go off on our own, visit old haunts, see old friends, and spend time together there like we used to.

[From Charlottesville, Va to Charlotte,Nc]

[From Charlotte, Nc to Denver, Co]

[First things first : eat at the frontier]

[We went "sight seeing" and found sets from Breaking Bad.  Walt's house.  It was so crazy to see how close this was in relation to where we used to live.  A lot of the third/fourth season was filmed near our old hood.   I used to drive by the same Octopus car wash at Hoffmantown every day from work]

[San Felipe De Neri built in 1793.  One of my favourite places]

[In the courtyard of San Felipe De Neri]

[Inside]

[Highly edited photo of me from Jem's iPhone at San Felipe De Neri]

Just up from the San Felipe De Neri is one of my favourite stores in all of ABQ.  Hispane.  Full to the brim of folkart/masks/dia de los muertos.  <3!

[These were here before we moved.  I made a point to go and say goodbye to them.  So happy to have seen them again.  I wanted to bring one home, but they got way more expensive and I was afraid they wouldn't travel well.]

[<3]

It was so amazing to visit old haunts and to have people remember us.  I was surprised by this, but it also made me so happy.  With all the conversations and hugs, it was almost like we hadn't been away almost 5 years.

my style: black on black

[7.16.2012]

This was taken today in what will be our art room.  I have a feeling I'm going to love having a solid black wall for photos!

Also I am very much looking forward to having my hair cut next week.  I think I'm tired of trying to let it grow out, unless I can find a cut that keeps length and allows it to be messy messy.