Red Lips

Kamee from Kamee June Photography (our wedding photographer!) posted self-portraits today...which are amazing, by the way. Her post suggests taking a self-portrait and challenging yourself to see past what you consider your flaws. I've taken self-portraits before but as I was reading this I thought, there's no way I'm taking a self-portrait today. I feel fat and ugly and just...blah (come on, we all feel that way sometimes). Then I thought about it again and realized I should take a self-portrait today BECAUSE I don't feel pretty....just to see if I can change my attitude about myself for the day.

So, here it is...I bought this red hat awhile ago and decided I really needed red lipstick to wear with it. This is the first time I've ever put that red lipstick on because I'm a little scared of it...but I have to admit, I rather liked the look.

Thanks for the challenge, Kamee!

...and then I updated my blog!

Just as I was getting pretty good at updating this thing...I stopped. For a month. A little disappointed in myself, but I suppose that's what going back to work after a 2 week vacation will do to you. :)

I have been pretty busy, though. With less than 5 months until my wedding, work full-time, school full-time, two puppies, a kitty and a fiance, I seem to be finding it hard to use my free time for anything other than sleep. Oh! And did I mention I'm going to have another nephew! I'm so excited! I'll be posting about all that soon too.

Until I get a chance to breathe, here's a teaser of a recent photoshoot.

Good Things To Come

Look who I get to photograph this weekend. :)

Also, somebody is having a birthday on Saturday. :)

Lots of photos to come. :) Happy week!

O' Christmas Tree

Three years ago I moved into my first condo with a roommate. Three years ago I also bought my first Christmas tree. Although I love real trees, I bought a fake one because I figured it was more economical. I put my tree up that year and two weeks later, our condo flooded. It was a mess and I won't go into it. But, I had to take my tree down before Christmas that year. The year after that, at a new condo I lived at with Rudy, we had Pepper and Dusty. Pepper just turned a year old and Dusty was 6 months so I figured it was safest not to put up my tree. The year after that, we moved in with Rudy's family, so again, I didn't put up my tree.

This year has been the first chance I've had to really get use out of my tree. I love Christmas and I love things that are pretty (probably why I love photography), so a Christmas tree is one of my favorite things. Two weeks ago, I decided I couldn't wait any longer and I spent a day decorating my tree.

It makes me happy. :) Enjoy your weekend!

Big Fresno Fair

Every year, Rudy and I make sure we go to the Big Fresno Fair. It's really our only tradition. We eat a bunch of fatty foods, look at all the exhibits (I always say that the next year I'll enter the photography competition), and take photos in the photobooth. The fair isn't anything special, really, but I love it because it means spending time with Rudy and remembering that we've spent another year together.

This year, the fair was extra special though because we got to go with our friends, Chris and Jenny who live "up north" as us central Californians say.

This was also the first year that I saw horse racing! I swear, with Rudy's size and athleticism, he was born to be a jockey.

I'm already looking forward to next year's fair...maybe Rudy will finally win me a goldfish!

Happy Thursday!

Life is Good

Poor blog. I've completely neglected it.

Good news is though, there hasn't been too much going on lately to blog about. My mama moved up her wedding date to January 8, so I'll be posting details to that soon. Rudy and I took our engagement photos this past weekend, so those will be posted in the coming month as well. We took our annual trip to the Big Fresno Fair with our friends Chris and Jenny a couple weeks ago, so I'll post about that soon too.

Life is good. :)

We're all supporting the Giants, even the puppies. :) Well, all except Belle, who refused to participate because I think she's a Dodgers fan. Go figure.

By the way, I took this photo on a timer on the FIRST TRY. Can you believe all of us are looking straight at the camera? Pepper is even winking at the camera! It makes me so happy. Have a wonderful week (just in case I don't come back until next week)!

Moving On

Rudy and I moved in with his parents a year and a half ago. Our lease was up on the condo we were renting and I was planning on quitting my job to student teach, which meant we wouldn't be able to afford living on our own anymore. Rudy's family was incredibly generous letting me live there with them and I honestly appreciate it more than they can imagine. However, living there was NOT easy. I hadn't been under parental supervision in a really long time and there were A LOT of people living in that house. You can imagine all of the complications that came with having to share a bathroom with 3 boys and a teenage girl.

I wasn't only desperate to get a job because I was bored out of my mind being unemployed, but getting a job meant we would finally be able to move out again. Have I mentioned how much I love my new job?

Well, last weekend, Rudy and I moved. It was, quite possibly, the best day I've had this year. Although unpacking is going very slowly and starting over is pretty expensive, I'm so happy. The fur children are adjusting quite well too. Belle has made herself at home, looking out every window and picking on Dusty whenever possible. Dusty is working on being adorable and behaving wonderfully...which he is being very successful at.
And Pepper, well...it's always about Pepper, isn't it? Pepper is being a DIVA. She's absolutely refusing to potty on the dirt outside. Every once in awhile she's desperate enough and can't stop herself, but for the most part, she will hold it and just stare at me when I take her to the dirt. The plan when we found out we could rent this place, which doesn't have a yard, was to get a doggie door out to the patio and the puppies could potty in the dirt when we're not home. With Pepper refusing, I don't want to risk any accidents inside, so she and Dusty have been staying outside when Rudy and I are gone.

On top of the constant potty struggle (I usually give in and take her to the grass on the street), Pepper has also discovered the windows.

She's rather enjoying looking out and barking at, well, everything. I swear, that dog needs some private obedience lessons. Thank goodness we have one good dog.

The Swimming Pool

So, my sister has this friend. This friend has a dog named Max. Max is a super sweet and sensitive German Shepherd. Sometimes my sister house-sits for her friend. I've taken both Pepper and Dusty over there on different occasions for a play date with Max. Dusty didn't have the best time...he prefers to play with people. Pepper had a blast on her first play date though.

Recently this friend put a pool in the backyard. I was SO excited! Probably more excited than they were! Because I was willing to bet since they had Max, that they would be willing to let Pepper come over and play and swim in their pool the next time my sister was house-sitting. I was right!

This morning, Pepper and I went to our play date with Max and the pool. First of all, Pepper was a big ol' brat. She totally picked on Max and stole the ball from him. She's lost play date privileges until after traning #3 which we're scheduling soon. Other than that though, she was a TOTAL CHICKEN with the pool! The pool had a few levels and she would get in the water on the step level, but she only actually got into the deeper area a couple times (with some "encouragement" from me). When she was in the deeper area where she had to swim, she would swim to the edge and then get stuck because she couldn't pull herself out.

I think with some more practice (after she learns to be a more polite friend), she will figure it out.

Oh, Pepper...

Lucky Me

About 20 minutes after I posted my last post, I got a call from my (now) employer! I was offered a job and didn't hesitate to take it! I just have to say, I am feeling SO relieved. When I was working at the zoo, I found it to be boring and easy. I hated the 8-5 schedule and complained all the time. This time around, regardless of my hour commute or 8-5 schedule, I'm promising myself (and I never break promises) that I'm going to always remember how miserable unemployment was and be incredibly grateful that I have a job.

I'm one VERY lucky girl.

Yesterday I had to pleasure of taking photos of two of my fabulous friends, Darin and Brenda. I may have had to bug them a bit...okay, A LOT, until they agreed...but I'm happy to say no restraints were needed to keep them around for the hour of the shoot.

Seriously though, they were so sweet to let me take some photos of them for their one year anniversary and I'm super happy with how they turned out! Here's one for your viewing pleasure...and more coming later this week.

372 Times a Day

I think I need to become employed VERY soon because I've become incredibly obsessed with my cell phone. Today, my phone turned itself off for no reason and I spent an hour trying to talk myself out of the thought that I might have missed a phone call for a job opportunity. I also think I must have checked my email, oh, 372 times today.

Is it unprofessional to call and demand they give me a job? Or beg? You know, for the sake of my cell phone. Because at this rate, I'm positive I'm going to break it from overuse.

Maybe I should just take him to interviews because it is pretty darn difficult to say no to this face.

An Overly Emotional Pushover

While visiting my sister and helping her clean (because I'm a weirdo and actually kind of enjoy cleaning), we were chatting about relationships.

This conversation led me to the realization that Rudy and I are complete opposites for a reason. See, I'm a pushover. I'm also far too sensitive and worry WAY too much what other people think of me. Although I'm never going to be completely cured (and if I'm being honest, I like these qualities about myself to a certain extent and don't want to be cured completely), he has helped me become a much stronger person. Sometimes I say no. Sometimes I talk some sense into myself when I'm being overly emotional. And sometimes, sometimes I even do something knowing that somebody will be upset because it's the right thing to do for me. If I were to be with someone who was similar to me, yes, he might understand me better...but, I don't think he would help me become a healthier, happier (more happy?) me.

I'm a lucky, lucky person to have found someone who compliments me so well. I love you, Rudy.

Job Interview

I'm unemployed. Not a huge surprise to anyone who reads my facebook. Ever since I quit my position at the zoo to student teach, it has been really difficult to find a full-time position. It is seriously driving me crazy. I'm bored out of my mind!

However, after three months of searching, a billion applications, a million resumes and a thousand cover letters, today I'm going to only my second interview. This particular position is clerical, which I'm totally happy with and an hour away, which I'm not as happy. But, I'll totally take it!

I always get so nervous just before an interview. Certainly not because I'm afraid of the people or the job, but because I put so much pressure on myself to GET the job. Especially right now, where stress is becoming a huge factor in my life because of unemployment. I tend to not let myself think before giving an answer to a question and just babble on (okay, I do this ALL the time) and on and say whatever pops into my head.

I have to admit something, though. I don't just get nervous at interviews. I'm BAD at interviews. I totally am. I like people and I know I'm personable and I know I can do well in any job I apply for but I have a really hard time fighting my nerves and explaining myself. I come off either sounding too young (okay, I sound young no matter what) or a bit unsure of myself because I'm a little afraid to say what I'm good at for fear of not living up to it. What if I'm not really very good at something that I think I'm good at?

I'm hoping by writing this and admitting these things to myself that I'll give myself the opportunity to improve. I WILL slow down, be myself and be confident in what I have to offer an employer.

Interview is at 1 PM. Wish me luck!

Here's some cuteness to brighten your day...or just mine. :)

Belle Kitty

My poor kitty is just miserable.

The Cerda family got a new kitten about a month ago. Although Belle has adjusted well, which we did NOT expect, she desperately wants a space away from the kitten's constant playing. With a neighborhood that lets little dogs run around unaccompanied by their owners (although don't get me started on that one), I don't want sweet, friendly, trusting Belle to run around outside.

Yesterday it was seriously, a beautiful day, so I put the pups outside for about 4 hours and Belle was happy to come in the room and hang out with me. Although she spent most of her time looking out the window, I'm hoping that time away from the crazy kitten was enough to keep her from going completely insane.



She sure is pretty.