Must Love Dogs

I never thought I'd have a post like this one.

Most people know that I'm not exactly an animal lover, but that might not be 100% accurate. Is it possible to only like baby animals? If so, then I might like puppies; I mean, how can you really resist a puppy? Even I couldn't resist when my brother's friend, Mike, asked me to take a few pictures of his new dog, Maali. As I kept explaining to them, it was just like taking pictures of a child. I did all the same things that I would normally do in attempts to get the attention of a very distracted toddler. I made noises, called her name, used my camera strap, etc... Who knew that taking pictures of a puppy would be so much fun?

I don't know if I'm a changed woman now or not. I don't know if a puppy could steal my heart, but if they didn't grow up, I might be open to the possibility.

Sorry to all you "cat people" because I'm allergic, so I can never change my mind about them.

Auditorium.

I had a great time exploring the old auditorium at Frederick Douglass High School last week. My co-worker, Jared, had seen it before, and he made sure I had the chance to check it out too.

I couldn't resist all the old seats, great ceiling tiles, and few dance moves on the empty stage. Andrew was there, so I took his picture too!

Out of the Office

I got out of the office yesterday to help out the Baptist Crossroads Foundation with some work at Frederick Douglass High School. We're helping to paint and fix up the inside of the school before the next school year. Volunteer groups this summer will continue what we've started this week until the project is complete.

I'll be out there again today probably helping with more painting. If you're available, you should join me between 8:30 am - 4 pm. They'll be working on Saturday as well.

I found some pretty cool things inside the old classrooms. The only thing that would have made it better was if I was doing a portrait session in each of these sweet areas. They also have a really great auditorium...pictures of that sometime next week.

Crabs...the good kind!

I have two friends that really enjoy cooking. McKenzie is one of them, and I was stoked to be invited over recently for dinner. I didn't have a portrait shoot, so I thought it would be fun to take pictures of the scrumptious food that she made.

Dinner included crab legs, asparagus, salad with homemade dressing, and bread. It was one of the yummiest dinners that I've had in quite some time, so I was very thankful for her hospitality. Don't be jealous, and don't you dare try to steal my spot at her dinner table after you see how everything turned out.

Ramblings.

There has been a lot going on in my life lately. If you're tight with me then you know some of the details, and if you're not, be glad, because I wish I could excuse myself from my own life right now. Needless to say, these circumstances and stresses have resulted in a lot of internal struggles and lots of thinking for me. Thankfully, I'm one of those people that clings to God with a death grip the harder things seem to be.

I think most of the struggle has come from feeling helpless or not equipped to handle what is being thrown my way. In the back of my mind, I kept telling God this phrase, "I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you." I knew it was from Scripture, so I decided to look it up, imagine that. :)

I'm trying to keep this short, so I'll encourage you to read all of chapter 20 later for the back story.

2 Chronicles 20:12, 15b, 17
For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you...

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.

I realize that I'm not facing a vast army outside my office door, like Jehoshaphat,  but a spiritual battle is definitely underway. I'm not fighting alone; God is with me. Thank goodness because I've got nothing on my own. He's also given me some pretty great friends too.

No matter what you are facing, big or small, God is capable of handling the situation. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Remember to pray A LOT, read Scripture, and when you feel like you can't push forward anymore...ask your friends to pray with you.

Time Flies

A year ago at this time I was in India; it's hard to believe 365 days have gone by since then. My life looks a whole lot different than it did just that short time ago.

I didn't have a blog then, so I decided to share some of my favorites from my time there.

Deodorant Debacle

I went running with a friend yesterday, and we ended up running 4.5 miles. When you run that far in the lovely New Orleans humidity and heat, sweat is really inevitable. Sweating can really make a girl dependent on her deodorant-whether it works or it doesn't.

Apparently, my friend had recently decided to try out one of the inexpensive brands of deodorant, hoping it worked like the good stuff. Well, it didn't; or, she implied that it wasn't working for her at that moment. Me being a good friend and all, I felt the need to tell her about which one was effective for me. She wasn't so keen on that one because it's a little cutesy in the branding. She and I both agree that we cannot use deodorants that have sparkles on the packaging.

So she posed the question; can I use guys deodorant? To which I respond, "why not?" However, do you really want to smell like Old Spice? I'm not hating on Old Spice; I actually think it smells decent, but I have a hard time imagining it on a girl. How would that really smell? She seemed to think that it would give off a different scent if she wore it....

What do you think? Can a girl rock a guys deodorant and still smell good? Is that legit?

Because I needed a picture, here's my favorite. Too much information, I know!

Drew Barrymore Look Alike

We were rushing to beat the rain and the fading light when we met up with Betsy on Monday. We ended up walking to a few places on Magazine Street before it began to drizzle.

I had more fun with this session than I anticipated, and I ended up laughing a lot throughout the time we spent with her. It wasn't until almost the end of the shoot that I decide she reminded me so much of Drew Barrymore. Is it just me, or do you think so too?