Goodbye, El Verano de Maria

This will be the last post from El Verano de Maria. This is my last night of my summer, hence the last blog post. I start my Junior year of college tomorrow. They said high school went by fast, college goes by even faster. I'm nervous for this year, but I'm also ready for it. I'm ready to be busy, I'm ready to be challenged, I'm ready to grow up. I'm just ready. Even though I'll kick and scream a lot. I actually am ready for all of this and I actually can do it. I do this thing sometimes (all the time) where I underestimate myself, limit my abilities, when in all actuality I am fully capable of doing the task. I usually have to prove it to myself more so than anyone else. I'm really not entirely sure what this year will bring, but I know one thing will definitely be growth, and growth in all areas of life. I've had a good summer, learning about myself and how I interact with people and areas that I struggle with. But just within the past few days I've already been proving myself, to myself. This post isn't really about telling all of you, whoever is reading this, that I'm going to do well this year. I'm telling myself that.

But enough about this year. I'm sad about saying goodbye to this blog, which sounds a little silly. But I've been really open about a lot on it. It's been really good to me. I hope all of you will follow me on my next blog, which will be my permanent one. For right now, it's Untitled. But this [mariacameliphotography.blogspot.com] is where you can find me. Thank you for being such loyal readers. I can't wait to update you all real soon :)

I'm Alive, I Swear

So since you last heard from me, a lot has happened.

Meghan came back and we spent our days sitting on a couch watching One Tree Hill.

Meghan started carrying around a purse

I got hired at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Which happens to be my dream job. I start training tomorrow. For those of you who don't know, Chipotle is my favorite place to eat in the whole world. I have no idea what I wanna do with photography, but I know I really want to work at Chipotle. There is probably a problem with this but I don't care too much. I have applied to Chipotle probably around 15 times since I've turned 18. And I finally got the job, woo!

The power went out and I traveled to the far off land of Taco Bell on more than one occasion.

Power outage

Then I moved out of the old apartment and into my new one.

Super duper awesome map from my sister, Jen

We got a cat

Living room view

I like my windows

I've been missing Noah and some other people from home.

I got this duct tape to remind me of Sarah

But I'm glad to be back in Rochester, even though the dumpster man and birds wake me up every morning.

Got SAU breakfast to watch the freshies

I start classes on Monday and I'll be pretty busy in between now and then.

Apples

Photoshoot (that's my roommate, Katie and fellow PJer and good friend, Prisca

Oh, I also found out Beyonce is pregnant. Woo!

Al Smith marries Al Smith

On August 13, 2011 Allison Smith got married to Alan Smith. This is one wedding that I've been anticipating for quite some time. Allison is one of my dear friends from RIT. We've spent many conversations talking about this wedding. The wedding was perfect for her and Alan. There was a lot of time spent on the little details, I wouldn't expect any less from Allison. Along with everything being wonderful, it rained, and hailed, and thundered, and lightninged. I kind of freaked out, mostly because I hate storms. But it was fine and it was really fun. The storm eventually cleared up and the dancing began! I put my camera inside because frankly I just wanted to dance and have it not get rained on. I have to say that it's quite an experience to dance to the glee mash up of singin' in the rain/umbrella in the rain... Anyway dear Allison, your wedding was wonderful and I hope it was everything you and Alan wanted it to be. Can't wait to hang out with you as a married woman!!  

A Goodbye

Going back to school this time around is going to be a lot harder than it has in the past. Mostly because of Mr. Noah. I won't get to see him gradually but quickly grow into an almost 5 month old grown man. However I'm not too worried, because I will be present in his life, until I leave the earth. I'm gonna love him forever. :) 

It's weird because when I was at home, before I started college, Rob, Tara, and Jeremy were all off doing their own thing while I stuck at home missing them. Now they are all at home and I'm the one who is off doing exciting things. Soon it will change and we will all be in the "real world" doing important things, or something or the sort. 

See you guys at Thanksgiving, or sooner if you come to visit. Love you all. 

P.S. Noah's mommy gave me a thank you card for the baby shower, but did it in Noah's perspective, needless to say, I cried like a baby. I can't wait until we can have a conversation and I can try to impart some of my wisdom..haha..but not to rush it, love you Noah Baby.

Meet Merlin

This is my much delayed post about Merlin.

Me and Merlin weren't good friends to start off, but now we are bffs, just like me and his caregiver, Sarah.

dats good boy.

Things I Observe

On Saturday August 6th I went with my dad and my aunt down to Wooster, Ohio to visit my grandparents in their nursing home. I hadn't seen them for about 4 years, which is a very long time. I've never been close with my grandparents, I never really had an opportunity to either, I didn't see them much growing up. I do remember telling my dad that I liked my grandma's hair, which he proceeded to tell her. Anyway, I had no real expectations for visiting my grandparents this time around. When I first entered the nursing home my mindset completely changed, that is a depressing place, let me tell you. My heart was preparing itself. When we entered my grandparents room, I was a little taken aback to be honest. My grandpa isn't in the best condition, okay, he isn't doing well. He recently suffered from a stroke, so I had never seen him like this. I wasn't exactly sure how to greet him or what to say. I think I mustered up a "hello." I just started to look around the room while my dad and my aunt talked to their parents. My grandparents had really old pictures hanging up all over. I'm always so curious about my dad when he was younger, I love hearing all of his stories. I think the first thing I realized was how important family portraits can be, and the more candid, the better. Below are two of my favorites. 

What I also realized from spending time with my grandparents, just observing and listening, is that they have lived a very full life. Brought twelve children into the world, among many many many other things. Most things I have no idea about. This interested me a lot. I'm only 20, I have approximately 60 more years to live. I have so many things that I want to do in that time. I want to live a full, meaningful, purposeful life. I think my grandparents did nothing short of that. Along with thinking about all of these things I was pretty regretful that I wasn't able to spend more time with them growing up, I didn't get to hear all of their super interesting life tales, or even know much about their personalities. 

So Grandma, Grandpa, if you are reading this, I am really, really sorry about that. But I do love you both and I'm so thankful that you raised my father, because without him I wouldn't be born. So really I do owe you a lot. I would love to hear some of those stories. I have a lot more to say, but I think I'll leave it at that.

I've seen so much life this summer. I learned about people and their experiences of all different ages. Life is an interesting thing. Getting older is just apart of life, but it's pretty fascinating if you think about it.

If He was Your Nephew, You'd do the Same

I can't guarantee that the rest of my posts for the summer won't be all about Noah.

Noah doesn't like his Dad's 'stache 

Noah thinks anyone with an upper body and arms can feed him. Poor guy.

Grandmamas

Hope you're sleeping well tonight buddy, I love you :)