Weekly Resolutions aka stuff I really want to do .

There are some important things I've been putting off. Things other than my education, laundry, reading, taxes, etc. The word resolution...has lost it's charm and all connotation of hope that was connected. I thought 5 would be a good place to start. Instead of a year...I'll take a week...which fits nicely with my lack of wanting to focus all my energy on a handful of redundant goals for 365 consecutive days.

1. Eat ice cream, preferably gelato,cone included.

2. Go to an art museum.

3. Finger Paint

4. Learn a New Dessert Recipe...a colorful one.

5. Roller skate.

I had a dream last night. I met the perfect guy. Inside and out. I noticed him on a train. We ate sandwiches, then took pictures. I don't remember what it was that he said, but I remember instantly feeling comfortable. We were in Mexico, on a beach. He left a kiss on my pillow. We saw a shooting star. We played with orphans. He spoke in every accent requested while ruining the novel for me. He taught the kids in my class to make paper airplanes. Putting up lights and a tree really made it seem like Christmas. My half of the tree looked better. We read. He hugged me on a day I really needed one. He wore glasses and had a smile that curled up more on one side. We were laying on his bed... on opposite sides only our legs touching. Mine crossing his and his hands on my knees. Honest conversation, and me laughing every couple of minutes. Nothing weird about this dream, nothing out of the ordinary. We played rummikub, he won. We played scrabble, I won. He came to the door wearing the shirt I told him that I loved the day before. We ate chinese and talked about spirituality. He reached out for my hand as we drove to the store. We bought the same sheets and argued about bedsreads and the education system. I would listen to his ideas and future inventions. He would listen and laugh at my crazy stories. My favorite thing about this dream is that I laughed. A lot. Then it seemed right as if he was about to tell me something, I woke up.

"and the world spins madly on."

If I could describe life as of late, in one word, it would be Wonderful. If I could describe it in 3 words? It would be Wonderful, confusing, and stressful. Good thing wonderful trumps the latter two. We know that life will always be stressful. There's two options after that. Find a way to cope with the stress, or, not. I guess one way I found that eleviates stress for me is photography. I love it. For a million reasons, but right now I love it for it's simplicity. If only life were as simple as a beautiful photo. That's the one thing I feel we can't do. As humans with all of our power and inventions, we have not discovered how to stop time. Photos in their own way freeze a moment. I recently returned from a service trip in Mexico and raised money through doing just what I love.
I was able to raise enough money to go to the El Sauzal orphanage for Christmas. There was one family in particular who was kind enough to donate a very generous amount. All I had to do was take a few pictures. :) They are a beautiful family...so I decided to put some pictures up. Thank you to the Guttierrez Family for helping the kids in Mexico have a better Christmas than they've ever had. Thank you.

This was one of my favorite moments of the trip. Sitting on a swing with Fabiola. Perfect.

This was while delivering rice and beans in the community. Grisella and her little sister.

A new addition to the orphanage.

Leti. This smile was due to the breakfast burritos that we made them that morning. Come to think of it...I never saw her not smiling. :)

The Christmas tunnel. The kids would walk through the Christmas tunnel while we cheered and at the end of the tunnel Santa was waiting for them with their gift. Their faces were priceless.

One of the coolest fisherman alive. I'm sure of it.

Taking the kids on their first boat ride.

Samari. She was one of the newest in the nursery at the orphanage. She also has the cutest smile.

My favorite ring. Yes, those are elephants, yes their trunks and tails are connected. Yes you can't have it.

I don't know if any words are needed for this picture other than...this is a preview of my california pictures that will be posted next. :)

"a bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses"

This December I am going back down to Mexico to volunteer at the El Sauzal orphanage. We are fundraising for this trip to give these kids a Christmas they will never forget. We are also doing a community outreach project to provide beans and rice for families there who may not have sufficient food.
I'm doing family, baby, engagment photos for donations. There is no donation minimum or maximum :) I'm posting some samples so you can have an idea of what you want done. Let me know if you're interested. If you just got your photos done, you can still donate to a good cause this Christmas!