I exist.
Just thought I'd mention! I have been neglecting you, dear lj readers. It's been a long time since I've known what I should (or what was safe) to write about. Needless to say there is a lot of shaking out left to go in the whole life department but I think despite the mighty mighty speed bumps things are moving in a healthier direction.
I feel like myself again. I'm loving watching, and hopefully helping, Ewan grow up. I think my work is improving and there is a lot of it coming up. I've been spending a lot of time in the last year soul searching and rediscovering myself. Turns out I actually do like me, and have missed me a lot. I've lost a ton of weight and still going (emotional baggage much?), and thinkin' I look pretty good! That's a big deal for me and I hope it keeps up.
I participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program and raised over $3,000 for cancer research and patient support, produced my first concert (as a fundraiser), have made some great friends through the hiking, and am definitely feeling healthier. I also cleared a 3,200 ft gain in pretty decent time and am looking forward to climbing some mountains in the future. I'm off my training schedule now that I'm done with the actual program but still keeping active and health conscious.
Ewan and I go hiking (egads, is he heavy, though!) on a regular basis. He really seems to enjoy it. He says, "Go in backpack. Waterfall. Road." We sing and bounce and point out big rocks while hiking. I think he likes seeing the snow everytime (yes I go up at least a 1,000 ft with him every time, though haven't cleared 1,500 with him yet). He's so with it, smart, and really funny! He makes me melt. I wish he'd get back to sleeping through the night, but childhood development literature seems to suggest that should be happening again soon. I've been taking a class (last one tonight) which has been pretty interesting and thought provoking on that front. I can get quite impassioned! :p But it's great debate and great to get some further perspective on parenting. I know this is definitely the biggest thing I will ever do.
Otherwise, I'm ever working on the balance between trying to work as much as I need to and make it, and making sure Ewan gets as much time with me and enrichment as possible. It's a tough one. I'm not sure what direction things will go, but I'm still hoping to keep him out of day care as long as possible. Preschool is just around the corner though! Oh. my. gawds. How did that happen? He'll be 2 years old in less than two months! Where did my baby go?!
Anyway... for all of your facebooky types that aren't on there with me yet please check out my photography page and fan me up! I'm hoping to hit 1,000 and get a username for it (nerd much?). Either way - I always appreciate the support, referrals, and general art love. I will be posting more of the art and less of the "paid gig" stuff soon. I'm a little buried in Photoshop at present but catching up!
I'm also now an Area Coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, and have been for a few months. So, definitely no shortage of volunteering going on and I'm constantly amazed by the people/photographers/families/hospital staff that I meet through this work. I'm working on a documentary project focusing on public education - reteaching our backward, avoidant western culture and hopefully making the world a better place. I hope to do a lot more of that in big and little ways during my life time. How lofty am I?! I think we all should - heal the world (as the late MJ would say), love your neighbor, love the planet, love the love. I'm all about the love these days - it makes everything else a learning experience instead of a tragedy and there is something to be said for that.
Anyway - peace and love to all of your around the world. I hope you're well even if I haven't done a good job of keeping in touch. Now feel free to scrape off the hippie and say hi. I miss ya'll. :)
Big things on the horizon, I'm sure.
Nicole Raine Photography on Facebook
I feel like myself again. I'm loving watching, and hopefully helping, Ewan grow up. I think my work is improving and there is a lot of it coming up. I've been spending a lot of time in the last year soul searching and rediscovering myself. Turns out I actually do like me, and have missed me a lot. I've lost a ton of weight and still going (emotional baggage much?), and thinkin' I look pretty good! That's a big deal for me and I hope it keeps up.
I participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program and raised over $3,000 for cancer research and patient support, produced my first concert (as a fundraiser), have made some great friends through the hiking, and am definitely feeling healthier. I also cleared a 3,200 ft gain in pretty decent time and am looking forward to climbing some mountains in the future. I'm off my training schedule now that I'm done with the actual program but still keeping active and health conscious.
Ewan and I go hiking (egads, is he heavy, though!) on a regular basis. He really seems to enjoy it. He says, "Go in backpack. Waterfall. Road." We sing and bounce and point out big rocks while hiking. I think he likes seeing the snow everytime (yes I go up at least a 1,000 ft with him every time, though haven't cleared 1,500 with him yet). He's so with it, smart, and really funny! He makes me melt. I wish he'd get back to sleeping through the night, but childhood development literature seems to suggest that should be happening again soon. I've been taking a class (last one tonight) which has been pretty interesting and thought provoking on that front. I can get quite impassioned! :p But it's great debate and great to get some further perspective on parenting. I know this is definitely the biggest thing I will ever do.
Otherwise, I'm ever working on the balance between trying to work as much as I need to and make it, and making sure Ewan gets as much time with me and enrichment as possible. It's a tough one. I'm not sure what direction things will go, but I'm still hoping to keep him out of day care as long as possible. Preschool is just around the corner though! Oh. my. gawds. How did that happen? He'll be 2 years old in less than two months! Where did my baby go?!
Anyway... for all of your facebooky types that aren't on there with me yet please check out my photography page and fan me up! I'm hoping to hit 1,000 and get a username for it (nerd much?). Either way - I always appreciate the support, referrals, and general art love. I will be posting more of the art and less of the "paid gig" stuff soon. I'm a little buried in Photoshop at present but catching up!
I'm also now an Area Coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, and have been for a few months. So, definitely no shortage of volunteering going on and I'm constantly amazed by the people/photographers/families/hospital staff that I meet through this work. I'm working on a documentary project focusing on public education - reteaching our backward, avoidant western culture and hopefully making the world a better place. I hope to do a lot more of that in big and little ways during my life time. How lofty am I?! I think we all should - heal the world (as the late MJ would say), love your neighbor, love the planet, love the love. I'm all about the love these days - it makes everything else a learning experience instead of a tragedy and there is something to be said for that.
Anyway - peace and love to all of your around the world. I hope you're well even if I haven't done a good job of keeping in touch. Now feel free to scrape off the hippie and say hi. I miss ya'll. :)
Big things on the horizon, I'm sure.
Nicole Raine Photography on Facebook