I just got back from a week in Denver with a group of students from school. We were on "Alternative Fall Break" which is a trip dedicated to learning about social issues and providing service to different organizations. We studied poverty, homelessness and social/environmental justice. We went to many organizations that are doing amazing things to help the community. The most memorable for me was the Women's Bean Project. Check it out, because it was an amazing experience! We also focused on art, and graffiti as public voice. We visited a place called The Spot where kids from the community could go after school and have an opportunity to learn art. There was some amazing graffiti on the walls! I took a few photos for a class assignment on color as abstract form. We talked with a couple of guys that have worked there for the past few years about the amazing things that the program does for the kids. I was heartbroken when they told us that they were being shut down because of lack of funding just the next day. So we got to see the place and learn a little about it, right before they closed. It's tragic that programs like this one that are doing so much good for young people are the first to shut down when funding gets low. Stupid economy!

Here is another one I've been working on.  Also dumb, but it's all I have digitally.  Seriously, one of these days I will have a digital camera.  Maybe.

So, since I really have nothing interesting to write about, I thought I would share the crap that I am working on for my digital imaging class.  The last assignment was to take our "favorite" color and make an image about it.  This is what I came up with. It sucks, so don't judge me!

So, I may have fallen off the face of the earth. Sorry it's been so long. I have been super busy with school and work. This is the second to last semester of college (at least for my bachelor's degree) and has been the worst one yet. I don't know how much longer I'll hold out, but until I completely colapse, I am going 110 miles an hour. I am working full time and going to school full time. On top of that I am in the photo club presidency at school (http://www.utah-pac.com/ check it out!), and leading a fall break trip to Denver where we are doing service and studying issues of poverty and social injustice. Now I may complain about how busy I am, but truth is I am enjoying it so much! I feel super lucky to have the opportunities that I do right now, and to get to interact with such amazing people through the things that I'm doing. Our photo club is probably one of the coolest organizations in the universe(mostly because of the people involved), and the Alternative Fall Break program is truely amazing! I am attaching a silly photo I've been working on for my digital imaging class. It is dumb, but I am finally learning Photoshop. Shhh, I know. I am a "traditional" photographer who still only owns a film camera. All you techies out there can jump in a lake! (Or lend me money to get the digital camera I really want)

So I was on msn.com today and found a clip of this guy named Matt who goes all around the world and films himself dancing. Sometimes he is alone, sometimes he is with other people. There was a short blurb of him talking about the filming, and when I watched the video, well...I am a bit of a baby, but it made me cry. Go check it out at www.wherethehellismatt.com. It's amazing!

So I have been terribly slack as of late. It has a little to do with the fact that I am in School for 10 hours a day after working 8 hours at my job. So I apologize for the rude lack of news/info. (Not that you were really wondering what I've been up to). Life is amazingly good lately. I am almost done with first term of the summer semester, which has me wanting to kill myself a little, and also makes me wish school could always be like the summer. A whole semesters worth of credit over in 5 weeks. It doesn't get much better than that. At least not at school. So things are very busy and if you haven't seen or heard from me lately, I am sorry. I will reappear sometime after June 18th. More later...

The greatest gift

I am frequently amazed at how much my life is enriched by those I love, both friends and family. God sure knew what he was doing when he sent them to my life. I am in awe by their examples of love, compassion, service and strength. If you are one of these mentioned loved ones, (i.e. family or friends) please know I love you with all my heart and thank God for you everyday. Yes, that means you. If you are reading this you have blessed my life and I think that you are here just for me if no other reason. My prayers and love are with you always! Thank you for all you have done!