Days 11 & 12: Something Fun & Something Up Close

Today, I present to you 2 things that I love. Woot! =)

Firstly, my goal yesterday was to capture something fun. Which was difficult, since I was at work for 8 hours of the day.

However, inspiration came when I got home and saw Rosie Mae....my banjo. She is beautiful, she is one-of-a-kind and indeed: she is fun.

I love her. We don't get to spend nearly enough time together, but I always have fun when we're together.

Today I was to capture something "up close." Me up close is a little scary, but then I saw my globe. Fun fact about me: I LOVE globes. And maps. True story. So I decided to "up close" the destination I'm headed to in less than 2 days: Israel. 

I am getting excited for this trip and the few minutes I got to spend with my globe reminded me to get more excited. 

Days 9 & 10: Faceless Self-Portrait & Something I Made

I'm fairly certain the 30 Day Photo Challenge was supposed to be one picture every day. However, I merged days 9 & 10 into one picture. I struggled all day yesterday to think of a way to express a "faceless self-portait." I could have put up my stock signature:

(that's me!)

However, it is a depiction of my face. Which was against that whole "faceless" part of the challenge. 

So instead I decided to do something a little more creative (thus accomplishing one of my original goals in this project). 

I created a "mind map" of sorts. Just a little something that portrays (portraits) me, but without my face. Therefore, I give you my expression of a "Faceless Self-Portrait": 

This is me. Depicted on a dry-erase board. =)

And yes, that took me all of yesterday. 

When I saw today's challenge, I was a little bummed cause I thought "hey! I made something yesterday! I should have waited!" And then I realized no one's grading this: I can do what I want. So what I wanted was to take a picture of the thing I made yesterday, which was my faceless self-portrait. I feel good about this. 

Tell me: what would your "Faceless Self-Portrait" say?

Days 7 & 8: Something New & Technology

I wish I had been clever and done something that was both new and technological. But since I'm trying to scrimp my pennies, I can't get new technology these days. =)

So for Day 7 I thought I would share something new I purchased due to the thing I've saving my pennies for (wow...a confusing sentence AND I ended in a preposition...amazing!).

These shoes and bag were purchased last week in preparation for my upcoming trip to Israel. I needed new walking shoes and who says "no" to a reason to buy a new bag? Not this guy! 

Day 8 was to "technology". Thus I present the piece of technology that allows my life to move forward on a daily basis. Oh, you'd think I'd say indoor plumbing or electricity or something? But no...my brother lappy. After nearly 3 years, you think we'd grow apart, but no...I love this machine. Which is pretty impressive, considering how much I hate robots (and let's face it: Macs are pretty dang close). This piece of awesome let's me do my homework, talk to besties outside of Washington, watch ridiculous YouTube videos and generally procrastinate aforementioned homework. =) So it is with much adoration, that I present my 'technology' task for the day:

Days 5 & 6: Someone I love & A Childhood Memory

Yesterday I took a picture of my Grandma Dorothy. Because I love her.

Today's challenge was a picture of a childhood memory. As I thought about my grandma (because I hadn't yet posted the picture), I remembered how she used to sell Avon. Every Christmas each family member received Avon products as presents. As we got older, it became Avon makeup. Until we were in junior high, it was "play makeup" for my sisters and friends.  Eventually, my Grandma stopped selling Avon. But the memories remain.

When my mom went home to Tennessee over the summer, she brought back gifts from my grandma. And of course, it was Avon makeup. Truly some of the best makeup on the planet.

Today, I'm reminded of my Grandma Dorothy. And the fact that I need to call her. I'm also reminded of my childhood and how she loved us even though she was far away.

I love you Grandma. Thanks for the makeup. =)

Day 5

Day 6

Day 4: My Favorite Color

Ladies & Gentlemen,

This photo is brought to you courtesy of an attempt to not make every picture look yellow, my Community Group ladies and their awesomeness and, my favorite color: Orange.

This one might be one of my favorites so far because the cup kind of make the fireplace look like its glowing. Weird. =)

Day 3: Clouds

These clouds were the only good part of Portland today. Truth fact.

Day 2: What I Wore

In today's featurette, I am showcasing my new accessory, OpenDoor's "One With Them" bracelet. It's what we call an "all-arounder - the sort of thing one can wear with anything to any occasion." (Thank you Bridget Jones)

Each day I wear this bracelet to be reminded of my brothers & sisters in Christ, who are living in persecution. As I think of them, I am also reminded of others who also live in persecution for their beliefs - Christian or not.

I am of the same family of God as my fellow believers in Jesus; and I am of the same human family as all mankind and we all deserve respect. Hopefully as I wear this I won't forget that truth.

Because I'm a Lemming...

I've decided to do a 30-Day Photo Challenge.

Why would I do this, when I don't really have a passion for picture-taking? Or have any kind of consistency to accomplish what I start?

Firstly, I want to do this for the simple reason that I DON'T usually accomplish what I start. And I want to be better about that. Maybe this will be the thing that kick-starts a routine that can be accomplished.

Secondly, I like pictures. And I like sharing pictures with you all. This will give me a reason to do so.

Thirdly, I'm hoping this will encourage my creative juices to continue flowing. I feel as though I don't have a lot of them, so I'm hoping this will be the impetus to help those out.

And fourthly, I have boundary issues. I don't (according to some people) spend time on "me." Which feels weird. But I'm hoping that this challenge will force me to think about something other than school/work/church and keep me aware of the world I live in and the fact that I too need some time.

Around week 3 I'll be out of the country, but I'm hoping to post from there. If I can't post each day, I'll post as I can or post them all in a chunk when I return.

I hope you all enjoy my photo challenge and follow along!

So...to start, here's Day 1: A Self-Portrait

I am in one of my most favorite places in the world: my bed. =)

Thanks for following!

*Sarah*