Back to School

This time last year I was making my commute to school. Travel mug of coffee in one hand and a lovely little toasted peanut butter sandwich in the other. All while steering my car with my knees until I finished my breakfast. Which occurred usually when I came to the main road. I'm a good driver, I swear. 

This September is a little different. School has been completed yet again and it is time to start something new. 

I got a little crafty and going with the back to school theme I decided to make some pens. 

To all students, new and old, I wish you the best of luck for this school year.

Finished pens. Made with birds eye maple.

Happy September

Well I have been m.i.a. once again for a few months. Sorry about that! I have been busy though I promise. I have spent the past few months enjoying the sun, visiting friends, time with family, finding treasures at markets, learning how to sew (that's right I said sew) and taking in the last bit of summer. Unfortunately this may or may not have resulted in neglecting ye old blog. But I'm back! I promise. As the summer winds down and fall begins I will be sure to update you of all my adventures. 


Here are some images of a recent trip to Toronto. I had some extra time to take a tour around a park down town and even hitched a ride on a bixi bike.

Destination...Cow Town

For the next two weeks I will be among the hustle and bustle, weaving around a plethora of plaid shirts, ducking through wide brimmed hats and trying to save my Birkenstock clad feet from being pummeled by cow boy boots. That's right boys and girls...I'm talking about the good o'l Calgary Stampede! 

This will be my second year among the mayhem. It is 11 days of long hours, big crowds and an all around amazing time. I get to spend my days with hilarious co-workers and convince customers that sugar is really good for you. 

I might make some posts while I am there but I can't make any promises. However, I will make a post as soon as I return. That is unless I trade in my Birks for boots and saddle up at the rodeo...ahhh probably not. 

Graduation Celebration

On Tuesday June 21st myself along with fellow classmates walked across the stage at the Ottawa Convention Center to receive our diplomas and officially graduated from the Algonquin College Photography Program (click here to view the program blog). As previously mentioned, I was nominated for the School of Media and Design Award and... I WON! It is "awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated achievement in leadership in program-related activities, application of learning outcomes for the benefit of others and excellence in reaching the learning outcomes of the program and applying the knowledge to higher levels". I received the award that evening and I am truly humbled that I was chosen and thank my professors for the nomination.

It was great to catch up with friends and hear about plans for the future. Best of luck to all the graduates and I wish you all plenty of success in the future!

Having some fun at my house before heading into Ottawa for the ceremony. I got some V.I.P tickets for my mom, dad, and my partner Mendel.

My diploma, some beautiful flowers I was given, School of Media and Design Award

...as you can see I was in a bit of a mood for layouts today :)

Summer Eats

So I have been lacking on the posts for a little while...oops! 

Quick update: in the past few weeks I ran my first 10k race. To see proof that I actually did it click here to see photos during the race and me crossing the finish line (yeah that's me the cheesy crossing tandem with my partner). AND I shot my first wedding. Hands down the wedding was more physically demanding but I was lucky enough to have two fantastic families and a beautiful bride which made for a truly lovely day. I will be posting some images soon. 

To feed you photo appetite here is what I had for dinner last night. A little salt and pepper shrimp with lime.

Confession: there are only 3 shrimp in the image but there were about another 5 in the pan that I wolfed down...

36383

This weekend is Ottawa Race Weekend for 2011. I have always wanted to run a marathon, so this year my partner encouraged me to sign up for a race. Tomorrow we will both be running the 10K race. It's no marathon but hey, it's a start! 

Click here to see the course maps and get details about the routes, cheering sections, starting and finishing lines. If you have some time tomorrow the race starts at 6:30pm and if all goes according to planned I'll be crossing that finish line somewhere around 7:45 (fingers crossed). Come out and show some support for the runners and keep a look out for bib number 36383.

Wednesday Morning Wake-up Call

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from my professors telling me that I was nominated for the School of Media and Design Award. I am so excited, thankful and humbled by this. Click here to see more details. 

Thank you to the professors who nominated me for this amazing award.