2012 || the moments, the memories.

Twenty twelve. It's hard to believe it's almost over. Every time December 31st comes around I think to myself "where did the year go". The last week of the year is always filled with nostalgia. Going through photographs from the past year, and remembering the moments and what was going on in each photo brings memories rushing back. This is one of the reasons I love photography. I take so many photographs throughout the year and I often forget about most of them after a blog post/facebook album, but at the end of the year everything comes back.

This year, was one of the craziest yet. The first half was spent finishing up the senior year and the second half was my first semester of college and an amazing summer has smashed into the middle. I can only look back at twenty twelve and say "what a year." It wasn't all fun and games, I learned a lot of lessons and grew as a person. Twenty twelve was the year of change and discovery with hardships thrown in on the side. Twenty twelve is now a finished chapter, and Twenty thirteen is just waiting to be written.

"What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce." | | Karl Langerfield 


JANUARY ||  the year started off in prayer and many weeks spent in waiting rooms. Being cooped up made me want to travel and that became the main topic of my January. 
FAVORITE POSTS: waiting room sunday // go somewhere 

FEBRUARY ||  February days were spent indoors and in libraries. Megan and I discovered boxes of old photos and took a journey down memory lane. I was busy preparing for a senior recital and a scholarship audition. Life seemed like a whirlwind and I was left trying to catch up. 
FAVORITE POSTS: remember when // thread of summer 




MARCH || The awkward, in-between winter and spring month. Biggest thing that happen was the Hunger Games premiere. It was the night everyone had been looking forward to. It was the first movie I ever saw three times in theater. March of 2012 will always be known as "Hunger Games" month. 
FAVORITE POSTS: flour in your face // surviving and enjoying a midnight premiere 101



APRIL || The month that spring comes. The month that kittens are born and flowers begin to grow. This is also the month, that for a senior in high school, means crunch time. ACT prep was in full-force when april came around, and graduation was so close I could feel it.
FAVORITE POSTS: on the dock // real 



MAY || Graduation month. May was a month of rushing around, making plans, practicing like a mad man and going through thousands of photos. I somehow made it through all the craziness and graduation came and went and I knew things were going to change soon. But, summer was "just around the river bend" (*grin* sorry, I had to). I was ready for those warm days.
FAVORITE POSTS: the coffee house // senior year: thoughts // graduation celebration  


JUNE || June. Every time I think about this month I can practically feel the warm summer breeze and the excitement for all the summer plans that were being made. June, not only was the beginning of the summer, but the beginning of camp season. Camp this year was phenomenal as always, and when it was over I was left feeling like a piece of my childhood was gone. Camp will never be the same for me again, but it will always be part of my life.
FAVORITE POSTS: senior week // intermediate week 




JULY || A month filled to the brim of summery things. Gatherings with friends happened often. Fourth of july we lit sparklers and watch the show of colors in the sky. Fair week we ate to many chocolate shakes and french fries and we were constantly covered in dust. My summer project of the year was 50 photos of summer. I remember thinking in July that I need to take one moment at a time because soon I would be at college away from everything at home. 
FAVORITE POSTS: fourth // fair week: 2012





AUGUST || The month everything changed. I celebrated my 19th birthday right before our family took a vacation to St. Louis. I moved into a dorm room down in Oklahoma and survived “earn your wings.” I went through so much in August. It’s hard to believe that was only four months ago... 
FAVORITE POSTS: so my sister's 19 // road trip: st. louis // earn your wings  

SEPTEMBER || I was in full college mode in September. Adjusting to the non-autumn-ness of Oklahoma and just trying to learn how college works. 
FAVORITE POSTS: dear september 



OCTOBER || College got crazy busy in October. I had just finished up Freshman Fanfare and the first music concerts of the year were coming up. Oklahoma still didn’t look (or feel) like October. I took my first trip to Wichita for fall break and had a blast. October was when I was finally grasping college life.
FAVORITE POSTS: perks of life v. ii 


NOVEMBER || I was flying home for Thanksgiving break, and ended up spending 15 hours in an airport because of a cancelled flight, but I made it home. Thanksgiving day was full of family time and food. It was wonderful to spend some time at home. 
FAVORITE POSTS: afternoon // thursday the 22nd



DECEMBER || I survived finals week and it was time for christmas break. I drove 11 hours to my home state and was welcomed with a blizzard a few days in. Time was spent with friends and family and it was a much needed break after the first semester of college. 
FAVORITE POSTS: home for the holidays // looking back: first semester 



TOPS OF 2012

SONGS            (most plays through the year)
+ hide and seek // imogen heap
+ up with the birds // coldplay
+ falling in love at a coffee shop // landon pigg
+ hopeless wanderer // mumford & sons
+ haunted // leagues

MOVIES
+ Hunger Games
+ Hobbit
+ Dark Knight Rises
+ Avengers
+ LES MIS ( go see this right now. like... go. now.)

S'long Twenty twelve, it's been a roller-coaster the past 366 days. Twenty thirteen, lets do this.

-m

2012 | favorite photographs

looking back: the first semester

"and this is how change happens. one gesture. one person. one moment at a time."  | Libba Bray |

I'm finding it hard to put my thoughts on my first semester of college into words. So much happened in past four months. So many things that I'm finding hard to even comprehend myself. I look back on the past four months and see everything differently. I think back on who I was that first week in August. Scared, unsure, trying to get used to a new place and knowing no one. Then I think about who I am now. An entire semester under my belt, comfortable with how many things work on campus, and a group of wonderful friends. It's hard to believe that only four months ago I was feeling so unsure about college. Questioning my decision to go to Oklahoma Christian and not sure if I was ever going to fit in at college.

But the thing I learned is that it's not about "fitting in" it's about being yourself and not worrying about what other people think about you. Once I realized this about a month in, college started to become one of the best experiences. I tried new things I'd never thought I'd do. Participating in Freshmen Fanfare and being selected for the music department recital were at the very top of my "things I will never do" list. But I did those things. I jumped in and step out of my comfort zone. Yes, I was scared out of my mind whenever I did anything new, but every time it ended up being something I'll never forget.

I never questioned my decision to be a music major. I've never second guessed. I enjoy being a music major more than anything. The people I've met, the performance I've done and the things I've learned have reenforced my major choice. And I am so excited to continue on and learn even more.

To recap everything I did the past four months would be extremely hard. I could tell you about the christmas event "lighting of the commons" or about finals week and how it was the longest week of my life. But all I will say is that going to college has been one of the best things I've ever done. Even though the eleven hour drive is terrible and I miss my friends and family in my home state, I've already learned and experienced so many things. I've learned things about myself, music, people and life. It's been fantastic so far, and I'm excited to see what will happen in the next four years. So here's to many more semesters to come and many more adventures ahead.

-m

road trip: st. louis

[ ALL OF THE ABOVE PHOTS WERE TAKEN WITH IPHONE 4S. ]

St. Louis has a special place in my heart. As a youngster we would always pass by the arch city on our way to visit family in Missouri. We always left in the evening after dad got off of work. I would keep myself awake just so I could see the city at night. It was always my favorite part about driving. Once, about four years ago, we took a three day family vacation to St. Louis. Spending the whole day at the science museum and another day at various other museums since the rain cancelled some of our other plans (like going to the zoo). This year we decided to repeat our trip to St. Louis, only it was different than before. I drove my own car, with Megan as a companion, while our family drove ahead of us, leading the way. It was a blast. We sang along to songs on my twelve hour playlist. We ate way to many teddy-grams and to much snapple. We accidentally got lost once, because I missed the exit. We drove into St. Louis at night and it was as if I was a kid again looking out the widow. The lights, the buildings, the cars going along the interstate, it was all beautiful. And "beth/rest" by bon iver was the perfect song to drive in this city with. We all knew this was going to be a fantastic road trip.

xo.
--m

p.s.- notice the new design? That was down my megan. She's pretty cool. 

pss. I don't know what happened to my scheduled posts.... for some reason they didn't work... 

a summer list

I'm probably the last person to get their summer list up, but summer so far for me has consisted of camp and a family reunion. This list is what I want to do the rest of the summer. I really, truly love summer. a lot. This year I just want to enjoy it all. The busy moments, the lazy days, the hot, the raining and the stormy days. I want to soak up the sun. Run in the grass. I want to spend time with my family and friends before I leave to college. I just want to enjoy the summer. Simply enjoying is the theme of my summer list this year.

go camping

read three books

sleep under the stars

do a summer photo project

enjoy the county fair

roll down a grassy hill

blow bubbles with sisters

eat outside

watch the sunsets

go on summer drives

go hiking 
go see "dark knight rises" with jordan

run every day

journal

shop for dorm room supplies

write letters

make a summer mixtape

go see a movie with the siblings

be creative
roast marshmallows

cook something new

sketch
have a bonfire 

go on a road trip 
eat way to many popsicles 

start the day off in the word

just relax
have a movie night with megan

draw with chalk

make five woven bracelets 

run through the sprinkler

go on a photo adventure
eat froyo
run barefoot 
star gaze
and... just enjoy life.

-----

What's on your summer list?