Picture Number 37: Pink Lady

Yet another picture from the Up Town Photo Shoot.

Picture Number 36: At The Diner

One of my family's favorite places to get sloppy Joe's is at The Maid Rite. It's a little diner that made the most delicious sandwiches. I can taste them now, and feel the sweet and sticky sauce sticking to my fingers.

Picture Number 35: After Thanksgiving Day Sales

While at my grandparents house for the holidays, we always brave the mod of fellow bargain shoppers, and hunt down deals during the after Thanksgiving day sales. We usually don't buy much, but enjoy the thrill of 2 am shopping at Macy's. We always laugh at ourselves for doing this, as we head out of the house and towards the mall.

Picture Number 34: Seed-y

I took this picture one afternoon after eating a hand full of pumpkin seeds fresh out of the oven. As you can see, they are one of my favorite fall treats.

Picture Number 33: Sunday Laundry

I took this picture as an assignment for my photography class. I was to take a picture in the style of a famous photographer. Mine liked to photograph average everyday people, with lots of repetition of shapes.

Picture Number 32: Gone Boating

My dad and I always enjoy spending time on the lake. It's so relaxing to sit down, put your feet up, and soak up the sun.

Picture Number 31: At the Train Station

Another picture from the "photo shoot" series.

Picture Number 30: On State Street

"On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things they don't do on Broadway
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago... thats my home town."
 Frank Sinatra- Chicago

Picture Number 29: Another Door Opens

This picture shows the contrast of lighting, and emphasizes on the airy and cheerfulness of the outdoors. You know what they say... when one door closes, another door opens.

Picture Number 28: Anchor

While boating over the summer, I took this picture. I'm always the "anchor girl", whenever we go out on the lake.

Picture Number 27: Dance Practice

I took this picture during one of my many Saturday dance practices. The studio's piano was our make shift break bench.

Picture Number 26: Nicki-ville

Letters to the editor have long been included in magazines and newspapers. They are an excellent way for people to have their voice heard, and to share there thoughts with others. Wether argumentative or complementive, they stand as a sort of checks and balances ideal, balancing power between the press and the public. Often times, the letters come from people with an inordinate amount of time on their hands. But once in a while, these letters come as a petition for change and ask others to take up the cause. Argumentative and persuasive writing, while often controversial, is crucial to our society. Letters to the editor is an outlet for such writing. I found a letter on line from a frustrated mother. The local school busses have begun a dangerous habit of doing a 3-point turn, instead of using the cul-de-sacs for turning around. She tried to contact the school transportation system for answers, however was given a lame excuse and sent away. Frustrated, she wrote a letter expressing her concern and her regret that no one was listening to her very much helpful advice. Hopefully, her letter will be seen and taken seriously.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/09/16/article/cul_de_sac_is_safe_convenient_for_buses

Picture Number 25: Dance, Dance

I took this picture during one of my dance company's performances. They are preforming the cumbia from Columbia. Like most latin dances, it originated from the dances the slaves made up while working in the fields.

Picture Number 24: Head Shot

Just like in photography, writing well takes a lot of time, editing, and creativity.While writing an essay, I start with my thesis. I then make an outline, either mental or actually written down. These two things form the bones of the paper, and are the most important and strongest points. I then free write a first draft, going with whatever comes in my mind. I have this edited, do some corrections, and usually realize that I am not happy with my thesis, and rewrite the paper completely. After some revisions on the new paper, I have a much better understanding of what it is I want to say, and end up rewriting most of it again. Three times is usually the charm. I then take out the “fluff”, miss spelled words, and invent a title. I take this semi-final draft to a trusted editor. After making the suggested changes, I read it out loud a couple of times. I am then all done and ready to turn in my kick-ass essay.

 

Picture Number 23: Pear

Playing with lighting and the effect of shadows, I turned off all the lights and turned on a lamp; illuminating only the pear, on my kitchen counter.

Picture Number 22: City Slickers

A picture from the "photo shoot" in up-town Charlotte series, this picture is based off the Burberry adds; and has the city's famous skyline in the back ground.

Picture Number 21: Tractor

Being an Iowa girl, I love the rural simplicity of a tractor driving down a lonely highway during harvest season.

Picture Number 20: Let it Snow

I went to Wisconsin for Christmas, and was attempting to learn how to ski. The city ended up getting hit by a huge snow storm during my attempts, and we got a white-out blizzard. I reluctantly headed back to the lodge, and started snapping shots of people who were walking back in as well.

"Everyone has his superstitions" Ulysses S. Grant

     No matter how fiercely it may be denied, "everyone has his superstitions"(Ulysses S. Grant). I myself have my own little set of superstitions. I have not walked under a latter ever since fourth grade. Immediately after going under one, I fell and gashed my knee. The cut bled like crazy and I never disobeyed that superstitious rule again. Every time I drop a clean fork, I proclaim to anyone around, "were having company". If my nose ever itches, it means someone is thinking about me. Anytime I pick up a penny with heads up, all day long I'll have good luck. But if you pick up a penny with face down, all day long you'll wear a frown. For that reason, I only pick up penny's with heads up. Penny's I see face down, I'll flip over so that the next person to see it will have good luck. 
     My Grammy is by far the most superstitious person I've ever met. Being born in Mexico, she's got a whole bag of superstitious stories to tell. These superstitions were passed down from generation to generation. My family always laughs at the quirky little practices her and my Grandpa (aka Gordo) always do. They've recently taken up the practice of placing potatoes in their pockets to "absorb" all the aches and pains in the body. Gordo is always recommending it to anyone who'll listen and claims, "Put them in your pockets, and it'll only take a week till the pain is all gone." Gordo even prolonged a visit to the doctor for a sprained knee for a month, due to these amazing placebo potatoes.  
     Superstitions are more than just practices done to keep people happy, healthy, and lucky. They are a way to connect the past to the present, and are part of the rich heritage of families. It doesn't matter if your wearing an evil eye necklace to ward off negative energy, or putting holy water in a cranky person's food to make them nicer. These crazy practices are what brings family traditions to life, and helps continue the culture behind it.           
    
    

Picture Number 19: The Music Man

I took this picture during one of my Saturday Latin dance practices. The boys were taking a break from Salsa, while the little girls were dancing their routine. I always loved how urban the dance studio looked, and I think this picture reflects that nicely.

Picture Number 18: The Eye

It's all in the eye of the beholder, as the saying goes. I sometimes wonder how observations and the way we describe places, helps us better realize and understand what we see. From these realizations we are then able to come up with a set of beliefs. My English 101 class has been assigned a descriptive essay. I immediately wanted to describe the beach. I love going there and just relaxing. I always dig my toes in the sand, and close my eyes; as I listen to the rumble of the waves and the clatter of the Seagulls. I wonder what my thesis is going to be. However, I'm sure my observations and descriptions will help me along the way.

Picture Number 17: Post Office

The local post office of small town Silvis, Illinois.
The flag stands tall and proud in front of this building, as it welcomes people passing though main street. It is a reminder of what it is truly like to be a proud American citizen.

Picture Number 16: The Big Picture

Another picture from the up-town Charlotte "photo shoot".

Picture Number 15: Reflection

When in Wisconsin, I took this picture of a silver vase. The vase reflected the image of all the other vases  around it, and had a sort of infinity mirror effect.

Picture Number 14: Alley Cat

Another picture from the "photo shoot" in up-town Charlotte. In this one I was trying to emulate a Marc Jacob style add.

Picture Number 13: Stiletto Pumps

I was really bored one day and decided to mimic some adds I saw in Vogue. I like how the light blends the picture together and gives it movement. It kinda reminds me of graffiti.

Picture Number 12: Up Town Girl

From a "photo shoot" in Charlotte. I like the repetition of angles in this picture.

Picture Number 11: Bushy

Living in the mid-west, you do a lot of driving through the country. Even though it's very rural, and there's mostly fields and fences to watch as you drive by, I love the scenery. My family and I drive up there every year and I enjoy taking pictures of tractors and random trees in the middle of a fields. I took this picture on my last visit. I like how the bush looks like a giant tumble weed.

Picture Number 10: Under the Boardwalk

Over spring break, my friends and I were walking down the beach. We passed under the boardwalk, and the symmetry and repetition was so nice, I just had to take a picture.

Picture Number 9: Candle Light

Church candles always remind me of the power of faith. A candle's light warms up a room, filling it   with comforting scents. Like wise, faith fills up a person, making them peaceful and resilient.

Picture Number 8: Curiosity

I love how the lamp in this picture looks like the little lamp in the beginning of Pixar movies. It's almost as if the lamp is checking out the pear and trying to figure out what it is; while the pear defiantly stands it's ground.

Picture Number 7: The Newly Weds

Over the summer, I was privileged to be asked to help take pictures at my photography teacher's son's wedding. It was crazy busy the whole time except right after the ceremony. I love this picture because it shows the beginnings of a family, but at the same time, a union of two already large families. 

Some of the best and strongest families are the ones that are diverse and encompass many different types of people. My family is fairly large, and covers several ethnicities, including Mexican, Swiss, and Mid-Western American. We all have different personalities that add spice into our lives, especially holiday events. The thing I love most about my family is the way all our traditions and cultures come together. When ever I'm with my mother's side of the family, we act like goof-balls. Having a constant exchange of stories or jokes, and always eating enchiladas. My father's side of the family are always together, eating pot luck, Subs, or Grandma's casserole. We love gambling pocket change in Bingo, and poker. 

Even though each side of the family is very different from one another, they are very alike as well. They stick together and support one another, and truly live up to the motto that family comes first. My immediate family (my mom, dad, and Brewster our dog) is a mix of Mid-Western and Mexican values, and I believe that this diversity is the strength that allows us to stick together.