Graduation Weekend

Graduation weekend is finally over and I don't think I have been able to sleep this much in 3 months. I'm torn between moving back home or staying in Chico and having fun. I went wake boarding yesterday and regret not bringing my camera. There was a great opportunity to shoot a photo with strong composition that included the boat driver, boarder and the audience all in one frame. Too bad I missed out. Here are a few portraits that I got from Graduation weekend. If I had a larger lens I would have been able to get more. Maybe later in life.

Why study when you go house boating instead?

Graduation is here...I turned in the last paper I will ever write at Chico State today (although I must admit that i was in the library printing it out at 11:58. It was due at 12:00). Standing in line to get my cap and gown made the whole thing real. I feel that I am struggling to balance having fun with friends, studying for finals, packing and eating right. I was up 'til 4 last night eating peanut M&M's, Starbursts, Garden Salsa Sun Chips and Snapple teas...What a good combination (Sorry Dad... this is not typical of me).

This weekend was a blast. Went on a boat trip with my manager and a bunch of girl friends. Swimming in the middle of a lake at 2 AM is more fun than most may ever know. 1 hour of sleep. YES! I think it is mind over matter. I feel I am beginning to function better on only 2 or three hours a day... only for now of course. Here are a few pictures I took(pardon the composition and focus as i may have been a few deep)... and one that Peter took of me. ( I think it should be a Bud Light ad, so I thought I'd include it)

Allison... moving on

I am getting incredibly depressed about leaving Chico. Less than 2 weeks left of school and this town and I am not ready. My roommate, Allison, has already moved out to her cabin in Santa Cruz. I haven't even started to pack... or wait.. I put my snowboard and my ihome away today!... baby steps.... But back to Allison.... I love how independent she is and I have enjoyed watching her grow into the beautiful person she is. I respect that she has such a passion for others and will miss her constant tenderness and encouragement. She is a great friend and has always been there for me. I hope that I was, and am, to her at least half as what she was/is to me. It makes me sad because I know i am not one to keep in contact with friends as often as i would like. As i take this step into the next phase of my journey of life, I hope that I will stay in touch will all the great people I have been blessed to meet in college. Here is a picture of Allison that I took on one of our adventures in Paradise.

Farmer's Market

Chico's Thursday night market is an amazing place to take photos.Every week I go with 'Team Fierce' and we eat delicious organic homemade pie and drink jasmine mint tea. So satisfying! The fountain brings many kids, who run around like wild maniacs. I felt sorta like a creeper taking pictures of kids this Thursday. I always have that problem where I see someone I want to take a picture of but I don't want to ask... I'm sure I will build this confidence eventually. I had a lot of fun taking candid shots. There are so many interesting people to capture and the combination of flowers, fruits and vegetables makes for a vibrant playground for a photographer. Until next week....

Megan... and them some

2 weeks ago I took grad photos for my friend Megan. She was a great model and very relaxed. Although she kept saying she didn't know what she was doing the pictures turned out nicely. Here are a few of them:

I also took a few more randoms(the first two that you see). The creepy face is one of the statues in the rose garden and the second is an image that describes Chico in three ways.. as a biking community, a university town ans home of one of the best pizza place(according to AAA magazine.. and many others).

Free Hugs

Last week at the Thursday night market in Chico I saw a teen boy walking around trying to get hugs. Reminded me of this video which brings a smile to my face. You are supposed to get at least 3 hugs a day... and I love it!



I will try to take some pictures of market tonight and post them soon. I've been slacking. Only 3 weeks life of CHICO STATE!!! Scary!