Training Mode... running the Sahara

The Sahara!? Well, not really.

I started running again a couple of weeks ago.  And even though I am not really running the Sahara, it felt that way in the beginning.  Stepping out from any comfort zone requires a willingness to strip yourself from outdated mental patterns and step into hard work.

I ran my first half marathon a year ago, and it's been the toughest physical pressure I have ever put myself into.  I don't want to sound so dramatic, but for my 33 year old body, it really was tough.  Today I stand firm on the idea of getting stronger, because I know I can.  So, I started training, running everyday, pushing forward.  And yes, I plan to run again next January.

My sister texted me last night and recommended me a documentary called Running the Sahara.  Wow!!! Talk about motivation.  I included the trailer for you to see the incredible journey these three men took.

I may not be running the Sahara, but who's to say I won't one day.

My photography in Etsy

Hello my darlings.... just a quick note to let you know that I have revised the pricing for all my 8x12's and 10x10's.  I have priced them at $20, and you can choose a matte or glossy finish on most of them.  And because I like you guys so much, I am giving my blog readers and Facebook followers a 15% discount.  Just type the code Blog15.  Go ahead, use the code, it is all yours :D

rustika.etsy.com

Finding Perspective

Simplicity

I've been out of blogging for some days now.  My apologies for the long silence, everything's good and I'm still here :)

It's good to take some time off and just focus on the things that matter, the things that keep you moving.  Shuffling your view so you can have a new perspectives and a new light on what one thought to be absolute.  I am an observer in my own life, and these days I've taken a closer look at myself; how I react,  why do I feel the way I do, and figure out what to do to move out from old habits.

Happy Friday! 

Etsy shop listing

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76410862/shabby-sunflower-photography-print

The art behind newborn photography

You guys know how I am getting involved more and more with maternity and newborn photography.  They are truly beautiful subjects to capture, but I have come to the conclusion that newborn is one of the trickiest to accomplish.

My friend Wazari Wazir shared this video this morning, and it's been a blessing.  Not only because I got to see the behind the scenes of two brilliant photographers at work, but mainly because I realized that is hard.  So I have to give myself credit for feeling so overwhelmed, now that I have two mothers to be wanting my photography for their newborns.

For me, the hardest thing, believe it or not, is feeling relaxed.  I am not used to be around babies, so I think my first task would be to just relax. Ufffff....

Enjoy the video and take as much as you can.

The Story of Us

Alexis' hair eduardoizquier... $10.00	Vintage Viking Plate - ... littleshopofph... $30.00	The Journey / fine art ... NicholasBellPh... $40.00	Touch - 11 by 11 print emawilliamson $18.00
Small Air Plant and Sea... PetitBeast $9.00	Skinny Knitted Tie in M... vKnit $27.00	Heart double layers ste... Ringostone $22.00	She and Him - 8x10 Orig... alicebgardens $20.00
Strappy Lace Bamboo Leo... ClareBare $72.00	Still Life Love Couple ... IleanaHunter $9.99	Cliffs MarcoSuarez $60.00	subtle orange necklace Lilydoum $40.00
Vegan Extra Moisturizin... justthegoods $10.50	8x12 - Boudoir Girl Bla... hellosisilia $35.00	Crown Custom Initial Ri... palefishny $59.00	Below Knee Vinyassa Lov... gaiaconception... $120.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Eternal Sunshine

"Blessed are the forgetful: for they get the better even of their blunders."

My favorite movie in the whole world.  Brilliantly written, with a hint of sarcasm on the ultimate question about love and relationships: do they last? can love survive above all?

I watched it over the weekend and has filled my head with impossible thoughts and a primitive optimism.

Dialogue:

Joel: I can't see anything that I don't like about you. 
Clementine: But you will! But you will. You know, you will think of things. And I'll get bored with you and feel trapped because that's what happens with me. 
Joel: Okay. 
Clementine:[pauses] Okay. 

Researching Maternity

I've been out of touch with my virtual world for the last three days.  A bad cold has been bugging me, and today I started feeling like myself again.

I love maternity photography.  I have done it before, and I enjoy it so much.  I have not been blessed by maternity yet, so I guess that's one of the reasons I am drawn to bellies so much.  I will be photographing a lovely mother to be over the weekend, and thought on looking up inspiration for the shoot.

It's all about Attitude

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It's grey and rainy in this side of paradise, and needed to cheer things up a little bit.  Here, sending you some sunshine to wherever you may be.  Happy Wednesday! Three more days to Friday.... counting...

Sunrise

A Beachside Sunrise

I often ask myself what is the true meaning of freedom.  Whenever I look ahead at the endless possibilities of my life, I wonder if choosing an alternate ending is what really sets me free.  I have made hard decisions before, and I truly understand how hard it is to change lanes.  But deciding on a different path comes with a price, it always does.  The question is, can I afford this price?  Am I ready to invest in this kind of future?

And after much deliberation and debate with myself, I come to the conclusion that what really sets me free is how much I know me.  How much I understand my true intentions and motivations.  What in the end is the power that puts my soul into motion.  Is it Love?  Is it Success?  Is it Evolution?  Is it Any or none of the Above?

My week starts today with a full schedule ahead.  For the time being, this is the future I decided in my past, and I must pay attention to it.  Because this, right now, is all I know to be true.

You can buy my photography in my Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76411216/beachside-sunrise-fine-art-photography

Home, a song that always makes me feel good!

I absolutely love them! Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have an indie-rock vibe that could easily fit into the Woodstock scene as natives of their time.  Makes me feel very happy :)

Make today Amazing

Make today Amazing

Make Today Ridiculously... LuciusArt $18.00	Rose Felt Earrings Choo... SOMETHiNGMONUM... $8.00	Salmon coral and henna ... simplyyoujewel... $58.00	memory print 8x8 mkendall $30.00
Long Wanderer Skirt (he... gaiaconception... $86.00	vintage retro cast iron... compostthis $16.00	Blood Orange-Ginger Soa... prunellasoap $6.50	Orange 8x8 print JenniPenni $30.00
A Funny Thing Happened ... fotostrudel $25.00	Old Fashion Yellow Cake milkfly $20.00	Striped orange Women ... RGsocks $34.00	Make Voyages - 14 x 11 ... maechevrette $30.00
Sterling Silver Moons ... Mocahete $32.00	Dollhouse Food - Macaro... miniaturepatis... $40.90	Yellow sun - origami br... Manufactapaper $10.00	5 Fish Gold Leaf Kohaku... MABONAORIGAMI $1180.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

A wish list... my wants today

To have my hair long enough so that I can make beautiful braids with it...



Learn how to sew... ( this is one of those things I regret not having done while still living with mom)

Source: milenuts.tumblr.com via Cinthya on Pinterest

Go on a long trip to Europe... again...

Source: tumblr.com via K on Pinterest

To believe we can...

Source: etsy.com via Debi on Pinterest

A close look: Macro Kingdom

Macro lenses open up a universe so unknown to our naked eye, that once exposed to it we are immediately attracted.  This is the work of a multimedia artist artist found through Vimeo.

Guest Post at My Best Friend Jules!

On Wednesday, I was featured as a guest blogger at My Best Friend Jules Blog.  Yay!  I wrote about the act of observing, of paying attention. I have been into so much lately that I forgot to let you all know... Better late than never.  You can access the post by clicking here.