Photo Adventures!

It's Always An Adventure With Caitlin Moulton
"Love Is Like A Camera, It Clicks Today And Develops Tomorrow"

So yesterday Dec. 30 was a great day well spent! Want to know WHY?

PHOTO ADVENTURE!!!!

Yes, yesterday was great day for a photo adventure with one of my best friends Caitlin (minus the fact it was freezing)! This girl and I go way back! We both met back in high school freshmen year, and it was a pretty funny story :) But that will be saved for another blog!

So we started our day at 1pm. We decided to go take pictures at these train tracks under a bridge where there was a bunch of graffiti ( I LOVE graffiti). We had been here once before one summer when my boyfriend showed us the place. So we decided to go back.

We got there and parked my car in a "visitor" parking space in this neighbor which took us a little longer to find than it really should have lol. After, we had to make a short climb up a hill to get to the train tracks. As I climbed up the hill I looked back to find Caitlin standing at the bottom waiting for me to give her the "all clear" on the train that passed by, as well as the way to get up where I was LOL

Finally Caitlin made it up the hill and we made our way along the tracks to the graffiti spot. We put our stuff down and I realized 2 signs that "suggested" (more to say) that we shouldn't be there....but hey it's a GREAT place for pictures, so we stayed :)

Everything was going great until we hear the horn of a train....I swear I have never ran up a hill with thorn bushes and not feel the pain LMBO! Only after the train passed did Caitlin and I laugh at the fact that we didn't know how we made up the muddy, steep, thorny hill and not know how to get back down. Getting down was a bit of challenge when you are holding all of your camera equipment. The funny part was that Caitlin just got a new camera which she named Maurice, and she darted up that hill and forgot that she left him behind with me HAHA!!! At least she has her priorities straight ;)

So after that close encounter with hiding from a train, it was time to think of a plan, that wouldn't have us running up a hill with all our stuff. So we found another way up the hill and we decided to use my black North Face to hide all our stuff. And may I say this plan was awesome thank you very much lol. This plan really helped the other three times the train passed by.

Below are the pictures I took at the train tracks on my camera :)

Now here are the pictures I took on her camera which she edited after

Don't think these were the only pictures of our adventure!

After we were done with the train tracks, we decided we would take a spontaneous drive up towards Poolesville to see if we came across any place interesting for pictures. After an interesting drive we found a spot.

This place was just off to the side of the road where there was a bikers' and hikers' trail. As we stepped out the car...OH BOY did the temperature drop dramatically. Caitlin kept laughing at me because I kept shivering and I couldn't finish my sentences lol. Finally we came to a bridge (again) where there was graffit lol. We didn't stay long due to the cold, so there wasn't that many pictures taken here.

But here are the pictures from the second spot :)

 After the last picture was taken, we quickly packed up our things and headed straight for my car to head back to my place. Once we got back to a nice warm house we did what we do best.....make a random wacky video lol. Unfortunately I can't get to it but once I do I will post it :)

So that was yesterday, and it was again a great fun filled day! I can't wait until we have more!

Until Next Time:)

                                                         Have A Happy New Year Everyone, Stay Safe!

Merry Christmas!

Why Was Christmas Different This Year?!?!
Oh Those Kennedy Boys


WOW!
That is the only word I can use to describe this year's Christmas. But why "WOW" you may ask? 

Here in the Moran family house, we have a small family. When I say small I mean small. It's just my dad, my mom, me and Alina (my Siamese kitty). So as a child growing up, I never knew what it felt like to have kids my age to play with on Christmas.

That's why this Christmas was very special, not only were there more people in our house but they were our close friends, the Kennedys. They were a family that moved to Saudi Arabia the same year we moved there (due to our fathers' job). We grew very close to them as did I to the four boys, Matthew, Micah, Malec and Markie.

The four boys back in 1998 or 1999: Malec, Micah, Markie and Matthew 

We have kept in touch all these years since we moved from Saudi Arabia which was back in 2000. So having four highly active boys over for Christmas Eve and Christmas....you know you are in for it lol.

Christmas Eve was full of laughter as we talked and played games. Before we played any board games we did this activity where we exchanged gifts. Everyone must pick a number from a bowl. Depending how many people there are that is how many numbers there are. So the first person goes to the pile of gifts and picks out one gift. Then the second person then has the choice of either stealing the first gift or picking a gift from the pile. In the end I ended up stealing a gift and I got two reindeer hooks where one would hang stockings on, but with my eye for decor ideas I have a much better use for them :)


Of the games we played, Pictionary stole the show. Believe it or not this took up the majority of the night. It was fun competition I'll tell you that. After Pictionary we decided to play a different type of Pictionary, called Pictionary Telephone which I must say, is a total blast and recommend it for everyone.

The game goes like this (for those who don't know), each person has a piece of paper. Everyone must write a single phrase then pass it on to the person next to them. Then the second person will try to draw a picture for that phrase. Once the second person draws their picture they then fold the top part of the paper to hide the phrase so only the picture shows and pass it to the next person. The third person must then look at the picture and write down a phrase they think goes with the picture. Then so on and so on. It's so funny to see what the end results are, because they are so far from the original phrase sometimes you may just die of laughter!

I can't describe just how much fun Pictionary is for me, it's a Moran family tradition on Thanksgiving. It's my favorite board game of all time!

After we a few rounds of Pictionary Telephone it was finally about 1am in the morning Christmas day. Our parents decided to go to bed, while me and the boys wanted to stay up a little longer, so we decided to watch a movie. They decided they wanted to watch Charlie St. Cloud, which surprised me. None of them have seen the movie but heard it was good. I had no problem with their choice :). After the movie we all passed out for the night.

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Christmas day, just like back in the day I woke up bright and earlier! Excited for Christmas. Since the boys were over for a night they didn't bring their Christmas gifts, but my parents allowed me to one just one gift. The gift that I got to open was big and I was so curious when I first saw it wrapped. Well when I opened it, I was totally not expecting it but was very excited. it was a Nutcracker! My family and I have this obsession with nutcrackers so getting to have my very own and a tall one was just as amazing!

I haven't given him a name yet, because I am waiting for a creative one to hit me :) But he will be named! LOL

I really wish I could have documented the whole Christmas Eve and Christmas day experience because it was a total blast for me and my family!

But here are some pictures which will just have to do instead!

Micah and Malec (They had this habit of hacking my phone and taking pictures lol)

Both my parents and Malec and Markie on one team, and Alina decided to photobomb the picture lol

From the left: Markie, Micah, Me and Malec ( the phone thief)

Markie and Micah after we got the picture guessed correctly! 

From the left: Matthew, Markie, Micah, and Malec. 

Well that was it for my Christmas, I hope everyone had an amazing time with family and friends and hope everyone has a Happy New Year's!

Until Next Time :)

Distracted Much?

FINALS ARE THIS WEEK!
Busy Me Bumble Bee

So with finals literally around the corner, you would think you would find me sitting at a desk with my face inside a book reviewing notes.....

Well that's sure not happening today. Guess the idea that Christmas Break starts for me on Saturday after my last final (which so happens to be at 8am) is too much to bare. Break is so close but so far away :(.

What did I do today?  Well I will pat myself on the back for waking up early. But then I would have to scold myself for getting on Pinterest. But I did start studying at 10 which lasted up until 11ish. Then I gave myself a break...okay maybe a break that lasted longer than an hour. On that break I got distracted with PicMonkey and edited this photo of my two little babies for my Facebook cover photo :D LOL

Yeah.....it's this distraction thing....it's bad LOL.

But I guess I have been using up more study time to write this very short blog so, on that note, back hitting those book.

Totally wish I could mean that literally....would like to teach those books a lesson for making me study and stress!

For everyone still studying for finals, Good Luck to all!
 :)

Happy Birthday To Me

Tell Them That It's My Birthday, Tell Them That It's My Birthday
When I Party Like That

Tuesday November 26, I got to celebrate my 22nd BIRTHDAY!!!!

But that's not when I started celebrating lol. I actually started celebrating my birthday a few days earlier, the 22nd. I usually have to celebrate my birthday a week before or a week after or even in December, since my birthday is close to Thanksgiving and most of my friends are with family.

So Friday November 22 after I was done with my classes, I waited until my roommate and other friends were done. We headed off to the 5:45pm movie showing of da da da DAAAA.....
                                                                   
                                                     CATCHING FIRE!!!!!

Starting from the left: Desiree, Lauren, Lisa and Lacey

Desiree (right) and I waiting outside to get our tickets :)

starting from the left: Me, Lauren, Lacey and Desiree outside the theater waiting for the movie

Catching Fire was an AMAZING MOVIE!!!! Jennifer Lawrence is such a great actress and she is just sooo beautiful! The movie is a must see as well as reading the books!

Well, after the movie we headed to an Italian restaurant Bucca for some pasta and dessert.

So when I ordered my dessert this brownie sundae (above) looked a tad bit smaller than in actual size. The thing was huge and I needed help from my friends to finish it, well at least some hahaha! :D

After we were doing trying to finish that sundae, we headed back to my house to say a quick "hi" to my mother and father and of course my Siamese princess Alina.

Finally we were on our way back to College Park for gifts and some birthday cupcakes!
As we munched on brownies and watched She's The Man it was almost 2:30 am so we decided it was time for birthday cupcakes and gifts.

Lacey (right)  lighting my birthday candles as Desiree (left)...does I don't know what haha :D

Finally I'm ready to blow out my candles and make a wish!

 That day was a lot fun! I didn't really get to celebrate my 21st birthday the way I wanted to because it unfortunately took place after Blackie's death so I didn't really have a party nor was I really in the mood to celebrate. My parents just took me out to another favorite restaurant Outback.

So I was happy that I got to enjoy this birthday! Plus the fun wasn't over...

Saturday night my boyfriend and I had a movie night where we just cuddled in blankets and watched Monsters University, since I loved Monsters Inc. He actually bought me the movie as a birthday gift and I am told I have another gift on the way!! I wonder what it could be!?!?!?!?!

Then on Tuesday November 26, my boyfriend and I had a nice dinner and instead of a movie, we just watched Psych which he got my hooked on! Lol. I had such a great day on my birthday even if it was raining.

But here is the thing, Tuesday wasn't just my birthday but it was also my 5 year anniversary with my boyfriend! Yes 5 years, and I can't believe it! We first met back in high school.

He was the football player and I was art student, felt like a typical chick flick haha. He asked me out on my birthday thanks to my friend Caitlin who told him it would be adorable. Yes, we have had our ups and downs but in the end I am glad that I faced some of life challenges with him by my side.He isn't just my boyfriend but my best friend :)

 But WAIT! My birthday celebration didn't just end after my birthday I had one more day of celebration and it was with my parents Wednesday November 27, and they took me to see for a second time CATCHING FIRE!!!!!! I know you are probably think again? I will tell you, yes a second time because I loved it and they wanted to see it so I guess I was lucky girl. Then they took me to a great Greek restaurant!


 This year's birthday is one to remember, and I am thankful to all those who helped make it a special one form me!

Remembering Blackie Part 2

Blackie's Dedication Video
" I Will Always Return" 

Here is the video I  dedicated to my Blackie for his One Year Anniversary, that took place yesterday November 23. I did try and include this video to the previous blog about Blackie but I faced a few technical difficulties. But with no further delays here is the video for my baby boy. I hope you enjoy :)

Remembering Blackie

Blackie’s One Year Anniversary 

Losing A Loved One 

On this day one year ago, my family lost a loved one. A car unfortunately struck one of our beloved cats, Blackie late during the night. It wasn’t until Thanksgiving morning November 23(last year) at about 7:45am that I discovered his lifeless body across the street in a neighbor’s driveway.

November 23, 2012 will be a day I will never ever forget. It was the day I lost a best friend. Blackie wasn’t only my best friend but I looked at him as if he was my baby boy, my child.

I remember waking up November 23, 2012 to my Mom sitting next to me on my bed, telling me that Blackie hadn’t come back the night before. Blackie loves to go outside and he usually comes back inside around 8pm if he misses that curfew he comes back at 11pm. My mom and I went outside into the backyard and front yard calling his name hoping to see Blackie running back to us. He didn’t. So my dad then suggested that him and I go drive around the neighborhood and look for him. At this time I could feel my heart beat begin to quicken. I tried my best to remain calm. After driving around for 30 minutes my dad said we should head back to the house and begin making fliers as well as get ready for Thanksgiving since my cousin and his family were coming.  As my dad was driving I just happened to sink in my seat (passenger side) as I did this I glanced to my right, and at that moment everything in my world went quiet….

I remember looking between a fence seeing black fur and a little white patch of fur and I knew at that quick short glance, it was Blackie. I literally jumped out the passenger side while my dad was still driving. Screaming out his name “BLACKIE! NO BLACKIE!” Running up the driveway to Blackie’s body tears rushing down my face like a waterfall, I fell to my knees and just hunched over his body. His body was cold as ice he had frozen over the night. I turned to my father yelling, “HE’S DEAD! BLACKIE’S DEAD PAPA!!!” I felt like I was in movie. Everything felt so unreal. I picked Blackie up slowly crying and cradling him like I always do. I walked across the street back to our house, my mom walked up to me slowly the sadness in her face, we were all torn by the discovery.

I brought Blackie to my room and just wrapped him up in a Scooby-Doo blanket and laid next to him in my bed kissing his little nose just wishing by some miracle that he would come back to life.

After a few moments my mom had prepared a little box for Blackie and we all sat at the bottom of the stairs around Blackie, saying our last good-byes. It was at this moment that Alina, my Siamese cat walked down the stairs and walked into the box and sat next to Blackie and bowed her head towards him. After a minute she looked up at us and then slowly went back upstairs. That moment all touched our hearts to see Alina come say her last good-bye to her companion but also her little brother. 

That Thanksgiving at dinner we made a toast. A special toast just for Blackie, giving him thanks for the joy he brought our family. He wasn’t just a cat. He was a member of the Moran Family, and he will always be.

We first got Blackie the second day we had moved here to Maryland back on August 1, 2001.  We were still unpacking boxes and getting all our furniture arranged in our new house. My dad and I had to make a trip to PetSmart to pick up some food for Alina. While there, like any curious child I wondered to the cat adoption room. I put my face up against the glass and peered in. There in the middle bottom cage I saw a little black kitten getting kissing from two little grey kittens. Turns out those grey kittens were Blackie’s sisters. It was a funny site to see. He looked so annoyed but it was priceless!

When my dad finally found me, I just gave him one look and pointed to Blackie. My father’s answer… “No”.

HA well that "No" didn't last long because just 2 hours later we found ourselves back at PetSmart ready to make an adoption. We were bringing back Blackie to our new home as well as his new home. I was excited to bring back another member to our family. I can’t say Alina was that happy but in the end they got along just like any brother and sister would. Sometimes they got along sometimes they don’t lol.

Blackie just had an incredible way of putting a smile on your face. He brightened my day just by his meow and his goofy ways. He was there for me in many situations where I felt hopeless and depressed. He not only comforted me but my Mom, Dad and Alina. 

My Dad looked at Blackie as his honorary dog. Blackie loved to be outside chasing the birds and rabbits and playing outside. He would always come back dirty and just plop on the floor like a dog would after a long day of playing.

My Mom looked at Blackie has her second shadow. He followed her around a lot and would sleep in her room at the foot of her bed since Alina would sleep with me and didn’t really like that idea of sharing.

Alina and Blackie like I said had your typical brother sister relationship. Sometimes they fought sometimes they didn’t. I remember if we left the house and came back we would find them sharing the same bed sleeping next to each other but they would soon move away from one another when we entered the room. They didn’t want to admit they loved each other haha.

I can say that Heaven received a very special angel that day. I am truly blessed that I have Blackie now still in my life but as my guardian angel. He does an amazing job looking over me and my family. He finds ways into my dreams where I can once again feel his soft black fur and hear his adorable meow. I can wake up in the morning and smile.

I know that in my heart my Blackie and I will cross paths once again and be reunited as a family.

I love you Blackie, my Booboo Boy.

In dedication to this day I put together a little video of Blackie. The song that I chose is by Bryan Adams and was a song from the movie Spirit. The title of the song is

“ I Will Always Return”

After Blackie’s death this song came on my ipod and it just spoke to me. It was as if Blackie was singing this to me. I felt so lifted and touched I cried and cried. It was truly a message from Blackie to me.

 I hear the wind call my name
The sound that leads me home again
It sparks up the fire - a flame that still burns
To you I will always return

I know the road is long but where you are is home
Wherever you stay - I'll find the way
I'll run like the river, I'll follow the sun
I'll fly like an eagle to where I belong

I can't stand the distance - I can't dream alone
I can't wait to see you - Yes I'm on my way home

Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
Your light gets me through

You run like the river - you shine like the sun
You fly like an eagle
You are the one
I've seen every sunset
And with all that I've learned
Oh, it's to you I will always, always return

Finding Myself Again

 "Eyes Like A Shutter, Mind Like A Lens"

Bringing Photography Back To My Life

Photography is a wonderful way to create art and capture the beauty around us.

I use photography as a way to relieve stress that is clogging up my mind. Photography was first introduced to me when I was in high school. I was actually going through the first stages of my Depression at the time and my photography class really helped me to gain some sort of positive energy even though I was feeling extremely low and feeling helpless. It was a way that I could capture my feelings through photographs which was a way of releasing the pain.

Since high school my skills have developed more but there is still more to be learned and I can't wait to learn more and take more pictures now!

Just want to clarify that I only took about a year break from actually going out and taking pictures and practicing my skills lol.

It was over the course of the last 3 weeks that I have picked up my camera a lot more, to go out and have spontaneous photo shoots with my friends. And I am thankful that they are willing to help because since I have been taking more pictures I truly feel that I am filling up a piece of me that was lost.

Below are just some of the pictures that I took with my friends, I hope you enjoy!  :)

Excuse My Absence

Busy Me Bumble Bee

My busy Summer

OMG! A thousand  apologizes  for my absence. This passed summer was really REALLY busy for me since I was taking summer classes, which fell under both summer sessions :( But I can proudly say that I did well in all my classes! 

So what did I do this summer besides those time consuming classes?....

As soon as school let out in May my mother and I took a 2 week vacation to Chile (which is where we both are originally from), while my dad stayed home to watch Alina (My Siamese princess :) ). The trip was amazing I was extremely happy I got to go because it was the first time in 8 years that I have been there. Unfortunately it was the last chance I got to see my grandmother Mama Nena before her passing later in the summer :(. Even though we mostly stayed in the house so I could spend time with Mama Nena, my Uncle was kind enough to drive my mother and I around to go site seeing and catch up with my mother's friends. Of course knowing me I had to take pictures!

My mother and my Uncle

Me :)

My mother (right) and her friend (left)

Me :)

My Mama Nena

Those were just a few pictures I picked out to share with all of you, believe me there is way more HAHA!


Coming back  home to Maryland from Chile was a new experience for me because it was the first time I was traveling alone...EVER! I will admit that I was extremely nervous about flying alone because it was a flight that was over seas but I'm pretty sure flying within the United States would have been much more comfortable for me lol. But the experience was a great one and now I love the idea of traveling alone!!!

After my return from Chile I just had a day to relax until summer school started for me. The first summer session I took a health class because it was a requirement I needed for my community college, if I wanted to get my AA Degree. Now the situation with this was I did attend a community college for my first 2 years out of high school, but then I got accepted to UMD, College Park but never got to finish the 2 classes to get that degree. So during summer session 2 I took the last required class which was Anthropology. At this time I also was taking a painting class for my UMD requirements (a class that is for my Studio Art major). The 3 classes were fun don't get me wrong, it's just I did miss out on a lot of time to hang out with friends, but that is life sometimes. You have to make sacrifices.

Great Falls

Me (left) and Caitlin (right)

Me :)

During the period I was taking these classes I did find some time to meet up with friends and hang out and catch up on their previous year at college. One friend that I got to do major catching up with is one of my best friends Caitlin. What we did was make tie-dye t-shirts then that same day we went to see the movie Epic, which we both enjoyed because it gave us some good laughs. And anyone who knows my friend Caitlin and I is that we laugh so much when we are together! We actually wore our tie-dye shirts when we decided to go hike the Billy Goat trail. The hike was a lot of fun as well as a lot of, well hiking duh! LOL. I think the only reason it took us 4 hours to complete is that we both brought our cameras, which means PICTURE OPPORTUNITIES!

Caitlin

Not only did I get to see Caitlin I also got to hangout with another best friend and roommate Lauren! We celebrated her birthday with a dinner at Bucca (an Italian restaurant) which is amazing because I love LOVEEEE PASTA! So I was just as happy as the birthday girl.

The Birthday Girl and her kitty

I got her a Doctor Who mug :)

Finally Summer Session 2 was coming to an end and I couldn't have been happier! Before it came to an end I got a chance to go to the Montgomery County Fair with Caitlin as well as our friend Carly! It was a blast, because I took Caitlin on a few new rides she hadn't been on before. But it was all good she ended up liking them and soon we found ourselves waiting in line again for the rides haha :)

Mom and Me

Once summer classes were over my parents decided to take me for a week to our beach house. Now normally I don't like going as much because I am an only child and sometimes yes I do get bored and miss being with friends but surprisingly I had a great experience! I got some arts and crafts done, I got to go Dolphin watching and also got to see Despicable Me 2 with my parents and a bunch of other things.

Mom and Dad

So that just about wraps up my summer summary LOL. It was a great summer even with the classes, and the beach trip with my parents was the best part! I can't wait til next summer, hopefully I wont be taking any summer classes and if I do hopefully they are in Summer Session 1 so I can have the rest of summer to be with friends and family :)