SNAP HAPPY

Hidden From View

2011-04-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

[Red Rock Canyon, April 2011] I snapped this shot after hiking up a rather steep section of rock formations. From where we were before this picture was taken we had no idea that there was water hidden in this crevice. The reason there is black to the left and right was because I had to lean over a rock and squeeze myself in there just to take the shot, that is how obscure this area was. It just amazed me to see this. I guess it just reminds me that you don't always know what will happen next or what you will find when you explore this crazy world of ours. There is so much beauty out there, you just need to look for it.

Testing the Waters

2011-02-05T14:34:00.000-08:00

[London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, AZ, 2011] I am sure you would fully expect a picture of the bridge based on the above location but I did choose this photo for a very important reason. I was recently reminded of the importance of "testing the waters". The little guy to the left tipped his toe in several times to see if he was absolutely certain he wanted to go in. He looked around a bit, saw what the other guys were doing, but still stuck that toe in one more time to be sure. Recently I did the same thing.

I used to be friends, good friends, with someone who ultimately let me down in what to me was a very deep and hurtful manner. I didn't speak to this person for several years and it wasn't until a gesture of kindness when my mom passed did I let this person back in. Yet, I did so very carefully. I have since learned that things hadn't changed much at all with this person and I decided that I didn't need that "darkness" in my life. So without much fanfare I just ended communication. I am still grateful that I gave it a shot though. I would have always felt some guilt if I hadn't tried. But now I can move forward as I have been since all those years ago without a heavy heart, guilt or trepidation that I did or didn't do the right thing. I guess my point is that sometimes you need to give things all your gusto right from the beginning, but with other situations you may need to just stick a toe in and see what it may be like before you totally commit to it. Either way, my feathered friend made me feel at ease that I did the right thing for me, at this moment, and that is all I can really ask for in life.

Who's Curious?

2011-01-26T13:39:00.000-08:00

[Shoestring Winery, California 2010]

Always stay curious about life. Never think you have it all figured out. We all need a little mystery and a little suspense to keep life interesting.

This horse was a prime example of this feeling. He was just as curiopus about me as I was about him. Perhaps he wanted to know if I had a treat, or if I would pet him. Maybe he wondered if I would take him for a ride. No matter what he was thinking about you can tell he was definitely intrigued, as were his friends to his left. They had a huge arena to play in but still stopped what they were doing to see the new comers that arrived that day. They were curious. Always remain that way. Always keep that wonder in your life.

Falling in Love

2011-01-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

[Flash Mob at Town Square - Las Vegas, NV]

I have had the good fortune to meet some great people in the dance community in Las Vegas. Two of them are the dance teachers I met when I took West Coast Swing lessons: Regina and Donnie. This past December they held two flash mobs at Town Square, much to the surprise of the Christmas shoppers in attendance, and danced a fantastic routine to Usher's "DJ's Got Us Falling in Love" [2010]. The picture shown is one flash mob where they performed beside the Christmas tree amidst the falling snow (provided by the kind folks at Town Square who assisted with the event). It was a magical moment that I am both happy and proud to have been a small part of.

So what is the lesson here? Simply put - just dance. Whether it be in public as seen here or just in your living room when no one else is around, go for it. It will make you feel good inside - and hey - it's not so bad for your body either. Feel Free. Be Happy. If you are brave, take some lessons. I have met some great people, whom I now count amongst my friends, all because I didn't let a little shyness stop me from trying something new.

If you are in the Vegas area, and want to check out Regina and Donnie's dance lessions check them out at their webiste - http://www.rhythmicsouls.com/ or find them on facebook - Rhythmic Souls. You'll be happy you did.

And then, just as Usher said, "So dance, dance like it is the last night of your life, life....".

Unexpected Oasis

2011-01-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

[Red Rock Canyon, 2008] Ben and I found this pool of water on top of a rock formation in Red Rock Canyon. I wanted to post this picture because it is one of my favorites. To get this shot we took a small pebble and tossed it into the pool as I took the picture. It took a few attempts to get the wake of the pebble hitting the water, but I think this was the best one we got.

It reminds me that I need to make sure I don't always wimp out when things get hard for me. This spot was a bit of a challenge to get to, a bit of out my norm at that time. I am hoping I am better about challenging myself. This is a reminder to not always take the easy route because you can miss out on some pretty great experiences. You never know what is around the next bend, or on top of the next hill. Life is unexpected, sometimes scary, but often wonderful.

Looking Ahead

2011-01-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

[Summer, 2010]

My buddy Sheiko, has it right. Sometimes it is easier to think about all the bad things that happened in your life. Yet, what we really need to do is stop, take a look around and deal with what we can, and then look ahead to what awaits us. Looking back is fine, but don't ever forget to keep your eye on the future too.

Jean-Paul W. is the proud "dad" of Sheiko.

The Great Grapes

2011-01-13T18:28:00.000-08:00

[California, Summer 2010]

This photo reminds me of a very important lesson. The best things in life do not happen overnight. Nor do they happen with out a lot of hard work and determination. Sometimes, even with all that hard work we still fail. Farmers lose crops due to numerous things: weather, pests, etc. no matter how much they try to stop it. Yet, they still keep growing grapes, harvesting them, and turning them into delicious wine. The grape growers, just like the rest of us, just to be patient enough to let it happen.

Henry's Advice

2011-01-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just need to play after a rough day! Laughter (and fun) really is the best medicine. Take from Jamie Z.s pal Henry (seen left).

Dragonfly day....

2009-08-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best things are unexpected.

All Linked Up

2009-05-22T20:37:00.003-07:00

I now have facebook linked up to my Blogger account so that I hopefully keep this stuff up more often. Have a blogger account? Feel free to follow me...

http://snaphappygrl.blogspot.com/

Crysallis

2009-05-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

Butterflies are amazing creatures when you think about it. One minute they are small, unremarkable catepillars. They just mill about the world eating and resting until that one day that they just decide to be something else. They wrap themselves all up and wait for the transformation to occur. Once it does they become these truly beautiful and totally free creatures.

Morning Sun

2009-05-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that I love to plant things. Not everything makes it mind you but I do my best. It has been a bit tougher with the Vegas weather but I have had some success. In particular, my gardenias. They are not as large as they seem in the picture, they are a smaller variety but they smell and look fantasic. My mom would have been proud. It was something that I definitely got from her.

Butterfly Thru Glass

2009-05-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

(Butterfly thru Glass, Bellagio Gardens Exhibit, April 2009)

I recently received a 70-300mm zoom Nikkor lens for my Nikon D40. I love it. I decided today that I need to practice more often and to use this page to display some of that work. Please let me know what you think.

Monkey Friend

2008-04-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

The explanation of Monkey Friend: My best pal Sarah's little boy has a stuffed monkey we call Monkey Friend. He takes it everywhere with him. When she came to visit me recently for my birthday she brought Monkey with her so that she could get pictures of him around Las Vegas. I am thinking about starting a series of photos based on Monkey Friend's World Travels. Here is one shot we took.

Hoover Dam

2008-03-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

This shot made me a little woozy - but I think it came out pretty good.

Love at first Snap!

2008-02-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

Yes it is true. I am in love, with a camera. Now I know I am still in the throws of new love but it's all good. I am so glad my friend Eric posted a comment about my blog on the Canon I originally looked at. The D40 (though not the D50 that was my 2nd choice) is definitely worth the investment. Granted the only things I took pics of were the cat, when he cooperated - which wasn't often - and some stuff at work - the sunset, my desk, the rain on the windows. Here are some smaller scaled pictures for your look-see. I am still learning the ins-and-outs of the camera but I hope to get the hang of it soon. Until then, I am going to have as much fun as I can. :-)