Sneak Peek: Olsen Family

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"In that world, you'll be able to rise in the morning with the spirit you had known in your childhood: that spirit of eagerness, adventure and certainty which comes from dealing with a rational universe."
-- Ayn Rand

Wisdom from Alice

We watched Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland this weekend. And while many different people have many different opinions on it, here's mine. Plain Jane simple.

I liked it.

The thing that appealed to me most, the one driving force that seemed to push the movie forward, was not the colorful, awe-inspiring animation (which was, of course, spectacular), but the belief that the impossible is possible.

"Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast," Alice informed the Mad Hatter, to which he (in all of his Johnny Depp greatness) replied, "That is an excellent practice."

I love this way of thinking. Love it. When the only thing you really have to take into consideration when striving for the impossible is you (your willpower, your determination), then the impossible really is possible.

Funny, but many of my "impossible" dreams never really came into being until I realized that they were, in fact, possible. It wasn't until I began to see my desires for what they were, and to believe them achievable, that I started to actually catch glimpses of them in my daily life. And once I started catching glimpses of my dreams in their full manifested glory, it was like a dam broke loose.

So, in following Alice's lead, I'm going to start thinking of six impossible things each day. (Let's face it, I don't do much thinking before my, uh, caffeine-infused breakfast.) Then, after I think of them, I'm going to (gulp) believe in them.

And, since I'm currently on my second cup, here's my list of six:

1. Chris and I live in a beautiful house on Lake Washington.

2. It is possible to interact with our loved ones even after they've transitioned.

3. Every day, I make a difference in the lives of at least five different people. (Or animals!)

4. I am able to read anything and fully, completely, and with utter clarity understand every bit of it.

5. I have the power to control my feelings, and to make each and every thought a positive one.

6. I live wholly and without fear.

Mmmm... And this is just the beginning.

What's on your list? :)

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"You’ll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond Z and start poking around!"
-- Dr. Seuss

Coffee with a View...

Slow down. Take a break. Get away from it all.

Even if it's just for the morning.

Chris and I spent a little over two hours at the Beach House Bar & Grill on Lake Washington this morning and, even though it wasn't an extravagant trip to Jamaica or a laid-back weekend in the San Juan Islands, we left feeling more relaxed, more invigorated, and more alive than when we arrived.

Proof that all you need to re-charge is a good cup of coffee and a killer view.

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"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world – not even our troubles."
-- Charlie Chaplin

Thank You

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your big heart. Your gentle soul. Your open mind. And your warm disposition.

Also, thank you for your drive, your determination, your loyalty, your sense of commitment, and your amazingly laid back relax-it-will-all-work-out-remember-life-is-supposed-to-be-fun attitude.

As I sit here today, doing what I truly love, I can't help but feel an appreciation so deep that I honestly can't put it into words. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for not only supporting me as I align with my dreams, but for motivating me as well.

Thank you so much for being you.

Love, Zuul ;)~

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"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Something Creative

I've always known that I was going to end up doing something creative.

When, at the age of four, I was first asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I stated, in a rather matter-of-fact way, "I'm going to be an artist."

Throughout the years, my vision of art changed. At first, I was fascinated with painting - any kind of painting. (Finger paints, especially. Hey, I was only four.) Then, after entering kindergarten and learning to read, I became enthralled with books. Writing, to be exact. The written word held for me so many possibilities. I was enchanted with the prospect of designing worlds, creating people and actually directing their lives... The freedom to experience anything I wanted just by simply writing it down on a piece of paper and re-reading it was thrilling to me. I was five when I wrote my first story - an achingly short, albeit endearing tale - about a young bird and his desire to leave his nest and explore the world beyond. Granted, the manuscript (and I use that term loosely) contained more pictures than words, but I snapped it together in a three ring binder and felt a sense of accomplishment nonetheless.

So it's always been there. At the very core of my being. Embedded deep within my DNA. Running rampant through my veins. Pottery, sculpting, writing, painting, comedy, woodworking, sketching, fashion design... There was even a brief couple of years, between the ages of twelve and fourteen, when I swore to anyone who would listen that, someday, I was going to work in the animation department at Disney. I'd even drawn up several full-feature story lines which, to this day, I still secretly dream about submitting. (Wow, did I really just let that slip??)

Er - what was I talking about again?? Anyhoo...

Photography came to me much later in life. I'd always admired photographers, and sought to take the best photo that I could whenever I took a picture. (I had album upon album filled with photographs of random people, places, and things.) Yet, with as many pictures as I took, I never entertained the idea of actually becoming a photographer. While a career at Disney seemed completely possible - if not probable - a career in photography seemed far-fetched and out of reach.

Up until now, photography had always been just a hobby - an extremely fun, passion-filled hobby. But a hobby nevertheless.

And then, about six years ago, Chris proposed. With full on bride-brain, I began to devour wedding sites: various florists, bakers, dress makers, and... Photographers. Before long, I realized that I was more fascinated with the photographs themselves - the lighting, the depth, the unique point of view, the raw emotion caught within the frame - than I was with what the bride was wearing or how the bridesmaid dresses looked. I was no longer looking at photographs to get inspiration for my own wedding. I was looking at photographs and becoming inspired.

Still, it wasn't until several years ago that I actually began to comtemplate the idea of becoming a photographer. And it was still quite a while after that that I even began to envision myself as one. But slowly, day by day, month by month, photograph after photograph, that vision began to solidify until, eventually, I sucked up the courage and took that courageous leap of unyielding faith. A leap that now allows me to boldly state (with the sort of matter-of-fact certainty that would have made my four year-old self proud) that, yes, I am a photographer.

And just what has that leap of faith entailed? Well, for starters, on June 30th I quit my job. I left the world of veterinary medicine and have now taken on - in every, way, shape, and form - the role of photographer. No longer am I a veterinary technician who is just dabbling in the art of photography. I am not, anymore, a caged soul searching for a way to live more creatively in the few free hours I have between shifts.

I have found my creativity. I have found my path. I have found my calling.

Right now, as I type this, a smile is slipping across my face. A giddy smile that I couldn't hold back even if I wanted to. Today, I write with conviction and faith... I am an artist.

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"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
-- Pablo Picasso

Just Because I Can...

He hates the camera.

So in order to get a photo of Chris, I have to be sneaky. Stealthy. And quick.

This is the type of image I get when he thinks I'm pointing the camera at someone / something else:

And this... This is the look I get when he figures out what I'm up to:

Ah, marriage. There's never a dull moment. :)

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"I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."
-- Rita Rudner

Kyle & Cassandra: Engagement

Passionate. Energetic. Fun. Silly. Lively. Spirited. Frisky.

Each and every one of those words fit Kyle and Cassandra to a T.

They have one month together before Kyle heads back to Bahrain, and they're not wasting one single second of it.

Vaca to Vegas? Check. Saturday evening dinner cruise? Check. Invigorating, giggle-inducing play-date on the mega trampolines at Sky High Sports? Check. Trip to Idaho?? Check.

Engagement photo shoot? Double check!

Thank you, Kyle, for not only a great shoot, but for serving our country as well. And Cassandra - thank you for giving me a glimpse into your wonderful relationship... And for being - yes - super photogenic. :)

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"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."
-- Rose Franken

Sneak Peek: Cassandra & Kyle :)

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"You know it's love when you want to keep holding hands even after you're sweaty."
-- Anonymous

Yes...

... I'm one of those girls. :)

** Happy 4th! :)

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"Did you seriously just stamp your foot? I thought girls only did that on TV."
-- Jacob Black (Eclipse)