I complain about cold weather. A lot. I much prefer throwing on a skirt, tank top and flip flops over putting on 10 layers before even attempting to get out of bed. I mean, who wouldn’t prefer that?!

Every year, as the muggy Georgia heat begins to fade away and the air becomes crisp, cool, clear, and breathable, I bask in the last moments of warm weather. Fall begins to woo me with the seemingly perfect weather, brightly covered leaves, and the blue sky that somehow seems bluer. The courtship continues with a new fall dress or sweater that I finally get to wear and an annual request to visit North Georgia, to really experience all that fall has to offer.

Last weekend, Michael and I made the 1.5 hour trip north to Tallulah Gorge. According to the blogs, the leaves were at color peak. We were excited (notice how I said We…mmhmm apparently he thinks he has rights) to break in my new 5D Mark II camera. All this swooning over fall, however, does not fool me. It really just  masks the real truth. The truth that we are in a segway to dreary cold weather… just around the corner. For now, I will accept the new clothes, beautiful weather, and brightly colored leaves. For alas, I have one upped the cold season. I plan to take lots of vacations to mild weather. And ESCAPE!

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Clearly everyone should have a wanna be gangsta picture in the mountains.
I really enjoyed having time to experiment with my camera. I decided to take it back to photo school days and drag the shutter to make the water fall become a blur.

When another onlooker offered to take a picture of us, I disgruntledly agreed, afraid that Michael would hand him my precious Mark II. I paused so long before answering, I think the man thought I was some sort of a freak. Especially when we handed him the  5D (my old camera) and because of the camera settings to focus, I had to make him stand exactly where I focused to ensure a clear picture. That’s how we photographers do it!

In the 2 years that followed, I watched his body slowly begin to fail him. To make him give up the things he loved. Even the most simplest of tasks. But…no matter what and without fail, Scott found a way to appreciate the little things. To capitalize on an opportunity for a joke. To put a smile on my face. To enjoy the moment. And to treasure it.

As I sit here, with tear filled eyes and a burning hole in my heart, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have known him and the impact he had on my life. To not take anything for granted. To not sweat the small stuff. Because in the end, it really doesnt matter. We are not promised to tomorrow, but in the meantime his resolution stays close to my heart “to enjoy every moment of each and every day.”

I woke up with the song in my head. On the way to the airport. On the flight. ” I throw my hands up in the air sometimes.” The drive to the hotel. Dance party for 1 in the hotel room.  The wedding. “Saying Ayo.” Driving to South Beach. On the beach. “Gotta let go.”  Dancing under the Palm trees and moon.  ”I wanna celebrate and live my life. Saying ayo. Baby, let’s go.”

Jess had never heard it. I made sure to sing out loud every so often so she could become well aquanited.  It became the theme song of our trip. Every good time, every what the heck did we just see, every wow moment.

Miami, it’s beautiful. If you saw my status updates on Facebook, South Beach is completely INSANE. People watching was at a whole new level.

It’s the first trip my best friend Jess and I have been on together in over 10 years. She recently started photography and I invited her to come along as my second shooter to Miami. She obliged, put up with all my wackyness and I think had a ittle fun too

Here are a few pictures. And in the final words of Taio Cruz…”we gon’ light it up (Miami that is) like it’s DYNAMITE!”

You would never know this picture was taken in a moving vehicle. Good job Jess. It’s exactly the moment I saw when I scared you half to death pointing like a wild woman and yelling to take a picture while I drove 25 miles per hour on a busy road.
Our boutique hotel in the heart of South Beach.

Our room was so cute!

Welcome to South Beach.

Breakfast on our last day. This coffee was so good I wouldn’t shut up about it. I even had the server find out what kind of roast it was. (It’s Lavazza 100% Arabic). Jess I just realized that the brand is printed on the cup!

I convinced Jess she should try it and she decided to order a cup for herself. Here she is with her first cup of coffee. Ever!

Our only picture together. We waited until we saw someone with a SLR camera (since it was all we had)  and asked him to take it.

I don’t think I saw this work out area empty once.

Downtown Miami. 

And a little photo shoot time

Okay. I died laughing when I saw this next picture. Here comes the lioness…

I tried to make up for it…

This is a Bayside Banyan tree. The interesting thing about these trees is that the roots acutally grow down from the branches. Once they hit the ground, they grow into trunks.

I thought I would be sly…Where’s Waldo?

It was 4 a.m. and my eyes were wide open. I had spent the week in LA and it was my last morning in the City of Angels. I even celebrated my last night by going to bed extra early so I wouldn’t be too thrown off by the time change and upcoming daylight savings hour loss. (I’m so cool it hurts) I had only slept 5 hours and I was sitting in bed…wide awake. No sign of sleep returning. pfft.

I turned on the television and the stations were flooded with breaking news about the earthquake in Japan. I watched the videos of turmoil that had taken place. A few minutes later the newscasters moved to other stories, covering Hawaii and a Tsunmai warning on the west coast. Moments passed and then an epiphany: I WAS ON THE WEST COAST.

Play.it.cool.Kelly…What can I do? Who can I call? Wait maybe I should find out more first? Tsunami warning? Like the big wave that floods everything? I want to go home! Where is my mom? Oh wait its 7:30 in Atlanta now, I bet I can call her! Mom?! There was an earthquake in Japan…AND I’M IN A TSUNAMI WARNING!!

We watched the news together, saw that evacuations had been issued for Hawaii, and sat patiently as the reports continued. Our fears were soon subsidized and we realized it would most likely equate to nothing more than rising tides on the beach. I went back to sleep and charged her to call me if she heard anything.

Hours later I was at the airport boarding my flight home.

I absolutely fell in love with Los Angeles and am completely convinced I will move here one day. I mean the weather is unbelievably perfect. The shopping is insane and there is so much to do.

Here are a few pictures from my trip.

Santa Monica. The night before the Tsunami hit.

For the Baby in all of us. The Getty Center. It’s amazing. And free. Would looove to do a photoshoot here. In fact, I’ll add it to my bucket list.

We don’t have plants like this in Georgia.

Sunset at the Getty Center.

The initial item on the list was simply, “cruise.” Well, after going on one, I realized that I needed to be much more specific. That my list should in fact include several other cruises due to the enjoyment factor of “cruise.” Additional items on the bucket list now include Alaskan cruise and Mediterranean cruise. Any other suggestions?

No cell phone, internet, television (okay a little bit, but not really), email, nada. It was the perfect vacation. A trip of a lifetime.

Hello from the Bahamas! Yes we are tourists!  This picture was taken in Freeport. We decided to snorkel here. A little boat like this one took us back and forth to the reef. It was amazing…now…DIVING! (added to the list)

I couldn’t get over the water. So I did what anyone would do…kept taking pictures of it. I now have 50 water pictures.

Evie’s modeling debut. Hellloooo Ralph Lauren.

On my birthday.

Shopping in Nassau, where the famed Straw Market resides.

Our tour guide on the ferry over to the beach.

Of course there’s a picture of the Atlantis Resort. Apparently the bridge between the 2 buildings is actually a hotel suite. The cost?
$25,000 per night, 5 night minimum. The best part…there’s a 4 YEAR WAIT.

I don’t know.

All the girls

Cruise to the Bahamas. Check.

My favorite birthday parties were always the ones at the pool or water park. Those were the lucky kids with summer birthdays. Not boring old winter birthdays right after Christmas. I got as creative as I could with my parties…skating rinks, slumber parties, go carts….ok…not really creative. But Alas! One year (at least that I can remember) my birthday fell on a Sunday…Superbowl Sunday. It was a party for all. And on that birthday, I was content not having a pool party.

One week ago today was my birthday. It was the first birthday I have ever spent away from my family. No cell phone, no internet, nada. It was also the first birthday I spent near water…in a bikini. Oohhh yeaaaaa I was happy.

To make the most of this glorious day in water, we decided to rent jet skis to go out to a Lagoon a couple of miles off shore, where we were guaranteed to see dolphins. Diane and I hopped on the jet ski, Jennifer and Evelyn beach side, and made our way out. As we distanced ourselves from the shore and neared the Lagoon, the water began to turn even more turquoise and clear. However possible….it was even more beautiful than the shore. We found a private beach, pulled up, and stepped onto the untouched sand, like the first foot prints in snow. There were no words for that moment, only squeals in delight.  We climbed the rocks of the lagoon, anxious to see the other side. Diane first, hurrying me up. When I got to the top of the rocks I was speechless. It was the most breathtaking site I have ever seen. I could have never imagined such beauty in my wildest dreams… and in that moment I felt God’s whisper. His presence. A confirmation of His love for me. It was complete joy and peace. And I never wanted to leave.

I couldn’t ask for anything more for my birthday. It was a first. And it was perfect.

We didn’t have a camera on the lagoon. This is from the shore that day. Oh and we didn’t see the guaranteed dolphins. But after the site we saw, we didn’t care.

It was my assignment in photo class 2.5 years ago. To make a word in a series of pictures that look like letters. I saved it because of its meaning to me and to serve as a constant reminder. I planned to frame it and hang it up on the wall, but instead it stayed folded up and placed where ever it would discretely fit.

Last night I met with Jessica and over coffee we caught up on life. In a place filled with so many questions, unknowns and quite honestly skepticism, we sat disgruntled.  Towards the end of the night,  I was reminded of my word assignment and decided to share the video that inspired it. At the end we sat in awe. 

I went home and frantically looked for my word. I checked every nook and crevice  that came to mind.  As I sat to recount the placements of the word, I remembered a few months ago I was ”spring” cleaning and stumbled upon it.  Sitting Indian stlye on the floor and word in my hand, I debated whether to keep it or toss it. Part of me wanted to save it, to move it to another location and remember the reason why I chose that word. The other side, frustrated with lack of answers, wanted to toss it.

I don’t remember what I chose. 

Until last night, I haven’t watched this video since the assignment. This video powerfully inspired me and gave me hope. If I did indeed toss the assignment, I will have to make a new one. BUT if I find it, it will definitely make its way on my wall.

The video below is close to 9 minutes long, but well worth the view. I would love to hear what you think of it.