Nurture Self 365

365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Eight:

December 6, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: Bali Hai, Beach, footprints, grateful, hanalei, nature, outdoors, pier, positive, positive energy, serene experience, shutter, slow shutter speed, south Pacific, sunset | Leave a comment

“Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: now.” Denis Waitley

I took this shot from the beach at Hanalei Pier as the sun was setting over the Bali Hai Mountains (taken from the movie South Pacific which was filmed just north of here). Such a beautiful and serene shot. I had been playing around most of the afternoon with slow shutter speed shots under the pier. When I finally popped out to see what Glen was up to – this is the scene I captured.

Kind of takes your breath away eh? And gives a person pause to think about where you are in life, where you’ve come from, where you are going . . . I have huge respect for the fact that the answer to those questions is different for each and every one of us. For me what I know for sure is that every experience I’ve had in my life has created the person I am today.

I am grateful for every one of those moments, good or bad. I am determined going forward that in my experience of life . . . I am leaving positive footprints for others to follow, and leaving a trail of positive energy for others to be inspired as well.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Seven:

December 5, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: 365 self portrait, hanalei, mountains, mouth, mouth of river, photo, photo op, photo opportunity, river, snag, view, Water | Leave a comment

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

I am 60 years young. I’ve had some pretty great experiences in my life, as well as some not so great. But that’s life . . . and I create in my life the experience I want from it . . . no matter what “happens” to me.

Right now . . . I’m sure enjoying this Hawaiian Experience!

We were in Hanalei today just snooping around for some good photo opportunities. I saw this old snag out in the middle of the mouth of the Hanalei River and thought it looked like a great 365 photo op. I carefully set my camera up on the tripod, dialed in the settings I wanted, set the self-timer and away I went to get in position. I had Glen standing out there to set my focal point. However, I just couldn’t get out there fast enough. The current was strong enough that it was hard walking against it. So this was the best I got. We did have the pocket wizards with us, but they were in the car at the other end of the beach. By time we were done running back and forth here . . . I was just kinda done with the whole process. Time to move on to something else! I kind like this shot anyway . . . Glen waiting so patiently for me while he is watching the camera take the shots . . . and it’s a lovely view back to Hanalei and the mountains.

Just another beautiful day in Paradise!

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Six:

December 4, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: bolt, exposure, flash, lightening, lightening bolt, long exposure, off camera, off camera flash, PhotoShop, pop, pop flash, self timer, storm, thunder, thunderstorm, thunderstorms | 1 comment

“I get my best ideas in a thunderstorm. I have the power and majesty of nature on my side.” Ralph Steadman

The Island of Kauai was enveloped by a huge storm front with rain and thunderstorms. Interestingly enough, the storms skirted around the eastern side of the Island and left the North Shore virtually untouched. However, we could see the storm off in the distance as it ventured it’s way east over the ocean. Headed for the mainland I guess! The lightening lit up the sky like it was daylight – even from our vantage point. We quickly gathered our tripod, camera and Neutral Density filters to try and get some lightning bolts. It took quite a few attempts and long exposures but we were finally successful.

Another shot I wanted to try was using the pop-flash technique. Glen held an off camera flash unit, as did I. I set the self timer, and during a long exposure (almost 7 seconds) each one of us popped the flash at a different time. When I was editing the photos I realized I only had one good lightening shot, and it wasn’t in any of the pop-flash shots. So – Photoshop here I come! I combined two of the best photographs, created a layer mask and masked in the lightening bolt.

Love the magic of Photoshop!

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Five:

December 3, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: Beach, Best Friend, brilliance, comet, happiness, happy marriage, Hawaii, kauai, ke'e beach, marriage, nature, outdoors, pleasure, pleasures, sensual, sensual pleasures, sunset, tranquility, traquil, walking | Leave a comment

“Sensual pleasures have the fleeting brilliance of a comet; a happy marriage has the tranquility of a lovely sunset.”

I love this particular photo because, as the above quote states, a happy marriage has the tranquility of a lovely sunset. I feel like that is where we are in our relationship these days – tranquil and happy. Not to say that we don’t have a few issues crop up now and then, but we know it’s safe to work through the issues without worry that one of us is going to walk away.

I love the feeling of walking hand in hand, side by side, with my best friend – exploring, adventuring, loving, living and sharing.

This photo was taken at sunset on Ke’e Beach at The End of The Road, Kauai, HI.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Four:

December 2, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: app, camera, GoPro, GoProHero2, Hawaii, hot tub, internet, ipad, iPhone, soak, soaking, underwater, wi fi, wifi | Leave a comment

“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” Pablo Picasso

We bought a GoProHero 2 just before we came to Hawaii, thinking that it would be a great toy to have in the water when we are snorkeling. We took it out of the box to pack it for the trip, but otherwise knew nothing about using it. There actually is quite a process to go through preparing to use it the first time . . . which involves connecting to the Internet and updating it’s software and setting up the wi-fi back pack on it so we can use the iPad or iPhone to control it . . . which of course involved finding the app and downloading it and figuring out how to make it work with the camera . . . all in all quite the process but so cool that we can take pics and video with it thru the iPhone/iPad. Technology is getting so insane . . .

After all that we were ready for a soak in the hot tub! By then it was 8pm-ish so we took the little guy with us just to see what we came up with. I put the camera under water and aimed it at us. This shot is the result. Kinda cool eh? Of course it’s no where near the amazing shots I’ve been seeing people post on-line . . . but kinda cool none-the-less.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Three:

December 1, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: dreams, experience. life, healing, love, mature, matured, maturity, Relationships, responsibility, traumatizing, vision, visions | Leave a comment

“If you take responsibility for yourself you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams.” Les Brown

I always dreamed that someday I would travel the world, that I would enjoy the freedom of retirement by exploring and experiencing something new . . . I’m starting to see that dream come true.

I grew up thinking that life just happened and I was just a part of whatever happened around me. I had no impact, or conscious choice to make something happen the way I dreamed they could. I loved day-dreaming and imagining all sorts of great scenarios . . . life could be so glorious in my dreams! However, since life happened to me I would never ever experience it that way. Then I grew up, got married, had babies, lived life and matured and learned and matured some more . . . and over time I realized I did have control. I did have choice . . . it really was up to me to create what I want out of life.

This realization happened over a course of many years . . . and manifested in a way that was traumatizing to myself and my family . . . divorce and estrangement. But then came healing and forgiveness and relationships that are stronger than they were before because I never lost sight of what is most important to me . . . the experience I want most in life – my family. I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, but I’ve also taken responsibility for those mistakes and live my life every day with a vision of what is important.

And I see my dreams coming true before my eyes every day . . .

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty Two:

November 30, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: bug, computer, computers, consumed, edit, editing, hobby, immersion, lap top, passion, Photography | Leave a comment

“Couples are wholes and not wholes, what agrees disagrees, the concordant is discordant. From all things one and from one all things.” Heraclitus

We seem to be consumed by our Photography Bug these days. This vacation, starting with our trip to Las Vegas, has turned in to a photography immersion for us. We are spending hours on the computer editing the shots that we are spending hours out in the “field” shooting. Hubby has caught the bug just about as bad as I have. (kinda handy when I want new gear . . . just get him out shooting and let him see that having that new lens really makes sense!) I set up our new little toy – the GoProHero2 – to take this shot of us editing side by side in our Resort condo. We’ve only watched a couple hours of television since we left home the beginning of November.

I kind of feel like a kid again, learning something new every day.

And I’m doing it with my Best Friend.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty One:

November 29, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: Beach, destination, hanalei, Hawaii, kauai, lumahai beach, nature, ocean, outdoors, princeville, relax, relaxing, resort, retreat, sunshine, surf, vacation | Leave a comment

“Lumahai Beach, or South Pacific Beach . . . This beach was made famous by the movie South Pacific where Mitzi Gaynor “washed that man right out of her hair”!” www.hawaiianweb,com

We’ve arrived at our vacation destination for the next 25 days – Kauai, Hi. The next few days will be settle in time . . . taking it easy and getting adjusted to the two hour time change. (We’re two hours behind the West Coast). This beach is one of our favorite hangouts on the North Shore – one of many! We will be visiting and discovering many more I hope!

Ahhhh . . . time for a Mai Tai!

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Twenty:

November 28, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: beaches, climate, dry, hate, haters, hating, hatred, Hawaii, kauai, love, nature, negative, negativity, northern, outdoors, paradise, southern, tropical, vacation, volcanic, warm | Leave a comment

“If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have a paradise in a few years.” Bertrand Russell

IKR? Why do we waste so much energy “hating” rather than loving?? It’s so exhausting! If I don’t like or don’t agree with someone’s position or behavior I just choose to not associate with them. I don’t wish them ill will. Where does that get you? I feel sad for the person who chooses to live in negativity, and I certainly find myself there from time to time. However, I believe that if that’s where I choose to be – in the negative – then that’s what I’m going to attract in to my experience of life. Fortunately, I can choose to walk away , or work through it, when I see it coming!

We arrived in Paradise today. Kauai, HI is my version of Paradise anyway. I just love it here . . . in the span of an hour you can go from the warm southern climes with broad sweeping beaches and resort areas, to the northern lush tropical side with more rugged, less populated beaches and wild volcanic shores. We are attracted to the Northern Shores with it’s rugged and less traveled vistas. We’re lucky to have the opportunity to spend almost a month here this year. We are able to work from a distance, which really helps! We’re getting to the point that it’s really tough to come over for just a week. By time we get settled in, it’s time to go home! We’ve seen alot of the Island already, but I love to come back and see if we can find new gems to explore. Geo-caching is a favorite pass time – we’ve found many secluded, out of the way spots doing this. And of course – with my new photography gear and increasing knowledge . . . I hope to be posting some pretty awesome shots over the next few weeks.

It’s really tough to be negative here!

Stay tuned . . .

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Three Hundred Nineteen:

November 27, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: celebration, Christmas, holiday, magic wand, national holiday, official holiday, statutory holiday, ulysses s grant | Leave a comment

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” Norman Vincent Peale

I did NOT know that Christmas became a National Holiday in the America on June 26, 1870. After doing a bit of research to confirm this, I’ve discovered that Ulysses S. Grant is responsible for declaring the 25th day of December an National Holiday to celebrate Christmas. I’m trying to find out when it was declared a National Holiday in Canada . . . but not having much luck there. I would imagine it was some time after the US instituted it.

I did find this: “Though Christmas is the only legal national religious holiday in the United States today, it has been less than 100 years since all 50 states recognized Christmas as an official holiday. Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas an official holiday in 1836, 71 years before the last state — Oklahoma — followed suit in 1907.”

Just interesting tid bits of information to get your Holiday Season started . . .