365 project

So after writing my last post I realized that I didn't explain what a "365 photo challenge" even is! (Silly me!) I'm sure there's some of you who may have thought "ok, what is that?!" So simply put, a 365 project is when you commit to taking one photo a day for a whole year. Sometimes people will do this with their phones, but I'm going to be doing mine with my Canon - to get some more practice! So I'm also going to be lightly editing all the photo's I take for this as well, to get more practice in that area too. I hope that I've gotten rid of any questions you may have had regarding that. Sorry for not explaining myself better!

So in a few of the pictures you may notice that me and Jeff were painting! (ok, so it was mostly Jeff) That's because we were! Our bathroom previously was a mixture of dark and light browns, but now it's been totally transformed! We went to Canadian Tire with a spontaneous decision to paint the bathroom, and we came out with some painting equipment and a can of Royal Wedding paint! So now, our bathroom is a lovely fresh and clean blue/green colour! We love it. Doing little things like that are what slowly make a place feel more like "home", and we love that feeling. 

Can't believe I've added another post already! I'm on a roll!! Here's some more of my 365 project, enjoy!!!

XOXO,
a.mart

DAY 5 

DAY 6

DAY 7

getting out of a rut

Life has been so busy. It's funny, you expect yourself to have all the time in the world when you think "oh I'm just going to be going to university and working part time, no biggie!" Ha. You're funny, Alana. So I apologize that I haven't done a post on my university experiences, but I'm going to blame it on university - classic. But yeah, overall school has been great! I realized right away that I chose the right program (and in case you're thinking "what program was she in again?!", I'm in the Education Assistant and Community Support program (aka, EACS)). I was kind of nervous at first because honestly, I really wasn't sure what I was getting into. But thankfully, those fears have long been dispelled. For the most part. So my program consists of 5 courses: Psychology, English, Practicum Prep, Foundation of EACS, and Health Care Principles (which has a lab with it as well). Overall it's really not that much to handle. In most of the courses they pretty much hold your hand and help you in whatever way they can, which rocks. I'm actually doing pretty well in all my courses too, which is something I was a little a lot nervous about heading into university. I wasn't sure what the course load would be like, if I'd have to pull all-nighters, if I'd have to get a tutor, etc. Thankfully, lots of the information we learn in this program is everyday common sense. 
However, since I've begun school I've been having a really hard time finding the motivation to pick up my camera. Of course there's the occasional time when me and Tiff would go out and do a little photo shoot, or when I'd take a couple pictures of Jeff, but other than that I haven't really taken out my Canon much! So to break the cycle, and to get my mind off of end of the semester exams, I've decided to being a 365 Photo Challenge!! I know, I know, it's going to be tough and yeah, maybe I won't be able to take a picture everyday... but so far this has been great motivation for me! So every once in a while, when I get the time make some time I'm going to be posting the photo's that I've taken so far!! (This is for you, Andrea!!) 
So without further adieu, here are some of the photos that have been taken so far! 

(ps. i'm not a pro, i'm just trying to get some practice taking photos and editing them!)

Cheers!
a.mart

DAY 1

DAY 2

Obviously, I didn't take this, but I had forgotten to take a picture this day so here's one that Jeff took!
DAY 3

DAY 4

North Barriere Lake Resort

So this picture is pretty much what our weekend out at North Barrier Lake in a nutshell. Lots of kayaking and lots of rain. After getting back to Kamloops we had a couple of days to relax and move back in to our little lovely basement suite before heading out. On the Wednesday after we got back me and Jeff, and mom and dad, loaded up 4 kayaks, got a bunch of camping things together, and headed out to the lake! North Barriere Lake Resort was super quaint! We had the option to either take our tents out to the campsite, or stay in a cabin. BOY were we ever glad we chose cabin!! The cabin was adorable! (a tad musty smelling, but adorable nonetheless!) It had running water, a cute kitchen with a fridge, stove, and oven, a little bedroom for my parents and a hard futon for Jeff and myself. (all it lacked was its own bathroom!) 

It had been my first time ever in a kayak, but i really enjoyed it! Kayaking is really easy once you figure out how to steady yourself. The only thing i had to get used to was how tired my arms would be after. Also, carrying kayaks sucks. We had gone out a few times with our fishing rods, but no success there. However, when we would cross the lake and go up a stream (the one in the picture above) we could see loads of salmon! They were everywhere! Speaking of seeing something everywhere, there were also tons of eagles. Dad and Jeff went out fishing in the morning a few times, and every time they would come back saying how many eagles they had seen! Looking ahead on the weather network we had been a bit nervous about the rain, but we knew that rain was all part of the experience! What we didn't realize was how MUCH it would rain! The rain wouldn't just come down as a drizzle. It would be a torrential downpour! A few times we had headed out lazily in the kayaks while the weather looked nice and had to come bolting back because we'd be completely soaked to the bones with thunder and lightening following close behind us! During the rainy days we would hang out inside and play card games, board games, and read our books! We had gone from Wednesday to Sunday, and it was great little vacation. We also had a fantastic time making memories, spending quality time with family, having lots of campfires, and laughing- a lot! Enjoy the pictures below, and happy September!! 

Happy Paddling!

a.mart

p.s. once i get around to it i'll do a post on my current experience at university!!

Our attempt at taking a picture of all the stars! 

#summerinlacrete

So it comes to a close. Our summer in LaCrete was amazing. We had a fantastic time hanging out with Jeff's family, seeing friends, and making memories! It was a great change for us. We got us out of the city  and enjoy the prairies for a few months! It's always tough to fit everyone in during a visit up to LaCrete, so i apologize if we missed visiting some of you! It was a busy summer- But a very enjoyable one as well!
 And speaking of enjoyable, i had an absolutely awesome experience cabin leading for my very first time at Riverside Bible Camp for two weeks this summer! Sr. High and Jr. High! They were really fantastic two weeks and i felt like i learnt as much as the kids did! Plus, i met some truly incredible people at Riverside that made my summer extra special. I loved it!! 
Another great learning experience i had while out in LaCrete was that i got to work with a local photographer! It was a blast and i learnt SO much about photography, its incredible. I got to work along side Image Row Photography and second shoot at 3 weddings! Andrea was an incredible teacher, it was a dream! I had the privilege of having her be the photographer for our wedding, so it was super special for me to help her out and see her process of going about a wedding! It was a super sweet experience. Anj is such an amazing woman and i'm so glad that i got to hang out with her this summer! Such a gem. (and her kids are absolutely GORGEOUS!) Overall, it was a super time!
But now we head back to Kamloops. Tomorrow morning, bright and early we make the trek. Its gonna be a looong day. But we're excited to head back! I know my parents missed us (and we missed them too!), so it'll be so much fun to hang out with them for a while! We actually even booked a cabin by a lake so we can go camping, fishing, and kayaking with them! (So excited!!) School is also just around the corner as well! I'm a little nervous to start at university, just cause i've never been to university before! But it's going to be a great experience and i'm so glad i have Jeff there with me to help me out! 
Well, it's time to get ready for my day so i can enjoy our last day in LaCrete! 

Much Love,
a.mart

(p.s. if you want to see more pictures of our summer in LaCrete i used the hashtag #summerinlacrete on instagram!) xo