Noticing the Details

I was really excited to buy my new camera but also a bit nervous that having the camera and taking more photos would maybe take away from actually experiencing things. I didn't want to get stuck behind the lens and miss what was really going on. 

I've walked by this totem pole, a staple of Lakeview, numerous times, but I had never truly looked at what made up the totem pole. I always paid attention to the bird on top, but never noticed the rest of the details.

Yesterday, on a walk to the lake, I stopped to take photos of the totem pole and noticed the details for the first time. I'm thankful that my camera has not caused me to miss what's going on but rather has helped me pay attention to the details.

Texas in B&W

Thanks to my new camera, I had a blast snapping photos on my recent trip to Austin & San Antonio. Check out some of my favorites I edited in B&W.

Enjoy!

Laughter

After a fabulous holiday season at home, I spent the second half of my time off work in Texas visiting my roommate. I ate as much Tex-Mex as possible, went out on 6th Street & Rainey Street, met all of Kat's friends and hung out with her loving family. I also celebrated my 24th birthday by going to my first NBA game, drinking my body weight in Shiner, playing Cards Against Humanity, and building a tent in the living room to sleep in.

I loved everything about being in Texas and being on vacation, but definitely the best part was remembering the importance of laughter and to not take yourself so seriously. Every day was full of laughter, and I even woke up the day after my birthday with sore abs from all of laughing I'd done the day before. I don't know if it was due to the craziness at work the past few months or the bleak winter weather that had me feeling a bit uptight, but it felt so good to stop taking myself so seriously and to laugh more than I have in a long time.

One of my resolutions for the year is try to involve more laughter in to every day. 

Thanks y'all for helping me laugh during my Texas vacay :) 

I don't have any pictures from my official birthday but below are a few from birthday round 2 in Austin.

The roomie & I goofing around.

Attempting to pick me up for a 'birthday girl' pic...

But resorting to a point & smile instead :)