Ok, got that out of the way.

It's been quite a journey the last few months...from my dad having stage 1 lung cancer(and has had pneumonia 4 times since)to my husband having a broken jaw. Life hasn't been all too well but we're making it.

I haven't worked on my photobook in ages...I havent journaled which I've missed terribly. Getting back into that because it makes me happy...its my creative space. 

I was able to get Lasik back in September, I no longer need spectacles. I do wear some blue glasses just in case. I have 20/20 vision now, it's unreal how awful my eyes were. Everything is so vibrant now. So clear. I can see thru my camera lens muuuuuch better. 

Nothing else is new. We didnt get to go on vacation this year since dad was sick, hopefully next summer we can go somewhere. Hopefully everyone will be safe and sound for next summer.

Winter has been mild thus far...which I know, technically it's not officially winter until tomorrow. We did have a really cold spell for a couple of days. The other night we had major storms which I'm about 90% sure we had a tornado. I've never seen the rain go sideways like that. Or hear the wind blow so hard. I heard the hail hitting the windows. The storm woke me up out of a deep sleep which is unusual. Luckily, there was no damage after it passed.

I'm sick of supposed "photographers" telling viewers that they need thousands of dollars worth of equipment to do photography. 

Listen, I dont care how old or new your camera is, as long as your out there shooting. Dont listen to these people that tell you that you need the newest camera to shoot. YOU DONT. Its consuming youtube and I'm sick of seeing it. 

Get out there, take your camera with you. Make art with your photos. Print them. Paste them in a journal. CREATE.

I remember letting my dad read a few pieces of poetry. After all, i DID get the writing interests from him(he was a musician).

Ever since i could remember, i dreamed of having my own little writing spot, drinking coffee or tea. Spending hours of the night writing, throwing away ideas, then starting over again. But now, i have this chance to write. The words gush out of me on paper. To write a book. To put something out there tht ive made. Will it be perfect? not in the slightest. But thats the beauty of being a creative, nothing is ever perfect.

All it takes is one spark to turn into a flame. To feel that fire burning inside your heart. The fire to chase your dreams. Could you imagine if everyone held that fire in their hearts? How amazing it would be. To really go full force towards that dream, that goal. Nothing is easy but thats the beauty of it. You keep going, you never let that fire dull. 

I used to think journaling had to be pleasing to the eyes. Neat and perfect. A million different stickers. Thats not the case, though. Your journal is for you, don't let another person's journal discourage you from your own style. Its perfectly ok to have inspiration but once you start comparing your journal to another person's, well, you're entering a dangerous territory.

This is my journaling kit. I keep it simple. This pouch holds everything that a require for a good journal session, especially if I'm on thr go.

My supplies are as follows:

●zebra mildliners (yes I realize I have multiples and may give them away as a result)

●thermal printer(shoutout to my friend, Tina for this one)

●life printer(can find it on Amazon for $60 o believe)

●extra photo paper

●extra thermal paper

●elders glue(the stick)

●a few receipts and such that will be pasted in my journal

●there are a few stickers but not many

●black STA pens(can also find on amazon)

The pouch is a hobonchi large drawer pouch in black. The only thing I disliked about it? It catches every little pet hair on it, so I take a lint roller to it every so often. It can be annoying but its worth it. The pouch is around $40. I know that seems a lot for a pouch but the quality is worth it.

It's not hard to figure out that I'm a huge fan of black & white photography. Why? What makes it so grand? To me, it's the emotion that comes with it. It helps tell a meaningful story. 

The shadows can make or break the photo. I feel black and white can show more details, including the tiniest of ones.

I love the color black. I'm drawn to it. I've tried various times to branch out to different colors but I keep coming back to black.