candid moments

via my flickr stream

I have developed a deeper appreciation for snapshots. And black and white photos. I feel like sometimes I get wrapped up in making a shot look as 'good' as possible. It's like I have a mental list in my head of what makes a nice photo -- and if a picture doesn't have good composition, contrast, and a unique subject, then it isn't worth keeping. So as a result of my faulty thinking, I very rarely took snapshots. 

But one day I was really frustrated with some of my homework, and decided to clear my head by taking some pictures of my little sister. {She was playing with homemade play doh.} Though none of these are 'perfect', I'm so very happy with them. 

I think candid shots capture people's personality incredibly well. 

And if candid shots capture the personality, then black and white candids must capture the soul. 

Do you like candid shots? 

~ Abby

of thanksgiving, thanks, and other thankful stuff

The view from my bedroom window, on a misty November morning. 

I am thankful that I had a whole week off of school. My brain was becoming a swirling vortex of equations, anatomy definitions, and Spanish verbs.

I'm thankful for my Grandma and my Aunts. I'm also thankful for our traditional night-before-Thanksgiving shopping trip. {Black Friday shopping is just too mainstream.}

I'm thankful for my extended family; especially for all of my epic cousins. Even though we're all in our late teens, we still play hide and go seek and watch Christmas movies together. {Growing up is also just too mainstream. ;)}

I am thankful for my brother, who watched movies, played minecraft, and drank alarmingly large amounts of hot chocolate with me while I was sick.  He also sat on the couch with me for two days while I coughed my head off. Yeah, he's pretty much the best brother ever. :) 

I am thankful for college basketball games and dance offs with friends. 

I am thankful for late nights and green pants. 

I am thankful for this post, and this verse. 

I am thankful for music -- mainly Ed Sheeran. 

I am thankful for lunch and movie dates. 

I am thankful for tea.

I am thankful. 

~ Abby

of the future

Lately I've been really, really excited for the future. Mainly for college. 

I have a little more than 3 more semesters to complete before I finish high school. And then I'll be D.O.N.E. *squeals and does a happy dance*

Now don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed high school. I love my friends. I like doing silly, somewhat immature things with them, and I enjoy being young with them. (I hope that makes sense.) But at the same time, I cannot wait for the future. I keep flyers and brochures from my two favorite colleges with my schoolbooks, because looking at them helps keep me motivated. I walk around campuses in awe of the beautiful buildings; picturing myself studying for some test in an obscure corner, or cramming for an exam in a library. It's kind of silly, I know. But I'm indescribably excited to study what I love; to meet new people and start a 'new' life.

But at the same time, I'm cherishing the place I'm at right now. I don't have to worry about bills or loans. I don't have to think about where my next meal is going to come from. I can spend my evening with my nose in a book, or count the constellations with a friend on a rooftop. I am relatively free -- even if it doesn't feel like it a times -- and I am grateful for that.

But I am still so very excited for the future. 

What are your dreams? 

~ Abby

of trying new things {aka sap fest}

My team. 

At the beginning of 2012, my new year's resolution was to not let any opportunity pass me by, and to experience as many new things as possible. 

That was before a couple of friends of mine asked me if I'd be interested in playing on the girl's high school soccer team. 

You see, it wasn't that I didn't want to play; I was just kind of stressed out just by the mere thought returning to it. I had played all through elementary, and most of middle school. That, however, is nothing compared to playing at a high school level. Basically, I was intimidated. A lot.

But, I decided to do it. I didn't want to pass it up, and then regret it later. Cleats were purchased, and jerseys ordered.

It was hard work. I'm a pretty physically fit person, but taking a year off of dance/pretty much any excercise really took its toll. Plus, I started the season off with a really bad infection in my lungs, (they were filled with fluid,) which made it painful to breath.

I was beyond discouraged. I threw up at a game, I was so sick. I even cried once or twice, and if you know me, I never cry.

I stuck with it though. I ran and practiced at home. I eventually got over the lung thing. And by the end of the season, I was in love with my team -- as well as the sport.

I'm so glad that I tried it. My team was so incredibly encouraging, and helpful. One of them said that playing with these girls was "like gaining 12 new best friends." I love each and every one of them; and I feel like we all really pulled together and got to know each other -- especially in the last month or so. 

But the most important thing I learned from the entire season was this: sticking to your commitments, working hard, and trying your best will always pay off in some way. And passing up a new experience is {almost} never cool. 

Off to go visit with my soul mate {the treadmill :P}, 

~ Abby

reasons why november is a happy month v 1.2

We're scarf triplets! Also, you should probably just not look at my face here. 

Normal post halloween pumpkins? Please. Cyclopes cannibals are totally the way to go. ;)

Church, orange leaf, and Scooby Doo with your oldest and best friend > anything. 

November, I am quite fond of you indeed. Care to stay for a while?

~ Abby

reasons why november is a happy month

via

A lot of people treat November like it's a filler month; the period of time between gorgeous the October, and the silvery beauty of December. But I actually happen to really like November as much, if not more than the other fall months. 

You see, November is when you can begin to listen to Christmas music unabashedly. It's also finally feeling 'wintery', so you can justify wearing tights and scarves and beanies. November mornings are also very misty, and it tends to rain a lot where I live. I don't mind though; November rain > sunshine. 

Also, November is the one month anniversary of Taylor Swift's Red album. (No shame.) It's also perfect for picture taking, and it brings me that much closer to December 23rd. (My half birthday. Yes, I celebrate it. I'll be six months away from being an adult. Woo.) 

Basically, November is a month of book reading, doodling, and reminiscing. It's also a month of anticipation -- after all, November means that Christmas is just around the corner. And let us not forget about The Hobbit premiere. 

Never laugh at live dragons,

~ Abby 

you may be exposed to high levels of nerd if you read this

In case you don't know what ARBA Convention is, it's basically when the rabbit freaks of the universe unite from all over America, Canada, Japan, and Malaysia, and delight in each other's nerdiness. (For more information you can read this post and this post.) 

Anyway, it was pretty much the funnest (that's totally a word, what are you talking about) weeks I've had in my entire high school career. And yes, I am mentally kicking myself for not taking more pictures. 

Anyway, there were over 20,000 rabbits. Twenty. Thousand. Rabbits. 

This isn't even the full view of the first room. And there were FOUR of these rooms. 

I came home myself with three new Polish. One can always use more does, no? 

This is a little buck I picked up. Ain't he cute? :) Thanks Chyann!

These are all the kids that competed from my state in the breed ID/judging/royalty contests. Talk about a great group of people! And did I mention that my breed ID placed 3rd in the nation?! Cause we did, and it was pretty epic. :D

Awkward mirror picture for the win. Not pictured: the 4 inch bright red heels that I wore. (Red shoes are the bomb diggity y'all.)

Then, on the next to last day of convention, there was the ARBA youth banquet and dance. Words cannot describe how much fun we had. 

Top 4 Memories of the Night: 

4) My team and I placing 3rd

3) Taking a bunch of wacky photobooth pictures with huge glasses and fake mustaches with a good friend of mine

2) Fast dancing with a guy friend of mine to Taylor Swift's I Knew You Were Trouble (Neither of us felt any shame whatsoever, in case you're wondering.)

1) Simply spending the night with good friends of mine -- some of which live states away. 

Sigh. I can't wait untill next year... Harrisburgh Pennsylvania, here I come. 

90th ARBA Convention or Bust! 

~ Abby