Winter Drumline

Sometimes the greatest things in life have to come to an end; such is the case for my four years playing for the Taft Drumline. But this doesn't mean I'll stop drumming! The drumline completed its season (and my four) last week at State competition, where we performed "The House" (our winterline show) for the last time. Pleasantly surprised, we received 2nd place, feeling like we won the whole thing with our best performance yet. The band earned sweepstakes (highest scores) at UIL this past Wednesday and we will have our last concert next month.

Here is a link to view our percussion concert performance:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0Gj3NLKk7bE

Here are some pics from the season thus far...

Our first contest at Burbank:


The crew

Taken by Natalie Kennedy:


At State:

Citrus

I decided to have a little fun with fruit, spending some time manufacturing my own state of the art system (with help from my mentor). I flipped over a stool and bent my desk lamp down into the middle, stretched out some aluminum foil to make a brighter, larger area to work on, and covered it with a white shirt and glass frame. The results: glowing citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon, orange, and lime). Not to mention, Gus (a friend at school) designed my new signature, I think it's perfect.

Best Trip Ever

Looking back, the whole trip felt almost surreal for how quickly we traveled from place to place, a blurry routine of glance and go. You have to try to soak in as much as possible and take advantage of each moment, reminding yourself that you may see these places only once in life. The moments that were spent away from stop and go were the ones remembered most, like climbing an enormous hill in Wales before sunrise to see a different view of the same old world, feeling like this is something entirely new, a world separate from the predictable one you know so well back home. As I have learned from a fast-paced trip to Greece, only when time passes and I look back on everything seen and done will it sink in that "it was real!".
The trip originally consisted of 2 nights in London, 1 night in Wales, 2 nights in Dublin, and 2 nights in County Kerry. That was true for the group traveling Continental Airlines. The Delta group (my group) was delayed an entire day on account of severe tornadoes and thunder storms in Atlanta, where we eventually arrived 5 hour later and had to stay our first night. The highly anticipated trip began less than expected, however it wouldn't matter once we arrived in London that next day.



We traveled to Oxford that next morning and Stratford later that afternoon


After having the best Fish & Chips of my life, we traveled to our next night's stay at "The Hand Hotel" in Wales. The hotel was supposedly "haunted" because it was built next to a graveyard (which provided some excellent shots). That next morning a group of us climbed a hill before sunrise (my battery ran out right before reaching the top, which was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen...o well.) We stopped off at Blarney castle on our way to North Wales, famous for the country with the longest name.
Our stay in the UK would end after hopping on a freight to Ireland, where we would stay 2 nights in Dublin. I saw Irish folk dancers and musicians, caught a glimpse of the local shopping scene (with street performers), and relaxed with some of Ireland's most famous ale. :)
The highlight of the trip was our last 2 nights in County Kerry, where we saw the most beautiful countryside and parks Ireland has to offer. The first night, a group of us took a walk around one of the parks. I had a great idea to run ahead of the group and scare the wits out of everyone (by sitting in the middle of the road like a mad man). Mr Harris approached me saying, "mam, are you okay...mam?" he told everyone to stay back and then noticed it was me. Priceless. That next morning, we took a day long bus tour around the countryside and saw everything from castles to waterfalls, the Atlantic shore and one of Ireland's most famous parks.

I have to say it was an amazing trip, one that will never be forgotten. There will be more traveling next year, just where and when I'm not sure.

Flowers

So I randomly decided to shoot a collection of flower pictures, whenever there were nice flowers. around. Here are all the photos I have taken so far. There were many possibilities for enhancing the roses, which one is your favorite?

Spring Break '08!!!

LONDON. IRELAND. WALES. I am sooo excited! This spring break might top last year when I traveled to Greece, an amazing trip. In memory of good times, here are some pics from Greece (all I could save from my broken* external HD). I've mapped everything out and will even have a little companion with me...a great idea that my friend suggested to me (Kate). Can't wait to share my best pics when I get back!

Smoke

This is incense smoke inverted in photoshop and given a different hue. Smoke is tricky to work with, it has a mind of its own. The heart was actually made by the smoke! I burned it in photoshop (maybe a little too much?).

It Keeps Getting Better

After I found his Dad's ranch, Matt showed me all the things he was used to seeing, an old red barn, cows, and a run down rooster pen. To me, these things were "perfect" for making pictures. I had a blast hanging out and getting chased by long horns, shooting hoops and shooting some great pics. Thanks again, Matt.

Project: Senior Pictures

I just finished editing these pics (more than 24 hours, no joke) and I'm very proud to say that they look like my best yet (thanks to Molly and Kaiti of course!) These too were so fun to hang out with and they really made it easy for me at Brackenridge and Sunken Gardens. Thanks again! Click here to view more!

Aeroportraiture

I took my friend Ruben's senior pictures the other day at Kelly Air-force Base, where his dad works as a mechanical engineer and designs planes. It was also my first time doing an actual portrait session with someone. Well, I hoped for the best, and thanks to a very photogenic Ruben had some good results. Thanks again for letting me take those pics Ruben! Click here to view more!

Window Art

During my visit to UTSA yesterday, I spotted a very interesting window covered in abstract paintings. The art of others inspired my own creation with the camera. Click here to view all pictures