You are Hereby Called...

Long time, no blog. How are we all doing? Dandy? Good! As some of you may have seen on my Facebook and Instagram, I received my mission call about two weeks ago. I've been called to serve in Kennewick Washington, Spanish speaking. I report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on February 11th, 2015. I couldn't be filled with much more greater joy. My heart is so full of Gratitude at this time. I am so extremely thankful for the weight that was lifted off as soon as I read the assignment I've been given. So many endless questioning nights of if I was ready, if i was strong enough, If I could physically, mentally, emotionally do it. I knew In my heart all along that I would, but as soon as it came to the point of my stake president interview, I had al this adversary just suddenly hit me. I instantly was hit with all these endless questions of "What If's" and "Why's"... Nice try, Satan! It came unexpectedly 2 weeks after I submitted it.. and Holy cow It made me scream inside when I first held it in my hands. With my trembling hands, and the small lifted corner of the packet, I was able to hold off opening it until the upcoming Sunday so I would have the opportunity to open it in front of my siblings and parents who live/ who were visiting out of state at the time of receiving it. Tears were shed as soon as I started reading it out loud. As soon as I started reading and reading closer to the line that would change my life forever, every bit of weight on my back and shoulders was immediately lifted off my what seemed to be, weak body. I was full of questions, and my brain was about to burst of the random foreign island I thought they would send me to... I think that's typical for an 18 year old missionary candidate. Am I right?
The night after I had opened it with my family, I invited my close friends and relief society friends to hear me re-announce my calling. This whole week was a week full of gratitude and thankfulness, including the fact I opened it at the beginning of the week of thanksgiving. Double Gratitute Duty! I can't believe I've been called from a Prophet to serve the people of Washington. It's an amazing feeling to have a call, to be called of a prophet to serve those who are endlessly searching for the Gospel.
All the support I've been given has been a tremendous help with this long journey. Thank you all for the support!

P.S. Ladies! Any future missionaries out there? Any ladies leaving for their mission soon? Look out for another post tomorrow for you guys!

It's never "Goodbye" It's only "See you soon."

Here it is. A new chapter of my life, and it's changed in a few different ways. I've moved to the Golden State and my best friend reported to the Provo Utah MTC for his two year mission. It's been quite an adventure getting used to the humidity, driving about 18 hours to come out here, and finding a job, especially getting used to the fact I couldn't say goodbye to Robbie face to face; only over the phone. It was also difficult to say goodbye to my parents, who've stood by my side since I could walk and have always supported me, who raised me all 18 years, and watching them say goodbye to their youngest and last child. But I love this chance I am taking. I love trying new things, so I knew taking this chance would be a piece of cake for me when I said I'd do it. But then again, It wasn't exactly a piece of my favorite cake...
Girls, of course it's tough to say goodbye to a guy friend or boyfriend when he leaves on his mission, and I knew it would be especially hard for me to say goodbye to Robbie only a day before I would head out on a week vacation before moving straight out to California. But I have found this week that when I write him, or I think of him after the day he reported to the MTC, I feel at ease, and I am very thankful in the end for this gospel. I am most thankful, because he's out on a mission, and I wouldn't want him anywhere else. But also because I am planning on going on a mission, and hopefully receiving my papers at the end of September. Being a missionary is leaving our own families for two years so that other families can be with each other for eternity. Becoming a missionary is taking the sacrifice from our daily lives we live with our friends and family, getting ready to teach families about the chance they have for eternity with their family, and especially taking the time to open the large envelope and to announce to our loved ones where we will be leaving and serving for the next 24 or 18 months.


I'm not complaining, I'm not sad, and I'm not upset. I am at ease, and I am happy. I am content with how life has been turning for me, and it's probably one of the best opportunities I've ever taken to move away for a few months. I never did anything exquisite in High School, and I honestly felt like I was nobody for the longest time. And it was until I actually took the time to meet people, to make better friends, and to change my perspective in my high school career. When you learn to take chances, you learn to quite dipping your toes in the water; you learn to jump in and hope for the best, which I exactly did... (Finally) I always wish I would've done something great in high school now that I look back, but It's the past. In order to change our future, we learn from our past. We don't keep wishing what we would've done. We accept the things we did in order to learn from them, and to prepare to work harder in the near future.
I am eternally grateful for Robbie and his chance he took to serve the Lord, and I am eternally grateful for this Gospel that he will be teaching, and I will be teaching in the next year. I wouldn't want it any other way.
It's never "Goodbye" It's only "See you soon."

My CTR ring

I spent my last few weeks in Utah traveling, and meanwhile got to be with him in Salt Lake City for a day. While Deseret Book was a short walk from where we met that day, I took my chance and dragged him along with me. I never really had my own CTR ring before, besides the cute, small, green shield ring we received in Primary. At last, I feel a sense of peace when I know I'm wearing it all the time, reminding myself that I'm not alone. I love mostly that this isn't one of my favorite rings that would always leave a ring of green around my finger after wearing it. This was a ring that I knew I would treasure forever and keep a part of my constant reminder of who I am, and what I stand for. Some of my family members and friends know I loose things easily, but this ring, I know I can count on for it to be there every morning when I wake up, already on my hand. Ever since I bought it, I've worn it every day, and for the most part, I've never taken it off... Yes, I'm a rebel. I've never had a reminder like this that was always there for me, at any time to stand for my belief, and for myself.
I believe that this come easier to you during a busy day when you have a reminder like this one, when you're always wearing it whether to work or to school, of who you are and reminds you of the blessings that Heavenly Father has for each of us. He has so much in store for us that we can't even contemplate how many blessings we'll have in the next few years, or how blessed we will be when we enter into celestial glory. I've never felt it more strongly that being a part of this church, and of this great and marvelous world, is one of the best things in our lives that we don't always think about.
I've started a goal and a project for myself, and I encourage you all to come on this journey with me. I've read the Book of Mormon all the way through, only once. I finished for the first time around when I graduated, to finish the Personal Progress for Young Women. After finding my old paperback copy of the Book of Mormon on my bookshelf (I never even touched it after I received it, due to the fact I had my large quad set) I decided to start the the book over again, and this time using my trusty scripture marker crayons, to thoroughly read and discover more to the book than just reading word for word. I started a new way to mark my scriptures as well!
Red-Stop Sign! reminds us what not to do
Green-Go-what we should do
Blue-Highlight blessings we are promised
Yellow-Things about Christ-the light of the world
Purple-Things to work on

I encourage you all to try reading the Book of Mormon, whether you're a member of the church or not.

Cha Cha Changes, Destination is the Reward!

So, I am now officially done with high school. It's exciting, yet bitter sweet. I made so many friends towards the last trimester of my senior year (sob, sob) But I'm exciting to start writing my friends going on their missions, and keeping in touch with my friends still in high school. My oldest brother flew in and attended my graduation with my wonderful parents (Mom on a knee scooter from her bunion surgery) It was a worthwhile day of graduation practice, signing of year books and goodbye hugs, and going to dinner with my parents and brother. After my brother left, I felt like my life was... lifeless. I have nothing to do. Oh, WAIT! I love my singles ward, their absolutely amazing and such sweet people. The week following of my graduation, I went out with friends from singles ward nearly every night Including Sunday night (Ward Prayer) We have so much going on every single week, and everyone is so involved. As I grow further away from high school graduation, I move closer and closer to the day when I finally move to California. I couldn't be anymore excited, and feel bittersweet at the same time.
My best friend reports to the MTC July 9th, three days after I move to California. It's been really bittersweet for the past two weeks of this stressful summer as I move closer to the day when I say goodbye. As usual, we never say goodbye. We make it worthwhile and tell each other, "It's not goodbye, It's only see ya later."
This month marks the first month of three years that I'll see him again. It's all worth the wait and the irrelevant impatience. Soon enough, I'll start my papers and It will be my turn to open the abnormal large envelope to announce my destination to serve the Lord. I couldn't be anymore excited and patiently waiting until that time comes around when I can rip open the envelope.
This week has been full of de-cluttering my clothes and room preparing to move. It's quite a chance I'm taking and I'm still speechless at the chance I have to live with my Brother and go experience life outside of Utah. I've lived in Utah my whole life.. This should be interesting, and so should the next two weeks be.

Duces, High School!

The last bittersweet days

There's no experience like you'll have in high school, despite your story of high school. Between all the hate, and arguing, and the dirty looks, the oldest kids in the school all have connections to each other no matter who it is. Turning away the fact you had a great or horrible high school experience, whenever, whatever it was, goofing off in class; now approaching the time of the markers and pens scribbling in each other's year books. Despite how different we are from each other, no matter how much you were bullied, how much you and your parents fought over the past eight months, how many times you felt like running away and not coming back, or not wanting to face multiple problems, you faced them. You made it, you succeed whether you truly did or not. High school isn't just about going to a long list of classes, conquering a long lunch line, meeting new people. It's about facing problems, learning how to do something new, and accomplish what you set out to do. There's nothing like high school.
Despite the hardships each of us have faced this past year, we are all real people, and we really do face daily problems, whether great or small. Boys serving missions, you are the beacon of light for those searching for the gospel, and you all are going to do amazing things, and convert amazing people; No doubt about it. The hardships we all have faced this year, even if your not a graduating senior, you all will have things that you don't feel you can do, things that stand in the way of what you want. Let me tell you right now, that you are all capable of what you want to do. Despite of who put you down, who said you couldn't do it, and despite your own abilities. Each of you have so much potential and it's going to be one day of relief when we get to see what each of us are doing in the future.
I'm sure some of us know multiple people who tend to regret things they've done during their high school years and mostly, their senior year. . Along with the negative opinions I've seen, I've come to see that there are few people who have given their time from being unforgiven and stubborn, to forgiveness and being kind and outgoing. After graduation, we all most likely won't see each other. The missions, college, and entering into the world, ready for a new life. I can't wait to see what we all do in the years to come. Farewell, and Good luck class of 2014!

Aperature

CANON EOS REBEL T3
ISO 3200
39mm
f/5
1/100

CANON EOS REBEL T3
ISO 3200
43mm
f/5
1/100

Shutter Speed

 CANON EOS REBEL T3
ISO 1250
50mm
f/2
1/60

Slow shutter speed

 

Medium
CANON EOS REBEL T3
ISO 400
50mm
f/1.8
1/25

CANON EOS REBEL T3
SO 3200
47mm
f/5.6
1/15

Fast shutter speed

Spot Heal Treatment

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 3200
47MM
F/5.6
1/40

 After

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 3200
47MM
F/5.6
1/40

As you can tell, her complexion is even, brighter, and more vibrant after the spot treatment tool was used.

Before

Dodge & Burn

BEFORE
CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 800
18mm
f/3.5
1/30

Dodge

AFTER
CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 800
18mm
f/3.5
1/30

BURN

BEFORE
CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 400
29mmm
f/29
1/60

AFTER
CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 400
29mm
f/29
1/60

In this picture, I used both to show how both can be used in one picture. Using both can be rewarding in the quality but also if not used right, flaws can be seen easily. The burning along the edges and corners aren't evenly darked

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 100
55mm
f/6.3
1800

Viewpoint

                             CANON EOS REBEL

ISO 100

18mm

f/4.5

1/60

 From up above

         From Below the Side                           

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 320
18mm
f/3.5
1/40

                                                                             

From Below

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 400
18mm
r/3.5
1/30

 

Project 1

Subject

Canon EOS REBEL T3

ISO 1600

45mm

f/20

1/1,000

Keeping it simple

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 1600
34mm
f/16
1/800

Implementing Rule of Thirds.

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 400
27mm
f/25
1/160

Considering Balance. As you can tell, it's mostly semetrical. 

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 100
18mm
f/7.1
1/500

Unwanted Mergers

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 400
32 mm
f/29
1/30

Leading Lines

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO400
32 mm
f/29
1/30

Framing Elements

CANON EOS REBEL
ISO 6400
33mm
f/29
1,2000

Technically vs. Emotional

TECHNICAL

ISO 640
50mm
f/2
1/60

This is a technically perfect photo it shows the simplicity of a basketball hoop. I believe this picture perfectly explains the game of basketball.

EMOTIONAL

ISO 3200
55mm
f/5.6
1/40

This is an emotionally perfect photo because it shows the gathering of friends for lunch, and spending time with each other. It shows the friendship and good times with friends.

Gradient

Canon EOS REBEL T3
ISO 1600
25 mm
f/18
1/800

Canon EOS REBEL T3
ISO 1600
25mm
f/18
1/800

Assignment 1: Camera I'm Using & Dream Camera

The camera I mostly plan on using will be the classroom DSLR when it's available. Other Days, I'll be using my Mom's camera which is a Olympus Stylus 790 SW. This camera is shock and water proof. It takes great underwater pictures, but the flash is quite annoying and very fluorescent.

DRIODX
ISO 239
f/2.8

The camera I hope to buy and use in the future is the Nikon D3000 10.2 Mp DSLR camera. It's very good quality, decent price, and is quite a nice camera. It's definitely on my Christmas wish list.