Playing catch up: Sussex and Oxford

I've really been slack on my blogging lately, so my apologies and I'm about to dash out the door, so here are just a few pictures from last week's trip to the Cass Sculpture Park and a quick story about the trip.

Don't those raspberries and blackberries look delicious!

Last week we drove southwest of London, towards Sussex. It was my first time since arriving in London that I had truly gotten out of the city. It was incredible! Once we got out of the city the whole ride there was just idyllic English country side, parts of it reminded me of North Georgia and the Appalachian foothills, but it was mostly deep, rolling hills and farm land. It was quite funny when we where all loading up into the mini-bus the last seat (read: the one I was going to sit int) didn't have a seat-belt and so I ended up sitting in the front between Dr Wallis (my department head & professor) and Dr Seago (the department chair for the Humanities, Social Sciences and Communications as well as a Professor of Cultural Studies) Robert and Alex, respectively. Needless to say I was quite nervous; I talked sparingly and primary served as a cup holder for Alex's tea. I did get around to chatting with the both a bit, which is probably a good thing. Considering how nervous I get when it comes to starting conversations, it probably would have taken me a very long time to get around to talking to either of them casually.

Ace of Diamonds III, 2004, Lynn Chadwick, Stainless Steel (that's Alex, btw)

Tongue in Cheek, 2003, Tony Cragg, Bronze

This one was really impressive in person. It's made out of one solid piece of bronze that have been folded in on out of itself.

Diver, 2007, Eva Drewitt, Bronze

Loop, 2008, Eilis O'Connell, Carbon fibre and epoxy resin 

Alfa, 2010, Gerry Judah, Painted steel

You can see about half of my research colleagues in this picture along with Alex Seago (the one in the kentucky tuxedo) Robert Wallis (seen with his walking stick).  I feel a bit strange calling everyone my colleagues. I guess it makes me feel like I should be more engaged with everything right now, but I'm still getting my footing in everything over here. I do feel like I'm starting to settle in nicely though, even though I don't know if I'll ever really feel at home without my closest friends. I'm making new ones very well, but it it's quite the same, yet. I do feel certain that as the year progresses and we all get closer that I will start to feel more at home. I already love London. The things and the people and the accents and all the culture is beautiful and exactly what I have always wanted to experience. I do find myself lonely sometimes and strangely the one thing that always seems to cure me of that isn't going out with friends, but rather going out somewhere new by myself.
Have a fantastic weekend everyone! And remember to be kind to yourselves. ♥monica

Sunny Saturday

Well hello there! I'm taking a reprieve from walking around all day to drop off a bunch of photos that I took today. I spent yesterday in orientation for classes that start monday! eek! I'm kind of nervous, but  that motivates me to do really well in school. Masters Degrees are no joke and I want to do well, so here's hoping for the best! Seeing as how I don't have much to say today. I'll get on with the photographs, if you  haven't already seen them on facebook.  

Albert Memorial in Hyde Park

I didn't even know that there was this gigantic memorial in Hyde Park. See what you find when you keep your eyes open and a willing sense of adventure to wander around! 

Detail of the gates surrounding the Albert Memorial

A beautiful day in Hyde Park

I have to admit it. I got couple envy seeing everyone with boyfriends and girlfriends in paddle-boats. It's really hard not to wish you had someone close to lay down with in grass that was so soft. And even more so when you see all the couples laying together and holding hands or with there heads on each other's chests. I imagine I will be coming out here all the time and hopefully having a picnic too. There where plenty of families having picnics in Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens today. The English really seem to know how to take advantage of beautiful days like today. I could learn a bit from them.

I hope that you all have been having a great weekend and that maybe you're somewhere with a loved one in a paddle-boat or a park, or somewhere inside if that's more your thing! Take care, stay excellent and be kind to yourselves. ♥monica 

New Hair

 Howdy folks! I hope you all are having a superb thursday. I've haven't been up to much, just a little here and there, but yesterday I got my hair done by the lovely and talented Ryshelle at Sublime. Ryshelle's been doing my hair for quite sometime and has been primarily responsible for all the awesome my hair was ever been.  

Just a sample.

We opted to go back to a natural brown, around the same color as my natural hair, just a bit richer and glossy looking. I'm very excited about my hair, but I'm still adjusting to it. It was a big jump from blonde to this chocolaty brown, but we're both very pleased with the result. I'm going to miss Ryshelle doing my hair while I'm away. She really is that good!  

new hair and new glasses, so classy!

 Tonight I'm going to be photographing Pigtoad again. I've never shot at a nightclub before, so I'm concerned about my light and all my settings. I've got a decent idea, but I don't know if it'll come out the way I want. But it's a great opportunity to get some experience shooting in a new environment, so I hope to learn a lot and get a few good shots. Take care, have a great day and as always, be kind to yourselves.

♥monica

This seems excessively appropriate. From weheartit, but I don't know the original source. 

 

Photo Drop: Editing Fun

I've been on a photo editing binge for the past few weeks and I thought I would share some of what I've been working on. I feel grossly narcissistic posting so many photos of myself that I have edited, but I also feel okay about tweaking my photos and not okay with touching up photos of friends. It seems to imply that there is something about them that needs fixing and I don't feel that way. I know, I know, I know, a photo is a only an image of someone, but I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. Perhaps I'll be more comfortable editing photos of other people soon. Well, here ya go! Feel free to tell me what you think about the pictures. 

Hunter- AFI- Summer 2010

Davey- AFI- Summer 2010

Photo by Daryn. Edited by Me.

I'm wearing clothes in the picture. I promise!

A unicorn to match my hair. 

In my friend's car, shooting out the window. (drive by jokes anyone?)

Local band: Pigtoad

Quintessential downtown Valdosta with Pigtoad

 The photography kick I have been on lately was prompted by my acceptance in to the Richmond University. My thoughts where 'if I'm going to be in London, I am going to want good pictures...but I'm a terrible photographer'. The conclusion was obvious, learn to be a better photographer, thus Project: Trying to be a Better Photographer was born. I feel like I'm doing better already and I have been lucky enough to have received 2 cameras from 2 wonderful friends. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and be kind to yourself.     -monica

New Camera and Band Photos

I'm beyond excited to tell everyone that I am now the proud owner of a Canon Digital Rebel XT with a 35-80mm lens. I love how terrible the "Rebel XT" sounds in the name, but it's a wonderful camera that I bartered for with a massive supply of oil paints. I'm proud to be the next person to shoot with it. My dear friend, Josh, learned to shoot on it and so the torch has been passed to me; I just hope that I can get as good as he is. He will tell you that he hopes to be as good as Jamie Harmon, his photography mentor. I received a crash course in photography last night and hopefully I absorbed some! I went on today to shoot pictures of my friend's band, Pigtoad. They're really goofy guys and after shooting with them, I have spent most of my afternoon listening to the storm outside and editing the pictures of them.  Have an incredible weekend and be kind to yourself and one another. -monica

Not too shabby (first time photographing a band)