I Can See The Edge!

It's starting. I'm actually going down to Portland tomorrow. I have an interview Tuesday morning with Wells Fargo. It's not the only place I've applied, and it's not the one that I am truly praying for.

Trying to find a job online is not the easiest task as those of you may know. When I first applied at Wells Fargo, I was so excited to receive a call back and a phone interview. I prayed, almost begging, that I could get that job! I knew that I shouldn't stop applying to places though, at least not stop looking. So still only wanting the teller position, I would just go online and look. Nothing then seemed appealing at all after knowing what I really wanted. Or so I thought.

I have grown up in a Lutheran church and have always been involved for as long as I can remember. From singing in the choir to directing it, being in youth group to leading it, playing the trumpet during worship, leading and teaching Vacation Bible School and so on. Why this random bunny trail?? Well, in the mists of all the admin/receptionist/customer service jobs that I've been looking through, there it was. "Lutheran." "Lutheran Church Administrator!" At first I wasn't all that thrilled, but it did perk my interest enough to apply, unlike every other listing I found after the Wells Fargo call. I told my mom about it, I e-mail my pastor about it, talked about it to others, and the more I talked about it, the more excited I got. I wrote up a cover letter and sent it in along with my resume. This would be the absolute perfect job. It puts right into a community with fellow Christians, is exactly what I want as far as the kind of admin/secretary work I've been looking for, and it's working in a church like I've done all my life! Not to mention I am wanting to pursue becoming a WEDDING photographer! And where do a tons of weddings take place?? That's right! A CHURCH! haha It all matches up with everything I am looking for. Now... if it's what the Lord wants, thats a different story. We shall wait and find out, but in the mean time, I am going to try everything in my power to try and get that job.

Monday, after I get down to Portland, I am going to go see the church and go introduce myself. :) Monday is technically the last day they are taking applications, so thats perfect timing. Pray for me!

Now... my ankle. Oh my word, can you say frustration!? Survived getting my blood drawn and it came back as normal. I am fine and healthy and they STILL don't know whats wrong. I had to go back and do more x-rays and make another appointment for next Thursday. Until then, I have to wear yet another air cast and just wait. Oh joy! The Lord is teaching me patience in oh so many ways.

Last but not least, here are some pictures of Jim and Jan Thomasson with their 5 very well loved dogs they call their kids.

Funny story; Donella and Jim used to play racquetball together at the Y. Jim still comes in every Tuesday and Thursday to play and thats how I got to know him. My mom grooms dogs, and Jan has brought two of the five pups to her for a couple years now. When Donella and Jeff had their reception in town, Jim and Jan attended as well as my mom. Jan sat by my mom and introduced Jim to her and asked how she knew Donella. She pointed over to me and it all clicked. Boy is it a small town and oh how I am going to miss it!

They asked me to take their family pictures and I was very happy to oblige. They are the sweetest nicest couple with very well behaved "children" and a beautiful home!

Thank you Jim and Jan for inviting my friend and I into your lives. It was most certainly my pleasure and I hope in return you love your pictures as much as I loved taking them. :)

So until next time, pray for a productive and safe trip down to Portland! I'll fill ya'll in when I get back.

Happy Sunday.

Resolution...?

...maybe.

I was the sickest I have ever been and it seemed like it went on forever! Well, it didn't, but it sure left behind some really horrible memories. I think I got poked at least 10 times in each arm and in my hands. Thinking I might have mono, they didn't want to give up, and in return, left me black and blue and sick all over. I hate needles. They scare me and bring back those horrid memories from my childhood. But, tomorrow, I'm going to face one of my biggest fears and get my blood drawn. I can do this! I NEED to do this.

I woke Wednesday and couldn't walk. Literally. My ankle was tingling and it felt like someone took a sludge hammer to it. I called Donella to cancel swimming and debated whether or not to call into both the school and the Y to cancel work as well. I need the hours and didn't want to, but my ankle brought me to tears and figured I wouldn't be much help anyway. So I called in and then got numbers to call different places in town for help. The VIMO clinic didn't have any openings until Oct. 26th, but they suggested going to the free walk-in clinic in Sequim. They only take 12 people and are only open Thursdays and Mondays, but I needed to try. I called in and asked for Thursday off and the rest of the day was pretty much just sitting around. Sitting so much my but hurt but yet couldn't walk, I was in great shape!

My mom graciously came with me Thursday afternoon. The clinic opened at 5pm but was told to get there early, so we got there around 3:40pm. It was nice not sitting there all alone waiting for them to put out the numbers. There was even free wifi I could get on my Ipod Touch! They opened the door at 4:20 and a mad rush went for that #1 spot. My mom went up and retrieved the number for me and I ended being #5. I was technically the third person there waiting, but people are pushy!...waiting, and more waiting, I finally saw a doctor who was incredibly nice. She asked the typical questions; do you smoke? No. Drugs? NO!... and my personal favorite; Are you pregnant? yeah...Not!

After more to the point interrogation, she doesn't think I have a spur. Supposedly it wouldn't be this painful. Instead, we are testing for 4-5 different things and the top two are arthritis and tendinitis. Ooo Yay! Super stoked about that. The nurse there called the VIMO clinic in town and got me an appointment for Oct. 1, NOT Oct. 26th!

Tomorrow (Monday) morning I will be brave and get my blood taken. Thursday I have an appointment after my first photography class ends at 8:10pm. Another doctor will look at the test results and my x-rays again to get a second opinion. Praying it's not something serious and I will be able to get it fixed.

On a happy note! I had a great weekend! Did a vendor show downtown, didn't sell anything, but had a lot of encouraging words and handed out a lot of business cards! So thank you to those who came by :) It's great practice if nothing else.

Despite everything, I feel so blessed. I can sit here and smile through it all and know it's going to be ok. God is good!

This seems weird, but here are some pictures of, well, my pictures! haha

Until next time, Smile, God loves you too. :)

Dizzy

Thousands of miles an hour…

…And that’s just my head spinning!

I’m running in circles as fast as I can to keep up, and boy am I dizzy! Ha. I had a few days there where I wanted to run and scream like a little girl off the dock towards solid ground, but I guess being dizzy stopped me, turned me around and now I am back facing the end of the dock. I’m exhausted!

My ankle has been in much unwelcoming pain the last 6 months. Yes, that’s right, six whole months. I FINALLY went and did something about it almost a month ago after multiple times of waking up and not being able to walk. Plus the nagging of very good friends telling me to go to the doctor (Thanks guys) So, I went to the ER. I HATE the ER, but I guess I’m not alone on that one.

I called the free clinic in town and it would have been at least another month before I could go in. You would think after 5 months, one more month wouldn’t make a difference, but I was sick of not being able to walk and not knowing what was wrong with it. I don’t have a doctor, insurance, or money, so the ER it was.

I get into a room at the hospital after not too long of a wait (shocking) and they ask me questions and then took x-rays. They said they didn’t see anything in the x-ray and told me to not wear flip flops, which, for those who know me, is like asking a turtle to live out of its shell. That’s just mean! I also have to elevate it and ice it unreasonable intervals during the day. I have reluctantly worn tennis shoes and for the first few days afterward tried to elevate and ice it. I still can’t turn it or walk on it half the mornings, and limp around everywhere I go. It burns, swells, and hurts like none other most of the time. I had someone who saw my x-rays tell me that I have a bone spur. I did some research and it sure looks like she was right! I don’t know why the hospital wouldn’t tell me and just send me on my way!

I got billed for the ER visit and it was almost $600, not to mention the rest of the medical bills I have from when I had bronchitis. I applied for medical assistance giving my situation, and went down the other day to check on it to find out I got denied. I’m not blind, disabled (yet), and I don’t have any children. So I went and applied for financial aid at the hospital and still waiting to hear back.

Needless to say, I am not a happy camper with all of this.

On a happier note, I sent out several applications and resumes to people and got an email from Wellsfargo saying to call this number within 24 hours. So I did and it was a phone interview! Which I was totally not ready for! “Explain a conflict you’ve had dealing with customers and how you’ve solved it,” yeah… SO not ready for that one, umm, yeah, ok, MmHmm, sure. Aaaahhhh????? Haha I think it went well, I don’t know. I don’t know if they send that to everyone that applies and it means totally nothing and I’m not any closer to a job then I was 2 weeks ago, or if it does mean something and maybe I am closer…? Who knows! There’s just a LOT of praying and begging going on.

I’ll try not to keep all my adoring fans (All two of you… Hello mom! Hehe) waiting and keep ya’ll updated if and when I find something out.

Here’s a pic or two just for fun. Kelly... when we went to the beach with Polar. Found some shade and leaves. I looooove leaves and her husband supposedly loooooves Kelly’s pretty eyes! And who could blame him! ;)

Until next time…

Kika

"I can see your blog post now!" as Kelly backs up, forward, reverse, gets closer, and inches up to the exact spot I pointed out for a perfect angle. What a great assistant and lots of laughs!

I love my job!! Sitting inside the car to take pictures after kicking out Kelly and Polar to walk in the rain is just one perk. I was nice enough to bring my umbrella for the covered protection so Kelly wouldn't get drenched though, but my real intention was to add that bright pop of color! It was an absolute hoot going out trying to get pictures in the rain, plus a pooch. With all the cookies and even string cheese (spoiled lil loved pup! haha) Polar did very well and was very excited to be out and getting all of the treats just for being cute.

We will be going out to the beach later this week to get more pictures, hopefully not in the pouring rain. We definitely made the most out of a gray, dreary, rainy day though!

Thanks Kelly!! Hope you like what I got out of the day :) Can’t wait until Friday!

Happy Labor Day!

~Kika

What's Your Ocean?

Wishin', and hopin', and thinkin', and prayin', plannin’ and dreamin'… or maybe the order should be, Prayin’, and thinkin’, and hopin’, and wishin’, and dreamin’…then plannin’?

So life is getting ready to take a very sharp 190* turn… for the better. At least that’s what I keep telling myself and keep praying for. We shall see what the Lord has planned and see if it matches up with what I am thinkin.

I did it though. I took the largest, scariest first step towards the edge of the dock. Yes, I am standing on a dock, just as you are, just as Zack Arias said we all are. There’s always something that you want to dive into. What’s your ocean?

Mine? Photography.

I want to take the plunge into the very wide, very deep, probably very cold ocean of a self-owned wedding photography business. Can I swim? Who knows, but all I can do right now is try and see. A new favorite quote from zarias’s blog is “A well known photographer once said that they dove in over their heads and swam for the top. That’s pretty inspirational.” Inspirational indeed! Not sure how long I will be under, but I am betting that I will not hit the water and stay on the top and just float… no one does. So, how long, how deep, and will I be able to swim to the top? Of course I will, I am determined, even if when I get to the top and have to climb back onto the dock, and start all over, and even, EVEN, if that ocean changes to some other path that the Lord puts in front of me. I will swim my little booty off, and I’m ready for it!

My last scheduled day at the front counter for the YMCA will be September 30^th. There, I said it, out loud, wrote it down, and NOW its official! Yikes! What am I doing?

I will then sub for them if they need me, still sub for the school district, teach my photography class in October, all while applying for positions down in Portland, OR until I find something and be on my way. I am getting my resume polished up, with the help of Getta. A big Thank You to her! Collecting recommendations from people that I respect, and who are more than willing to share what high regards they have for me. I am truly in awe with all the support I am getting from everyone and I could not be as excited or willing to take these steps without them!

It’s going to be hard. I don’t do well with goodbyes, so I am VERY thankful I don’t have to say goodbye. Instead; See you later. See you laters still won’t be easy, but what’s easy? Let’s not take that step until it’s absolutely necessary!

So, I hope you are Prayin’, and thinkin’, and hopin’, and wishin’, and dreamin’…then plannin’ and taking those steps to the edge the dock and jump into whatever your dreams may be!

God Bless and Happy shooting!

~Kika

Shots from the weekend over in Puyallup/Seattle. Now THERES a blog just screaming to be made! haha Maybe someday.

Happy 10yr Anniversary!

10 years later they got to celebrate their anniversary and make it a day to remember!

Don and Jen had a vow renewal on the same day they were married 10 years ago and asked me to document the occasion. They were able to share with their family and friends, including their two children. It was set between the river and strait, and besides the cold wind, it was perfect. It didn’t rain! lol

Congratulations you guys!

It was a beautiful day and ceremony, and Jen, you looked Gorgeous!! Don, you’re a lucky man!

Happy Shooting

~Kristina

I'm Old!

I'm going to be 24 soon, and I just found out, to my dismay, that I am years behind in my photography business. This came to quite a shock, knowing that I'm not old what so ever, but I sure feel like it now!

I am an advocate follower of international wedding photographer Jasmine Star. I check her blog at least once a day, sometimes more, she’s the reason I created a twitter account (that I don't ever use myself) and am a "fan" of hers on facebook along with being her “friend.” Yes, I could be considered a stocker I know, but I am taking that risk. Not only is she an aMAZing photographer, but she is truly an amazing and inspiring person.

She started her photography business after dropping OUT of law school to follow her dream. She’s only been shooting for a little over 2 years. Which, is about the same time I started, so what does that tell ya!? She loves the Lord and conveys a true, down to earth, bubbly, outgoing free spirit that is contagious to the people around her. J*, as she signs and calls herself, also has no limit in helping the up and coming wannabe photographers such as myself. I am in awe.

Even though she has contributed to my feeling old, she is not the reason for my post. Jasmine started a discussion on her facebook fan page with this topic; “One Photographer, One Question.” There were of course a great amount of questions posted, and I would say 85%-90% of them were to “one photographer”… her. People adore her! (which who wouldn’t if you read her blog) There was one comment though that caught my eye, that wasn’t to Jasmine Star. It was to a young photographer named Jamie Delaine. This was the post;

“…I'd ask Jamie Delaine what ever made her think that she could start a photography business at 17 or 18 years old? She's 19 now and running an amazing business - when I was 17 or 18 I could barely put a full sentence together on my own... http://jamiedelaineblog.com/...”

I, of course, clicked on the address, only to find another inspiring photography, who JUST turned 19 Aug. 1^st. How the HECK!? Haha 19!!! Seriously?? That makes 24 seem ancient!

I didn’t post on Jasmine’s discussion board, but my one question, to any successful wedding photographer out there would be, HOW?! How did you get to where you are? How did you start? How did you promote yourself?... just, How?!

Getting myself out there is my most difficult hurtle to clear. Is living in a small town the reason? I know it has to be part of it, but what else? There has to be something more to it then living in a large city. I know I need to fine tune my skills, and keep on practicing to get better. I guess when I make that jump and move to a larger city, we shall find out how big of a part my skills vs. a larger city play. Until then, I will keep on trying here in my small home town, and see where the Lord takes me.

To all those young at heart,

Happy Shooting

~Kristina

The photo Jeff and Donella chose for their wedding

announcement in the newspaper.