sparkling faces

she ran wild like a sparkling wind. smiling, laughing, and never growing old.




Today was the first bad Monday I've had all year.
Editing these photos helped me cheer up a bit.
Have a lovely tomorrow,
Mary Emily

Windy Wind

a lovely day and a lovely lady to spend it with...
Mary Emily

3 things from the Chatt State Library

Surprise! I'm actually in the library, waiting for Jenny to be done with class.
So yeah, reminds me of old times to be thinking up 3 happy things to share.

1)I am absolutely loving the new Ruche Lookbook








I only wish I could afford everything in the magazine.

2) I love that last night,my brother and I had a music swap. So now, I have plenty of new music to keep me busy. My current favorite from what he gave me is this

3) I'm so excited about taking Jenny's and I's (grammar?) senior portraits today. I have a lot of ideas and can't wait to get shooting. Also, it's exciting that this will be the 3rd time in a week Jen's come to spend the night at my house.


So yay, three things! I will probably be uploading a photo post later today, so let me apologize in advance for two posts in one day.

Mary Emily

*disclaimer: this will probably be a rambling post. So yeah, prepare yourself*

My favorite thing to do on a rainy day is look at photography books. Today, in class, I was handed a stack by my teacher to look through. I forget sometimes what I can handle..not even what I can stomach, but more what I should and shouldn't look at. I guess my discernment is a little off. I looked at a book that was indeed, hard to stomach. The photos were "challenging" according to my teacher. I won't go into detail, but I will say that looking at those photos definitely sparked a fire in my mind. A fire to preserve the innocence factor I have in my art.
My photography teacher's favorite thing to do (it seems) is to ask his students what their work is trying to say. Usually, when he asks me this, I mumble something about youth or femininity or innocence. I somehow feel embarrassed by the fact that my work isn't "challenging" or "progressive". If you have seen my work, it is mostly of girls my age. My photos spread from simple portraits to conceptual productions, but most of them center around who my friends are...and just life. My work lacks what my teacher calls "tension". Which is okay. So much of photography (and most art)is created to "challenge" the viewers mind or push limits or dig to the "deeper" meaning. Simple photos of young girls cause them to look like dolls that are meant to be played with, as if girls are not humans at all. Conversely, women are portrayed as these strong, she-hulks are strong and in-control. Very few photographers hit a happy medium. They're so focused on being relative and finding meaning in everything, they lose the essence and life of what they're photographing. Many renowned artists that I have read about were tremendously disturbed. I read of their discontented lives and how they are always searching. Some couldn't cope with the living of life, so they ended it. All those factors can be seen in the darkness of their photographs.
I guess what I'm trying to point out is that most of the art that I see is not the art I want to create. I don't want to create something that haunts a person and makes the viewer's mind turn cartwheels. I want to create something that is thoughtful, feminine, and innocent. I want the light in me to be seen in my photographs. I want to explore all facets of femininity, good and bad, but in a tasteful way that leans towards innocent.

Um so yeah, now you know what I've had on my mind all day.
Mary Emily

Forgive the morning, and the evening.

Some (recent-ish) filmwork. Life is good.
Mary Emily

Jasmine/Plantation Mint/Sleepytime

I didn't want to edit this. I like the grainy, real quality of it. Looking at this definitely reminds me that Victoria's not a little girl anymore. It hurts me to think that.


My week of different kinds of teas was delightful.
I'll have to think of another thing to do in a while.

Have a splendid week. Be grateful for your life if you are happy. And know that there is always a feathery hope if you are not.
Mary Emily

Constant Comment

For Japan.
You're in my prayers.


Yesterday, I was really overwhelmed by love and excitement (and too much caffeine) so I couldn't think straight enough to share what a great day I had.
Wednesdays are generally fantastic. It starts with God, coffee, and good friends in the morning-so obviously the rest of the day is great.
Yesterday was especially good because I met with Amy and had a really in-depth conversation with her about our generation. I'll write about that some other time.
Then I had Creek Kids.
The most amazing thing happened. TEN kids were there. I counted. Also (quick flashback) two summers ago I was in charge of crafts for Creek Kids (then just "rainbow creek"). I met the cutest little boy named KJ. We joked around the whole summer and I really missed him. So I walk up last night, and there stands KJ. And I said "Hi! KJ! You probably don't remember me!" and He just smiles and says "Emily!".
My heart was melted to pieces by this time. I know in my heart that God wants me and the others to continue witnessing to the children of rainbow creek.
After Rainbow Creek, I sped downtown (not really...but sorta) to the Warehouse to see John Mark McMillan (see last post) play music.
To be honest, I didn't really know much of his stuff besides "How He Loves" and "Skeleton Bones". His music style isn't my favorite, but his lyrics definitely compensate for that. He spoke about how he doesn't want to make a commercial out of his music. He wants to make art. I thought that was really important. Check him out. Even if you don't like his music, read his lyrics and just appreciate them.
Mary Emily

Vanilla Rooibos

Death In His Grave (Performance Video) from john mark mcmillan on Vimeo.

John Mark McMillan.
Creek Kids.
Heartfelt Conversations.
Coffee.
Tea.
Photos.
Servant Team.
My day in a nutshell.


Oh how He loves me.

Mary Emily

Echinacea Wellness

Today was long, long, long. and rainy, rainy, rainy.
Wellness tea definitely made me feel nice this morning.
Mary Emily

Bengal Spice

week-long challenge nonsense again.
this week I'm drinking a different kind of tea everyday.
today, I enjoyed the cinnamon-goodness of Bengal Spice tea.
spring is singing her alluring song. she sings of purple. and petals. and grey rainy days. and sun sun sun.
Mary Emily

I was teased by your blouse

spit out by your mouth.


Oh creature fear.



it's been a while.
today was just one of those days where you spend the whole day in a state of awe. I am in awe of how much I am blessed. I have friends. I have a home. I am not washed away by water. Or suppressed by an evil dictator. I am so free.

so cherish your freedom. and be thankful.
Mary Emily

late night thoughts.

just two:
life is so beautiful. as cliche as it is to say, it's really true. every minute is an absolute joy to have and a gift.

people are meant to be loved. I'm not always the most loving person...a lot. but I should be. and I'm trying. because, no matter what, every person is a story book, with pages and pictures and everything...and they should be appreciated for the fact that they are a unique being created by a unique God.

that's all.
goodnight.
mary emily