down to the river

This week I missed a little bit of school... only two days out, yet I was swamped with makeup work!

Nada gooda....

Today was mostly spent catching up on this work with some laundry and room-cleaning interspersed. I was highly productive! About midday, though, I threw on my red rain-boots and went through our backyard woods to the river, camera in tow and some Belle & Sebastien on shuffle. Eva came along as well, also in rain-boots and with rather fantastic pajama pants.

I have been really uninspired lately, but I had such a wonderful time photographing the river and Eva and editing the photos once we got home. I felt light and happy, and temporarily forgot about any of the stresses in my life. Water and art are undeniably therapeutic...

I am feeling creatively refreshed, which is especially good since I'm not feeling so hot health-wise at the moment... I really hope I can make school tomorrow!

One of my friends on Facebook saw these photos and asked me if I would be willing to take some photos of their family some time! I was so incredibly flattered and appreciative.  I have never done a legitimate gig before, so I am kind of anxious, but also totally excited! It will be a good experience.

(You can look at the rest of the photos in a Flickr set here.)

Ah, it was so nice to get out and take pictures and feel... I don't know. Fulfilled, I guess. The past few days (aside from not always feeling energized/having a lot of work) have been very happy-making! The weather has been beautiful and autumn, my favorite season, is finally gliding in. Best of all - I won't bother going through the entire explanation, but in short - I was informed of an upcoming fiddle workshop that will take place twice a month!!! I can't wait. It is a very appropriate time, too, because I have been missing the violin a lot the last week... I can feel it in my body. I know that is a strange thing to say, but I don't know how else to describe it. I guess I will attempt to explain by saying that whenever I want to play the violin, I suddenly become very conscious of the muscles used when I am playing, and my body develops this incredible urge to contract and create those movements! It is a very odd sensation, but I think it is a result of music being such an integral part of my life for so long. My identity is something of which I currently understand very little and am exploring, but I know without a doubt that music and the violin are part of who I am. I absorb so much of the world through music.... it is a language I understand.

Well, enough rambling. In short, occasional things are bringing me great happiness amidst great stress, and I must focus on the little joys and my appreciation for them to stay sane!

I must be off to bed now as I am not feeling at my best and really can't afford to miss much school this year... bon soir.