My Friends

The athlete, the social butterfly, the nerd, and the quiet one, that's us. Can you guess who fits into each category? I'll give you a second - as many as you'd like, actually. Let me know in the comments. I'm laughing just thinking about it. Isn't it amazing how four extremely different people can get along so well? I think about that a lot, actually.

We went hiking recently, in an area across the river from where I took the pictures in this post, Choose Life, and near the place which inspired my essay, Nature.  They let me photograph them. I'm finding more and more joy out of photography. Lately, I've been really passionate about learning anything and everything about photography...

Looking for an Author

I've always been an avid reader - I read anything and everything under the sun that looks interesting. Altogether, my favorite genre is fiction. The idea of being able to create a model of the story in my mind is the reason reading is one of my favorite activities. I love discovering characters that stick with me long after I set the book down! For me, books are not an escape, but a way to learn and grow myself.

I started a new job recently at a nursery and landscape supply center that I really enjoy. It's a really chill and laid back environment that allows me a lot of time to ponder life. Along with the life-pondering I also spend time talking with customers and coworkers. Most of the communication occurs in small amounts with large intervals- which, let me tell you, is just the best thing ever- but there was one time recently that was different.

A New Baby

Meet Soren. I loved having the opportunity to photograph him - practice is everything, right? This month has been really busy for me school-wise and I've been struggling a bit with motivation and doing things that are out of my comfort zone. Well - more than a bit. I am becoming a hermit all over again. I'll be back soon. I promise. Click "Read More" to see more pictures.
Stay bold. Zoe

Choose Life

"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it." - Kevyn Aucoin

I few days ago, I woke up at 6 am and drove to Taylor's Falls to take some photos. I didn't bring anyone, but I found that I quite liked being alone. Lately, I've felt pretty unmotivated, but deciding to choose life - to choose to wake up and do something that makes me happy - that was a game changer. I'm sitting at home with strep right now waiting to not be contagious anymore, but i'm enjoying taking some time to go through my pictures and get inspired. Take a peek at my little adventure below

What I Learned from Nicaragua

Well Hello there!

Today I am going write about my first trip out of the USA to the lovely Nicaragua back in 2013.

The trip opened my eyes to a new culture and people, one entirely different and special. I was there to help the people living in Nicaragua. What I didn't expect was how much they would help and change me.

NATURE IS MY HOME

My father has always struggled with commitments, flitting from one poor decision to another like a butterfly trying to find a safe place to land. The older I grew, the less he landed, creating a hole in my life until, much like a wound, I closed myself off to what had hurt me. 

 In recent years that wound has reopened and healed for good. We found common ground where it once was, on the shores of a winding river, surrounded by tall trees. My childhood had been spent exploring the same vast expanses of rock and rushing currents, walking on sun-dappled paths and taking in the subtle, dusty scents of pine and damp soil. In his absence, I had nearly forgotten my deeply rooted passion for this environment. I continually find myself in this place; it is home to me in ways a house can never be. In my time spent in the woods I have learned to breath deeper, to look closer, and take every moment as it comes.