Cheers to a new year!

Best wishes to all for a prosperous, healthy and joy-filled 2011!!



(and may you get much less than 30+ inches of snow in a single storm this winter!)

Peace on earth and goodwill towards all...

Matty @ The Lake

Quite some time ago.

Ooph! Did this month (or year for that matter!) fly by or what?

the season of giving

While in school this year I'm not working full-time (hardly part-time while I think about it). This puts quite a pinch on our general, everyday budget and more so on our holiday expenditures. We'll need to be creative in our approach to gift giving and one such way is by making donations.



One charity I've already contributed to is called charity: water.
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects.

Here, a little bit of money can go a long way and you can feel extra good about your offering at the same time.

Happy Holidays!

If you can please spare it...

Another earthquake and tsunami has struck Indonesia...

The 7.7M earthquake, which triggered a tsunami that has been recorded as being up to six metres (20 feet) high in some villages, struck 17 days ago at 9.41pm on Monday night 25 October.

The latest report from the Indonesian Government says that 447 people have been killed, 57 are missing, and 173 are seriously injured. More than 15,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are living in temporary shelters, many on the hills above their villages as they fear another tsunami.

As of 11/11/2010 -

SurfAid completed the first phase of our Emergency Response for the Mentawai Islands which has concentrated on assessing the immediate needs of the affected communities and distributing food and non-food assistance. We now move into two new phases of Recovery programs which will last until the end of October 2011.

For anyone that reads my blog will know, I am a HUGE supporter of SurfAid International. I get frequent email updates about what's happening in the Mentawai and what SurfAid is doing to help.

If you can spare it, please consider making a contribution. As you can see from the photo above a mere $2 will buy someone a hygiene kit. That costs less than a fancy coffee drink from Starbucks and will go so much further.

Mahalo.

For Jeff & Ben...

As usual, I was listening to the Leonard Lopate show on WNYC while driving home from school today. Among the many topics covered relating to Veteran's Day, the segment "Backstory: The History of PTSD" with directors/producers John Alpert and Matt O'Neil really stuck with me. You may know Alpert and O'Neil from their HBO film "Baghdad ER" - they're back with a new film, "Wartorn 1861-2010" which premiers on HBO tonight. The film chronicles and discusses the history of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD - given how suicide rates among service members is still (horribly) on the rise, this film could not have come at a more critical time.

You may find a link to the broadcast of the interview by clicking here.


I urge you to watch this film and to also please educate yourself about PTSD and what you might be able to do to help a veteran in need.

Trailer

In gratitude. Mahalo.

pretty nifty

I saw this on A Cup of Jo - it really does work!

Brooklyn, May 2010

Unmade Beds

I was invited to have a photo in a project called "Unmade Beds".
Please click here to check it out.

As promised... It's about damn time, right?!

Photos from the past six (or so) months. Has it really been that long since I've worked on images? I guess that's what happens when you give up your full-time job and go back to school.

Starting most recently and working backwards...



Photos from Labour Day weekend. Please click here to see more...


Jetty's Coquina Surf Jam. Please click here to see more...


Johnny Laidlaw art show. Please click here to see more...


"Singlefins, Boardwalks, And Story Talks: An Evening Of New Jersey Surf History" Please click here to see more...


Punk Rock Bowling, Las Vegas. Please click here to see more...


Our awesome trip to Hawaii, waaaaay back in April. Please click here to see more...

I'm pretty sure that covers everything I've been promising to post. I hope you enjoy the views.

Final final - I've now completed my first part of school

I'm happy (and quite proud) to say I got a 95 on my Anatomy & Physiology final exam today. I'm so relieved!!! I didn't think I'd do well on this test and I said if I got an "A" I'd do cartwheels down the hall at school. I better practice those over the weekend - a few of my classmates are going to hold me to my declarative statement.

YAY!

Now on to Anatomy & Physiology II.

Two finals down, one to go...

I took my Swedish Massage finals today.
Results:
100 on my written exam
98 on my practical/hands-on exam

Pretty kick ass, dontcha think?!

Thursday I have my Anatomy & Physiology I final exam.
That one I'm not so confident about. I hope I do as well as I did on my Swedish final.

Please send me good vibes so I can get another A!!

I have to go study now...

Tooting my own horn

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 -
I surfed in the 2nd Annual Coquina Jam by Jetty on LBI. The contest was held at 68th Street - Brant Beach. The waves were a decent size and it was great to surf with all the talented women.

Here's a shot of me by Alex who works for my friend Ann Coen (who also surfed). The photo is pretty rad even though I didn't surf well at all. Still, it was so much fun and I'm looking forward to redeeming myself at next year's contest.

Garden State Surfing

Right now I'm supposed to be studying for a big Anatomy & Physiology test I have tomorrow but I'm procrastinating instead. I also realize I haven't posted anything to this blog in about a month.



Here's a little something from an event I went to in late July at the Tuckerton Seaport... New Jersey surf photographers showing off their work at an event called "Singlefins, Boardwalks, And Story Talks: An Evening Of New Jersey Surf History"

Please enjoy two photos I shot. Someday I'll post more from this event and others I've been promising links for - I'll get around to it eventually. Keep checking back...

A new, exciting addition...

Well friends (all three of you that loyally read my blog), I've finally done it.
I created an Etsy shop!



Please wander by and check out the lovely photos I have for sale. I'd like to think they're quite affordable.

I need your help though... If you could PLEASE help a sister out by promoting my little Etsy store, I would be forever grateful.

Since I'm in school, I'm not not working at the moment and trying to do what I can to raise a little income. So maybe you could post a link to my store on your blog, or tell your other friends, family, co-workers.... I'll take any assistance you can offer.


I send you tons of gratitude.
Mahalo!

teaser

Waimea Jumping Rock


The Bay


Koi


Buddha

We just stepped into the 21st century and got us some wireless internet. This could be a blessing and a curse. More images to come at some point.

aversion

I have so many photos that I've shot in the past several months, I just have an aversion to sitting at the computer these days. I swear I'll get new images (and links) up at some point.

In the meantime, one of my classes just ended (it was only eight weeks long) and I took my final today - I got a 97.

So I guess staying away from the computer and devoting lots of time to studying is paying off.

Thanks to everyone for your support

Once again -- Thank you to everyone that participated, sponsored or volunteered at Swim 4 Humanity 2010. All the events were amazing and we raised $45,000 for SurfAid International's humanitarian programs; all this in a very tough economic year! Thank you to all 5 West Coast locations and the East Coast proved to be exceptional and provided much needed support and good will!

Congratulations to:
1st prize: Trip to Indonesia by World Surfari's: Jana Crawford O'Brien (NJ)
2nd prize: Firewire Surfboard: Paul Riehle (SF)
3rd prize: Jay Alders twin fin surfboard by 9:fish: Ashley Marie Salter (NY)

Top fundraising team which raised over $10k: Prize Pending
The Manhattan Makos (NY)
Team Members:
Elliot Ptasnik, Javin Bose, Jane Carpenter, Alessandra Grassi, Maia Hare, Samantha Hare, Holland Rhodd-Lee, Conn Slattery, Hana Song, Marissa Song, Griffin Taylor, & Sophia Taylor


Prizes owed will be sent out the following weeks through the month of June. If you are waiting for a prize, it will be sent to your home through June. Please let me know if you have an address change or do not receive a prize as expected.



Please let your donors/sponsors know that donation receipts will be sent out the month of June as well. Anyone that donated offline will receive a donation receipt/letter. Online donors will also receive a donation receipt over a specified amount since they receive an automatically generated receipt.




Terima Kasih! (Thank you in Bahasa Indonesian)

still here, just not around

School is taking up most of my time. I have a lot of studying to do.
I'll be back soon (I hope) with some photos and updates.
Until then, enjoy the sunshine!
Mahalo.
J

Come check out the Rain Garden

The event is this Saturday, 29 May 2010.

This Saturday, 15 May 2010 - Swim4Humanity comes to NJ!!

It's finally here! All you lurkers, please send a donation!

Any little bit will help...

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $4,500 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Humanity to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated - helping me to raise a little more than $3,500!!!! - THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

Everyone likes a little dip in the pool, right?

A little bit ago I spoke to Elizabeth at SurfAid International and she told me not a whole lot of people have signed on to swim the New Jersey Swim4Humanity event. In fact, NYC is far outstripping NJ in total swimmers.

C'mon New Jersey!! We can't have that, can we?!

So while I've been badgering readers to sponsor me and my efforts to raise money for this amazing charity, I probably should have been encouraging people to sign up as well.

Please consider joining in - and if you can't, at least please make a donation.

Mahalo!

The cat is out of the bag

Inspired by JP's post at Buttered Noodles I'm writing to tell of the news I hinted at towards the end of March...

As of April 1st, after 12 years of commuting to & from NYC (120 miles round trip, or roughly four hours a day give or take 30 odd minutes) - I left my job. Starting May 1st I am enrolled as a student at the Institute for Therapeutic Massage. I am studying, first, to get my certificate in Oncology Massage and then after, to get my certificate in Eastern Bodywork.

This is something I've been wanting to do for a looooong time and finally we were able to save enough scratch to help take the sting out of my lack of full-time employment. It's a big change for us in so many ways but one we're looking forward to, albeit with a teeny, tiny amount of trepidation.

In the interim we took a trip, which was a gift to me from my most amazing husband, and I will post a link to photos soon. Otherwise, I've been home doing this & that and basically ignoring my blog.

Stay tuned for the trip photos link! Until then...

Swim 4 Humanity - SurfAid International

Any little bit will help...

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $4,500 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Humanity to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated - helping me to raise a little more than $3,500!!!! - THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

Big, BIG changes are afoot...

There will be little to no posting over the next few weeks.
I've got big changes in the works but I'm not spilling the beans just yet.
You'll have to be patient.

In the meantime - remember to breathe, remember to be grateful, remember to smile.

I'll see you soon...

Panquéques

Sunday morning. Gluten-free deliciousness.

Sixty straight hours of debauchery

And where you'll find me come May 7th...

7 March 2010 - Dinner Party

Another fantastic Sunday dinner at Jon & Ann's house.









See the rest of the photos here.

Poor little guy girl...

I'm not actually sure if this is a male or female... I found this little critter on the beach this morning. I ran home and phoned the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The person I spoke to said they'd send someone down to check him her out and see if he she needed rescuing or if he'd she'd be okay to go back in the sea. They asked me to shoot some photos and send them in. I hope he's she's okay.






UPDATE - Turns out the seal is a girl.
This is the email I got from Jay at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center:

Thanks for the photos and the calls about the seal. While there were no obvious issues with her, we did pick her up because she was very lethargic. It may be a few days before we know exactly what all of her issues are. Feel free to check in with us next week to see how she is doing. You can also check our website every few days for updates and adoption info for her as well.

Thank you again,

-Jay

I've been shooting photos now & again this winter - these are a bunch... you can see the rest here.

Walking the Walk - UPDATE

More like swimming the swim.

On the afternoon of May 15th 2010, I will be participating in a very special fundraising event called Swim 4 Humanity benefiting SurfAid International - hosted in seven cities on the west and east coasts from March to May 2010.

I will swim for thirty minutes with tons of other people. Monies raised will go towards SurfAid's humanitarian programs. The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

I've agreed to raise a minimum of $2,500 in donations. My personal goal is to raise more, but I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of whatever amount you choose to help me meet my goal? Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage, where you can donate online.

Worldwide, 10 million children die each year from preventable diseases. I'm participating in Swim 4 Humanity to raise money and awareness for SurfAid International's life-saving programs.

Thank you, in advance for your support of me and my efforts to reduce death and suffering from preventable disease in isolated regions of the world.

My Swim 4 Humanity donation page.

Please give what you can - even one dollar will make a difference.
And to those of you who have already donated - helping me to raise a little more than $1,500!!!! - THANK YOU doesn't begin to cover my gratitude.

Randomness from my morning

Stayed in Brooklyn with Lizzie last night - this is part of my morning today...