an update of sorts

"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving" -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Somewhere between packing, moving, and unpacking, I seemed to have misplaced my camera cord, so alas, it may be a while before I upload any July pictures, including ones from the party and farewell NY ones. In the mean time, a minor update before things get too crazy with orientation and classes. We just finalized our plan with Bella Pictures, so add another check to the checklist (and speaking of photos, these photos that I found by KJournal look really good; excellent color and candid shots. Unfortunately they're based in Florida... perhaps we'll go to them for some family photos down the road). Also speaking of photos, I hope you enjoy this cheesy alleykat photo, taken during our cruise in April, while I summarize what we've done so far:

• Picked a date
• Booked the church and reception venues
• Picked out a bridal gown
• Booked the photographer
• Finalized the reception menu
• Selected colors
• Picked the bridal party
• Came up with a tentative guest list

So next we have to work on flowers, centerpieces, invitations, the band/dj, the registry, bridal party attire, favors, the pre-cana, and the honeymoon. I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton of things, but we'll worry about that later.

And congrats to two of Al's best friends since elementary school, Lewis and Tina, who got engaged this past weekend. :)

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." -- Matthew 17:20

one, two, three, FLASH!

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." -- Ansel Adams


Ok. so I like photo booths. Seeee:

Actually I like most things photo-related, including, but not limited to: photographs, photo opportunities, photo albums, and photosynthesis.



At times my "I love photographs. Let's take another picture!" collides with Alphonse's "Another photo?! Seriously?" But luckily such incidents almost always playfully evolve into Alphonse sticking his tongue out or attempting to sabotage my photo in some other way. And by now it should come as no surprise to you that Alphonse and I can be quite silly at times, so such attempts are well received (and documented via photograph). When I saw that my friend Raph had a photo booth at his wedding, I thought it might be the perfect way to combine my love for (candid) photos and Al's love for (candid) silliness. And photo booth photos (or frames) might make fun favors, right? Of course this may mean cutting down our original photography package, but it might be worth it. We'll keep you updated...

A few photos from Raph's wedding, click to enlarge:

“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” -- Psalm 68: 4-5.

lights, camera, action!

"A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety." -- Ansel Adams

Yesterday Al and I met with a photo consultant from bellapictures and we came away from the session with nothing but compliments. At the start of the session we went through a few portfolios and talked about what we liked and didn't like (everything from camera angles, to candid vs. posed, to color re-touching) in the different photographs we viewed. Our consultant, Suny, was very friendly and attentive to our comments. We were very impressed by Bella's commitment to finding a photographer with a style to match our interests, affirming the intimate and personal feel of the entire session. So far, they seem like a really good company to work with (and they have the press to prove it), but you might have to wait to see our photographs before we fully endorse them ;) . Plus, they're pretty affordable, as far as wedding photographers and albums go.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." -- Proverbs 31:30

let me see you one, two step.

"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor." -- Marcus Tullius Cicero

With my bikini-clad cruise days still in recent memory and the weather hinting at the start of summer, now seems like an appropriate time to bring up the dreaded "wedding workout plan." It seems I underestimated how big a role this issue would play in my wedding planning-- but I quickly realized my error after scanning a few websites for brides-to-be. Here is just a sampling of the sites I stumbled upon: theknot and bridal guide. I mean, it does make some sense since I plan to remember my wedding forever (and I'll be paying some photographer a lot of money to help me do so!) And considering my wedding might be the single day when I have the most pictures taken of me, it would be nice to look as fit as possible, so then years from now I can show my kids my wedding album and say "See, mommy and daddy used to be so good looking, right?"... or maybe that was just my parents :) . All that being said and done, I will probably try a little harder to eat healthily and go to the gym regularly over the next year or so, but to be honest, Alphonse and I already try to do both of those things, so it shouldn't be too hard. At the end of the day it definitely helps that we often eat and workout together, since fitness is just one of the many ways we can encourage each other!

I may give more details about a specific workout plan closer to the actual wedding date, so check back later if you're interested. Until then, here are a few photos of us baring a little skin and being as silly as usual. Alphonse looooves taking photos, can't you just tell from his facial expressions?!

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -- Isaiah 40:31