picture

picture I took of some clouds from my front yard. saw them from my window
and ran outside with my camera.

10 Invitations

1. You are invited to love yourself, others and life without condition - trusting that, in an evolving Universe, everything is unfolding perfectly.



2. You are invited to do whatever makes your heart sing and your spirit dance. Only that.



3. You are invited to live fearlessly and passionately - to step into your divinity, while embracing your humanity.



4. You are invited to treat yourself and others with extraordinary respect and kindness - reaching out with love towards all beings, and seeing the Light within everyone.



5. You are invited to honor everyone else’s beliefs, feelings, values and choices - knowing these add to the variety of life, and that everyone’s path or guidance is unique.



6. You are invited to honor the earth, your body and all creation as sacred and divine - and to celebrate life in all its richness.



7. You are invited to choose your own mission or purpose, expressing your creative gifts, talents and vision in whatever way feels most joyful.



8. You are invited to listen to the inner voice of Love, which always sets you free - knowing that your goodness and worthiness are never in question, and that you can do no wrong.



9. You are invited to trust in a loving and abundant Universe. Ask and it is given. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened.



10. You are invited to follow your dreams and desires - trusting your feelings, and using your imagination, to create your own heaven on earth.

~ Gill Edwards

http://www.livingmagically.co.uk/

love

QOTD

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale”

I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth

"I pledge allegiance to the Earth, this unique blue-water planet, graced by life, our only home. I promise to respect all living things, and to protect to the best of my abilities all parts of our planet's environment, and to promote peace among the human family, with liberty and justice for all."

affirmation of the day

I choose this path. My path is filled with promise.

affirmation

I believe in a Loving Presence that manifests through me and in everything around me. I am LOVED!

camera fun

you are...

awesome, cool, amazing, sweet, great, sexy, hot, rad, fantastic, funny, good, nice, fun, crazy, wicked, badass, tight, super, beautiful, epic, wonderful, dope, excellent, incredible, perfect, smart, cute, pimp, LOVE, pretty, the shit, wow, gnarly, fabulous, and fly. ♥

just thought I'd let you know.

:)

quote of the day

"Don't be afraid to be amazing." ~ Andy Offutt Irwin


YOU ARE AMAZING!!

me and my favorite quote

love

quote of the day

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.

- Groucho Marx

love grows here

i see you love

"you and your heart shouldn't feel so far apart."

~ Jack Johnson

HELLO

the optimist creed

found this in my in-box from the lovely people at Peaceful Daily...

love love love love it!

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

http://www.optimist.org/default.cfm
*Optimist International*

quote of the day

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.

~John Wesley

unleash your imagination

The power of our mind is virtually unlimited and largely untapped.
With imagination we can create new worlds and improve old ones.
We can live our wildest dreams and dream our wildest lives.

"The fairest souls are those that have the most varitey and adaptability."
~ Michel De Montaigne

what does ur fav color say about you?

I was looking up what colors mean today. And these are a few things my fav color said about me according to different websites / articles I found.

Yellow: The color of happiness, wisdom and imagination, Yellow is chosen by the mentally adventurous, searching for novelty and self-fulfillment. Yellow usually goes with a sunny and shrewd personality, with a good business head and a strong sense of humor. It is the color of intellectuality and all things to do with the mind. Yellow folks are usually clear and precise thinkers who have a good opinion of their own mental capacities and who have lofty ideals. They may at times tend to shun responsibility, preferring freedom of thought and action.


You chose Yellow as your favorite color. Yellow signifies wisdom, joy and happiness. People who love Yellow may be focused, imaginative, humorous, shrewd, happy go lucky, amiable, cautious, loyal,

The sunniest color in the spectrum, yellow has long been associated with good cheer and happiness. Those who love yellow are often creative, artistic, social people who have dramatic imaginations and a love to create.

Yellow
Personality: A fondness for yellow suggests you’re an optimist who accepts people for who they are and you like to make everyone feel good. Like other people who love yellow, you tend to extend yourself without expecting anything in return, but you don’t accept kindness easily so it’s hard for others to do nice things for you.

today tomorrow until the end of time

I close my eyes and open my heart
I take a deep breath... I smile...
I feel it... I need it... I crave it... I want it.
It's all around me.
It's in me... it is me... I am it.
I AM LOVE.

~ Melly G.

quote of the day

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you,if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive..." Eleonora Duse

dear universe

thank you for today...

thank you for yesterday...

thank you for tomorrow...

and thank you for everything I have learned

and will learn from it all.

xoxo

ME

ON REPEAT

been listening to this song over and over again today

quote of the day

Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.

~Anthony Robbins

got another A

so I didn't jinx myself on that last assignment. haha!!

I love having a camera in my hand.

I had a dream the other day that I was traveling the world taking pictures.

I say YES it will happen.

YES YES YES YES YES YES.... a gazillion times YES.

another pic.

I took this one today... it's been raining all week, shot this one in my front yard.

my photos

a couple of pictures I took of some flowers on campus the other day.

listen to your heart

Connect your head to your heart.
Learn to trust your heart's instincts.
Be open to it's signals.
Heed them.
Act on them.

"All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is exclusively my own." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

quote of the day

“You must believe in yourself, because you are an unrepeatable human being with a unique gift only you can give the world.” ~Unknown

Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)

"When we get there we're gonna fly so far away, making sure to laugh while we experience anti-gravity."

4th assignment

today I turned in my 4th assignment for class
form / texture / design
while we were going over the assignment (which we do before we shoot every assignment) I had no idea what I was going to do.
the words "what the F*** am I going to shoot?" keep popping up in my head.
I GOT IT!!! o.k. maybe I thought...
I ended up shooting 36 frames and the one I ended up choosing I only got to take one shot of because it was a cloudy day and the sun was out for but a few seconds but it was enough time to get THE SHOT.
it's of a fire escape and some windows on the side of a building shot in specular light (direct sunlight) I LOVE the shadows the fire escape left on the building.
I like the way it came out. I just hope my instructor does to.
I stressed out over the first three assignments and ended up getting A's on all three. I hope this one is the same.

oh gosh did I just jinx myself. haha!

randomness

I want to take your picture.

yesterday I saw a guy downtown with an iguana on a leash. I had never seen that before... pretty weird.

today I woke up with a backache. super suckage.

I'm sleepy.

strawberries in the fridge... mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

to learn

Each day we meet someone new.
We're exposed to new thoughts, new ways.
Use every opportunity to add to your knowledge.
Go with an open mind.
Relish the chance to learn.
Enjoy the challenge.
Seek perspective.

no thank you, I'm already fat...

today after school I had to bus it to the Camera Exchange to purchase more photo paper and film for class. after my purchase I headed for the bus stop and passed by a huge sign that read "18 DONUTS for $4.99" my first thought was 'no thank you, I'm already fat.' it kind of threw me back... since losing 75 pounds (and feeling awesome) a thought like that hadn't popped into my head in a while. it felt weird thinking that. For a long time I wasn't comfortable with myself or my body. I finally had a nice long chat with myself and told myself 'you are SUPER just the way you are.' yes I was and am still SUPER... BUT I knew I had to take better care of my body... my mind... my entire being... so I made the changes that needed to be made to better myself, physically and mentally.

I still have things I need to work on, but NOW I full accept myself for who and what I am... IMPERFECT...
I am imperfect and that is perfectly alright...

I love me flaws and all...

I AM SUPER JUST THE WAY I AM!!!!

to find beauty

Beauty surrounds us.
BUT it's not always evident.
Seek it out.
Find it in love, friendship, nature, art.
See it in another's mind or spirit.
Look for the inner glow.

"A heart in love with beauty never grows old."
Turkish proverb

to take the wide view

Look as a photographer does.
Use all your lenses and change your position:
from close-up to wide-angle,
from aerial to x-ray.
Take in the small things but zoom out to see the full picture.
Look beyond the obvious.
Relish the complexities and the relationships.

***

"If the doors to perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite."

~ William Blake

LOVE THIS!!

“Every day is an opportunity to be creative – the canvas is your mind, the brushes and colours are your thoughts and feelings, the panorama is your story, the complete picture is a work of art called, ‘my life’. Be careful what you put on the canvas of your mind today – it matters.” — Innerspace

YES!

My inner world creates my outer world and my thoughts create my life. I choose thoughts about all the good stuff.

if you have facebook

check out the fan page I have up for my photography

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Melissa-Garcia-Photo/385954921982

drop by become a fan.. or not... haha!

let me know what you think.

good day to you all

much love

♥

quote of the day

I will not be just a tourist in the world of images, just watching images passing by which I cannot live in, make love to, possess as permanent sources of joy and ecstasy"

~ Anaïs Nin

new camera

I've had my eye on this camera for a while. been saving my pennies for it. going to get it this week. maybe... I might see something I like more but definitely getting a camera this week.

so if anyone wants pictures taken of them.. I'm looking for models.. hahaha!!

floating

today after yoga I meditated for a while
once I cleared my mind and got my breathe nice and steady
it felt like I was floating...I couldn't help but smile...
I almost cried
most awesome feeling ever!
is that normal? lol
coolest thing ever
♥

GIVE LOVE!

MC Yogi - Give Love (Giving4Living Mix) from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

green lemonade = Mmmmm!!

your head looks so much smaller

yesterday a lady at work told me 'you've lost ALOT of weight, your head looks so much smaller. my first thought after she said that was 'HOW BIG WAS MY HEAD?' lol
When I got home I stared at myself in the mirror for a bit, turning my head from side to side trying to picture what my head looked like 6 months ago. MY HEAD!!! I wasn't even looking at my body which is also alot smaller then it used to be but I was fixated on my head and her comment keep going through my mind. After about 15 minutes of that I started to laugh. A huge gut busting laugh, I found it silly that I was over thinking it. My head was big before now it's small... FACT! now move on I told myself.

I have lost alot of weight. I wasn't taking the best care of my body.
I haven't eaten red meat in 8 1/2 years, chicken or fish in 2 years. I haven't drank a soda in 15 years... but I was still eating crap food like potato chips and french fries. about 6 months ago I looked at myself in the mirror and said aloud 'what the hell am I doing to my body' that's when I made a decision to take better care of myself. today I am 75 pounds lighter and much happier.

I've been going back and forth from vegetarian, vegan, and raw. the past month I've been going alot more raw though. been looking up recipes and websites. It is a bit hard sometimes because I'm the only one here at home who eats like that.
I don't know anyone (work, friends, family) here who are vegerarian vegan or raw foodists. I talk to some people online whom I swap stories on what foods to try or what smoothies to try. I would like to have someone here though to share my food with, instead of people passing by stopping and looking at my plate and saying 'ewwwwwwwwwwwww what's that?' -'IT'S GOOD TRY IT!!' I tell them but they just cringe their nose and walk away.

I'm loving my new diet... it's pretty awesome

quote of the day

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.

~ Kahlil Gibran

affirmation

I fully accept and embrace change, for it helps me grow. Every door that closes pushes me to walk ahead into my more perfect future.

Melly is o.k

I cried it out. I will be o.k.
I'm just in a little funk. I can get myself out of this.
DEEP BREATHS!
I'll be back to the old happy positive me in no time.

funk-E day

my mind was off all day today. I've been thinking WAY too much, giving myself a headache. I felt the tears wanting to come out but I held it in, which I shouldn't I know. I have no idea what is wrong with me. am I going crazy? I need to get away from here. far away. been thinking about it alot... just picking up and leaving.
but where... how? I'm not exactly rich... I can't just pick up and go when ever I want no matter how bad I want to. or can I? can I go? poor ass crazy silly weirdo girl wants to go... please!

she stared out the window looking for something
where is it she wondered?
no... that's not it.
she squinted her eyes a bit
still nothing.
ahhh there it it! I think...
'I want to touch it' she thought 'I wonder if it's real'
'it's real,' she heard a voice say 'it's real and it's yours'

honey bee

:)

I luv me some you.

yes you reading this right now

I might not know who you are

but just know that you are loved

♥

quote of the day

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Melody Beattie

what are you grateful for???

my love tree

I caught love hanging out on my tree.

my wish for you

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”


♥

yes we are

Adventures Club Oath

In the face of adversity, uncertainty and conflicting sensory information, I hereby pledge to remain ever mindful of the magical, infinite, loving reality in which I live. A reality that conspires tirelessly in
my favor.

I further recognize that living within space and time, as a Creation amongst my Creations, is the ultimate Adventure, because thoughts become things, dreams do come true, and all things remain forever possible.

As a Being of Light, I hereby resolve to live, love, and be happy, at all costs, no matter what, with reverence and kindness for All. So be it!

http://www.tut.com/theclub/

AD

Dorky optimist seeking like minded individuals to befriend. Must love love and hugs. As well as live a life of gratitude and positivity.

Inquire with-in

♥

Love Is All I Am

♥

"Symbiosis"

Pilobolus perform "Symbiosis"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

this is what I would LOVE for my b-day

India Photo Expedition ♥

http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/indiaphoto/detail

or

Galapagos Photo Expedition ♥

http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/galapagosphoto/detail

but since I can't have either I'll take hugs... loads of them *opens arms* :)

Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching Aphorism 10

Can you coax your mind from its wandering and keep to the original oneness?

Can you let your body become supple as a newborn child's?

Can you cleanse your inner vision until you see nothing but the light?

Can you love people and lead them without imposing your will?

Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course?

Can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.

Lao Tzu (translated by Stephen Mitchell)

saturday

I woke up with a headache this morning and a bit of a scratchy throat, along with a cough that came and went thoughout the day. :( I DO NOT want to be sick right now. School starts on tuesday, my birthday of all days which I don't mind at all. I'm actually pretty excited to be headed back to school. I just want to be in the dark room again. I want to snap my camera at anything and everything. I haven't been on one of my "photo adventures" in a while. The holidays were super hectic at work this year and I wasn't able to get out and about. I usually take my camera, hop on a bus and just go, venture out... all alone. I love doing that, going out on my own. Sometimes I'll go and spend the entire trip without saying a word, just observe... people, buildings, trees, cars / buses passing on the streets etc. etc. Most days I take my journal with me and sit in the park. I love those days, I love all days but those days help. I get to think things through, I get to be creative... write, draw, take pictures.
I've been writing alot lately. I had been struggling with writers block for quite a while. Mid-November it just came, out of nowhere I picked up a pen and started writing again. It made me go back to my old writings / poetry I had hidden away, read through all of it. Brought back memories of how I was feeling at the time of those writings, I was a totally different person then. It was a bit weird to see how much I've changed... grown. Totally in a good way though because I like the person I've become. More positive... more open... more loving. The new me is pretty rad, a bit of a dork but I embrace that dorkiness. haha!!
I've been wanting to get up and go lately. Go anywhere, everywhere... but I've opted to stay put this time and focus on school. And I am so proud of myself for doing so. Besides I have the summer to travel, well hopefully if I have enough money left after the semester is over. Photo supplies can get expensive. It will be worth it.
It sure will.

* quote of the day *

"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it."

~ unknown

quote of the day

Without love, we are birds with broken wings.

~ Morrie Schwartz

two zero one zero

in 2010 I will be the happiest I've ever been

I will laugh harder

I will dance crazier

I will hug tighter

I will smile wider

I will stand taller

I will love louder

♥ ♥ ♥

another year... a new year... this year will be a GREAT year, a fun year, a happy year, a I love you and you and you year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR awesome beautiful people of this here gorgeous earth.
may this new year bring you all the goodness in the world

loads of hugs and chingos of love

*besos*