Red Headed Bliss

So, as some of you may know, photography is a passion of mine.  I have had the opportunity to take quite a few engagement photos in the recent years and absolutely love it.  I love the artistic expression that comes when a camera is placed in my hands.  I love capturing moments and memories and beauty and fun with a camera lens.

Last week, my dear friend Jes asked me to accompany her on a photo shoot for the wedding of our dear friends R & B.  They are pretty fantastic and so, so, so happy!  They wouldn't let go of each others' hands the entire time.  So in love. :)

I finished editing the photos and picked a few to share.

Reach for the Sun

While flying into Boston a few weeks ago, I had a very wonderful and amazing experience.  I am a window seat girl (I'm telling you, it's the way to go - you have a place to rest your head!), and as I gazed out the window during our decent into Boston, I was taught a lesson.

High above any clouds, it was blue skies and sun - just gorgeous and heavenly and happy.  Down below, the clouds were white and poofy and beautiful, but as we began to descend through them, we came upon a space that was unlink any other - there were clouds above us and clouds below us and we could still see a bit of the sun.  I thought - those clouds sure look dark below - this is going to be interesting.

Sure enough, as we descended through these darker clouds, we hit some strong turbulence and had a rocky time.  It took us quite a while and there was absolutely no vision out the window, only claustrophobic clouds.  We finally broke through into the Boston sky, only to discover that the gorgeous sun that was shining so brightly high above was nowhere to be found.  The skies were dark and gloomy and the rain was strong.

I reflected on this lesson that the Lord taught me and remembered one thing - no matter what your surroundings are like, the sun is always there.  Even if there are clouds that block our view or rain that tries to ruin things, the sun is always there.  How swift are we to forget this and to walk away and go about life without remembering that the sun is our constant.

This reminds me of the 2nd verse of one of my favorite hymns - something that I would often quote to people on my mission:


When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us and threaten our peace to destroy,
There is hope smiling brightly before us and we know that deliverance is nigh.
We doubt not the Lord nor His goodness, we've proved Him in days that are past.
The wicked who fight against Zion, will surely be smitten at last.
("We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet")

And so I tell you that the Son is my constant.  He is always there.  Despite the many times that I have felt those dark clouds and that rain and wondered if the sun was ever going to come out, He always does and He always will.  Hope is smiling brightly.

Taxi FAQs

Having recently returned from 2 weeks away traveling for work, I have had some time to reflect on the many new people that I was able to meet.  Traveling alone causes you to either die of loneliness or step out of your comfort zone and start talking to some complete strangers.  One such opportunity for me happens whenever I take a taxi ride.  I really have a hard time making people do things for me, so I try to be as warm and friendly as possible while they drive me to my destination.

Taking taxi rides a few times daily for 2 weeks allowed ample opportunity for some interesting conversations.  Some drivers were more conversational than others.  There was one who had Muslim prayers cranked the whole 20 minutes I was in his car.  I knew not to say anything as this might be his reflective time and thought as I exited the car how genius that is if you don't feel like talking to anyone!

The majority of the taxi drivers in Boston that I encountered were from Jamaica and the majority of the taxi drivers in Orlando that I met were from Haiti (with one exception who was from Bangladesh).  Those who confabulated with me had some very basic questions that I could usually predict after a few rides.  Why are you here?  Where are you from?  And then there is one that I didn't see coming - Do you have any kids?

This is at times a sensitive question for me.  If you know me at all you know that this is one of the greatest desires of my heart and I yearn and sometimes ache for children.  This question threw me of the first few times, but without fail, it came back again and again.  My answer?  Not yet, but someday.

I reflected on what came out of my mouth - not yet, but someday.  Oh, how I need to live like I believe and know that statement will occur.  I know that I have been promised children in this lifetime and I know that this promise will be fulfilled and yet sometimes I ache and desire nothing more than to have those children now.  Yet I am reminded of a quote that often brings comfort from Neil A. Maxwell:

"Strange, isn’t it—we who wear wristwatches seek to counsel Him who oversees cosmic clocks and calendars."

(For full talk, visit here- it is AMAZING!!!)

My new resolve is to live like someday is just around the corner.  As Henry B. Eyring says of his days as a single  man, he referred to his future children as "the red heads" and talked about them often.  From here on in, I resolve to live for my future children.  I know that someday the many experiences that I am having now will help them find their way and will help me understand what they are experiencing so much better than if I had no or little experience.

Not yet, but someday.

Hello Boston!

Traveling has become my new favorite pastime!  Not really, but with my current job, I travel often and all over the place.  I am currently in the grand city of Boston.  I love this place because of the memories that it holds - because of my time here 2 years ago with 3 of my bestest friends in the whole world.  We traveled around the New England area and had a grand adventure while we were here together.


This time is not as exciting due to work (except that I get to see the amazing JG and spend time with her!!!!), but I am having a few new adventures.  This morning I set out for church at Harvard Square with my dear friend JG. I took the T (the subway system) and got there without any problems - so proud!  


Well, there was one slight problem . . . . You see, there was this strong and gusting wind.  Wind and dresses don't get along so well, turns out. The second I stepped out of my hotel, my dress went into a wild frenzy - blowing all over the place and creating quite the scene.  It was as though it leapt from my body and yelled out "Hello Boston!!!"  I had to walk down the street hunched over, desperately trying to tame my dress and look half civilized.  Turns out that's hard to do with a wrap dress.  Turns out I was the only idiot in a dress today on the T.  Turns out, I learned my lesson.


E.M.B.A.R.R.A.S.S.I.N.G.

Here we go again!!!

I secretly started this blog a few years ago and then stopped writing on it.  I have recommitted to make this my own and make it a witness to my life and adventures.

Here's to many more posts ahead!

Heels and Pearls

One of the blessings of living in the location that I do is that I get to ride my bike to work daily. Come rain, come shine, I get on that purple bike with the side basket and cute little bell and ride to work. Lately I have noticed the interesting things that I do that bring acquisitive looks and smiles to the faces of those passing by. I don't change into any special clothes or shoes to ride my bike to work - I just go as is. It's only about a 10 minute ride. That means I put on my fancy pearls and high heeled shoes and get on the bike. Yep, I even wear my heals on the bike and I LOVE it!

Yet another thing that makes me who I am. :) I am woman - hear me roar!!!

These Words Are My Own

So it begins, the life of HH in print. I figure this is one way for me to write out the many interesting adventures and crazy stories of my life as well as post incredibly wonderful pictures. Some day my posterity shall find this and wonder, "Who is this cool HH?" I'm sure they shall say just that.