tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34679591541278302352011-09-12T22:18:51.750-05:00Thoughts, travels, photosmissabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.comBlogger1001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-74611360843652470842010-09-13T22:31:00.001-05:002010-09-13T22:32:38.237-05:00

You can preview and order, if you so desire, my latest photo book creation for the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte!Centro Cultural Batahola Norte Cultural Center of Batahola Norte 2009-2010 un año en fotos / one year in photos by Melissa Engle | Make Your Own Book

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-86558384430983150622010-07-15T10:17:00.003-05:002010-07-15T10:39:46.524-05:00

My dress has been completed! I'm so happy with the finished piece! I also purchased hot pink tagua nut earrings for $1 at the market and Patricia gifted me 2 flower headpieces for my hair for the final accessories. The only thing lacking from these photos is dramatic eye make-up, blush and hot pink lipstick. I think my favorite part about Nicaraguan folkloric dresses are the full skirts that you

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-27327620631117721972010-06-21T19:30:00.003-05:002010-06-21T19:55:32.372-05:00

Below are some of my young adult photo students' best images, chosen for the upcoming art exhibition at the cultural center. (top photo)Dreams in the Streetphoto and description by Luis CanelesWith the sky as my roof, the sun and the rain are my companions, day by day, as I bring home the wages that will sustain me each day.My hands are my tools, my juggling balls are the wings of my soul. I ask

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-68461385405892362682010-05-25T18:34:00.005-05:002010-05-25T19:20:50.476-05:00

This is the tale of two beautifully sharpened writing utensils who met and fell in love. The day arrived when one of the woody lovers had to go on a journey and the other was left alone to doodle in notepads and sketch on skyscrapers. Today in photography class we learned about storytelling and students had to photograph their own story at the end of class. The pencil story was photographed and

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-11796319181552536112010-05-25T18:21:00.003-05:002010-05-25T18:33:39.748-05:00

Today in photography class we learned about different ways to capture action in photographs (stop action, panning, and blurred movement). Here are some images taken by students from some of our action capturing exercises. I got to be a juggling model :) I think they did a great job, considering that it's quite difficult to capture action using point and shoot digital cameras. The photo of me was

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-69573603535757689322010-05-24T18:25:00.003-05:002010-05-24T22:33:17.703-05:00

Today Patricia took me to visit Doña Juliana to take my dress measurements. Doña Juliana is the seamstress who has become quite popular for making folkloric dresses. Supposedly it is she who makes all of the costumes for the professional dance group that Patricia is a part of. You wouldn't know how to find her house unless you had some good directions, or someone to take you there. It looks like

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-87984634075558901382010-05-10T10:03:00.008-05:002010-05-10T12:24:25.697-05:00

(Don't click the play button in the center b/c it takes you to the picasa site, use the left and right tabs below.)What in the world is that? Could it be a portal to another realm? No, it's just a drain pipe lined with scum. On Friday I led a photo workshop for staff at the cultural center. One of their in class assignments was to find "the strange" by photographing from different angles and

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-87167582172826880292010-05-04T19:41:00.004-05:002010-05-04T20:26:17.240-05:00

Finding the fabricthe ribbon shop...can you spot the fuchsia one?i discovered i have my own underwear line!the final purchases with my tired head lying on the table. i know it's a weird photo, but i am weird so it works :) I originally wanted a teal dress with red ribbon accents, but there was no teal fabric so I went with this combo instead.It was a hot one (96 degrees) as Patricia and I geared

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-8558388723873143922010-05-03T14:54:00.003-05:002010-05-03T15:00:37.250-05:00

Yaritza Polanco studies during class.Below is an article I wrote on Basic Adult Education classes for the cultural center newsletter.“I have suffered a lot not being able to read or write,” says Raymunda Jarquin with frustration in her gentle voice. “People trick me and I feel embarrassed. They tell me I am too old to learn and make fun of me for trying.” As a girl Raymunda never had the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-75390655330764995522010-05-03T14:43:00.003-05:002010-05-03T14:53:48.525-05:00

Gerardo and Moises working in the new mural "Alegremia"Yahoska performs a Nicaraguan folkloric danceBelow is an article I wrote on the arts in transformation for the cultural center newsletter.Yahoska Urcuyo’s passion for dance is evident as she cascades with confidence and grace across the stage. Her folkloric dress whirls with flashes of color and a huge smile shines on her face. Dance has

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-82610285996331631372010-04-29T18:14:00.003-05:002010-04-29T18:27:33.977-05:00

This past Saturday I photographed an outdoor wedding in a beautiful location on the edge of a cliff overlooking mountains that stretched to the Pacific coast in the distance. My connection to the couple is their friend Juan, who is the choir director of the cultural center. He and a few of the students in the orchestra played live classical music during the ceremony. It was a BaHai wedding,

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-25949869441113780002010-04-28T11:24:00.004-05:002010-04-28T11:45:28.995-05:00

I am going to design a Nicaraguan folkloric dance dress and I am excited! I thought it would be fun to document the process from start to finish. Patricia, who dances professionally and teaches classes at the cultural center, has connections with a woman who makes the dresses. The cost of tailoring and materials is quite inexpensive so I think it will be a neat experience to have it handmade and

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-57434482523488145022010-04-27T20:26:00.004-05:002010-04-27T20:55:05.013-05:00

Arroz aguado is one of my favorite Nicaraguan dishes. It literally means "watery rice" and is a lot like chicken rice soup. On Saturday, I successfully made my first arroz aguado all by myself (with some instruction from Tamara)! I'd like to share the recipe so you can try this easy and delicious Nicaraguan meal at home.Ingredients:2-3 c. rice1-2 ripe plantains (the skin should be brown)1 onion,

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-51642329647651837102010-03-05T12:01:00.006-05:002010-03-05T12:51:22.715-05:00

Maria, America and I at the jewelry tablethe suppliesMaria works on some miniature paintings of Nicaraguan cultural figuresGerardo is working on earrings made out of jicaro shell. It is a LONG process!Maria and Gerardo share a laugh while they work on the mini paintings.Every Thursday I look forward to making jewelry with these fun folks just a block from the cultural center. We meet on the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-5148060573627566212010-02-26T15:20:00.006-05:002010-02-26T15:49:14.136-05:00

Here's the next round of "ch" words for the week, all meaning basically the same thing: old, ugly, useless. The words are charrula, champu and charbasca. You may not be able to see the details from the photos, but these old scuffed-up,"charrula" shoes were found on the street corner when I was walking home from church with Norma last Sunday. I decided to try the bronze pair on in the street

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-4560245482653893512010-02-22T18:23:00.006-05:002010-02-22T18:35:52.247-05:00

I traveled with the Batahola Norte Cultural Center choir, orchestra and dance group to Nagarote on Friday for a cultural presentation. The setting was a discoteque that has been set up in an auditorium. It was a nice big space with great sound and flashy lighting. I fell in love with the movement and colors of the folkloric dancers. Afterwards we were treated to quesillo and tiste. Nagarote is a

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-83566070457210107092010-02-16T19:48:00.004-05:002010-02-16T20:00:29.164-05:00

COLOCHOS is the "ch" word of today. This little girl's hair is a perfect example of someone with colochos, or curls. It can also be used as an adjective to describe someone with curly hair. I saw this little girl lost in her own world as she was painting in the sunlight at the cultural center and had to make an image.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-20587739010002474762010-02-12T18:12:00.002-05:002010-02-12T18:15:41.796-05:00

This little bat hanging out on a step at the cultural center gave me the "cuchi cuchi's" today. CUCHI CUCHI is the "ch" word of the day, and from what I gather it means something similar to the "heebie geebie's". It's a term for something that is scary and creepy. I thought it was funny the first time I heard it because it sounds like something you would say when you're poking a baby's belly. :

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-28641046527424162712010-02-10T18:27:00.006-05:002010-02-11T15:18:37.357-05:00

"ch" word of the week is CHAPAS, or earrings, also known as "aretes" in Spanish. Chapas are one of my favorite accessories. I love to make them, wear them, smell them, touch them, paint them, gift them, recycle them, etc. etc. I feel naked if I leave the house without a pair dangling from my ears. If you want to give me a gift or make my day you can never go wrong with a pair of chapas :)The

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-7124767958063626932010-02-09T18:12:00.011-05:002010-02-10T13:38:02.449-05:00

Get to know my three lovely host sisters...TamaraTamara, 21, is the youngest of the siblings and she has the strongest personality. She won't take poo from anyone and that is what I like about her. Once a thief tried to grab her purse on the bus and she elbowed him and refused and jumped off the bus at the next stop. Unfortunately he got away with her cell phone.She has a great curiosity for the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-46613119891785017762010-02-02T13:09:00.002-05:002010-02-02T13:14:26.101-05:00

The "ch" word of today is CHINELA, also interchangable with CHANCLETA, but here in Nicaragua chinela is more common. Chinela can be used to refer to flip-flops or casual sandals. The one you see here is a leather sandal made in Nicaragua that was painted by my friend Nineth, one of the artists who teaches music at the cultural center.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-76900227323647579022010-01-29T14:00:00.004-05:002010-01-29T15:42:26.602-05:00

I'd like to share a few thoughts and experiences that I've encountered in the last few weeks here in Nicaragua.FINDING MONEDASAlmost every day I find at least one coin in the street. I like to try and remember the place I find them and to savor that moment and that memory for a second. I'm sure people think it's quite strange to see a gringa bending down to pick up coins that are usually worth a

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-80089865083443076742010-01-27T13:01:00.006-05:002010-01-27T13:24:14.441-05:00

CHOCOYO (Pacific parakeet. These are our pets. My host sister Norma is in the background and my friend Henry is holding them on his finger.)CHICHICASTE (prickly caterpillar. People can also be called a "chichicaste" when they are angry. I found this one on my mosquito net one night.)It's been about a month since my last posting and so it's time to give some updates. I'm going to start off with a

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-32427077778859139502009-12-27T21:16:00.003-05:002009-12-27T21:24:36.166-05:00

Just wanted to post a few photos from the holidays. I made a gingerbread house at my friend Amanda's family Christmas tea party event. Her grandparents live on a huge plantation where there is a coffee processing plant and a chicken farm. We got to see the peeps being freed from their boxes, just flown in from Atlanta, Georgia, and placed in the hen houses. They will grow up to be egg layers.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-59641025717814362082009-12-03T16:31:00.004-05:002009-12-03T16:44:59.361-05:00

(below is an article I helped to write for the Cultural Center newsletter about the photo class and above are some of my favorite student self-portrait photos that will be in the exposition this Saturday) During October and November, 10 third- and fourth-grade students had the opportunity to see their world with new eyes—through the lens of a camera. Twice a week students came to photography

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-32826197875876434472009-11-17T18:31:00.003-05:002009-11-17T18:46:10.897-05:00

I spent a rainy weekend in Esteli, but despite the rain I got some nice cloudy day bright colored fish eye photos! Unfortunately my little pink digital went wacky so I was left with my plastic tinker toy fish eye camera. I've been having lots of fun with it! Esteli is a cute town to the north of Managua, nice and chill with fresh air, where I went to visit Sugey, a former Nicaraguan volunteer

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-83862556870905042012009-11-06T18:59:00.003-05:002009-11-09T17:41:30.305-05:00

See some photos of kids and youth in action painting a mural in the neighborhood of Dimitrov where artists from the Batahola Norte Cultural Center go to teach painting, dance and theatre weekly as well as non-violence workshops once a month. The painting class is taking part in the mural project which is being painted on a wall outside a school. Dimitrov is known to be one of the most dangerous

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-72987618124320949302009-11-06T17:50:00.007-05:002009-11-06T18:28:53.836-05:00

A photo of students studying at the cultural center library, one of the few public libraries in Nicaragua I'm told. It has a great open wooden balcony where I like to sit sometimes. It's one of the only places you'll find stairs in Managua (besides shopping malls). Almost all homes are one-story because of possible earthquakes since Managua is on a fault line (and is due for one any time now!)A

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-30666043580599649232009-11-03T13:57:00.003-05:002009-11-03T14:02:37.399-05:00

Here's what my room looks like, for those who were curious about my hot pink mosquito net! I used the Photomerge option in Photoshop to merge the photos so the perspective isn't perfect, but basically you get an idea of what it's like.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-8219431653241793902009-10-28T16:31:00.005-05:002009-10-28T17:08:58.130-05:00

I would like to share some of the results of "The Best Part of Me", a photo project where children choose their favorite body part and write about it. I asked my students to explain why they like their body part and what kinds of things they can do with it. We also talked about metaphors and they were supposed to write one, although not all of them followed through on that :) One of my favorites

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-31823805199374525382009-10-22T18:46:00.003-05:002009-10-22T18:47:22.117-05:00

Here's a photo of the kids in my class. Unfortunately there are a few of them missing from this photo since there were a few that decided to come late the day of the class.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-38348154186075776792009-10-19T13:31:00.005-05:002009-10-19T13:40:53.647-05:00

We are two weeks into the photo class. Here I'm sharing some of my favorite images from my students' first roll of film. I asked them to explore with the camera. We talked about looking for lines, shadows, reflections, and different perspectives and angles. I told them to look for things that were extraordinary. Right now the most difficult thing is helping them to get past the novelty of

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-50420982709633961732009-09-30T19:34:00.004-05:002009-10-01T12:23:24.918-05:00

I tested the sun prints (photograms) for my photo class that will begin next week! It will give students a small taste of the developing process. The way it works is you place flat objects on the paper and expose it to the sun for a couple minutes, then you wash it and it leaves the impression. Thanks to Dave for sending the paper to Nicaragua! I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as I

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-73513302452448112252009-09-21T13:55:00.004-05:002009-09-21T14:31:42.417-05:00

Enjoy a slideshow of photos from our mini-vaca trip to San Juan del Sur, a small town about 3 hours drive from Managua. The ladies that were along for the excursion were SALTers Abby and Amanda and my host sister Norma.The best part of the trip was making connections with the owner of the hotel who gave us a free ride to and from a private beach in his pickup truck. It was beautiful, the water

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-10012270339876790022009-09-16T13:56:00.004-05:002009-09-16T14:50:51.855-05:00

Enjoy some of the brilliant juicy delights from a photo shoot with Norma and Kristal on Saturday. It was Norma's 25th birthday celebration so we had a little photo shoot in the neighborhood. It's amazing how a solid wall in a bright color can make for such a fun and playful backdrop. I love the ones of Kristal twirling in her dress.Notice I used my belly dancing scarf from Turkey as a

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-66367667115726818082009-09-11T15:36:00.004-05:002009-09-11T15:46:45.140-05:00

At least once a week I've been trying to roam around the cultural center and visit some of the different classes and do a "camera snoot"(yes, that's snoot, not shoot) Last week I went to the kids painting class and this week I went to the adult cooking class. The kids were all really excited and proud of their paintings. Notice that some of the photos show my favorite color combo: red and teal :)

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-58381425642747637182009-09-04T14:49:00.005-05:002009-09-11T13:38:57.052-05:00

Here you can view several photos from the chorus at the cultural center where I'm working. This was my first sort of official photo assignment. The chorus performed several pieces with the national orchestra of Nicaragua in commemoration of the anniversary of the death of Margarita Navarro, one of the founders of the center. The concert was free and open to the public and many folks from the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-60422643499702500042009-08-31T20:27:00.007-05:002009-09-04T14:57:38.812-05:00

Here's a photo of me and my beautiful host sister Norma outside the church that I'll be attending during my time here. Even though the church is pretty small, worship is always loud and lively. The people are all very welcoming and friendly. A few Saturdays ago I experienced my first half prayer vigil at the church, which was basically 5 hours of worshiping, praying, and sharing. People were

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-83491937063606340242009-08-31T20:18:00.003-05:002009-08-31T20:26:20.864-05:00

First you scrub it, rub a dub dub, like suds in the tubThen you soak it and you squeeze it, you squish it and you twist it real goodLast you shake it, shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-273117007058518002009-08-24T17:59:00.004-05:002009-08-24T18:10:13.104-05:00

Enjoy a few photos of some of the new foods I'm trying. The first two are of a nacatamal, which is a mixture of ground corn, meat, tomato, rice and onion wrapped in a banana leaf. My host sister Norma tells me it's usually eaten for breakfast. Next you will see a photo of Amanda and Vanessa, two of my MCC friends, eating Eskimo icecream. Eskimo is the popular ice cream brand around here and we

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-30132192687935132732009-08-23T18:35:00.005-05:002009-08-25T17:41:47.502-05:00

Enjoy some folkloric Nicaraguan dancing from a show we went to on our first weekend. I love the swishing skirts. I'm hoping to take a folkloric dance class at the Batahola, the cultural center where I'm working. Maybe I'll get to be in a performance one day....

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-11930605180138273522009-08-21T12:26:00.003-05:002009-08-21T12:36:19.833-05:00

I don't have time to write much, but wanted to throw a few photos on the blog from my new surroundings. You will see one of the walls in my bedroom in morning light, a scene from the church I'll be attending in my neighborhood, my host sister Norma cooking in the kitchen, a photo from the bus, and a photo of bright pink pitahaya juice at the breakfast table in my home, which is made from one of

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-48295035150375152742009-08-18T14:06:00.003-05:002009-08-18T14:15:50.042-05:00

We drove through a fog on our way to the airport and I felt it was a fitting metaphor for the journey ahead. I'm not sure what I will find in Nicaragua, what experiences are around the bend, but I will find out in time. I decided to change my blog theme, just to help differentiate that now I am in Nicaragua. There will be more photos to come soon!In summary of the past week or so, orientation

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-15858563981427344332009-06-22T22:39:00.005-05:002009-06-22T22:43:35.435-05:00

Assignment: Take photos of people and self-portraits in different ways. Look for reflections, shadows, etc. AustinChelseaEricHiraRosena

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-32762913242687414422009-06-22T22:30:00.003-05:002009-06-22T22:38:43.160-05:00

This class assignment was Ordinary to Extraordinary. I told them to find objects and take pictures that would make people ask, "What is that?", to make the ordinary, everyday become something interesting, alien, and intriguing.NadineMitchellMeganJessicaJacqueDanielleBenAbby

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-48503568292612663902009-06-22T22:08:00.007-05:002009-06-23T06:41:01.398-05:00

For the month of May I taught photography classes to middle schoolers, grades 6-8. Here are some of their amazing photos. This assignment was about light. They had to find the light and capture it in an interesting way, to look for shadows, contrast and mysterious things...RosenaNateKarmanJuliaEricBrittanyBethanyAnna

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-12588072196985798792009-04-27T10:08:00.003-05:002009-04-27T10:19:13.979-05:00

I loved fairy tales as a child and anyone who knows me well would say that I would ride a unicorn and swim with the mermaids if I could. With the arrival of spring and all the flowers and falling petals, I sometimes daydream about living in a fairy tale land. This is what inspired me to post this photograph of a "unicorn" I came across while walking in the forest in the mountains of Nicaragua.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-19380089380725202342009-03-13T09:47:00.005-05:002009-03-13T10:24:47.357-05:00

So to continue along my favorite color theme lines, I have chosen another selection of red and teal photos from Nepal. In some cases, the red and teal is not so obvious and you may have to search a bit. Our main story focus here has to do with HIV/AIDS. In Nepal many people migrate to India for work (there is an open border between Nepal and India) and get AIDS there. In most cases, the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-14200889712893635892009-02-27T23:47:00.004-05:002009-02-28T02:03:15.493-05:00

As some of you may know, one of my favorite color combos as of late is red and teal, and similar variations thereof. Enjoy some photos featuring red and teal that I've taken in Cambodia over the past 3 days.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-13963987427528853732009-02-03T21:31:00.002-05:002009-02-03T21:38:20.883-05:00

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-21137078451776583942008-12-25T18:40:00.005-05:002008-12-25T18:50:54.634-05:00

We had a thrift fashion photo shoot a month or so ago to celebrate Drea and I's year of buying secondhand as our new year's resolution. And here are the results in photos! I want to make some kind of audio slideshow to promote "Thrift Challenge '09" but can't figure out how to convert the song I want to an MP3. Ugh, stupid itunes. More to come...

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-28492297459391202262008-12-22T17:52:00.006-05:002008-12-23T13:04:35.567-05:00

Familiar, comfort, known, my ownI know thy mattress welland I long for thee to carry me into dreamsthis night that falls upon meI miss my bed. I realized that I have slept in 10 different beds over the past 3.5 weeks in the three different countries I've been traveling in. This made me want to document my different "beds". I only have photos of two of them, both in Congo, but perhaps this will

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-32469076797508557242008-12-12T10:23:00.004-05:002008-12-12T10:30:44.799-05:00

We spent the past 2 entire days at a peace celebration/conference in Kenya which brought together people from different ethnic groups from around the country. I learned that there are over 40 different ethnic groups, or tribes here in Kenya. Almost all of the people who attended were somehow involved in peace work in their communities because they find it vitally important to have peace,

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-65890697065207347622008-12-12T06:09:00.008-05:002008-12-12T13:51:51.749-05:00

Sometimes I wonder if too much pondering can be a bad thing for me. I've been doing lots of thinking, maybe more on the verge of obsessing, about life and it's meaning, about faith and what I think I believe during my travels here in Africa. During long car rides, on the airplane, in the evenings alone in my room, without much distraction my mind begins to wonder about lots of things. I'd

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-35992839857061235242008-11-18T21:54:00.003-05:002008-11-20T17:10:34.086-05:00

I'm feeling reflective today. Trying to be still.The cold winter winds chill me to the core, urging me to stay inside wrapped in layers of sweatshirts and blankets while I blow my nose and drink tea. It sounds crazy but I started listening to Christmas music today. It felt appropriate since I just got some new Christmas music and I'll be out of the country for most of December. Listen to one of

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-56370657293131834672008-10-28T08:31:00.005-05:002008-10-29T22:26:52.620-05:00

"Be blessed in your place of unknowns. It's hard to be at a place where the rest of your life is the next decision to make. But I know you'll make the right one."I've been following the photo blog of a fellow MCCer and liked the quote from this post. I feel like it relates to where I am right now. And I thought these night photos I took captured that feeling of the unknown.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-54763542841192012152008-10-05T20:50:00.023-05:002008-10-20T11:14:54.154-05:00

While I was in Los Angeles, California for an MCC trip, I had a free morning to myself and decided to explore the Getty Museum and see if I could find my way to the beach to touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time. I came upon this painting in the museum and thought it seemed appropriate for this post since it relates to autumn. I enjoy fall, in all it's crispness and crunchiness and coolness.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-56375943601980649502008-09-24T21:59:00.009-05:002008-10-06T14:25:20.571-05:00

sometimes i really connect with analogies and metaphors from nature that relate to life situations and circumstances. a few weekends ago during the women's retreat with my church we were all given a "secret santa" prayer partner. we prayed for our partner throughout the weekend, and then revealed our identities to one another with a verse and a word of encouragement at the end of the weekend. i

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-80974596654732921792008-09-10T21:17:00.008-05:002008-09-24T20:42:13.498-05:00

I've begun a new "thing" of fall. I am bikin' and busin' to and from work. I have several reasons for doing this, but the main reason is to try and take life a little slower than I have been. Even though fall is approaching and the temperatures are wondrously perfect and the bus fare for September is only 25 cents a ride and my carpool has been dismantled, the real thought behind the bike n bus

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-39684076126617920042008-09-08T21:36:00.004-05:002008-09-08T22:15:10.946-05:00

I went to D.C. with some MCC coworkers on Sunday and my favorite part of the day was when Gladys and I visited the butterfly garden at the Museum of Natural History. What a joyous experience!

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-13372004623401407262008-09-02T12:22:00.007-05:002008-09-03T18:01:00.474-05:00

a lovely Appalachian folk tune by Abigail Washburn that i heard on the radio the other day. Beautiful instrumentals, beautiful voice, beautiful sad song. Listen

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-27567811044854736602008-08-27T18:49:00.006-05:002008-08-27T19:42:36.809-05:00

i went to montana a month or so ago and took some pretty horse photos. they are too pretty to hide away so i want to share them with the world (more like my 2 or 3 faithful blog readers) :-p horses remind me of my childhood, because as a young girl i loved horses so much. i'd always imagine myself on a beautiful white horse (or unicorn, sometimes with wings) galloping across the open plains. i

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-82216370117632292592008-08-20T07:57:00.009-05:002008-09-18T13:26:05.506-05:00

I am breathing the dust here in Afghanistan. It's impossible to escape the sand-colored mist that hangs in the air, sticks to your clothes, tickles in your nose, creeps under fingernails and covers every crevice, nook and cranny with a fine coating that clings like static. I see beauty in the dust. In the evening on the street, I approach a boy on a bike siloutted against the setting sun,

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-91287964876070222972008-08-20T07:42:00.005-05:002008-09-18T13:28:33.843-05:00

It's early morning on the base in the countryside of Afghanistan and I awake to quiet sunlight filtered through the yellow curtains in our room. A fly buzzes past my ear and I roll over on my floor mattress and notice the time is just past 5 a.m. The sun rises early here and thankfully I have a few more hours to sleep before my day begins.Later I step outside and take in the cool, dry air and

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-49907931353911327272008-06-11T21:53:00.005-05:002008-06-11T22:55:46.751-05:00

Last week/weekend I attended the BuildaBridge Institute, a 4 day training enrichment experience about transforming lives through the creative arts. It was an excellent program and I came away feeling very refreshed and inspired by all the good things that people are doing to pursue creativity and healing through the arts in communities in the U.S. and around the world. My favorite part of the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-83685207835437298892008-05-20T16:39:00.002-05:002008-05-20T16:42:00.356-05:00

Below is a video that I've been wanting to post for a little while but just haven't gotten around to it. A few weeks ago Dave and I went to his parent's house for a lunch with a bunch of Haitians who were visiting from the YWAM base in Haiti where his sister Laura will be teaching English for a year. There are some amazing musicians in the group.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-83741738362379599212008-04-14T13:09:00.002-05:002008-04-14T13:38:55.348-05:00

Today I had a sweet experience. I tasted the honey of Bolivian bees. Cathryn and I are in Moro Moro, a rural town of 500 people where MCC works with water projects and bee hives. The rainy season has just finished and everything is green and blooming. The mountains are tall and strong, the sky a clear brilliant blue and I am reminded of Ecuador. The dirt roads wind around mountains that are

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-57633857157118720202008-04-01T09:50:00.006-05:002008-04-01T10:14:46.976-05:00

Spring is arriving in Bosnia. The air is fresh and clean, the soil has soaked up the rains and the rivers and streams are bulging, full and flowing. The hillsides are green and houses are scattered about, many of them empty and brand new or under construction, waiting for their owners' return from abroad. Other houses are alive with smoke puffing out their chimneys and chickens or sheep roaming

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-19015941476464998272008-03-29T11:16:00.003-05:002008-03-30T19:19:11.980-05:00

How do you portray peace in photographs? Can peace be tangible, or is it something that is only found inside the heart of a human being? Is it possible for a person or place to appear peaceful when lurking beneath the surface is suspicion and unspoken fears? These are all questions that have come to mind in relation to conversations here in Bosnia. Today I listened to the story of a man named

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-22000078554790429602008-03-19T17:55:00.005-05:002008-03-19T19:34:24.828-05:00

I am preparing once again for another round of travel, this time to Bosnia, an area of the world that I haven't really been to yet. After I return I have a few days before I head off to Bolivia so life is feeling a bit crazy right now. On top of preparing for my travels I am also preparing to make somewhat of a big decision about where I will spend the next year of my life. I do not like "big"

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-3118570532267630722008-02-08T09:50:00.000-05:002008-02-08T10:12:56.251-05:00

I've decided that one interpretation of the phrase "walk like an Egyptian" means choosing to walk on the street instead of the sidewalk. It also means when crossing a busy street you must simply step out in front of oncoming traffic in faith that no one is going to hit you. One explanation for why Egyptians walk in the street is because often there are cars parked on the sidewalk. Another

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-71394191869893588182008-02-05T11:47:00.000-05:002008-02-05T12:25:31.103-05:00

This weekend we got to do the tourist thing in Cairo, Egypt. At the pyramids I kissed the Sphinx, jumped off a pyramid, rode a camel, saw an underground tomb, etc. After visiting the Egyptian Museum on Saturday, we got to feast our eyes on the enormous city from above when we climbed the spiral steps of a narrow tower called Bab Zawaya at sunset. Cairo is not exactly how I pictured it to be.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-27775839887674910742008-01-31T07:20:00.000-05:002008-01-31T09:23:18.028-05:00

I'm enjoying the lovely outdoor gardens at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi, Kenya right now as I tickle the keys on my little mac laptop computer. It is sunny, peaceful and calm here, despite the chaos that is happening in the rest of the country. The guest house is packed full with people who are transitioning between locations, some being evacuated and others just arriving. I decided to

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-88200758501909162732008-01-29T09:21:00.001-05:002008-01-29T09:42:54.312-05:00

Early this morning Tim and I set out to visit one of the cattle camps we had been hearing about. As I said before, life revolves around cattle for the Dinka people. The cattle camps are where the cattle stay in the evenings and during the day time they go out into the fields to graze. Usually young boys or girls between ages 8 and 16 are in charge of them. Sometimes they go far, far away from

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-30251836976653022662008-01-29T08:54:00.000-05:002008-01-29T09:20:03.111-05:00

Here's a video of one of the groups that performed at the choir competition at a Catholic church in Rumbek

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-60873290932783477572008-01-27T10:26:00.000-05:002008-01-27T11:16:15.541-05:00

It is early morning and I am waking up to the sounds of Rumbek, Sudan. Goats scamper around bleating and maa-ing with one another in the compound. There is a soft breeze coming in the window of my little house with the roof made of dried grass and straw. The door is cute and tiny and I ALMOST have to duck to go through it. The most remarkable sounds, come from the winged creatures, the birds,

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-88969896503320981632008-01-24T13:05:00.000-05:002008-01-24T14:33:30.697-05:00

On a football (soccer) field today I watched a boy doing some funky dance moves and I asked him if he knew how to moonwalk. When he looked puzzled, I showed him my moves. Of course I had all the kids laughing at me for that. :-)Today we revisited a school that we went to earlier in the week. This particular school, like many others in Sudan, is in need of great repairs. The walls are falling

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-19118930743248070712008-01-23T12:42:00.000-05:002008-01-23T13:45:47.856-05:00

I confess that at age 24 I am still afraid of the dark. I even get scared when I'm at home alone sometimes. It's the noises that get my mind wondering. That is why I like to sleep with a fan on to create a soothing white noise. Last night I awoke to the sounds of a creature running across the tin roof. I'm pretty sure it was a cat chasing a rat or something, but it woke me up. And then I kept

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-24438276758523170392008-01-22T12:19:00.000-05:002008-01-22T13:02:49.202-05:00

I like to photograph through things. Windows, blinds, gates, boxes, mosquito nets. I like the layers and the frames that objects in the foreground create. I think it's kind of like peeping through a window into a scene that you're not really part of. In a way you are removed, hidden, like a spy or outside observer. Sometimes I like to photograph through things for that reason. If it were

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-68047448513164530122008-01-21T12:50:00.000-05:002008-01-21T13:28:04.197-05:00

I looked through a window of an old school building today and found it beautiful. There was no longer a roof covering the room. Chunks of dirt, wood, and animal poo were on the floor and bricks were exposed behind a once painted wall. The sunlight cast warm rays in diagonal stripes into the space. It made me think of photographs I've seen that capture the beauty of old buildings, faded,

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-37193080865793555492008-01-20T13:05:00.000-05:002008-01-20T13:40:29.201-05:00

I wonder if anyone has ever fallen in love under a mosquito net? I feel like it could happen: the mesh falling in smooth curtains around you, creating a sort of isolated romantic lagoon. Secrets and giggles are shared. A warm evening breeze slips by and crickets hum a silky love song. I write this and wonder because I am sitting under a mosquito net right now, and with a little imagination, I

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-55022657249807586122008-01-19T12:35:00.000-05:002008-01-20T13:42:51.870-05:00

Today we arrived in Juba, southern Sudan to begin our 10 days of assignment for MCC. First impressions are that it is dry, hot, and dusty during this time of year. There is an orange dust on the road that sticks to everything. Another thing I noticed was that many signs are in Arabic. I found out that the people here speak "Juba Arabic", some sort of Arabic dialect, and I could actually

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-82210687778338158302007-11-26T23:18:00.000-05:002007-11-29T11:18:18.359-05:00

what are you falling into these days? I think I'm falling into colors. Colors around me, colors that were once brilliant summer shades of green are now changing into warm autumn reds, oranges, and yellows. Crisp blue skies and orange marmelade sunsets make my autumn days alive and rejuvenating. I am thankful for the colors in life, the seasons that bring change and new things. For most of my

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-21638247309448725692007-11-09T16:30:00.000-05:002007-11-09T17:09:34.272-05:00

Today was not an ordinary Friday at the MCC office. I flicked on the lights in our dimly lit communications room in the basement (occupied by me, two designers, and three other communications staff) and noticed them flickering in a strobe light effect. The computers wouldn't start up and the internet was down. I decided to take it easy, being a Friday and all, and strolled into the kitchen

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-62142057768851340952007-10-31T17:51:00.001-05:002007-11-01T22:20:17.710-05:00

It's the end of October and Halloween is here. This past weekend I went to Philly with Dave, Henry, Lori, and Steph and we frolicked around the downtown with the touristy stuff.I hope you can painfully endure Henry's screaming chicken video. He found the chicken when we paid a visit to the Messiah College Temple campus, where his sister Steph is studying this semester.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-28670505895006817752007-10-02T08:26:00.000-05:002007-10-02T21:37:06.243-05:00

Last week I went to NYC to photograph a meeting between religious leaders and the President of Iran. MCC was in charge of hosting the event, and so that's how I was given the opportunity to be the official 'record' photographer. The meeting was kind of last minute, and so it was a bit harried getting everything set up and in place for the event to happen.To me it seemed that dealing with

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-68467393928376081652007-08-29T21:10:00.000-05:002007-08-29T21:33:22.236-05:00

In July I spent two weeks in Guatemala photographing stories for Mennonite Central Committee's magazine "a Common Place". One of the areas we visited in the lush green mountains was Bezaleel School where students can participate in an agricultural program and learn how to plant all sorts of crops, bushes, and trees, as well as raise chickens and rabbits. One of the guys who was giving us the

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-41769057899209089212007-08-15T20:58:00.000-05:002007-08-15T21:21:43.493-05:00

I wish my life could include a few more vacations. I'd be content with a 3 day weekend at least once a month. Lately I've felt like I just can't get on top of life. There seems to be an endless amount of tasks to be done, an endless amount of activities to plan and prepare for, and I am feeling overwhelmed. I admit that I like to be busy, and that I try to do too much. Sometimes I wonder what

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-42897897968096031942007-06-22T07:57:00.000-05:002007-06-22T08:19:18.748-05:00

Might as well put up a little post while I have the spare time and an airconditioned space protecting me from the dry heat outside.I am sitting in the MCC office on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem right now. I can see the famous gold Dome of the Rock not too far away. Today I had some free time to explore the old city, surrounded by high stone walls that are hundreds of years old. It's a

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-89145341475720533562007-06-13T07:50:00.000-05:002007-06-13T07:51:50.831-05:00

I found him in the bathroom this morning. His poor little nose got smashed.

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-46218174222791111772007-06-12T21:05:00.000-05:002007-06-13T07:53:13.133-05:00

I think it is time for another posting before I am off onto my next destination: Israel/Palestine.This one will be random thoughts from recent life happenings.We found there to be a mouse in our house last week. I saw him run back and forth between the heaters and couch one evening and just yesterday Lisa saw him run across the kitchen counter and dart into one of the stove burners! It is time

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-62756876602678920512007-05-16T18:48:00.000-05:002007-05-27T12:06:14.768-05:00

Is not this fruit the coolest and most amazing fruit you have ever seen? This is the dragon fruit, a raging hot pink bulb with bright green appendages curling off of it. Inside it is white with tiny black seeds and it has a texture similar to the kiwi.The first thing that struck me about Hanoi, Vietnam were all the motorcycles. I would say about 90% of the people in Hanoi travel via motorcycle

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-20671584042615170232007-05-14T21:21:00.000-05:002007-05-27T12:12:15.292-05:00

Early morning, about 6:30 a.m., we leave the town of Siranjgonj, Bangladesh and head an hour or so into the countryside. It's still cooler (90 degrees maybe) by the time we arrive at the village where a vaccination camp is taking place. The scene appears to be chaos: cows, sheep, and goats are everywhere, some running freely and others tied to trees or on ropes. Once we step out of the vehicle

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-739732236960655362007-04-21T11:43:00.000-05:002007-04-21T12:32:04.223-05:00

Yes, I believe tissues are real. I just used one to blow my nose. I know it is real because I can see it and touch it, white and fluffy, and I know it reacts to my snot as it crinkles and soaks up the goo when I blow. I know that email is "real" because I just sent one and received a phone call in response. I can't touch the email or really see how it works, but I know it is real because it

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-83335469215500111132007-04-10T09:50:00.000-05:002007-04-10T09:54:24.599-05:00

Watching and waitingfor spring to comenestle its buds into reaching fingerseager to touch their velvet bloomsLike the rain that falls,I too am falling, spilling overcrooked edges, crevices unseenreaching me, filling meI could melt with its puddlesgushing currents, carry me awayno bending, swaying of supple branchesStill. I am still waiting for spring to come

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-86994021334966124922007-04-08T19:50:00.000-05:002007-04-10T09:49:20.696-05:00

I just spent four days at the Photoshop World Conference in Boston learning about the newest technologies, softwares, ideas, etc. in digital photography. It was a good time, and I had the pleasure of staying with Lindsay, a Messiah friend who is in grad school there. Unfortunately the cold weather and the crazy snow made it quite chilly for romping around outside, but we were able to enjoy some

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-1864833762332349822007-03-28T07:43:00.000-05:002007-03-30T10:58:42.592-05:00

Spring is here to awaken us all! The weather has been beauteous these past two days! New life is in the air. Yesterday as Lisa and I walked home from a friend's house, we noticed that our street had come back to life. Not that it isn't always a lively place, but it was noticeably more alive yesterday. Kids were riding their bikes, folks were out on their porches, others were fixing their

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-86075363095623849672007-03-20T21:19:00.000-05:002007-03-20T21:27:19.586-05:00

I'm really enjoying these day photos. It gives me a chance to share just one image, one moment from my day, and to remember it. I like it. So many ordinary every day common things suddenly become important when they become "the photo of the day". I had to decide on a cheese dip for my gallery event this weekend. I chose (with the help of Dave) the chilli cheese dip. It's going to be delicious

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-73733141332159455492007-03-13T07:52:00.000-05:002007-03-13T08:04:45.383-05:00

Birthday meditationsToday I'm 24. I feel no older, no different, no sillier. I think that's how aging usually is - you only realize you've changed after a good while, and you've changed enough to notice. One day I'll be saying, "hey, i don't remember having those wrinkles, they must have appeared overnight", but in reality they were there forming themselves all along, with every smile and

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467959154127830235.post-87202273494014109812007-03-06T09:10:00.000-05:002007-03-06T09:12:40.724-05:00

I've done it. I've created a blog. It is March, 2007, the month of my birth, hence, the birth of my blog. I've been looking into options for posting some of my photos in a less professional manner and I thought why not get a blog? Maybe it will come in handy when I go frolicking around the world. Enjoy my friends!

missabaybehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02455067845831718538noreply@blogger.com1