where have i been?

Yes, it has been very quiet on the blog here the past two weeks. The reason for that? I was “trying” to take a vacation. I say “trying” because it is not something that comes naturally for me. I work too much and can’t turn my working brain off if there is still work to be done. The ability to rest is something I am constantly trying to learn. My dad says he’s the one to blame for that, but I don’t hold it against him. ;)

My husband and I headed out to Pasadena, CA last Saturday for eight days. He is completing his Master’s degree online and his school requires him to take a one week “intensive” course there every semester. Since it was his first trip out there, I went along with him to see what it was like and… try to take a vacation.

All odds were against me for this vacation idea.

The week was primarily a work week for my husband, so I wanted to work, too! Also, I currently have December weddings waiting to be totally processed, a few sessions & print orders to complete, it is booking season for 2011 weddings and I am entering the busiest 2 months of my part-time job. The idea of having a vacation last week literally made me a anxious and fearful since there were so many things I was putting on hold for a few days of rest.

With the help of my husband kindly reminding me to turn of the laptop and promises to my mom and mom-in-law that I would actually rest… I did it. I vacationed. I only had one or two minor freakouts, but I did it. I read an entire book (It’s called Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist & every woman should read it), I found my favorite coffee shop in town and went at least once, if not twice, a day. I sat by the pool, went shopping & got a manicure. I journaled & reflected on some significant events of 2010. I wandered around antique stores, used bookstores and took pictures just because I could and I kept my eye out for celebrities on the California streets (I spotted 3!). Our final day in California, Jonathan and I wandered out to Santa Monica to watch the sunset, put our feet in the Pacific and walk the boardwalk.

After a week away, I came back to work this week refreshed and ready to tackle the to-do list. I’ve been running non-stop since our return at 2am on Monday morning, but are you surprised? So, if you were waiting for an email response, blog preview or prints, the train has begun moving again. Thanks for your patience while I tried to teach myself a lesson on resting. Oh, and here’s a little sample of the vacation adventures to hold you off for a wedding post later this week!

My brother’s girlfriend’s parents (did you follow that?) picked us up and took us to downtown LA to this awesome local joint called Philippe’s. Look it up next time you are in Cali if you like french-dipped sandwiches!

This image is why I spend oodles on nice lenses. (Shot after sunset w/ my yummy new Nikkor 24mm f/1.4. Image specs: f/1.8, 1/10 sec, ISO 2000, no flash – using ambient light from the boardwalk)