Temple Pics

In January of my best friends got married. I had decided that I didn't want to give a traditional wedding gift like something from a registry or a crock pot or towels...it didn't seem very symbolic to me of the happiness I felt for him and his eternal companion. A towel said nothing to me in the way of sentiments so I decided to do something completely from me. I decided that if I were to get married I would want pictures in my house! Pictures of things that were important to me and symbolized my life, personality, goals, and happiness. What better to take a picture of than the temple? And what an appropriate occasion. I had a vision of what I wanted it to turn out as so I went to the temple and took pictures for about an hour all over the grounds trying to get my perfect shot for what I was envisioning. I knew that I didn't want it to be a traditional front view of the temple and I new that I didn't want to see the whole temple. I wanted it to be from a different angle than you normally see, so I took lots of pictures! I found the ONE in all those pictures and I was so excited! It was perfect! I had to go to a printer to get it done because I had it made into an 11x14 picture. I made it a sepia color and it really gave the effect I wanted! I was so excited about it! Anyway, it turned out exactly the way I wanted it to! I was pretty pleased with the results! By no means am I a photographer so it isn't perfect or edited in any way besides being changed to sepia, but for me, I was pretty happy! My friend loved the gift so that made me really excited too! Anyway, here are some of the ones I liked and then the last two are the original picture and then after I changed the color.







This is the ONE! I love how it turned out...

I took this picture on the baptistry side.


I took these about a week later when I went with some friends to the visitors center. It's hard to take pics at night! I didn't know that until I started taking them! I'll bring my tripod next time!

I like how this one turned out despite the people and the golf cart in front of it but that's ok!


This one is a little blurry but I still like it a lot

Change is good....at least that's what I'm supposed to say...

I have this amazing friend. His name is Ryan. I met him my first semester at CGCC and he has truly been a wonderful friend to me! One of the best I've ever had! When I first came to Chandler-Gilbert Community College he was one of the first people that actually talked to me and wanted to get to know me. I had him in a few classes and I could tell he was just one of those top of the line kind of guys. He came to me at a really tough time in my life. I had just found out my grandpa had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and it was very difficult for me to deal with. I was very close to my grandpa and at the time I didn't feel like there was really anyone I could talk to about it or just hang out with to get my mind off things. Ryan was a real blessing! He and I were in A Capella and Jazz Choir together and we always had a lot of fun in those classes! I don't think it was until spring semester though when I finally was able to get to know Ryan really well. He is an incredible person! He has been there through lots of rough spots and he has been my go-to when I just need to talk or let go. We have made some great memories together, some of which I will never forget the rest of my life. He understands alot without much being said and I appreciate that. Well, Ryan is leaving on Saturday to move to Flagstaff for school. I am so happy for him! He is going to do amazing! He is majoring in music education and he has so much talent that he is just going to have some incredible experiences! He gets to be apart of the top Jazz group at NAU called "High Altitude" and he also made the top choir. I am so pumped for him! He really has worked hard! But I am going to miss him so much. He has touched my life in so many ways and there really isn't any way that I could possibly convey my gratefulness to him. But he has changed my life for the better and I will be eternally grateful to him. Yeah, we'll get to see each other every now and again, but as in all things, there must be change and now is the time.

Some of the greatest memories and things that I appreciate about Ryan are:
*His sense of humor
*Ability to Listen
*Crazy arranging talents
*Lunchtime in the car
*Listening to random songs
*Going to his cabin for General Conference
*Being there for a friend no matter where or when
*Living his testimony
*Chivalry :)
*Takes t he initiative
*Is patient enough to teach me things
*Winks
*"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
*Duke Ellington Concert
*My official introduction to jazz composers
*Barnes and Noble
*Jaramillo Sodas
*Beef Tongue
*Good long talks about life
*Song of the South ("A Dolla A Minute" Ha Ha!)
*No qualms about totally ruining a chick flick or any "moment" in a movie
*Wall-E
*Snow Ball Fight
*Flan (and the exploding pan!)
*3-day affair with facebook
*Mr. Bean
*Teen Girl Squad
*The funniest joke in the world
*Jazz Concerts
*Making dinners
*His birthday
*Conducting
*Secret Garden
*Recitals (especially our last Broadway one)
*Ultimate Frisbee
*Volleyball
*Climbing on the jungle gym
*Teasing

Oh and there is soooo much more I can think of, but these have seriously become some of the funnest times I have ever had! I am so grateful for Ryan, for the wonderful person he is and for what I have learned from him. He is going to do amazing things in his life and I can't wait to see what awaits him!


"Hangin" out in the hammock

Buddies! Me, Ryan, and Jillene