looking back at my 2017 goals, well, I basically flopped most of them. but you know..I think that's okay -- so many more things happened that I could never have planned or foreseen
a lot of things happened -- things I didn't even expect. it was a different year with a ton of new experiences for me. I had to juggle a lot of stuff and deal with stress and my perfectionism. I read the Bible and prayed tons. I had to adjust Julia working at the library after we had worked together all summer long. I learned that prayer is really important and something we all need to take more time + focus on. I learned that my to-do list wasn't everything, and it was okay if things didn't get done. I learned that life isn't, and can't be planned out and that its okay
so what's going to be happening next year? I honestly have no idea. craziness, probably. Next year will be my last year of school (after I finish this grade in the spring). my sisters will likely be trying to drag me on a plane to visit our grandparents on the East Coast heh. maybe I'll write, or finish my novel. idk. I'll be driving and logging hours. joining summer reading and doing more volunteering. reading the bible more + growing my relationship with Jesus. taking photos and doodling. likely working at the CSA next summer again. and who knows what else. all I know is, some of the stuff I just listed may not happen, but I'm pretty sure other stuff will
it was an awesome year. I think my main goal for this year was to live in the moment, pray more, and enjoy the little things. I feel like I've accomplished that, and want to keep going with it all as I learn and experience new things with the days God has given me. idk what 2018 is going to bring, but I guess we'll find out :))
SARAH! THOSE PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL! <3 random question: do you use auto or manual on your camera? i'm trying to get in the habit of using ONLY manual, but its sometimes hard. if you do use manual, do you have any tips???
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally know what you mean about not getting 2017 goals done. I had a HUGE list of goals for 2017 and I only got a few checked off. But 2017 was an awesome year for me, and it sounds like it was for you too.
btw your lil sister is so adorable <3
- Maddy || littlebitofsunshineweb.blogspot.com
AH. MADDY. THANK YOU. I use manual - I read what people said about it, how it's tough, but how it's worth it. so, right when I got my DSLR I switched it on Manual and never went back! it can be hard, and I feel like at first you do miss shots that you wanted, but it's better in the end for sure! hmm. Keep your ISO low if you can, you want your aperture more wide open, but not all the way (not to the lowest number you can get) until you get used to your camera more. When it is open all the way and down to the lowest number, that means it's harder to focus on your subject, but you get a more blurry background. basically, save that to work on later. shutter speed is pretty simple, keep it at least at 90 I'd say, otherwise you'll get blurry shots when shooting people. It can go lower for more scenic shots. I won't tell you and specific settings because you have to learn that kind of thing yourself. I'm to the point where I can be somewhere and automatically know the settings almost exactly! You'll get used to it, it just takes some time. What camera do you have btw?
DeleteI feel the same way, and thanks! <33
I have a Nikon D3000. Its not the greatest, but it works. I'm hoping to upgrade sometime in the future though. I'd really like to have a Canon. Almost everybody I know who does photography uses a canon xD
Delete- Maddy || littlebitofsunshineweb.blogspot.com
oh that camera isn't too bad! A lot of people say buy a new lens first (which lens do you have btw?), and people also say to get to know your camera COMPLETELY before you buy a new one. basically, know what you can't do with this one. because it's not necessarily the camera. The camera is only part of the taking of a photo.
Deletehmm. you know, I think everyone thinks that. I was considering going to a Nikon -- but it's just that grass-is-always-greener type thing, you know? You COULD try canon, but I'd honestly recommend sticking with what you have and know. I read that Nikon created their cameras more photography based where Canon was more video centered. Just something I read, anyways. and dude, it's hard, but never compare yourself to someone elses photography and think "with their kind of camera I could take photos JUST like that" because it's not true. You need to practice with what you have and master that before you move onto something else. That's what I've decided to do myself, anyways, haha.
Totally agree with you. I have an 18-55 mm lens and a 50 mm lens, but I usually use the 18-55 mm the most.
DeleteOh, and what I was meaning was when I get better with the camera I'm using now (my Nikon D3000) that maybe I could upgrade. Not anytime soon though. Maybe in a few years.
Yeah. I'll probably just stick with Nikon, since that's all I've ever used. My Dad says that it's the person behind the camera anyway, although a nice camera helps, haha XD
Oh, and I've been practicing A LOT more with manual, and my pictures actually look fairly decent!!
btw have you ever read any photography books by Scott Kelby? I've read one and I'm working on another. But they've really helped me out a lot. They're really expensive, just so you know, but a friend is letting me borrow them.
really? I stick with my 50mm. I feel like the quality is MUCH better + also lighting. but I do like the wider focal I get with my kit lens #thestruggle sounds like an awesome idea!
Deletehaha, and it's true. the gear can help, but it really is the photographer. so like you said, get used to what you have now, and when you feel like the camera itself is limiting you - then move forward. that's awesome!! mastering manual can be tough, but I'm glad I made the choice to start out with it right away when I got my DSLR.
noo? I have checked out a couple photography books from the library before, I really should try some more, haha. thanks for the suggestion!
Wow, it was so neat reading this! Weird how things can turn out so differently from how we expect them to. xD I need to go and make a thingy like this to review the year, I've been needing to for a while now xD
ReplyDeletelovelyyyy picturessss!!!! Ah I wish you could just dump the snow at our house *wails* :P
I KNOW. it's pretty insane. I would never have expected half of the things that happened this year haha.
Deletethaaankk yoouuu! and LOL it actually partly melted but it looks like maybe we should get some more snow for Christmas xD
I loved this so much! <3
ReplyDeleteLike you, my goals for this year were to live in the moment and enjoy the little things. And I think I did pretty good.
2017 was a year of change for sure. So many things happened that changed my life forever. Starting the year off was hard, because right in the beginning I lost a friend to the world. That was so so so hard. I hope nobody will ever have to go through that. And I pray that she'll come back. I miss her.
A couple times this year we had some scares with my grandpa's health. I was so scared during those days. But God pulled him through and brought him back to us.
And then there's the whole Felicity and Josiah thing. Which is soooooo wonderful. But sooooooo hard. I've prayed and prayed that Felicity would find her man. And God sent her Josiah, just as he'd always planned. But now I miss those sister giggles and talks. Having her move 3,000 miles away is the hardest thing ever.
One thing I'd like to focus on next year? Trust. Completely trusting in God. Because 2018 is a complete mystery to me. I'm scared. But I'm trying very hard to just trust God, and see the adventure in the mystery. :D
Daminika... I just wanted to stop and tell you that I am so sorry about your friend <3. As someone who has often been considered "the mom friend" or the free counselor, haha, I know the heartache that comes from seeing them hurting. And the discouragement and pain from seeing them take the wrong path, and wondering if you could have done more... the uncertainty, should you stay in their life to be the one influence that reminds them what they used to stand for, or should you leave to protect yourself? It's hard, and so my heart hurt for you when I read that <3. May the Lord bless you with wisdom and peace, and bring your friend to Himself <3. (((Hugs)))
Deleteohh. I've experienced something like that...not exactly losing a friend to the world but maybe yes. it's sort of hard to explain. But I understand how hard it is, and maybe even more for me, wondering if there was something more I should have said or done. But in the end, my mom told me nothing I could have done would have changed what my friend would and did do. It's up to them, all we can do it pray. And you can pray that she'll come back..but perhaps you should pray even more that she'll come to God. and what Bri said about staying or leaving I UNDERSTAND THIS SO MUCH. it's so hard to know what to decide. Finally, I just decided to be there. Don't go out to be involved thinking you can change her, because, you can't. You don't want to be taken in, but again, you don't want to ignore them either. So just...be there.
Deleteand I honestly can't imagine what it would be like if one my sisters moved so far away...but I'm sure this is all a part of God's plan. You never know what this will prepare you for in your future. and dude, trust - yes that is a good one. it's a hard thing, one I struggle with for sure -- simply because I like to know what is going on *sigh* but don't worry, God won't give you anything you can't handle. He promises that. I'll be praying for you, Daminika! <33
Oh Bri and Sarah! <3 these replies were just so beautiful. Thank you both so much! *hugs*
Deletemy friend hasn't lived near me since 2011, but I did struggle, wondering if I should talk to her still. The worst part was that she had completely cut me off after she left. She even changed her number and never gave it to me. I eventually did get it, and would send her texts telling her I stilled loved her, and I was praying for her.
Now we do talk some on Snapchat, but nothing like we did before. I see things she's doing, and it's hard. I pray that someday she'll come to God.
I also did wonder if there was something I could've said or done to keep her from leaving. If I had known what was going on inside her, maybe I could've helped her. But like your mom said, Sarah, there is nothing I could've done to stop her. She had already made up her mind a long time ago to leave. All I can do is pray. <3
thank you girls. *more hugs* <333333333333
ohh, yeah thats hard. Just be there, and pray. That's really all you can do right now. its hard, I know what it feels like to feel helpless. but only God can change hearts. I'll be praying for her, and you Daminika! <33
DeleteSounds like you accomplished a lot! I really enjoyed this post, and your photography is gorgeous AHH!!! If its ok with you I might steal this amazing post idea at some point, only if you don’t mind! God has been so good this year, as He always is! Looking forward to next year!!!
ReplyDeleteLydia
haha, I guess it was! and there was so much more that happened this year that I never even listed..it was honestly a very busy but good year xD AND AHHH THANK YOU. and lol, go ahead. technically I stole the idea from my sister, so, go right ahead haha.
Deletesame girl, so same! <33
these shots rock my world <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteajkdsf;al;dfdds THANK YOUUUU <33
Deletealso sarah, what camera do you use and what do you edit with, again?
ReplyDeleteso I use a Canon Rebel T5 and these were taken with my 50mm 1.8 -- and either I use GIMP to edit, or Snapseed << an app my friend just introduced to me and that's what was actually used to edit these xD How about you?? What lens do you own?
Deletehow cool!! i'm really impressed with the quality of the rebels' photos. plus, you're an amazing photographer <3 <3
Deletejust looked up snapseed and it looks super nice. i've also heard great things about GIMP i need to look into that one more as well!
i currently shoot with the nikon d7000 and a 50mm + my new 35mm ;D and edit with Photos on our imac . . . quite low class, but it does its job lol. xD
It really depends on the lens, honestly. I have the kit lens 18-55 that comes with it and it just isn't as nice and crisp. ahahhaa thank you!! I've been on the verge + keeping my eyes peeled for the 70d, though. but I'm unsure if I should just keep what I have? What would you suggest? I'm unsure if I should just upgrade to the 24mm lens, or instead upgrade my camera body first. I feel like the rebel behaves not as well indoors, but idk if there will be any difference with the 70d. Gimp is more of a program, which is nice, and once you get to learn all the quirks and what everything does it's really nice! Snapseed is more of an easier app to understand, with nice features. one perk of the 70d is that is has a wifi connector so I can access pics from my iphone that are on my dslr. ahhh so lovely xD
Deleteohhh I have a friend who has the d7100 and it looks like a lovely little beast. I'd like to get something more pro - such as the 70d which I believe is similar to yours, only in Nikon version. hahaha, hey, it shows a great photographer if there isn't much editing to be done, for sure!
I enjoyed reading this post! It's so fun to look back on things, as well as look ahead, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYOU DON'T LIKE PLANES?! I've only been on a plane once (twice; if you count the return trip XD), but it was quite enjoyable. Well, I wish you luck with flying.
In 2018 I would say I probably want to write in my own story more, because I've only touched it like twice in the last two years!
Anyways, thanks for the post!
-Amaris
thank you, Amaris! and yes, I often go back and read my old posts. it's sort of a journal, in a way.
DeleteAND UM NO LIKE NIGHTMARE UGH. ahaha thank you. my sisters went and apparently it was the roughest landing some people on the plane had ever experienced and i'm like "oh great thanks so much" so I guess we'll see if I go or not LOL
oohh that's a good goal. and I know the feeling. I haven't written fully since the end of July *grimaces* I miss it tons, but it just takes time I don't have :P
totally, girl! <3
I love the snow photos! They are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked at this year's New Year's Resolutions yet but I feel like I haven't achieved many #oops XD but that's also okay, because I've done things this year!
It sounds like you've had a busy and productive year! Happy 2018!
EEP thanks, girl!
Deletehaha, that's okay though. and it's true, even though we may not have gotten a lot of stuff on our lists done A LOT OF STUFF DID GET DONE -- it was just stuff that wasn't on the list originally. and thats totally okay XD
happy 2018 to you as well, Hanne! <33