Family

Turkey Day means we sit around and think about all the awesome things we're thankful for. I won't get mushy on you though...I'll just make you smile:

Isn't my nephew the cutest?

I'm thankful for my family. Blood family, adopted family, married-to family, and future family. They make my lil' heart go pitter-patter.

What are you thankful for?

Always,

Candid Wedding Photos

I'm totally obsessed with the blog Moment Junkie. Photographers submit wedding day photography that is candid and journalistic. They are always beautiful, and vary between hilarious and touching. So the other day I was going through my own wedding day photos, trying to find my own "junkies." This is what I found:

There are a million photos of my dad visiting with one person or another at my wedding. If only you knew how much this is a reflection of his personality. Here he is visiting with my grandmother-in-law. I'm sure the conversation was pretty funny...Abuela's English is broken, and my father has the worst phoentic awareness/skills.

This photo cracks me up. That's Marisa on the right.  She's Nathaniel's cousin, and is a total ball of sunshine. In the center in yellow, is Nathaniel's sister, and the other two are more cousins. If you've ever waited outside an LDS temple waiting for a couple to come out after they've been married...you know this photo describes it perfectly: excitement, anxiousness, and a large dose of boredom.

Segullah: A Paradox

Remember when I told you I'd only be posting a few times a week...I think I lied...

BUT...

Want to read about my experience on cold murder cases, prescription drugs, and lawsuits?

Head over to Segullah. Check me out here.

Always,

Creativity: Tasha of Reasons to Rejoice

Post 23 of HEIA: Creativity

Friends, meet Tasha Moon. I must admit, for a while I thought Tasha's name was a pen name -- doesn't she sound like a superhero? Or maybe a kick-butt journalist? (What's that you said? Those are the same thing? I know, I know.) Regardless, when I figured out it was actually her name, I was a little jealous of how cool it was. And then, as I continued to read her heart-wrenchingly honest, optimistic, sweet and joyful writings...I discovered she is so much more than just her name. Today, she's sharing a creative paradox. Enjoy.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Vincent Van Gogh was indisputably one of the greatest artists of the Western World. He saw the world in a way that no one else did, which produced masterpieces such as Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Irises. He was truly one of the most creative people that has ever lived. But he was also one of the most troubled, suffering from diseases including epilepsy, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. 

The Ultimate Temper Tantrum

In a 12 hour time frame yesterday...

I watched the news for a tornado warning.

And I...

Hannah the Journalist

Work has gotten crazy. Not that it's surprising or anything, working 40+ hours a week as a journalist -- but it's been crazy, nonetheless. I'm not giving up blogging, but I will definitely be slowing down. Expect only 2 - 3 posts a week for a while! And if you're feeling really desperate to read my writings (I know, you are!) you can check me out here.

What I've learned in the last two weeks:

1. Sometimes the power goes out in the newsroom. It's a good thing to write things down on paper. That way, you can use your flashlight and still try to work in the dark.

2. If you read the daily police activities, "found body" doesn't always mean something exciting. Also, sometimes assault with a dangerous weapon actually means assault with a firework. Who knew?

3. It's fairly easy to get a felony.

4. You can't trust anybody -- not the convicted felons and not the cops or the DA. And just because someone was convicted of something awful, it doesn't mean they did it.

5. Sometimes you don't have to ask to get to do awesome things. Like explore a fire truck. Sometimes the deputy fire chief insists you give it a try, and then if you're really lucky...he'll tell invite you to participate in firefighter training, and/or ride along with the firefighters for a day.

6. If nobody drank alcohol or did any form of illegal drugs, crime (including violent crimes) would go down. Not to mention the people killed from related-crimes.

7. Mercy and justice go hand-in-hand.

8. Sometimes it's hard to read and report about all the bad, nasty things people do. Especially if you have to do it for 9 hours a day. And on those day, it's alright to cry after you get home.

9. Nothing feels better than getting a phone call from someone simply wanting to tell you how much they enjoyed your article. Nothing.

10. Rapport is a must. It's important to be on good standings with your sources. In fact, it's a must. Don't piss your sources off -- they'll stop talking.

Always,

Creativity: Sandra of Section 89

Post 22 of HEIA: Creativity

Today's creativity is all about food and comes from Sandra of Section 89. Try not to drool over her creations.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 lentil-walnut burgers

Creativity to me is a sack full of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit I’ve just set on the kitchen table to unload after a Saturday morning trip to the farmer’s market. The crisp apples smell like the earth, and taste like autumn; I wonder what I’ll make of them this week. Slice them wafer thin and pair them with some buttery soft lettuce, toasted pecans, and a maple vinaigrette, caramelize them in a bit of sweet butter and browned sugar and crown them with a pastry crust and bake until it all melds in to the perfect tarte tatin, or maybe chopped and cooked down with a bit of fresh cider and cinnamon to make applesauce?

 sunflower butter chocolate chip cookies

Daily Makeup

Hello, my dears! The while ago on Free Bird Train we had a little discussion about eyeliner, and I thought I'd share how I do my makeup on most days. It usually takes me about 10 minutes from start to finish. On my video, I'm only showing you my eyes and cheeks. Enjoy!

Done!