Adventures of Man n' Cheese

Photojournalism

2011-02-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

Someone sent me a link to this the other day:

Basically, if you don’t get a major in photojournalism, you clearly aren’t a real photojournalist. Without that $100,000 piece of paper, how will anyone know that you are a real photojournalist? Students of Ohio, Mizzou and Western Kentucky are the true story tellers of American photojournalism.

But what these students love more than their worthless majors, is talking shit on other photojournalism programs. While Brooks students like to take pretty photographs, we all know they can’t put a story together for shit. Ohio kids get so wrapped up in shooting lens flare and poverty, that they forget how to work on other subject matter. Mizzou students get off on expensive gear to make up for their inability to shoot more than a daily assignment. Western Kentucky? Let’s not even go there.

When it comes down to it, photojournalism graduates all have one thing in common: unemployment, with the bitter taste of watching photographers with no degree make more money than they do.

From: http://shitphotojournalistslike.tumblr.com

I thought it was pretty funny even though I was not a photojournalism major. However, I WAS a lowly photography major. I say lowly because the last sentence of this quote is very true. I have the kind of degree that will never make money unless you happen to be the next Peter Lik (unlikely). It is a bitter taste seeing people with no formal (or informal) training being able to make a living doing what you have been trained to do. The fact is, most of us are snobs. These "amateur" photographers are making tons of money doing wedding photography and family portraits. When it comes down to it, us "trained" photographers do want to do wedding photography, we all have our reasons. For some, its seen as being a sell-out to your trade, for those like me, we simply are not interested in that form of photography. We're especially not interested in dealing with nasty little bridezillas who threaten to sue you because you "didn't full fill your contract" when really she's just trying to get your service for cheaper. I AM interested in some form of photojournalism, which means I have to eventually have to get out of my comfort zone, get off my butt and take my portfolio in. Of course, being pregnant with twins and possibly moving out of state in a few months put kinks in that plan. But more than that, I would have to get over my fear of rejection. Being in this field, you are very vulnerable, you take photographs that you love and are happy with only to have them shot down by people with more experience. But guess what, thats part of the job and thats part of life. Being vulnerable and being crapped on comes with the territory of being human, and honestly that is one of the reasons I love this field of work. Having your tush handed to you now and again is a good thing, thats how you grow in your craft. Whoever wrote the quote above has it right, only its not relegated to just photojournalists. I know, because I have fallen into that myself, sure there is a part of me who looks down on every Tom, Dick and Harry who picks up a camera and is suddenly a "photographer".....but they are the ones with work, not me.

2011-01-13T19:01:00.001-08:00

Wow its been awhile! Part of the reason is, I have no idea if anyone even reads this thing. Anyways, as it usually does like has been chuggin' along and a lot has been going on in theKrause household. Mike might possibly have a career change (well, career change still within the AF) coming up that was spurred by some health problems. Everything is fine and this its actually a huge answer to prayer. At this point we are just waiting to hear anything.

I graduated from The University of Oklahoma in December 2010. I'm pretty proud of myself, it was a long time in the making. It was a very long and difficult road. But now I'm done and I feel like after 4 years of marriage, we are actually starting life. Another reason I feel like this is we are expecting the birth of our identical twin girls, Susan Fiona and Penelope Lynn, in June!

So these days I'm busy cleaning the house, planning dinners and planning ideas for the nursery. There is so much more I could write it I had the energy, but I'll just leave it as life is always challenging, but we are blown away at the blessings God is continuously heaping on us!

2010-07-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Our 4th wedding anniversary just passed us on July 1. It was a great time to reflect on the last few years and look at how we have both grown as individuals and in our marriage. Since we are still enjoying not having any little ones to worry about, we spent a lot of time planning an overnight trip to anywhere we wanted! Ok, maybe not anywhere, I mean, we still live on a military income. We just took an awesome trip to Dallas about 3 weeks ago so we decided to stay close to home. We found this historic hotel in OKC, The Skirvin. The pool (in the basement) left a little to be desired, but the rest of the place was just beautiful. We swam for a while, went to the room and got room service for dinner, and went to Nonna's Purple Bar for some live music. It was a rainy weekend, but still very nice!

The big D

2010-06-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

I feel like so many people I know are getting divorced right now, just out of the blue. As if they just woke up one morning and decided they didn't want to be married anymore. I don't get it. Well, I'm married so maybe I sort of get it. I love my husband but there have been more than a few times during an argument that I thought how easy it would be to just pack my stuff and head home. BUT, that's MARRIAGE. I think feeling like that is fairly normal...to an extent. It is sad that people get married and don't take their vows to heart. Marriage is hard, it is tough, tough work every single day. I have a lot of respect for people who decide NOT to get married, who decide they don't want that work and don't want to ruin someone else's life when they decide to leave after 10 years of marriage because their suspicions were confirmed. Good for you for not hurting your spouse with a divorce and emotionally maiming a child by leaving. For those of us who have chosen to marry and share our lives with someone, you have to know that marriage is not going to be happy fun time with candy canes and peaches everyday; and when things get rocky, stick it out, find help. Unless your spouse is cheating on you repeatedly or abusing you, I can't imagine what is so unfixable. If you just decide you don't really like this person that much and you want to be with someone else...guess what, you took vows saying you would be there when things are good and when things are crappy. I can pretty much guarantee that if you get divorced for weak reasons, you are going to divorce your next spouse when things get tough there too.

Dreaded AHI

2010-05-08T19:00:00.001-07:00

Michael is coming home at the end of the month, so that is all I can really think about. Which is not helpful right now because I have my art history final at 9 am Monday morning and I haven't studied at all. I am lacking the motivation. All I want to do is stuff around the house. Part of me loves when he is gone because I usually get a few new things for La Casa to spruce it up a bit, I have a very sweet husband, and even tho he scolds me for spending the money, I love that he shows me how much he likes whatever I did. Most men wouldn't even notice and if they did they certainly wouldn't care.

Anyways, I think I'll blog for awhile and do a marathon session of studying tomorrow. I've been told that's what being a college student is all about, procrastination and spending money on things you shouldn't!

90 day challenge

2010-05-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

Some of you guys know I started going to a Crossfit gym a few months ago, its been super fun and I'm kind of addicted. Crossfit is a combo of running, rowing, lifting weights and some gymnastics. I signed up to do a Leaning out 90 day challenge, it is $30 to buy in, all the money goes into a pot and the winner at the end gets all the cash. You take before and after photos and follow a pretty strict Paleo diet.

Anyways, I'm starting tomorrow, taking my "before" picture. I'm a little nervous, but I REALLY want to win. Who knew I was so competitive?

I'm not sure what to title this one...

2010-02-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

So I skipped class this morning (SHHH...don't tell Mike!). I had some really weird dreams last night, it's not unusual for my dreams to be weird or disturbing in some way (which again makes me think, maybe I SHOULD be in therapy). Anyways, I woke up pretty early and was just lying in bed thinking for awhile about the "what ifs'" of my life. Few people know how difficult school has always been for me, those who are very close, know the reasons why. Anyways, my parents always raised us to think that your education does not end after high school, you are not done until you get a college degree. So after high school my parents, my sister and I went up to Washington to look at a college...wish I could remember the name. It was beautiful up there, rolling hills, sprawling fields, everything was so green. I found myself wishing I had decided to go there instead of CBU. I chose CBU because it was comfortable, ALL of my family, starting with my Grandfather went there. Not to mention, thanks to their low academic standards at the time, I was actually accepted. I spent this morning wondering how different my life would have been. I realize, thinking of "what might have been" is not a new concept, but its interesting when its about your own life. It's interesting because only you know the weight of the decisions you have made, the things you love, things you regret, things that caused you pain. I didn't enjoy my time at CBU, I made a few good friends there, but I found that people were unfriendly and created cliques quickly that I never fit into. I wondered what the college in Washington was like, I imagined everyone (being away from the superficial so. Cal.) being really nice. I pictured myself with a big group of friends I felt comfortable with, meeting a guy I married after we graduated. We would stay in Washington because thats where he got a job, we had all the same great friends, we bought a house and started having kids after being married for two years.

But life is messy, and in my personal experience, I am where I'm at because I made stupid decisions. Stupid decisions that led me to the happy place I'm at now. It is kind of a weird thought. I met Michael because I did not have the good sense to break-up with my loser boyfriend after high school, I moved home for this guy, eventually broke up and I went back to school where I met Mike after a moth of being single. With as much pain and baggage that relationship gave me, I would not have met Mike at the exact time I was supposed to. Yes I know everything happens for a reason blah, blah. It is a heavy thought that every decision you make is going to effect you either negatively or positively...and of the bad or negative decisions you make, something good will eventually be the result. Just think about it for a minute, EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE, WILL EFFECT YOUR FUTURE. Such a simple idea, with really lasting...consequences? Effects? Guess it's up for debate.

Capstone: Senior show

2010-02-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

Since I will finally be done with school in December, this semester I have to take capstone. I say "have to" because 1. it's a requirement 2. it's painfully difficult and stressful to come up with a topic. Capstone consists of class every Wednesday evening, prints for the senior show, a portfolio, a resume and a senior thesis paper (which we were informed last night, is quite official and will be on file at the University long after we are all dead and gone). Over the last three years as a Photography major at OU, I realized that I usually try to come up with conceptual themes for my work that actually has nothing to do with me personally. Without exception, those were the guidelines I unconsciously set for myself for capstone. My original idea was to document several of the wineries out here in OK, like I told my classmates, being from California (somewhat near wine country), I was very surprised to hear OK had vineyards...it's just not common knowledge. I wanted to learn everything I could about wine, making wine and the process from a grape in the vine to the bottle in the liquor store. After talking to my professor several times about the idea, I was not sure what direction to take it in, he was not terribly fond of the idea to begin with. He asked me why I was interested in wine making, just get down to the REAL reason its interesting. After thinking for a minute, I said "my mom".

I grew up in a strict (and I hate using the word strict, it has a negative connotation here, which is not my intent) Southern Baptist home. Southern Baptists do not drink, which is fine, and thats the kind of home I was raised in. I think my parents did a great job raising my sister, brother and me. I think I currently live how they brought me up to live. I am a good person, I am a Christian and I do my best to show it and live my life according to the Bible...but I drink wine. As you can imagine, this has been a source of contention in my family; but my mother's convictions about alcohol are not my own, and I'm ok with that. Now back to my reaction to why I think wine is interesting. I confided in my professor my mother's opinion of alcohol, about how it was (purposefully) not talked about in the home I grew up in, it was avoided. When I grew up and was out of the house, I was able to form my own opinion about the matter. He suggested I do something along those lines for my project, which I'm just not comfortable doing.

After our talk, I starting thinking about how much I love my mother, about how she is one of my best friends and biggest supporters. I was thinking about how every mother should be that for their child, and how sad it is that many are the complete opposite. I started thinking about all the things she has taken the time over the last 25 years to patiently teach me. I am a strong woman because of my mother; but it didn't stop there, I have leaned so much from my father too. I am the wife and official "handyman" in my own home because of what he taught me.

So there it is, my capstone project revealed itself to me last night during class. Something very vulnerable, something I'm not comfortable putting on display for 200 people to see and judge. I'm not comfortable with it, but I think I can be proud of it. I'm not sure exactly how I will translate this idea into photographs yet, I'm still working on it.

Tears

2010-01-31T16:43:00.000-08:00

Today, I cried a little. It was only the third time I have cried since Mike deployed and I think that is really good. I keep comparing this to the first time he was deployed and it is markedly better. On the first go round, I literally cried everyday for the first two month...literally people. I woke up and was feeling pretty good today, I had my coffee and felt motivated. I took a shower and dried my hair. It was only when I started listening to the words of the maudlin music I had playing, that I started feeling a little lonely. After sitting for a few minutes, letting myself actually feel the pain of being alone for four months did I call my sister. I was crying when she picked up the phone, knowing exactly what was wrong (in the amazing way sisters do, sometimes) she asked (knowing full well) how I was doing. I asked her just to start talking, tell me about the restaurant you are eating at, tell me what you ordered for lunch and tell me about the book you are going to check out of the library tomorrow. Soon we were talking about movies and I was laughing a little. The rest of the day was nice, I played with Jezebel and actually made myself dinner instead of just snacking on rice cakes and string cheese. Anyways, I was terrified of this second deployment, but I'm doing much better than I expected. It is a constant lesson that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle, but it's a good lesson to re-learn.

The OG

2010-01-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

So tonight was Olive Garden night, it was the first time I have been there since working there almost two years ago. It was a little strange and I was ducking the whole time trying not to get recognized. Anyways, we had a few glasses of wine, delicious food and good company. The rest of the night we sat at home, ate our black tie mousse cake, enjoyed our fire and watched T.V. Nice quiet Saturday night!

Pizza

2010-01-01T18:46:00.001-08:00

We decided this is going to be our week of eating out. Mike is deploying again in a few days (not allowed to say exactly when), but he feels it is time to stock up on the food he won't be able to have the next few months. Last night was Poblano Grill, a decent Mexican food restaurant close to our house. I had the spinach enchiladas, which was actually pretty good, I love spinach so I thought it was a perfect match. Tonight was Domino's Pizza, we ordered two medium pizzas and ate all but one slice. This does not bode well for my new commitment (not resolution) to get into fantastic shape, oh well it's only a few days. So I ate almost an entire pizza by myself and I feel...just so beyond gross. I will definitely be hitting the treadmill tomorrow.

2010

2009-12-31T12:01:00.000-08:00

10 years has gone by since we all thought the world was going to end with Y2K, which seems silly now but then again we still have plenty of silly people thinking the world is going to end in 2012. It is crazy to think where I was 10 years ago, I was 15 yrs. old, a sophomore in high school and was just about to start dating my high school sweetheart. My sister had just gone off to college and I was the last one at home with my parents. At 15 I didn't have many plans for the future, I could hardly think past the next day that I got to see my boyfriend. I, like many people I'm sure, feel like I wasted a lot of time in my adolescent years, but I'm not sure how you can do much different when you are 15, self conscience and boy crazy. My last two years of high school were tumultuous, I had many broken hearts and many learning experiences about "friends" from teenage girls. I went off to college at California Baptist University at 17, not because I wanted to, but because that is where everyone in my family had gone to school before me and honestly my prospects were quite slim. I met some friends there, some friends who are very dear to me and even though we live in different parts of the country now, they will remain so for the rest of our lives. I moved home second semester of my sophomore year of college, and stayed there until I figured some things out about myself. I went back to CBU where I immediately met the wonderful man who would become my husband. Things went pretty quickly from there, I was at school for another year until I got married and moved across the country to Panama City, FL. From there we moved to Oklahoma City and I started school again at the University of Oklahoma (you'd think I'd be a doctor by now).

So here I am, all grown up at 25 years old and about the go through my husband's 2nd deployment with the USAF. I'm pleased with the way life is turning out, only thing I would like to change...I would have loved to graduate 3 yrs ago and gotten a great job making tons of money, but we can't have it all I guess. I have a great God and a husband who loves me more than I deserve, I think I'm doing pretty good.

Life

2009-04-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

I'm ready for a change...any ideas?

Quick perspective

2009-02-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have not really gone according to plan, well my plan, that is. Every time Michael and I set out to spend some time together (outside of sitting on the couch watching T.V. "together") something comes up. He is leaving at 5am tomorrow for a week. I obviously was not pleased about this since he just got back from being deployed and has been in class for the last two weekends. So we decided to go on a date tonight, nice dinner a movie, the whole bit. After showering and spending 30 min drying my 20 pounds of hair, he informs me that he is not feeling well enough to do anything. He started to not feel great last night and was trying to kick it all morning. In true frustrated, over-emotional wife fashion I kind of threw a fit. I felt bad that he is not feeling good so I don't want to force him to take me out when he just wants to be in bed, but I was actually really mad at the situation in general. We decided to just go to dinner and rent a movie (still not a bad gig), but I was having a hard time pulling myself out of my selfish stupor. So while I sat pouting, I came across a blog of a girl I went to college with who just wrote about her sister who just passed away last week. I did not know this girl very well, but it still struck me, it is always hard to hear of someone so young, who has kids, passing away. I can't imagine how painful that would be, and as a Christian I am supposed to be able to handle a situation like that much differently than a non- Christian. I sat and thought about how this girl was dealing with this loss, she was praising the Lord that people came to know Christ from her SISTER'S FUNERAL.

And here I am, perfectly healthy with an amazingly loving husband, with a family (and family-in-law) who love me very much and I'm sitting on the couch pouting about not getting my silly way for one night. I appreciate and welcome perspective every chance I get, and thank the Lord that I am not (always) too blinded by selfishness to see it.

My Babushka

2009-01-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

No longer husbandless

2009-01-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

So my sweet lovin' man is back home after being deployed since September. The first week he was home we spent with his family in southern California. It was great to see the fam but we were both pretty ready to get home and just enjoy being together again. So now I am back in school, Michael is heading back to work and we're just hanging out. Readjusting really hasn't been too difficult, it's just nice to have him home!

2009-01-01T22:14:00.000-08:00

OK, I think I fixed my website. The new one is:

web.me.com/tlkphotography

Lets see how long this one decides to work.

Home Alone

2008-12-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

So it is Christmas eve and I am sitting in front of the fire at my parents house all alone actually. My sweet sister-in-law (including her husband and 21 month old son) have the flu. Both of my parents have taken her to urgent care because my brother is in no condition himself to be driving around town at 8pm on Christmas eve. And while it really stinks to be home alone with not much to do on Christmas eve while your own husband is deployed, I really don't want to be feeling sorry for myself because I know Liz (the sis-in-law) would rather be anywhere else than urgent care herself.

So I decided to take a little time and enjoy listening to Dolly Parton's Home for Christmas CD. I have to admit that I really do enjoy Dolly Parton, maybe I should visit her theme park, Dollywood. Tonight has been pretty good, I made dinner for my Mom and Dad (Apple cider chicken, horseradish mashed potatoes, and roasted green beans and tomatoes, yes I am bragging a little). And after I'm done with my ramblings here, I plan to make Almond roca cookies, dang I'm good.

Anyways, we got some good news today. Michael is supposedly leaving the desert the first week of January and heading back to OK before trying to get a flight to L.A. I say "supposedly" because the military has a fear of commitment. I won't believe they are sending him home until I get a call from my darling saying he is IN FACT back in the great state of Oklahoma. From there we are planning on getting a hotel room somewhere close the the beach to do what is it married people do after being separated for an extending period of time (I'm sure you can use your imagination, but please, no visuals). I think there will be much time spent with his family in So. Cal., along with seeing our friends as much as possible. After all of the family time is over, we head back to Oklahoma so I can start yet another semester at OU (which I am actually kinda looking forward to). I'm looking forward to driving home with Mike, we usually have a pretty good time road tripping across country.

Now I'm going to call to see if Liz is still alive and then make cookies while listening to the timeless Dolly. I should be good at being alone after the last few months, right? Sure I am, especially when I have something to look forward to, I love being home in front of the fire, one of my favorite places in the world...and I love cookies. Merry Christmas, I really hope everyone had an awesome year and an even better one coming up.

Aycock, Shumaker, Cassidy and (1/2) Krause Thanksgiving

2008-12-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year. It was great to be home for my favorite holiday of the year with the people I love. It was emotional when we went around the table talking about what we are thankful for, but something I will never forget. Maybe it was me, but this was a remarkably low-stress Thanksgiving...one for the books. And of course only one thing could have made it better...having my other 1/2 with me.

Family picture time, I think this was the 8th one...

Chillin' with Grandpa, we matched.

He is very proud of his belly button.

Pure amazing-ness

2008-11-20T19:35:00.001-08:00

Pol-o-tics #2

2008-11-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

So, Barack Obama has been elected as our next President. It is obviously not what some of us wanted, but in the end it is what this country wanted. And we know that God is ultimately in control, take comfort in that.

For those of us who voted republican, it is now our chance to show HOW to support a leader we do not necessarily agree with. President Bush and the Bush administration have been torn apart and slandered by the media (and by most of this country) for the last eight years. As Christians we need to pray for and support the future leader of this country. And that's that.

Pubba

2008-11-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is my stinker, Jezebel. I just wanted to say how much I love this silly dog. I'm so glad that she is here while Michael is gone. She is my sidekick and she follows me around everywhere. Her favorite things to eat are sticks and rocks. Sometimes she drives me crazy and I just want to put her in her crate for the rest of the day. But then I look at her perfect little doggie eyes and I realize again how much I love this pup! What a good girl.

Pol-o-tics

2008-10-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Politics is one of those issues that I avoid, 1. because I try to avoid conflict and 2. I guess I feel like I never really have a handle on what is going on.

But this presidential election hits a much closer to home since we are military. I get extremely upset when I see everyone on T.V. spouting their negative opinion about McCain and Palin. I understand that people think differently how things should be done, but the way "conservatives" are being treated is disgusting. The things people say about Mc Cain/Palin are disgusting, it is OK if you disagree with them, but have some respect- they are presidential hopefuls, grow up people, stop the name calling and act like adults.

I feel like I have done my homework to understand the stance of each candidate. I am not going to get into what I agree or disagree with but here are some thoughts.

If Americans simply vote on emotion we heading for disaster. Electing unqualified people simply because you are angry at the bush administration will drastically weaken this country. If you think the economy is bad now, wait until the far left get thru with the federal budget, this country will change for the worse.

I do not understand why, anyone who has studied what Obama really stands for, would still vote for him. And that statement is aimed even more at those Christians who plan to vote for him.

I know it is harsh, but for those of you who are family and close friends, do not tell me if you vote for Obama, I'll have no respect left for you.

Vote for what is right, not for what is popular.

OK, but not great.

2008-10-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Pretty much sums up how I've been feeling. We are going into week 7 of deployment. I'm just feeling tired and overwhelmed. I'm OK, but not great.

2008-09-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Being silly, trying to enjoy our last few hours together.

Back in the swing of things

2008-08-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

School started on Monday...I'm thinking this is going to be a decent semester. I hope I can rock it like last year.

P.S. Enjoy my cheesy "First day of school" picture.

Deployment.

2008-08-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

Michael is deploying at the end of the month. This, of course is going to be a hard 4 months for us. It is comforting thinking about the fact that we did long distance for a year before we got married. It was not fun getting to know each other over the phone, or planning a wedding with my fiance being literally across the country, but I feel like I/we are stronger because of it. I guess I'm a little nervous because I don't feel like I have the best of support systems out here. Everyone keeps asking if I'm going home to be with family while he is gone. I can't because I'm in school this semester, I know they are just asking, but it feels like salt in an already gritty wound. I have all these plans to stay busy:

1. fix up the office to actually BE an office. 2. find a guitar teacher. 3. actually sign up for guitar lessons. 3. Kick butt in my classes. 4. get OUT of my self-debilitating comfort zone and make some friends of my own. 5. possibly pick up another (better paying) serving job.

So keep us in our prayers. This could be a great growing experience for both of us. I am determined to do more than just cry in my beer...so to speak.

Mr. Selleck

2008-08-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Oh, Tom Selleck....where do I start? I guess I start nowhere because he is like 65, but he was still a hot little tart in his day...and he is going to make a fine lookin' grandpa. Creepy? I think not.

Workin' Fool

2008-08-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

So for the past 4 months I have been working at Olive Garden. I don't have much to say about it other than I make terrible money and work terribly hard. But despite the hard work, I do actually enjoy it. It takes a special kind of person to take the verbal abuse of hillbillies, and turn around and smile back at them. I have made a few friends there, but this is my last week working at OG. Michael is deploying at the end of the month and it is hard for me to be the kind wife I want to be when I'm working 6 days a week. He swears the piles of dishes and laundry don't bother him, but they bother me. So for the next month I am going to strive to be the model wife I always envisioned myself to be, sending him off with sweet memories of homemade meals and a clean house.

Chicken dish, delish.

2008-08-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

I created a new recipe today...it's actually really good:

3 Chicken breasts, sliced in strips

1 Bell pepper, sliced in strips

1 Onion, diced

1 Cucumber, sliced in strips

Some kind of creamy pesto sauce (just find something at the store)

Tortillas

Salt and pepper chicken and cook in olive oil. Saute onion in same pan in chicken drippings. Add bell peppers to onions and cook for a few minutes.

Assemble just like a fajita. Add pesto sauce and cucumber strips.

Yum, yum!!!

2008-06-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

'Nuff said.

2008-06-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

I took these last week, I was just playing around with some time exposure stuff. They're not the best, but I still thought they were pretty cool.

Home

2008-06-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Im not quite sure what this blog is going to be about exactly (don't expect it to make too much sense because I think in fragments and this is my blog, and that is how I write). Spring/Summer time stirs comforting emotions in me (maybe it is because the weather gets warm and the BBQ's get broken out of hibernation). I remember playing at the church we lived next to with my brother and sister when I was 5. I remember afternoons at my Grandparents' house when Grandpa would get upset with us for opening a soda and not finishing it. I remember climbing up my favorite tree in the backyard to watch the sunset over our neighbor's yard. Like I said, these are all things that are comforting to me, but I don't understand why I have to hold back the tears when I think about them. There is something about Oklahoma that reminds me of where I grew up (Bakersfield). I love the feel of country, I love seeing random cows in fields, I love sprawling grass lands. I always feel homesick, but I'm getting to the point where I don't know for exactly where. Sometimes I feel homesick for a certain period in time, a time in my childhood (even though you could not pay me enough to go back). The idea of getting older and everything changing scares me. I don't like the thought of loosing my parents, my husband, my anything. I don't know where this train of thought is going.... Oklahoma is starting to feel more like home, which I guess is normal because we are coming up on our second year of living here. I stood out on the back porch an hour ago, when I let Jezebel out for her last potty of the night, and I just stood and listened. Our house backs up to a creek so we have lots of trees just past our fence. It is one of my favorite times of day when it is dark out with a warm, light breeze. I could hear the crickets and the frogs, I could see the tress moving in the breeze and the fire bugs all around (which I love). I have just been struggling with feeling content. I guess that is something I have dealt with all my life. Mike and I keep saying things will be great when we move back to Cali and are close to family again. We want to enjoy our time here, and we don't feel like we are wasting it, but we both get homesick. That is when I realize that I'm ok with being in OK (haha). It sounds dumb but...pretty much...Michael is my home...Im going to be fine anywhere we can be together. That is kind of an abrupt ending, but hey, I already told you this would be fragmented.

Night, night.

Expelled

2008-05-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

Last night, Michael and I went to see the new Ben Stein movie Expelled. We had to drive all the way up to the Quail Springs mall theatre (about 35 min.) because the movie was pulled from all Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City theaters. This just added to the anticipation. A friend that has been going to church with us came to the movie which, was just awesome for him to see. It was a great film that inspired great conversation about Evolution vs. intelligent Design. Expelled talks about the fact that scientists can not discuss Intelligent Design without fear of loosing their job. Ben interviewed 4 former scientists who just mentioned ID in a class or a paper and were just absolutely cut out of their academic community. In the movie, the world of science is compared to the Nazi regime. I know this sounds extreme, but these people fear for their life because of what the believe. Of course it lays out many more similarities. It was a lot of information to take in and this little blog hardly does it justice.

Anyways, I thought it was a great movie. It makes you think and it actually gives both sides of the debate a fair chance. Definitely worth the drive to Quail Springs.

Updating.

2008-04-29T20:34:00.001-07:00

OK, so I have been told to update this thing. Which I really have been thinking about doing, but I was not sure if anyone even read my blog. So now that I do, maybe I'll get around to it more. Let's see....So many things going on right now and so many thoughts flying (yes, FLYING) around in my head. But for now I'll stick to school. I need to be writing a paper on a movie for my art theory class...and I need to be studying for the final Friday morning. All I can think about is how great it is going to feel walking out of the class room, getting in my car and driving away with my first year under my belt. As much as I complain and fuss about still being in school, I do really enjoy the program so far. It is great being apart of something, and feeling like you belong. Yes, yes, I know I've said all this before. Anyways, I NEED to get this paper done. Man, it's gonna feel good being done for the summer....

Guess I should say something about Valentines Day.

2008-02-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

This was...I believe, our 4th V-day together. The first was by far my favorite, he picked me up at my apt. and we drove to Ontario for dinner. But everything was of course totally pack so after about 3 hours of trying to get into a restaurant, we went back to my apt. and ordered pizza. We ate pizza and cuddled on the couch all night. Anyways its funny how things change when you get married, this year we decided to forgo ALL gifts, so no cards no nothing (because we are broke as a joke). The whole day I kept thinking how nice it was that we have reached a point in our relationship where we don't have to keep doing silly stuff like that every year. Well, in the back of my mind I thought he would really get me flowers and chocolates and the whole bit. So when he came home empty handed I was actually pretty mad (yes, yes, "unstable females" blah, blah). I jumped in the shower before we headed out to dinner and he jumped in his car to get me what was left of the much picked over candy isle at Wal Mart (apparently he was one of about 20 other guys getting cards and candy at 4 pm on Valentines day). It turns out that I love to get the cliché candy and flowers. Women need acts of love like this from their men. My husband adores me with all of his heart, and he tells me about 10 times a day how much he loves me....but a little candy added to that now and then really puts the cherry on top. We ended the evening eating dessert and watching the classic 80's movie Better off Dead, turned out to be a pretty good night.

2008-01-23T22:06:00.000-08:00

OK, I have a website that I've set up and I would love to hear from people about what you all think.

http://web.mac.com/tlkphotography

Military woes

2008-01-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

So there are many perks of being military that we are very grateful for, like our house and Michael getting his master's for free. But one thing that I really struggle with is the health care. People tell us not to complain, because its "Free" health care (don't get me wrong, I don't walk around talking about how much it sucks). I would rather PAY for health care and actually be able to see a doctor instead of having free health and getting jerked around constantly. Every time I need to see a Dr. it is the biggest production and I usually end up driving home in tears (of course without ever seeing the Dr.).

Guess what happened today? Exactly that, that's what.

Gracias Military.

Christmas

2008-01-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

Once again we made our annual voyage home for Christmas a few weeks ago. It was (in keeping with tradition) a great trip, just a little shorter than we wanted. But hey, we are not complaining considering that we thought we wouldn't make it home at all. Christmas morning was spent with the Krause's then off to L.A. for Christmas dinner with the Grandparents and extended family. The day after Christmas, we drove up to my parents for a few days and then all the way back down the great state of California to Corona. It was a great time to spend with family and friends. Mike and I got some great gifts and just like last year we could hardly pack everything back into the car for the trip home.

2007-09-22T21:42:00.001-07:00

I tried to do something creative tonight for a "finger food" get-together some friends had. As you can see from the picture below my plan did not come to fruition. I wanted to make mini- candy apples. After tonight I learned that there is a difference between candy and caramel apples. I burned the candy syrup and then accidentally stuck my finger in some of the syrup that dropped on the counter....the package said that the mixture reaches up to 325 degrees...I'm sure you can imagine the pain I' m in. To make a long story short, the apples ended their short little lives in the trash can. All this on top of me being in a terribly long weekend class that is turning out to be a HUGE waste of money...sleep is much needed. I WILL master candy apples!!!!

Birthday / Life in the Artistic lane

2007-09-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

We just had Michael's 24th Birthday party. We had friends over to the house for some great BBQ (on our new grill!) and cake. Then we headed out for a fun filled night of Cosmic bowling. For those of you who know Mike, also know that few things make him as happy as a good game of bowling!

Well, I am officially an Art major at University of Oklahoma. So far things are going really well, I'm enjoying my classes and my professors are great. It is only the 6th week of classes but I am already feeling the benefits of being surrounded by such creative people. On the first project I turned in, I got one of the highest grades in the class, and my project is being displayed in the hallway of the art building. I don't mean to "toot my own horn", so to speak, but after having such amazing trouble all my life in school it feels so good to have found something I seem to be good at! Next semester I turn in my portfolio for actually getting into the Photography concentration, so we will see how that goes. While I'm doing well in school, the house is in shambles, the laundry is spralled over the couch and the dishes crowd the sink...it's taking some getting used to for Mike. Over the last year I havent worked, I've been the stay at home wifey that keeps the house pretty much spottless and keeps the food in her husband's stomach...the last few weeks have been a slightly different story. Of course we talked about him having to pick up the slack around the house while I'm in school for the next few years (the amount of slack being picked up still remains to be seen), I'm not so sure he expected the cold hard hand of reality to fall so heavily!! OK, I'm being dramatic, but really things are going great right now.

Mike should (the key word here being SHOULD) start flying early next month, but you never really know with the AF. He just finished his second masters class this last weekend and he cant wait for it to be over. He hasn't been so sure about this career path the last few months, so we have been discussing other options. But we both just started school so we are stationary for now!

Camping!!

2007-08-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

I finally was able to go camping again with my family! My family takes this annual camping trip in Yosemite, above the valley in the best little camp ground called White Wolf. I wasn't able to go last year because Mike and I got married just a few weeks before. He let me fly to Cali. for two weeks just to sit around and hang out with my family (what a great hubby!). But in all honesty, this trip means more to us than just "camping". My Grandparents started the tradition shortly after they were married and when the roads in Yosemite were lacking greatly. They always took my Mom and Uncles to this favorite family spot and they have all passed on this tradition to us. It has turned out to be a time to relax (get a killer tan), reconnect with family, and reconnect with the great Lord who made this place for us to enjoy. I was just so sad that Michael couldn't make it, but of course work/training has priority over camping. One of my favorite things about this years trip was that our new nephew, Cavin, was with us!! I don't know what else to say about this little guy other than he is ADORABLE and has such a special place in my soft, gushy heart.

Jezebel, the only "new edition" to our family!

2007-07-05T20:22:00.001-07:00

She is too cute!

July

2007-07-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

I feel silly doing this blog thing since I'm pretty sure that Becka is the only one who reads it. In that case I will keep things short. A few months ago Mike and I got a Boxer puppy, and named her Jezebel (yes, Jezebel...only because it really is a pretty name...if it didn't have such a negative connotation). She has been a great addition to our little family and she keeps me company during the all too often long days. Jezzy keeps us on our toes between the newly developed habit of digging and always wanting to play fetch with her pink and yellow stuffed octopus.

Spread out over the last few weeks we have had Mike's parents, his brother and my parents come to visit us here in good old Oklahoma City. It was really great to see some family....it reminds us of how much we miss California and all the people we love so much. BUT we are enjoying living in a new place and making new life long friends!

WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! I can not believe it has already been a year....it blows my mind. The Lord has been so good to us in our first year together. We went to dinner in downtown Oklahoma City (which is actually pretty cool) at the best Mexican food place ever. And the highlight of our anniversary.....my parents bought us a BBQ