October 15, 2013

LITTLE LETTERS, VOL. 2

sidewalk

Dear fall,
I swear (even though I was banned from saying that as a kid) that recipes look 100 times better on Pinterest in the fall. And outfits look so much comfier. And the crisp cool air is so incredibly soothing to my soul.

Dear Old Navy,
I feel like I could live in your store right now. Every time I get an email announcing your latest and cutest clothes, it makes my wallet hurt. So maybe I could just move in and then wear anything I'd like from now on...that's okay, right?

Dear singleness,
I feel like a broken record, but you've been such a struggle for me these past few weeks. I feel like I've lost my contentment, holding onto a never-ending thread of hope and I've been reminding myself that I need to just keep going because God knows that I need the strength that I've been praying for.

Dear camera friends,
I toy with this idea all the time, but I'm seriously thinking about getting a new-to-me (aka used) camera. I've been thinking about challenging myself and getting a newer, more professional camera so I can learn something new and try new things. And now I just need to find the right one. Any recommendations?

Dear November & December,
Just thinking about Christmas trees, stockings, turkeys, and family time makes my heart swell and it puts a spring in my step. I love fall, but holiday season will always win. Always.

Dear Oceans,
Listening to it before I go to sleep, singing it at church, and watching other people's cover of the song. I've written about it before, but this song is pretty much my life song as of late.

Dear Gilmore Girls,
I'm so grateful for library loans so I can de-stress and get my fix of Rory/Lorelai every night.

Dear blogging community,
Reading blogs in the evenings and blogging when I "have time" is just not good enough for me right now. It honestly makes my heart sad that I've had to change my blogging routine. I miss you guys. Like really, really, really miss you. #justthoughtyoushouldknow

25 comments

  1. About fall - oh gosh yes, I agree completely!! Camera - I have a "beginner" camera, it's a pentax and easy to use. Oceans. Oh that song. Gets me every time.

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    1. Hooray for another fall-lover! I think I'm at the point where I'm falling more in love with this season everyday. :) And Oceans is definitely a great song! It definitely gets me every time, too.

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  2. Question... what will you learn with a new camera that you can't learn with the one you already have?? I learned everyone on my rebel xs. I got a new camera because I literally used the rebel up and I haven't learned anything new with it. So if your goal is to learn new... spend the money on a class. Or buy yourself a good external flash. Or spend the money on a really good lens.

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    1. I guess when I say "learn" I mean try something new. I definitely feel like I've learned how to use a camera on my XS but it's starting to feel its age and I'd really like to get a camera that can use a shutter release and has video capability as well (I've always wanted to try that out). So I guess those are the two things that I'd like in a camera now. But I totally agree with you on the lens thing. I've been thinking about getting a new lens, too. :)

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  3. First of all, we're blogging twins again... I'm working on a little notes post right now! Also, I agree with all of these. Seriously, fall makes everything so much cozier and more delicious. And Oceans is THE best, oh my gosh. I could listen to it forever!

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    1. Haha, that's hilarious! I'm excited to read your post now! :) And that's exactly how I feel about fall! It definitely makes things cozier and more delicious--especially apples and pumpkins and cookies and pies.

      And I could so listen to Oceans forever, too! I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of it the first time I listened to it, but I've really felt it speak to me these past few weeks. It is such a good song and it makes me love Hillsong United that much more!

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  4. I love fall it's seriously one of my favorite seasons!
    And the holiday season--love it!
    Oceans---love that song! It makes my heart so full when I listen to it :)
    Gilmore Girls---love that show! It's great!
    And yes, sometimes singleness feels like a broken record-- i agree. But then I remember that God's in control and that his plans are so much better than my own.

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    1. Me, too! As a kid, I always associated fall with the start of school and the end of summer, so it wasn't really my favorite until just recently when I started to really enjoy the weather, the food/baking weather, and the fall outfits and such. Fall is definitely a fave now!

      And yes!!! Holiday season is my favorite. I am so looking forward to chilly/frosty mornings, mittens, Christmas trees, and all of the holiday foods.

      Gilmore Girls is definitely a good show! I feel old watching season 2 for the first time right now, but it really is such a good show. :)

      And you are so right! When I'm feeling broken by my singleness, I just need to remember that God's in control and His plans really are better than mine. So much truth in that statement, that's for sure! :)

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    2. Yes so true. I definitely love fall outfits, the scarves the comfy sweaters and the boots :)
      mittens, holiday foods, Christmas trees-- love it all!
      this is the first time you've ever watched it? glad you are liking it so far.
      definitely a good reminder :)

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  5. i love this post! i may need to write a notes post, too. :)

    - i have the canon rebel t2i. it's a few years old, but i still love it as much as that first day i took it out of the box. it's not so much that it's a "professional" camera, but i have learned how to use it. (still learning, too!) i highly suggest learning how to shoot in manual mode. it takes your photography from "oh, that's pretty" to "oh wow, that is amazing!" there are so many websites that give how-to's for free. not sure what camera you are shooting with, but i feel ya can't go wrong with canon rebels.
    - on november & december -- YES, YES, YES! i am so ready that i've decided to start getting in the spirit the day after halloween.

    hope you are having a great week, friend! praying for ya. <3

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    1. YES, do it! I look forward to reading it. :)

      And I so agree with everything you said about cameras. I have a Canon Rebel XS and mine is pretty old (I also bought it used). It's starting to feel its age and I've been wanting a camera that has video capability as well as the ability to use a remote shutter release (that's what I meant in terms of learning something new). I actually did learn how to shoot in manual on my current XS and I've loved actually knowing how everything works and how everything looks so much better in manual. :) I also have a 50mm lens (what lenses do you have?) and have loved seeing the better results with that lens, too!

      And I so agree! It's never too early to get in the spirit for the holidays. I'm not really a Halloween girl, but I am so ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. :)

      Thanks for the prayers, girl! They're sooo appreciated.

      p.s. I think you might be a no-reply commenter! I don't know if you check my blog for replies, but that's why I can't send the replies straight to your inbox--I've noticed that this happens when people connect their Blogger profiles to their Google+ profiles. :)

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  6. Fall, yes! Old Navy... hit that place up this weekend! Gilmore Girls, relive every season every year! Camera's, my brain just exploded!

    I don't even know where to start with cameras, but I will say this. Nikon vs. Canon means nothing. It's all about preference and you usually just stick with whatever one you started out with. My good friend shoots Canon because his first camera was Canon. I shoot Nikon because my first camera was Nikon. Some of the Pro level cameras don't have the option to shoot on auto. My camera has no option to shoot auto, manual all the way, no turning back.

    P.S. we bought my last camera on craigslist and we saved tons and tons of cash!

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    1. I actually went to Old Navy last weekend--there was a sale going on and being a teacher, discounts are everything. :) I had no idea you watched Gilmore Girls! I'm watching it for the first time right now and am currently on season 2 and loving it.

      I get what you mean about the Nikon vs. Canon debate. Honestly, I'm the same way. I started on Canon and will likely stick to it just because it's what I'm most comfortable with. I've never really thought about cameras not having an auto option! I'm all manual mode right now so it doesn't really matter but it's still cool to think about. I'll have to keep that in mind when I look for a camera! :) And I'm all for buying used! I actually use a site called B&H Photo/Video and have loved using their site to buy used cameras and lenses. It's actually where I got both my camera and 50mm lens!

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  7. such an honest and GOOD post.
    I have yet to see old navy's new outfits (i'm attempting to save my wallet right now haha)
    singleness - girl YES. I have my days where i'm all "PRAISE THE LORD I AM SINGLE!" then other days my heart hurts and I want to cry over being single. it sucks girl, it really sucks.

    re: camera. I have the canon rebel xsi (so I think one series above yours). I love it - but i'm sure I would love something better. BUT I don't have the $$ to get a new one, and this one is working out just find for what i'm using it for. My suggestion - unless you're really getting a lot of clients for photo shoots and making some good money, OR you're doing video classes or something to use the video...stay with what you have. save some money, build a clientele, and use the crap out of your current camera. I just look the hundred(s!!) of dollars it costs to get a new camera and could see so many other uses for it. Maybe look into a new lens? or stalk craigslist...or wait until black Friday. idk haha. I basically didn't help there.

    and girl I understand. I get behind on blogging and commenting and responding too - life happens!

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    1. Really? I feel like this post was written super quickly and so I hardly consider it a good post--but thank you! :)

      And I get what you mean about saving money. As a teacher (and Asian), I'm all for good deals and such!

      Singleness--girl, I am with you. There are definitely days when I'm all happy go lucky about it but then there are days when it seriously hurts. So glad we're in this together, girl. So very, very glad.

      And cameras. Oh, cameras. I really don't have much money right now either, but have been thinking about buying a better used camera in the future (think Christmas). I'm only thinking about getting a new one because my camera doesn't have the remote shutter release capability (making self-portraits tricky) and because I've always wanted to try out video on a DSLR. But I also know about lenses and stuff--I've always wanted a new one of those, too (one of many things on my someday wishlist). And I know what you mean about sales and buying used. I actually bought my used camera and used lens on a site called B&H Photo/Video and have loved/trusted their site and reviews so I'll likely buy something used from them, too!

      Lastly, life does definitely happen! I hate being behind on things, but fortunately blog posts don't go anywhere! :)

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  8. Oh Kiki, I'm sorry you're missing the blogging world. I'm sure you'll get back into the groove of your new schedule and be back to regular blogging in no time! :-)

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    1. I'm actually starting to this week! I've been waking up earlier to read a few blogs in the morning and then I'll reply/comment/read more blogs in the evenings after work. I still prefer reading all my blogs in the mornings and responding to emails and comments as soon as I get them, but I think I'll adjust eventually. :) Fortunately, blog posts don't go anywhere or anything over time so I can always read them later!

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  9. i love your thoughts on fall, mine exactly as well. everything does just look so much more yummy when the fall tones and pumpkin inspired them!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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    1. I'm glad you agree, Lindsey! I definitely feel like now that I'm not in school, I can really enjoy fall (it's no longer a sign of the end of summer). Everything is definitely yummier in the fall and pumpkin-everything sounds good to me, too! :)

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  10. I should co-author some of these letters-- esp. to those of singleness, Gilmore Girls and now thanks to you, this beautiful song- Oceans!

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    1. Girl, you should totally write your own version! :) I am so loving that we are discovering more in common with each other and that you can relate when it comes to singleness, Oceans, and Gilmore Girls. :)

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  11. Goodness! I love this post. Fall is amazing, I love Christmas time (it makes my heart smile) and Gilmore Girls is one of the best shows ever!! :)

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    1. Aw, thanks girl! :) Fall is definitely amazing and so is Christmas time and Gilmore Girls. So loving that we share these same loves!

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  12. This was the sweetest little read. A lot of times, Spring is given the attribute of "new beginning," but for me personally, fall has always been that champion of starting over. I agree; it is a very soothing time of year.

    Cameras can be such a tricky thing;I think the best thing to do is start with new lenses. Prime lenses often give the best quality and work better in low light situations as they typically allow for really wide apertures. However, if you're wanting the ability to use a wireless camera remote, then maybe a camera upgrade is in order.

    And goodness, thanks for reminding me; I need to get the next gilmore girls dvd off of netflix. :)

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    1. Thanks! And I so agree. Even with New Year's and Spring and all of those other new beginning seasons/holidays, I definitely feel like Fall is the start to my year. And I don't that will ever change (especially as a teacher!). :)

      And I get what you mean about cameras and lenses. I do have a 50mm lens and I have loved its aperture and low-light capabilities. I'm seriously amazed by that little (and inexpensive!) lens. But, like you mentioned, I do want a camera that can allow for me to use a shutter release so I do think that a camera is in order in the future. I'm going to buy used but am still researching cameras and everything so it probably won't happen until Christmas time at the earliest. :)

      And I had no idea you're watching/you've watched Gilmore Girls! I've been getting it from my library since we don't have Netflix and have fallen in love with Lorelai and Rory. :)

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© IN ITS TIMEMaira Gall