Cheesequake State Park....my place to breath...

"I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries” ~Theodore Isaac Rubin~

I was able to escape for a few hours on a beautiful 68 degree day on January 30, 2013 as part of my training for a half marathon in March.  I was able to run/jog 7.75 muddy miles of Cheesequake State Park's trails, all the while carrying my camera to snap some pictures of the beauty around me.  Since moving to New Jersey 8 years ago, this is one of the few places that makes me happy, so I try my best even in the winter to go once or twice a month to run the trails.   As the quote states above, I have learned to love the fool in me, since people do think I'm a fool for running in the woods in below freezing temps, with ice, snow and mud on the ground.   I don't see it as being a fool or lacking self control, I see it as taking a chance and allowing myself to be free from reality even for just a few hours.  


http://www.flickr.com/photos/66147558@N00/

 

 

 

 

  



New year, new goals - 2013

"You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands - your own." - Mark Victor Hansen

A few of my goals for this year are:

• photograph people, buildings and nature more often
• actively seek out paid photography jobs
• run more often (which can lead to the last two bullet points)
• be a better mom
• work on being Val again

I started off the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 pretty good with a 5 mile run/walk and photographing parts of Coney Island, NY.  It was deserted due to it being a weekday and the clean up of Hurricane Sandy shutting a lot of the roads down but I still ventured in to get a few snapshots.    Enjoy.

Brooklyn, Beer and some Adventure on Roosevelt Island

My best friend knows my heart belongs in Brooklyn and she seems to know when I NEED a trip back there.  This past Saturday, we made the trip.   The moment I'm over the Verrazano Bridge and into Brooklyn, my headache seems to go away and I instantly relax.    My mind and body know that I'm home, even if its only for the day.    The day was filled with beer at the Brooklyn Brewery, outstanding food at the House of Pizza and Calzones and for the adventure seekers we are, a trip to Roosevelt Island.  I needed Saturday and I thank my best friend for realizing it.  

My Heart Belongs in Brooklyn

About 8 years ago I lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would live in Brooklyn.  I'm from Long Island, what did I know about Brooklyn.  Not that there was anything wrong with Brooklyn it just never crossed my mind until I saw an ad for an apartment that was located in a rent stabilized, pre-war building.  I remember when I walked into my apartment before I signed the lease, how at home I felt.  That cozy, sense of relief that you can finally kick off your heels and relax feeling.  It was only a 1 bedroom apartment but I didn’t need anything more, I was home. It was a short 2 year stay but left a lasting impression of the way my life should be lived.  I knew in my heart this is where I wanted to buy a house and grow old in.  Life had other plans though.  I eventually moved away but I vowed to myself that I would return one day to retrieve my heart and live out my years at "home". 

Key West, Florida

During our stay in Key West, my family and I took a trolley through Old Key West.  If I had been alone I know I would have stopped at every stop along the way and photographed my heart out, but bringing a 4 1/2 year old along for the ride isn't conducive to such photographing the beautiful contrast of old and new.  Not that my wonderful 4 1/2 year old doesn't have the "eye" for capturing the moment with his camera but his attention span obviously is not long enough for me to be creative.   Alas, we stopped at the Key West Butterfly and Conservatory for the kiddo to check out the beautiful butterflies but not before I was able to shoot a few pictures while on the trolley.