Amanda's 365 Project

You know those people in your life that due to whatever circumstances you don't get to see them as much as you wish? But get together for 5 minutes and suddenly you're caught back up with life? Well maybe not 5 minutes, maybe it's more like 3 hours, but you definitely fall back into your groove. So was the case tonight! I enjoyed a fancy and delicious dinner with my bff of almost TWENTY YEARS (yes, Jenna, I just totally did that math. Can you believe it?!?!) and it was FANTASTIC! Something I love about Jenna is that we are able to share everything - the good news all the way to the heartbreaks and everything in between...even food. As you see, we had a flight of beer, that we shared. We also had a cheese plated, that we shared, a soup, that we shared, and then steak and cauliflower, which we shared. I think that's the word for us: sharing. It's been that way ever since we met. We've always been able to share EVERYthing about ourselves which each other and I think it takes a lot of trust to be able to completely share yourself with someone else. Jenna Grubbs...I'm glad you're my girl! :)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Day 22: High Island Bridge Sunset.

This seriously might be in the running for the best sunset picture I've taken ~~at Bolivar Peninsula~~ ever. HOLY.COW. I can't even begin to explain how much I love being down there at dusk and even into night. The beach becomes an entirely different place. The visitors and ruckus fades and all that's left is the sound of the waves crashing onto shore. That's something that can't be beat.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Day 21: Job Perks.

I've picked up a new job, or hobby, of sorts. I've become an official food writer for a local publication called Maroon Weekly (yaaaaaaaay!). I've been at it for about three weeks and today was my 4th restaurant to review. It just so happened to be a burger and fry place. But not your standard burger and fry place. No. Fries with FRIGGIN Captain Crunch on them! WHAT?! De.li.cious! Lucky me, I got to eat them. And fries with bourbon sauce. And fries with blue cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. And fries covered in twelve cheeses and bbq pork. It was a good thing I ran 3 miles that morning. :)

Day 20: Brunch with Clint and Gruene at Dusk.

Breakfast tacos and Starbucks while sitting at Starbucks for three hours. How else would I roll my brother-cousin?

Gruene at Dusk. One of my favorite places.

Day 19: Granny.

My great grandmother's furniture.

Day 18: What a Friday!

My planned restaurant to review for Maroon Weekly had an issue and was closed, so last minute I had to switch and what a blessing it was!

AJ turned THIRTEEN today!

I saw Roger Creager tonight!

Day 17: Field Trip to DFW.

I saw West Side Story for the first time tonight at Bass Hall. Bass Hall was beautiful, WSS was not. :(

One of my favorite places to go in Ft. Worth.

Day 16: Field Trip to Conroe.

Food Show in Conroe! SOOOOOOOO much food!

Since we were in Conroe for work, we figured we might as well stop in Souther Star, which is a brewery that the Village Cafe sells. We got our own personalized tour and tasting! Best day of work ever!

Day 15: Five Years.

I've purchased a five year journal and plan to keep up with it! I've lost track of regular journaling, so I figured that writing a short amount each day would be much easier to keep up with. I'm excited to do this to see where I've come five years from now.

Day 14: Revs at Night.

Last fall I started partaking in a weekly activity called Trivia Night at a local bar. It's a super fun block of three hours that exercises my brain muscles. This week it was waaaaaaaay too cold to sit outside but I did go outside for a brief moment and enjoyed these lights on the fence.

Day 13: To-Do List.

This is my plans for the evening. Copy my new Kyle Park CD to my computer, pin some recipes that I have bookmarked, and copy some addresses from envelopes...all the while, while catching up on my DVR. Yay for being at home.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Day 12: Horsing Around.

These are two of my students that I teach for indoor drumline. I don't know how, but they always have energy after an 8 hour rehearsal to go and run up and down the basketball court and shoot a few hoops. Ah, to be young again. :)

Friday, January 11, 2013

Day 11: Chocolate Queen.

Tonight was the "second" First Friday. Last Friday was technically First Friday, but it was the Cotton Bowl AND it was rainy, so I don't think hardly anyone left their house. In an attempt encourage people to come out, they have Friday Friday, Part 2. It was one of the few times that I've been able to get out and enjoy First Friday and it was SOO nice! Alicia and I went to the Frame Gallery, the Chocolate Gallery (seen here!) and Cafe Capri. We then finished the night at the Village Cafe, ran into some friends and laughed for about two hours. It was the best Second First Friday ever!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Day 10: Late Night Painting.

The only way to paint at midnight...with a glass of wine. :)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Day 9: Neighborhood Sunset.

I decided to go running tonight after a 4 month hiatus. I also decided that it would be best to restart my running by completing 4 miles in an hour. I almost died. Probably not the best life decision I've ever made. As I was walking ~~so I wouldn't die~~ to catch my breath, I noticed this glorious sunset through the trees. It always makes me think about how thankful I should be to be on this earth and appreciate the things I usually don't. Like the fact that I can run. That definitely was the boost I needed to keep going. I'm supposed to run again on Friday...we'll see how that goes. Wish me luck! :)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Day 8: Yoga Pants Do Not Equal Productivity.

I've realized today that putting on yoga pants significantly decreases your productivity. In fact, it decreases your productivity by 57%. AND if you put on fuzzy socks, well, you just might as well put your to do list away because all you're gonna do is lay around and catch up on past issues of the Voice. Hypothetically. :)

Monday, January 7, 2013

Day 7: H is for Cookie!

See this lovely picture? My friend Mark Nguyen brought these to me after I told him how much I missed hojarascas from the Valley. We also got into a debate about the price of churros so he brought me some as well. Two of these churros had a vanilla filling in it! I've never experienced anything like it! It wasn't as creamy as a donut filling, but not hard. It was very interesting. Anyways, I LOVE MARK NGUYEN for bring me hojarascas! I'm going to try and not eat them all by tomorrow!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Day 6: Topwater Grill.

The weather had been so nice we planned to go enjoy it on a patio on the water. However, we waited a little too long and the sunset as we were driving to San Leon BUT it didn't stop us from enjoying a delicious seafood dinner. There's something that's beautiful about lights reflecting in the water. Luckily, the restaurant had gone heavy on their outside lighting and providing this beautiful photo op. Then we stumbled across this palapas (Did you know that's what it's called? Cause I sure didn't!) and I love the way the Texas City skyline was shimmering right through the opening.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Day 5: Can't Stop the Music.

Sometimes you just can't get enough music and you practice for an hour after rehearsal ends.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Day 4: Skip-Bo.

Nothing beats eating chili, drinking beer, and watching the Aggies win the Cotton Bowl. To celebrate, we got ROWDY and played a mean game of skip-bo!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Day 3: NEW HAIR!

NEW HAIR!!! I think it's self explanatory! I LOOOOOOOOVE IT! :)

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Day 2: As We Journey Hand in Hand, My Friend.

This is a bass drum head signed by all the drummers when in marched Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003. That summer was ROUGH. Both mentally and physically. To date, I don't think I've ever done anything so challenging. Being ten years removed from the experience and also having taught drum corps along the way, I've come to realize that my time and experience there was invaluable. I learned so much, both about the activity AND myself. I am truly grateful for my time there as well as the long lasting friendships I have made.

Today, the Glassmen announced that they would not be fielding a corps this summer. Financial reasons are to blame. It's been a VERY long time since a top 12 corps has dropped out for a summer, so it's quite shocking to the drum corps world. I am saddened by the news because there's always the possibility that they might not recover. However, I am also proud to be a part of an organization that knows when it's time to quit and not endanger the well being of the members and staff. (Because I have been on that side of the activity as well, and let me tell you, it sucks.) So, to the Glassmen, maybe your break be short, the lessons learned valuable, and may you come back in 2014 rocking it out!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Day 1: Reflection.

From 2013 365

It's a New Year. The time when you look back at the last 365 days and reflect and analyze your life. Big events, good times, bad times, where you thought you'd be, where you want to be this time next year. I spent New Year's Eve with some very good friends, including my bff Anne. This was our post NYE morning breakfast at Whataburger. The reflection of Brian's sunglasses caught my eye and I made him stop in his tracks so I could capture it. Anne and I have spent so many NYE togethers, I can't even begin to count. This might be 4 or 5...maybe even 6 or 7. Who knows?! Regardless of the count, we had an amazing time. Nothing in this world beats good friends. I am so blessed and lucky to have someone like her in my life. In fact, I've just been truly blessed all around in 2012 and I hope 2013 goes just as well. So, I raise this Whataburger cup to you and toast to you and 2013, here's to an amazing new year!

Monday, November 19, 2012

New Plans...

Alright, I'm back. So I hope. I read this "winter challenge" today and thought I could do it. I've also been pondering starting another 365 project but with different parameters. I'm thinking of limiting the number of shots I take. Often times, I can take 10 or more pictures to get the desired shot that I once. After having a conversation with someone, I think I might limit myself. So as much as I would like to say I would only take one picture, I know that isn't feasible. Too many times, I try to shoot manual and totally get the settings wrong. So I'm thinking, maybe 3? We'll see but for now, this is what I'm working on! So here's my schedule, by the Friday listed, you'll have a picture from me! Here's the list:

November 23rd – Thankful
November 30 – Trees
December 7 – Weather (can be snow, rain, sunshine, whatever happens in your neck of the woods)
December 14 – Someone close to you
December 21 – The Holidays
December 28 – Your babies (kids, pets, sentimental items…)
January 4 – New beginnings
January 11 – Food
January 18 – A Portrait of Anyone
January 25 – Words
February 1 – Routine
February 8 – Love
February 15 – Your Favorite Thing
February 22 – The Sky
March 1 – Black and White (for our black and white photos)
March 8 – Travel (can be anywhere, your spring break, a 20 minute drive into the country…)
March 15 – Green
March 22 – Animals
March 29 – The First Signs of Spring
April 5 – Memories

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Day 8: Caption Meeting

Pasadena, TX.

I'm still visual caption head for Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps and this is what I got to spend my early Sunday afternoon doing...video chatting with these guys.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Day 7: Fire!

Webster, TX.

We went to a hibachi grill after indoor rehearsal tonight. My favorite part is when they light the onions on fire and then make the choo-choo noise with the remaining smoke.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Day 6: The Good Things in Life.

Bryan, TX.

Friday night. Indian food. Wine and coffee. A new dessert. Best friend. What more could a girl ask for?

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Day 5: Snow = Warmth.

Bryan, TX.

These flannel sheets are possibly the best purchase I have ever made. They make it especially hard to get out of the bed in the morning.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Day 4: Sausage, Cheese and Crackers.

Bryan, TX.

A while ago, I had the opportunity to take some photos out at Slovacek Sausage in Snook. They gave us a HUGE box of sausage that I unfortunately have not had the opportunity to eat yet. Today, I FINALLY got to try it. Btw, homemade pimento cheese and crackers makes a great accompaniment to summer sausage!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Day 3: Steak and Potatoes, two ways.

Bryan, TX.

I'm currently spending a lot of time with a fellow who enjoys spending time with me as well (we're dating, but it still seems weird for me to say that simply because I haven't ever dated anyone really). For Christmas, I gave him a cookbook and he mentioned that he was making steak for dinner tonight, so naturally, I invited myself over. :) But being the good guest that I am, I also brought salad, pototoes, bread and wine. This wine just spoke to me at the store, I mean, after all we were having steak and potatoes, so how could I pass up a wine that was labeled the same?! Turns out, it was pretty dang good! It actually has gotten me back on a red wine kick. Go try it out for yourself!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Day 2: Floor Train.

Pasadena, TX.

This is our floor for indoor drumline. It is ridiculously heavy so all the kids must pitch in to help. However, it never ceases to amaze me how the tallest kid always ends up next to the shortest kid making this operation quite comical.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Day 1: I'm Back!

So I kind of abandoned this project last year, kind of maybe fell out of love with "having" to do photography, then traveled a lot, re-discovered myself, quit my job, started a new job and relocated to Bryan/College Station. As I was looking back at my pictures, I realize that I am capable to taking really good pictures! So it's 2012 and I'm back! I don't know what I want my end result of this project to be. Part of me wants to only limit myself to my point and shoot camera and part of me wants to get reacquainted with my DSLR. So I don't really know how this is going to turn out, but I'm going to continue to find the beauty in every day life. Hope you enjoy the ride! (Oh, and this year, it'll be just me posting. Sorry for those of you who have done it in the past and I didn't invite. I still love you all!)

So here we go: First Picture shortly after midnight. I went out with the Pasadena Memorial crew (Mark, Wes and Jonathan) and our indoor show this year is Blue, so in honor of that we took blue sno-cone shots. Happy New Year!!! Or rather, HAPPY BLUE YEAR!

Pasadena, TX.

Monday, February 7, 2011

First Theme of the Year!

I know I've been really behind on all posting this year. In order to keep this fresh and active, I think we'll have a vote for the next upcoming theme. I'll provide three options, the one with the most votes is the offical theme for the following week, Sunday through Saturday. Does that sound like a deal? Here's our first three options:

Love
Body Parts
Tired

My goal is to start having a theme every other week. You don't have to take a picture for theme every day, only if you want to do so. But I would like you to take a least one picture for the theme that week. Vote in the comments and the theme will be picked by Friday. (And you don't have to post pictures to vote, if you're a lurker, post what you'd like to see!)

Amanda: Day 36. Show Time.

First Indoor show of the season! Here is my lovely cymbal line running through a part of the show with all their snazy effects.

Amanda: Day 35. Is It Snow? Is It Ice?

Pasadena, TX.

This was the extent of the snowpacolypse. I couldn't tell whether it was ice or snow, but whatever it was, there wasn't a whole lot of it. Ice did hit Houston hard. Almost all highways were shutdown until at least noon today. Cars were stuck on overpasses where they lost traction because of the ice. It was craaaazzzy. Me? I stayed inside and watched the crazy people on the news.

Amanda: Day 34. Cold Weather Gear.

The great snowpacolypse is supposed to be upon us. Everything has been closed down for tomorrow across Texas. Schools, works, doctor's appointments. It's crazy. This is the jacket I bust out when the weather takes a turn for the worse. It's a down jacket tht always has a scarf on it and earmuffs in one pocket with gloves in the other. It's fully stocked and ready to wear. Bring it on cold weather.

Amanda: Day 33. Tea Time.

I've become slightly addicted to chai tea. Sometimes I just get a craving for it. However, I didn't have any of my standard chai tea with me so I caved in and bought the house brand at HEB. DON'T DO IT. It's not the real deal. It will leave you seriously unsatisfied and make you feel like you need to go out in below freezing weather and buy a different brand of chai.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Amanda: Day 32. Through the Windshield.

Harlingen, TX.

Okay, I'm going to try and cut down on the sunset pictures. But sometimes, I just can't resist. I mean, there's no way you can look at this sky and these colors and not just feel good inside.

Amanda: Day 31. Strength.