Giveaway!

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There I am!

Where have I been??  Sorry blog, for the neglect...

I've been updating here.

Take a peek!

It's been a busy few weeks!  Lots of pictures to share!

xoxo

Thrill the World 2010

I participated in this year's Thrill the World event!  My friend Christy did as well!  It was a BLAST!  Seriously, you've got to try it. 

Basically, it goes like this:  once a year, on a specific date, at a specific time, all around the world, people dress up as zombies and dance MJs Thriller dance.  This year the creators of the event were trying to get it in the Guinness Book.  Hopefully we made it.

A couple of videos:

And some pictures:

This is our zombie pal Carol, we met her at the rehearsal.

So much fun!  Check out the website for next years Thrill the World, and DO IT!!

http://www.thrilltheworld.com/



Why I Came Back.

I wish there was a simple, completely understandable answer as to why I returned to San Diego. 

There is not.

To start with, I truly felt led to go to Texas.  And then, nothing.  I sent out numerous resumes, which were kindly accepted with the following statement:  "I'm sorry, we filled all of our positions for the upcoming school year, but we would love to keep your resume on file for next year."

That's sweet, but not very helpful. 

I finally got the photo website up and running, and printed some promo cards, and delivered them to businesses and schools in the area.  And that was a dead end street too.

I had looked into Nanny positions, but $5 an hour does not an income make.  Seriously.

Texas.  Not at all what I hoped for, or expected it to be.  I began to long for my friends, for California, for the life I took for granted.  (Because I did).

If I take away one lesson from this experience, it would be this:

Faith in God outweighs everything else.

I took a step of faith in going there.  I took a step of faith in waiting and seeking and listening.  I took a step of faith by admitting that I made the wrong decision.  And I took a step of faith by coming back and being willing to start over.

Faith didn't come easily in this.  At all.  In fact, if I may be brutally honest, after the 'honeymoon glow' of the first couple of weeks there, after the newness began to wear off, I was angry.  I had never in my life been so angry with God than during the first month there.  I felt like I had listened and acted accordingly, only to end up in a place of confusion.  I was so angry, I couldn't pray, except out of obedience and the bitter confession of my own anger.  I didn't understand what it all meant.  Why I had made the choice.  What was going to happen next.  Why I felt so far from God when I needed Him the most.

It took time for the anger to begin to subside, and I was able to come to Him in prayer without that barrier.  And then, in the bleakest of moments, in each decline of the job search, I began to have utter, blind faith in Him.  I knew in my heart He would provide, and give me direction, but until then, I'd have to be willing to go as far as He wanted me to in the journey of faith.  I was anxious, terrified, remorseful, and sad.  But, I was trusting Him, with all my broken soul.  He helped me identify my pride and fear of judgement, and the need to prove that I was right.  I had built a house of cards around my myself, each card stating "I was right", "I am strong", "I will not give up".  And that house began to crumble, until it was just me, face to face with God, my sin of self righteousness fully exposed. 

And you know what?  It didn't matter.  I repented, and my pride didn't matter anymore. 

But, what mattered then, was faith in my God, the God of love, of miracles, and of provision. 

And, in turn, He was faithful to me. 

Part 2.

That first part was written before I left for California.  I am humbled, and so thankful that I haven't had a large influx of people say to me:  'What did you do that for?  Why did you go to begin with??'  No, I told you so. 
Nothing but open arms, 'I'm so glad you are back', love, encouragement, and the 'at least you tried, and now you know.'
I'm glad I tried.
God wanted me to come face to face with Him.   
I can see it now, how He stripped me of my comfort zone, in many different ways, so that I would seek Him, and Him alone.  To trust Him and find peace in the midst of circumstances that we are surrounded by.
To have faith.
Do I still believe that I listened to Him and that He led me to Texas?  Absolutely.
That's not to say that I don't occasionally question it, but I believe I did what He asked of me.
It's not as if He told me how long to stay there.
Life is a little bit different now. 
But it, and God, is good.

Beside the spiritual journey, I am truly a California girl at heart. 
Texas is a wonderful place to visit, and for many, a great place to live.
I prefer the CA frame of mind, the nearby beaches, the weather, and the education system in which I work.  It's home, through and through.

I'm glad to be back.


p.s.  new blog link Angela is Artsy.  Take a peek.

xoxo

Website!

The photography website is up and running!!

Take a look!

Thanks!

http://www.angelarichardsonphotography.com/

Confessions of a Shopaholic.

In my mind, there's always a reason to buy a new outfit/accessory.

Always.

And that, my friends, is the sign of a shopaholic.

Sad, but true. 

First, let me say this:  I do tend to lean towards 'designer' labels, but, I always use store coupons, hit the sales, and what not.  I keep my credit cards paid off or very low, and have worked very hard at not going into debt because of my...addiction...

Are you ready for the true confession of a shopaholic? 

Here goes...

Right before I moved, I decided the move equaled two new pairs of Steve Madden shoes, courtesy of DSW:

I wanted to drop of some resumes at some schools in Austin, which equaled a new dress and sweater shrug, from the Dress Barn and LB outlet:

Naturally, as I prepare to launch my photography business, I want to be ready with some cute and comfy outfits, which ended up being 2 pairs of bootcut jeans, 3 neutral tanks, and 2 embellished tanks, courtesy of Lane Bryant and Macy's:

{I opted not to photograph the jeans, we know what jeans look like}

I've started attending a new church, which means a new dress, courtesy of Macy's:

I had to visit my eye doctor for a follow up, and he was attractive, so, obviously, a hip dress was in order, found in 2 colors, thanks to Ross:

{It's hard to tell, but the dresses have a small, white polka dot pattern and the top is trimmed with small ruffles and buttons...I wore the black one to the doc's office}

A new camera bag that can accomodate my equipment, personal items, and business paperwork is important to the start up and flow of the photo business, found at Sears:

A fantastic new 'Coach' bag, courtesy of the Coach Factory Outlet:

A killer dress for any professional occasion, tossed aside in clearance due to the stain on the front, could not be passed up, as a trip to the dry cleaners would revive this beauty (my favorite steal, originally $110, marked down to $13), thanks to Macy's:

And, throw in a couple of statement rings, a la Lane Bryant:

I think I'm set for awhile. 

Thank you for letting me whisper my confession into your ears. 

 I'm a shopaholic, fully aware, and fully willing to admit it!