Wow, um, so my last post was in March earlier this year....so sad!

There is much to update, as I have been away for so long...I have missed my artistic outlet all these months, but I hope maybe to slowly ease back into it! Cleaning out my message center was a chore in itself, but thank you for all the continuing support even while I was gone!

Ok: so, in the time I was gone, I:

~ finished my portfolio that weighs like, 40 pounds, which in turn earned me my masters degree. I am a real life certified school counselor. Yey me!

~ got a job. I am a part-time school counselor in a K-6 elementary school in WA state. Considering the job market (for education especially) this last year here, this is actually a very lucky thing. It was no easy feat.

~ turned 25. Ugh....quarter of a century old.....don't know how I feel about that. Whatever, it happens.

~ was surprised to get a Macbook Pro for my birthday, so I am now a Mac user, even though I swore I would always be a PC. I have some things to get used to, and I haven't tried doing anything photography-related yet on it, like all my editing I did, I would use Photoshop Elements and I don't know if that will work, or if the Mac's programs will be good enough....kind of nervous as to what I should use. Any advice is appreciated. Otherwise, I am loving the Mac....but I will always have madd luv for my Dell, hehe....

I have a very busy schedule as I work a second part-time job when I am not at my school, but I am loving it all. Even though it's exhausting, and I don't really get a full 2-day weekend in a week, I love what I am doing and I'm happy. I am especially loving NOT having homework or chapters and chapters of reading for classes anymore! What a lovely feeling to just wake up, go to work, go to work at my second job, and sleep and do it all over again, hehe....

Well, as I said above, once I transfer my photos to my new computer, I hope to start posting some pieces again. Although I am still super busy, I hope to find more time to get back into photography, I NEED my creative outlet!

Thanks again to those of you who support me, my art, and those who actually read this update. I appreciate it!

Member of

With this statement, I grant PhotographersClub, Art-Photography-Club, and Everything-Nikon permission to submit any and/or all of my deviations to their galleries for intended club use. Anyone else who wishes to use my work in any way, shape, or form, must ask me before doing so. Thank you!

© Pamplemousse02
CSS credit: Special Thanks!

Hello everyone!

I thought I'd do something a little different by suggesting some must-see websites of photographers, some who are on dA and some who are not. Hopefully you will find something you like, I know I did!

ENJOY ART & MAKE A DIFFERENCE | www.chrislowellphotography.com | Every image tells a story here; from stark b&w contrasts to crisp and subdued color images, there is something for everyone. Check out the newly added Haiti expedition photos, taken during a trip organized by Project Medishare (www.projectmedishare.org). 100% of all profits from these photos will go to the organization. Chris' talent is clearly just as evident behind the camera as much as it is in front of the camera.

PLACES OF BEAUTY | www.arnaudfrichphoto.com | This is a well established professional photographer who captures the beauty of my homeland, France! He is recruited by luxury hotels, companies, and museums like the Louvre to take commercial shots, but also travels all over to capture the beauty of the smaller towns and cities, churches, and more around this beautiful country.

ONE WITH NATURE | www.leemannphotography.com | Perhaps one of my main influences or photographers who's art we had all around our home growing up, Lee Mann's amazing images capture the beauty that is the Pacific Northwest!!! Washington State offers so many subjects from mountains, to valleys, ocean to desert, and all sorts of wildlife. I remember going to visit his studio and I am still impressed when I look at the prints we have around the house as if it was the first time I'd seen his work.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS | www.benjaminrinaldi.com | Another young photographer, also from France that I came across here on dA, with the ability to capture looks, expressions, and a lifestyle of the people he sees. He does more than portraits of course, but I find his human subjects to be the most poignant as I'm sure there is a story behind each one.

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS | Ross James Photography | This is a local (WA State) photographer, but more importantly friend of mine who has really made a name for himself; I've linked the wedding portion of his site here although he is talented with any type of subject and style of photography. Whether it's your wedding or senior pictures, his work is the epitomy of fun. The style is more contemporary,classic but eclectic, unique, bright and sunny, and captures the essence of his subjects. I am always blown away by his work and his skill considering I knew him before he got into photography! Also here on dA, yey!!

Ok, well, that was a nice break from my studies...a master's degree just doesn't happen all by itself!!! Only a few more months to go and then I will be DONE!!! Hopefully since it's spring break I may find some time to take pictures!

Thanks for your continued support! Enjoy the links and eye-candy!

Member of

With this statement, I grant PhotographersClub, Art-Photography-Club, and Everything-Nikon permission to submit any and/or all of my deviations to their galleries for intended club use. Anyone else who wishes to use my work in any way, shape, or form, must ask me before doing so. Thank you!

© Pamplemousse02
CSS credit: Special Thanks!

Hi all,

I have been so swamped with school ever since my last update!!! I hate that I'm neglecting my dA stuff but I do check in periodically at least to check messages, I just haven't uploaded anything new in so long...I still have so many old shots I planned to post that need to be uploaded, so hopefully soon...although my time is getting more and more squeezed!

Spokane needs to warm up...I am so ready for spring and summer! Unfortunately we are still getting some snow...

I think I also passed another milestone in pageviews, so thanks to everyone who stops by to look, comment, and/or fav!!! I am thankful for them!

Member of

With this statement, I grant PhotographersClub, Art-Photography-Club, and Everything-Nikon permission to submit any and/or all of my deviations to their galleries for intended club use. Anyone else who wishes to use my work in any way, shape, or form, must ask me before doing so. Thank you!

© Pamplemousse02
CSS credit: Special Thanks!

Hello friends,

I must apologize for my lack of activity in the last few months, school has really been my priority and therefore I've had to cut out a lot of things that I love doing. I noticed that I never even acknowledged my last milestone of 6,000 pageviews (whenever that happened!) and I noticed I'm a little over halfway to the next one, so THANK YOU to all who come visit my page, support my work via comments or favs!! I really am thankful and appreciative to know that my work is appreciated by others.

So this semester is over, and I will be heading home next week for the holidays. I am ready for a break, and milder weather. Today has been the first major snowstorm of the season here, and we are facing single-digit temperatures in the coming days...

I have not had much of a chance to have any great photo adventures lately, but hopefully over break I will be more relaxed and inspired and therefore may get something new posted. Although, I still never got the my Oregon Coast pics from the summer, so maybe that will be my first goal. I did Hawaii, and weddings, but Oregon is still to come.

When I graduate in May, I will officially be a school counselor, one of the hardest but most needed and rewarding jobs. The kids I work with now during my internship take a toll on me mentally and emotionally. So many of them lack the most basic and taken-for-granted things in life; LOVE. So many different situations and backgrounds, but it's the one thing that ties all of them together. We strive for connection and relationships as humans. It's a deficit I try to shrink conversation by conversation, day by day, with praise, encouragement, accountability, tough love, and prayer. I can't "fix" anyone, but if I can make the slightest difference in any one of these kiddos' lives, then I am happy. So on this note, this is what I wish for you all as yet another year comes to an end this holiday season:

Regardless of what the holiday season looks like for you, how and what you celebrate, I hope that we can all agree on this: in times like these when the world can be such an ugly place with everything that's happened from Mumbai to financial and economic hardship and political corruption to children disappearing and murders for no apparent reasons, (this list could go on and on but you get the point), I hope that we can unite as citizens our countries but rather as citizens of the world, and zoom out a little bit to look at the greater picture. Let's be thankful for what we do have, for good health, for family and friends and the relationships that bless us day in and day out. Let's pray and help those who aren't as fortunate, they need help now more than ever. For me this year I hope to re-experience Christmas through the eyes of a child; I want to feel that magical feeling I had and get all warm and fuzzy knowing that there is nowhere else I'd rather be than with my family by the fireplace drinking hot cocoa.

I'd like to put this journal to some good use! Instead of my sad ramblings of my life, I'm going to post some links to unique websites that I think are great--great causes, great ideas, great ways to help people far and wide. If you are reading this, you obviously have web access, so here are some other sites worth checking out. Should you be inclined to help others this holiday season or whenever, take your pick and visit one or any of these!

Bead For Life--"eradicating poverty one bead at a time."
www.beadforlife.org
Women in Uganda rise from poverty to build a better future for themselves and their families with beautiful handmade bead jewelry made out of rolled paper.

FreeRice--increase your vocabulary while striving to end world hunger.
www.freerice.com
For each answer you get right, 20 grains of rice are donated through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger.

Tide--Loads of Hope
Tide--Loads of Hope
"Partnering with America's Second Harvest, we travel to key neighborhoods with the Tide CleanStart truck, our free mobile laundry facility." Go buy a vintage tee!

Krochet Kids International
Krochet Kids International
"Krochet Kids International is a youthful movement fighting poverty by producing and selling distinctive, life changing products. This movement was started by a group of university students compelled to LOVE, to help, and to have fun doing it. Help make a difference." Help and get involved!

We. We Can Solve It
We Can Solve It
"We can switch 100% of America's electricity to clean energy sources – within 10 years."

The Hugs Project--Support our Troops
The Hugs Project
"Care packages for troops on duty overseas are not only needed, but they are still the best way to say 'thank you'. While most basic needs of troops are already provided, there are always certain items that are in short supply."

There are so many great sites...too many to list!

And now, some features of some of my latest favs from some great artists!



Member of

With this statement, I grant PhotographersClub, Art-Photography-Club, and Everything-Nikon permission to submit any and/or all of my deviations to their galleries for intended club use. Anyone else who wishes to use my work in any way, shape, or form, must ask me before doing so. Thank you!

© Pamplemousse02
CSS credit: Special Thanks!

Hello all!

So I haven't updated my journal in just about 2 months...I've been scrambling to keep my inbox up to date...I have been so stinkin' busy!

The worst part is I have so much new art that I want to put up, (normally it's the other way around!) but my insane schedule has really kicked dA to the bottom of my list. With fall comes back to school, with back to school came my birthday, but mostly school brought a lot of work. I am in the internship stage of my masters, so yeah...I apologize for my lack of activity. But keep your hopes up just a tiny wincy bit because I hope to slowly but surely (when I get a few minutes here and there like now) to update you all with some of my fun summer adventures!

My birthday marked the 1 year anniversary of my Nikon!! I have to say I've put it to some great use since then. Ok, a fast sneak preview of what's to come:

Hawaiian adventures
Oregon vacay
wedding and engagement pics of friends
and a few other random things

Member of

With this statement, I grant PhotographersClub, Art-Photography-Club, and Everything-Nikon permission to submit any and/or all of my deviations to their galleries for intended club use. Anyone else who wishes to use my work in any way, shape, or form, must ask me before doing so. Thank you!

© Pamplemousse02
CSS credit: Special Thanks!