a peaceful evening

thoughts: i don't really know the cure for worry, and i'm not really sure if there is one but i do know that clearing your mind every once in a while really helps. it's been really nice to be here in idaho, hundreds of miles away from things that have been stressing me out and to just sit outside and listen to simplicity. i'm not saying that i ran away from my problems back in corvallis, but it is nice to sit back and forget about them, to have them on hold for a while. this trip has been extremely relaxing and stress free, but every once in a while, stress creeps into my mind and stays there. the most relief i have found for stress and worry is just emptying my mind every now and then. now, emptying my mind completely is really difficult because i'm always thinking about something. today was really interesting because i was occupied with a lot of fun activities (driving around downtown, getting coffee, playing backgammon) but my mind was full, i was thinking about too much. tonight after dinner, i walked outside to watch the clouds pass over the valley and i sat on the edge of the hill where josh's family's house is. soon the whole family gathered next to me, and we all sat on the edge and watched the clouds slide over the valley. it was gorgeous. we sat for maybe 15 minutes and watched the clouds. we only talked a little bit, but we just sat and gazed at the clouds, listened to the crickets chirping and cows mooing, and i felt peace.

why i chose this photo: this was one of my favorite skyscapes of the evening.

question: what is the most peaceful sight you've ever seen?

inspiration: "take time to clear your mind and find your inner peace."

the start of summer

thoughts: i haven't written in awhile, but things have been busy. the last few days of the term were spent studying and working. that is basically all i did. i am so relieved to be done, and that feeling of peace has just begun to wash over me. after finals week, my boyfriend josh graduated with a bachelor's in business while his dad graduated with a phd in education. it was a beautiful graduation and it was really fun to be a part of it! the next day, i drove to idaho with josh and his family, where i am currently spending a week. it is so relaxing here. i can forget all of my troubles and just breathe. we are in the middle of no where, on top of a hill, in the most goregous home you could imagine. i can lie in the grass and not hear a sound for miles, except for the occasional mooing cow in the pastures below the house. on the first night we were here, it was really warm and within an hour of us finishing dinner, a huge thunderstorm rolled in, complete with lighting! it was a beautiful, powerful vision of god's might and it was a cool way to start the summer. i really enjoy thunderstorms and it is nice to be far away from everything that stresses me out back home. i feel invincible out here, and i'm so glad i have this trip to be free from everything!

why i chose this photo: i haven't seen a thunderstorm in a long time, and i have definitely never seen one roll in. i took this photo minutes before it was pouring rain and the thunder started. it was one of the most amazing things i have ever witnessed. i love a warm summer rain accompanied with a thunderstorm. it is so pretty to watch.

question: what makes you feel at peace? what do you enjoy about summertime?

inspiration: "the simplest things in life are the ones in which we find the most joy."

home is where the heart is

thoughts: i have a lot to do for finals, but i left corvallis for just about 30 hours to celebrate michelle's graduation. it was hectic to leave and drive to portland for such a short time, but it was really refreshing to be at home and feel loved by my family that i am not able to see all that often. it was really fun being at home and catching up with my immediate and extended fam, and take tons of pictures and just laugh, i had a good time just being silly with my sisters during graduation photos, and being near my family and seeing how much they enjoyed me at home. it was a great feeling to feel wanted and appreciated and loved despite me being away at school and busy with life. i guess it was comforting to know that no matter what, the closest people in your life are always there for you! it was a great thing to realize during this time of hurting and the losing of a close friend. real home is truly where your heart is happy. so, although i live in corvallis and feel at home here, my real home is up north with my familiy.

why i chose this photo: my sister graduated today around 2pm. crazy! everyone kept asking me "doesn't it seem like we were just here at your graduation?" and honestly, it didn't really seem like it. i think i've been so focused on school and work that michelle's graduation passed all too quickly. my favorite part of the day was just taking pictures. it was stressful at first, but then we all started having a lot of fun and it was great! this is a photo of my fam.

questions: 1) where/when do you feel the most "at home"? 2) how have you grown since your own graduation?

inspiration: "life presents us with scenarios (like graduation) that we perceive as endings. instead, we should view them as stepping stones in our lives. we just hop from one stone to the other, getting a little further to the end of our journey."

the rainbow in a storm

thoughts: it's a weird feeling to have your mind be full, but nothing to write about. right now i'm questioning everything. roommate, friends, school, life. i'm struggling with a lot, and i'm feeling really empty right now. i feel like a failure, like nothing i do is right. i feel i work hard and try my best but i can't succeed. i apologize for sounding so negative, but life can get you down sometimes. right now, i'm picking myself up and i'm moving on. i feel like a giraffe (sounds silly, but let me make a point). i've fallen really far, but i'm working on standing tall again. (make sense?) i was walking to school today and thinking of how hard situations in life make you stronger. it's true, i know, but the hurt i feel (from school/work/drama in my life) is everywhere. but i keep going. i know that i am weak and vulnerable and i can't avoid feeling like that, but i can get through this storm and i can be strong once again. i'm giving it all to god and i know i can do this.

why i chose this photo: after the rainiest storm i have ever witnessed in my whole life from my window in my spanish apartment, this beautiful rainbow shone through. it is visual proof that god can turn something ugly into something beautiful.

question: what motivates you when you are at a low point in your life?

inspiration: "no matter what happens, the sun will always shine through the biggest storms. just motivate yourself by looking ahead at a brighter end."

the last five days

background: for the last few days, i have been working on a final for one of my classes. we had to make a 60 second video and meet about twenty other requirements for the video (using original music and sound effects, filming specific angles, etc) and other than that, the video could be our own. i was frustrated at first, but finally came up with this project.

(this video was filmed in my kitchen, and i compiled all music and sounds from open source sound effects libraries online)

enjoy.

copyright 2010, melissa vinson.

no fruit were harmed in the creation of this project.

question: what kind of feedback can you offer me after watching this video?

inspiration: "the smallest things in life can inspire you. look around. who knows what you will find."