Back to school...

As if I didn't already have enough of my own school and then Dustin's to get through, I decide to go back and take a photography course after Dustin got a job. He told me to, and urged me to do something fun before we have little ones running around. So I agreed pretty quick since he was up for it. The class I'm taking deals only with full manual film cameras. I have my parent's camera that was used all my life, and even still has the vintage neck strap hooked on. Pentax K1000 is the name, and we are hoping suitable pictures are its game.

My teacher said the very first class that we were not allowed to take any photos with babies, kids or animals- these things cannot be critiqued properly because they are 'cute'. Well that throws out about half my ideas for the course, thanks very much.

So my first roll of film comes due, I have it all finished, and we begin the long process of developing the film. Loading into the film roller- the hardest and most tedious part, all being done in pitch dark, then taking it out into the developing room and doing all the developing, fixing and washing. I get through the whole process, which took me about 30 minutes (though it felt like an hour), and what do you know, I have no pictures on my roll. Completely clear the whole roll!! I was really depressed inside, but I had a feeling I didn't load the film properly. It was a tricky way to load with that old camera, and it didn't grab the film and wind it like I thought it was doing... *sigh* so I hung it up to dry, told my teacher who said, 'oh, that's too bad'. And I went home. I took another roll the next day, and then got an email saying I didn't have to take another roll, because she 'knows I tried'. Nice teacher, but I have to do this right! Sooo, I am hoping I can develop this new roll on Monday.. and do it right!

My next assignment is to take portraits, with categories of mood (nothing posed, all genuine), people's environment (doctor going home to parent; addicted persons..), and someone we strongly dislike/are annoyed by. I'm kinda stumped, but I'm choosing the first two to be my categories. I have two weeks to take 2 full rolls of film. Suggestions? I'm thinking somewhere with sports- lots of emotion there; or a high stress job.

Caribbean Cruise baby!

We planned this cruise as a graduation celebration/belated honeymoon in case anyone was wondering. It was sooo great to have a full week of fun planned! But little did we know, this storm you see was an omen for the week. Cloudy every day but the first and last day.

View from our mini-suite room! We are so glad we got a room with a little more space to put all our stuff.

The first morning we ordered room service for breakfast, and they didn't quite get our order right, and we called to get the right stuff. Well later that day we come back to our room and we find this plate of strawberries with an apology note attached. We knew we picked a good cruise at that moment. :)

YAY! we are on our honeymoon!! It only took four and a half years!

This was our Formal Night attire the second night.

and on this day, we chose to celebrate our honeymoon so they put balloons outside our door.

.... and this was the night we chose to celebrate our 'honeymoon'. Our waiter was hilarious and as he gave us this dessert he sang 'Happy Honeymoon' to the tune of Happy Birthday and he took my napkin and folded it around Dustin's and my hand like some marriage ceremony. My face was so red and we were laughing really hard. It was a fun night.

This was from our flight- lots of water.... kinda nervous. But don't worry- we made it through.

Grand Cayman and Roatan, Honduras

First stop: Grand Cayman! I spoke with my Uncle Dale before we left since he lives on Grand Cayman, and we were able to meet up with him for breakfast!

Notice how blinding white I am? Well, that is going to change.

Uncle Dale took Dustin and I to his home (on the beach!) and we just hung out there the whole day laying out of the beach and walking in the sand. Very nice start to the vacation.

Dustin's Baywatch pic.

Happy feet.

*We are now in Roatan Honduras*

Cloudy day... much like the whole week. Dustin again the one braving the cold water.

Turn your heads if you have a weak stomach! We had to have at least one kissy picture!

Part of the shops in Roatan- that is our ship in the background.

Outside a bar were things to take pictures with... needless to say there were a few drunk people thinking they were pretty funny with these props.

Our excursion to go snorkeling in the bay around the shipwrecks was cancelled due to cloudy waters from storms the night before.... so we found a zipline activity instead and oh my goodness was it awesome!!!

There were 11 ziplines through the top of the jungle, and different little stations to get you hooked up to the next section. We would totally do it again if we could!

Outside of the shops in Mahogany Bay

Dustin was really excited about this day, and we had a great time.

One of the shipwrecks out a little ways from the island

This one was close though and I so wish we could have gone snorkeling around it!!

First couple days are done and we are ready for more!!