Capturing the Moment. Enjoying the Moment.

I do not claim to be a photographer. But I like capturing moments and having fun with it. So when one of my best friends asked me to shoot her engagement photos, there was no way I could say no.

The best thing about the experience wasn't the photos themselves but the memories we made as we did it. I have not only been apart of both Aliscia and Aaron's lives since we were freshmen in college (Aaron kind of invaded my dorm room and Aliscia and I became inseparable after our first journalism class) but now I have become a part of their future.

I love my friends. The day we took the photos was proof. Aliscia had to be to work at 2, so instead of canceling we chose the next best option... waking up way to early to be in Detroit when the sun came up. We were determined to get some photos. And that we did.

It was cold, a bit too sunny and we were on a time crunch. But we found some cool parks, bridges, a non-water spewing fountain and backgrounds and we made sure to take time to have a lot of fun. Because if everything is taken too seriously then it all goes by too fast.

Congratulations to two of the best people I know! Let's get to the wedding planning :)

The Day I Met Batman

"Sometimes the people we meet change us forever." ~ Ben Affleck (Forces of Nature)

When I think about why I chose to be a journalist, it's not about the stories I write or the rush of a deadline. It's about the people I meet.

There are people who you may pass on the street and not give a second thought. They may have a cool story to tell. Other people are doing great things and might one day change the world. Then there are those people who are just themselves, but that's all they need to be to make an impact.

I had the honor of meeting one of those people. His name is Owen Wright and he is 5. Oh, and one other thing: He's a little person. ... Little person, Huge personality.

He greeted me in the driveway when I came to his house. He instantly wanted to show me around, calling for the "newspaper lady" to come look at all his toys. I'm pretty sure I didn't stop smiling the entire time I was there, especially when he tried to play fight his dad with foam swords or when he made shadow figures on the wall (in broad daylight I might add). The kid never stopped. ... unless of course it was to look up more Batman costumes on the Internet.

He said he will be Batman when he grows up. And who I am to tell him otherwise? I mean, how cool is it to know Batman personally?

Besides instantly falling in love with Owen, I learned a valuable lesson. If you don't treat someone like they are different than they may not realize that they are. If we stop treating people like they are less important than others, there's no saying what they can do in life. Well, one thing Owen might never do is a dunk a basketball. But even his dad said he can't do that.

Owen is a bundle of energy and ready to make friends with anyone. That's my challenge to you. Put yourself in Owen's shoes. Don't look at the world like you aren't good enough. Instead run full force into life, even if you fall. Because he does his fair share of that. But he bounces right back up again.

I had the pleasure of doing a story on Owen and joined him on his first day of kindergarten!

Check out the story here on MLive.com. The pictures that go with it are absolutely adorable and will make you fall in love with Owen, too. Trust me.

Now I will just have to be patient and wait for the day when the Bat Signal flashes in the sky.

For the Love of Haiti

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do stand in the way of what I can do.” ~ As seen on a T-shirt in Haiti.

If I had to sum up my trip to Haiti in only a few words they would have to be amazing, life-changing, fulfilling, heart warming, heart breaking and surreal.

It’s hard to take nine days and put it into only a few sentences or paragraphs. I’m still processing what I’ve seen, the people I’ve met and the great things I’ve experienced.

But I can tell you what I know, what has stuck out to me the most and the things I will never forget.

The group I went down with went with little expectation. We didn’t know exactly what we would be doing or what was in store for us, but we went willing and excited. But I can guarantee that the one thing we will all walk away with is our great appreciation for safe, clean, worry-free water that we can get everywhere.

That is not the case in Haiti.

Clean water is a luxury -- an expensive one. I tried to pay attention to how much I use water now that I’m home – when I brush my teeth (couldn’t put my toothbrush under the sink water in Haiti), when I shower (had to keep my mouth closed in Haiti), drinking water, washing my hands and my dishes. I never worry about what’s in my water or if I could become seriously ill. Something that seems so common has gotten lost in Haiti.

My group met up with an amazing person on our way to Haiti. Fresh out of college, Kenzie had a passion to bring a basic, life-saving need to Haiti. And that’s exactly what she did. Because of a grant she received, our team was able to install about 50 water filters into homes throughout Haiti.

We had the rare opportunity to go into families’ homes and into their most intimate of places to install a filter that could bring them clean water for 8 to 10 years. A tall plastic bucket has a much greater meaning now.

We were immersed in the culture and met some awesome families that were nothing but welcoming to us. Above all else we were able to show love to those that needed it.

Besides the children that crossed our paths (and there were many), we also had the joy of meeting Gertrude, who ran the orphanage we stayed in. She opened her heart to children with handicaps and those who were severely malnourished. She took in those who would have otherwise been rejected. Her heart and love for these children is something I will carry with me always.

Photo by Josh Kennedy

So that is just a short version of everything we experienced during our time in Haiti. I couldn’t have asked for a better team of people, including Patrick and Robenson who truly made us felt safe and gave us a better understanding of the country. I’m glad I had no expectations, because it allowed me to take in whatever came my way.

I have not said good-bye to Haiti. I will go back. That is a promise.

Other Lessons from Haiti:

-   I will never complain about Michigan roads ever again.

-   Riding in the back of pick up truck wasn’t glamorous but it was an adventure.

-   I still have no idea what the speed limit is in Haiti (I think the same goes for many Haitians)

-   If you hear a child yell “Hey You!” It is a guarantee that they are talking to you.

-   I’m thankful that I don’t have to worry about hitting cows, chickens, goats or other livestock with my car on a daily basis.

-   The children of Haiti stole my heart.

-   I need to learn creole.

-   “Live simply so that others may simply live.”

Remembering to Rest

Life can get crazy. I'm trying to remind myself when that happens to stop, breathe and enjoy what's around me.

It's been a month since my friend Lindsay and I took a journey to Pictured Rocks in the UP. It was four slow moving days filled with nature, beauty, water, s'mores, camp fires and sunsets. Most of the time our phones had no signal and we had no where to be in a hurry. Peaceful. I would like to go back there.

Our campsite overlooked Lake Superior and we saw possibly the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. One night we laid out on the beach and just looked at the stars because, well, what else were we going to do in the middle of no where. But to be in the middle of no where is somewhere I would like to be more often. Everything is different there.

As I start a work week that will be filled with night meetings (not my favorite part of my job) I like to remember that a time to rest and take in some calm is needed. It will however be hard to top the weekend in Pictured Rocks where we kayaked 10 miles right along side the beautifully striped rocks, so close we could touch them. We maneuvered through little caves, went under a small waterfall and paddled through Lake Superior over a ship wreck. Our tour guide Greg (we went through Paddling Michigan) was great, entertaining and knowledgeable. Hands down the best part of the trip. The weather was perfect and literally just as we paddled up to the shore at the end of the day it started to rain. Couldn't have asked for better timing.

Every time I see such beauty it brings me a little more sanity in my life -- which I don't have much of to begin with. In my opinion, it's God's way of reminding me that he is there and that slowing down every once in awhile is needed.

Our next day's adventure took us hiking through some cool trails, near some waterfalls and rivers and down to an awesome beach. Some people might not see this as relaxing, but for us it was just what we needed. I can honestly say this trip will be hard to top. But I challenge you to do what I will be doing this week -- Find time to stop, relax and take in something beautiful. Always being in a rush will only cause you to miss out on something great.

Stories. People. Life.

"If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten." ~ Rudyard Kipling

I've been thinking, what if we went up to complete strangers just to find out their story?

When I'm running, in a new place, running errands or volunteering I look at a person and wonder, "What has their life been like? What is something you would never know until you ask?" Maybe it's the journalist coming out in me, but seriously, how cool of a project would that be?

What if every month, every week or even every day you went up to someone new and just talked to them and listened. I bet you would be surprised by what they had to say. Sure, there will be some that want nothing to do with you. That's life.

But what if that person was dying to tell someone, anyone their story. What if it made their day a whole lot better? I met some pretty amazing people in my life and taking them at face value does not do them justice. Hearing their story, their past and what gets their heart beating... that's what makes them stick in my mind.

Everyone has something cool to say,even if they don't think so. It's almost always guaranteed. Maybe I will take this on as a challenge...

Transformation

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you." ~ Dr. Seuss

Everyone has a story. A series of events that adds a little bit of character to every aspect of their life. Things that motivate, excite and bring about meaning.

If you were to ask me five years ago (second semester, freshman year of college) if I would be where I am today, I don't think I would have believed it. I was shy (at first), figuring out how to get involved or with what to get involved in and what I wanted to do with my life.

Looking back now, my life has been a whirlwind. I've done some things I will never forget. There are times when I think my days are too ordinary, lack risk. But there's no way that's actually true. Life's everyday moments will over all have the biggest impact either in my own life or the lives of those around me.

But I can't help but be somewhat surprised by who I've become.

I'm 23 years old. I've jumped out of a plane and flown upside, sideways and barrel rolled in a plane. I've traveled to a city in Oklahoma and Baltimore on trips that have changed my life forever, not only serving others but receiving just as much if not more in return. I just recently applied for a passport and will be traveling to England this summer. Five years ago I was lucky to run two or three miles without my heart pumping out of my chest. In 66 days I will be running my first half marathon. In February I ran 10K road race in below zero temperatures, and I loved it.


At age 21 I was lucky enough to be hired for my first full-time, what-I-went-to-college-for job at The Flint Journal. I am still there today. I found amazing events to get involved in that remind me that it is not all about me. What started as a "that could be fun" moment has taken over much of my creativity. I dare you to ask me about Relay For Life and why I do it. (I've blogged about it in the last few months) I could go on and on about how amazing that event is for those with cancer, those who have lost the fight, their loved ones and anyone who has ever come in contact with any of them. And just recently I've began participating in a monthly Community Cookout in downtown Flint (Check out this blog), which has helped me form friendships with people my age, those not my age and those who are homeless. Thankful.

Let's not forget the most recent semi-impulsive decision — my tattoo. Ask anybody I knew five, 10 or 15 years ago. Never in a million years would they think I would get a tattoo. Sitting here typing I can see the word "Love" permanently scribbled on my arm. Because without love we are nothing.


And I've made mistakes, had struggles and am by no means done learning. But I wouldn't wish them away for anything. Without them, I am certain I would be a very different person. I have realized that who I am is not something anyone can change or should want to.

What an incredible five years. I'm ready to see what the next five have in store for me.

Something beautiful

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave. Of powerlines and city streets.”

— Tangled Web by Matt Hires

Ah. We all know the feeling. Being surrounded by rush hour, impatient drivers, busy grocery stores, phone call after phone call and the chaotic day of your every day life.
Sometimes I just want to shut my brain off and forget about the chaos. Sometimes I do that with a book, music or a nice run.
Recently I was able to do that with a trip more than 1,000 miles away. I visited the beautiful, blue skied town of Thermopolis, Wyoming (I promise, it’s a real place).



I could have spent the entire trip outside walking around looking at the beautiful hills and mountains.
Unfortunately, I can't always jet set across the country when I need a stress reliever. So I will strive to find some sort of a get-away wherever I am. That is my goal.

As for my trip … I felt like a middle school student who stepped into the high school for the first time: Wide-eyed and amazed.
Everything was beautiful. It was the complete opposite of the flat, slushy ground of Michigan around this time. The sun reflected off the water and I kid you not, there were buffalo roaming free. Imagine my reaction when we drove through the state park and saw one on either side of us in the open field. I was floored. The closest thing to that in Michigan is an overly comfortable cow.



Oh and did I mention the best part? A morning swim in an outdoor pool filled with water from the hot mineral springs! Let’s see how many adjectives I can use to describe that: relaxing, wonderful, refreshing, lovely.

I remember flying over the mountains and just soaking it in, thinking why can't life be this beautiful every day. Well, to be honest I like a little chaos some of the time, but every once in awhile we all just need a break. And the hot springs, canyons, beautiful red rocks and spans of endless road gave me just what I needed.

Ask yourself something. When someone asks you how you are doing, how often do you respond "busy" instead of "Good. Life is good."

So what is my point to all this? Life can be chaotic, crazy, messy, complicated, rushed, stressful and tiring. I urge to find a (physical or mental) place that none of that matters.