7. {Lyla Rose} 5 Months

A few weeks ago, I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to take some photos for Miss Lyla Rose, who had just turned five months old! This being my first photo session with a baby, I was extremely nervous. I have taken pictures of children before, but they were always in a photo journalistic manner, as much of my work is. I love capturing those candid moments, for I feel they show so much more truth and emotion than many posed shots. :) I was pleasantly surprised then when my little model provided such amazing smiles and personality throughout the entire session! I was truly blessed! I am in love with her precious little cheeks and her big, beautiful eyes! Now, for all of the rest of the babies I will photograph in the future to be this perfect...haha. I will still enjoy those challenging sessions, though, for those give you the most opportunity to learn and grow! Those times when you have to MacGyver your way through a shoot, struggling with the light or with your equipment to get the best shots you can...those are the best learning opportunities! This little angel, however, was nearly perfect. :) And STILL a great learning opportunity, as she introduced me to the fabulous world of baby photography. I can't wait to see what the future holds!

 Here are a few of my favorite shots from Lyla's session! Enjoy!

<3 Keri

6. Eggcellent Beginnings!

Wow! I can't believe this is my first post since returning home. I've been back from Guate since...March? April?? It seems like it's been ages ago!

So...let's commence!

 Chuck Norris approves. (Image from the film Dodgeball, 2004)

 
After becoming slightly (and lovingly) "gordita" during my last visit to Guate, I've decided to be nicer to my body and eat healthier, which involves smaller portions of HEALTHY (yet delicious) food, five or six times a day. Now, my big challenge was how to do this and still get the right nutrients I need, especially calcium and protein. Commence, Easy Fix #1: EGGS.

I took part of the morning today to pay respect to one of nature's most delicious sources of protein.  I discovered an easy way to make them a part of my daily diet...I boiled them. Now I can chop them up and use them in fresh spinach salads, one of my FAVORITE uses of eggs. Stay tuned for photos and recipes of my eggcellent concoctions!

Show some respect to our friend, the egg, today! What is your favorite way to use eggs? What other healthy sources of protein do you recommend?

Make today one filled with joy!

<3 Keri

5. Living the Truth

Yesterday was my day off.  I decided to start with the usual sleep in until 9:00 a.m., followed by some online work and a lovely chat with my friend J'Love.  Then ran some errands and decided to take myself out on a date to the movies...again.

Now, unlike many, I like being able to sit and enjoy a good movie on my own, nestled in my small little world with my Junior Mints and poporopos.  Granted, it is always nice to share that experience with someone else, but when you don't have that, enjoy being on your own! Milk it for what it's worth.

Anyway, I decided to see the film 127 Hours in the Cinépolis VIP theater at Oakland Mall. All of you back in the States, you are missing out!  This was my third or fourth time as a VIP (haha) filmgoer, and I just had to share the experience with you all.


THIS is the VIP experience:

Photo from sdravers.net

You sit in the comfort of your own leather La-Z-Boy recliner, complete with your own waiter, who will serve you anything from popcorn and candy to sushi and gourmet sandwiches to alcoholic drinks.  And this experience costs no more than the price of a regular movie in the States.  I love Guatemala.


Now, let's talk about the movie.  Let's just say I was not too impressed.  There was nothing that really drew me in to the story...besides my shared love of rock climbing with the protagonist.  After the last movie a saw (Love and Other Drugs...a surprisingly amazing, emotionally moving film!), this was a huge disappointment.  I did end up walking away with a new thought, however...

What do you love in your life? Which things are the most important? Try to live every day as if this is the truth.

So it's good that I walked away with a new life philosophy, but overall, I don't recommend this film.  Well, at least I had my La-Z-Boy and caramel popcorn...  

Oh, and more to come on Love and Other Drugs.

4. Hunt for the Perfect Cup of Guatemalan Coffee

One of my best friends, Ms. Jess D'Artagnan Love, has inspired me with one of her last few posts on her blog http://www.livinginiowa.net/. 

After being frustrated with the quality of coffee at many local venues here in Guate, I've decided to start a personal mission to find the best cup of coffee (and the best espresso!) in the country.  Having been a barista and living above Cup of Joe in Cedar Falls, Iowa, I have become quite a coffee snob in the past few years.  Not just any cup of joe will do anymore.  My hope is to discover new caffeinated territories, meeting other coffee "geeks" along the way.  Stay tuned for the results!

What's in your cup?

 One of the most perfect pours of espresso I've had...at local pub in Terceira, Portugal

At the same pub in Terceira, Portugal. My barista friend Dario letting me pour a shot!

3. Great Connections: Artist Alejandro Wer

I have spent my past three days off (Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday) in La Antigua.  It is such an Old World city...very reminiscent of some of the places I've visited in Europe. Like much of Guatemala, it is filled with many artisan markets, which are delicious in their unique handicrafts, exquisite wood carvings and pottery, and brightly colored fabrics, jewelry, and paintings.

Among some of the hidden treasures I've stumbled upon in this remarkable city is an art gallery owned by local artist Alejandro Wer.  I stepped in while finding my way to el parque central de la Antigua, and I was greeted with some of the most friendly hospitality I've encountered here so far.  I began talking with Wer about his beautifully unique paintings in Spanish.  After awhile, I realized that he spoke English, and we continued our conversation in Spanglish.

Wer uses a mixture of Chinese ink, pastels, acrylic and oil paints in his creations.  The effect of combining these mediums is outstanding.  He often uses other artistic works, such as operas, works of literature, etc. as the inspiration for his  pieces.  He currently has some small panels on display which depict several scenes from the novel Don Quixote. Another piece, which I purchased, derives from Greek mythology: the artist's own rendition of the story of Leda and the Swan.  This story has inspired countless other artistic creations, including a famous poem by William Butler Yeats (and several multicultural responses to it, but that's another matter altogether).

After exploring the two-room gallery, I discovered that the artist had also created a museum of his family in the adjacent back two rooms.  How neat!  Wer took me on a small tour, which consisted of a reconstruction of one of the rooms in his house growing up, along with representations of the music, arts, and other activities in which his family was involved.  I learned that both he and his mother were musicians: his mother a soprano, and he a baritone.  I asked Wer if he would sing a bit of something for me, to which he agreed.  I received a personal concert from one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.  Truly amazing.

 (Wer showing me his family museum...in this photo, a poster from when he performed in Carmen)

(Photo: Me rockin' the antique bass inside Wer's family museum)

 (Photo: Wer's father was a doctor AND a magician. What an incredible combination!)

I am meeting again with Wer this Wednesday to show him some of my photography.  Who knows?  Maybe "La Gringa" will have her works on display in Guatemala soon!

See an article about Wer's work from the local paper: http://www.prensalibre.com/escenario/cultura/Talento-guatemalteco-Barcelona_0_290970966.html

2. Free Entertainment?

Trying to fall asleep to the beats of the mix of Selena and Latino techno blaring from next door.

1. Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, where you will find my information, thoughts, and feelings about my travels, photography, and life! Currently, I am working as a nanny in Guatemala, while enjoying the many opportunities and experiences this country has to offer.  Stay tuned for updates!