Thanksgiving 2014

Once again my family comes together to celebrate Thanksgiving; the day of giving thanks to everything we're grateful for in our lives. Every year we would each have a turn to stand up at the dinner table and announce what we were grateful for. When it was my turn, I mustered only a few words before I started tearing up - these kinds of things get me super emotional. But what I wanted to say was that I was thankful for a number of things:

  1. First and foremost my friends and family - The support I get from the people in my life is incredible and I will constantly be there for each and every one of them. 
  2. My health - I am incredibly grateful to be healthy and because of this, I will take care of my body, mind and soul to the best of my abilities through eating healthy, keeping my heart active through constant learning and keeping my heart healthy through yoga!
  3. Living in Canada - I am so privileged to live in a country where I have freedom of expression. I take this for granted much too often.
  4. Time for myself - I have spent the past summer doing things I love -  I had the summer off and it has taught me SO much about who I am, who I want to become and my next big step in life. 

At every holiday occasion, I try my luck at preparing a dish for the table. This year I made Creamed Kale (which literally consists of cream and Kale) and Acorn Squash Soup; the soup was a massive hit! I got the recipe from the October Chatelaine Magazine edition

Although I do see my family quite often, there's always something special about when we get together on a holiday such as this one. We tend to be more present and appreciative of our time together. Th day was nothing short of awesome - hot cocoa, beating Michael in chess, amazing food, great weather, pie galore, wine and family. 




Double Exposure in DSLR

Double exposure is the super-positioning of 2 pictures into 1 image. In analog cameras you do this by exposing the same film twice (I got the opportunity to do this in my highschool darkroom and it was awesome). In some Digital SLR cameras, there is a "multiple exposures" option wherein it essentially does the same thing (without the film of course); this was the technique I used to take my images. Some people can take regular photos and manipulate them in photoshop to get a similar effect. Last week I went to Edwards Gardens in Toronto and tried my luck at some double exposure photos and was ecstatic about the result. I spent the next 5 hours trying to understand the technique and the relationship between the shadows and sunlight in both exposures. For a great image, one photo should be a silhouette (or partial silhouette with some facial features still being shown) and the next photo should be of a textured object with a bright/blown out background (i.e. tree with the sky in the background). What I also found worked really well is taking a picture of your shadow on a bright concrete floor as your first silhouette image.

Here are some of the photos I took from the day.

Manifestation.

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I've been reading a lot of Ram Dass lately and thought I would share an insight I got from him. There are various planes of reality. With each plane of awakening, you start to transcend dualism and realize that we are all one. You are me and I am you. Social responsibility comes into play when you realize that because of this oneness, if you are suffering then I am suffering and when I suffer, you suffer. We need to work on our inner journey and project love into the universe so that we gain self-love and become a vehicle for others to grow in our presence.  What do you want to manifest in your life to help you grow into the person you want to become? By opening up your heart to the world and following your intuitive mind, you can start to see the answers that were right in front of you all along. 

Into the Rockies We Go - Vail, Colorado

It is 1:00am with some torrential downpour happening outside our car; through the flashes of light from the lightening, we see the first signs of the Rocky Mountains. I'm not fond of driving in the rain, especially when the streets lack appropriate lighting and sharp turns approach without forewarning; both of us were fairly anxious. Signs passed us by every few minutes with an elevation increase, warnings about avalanches, falling rocks and animal crossings. What is going on out there? Is there snow? How big are these falling rocks exactly? It was pitch black but we can tell that a steep mountainous range was on either side of us. This unfamiliar landscape was eerie and we simply wanted to get to our airbnb home safely; and we eventually did.

Waking up in the morning and going outside was eye-opening. What were we so scared of last night? This place is absolutely beautiful! Sheets of trees greeted us from the mountain range, dry warm heat wrapped us up wholly and the wonderfully smelling fresh crisp air filled our lungs. 

We were staying in the Rocky Mountains for 3 nights in the region of Vail. The people of Vail are adventurous by nature – snowboarding, Heli skiing, mountain biking, mountain climbing, Hiking, Zip Lining, Water Rafting, snow tubing, kayaking, Bob Sledders - you name it, they do it all. Having that craving for adventure myself, I couldn’t wait to let my valiant spirit loose. "It is in all of us, to defy expectations, to go into the world and be brave and to want, to need and to hunger for adventures - to embrace change and chance and risk so that we may breathe and know what it is to be free." 

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Mountain biking – After exploring Lionshead Village, we headed to Charter Sports and rented a mountain bike with a gondola lift ticket to get on top of Vail Mountain. With an affordable price of about $50.00, you really can’t go wrong; and it beats having to ride up the mountain yourself! Vail mountain is a very popular winter destination getaway for its winter sports. In the summer is boasts tons of scenic hiking and biking trails, each with its own level of difficulty. Getting off the gondola on our first ride down, I was reminded by the operator to “Have fun but take risks!” Perhaps I took his advice too seriously because after about 15 minutes of exhilaration at a speed too fast for my own good, I wiped out around a corner. Sara came to my side after what felt like a few minutes, worry and terror in her eyes. I laid there, unable to breath properly and wondering if I should tell her I love her for being a great friend to me all these years. It felt as if I broke my spine or ruptured a lung; a few minutes of catching my breath, I gratefully thanked the universe that I was still alive. With medics driving around the mountain constantly, I got a bit cleaned up, mentally checked and did as the citizens in Vail do – they get up and keep going! Badly bruised and cut, I put my helmet back on and realized “Holy Crap, I caught all of that on my GoPro! THAT IS SO COOL!” Unfortunately the file was corrupted upon returning home that night. I still got some cool videos of us riding which I will post on a later date. Needless to say, the experience was incredible – breathtaking views, adrenaline pumping and feeding my adventurous soul; Plus, the cut up face is a GREAT ice-breaker when talking to the boys in Vail; They dig that sorta thing :) ;)

Note: We were also invited by some guys to join them for a game of Frisbee Golf on the top of the mountain. From Thursday to Saturday, the gondola lift ticket is good until 9:00PM, so grab some new friends, some beers/wine and get on the last chair lift up to witness the village lightscape and play a round of golf!

Piney River Ranch Piney Lake

Piney River Ranch/Piney Lake - One of the highlights of the trip was going to Piney Lake, Piney River Ranch. With mountainous landscapes surrounded by Birch & Pine Trees and a pristine lake, the photography opportunities are endless. No wonder this magical place is host to weddings and events. Sara had the pleasure of photographing a couple (Melissa and Eric) at dusk and the pictures turned out beautifully! Check them out here. I spotted a family of 4 and thought it would be nice to provide them with a still memory as well. They were so cute and very appreciative! Piney Lake, a place of beauty & relaxation - enjoy the photos below!

Climbing the Rocky Mountains - Gray's Peak – One of the main reasons Sara and I wanted to go to Colorado was because we wanted to climb an epic mountain and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado was the closest option. The Rocky Mountains were formed 55-80 million years ago and span more then 4,800 kms from BC in Canada to New Mexico in the US. There are 54 Fourteeners in Colorado (mountains that are over 14,000ft high). After talking to some locals, we decided that climbing up Gray's Peak was a great choice.

Agnes’ Hiking essentials:

Hiking Boots - Do not hike up a mountain in running shoes. You will highly regret it. Sara learnt this the hard way.

Trail mix – Nutritious and yummy!

music - no brainer - although, taking the time to walk in silence and listen to the sounds of nature is beautiful as well.

Water - and lots of it! Because of the elevation, you need more water to replenish your system. 

Camera gear – Yes, camera gear is essential for a photographer like myself. The views were absolutely breathtaking & the flora was very diverse and unique – but packing 7 kilos of camera gear into a backpack was the worst idea I've had yet. Next time I will most likely pack either a point and shoot camera or my Canon 6D with a 50mm lens (the cheap and light plastic fantastic) and of course my GoPro.

Binoculars – I was REALLY hoping to spot some Mountain Goat. Unfortunately that did not happen - our neighboring hikers saw a few and showed us pictures though. Jealous.

Convertible pants – The weather on a mountain can change drastically with the elevation increase. It was 30 degrees Celsius at the start of our hike but once we reached the top, it was snowing with a temperature of roughly -10 degrees. Bring a light weatherproof coat so you stay dry and warm.

The 12km hike up the mountain was the hardest endeavor I've accomplished to date (It's difficulty was mainly brought upon the weight I had in my backpack). I know a few people can get AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness caused by a lack of oxygen at high altitudes) so you might want to pick up some pills at the drugstore if this is of concern to you. The trail was filled with hikers: young, old, solo and groups of friends. One of the coolest things was this comradery between the hikers; the one-ness we felt was incredible. There was also this one man with a white brimmed hat which basically hiked up and down the mountain with us. His smile & aura reminded me of someone extremely special to me and when I needed courage, I would look for him in the distance and would get that boost. 

http://www.vailvalleymagazine.com/winter/

http://www.vailvalleymagazine.com/winter/

Bucket List – Climbing a mountain – CHECK!

The thought of being in the mountains makes my heart skip a beat. Vail Colorado, I hope to return one day for some amazing winter sports! >>>>> Like this >>> How cool is that!

Check out the pictures of our mountain adventures below! 

Boulder, CO - A place to Shine!

Boulder Colorado

 “There are places in the world where thoughts becomes clearer and life becomes calmer, that’s where I long to be” – This is a quote I found on a canvas with a picture of a cute fawn that followed the words “Welcome to Boulder”. That is what Boulder felt like to me, a place where the meaning of life feels a bit more attainable, where the friendly faces help you connect to humanity and where the creativity flows like a freshwater stream.

Hippie Boulder Colorado caravan

As soon as Sara and I stepped onto Boulder ground (coincidentally Pearl Street, the downtown of Boulder CO), we fell in love. First and foremost, we heard the sound of The Hang (pronounced Hung), a flyer saucer like instrument that was being played on a barefoot dread-locked dudes lap. A few feet further along the street, another performance was underway with various other unique instruments. And it didn’t stop, this place was a musical paradise! In addition, there were henna tattoo artists, piano players, busker performers, barefoot walkers, baton throwers, hoola-hoopers, people wearing tie-dye shirts & Greenpeace reps petitioning a variety of world issues. Visiting all the shops was another full day adventure for us – so many talented local jewelry artists, boho clothing shops, and adorable specialty stores. I highly recommend going inside Bayleaf, the cutest shop I have seen in a while that has everything from local specialty foods like chocolate and jams to candles and religious art. The nightlife was an exhilarating surprise. Curiously, we walked into the first bar that looked busy (the Bohemian Biergarten), paid 2$ cover, grabbed a local beer and followed the sound of music to another room. We were pleasantly shocked by the positive vibes in this room, playing a reggae blend of music that I've never heard of before with everyone jamming as collective whole. With so many interesting characters in this room, this was the perfect place to people watch. I stood there drinking my beer, waiting to feel accepted into this atmosphere. It didn't take long; before I knew it, I was in my own world, grooving, jamming, smiling and having an awesome time with those that cared to share my space. The bar next door (Shine, Restaurant & Gathering Place) had a connecting door which allowed people to walk freely back and forth. I couldn't believe that the two bars ONLY charged a 2$ cover! The DJ’s next door were of another eclectic style that combined jungle, electronic and ajkdhasd <once again, I've never heard of this type of music so I made up my own genre>. It was spectacular. We hung out and danced with some Swiss boys that were travelling the US in a camper-van. Where do people in camper-vans and RVs park their vehicles overnight you ask? Walmart! Sara and I learnt this the hard way when we couldn't find a single motel room that had availability and had to sleep in the Walmart parking lot for a night (does sleeping with one eye open count as sleeping?). What I found out was that Walmart makes itself known for being a safe haven for travelers to rest safely at. I even kept seeing a security car circulating the premises!

Boulder love - hippie tie dye

Boulder is also known for its wonderful cafes and restaurants emphasizing the importance of supporting local farms & wineries. The Dushanbe Teahouse is an architecturally impressive place for some afternoon tea and I HIGHLY recommend it. The Kitchen was one of the restaurants I heard was phenomenal and it certainly did not disappoint. Almost an orgasmic experience for us two girls; the food was delicious, the service was genuine and pleasant and the décor embraced a rustic & elegant charm.

Boulder, CO - a place where you can be yourself, a place that begs you to enjoy life a bit more, a place where you can trust the faces that smile back at you. You have filled my own hippie heart with love and I hope to return to you one day! <3

List of what to see/do:

  1. Explore Pearl street – its shops (Bayleaf & Into the Wind were my favorites) and its street performers
  2. Have tea at the Infamous Dushanbe Teahouse
  3. Eat at “The Kitchen” 
  4. Visit one of their many amazing cafes (The Laughing Goat was one I enjoyed a lot)
  5. Take a walk around the University of Colorado located in Boulder
  6. On the weekend, dance at the bar Shine & Bohemian Biergarten and try one of their potions on their drink menu.
  7. During a weeknight, head over to the pub Mountain Sun for some epic live rock music
  8. Head over to the Boulder Reservoir on a lazy day, soak up the sun and try some water sports - paddleboarding is a very sight.
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Varadero, Cuba 2014

Hello! I wanted to blog a little bit about my trip to Cuba with one of my best friends Sara Stankiewicz. I met Sara more then 5 years ago and it was love at first site haha - We both had a similar outlook on life and had a passion for photography. We were constantly shooting with our little point and shoot cameras everywhere we went, bonding through this creative outlet that we both share. 5 Years later and I can say that Sara is one of the best Wedding Photographers I know! If you or anyone you know is looking for a photographer for their wedding, send them the link to her website! (www.sarunia.com) 

A month ago I was having a really tough time in my life and from the heavens an angel came and asked me to go to Cuba with her - all expenses paid!! And that angel was Sara haha. I mean, who in their right mind would say no to that? So we embarked on our Cuba adventure shortly thereafter!

I should mention that Sara got hired to photograph a destination wedding in Cuba and she took me as her second shooter/assistant!

Check out Sara's website in a week to see the wedding we photographed together! Exciting stuff!

We arrived at the airport 3 hours early (Sara is a cautious one) only to find out it was delayed for a few hours. We ended up drinking wine, eating sushi and playing with double exposures in camera before boarding! How nerdy can we get? Super nerdy. 

Arriving at the resort at midnight that night, we decided to organize ourselves for the rest of the week and go to bed fairly early (2am). The next morning, we explored the resort! Here are some photos of the Iberostar Azul resort in Varadero Cuba that we stayed at. I mostly ate fruit and hot dogs at the resort because as expected, the food wasn't great. The beds also weren't really comfy. But other then those two small hiccups, the trip was great!  (haha yes I am aware that food and the bed you sleep are probably the two most important things when travelling but mehhhh, we survived).

Sara and I tried to make the best out of the trip by constantly doing different things each day (yes it IS possible, even at a resort). We loved pool lounging and getting "day drunk" as people call it (*Joe johnston was an expert at this past time haha*), but I can only do that for so long before itching to get off our keester to do something else; Resort hopping, exploring the area, excursions, yoga on the beach, travelling to the strip, exploring the night life in varadero (Calle 62 is awesome), etc...

The day before the wedding, Sara did an engagement shoot with Kaitlyn and Vince in Varadero on the strip. I was lugging the camera gear around like the good assistant as well as taking some "behind the scenes" photos of Sara. It was so awesome to see Sara in her element.  I managed to take some time to take some photos of the surrounding area for myself at some resting points! It's hard not to photograph in such a beautiful country - picture opportunities everywhere! The weather was absolutely perfect to say the least.

We ended the night off with a beautiful sunset which was just glorious. I mean - isn't this what life is supposed to be about? Enjoying the beauty of the world while surrounding yourself with amazing people *Sigh* if only we could do this everyday.

We met so many amazing people on this trip which I think is essential when you're travelling. We all strive for connection and it's human nature to do so. I found myself holding back and not letting my wall down a few times in certain circumstances. Perhaps that's what city life does to you; with all the hustle and bustle you forget to stop, be mindful and realize what is truly important. Let go, connect, live life. I have learnt so much from everyone that I met, more then they will know. Life is a funny thing yeno. 

Sara and I also went on a Jeep safari adventure with 9 other jeeps. For 75$ we went snorkeling, swam in a cave in Matanzas, ate an authentic cuban meal, went to a sugar cane field, tried a variety of farmed produce, cruised on a boat and drove 150km on a jeep through Matanzas and the surrounding area. Listening to our favorite music made the ride 1000x better. Unfortunately all our photo devices (cameras, go pro's, phones) ran out of battery. photographer fail.

Sara and |I also decided to take a mini photoshoot of ourselves on the beach - because I mean, who doesn't want some nice vacation photos right? Having a photographer as a best friend is awesome - I highly recommend it. 

Sara, thank you for being you and for taking me on this trip. It was a much needed break. Love you girl <3