10 on 10 - June

This month's post is just a bit different from past 10 on 10 posts.

For starters, this post marks the one year mark for the 10 on 10 project!! People from all over the country have come together to participate in 10 on 10 this year, which has been truly fantastic.  When I first came up with this idea, I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out, or who else would see the vision of the project enough to keep it going. I was lucky to find some amazing photogs from all different areas of the country who have been committed to the project. They have all shared incredible work as well as some insight into their own lives. While I have yet to meet any of them personally, I feel as if I know each one individually because of their willingness to not only open up to me but also to all of you. It's pretty darn cool if you think about it. PLUS, next month we will have a few more photogs joining us! Most of the original 10 on 10ers will continue and we will also have a few more newbies to spice things up. So make sure to check back next month to see some great new additions.

The second reason this month's post is a little out of the norm is that I'm writing from Sydney, Auuustraaaiiillliiaaaaa (<---- said like Oprah)!! This year's International Rotary Convention was in Sydney, so my sister and I were lucky enough to tag along with my step-dad (aka "Pops"). He went to the convention and we explored the city. Since the convention has ended, we have been able to discover more of the great things this beautiful country has to offer. It's been a little over a week, and I can tell you that Austrailia is definitely on our list of places to return and explore more. While we have been busy exploring this week, it seems we've just reached the tip of the Australian "iceberg".

Needless to say, I had a difficult time narrowing down which day to use for this post ....and also narrowing down only 10 photos. I'm sure you can imagine, I have hundreds. After taking to some time to think about what I thought most people would like to see, and also what I most enjoyed, I decided on the, perhaps cliche, Sydney Harbor and Opera House. Because seriously, it is an extraordinary site to see. Both the setting and the architecture create an atmosphere where photos will never replace being here in person. That's one of the things I love most about traveling. ...and because it's not in the states where we rope and fence off everything, you can literally walk right up to the Opera House. Did you know that the roof is made of white tile? I had no idea. I always pictured some kind of stretched canvas material.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen some photos of the Vivid Sydney Light Festival that was going on the week that we were in town. I'm sure I'll write another post with PLENTY of Austrailia pics that include Vivid Sydney, but for this post I wanted to focus on one particular morning. On our third day in the city, we woke up early to watch the sun rise over the harbor. I think even if you lived here and saw this view everyday, it wouldn't ever get old. On par with the Eiffel Tower, you just can't not look. It's too good!

Keep checking back. I hope to post more photos from our excursions around Sydney, to the Blue Mountains, and to Hamilton Island.

And, if you haven't already, make sure to check out the other 10 on 10ers. As always, they are bound to show you some great work. Also, be sure to check back next month to see some new 10 on 10ers.

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography

Anya Elise Photography

Button Media

Jamilah Photography

Until next time...

Hola Espania!

This summer Nabil and I were able to take the trip of a lifetime. I mean really, the trip of a lifetime. I may have mentioned a time or two, that Nabil's brother Yacine currently lives in a little town called Jolly Ol' London. You may also know that there was a little event there this summer called... the OLYMPICS! Yes we got to go to London 2012! It was absolutely incredible, but more on that later.

We figured that since we were making the trip all the way across the pond, we might as well hit up a few other countries while we were there. I mean, it's so easy to get around, we couldn't really say no. Enter, Espania!

We first stopped in to stay with a friend for a few days. They live in a little town called Benicassim. I don't think this town could be any cuter. It was right on the beach and every morning, our good friends Laura and Raul would make us an amazing breakfast. We would eat on their balcony, and yeah, check out that view!

The food was so good! One of my favorite parts of eating out was that most of the outdoor seating was on the street inbetween the restaurants and houses. Laura and Raul would make fun of me because I kept saying "This is SO European". But seriously, it was! Like in a movie. You don't really see that in the states. It was pretty awesome. And just look at that handsome hubby. So cute.

And there he is again, just chillin' by the Benicassim sign.

Pretty sweet huh? The second day we were there, Laura and Raul took us on a little jaunt to Vilafames, Spain. It's about half and hour inland from Benicassim. This town is the definition charming. If I ever become a multi-millionnaire, I am going to buy a little house in this town and stay there every spring or summer. The town was so amazing, I don't even know where to start.

Look at those cute little Spanish, soon to be parents. Such great hosts.

There was a tiny shop in the town where we bought jam, honey, olive oil, and wine. Check out the wine. Apparently, in Spain each vineyard has a quota that they are not allowed to sell over. If they make over that amount, they leave them unlabled, give them to small vendors (usually friends) who sell them for like $3 a bottle. It's like a fun, wine, grab bag. A surprise in every bottle.

The other great thing about this town, is that it is thousands of years old. Many of the houses were built into the side of red rock, which is the primary foundation of the whole town. One of the stores we went into had the red rock as the back wall. No drywall or finishes, just red rock. Pretty sweet.

We kept walking up and down the streets, and guess what we saw?! I real CASTLE!! That's right. Those things us Americans only learn about from text books, and battle movies.

Okay, it's a run down castle. But, for something built in the 16th century, it looks pretty good. Spectacular view too.

This is inside the main tower.

Since the castle was mainly used as a fortress, there are windows that surround all of the exterior walls. They are wider on the inside and narrow on the outside to allow archers room to shoot out, but narrow to keep the arrows from entering. See, history can be fun!

Those are the highlights. Up next, Barcelona! (Update: check out our trip through Barcelona here)

Until next time...

Sister Sydney

I've been in Spokane the last couple days to send my sister Sydney off to her semester abroad in Tanzania. We have been busy packing up her room, and trying to keep ourselves occupied, but today is the day we actually have to drop her off and say goodbye. I'm excited (and nervous) for her, and I know that she will have the time of her life. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be crying the whole drive back to Portland however. Goodbyes are always difficult even if it is only four months. I think that somehow we both know she is going to come back a little different person, more grown-up. You can't go through a trip like that and not change.

On a lighter note, yesterday Syd, her boyfriend, Jacob, and I hung out in downtown Spokane. Below are a few of the pics we took by the river.

 

Have a great trip Syd!! We'll see you in four and a half months. Love you!