Photography Practice {Adalynn: 12 months}

Oooh, I am having some serious photography fever! I just want to keep practicing! Of course, I would decide I want to practice more a week before my new job starts! I wish I'd been doing this during my entire break!

Yesterday, I had a shoot with my friend Lauren's daughter, Adalynn. I met Lauren in my first bootcamp class back in 2011. I didn't know anybody, and plopped myself down on a mat next to her & we just hit it off. We became "bootcamp buddies" ...always on the same team, helping each other out. She moved away right after having Adalynn, but recently moved back. So, this was my first time to actually meet the little cutie pie!

I absolutely loved her. She was simply ADORABLE, giving me the sweetest smile or pucker or laugh. And those eyes! Love.

Enjoy!

 

 

 P.S. I now have a photography page on Facebook. Feel free to like it here! :)

Photography Practice {Malaya: 14 months}

Recently I was just itching to practice some photography! I hadn't done it in awhile, and I was ready to get my camera out again! I put a call out on facebook for models, and within minutes had several people willing to let me use them - or their child - for practice!

Yesterday was the first of those sessions. I practiced on a beautiful little girl named Malaya. I met Malaya's mom, Megan, when I first started working at Aveda. She graduated soon after, though. Malaya, who they affectionately call Mae-Mae, is now 14 months old, and just adorable. I love her complexion, her lips, and her chocolate brown eyes. Gorgeous!

Some challenges: I had told Megan that 11 am or 5 pm would be best, lighting-wise. Well, I should have said 9 or 10 am for the morning time! The sun was just too bright! So I had a lot of pics with bright sun & shadow on the same face! Oops! Secondly, she is just learning to walk well, so she was all over the place! Haha! But she still gave me the chance to get some good pics! :)

Here are my favorites!

One with mommy & daddy!

 

The best week EVER.

If I was one to use the word "epic", I would be using it right now.

As in, "Last week was EPIC, y'all!". But that just doesn't sound like me. I don't use the word epic. I don't like it. Nobody used to say epic. Now everybody says epic. I don't like trend words.

Wait. That's not right! I don't hate the word, "epic". It's the phrase, "epic fail" that I don't love. But for no good reason, just ignore me. I'm weird, sometimes. Just read what is below...that's the point of all this!

Last week was the best week EVER! (That sounds more like me!)

{MONDAY}

On Monday, I hung out with mom all day. And then I went to my friend Mandy's Origami Owl party where my mom insisted on buying me a necklace with the charms i wanted. I already told y'all about this but since it was part of the week, I will tell you again! :)

Also, on Monday, I fit into some jeans that just a month ago would not go up over my hips or zip/button at all! Now they fit with ease. Well... a LITTLE tight but they fit fine after i was in them for a minute! Ha! Excuse the no makeup & blurry pic! You get the idea!

 {TUESDAY}

On Tuesday, I went to my Ideal Protein weigh-in. I was PRAYING that I had lost 1 or 2 pounds. I didn't dare to hope for 3. But in one week, I lost 4.5 pounds! HOLY COW! I was SO amazed & excited & happy & thankful! It was CRAZY! 4.5 in a week! I have struggled in the past just to lose that in a MONTH - usually without success! Ahhhh!

Also on Tuesday, I went to have lunch with some ladies from church for my pastor's wife's birthday. I absolutely love this woman, she is so sweet! We had a great time visiting.

ALSO, on Tuesday, I had my second interview with Baton Rouge General. My first interview was the Tuesday before, I interviewed with HR & Radiology. I really wanted that Radiology job, but still hadn't heard anything, and figured i would give the purchasing one a shot. The interview went very well, i hit it off with the lady who would be my boss, and the ladies i would be working with. I felt like I had a good chance at this job.

{WEDNESDAY}

On Wednesday, I had another interview (with the state police) which also went well, but the best was that afterwards, I went to lunch with one of my besties, Shana. She treated me which she didn't have to do! So sweet! SO good to catch up with her! We laughed & laughed! While eating, I ran into two old friends & was so happy to see them, too! We went to Starbucks after lunch where i REALLY wanted a frappuccino, but i got my regular coffee. (The only thing i can have without guilt at Starbucks!)

 And, another blurry pic for you! Sorry! 

{THURSDAY} 

On Thursday, I GOT THE JOB!!!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! I was offered BOTH jobs at Baton Rouge General, when i expected to maybe get offered one of them but not the other one! I was able to choose the one i wanted. How amazing is that?! I was on CLOUD 9 the rest of the day! Ahhh! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Also, on Thursday, I had lunch at my friend, Ashley's house. She invited me over for lunch & grilled me a DELICIOUS meal of chicken, asparagus, broccoli & zucchini! All diet-friendly for me! :) It was so good & I loved getting some one-on-one Ashley time! She has been a huge support for me in  my weightloss journey & I just love her!

{FRIDAY}

On Friday, I met my dear friend Becca for lunch! We rarely get together and we definitely need to more often! LOVE this girl! She has been a good friend for many years. Love her! After our lunch (which she treated!), I went to my friend Robyn's to chat. We chatted a few hours before I had to go to the theater. She is the mom of the boys I used to babysit a lot. Now her oldest two are TALLER than me (like, much taller) & her youngest will be in a year or so! Haha. Geez. SO TALL. But i LOVED catching up with Robyn!

Me & Becca

So basically: weightloss, fitting in jeans that were too small before, ladies with women i love on 4 different days of the same week, & a job offer! IN ONE WEEK! Haha!

My weekend? Well, it didn't come close to the wonderful week I had, but it wasn't bad. I did a lot of theater...stage managed 4 shows in 3 days which was exhausting. We had some mishaps, which is always fun in live theater! Mother's Day was Sunday, and that can be a difficult day for me. However, I truly believe God answered my prayers that morning when I asked him for his grace and peace throughout the day. It was not a bad day, not at all. I am thankful for that!

This week is my last one before I go back to work full-time! I am going to enjoy it to the fullest!

So thankful, so excited!

Thank you SO much for all the prayers regarding my job search. Many of you have already seen the news via Facebook or Twitter, but I should make an official announcement on my blog, right?I thought so! So, here it is...

{I GOT THE JOB!!!!!}

Yes! I am the new Patient Access Coordinator in Radiology at Baton Rouge General Hospital! Woohoo!

 my new "office" (not really... this is the cardiology unit. I'm in radiology at the same hospital. But, you get the idea. :)   (source)

 

Basically, I will be scheduling appointments, checking insurance, sending results to doctors, walking ladies back to the back for their mammograms, and a bunch of other things I don't know about yet. 

So... I think I may have told you that i interviewed last week at a hospital. I interviewed this week at the same hospital for a different position.

I really really REALLY wanted Position A. Like, really. Position B wasn't one I applied for, and it didn't seem like something I would be interested in, but I was open to it. I mean, I have wanted to work in the medical community for a long time now, and this is the first time they've actually called me.

The first interview was last Tuesday, and it went well, but i hadn't heard anything back for awhile so i thought it was not the job. They wanted someone with experience in the medical field, and even though I knew they liked me, I guess i put those two things together & thought it wasn't happening.

The second interview...the one i initially thought i did NOT want... well, it went really well. I hit it off with the lady who would be my boss immediately. After the interview part, she gave me a tour and also introduced me to the 3 ladies I would be working with. They were all so sweet, I hit it off with them, too, and i could easily see myself working there. There were only two cons to this one: the pay would be a few dollars less an hour than what I was making previously. And the job itself wasn't something I could get too excited about. (Purchasing.)

I had another interview somewhere else on Wednesday and felt pretty sure that was not the one, too! I was positive the first one in radiology wasn't happening either. So i was PRAYING i would at least get the Purchasing one. I figured i would like it more than purchasing I've done in the past (since there's a whole department and not just, "Hey, Melissa's not doing anything - let's throw this on her!"). Also there is room to grow (& get pay raises) & i could even transfer in 6 months if i hated it. It would be a foot in the door and would be something I might end up liking after all. So i decided i would take it. I hoped i would get it! But I really didn't think the radiology one was going to be an option for me.

Well, she called today. The lady in HR (who interviewed me for both positions before they saw me individually). The conversation went something like this:

"Melissa? This is Jennifer from Baton Rouge General."
"Hi, how are you?"
"Great... So, are you still looking for a job?"
"Yes..."
(Laughs) "Well, i have two departments who would like to hire you!"
Pause. "Are you serious?!?!"

Haha! It was great. I was like, GUSHING, into the phone. I don't think she minded. I chose the one in Radiology, without hesitating, because that is the one that i am excited about the WORK itself. And i liked the people there, too. The pay is the same as what i was making before, so that's good. (Whew!)

It is kind of sad to NOT get to work with the people in Purchasing, after having met them and thinking they are so sweet!!! But i am sure i will meet wonderful people in Radiology also. I am  really excited. If you couldn't tell.

God is SO good! I was so upset and hurt and angry about losing that photography job. But this one is SO MUCH BETTER! I remember just KNOWING that taking the photography job was a God-thing. And i do not doubt that still, even after what happened. Maybe it was just to get me away from my job before that (which was TERRIBLE). Maybe it was that, and also a stepping stone to get me to the next best thing. But i didn't imagine it would be this! I know it's less artsy & more sciency than what i would normally like. ;) But it's still something I think i will be good at, and a hospital - an environment I've always wanted to work in! Plus, they have stability there, great benefits, and much more! YAY!

So, yes. I am thrilled. I start May 20th. So i get one more week off. Ha! :)

What amazes me? By the time i go to work, I will have been out of work exactly one  month. Lost my job April 20th, start new job May 20th. 3 interviews, 2 job offers. THAT is amazing! It took forever to find a job when i was laid off in 2011. Or 2010. Whenever that was. Financially, we are going to be just fine. :) Praise God! 

Thanks again for praying for me!!! You are the BEST!

"For the Lord is good and His love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5

Today was Good!

Today was good, 

Today was fun!
Tomorrow is 

Another one! 

-Dr. Seuss :) 

Had a great day today. First of all, today was weigh-in day. Eek! I was SO NERVOUS. I did away with my scale at home, Standing on it daily can play tricks on you!! Don't see a loss when you should, you get discouraged & eat things you shouldn't... See a loss you think you should, you think it's okay to cheat a little since you're losing! Ha! Lose-lose situation for me! :)

Since I am not weighing daily, and didn't feel that much smaller, I was so nervous. BUT! I went to my appointment anyway, hoping to see a loss. 2 pounds. That's what i wanted. I wouldn't have dared to hope for a 3 pound loss. But y'all. 4.5!!! 4.5 pounds down on that scale! EEK!

I am SO THANKFUL, y'all!

That, of course, set the tone for the day. :)

At noon, I went to the home of one of the ladies at church. They were having a lunch for our pastor's wife, Mary Ann's birthday! I couldn't wait to go because i LOVE Mary Ann, and because I NEVER get to go to these kinds of things since i normally have an outside-the-home full-time job! You better believe i was taking advantage of my time off!

Me & Mary Ann! She is so sweet!

There were 8 or 9 ladies there, and we had a great time. It was short but sweet. We had lunch and then went outside to visit. BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

After that, I ran home, changed clothes & headed to my second interview at a local hospital. I went on an interview with them last Tuesday. The Human Resources lady said she had 2 possible positions for me. I immediately interviewed with one of them, but she couldn't get in touch with the other one. So they called me later and i met with them today.

I feel great about the interview. It went well. Really well. I loved the lady i met with (who i think would be my boss!) & she introduced me to the 3 ladies I would be working with. They were SO sweet & fun. I could definitely see myself working with them. The actual WORK is not really something I thought I would be interested in. The pay is not as much as I was making before. Those are the downers. BUT I think i would learn a lot and like working with these ladies, which would make it more enjoyable. Plus, you get annual raises and there is opportunity to grow! SO... we'll see!

Initially, I really wanted the OTHER job (with the same hospital), and that one still seems more my cup of tea as far as what I would be doing! But this one seems more likely for them hiring me. Because i have more experience in this area. So...we shall see. She said she HOPES to have it wrapped up by the end of the week... I should hear by Friday or maybe Monday?!

Tomorrow I have another interview with the state. My husband works for the state and they have excellent benefits. So...that's a possibility too! Say a prayer for me tomorrow at 10:30 am (central time), okay?! Please?? (I get so nervous for interviews!!)

Oh, and last night (we're going backwards now...if you are confused!), I went to my friend Mandy's for an Origami Owl party. Have you heard of these?! I wasn't going to buy one even though i have really wanted one, seeing as how i do not have a J-O-B! But my mama bought me one! How sweet is she?! I love it. It's a necklace that you put little charms in to represent your life. Here is a picture of mine! Can you see it?

So here are the charms i chose to represent me! A flower, a camera, a coffee cup, drama faces (theater!), a dog bone (to represent Fievel), a treble clef (to represent my musician husband), a cross (to represent my love for Jesus!), and my birthstone (aquamarine for March). The back says "inspire". They also had "faith" & "dream" & i would have loved one of those! But i am also impatient and she didn't have one of those in stock, so... INSPIRE it is! But it fits. i am a creative person. I look for inspiration in everything. Photography, theater, music??? Inspire is a good word for me! :)

So that was a lot of fun!!

Just catching you up on my week so far! Hope all of you are having a good one! :)

This weekend, I...

This weekend, I saw the movie MUD with my parents. (There are pluses to being without a job! Like...getting to join the parents for lunch & a movie in the middle of the day!) Did I like the movie? Um...yes. I think so!

This weekend, I was treated to lunch at VooDoo BBQ,. First time eating there. And yes...they actually had veggies... I could eat there without cheating on my diet! Whew!

This weekend, I watched my beautiful friend Natalie get married!

This weekend, I spilled my water & my wine at the wedding reception. At the same time. No, I was not drunk (I spilled the wine after having maybe two sips!). Yes, i was talking with my hands. :)

This weekend, I caught up with some dear friends at Natalie & Bradford's wedding!

This weekend, I stage managed another performance of Move Over, Mrs. Markham at TBR.

 Zac & Jeff (actors) and Keith (director) - don't they look guilty of something?!? 

 2 of my favorite people...Beth & Kelly

My friend Ronald, whose hair is like that for the show. ;) 

This weekend, I went to church. It was wonderful. And the day was just beautiful! 

This weekend, I went for a walk with my love! Just because i wanted to exercise. I am thinking if you actually WANT to exercise... you better hurry up and do it before you change your mind! :)

What did you do this weekend? Link up with Syndal or Sar for This Weekend, I...!

Natalie & Bradford's wedding!

Friday night, we went to the wedding of my beautiful friend, Natalie. I met her in 2006 during our first show at Baton Rouge Little Theater, Beauty and the Beast, and we have remained good friends through the years. I seriously made some lifelong friends in that cast!

Natalie was proposed to via flash mob (which i just watched again, and cried again!) and I knew their wedding would be just as special. There were touches of LSU everywhere, from the gold bridesmaids dresses to purple bouquets, to an LSU football stadium groom's cake! The LSU theme is very fitting, as they're both recent LSU law school graduates, plus she was an LSU golden girl as an undergrad. She also had a cute little llama at each table at the reception (this has nothing to do with LSU, Natalie is just obsessed with llamas!).

The ceremony was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plaquemine, Louisiana. What a beautiful church! Everything was so elegant.

 This picture is a little blurry, but i LOVE it. They're so happy! 

The reception was held a few minutes away at Nottoway Plantation. GORGEOUS plantation home in White Castle, Louisiana.

The wedding party made their entrance to the LSU Fight Song. They all wore purple or gold sunglasses. Honestly - it was adorable! 

Brad & I had a great time visiting with friends we haven't seen in awhile. Actually, several of these we only see at weddings these days! Haha!

 Lauren & Dan

 

 Susan & Chris (She is glowing! Susan is gonna be a bride herself in 3 months!)

 Evan & Sara 

Charlynn & her new boyfriend, Andy!

The groom's cake was AMAZING. This pic does not do it justice! 

 Adorable

 Finally got to meet my friend Noel's fiance! :) 

Me, Charlynn & Evan! 

 Me & my sweet love (i need a haircut so bad!)

 I love her so much!

Us with the bride! (I have no idea why Brad is laughing!)

Love her! What a beautiful bride!