Gratitude list: Lately

On Wednesday night, my colleague Rebecca texted me.  "Hey, tomorrow bring your camera," she said, "We can be the designated photographers."

We were having a farewell for a friend the next day and we were eager to capture as many moments as possible.  It turned out to be a lot of fun.  I've never cooperatively shot with someone else before but we ran around together pretending to be from a photography company, ordering our friends around (some of them were more than happy to comply) and saying things like, "Yes, yes, this is my second shooter.".

Games aside, I learned a lot watching Rebecca.  She's been taking photos for a lot longer than I have and has a great eye.  

We were interested in slightly different moments and different angles, and that was why our batches of photos turned out slightly different in a good way.  We have the same Canon body, so we could easily compare what we were doing.

After the party ("it's the hotel looobby"... sorry, going a bit R. Kelly on you there), Rebecca told me she had had fun taking pictures with me and I wholeheartedly agreed.  It's nice to find someone who enjoys doing the same thing and running around and taking pictures and comparing techniques and learning new things (I only found out what a light leak was yesterday).  I love that she is non-judgemental and doesn't tell me how things should be done, like some photography enthusiasts that I've met.  Rather, she's open to discussion and learning and looking at things from different points of view.  

I'm editing the photos from that party now but in the interim, here are some random things that I'm grateful for.

Someone brought my parents a crate of the juiciest yellow peaches.

A visit from a good friend.

Snowskin mooncakes with sea-salt black sesame (!) and champagne truffle (!!) filling.  I got them from the moon cake expo thing at the Ngee Ann City Atrium.  Amanda and I took a special trip to town and spent the afternoon eating our weight in mooncake samples.  It's criminal that this is a once a year thing.

An awesome orange-themed bracelet that my mother made for me.

My parents just got back from their trip to Canada where they were visiting spawn number three.  I was adamant that they not buy me anything because my room is full to bursting, but my mother stopped by the dollar store and couldn't resist getting me this washi-tapealike.  I have to say, I'm loving it.  Imagine that, one (Canadian) dollar!

PS  I tried to make them say "69" in the bottom picture but the backs of the dispensers showed.  Oh, life!