Summers in Tijuana

With Siouxsie and Cosmo

Training Wheels

Here is to sleeping in 'til 12 but not officially making yourself get up at the "crack of dawn" so you can actually start getting your running done. 

One Last Slurpee

One week ago, my uncle passed away. It was unexpected. His family surrounded him as we took him off life support and let him pass. One of the most vivid memories I have of him is having him pick me up at my grandma's during the summer and taking me to get a slurpee. I got to pick out whichever one I wanted and then we would drive around together. 

So I got one last slurpee at the same spot we use to go to and said goodbye in my own way. He was an uncle, a brother and a son. He will be missed. 

RIP Paul Synder. 

Sunday Funday

And kids bowl free all summer! 

Photo Post / SIXIES

Life is has been hectic with the end of the school year. I work in education as a specialized para professional so I get the summer off but things at my campus have been tense and I worked for months thinking my position was going to be coming to an end and I'd have to find work elsewhere but at the last second (literally two days before the school year was up), I was offered my position again. It was a shock and a lot to think about.

I also decided that after almost a two year hiatus, I was ready to take photos again but I didn't want to put the pressure on me for taking photos professionally and then them turning out like shit. So I offered my services to build up my portfolio again and my friends from the band SIXES asked if I'd be willing. I was very nervous but I think they turned out okay and I hope they think so too. 

So I will be trying to spend most of the summer working on stuff I've been putting off like being a part of the congregation here in SD working on my jewish conversation, applying for credential programs and working on creative stuff like music and photography. I'm lucky to have a boyfriend who is an artist as well so I'm hoping we can collaborate more this summer since we only have been able to see each other about two days a week. 

Interested in getting photos done and live in the SoCal area? Please e-mail me at burton.aleisha@yahoo.com and we will work something out!!! 

Also if you would like to listen to the band SIXIES, here is a link to their Facebook. 

SIXES

Chico, CA

Sunday

The look you get on your face after you've been napping all day cause its Sunday and its hot as hell outside. 

And so it begins...

Last time I posted was at the end of summer camp and I was just heading home after a hectic summer. I was looking forward to everything but nervous for the future. In reality, my goal was to find an apartment, have birdie be back in San Diego and ready for school/work by September 8th. That was three weeks and guess what...I did it. I kind of can't believe it myself. 

I was lucky enough to find the cutest old fashion cottage for me and birdie in the exact location I wanted. I will probably spend the next month decorating, getting rid of things and making it perfect but for the most part, everything to ready for us two ladies to begin the year and its looking very promising so far. 

While the day is hectic, I kind finally starting looking/proposing to new photography clients and start posting more regularly on the blog! 

End of the Summer

Oh my gosh. Like that, the summer is over. 

It was exhausting and stressful and so incredible and I found myself crying at the end when I was saying goodbye. I also cry at the drop of a pin nowadays. Leaving and coming back to San Diego felt like coming into another world despite only being gone for two months. So much freedom was placed in my hands but at the same time, I wouldn't be waking up to the same people. I wouldn't be hearing kids voices all the time. I wouldn't have breakfast, lunch and dinner being made for me everyday. But this is where I start all of the new things I've been looking forward to at the end of the summer. A new job, building my photography business and focusing on music, something I've wanted to do but haven't been able to for too long. All of this as well as the most important thing, finally being able to focus on being a full time mom instead of scraping by on minimum wage gigs that only afford me a studio apartment and not being able to be there all the time. The future is so bright and I can't be thankful enough for where I am and the people who have gotten me here. 

Tell me about your summer. 

Summer Sun

Apparently, my photographs are "artsy."

Surprise!

My friend Becky got engaged when her boyfriend drove 10+ hours to camp to ask her in the spot where they first met. So the girls made her a Congrats gift basket.

Despite not knowing Becky for that long or ignoring the fact that everyone and their mother seems to be getting engaged lately, it was one of the most exciting moments we've had all summer. Becky deserved it.

Camp

Camp has been wonderful. I have made great new friends, I have my own beautiful office, I have been taking tons of pictures and there is still a whole month left. I'd like to say I have a routine but really, I go with the flow with what the day brings me. I wish I could post more pictures but one of the responsibilities of my job is to keep the campers and our camp as private as possible for the safety of both campers and their parents. Because I have yet to take a day off, most of the photos I have taken have been for work but soon enough, I plan to have a day on my own, possibly in Boston and work my way around with my camera to myself again.

One of my main skills is in portraits which I have plenty of opportunity to do here but one of the things I like are the different challenges that I don't necessarily get on a regular basis as a freelancer at home. I get to work on action shots as well as group photos and landscapes. A few above are from a recent track meet.

But enough about me, how are you?

Camp

It has been nearly a month since I have posted on this blog and here is why: in the last month I have graduated, moved out of my LA room, started two new jobs as well as getting other things set up. One of the jobs I have gotten is as a photographer for a summer camp. I don't know if it was because I was completely exhausted after graduation but I basically didn't touch my camera for the whole month and now I get to do just about nothing except take pictures all summer. 

While life has been exhausting, I'm so thankful for the opportunities that have been given to me and I am so completely excited for what is in store for me, not only this summer but for the entire year. I can't wait to get back and start my other job for the school year, I can't wait to find an apartment for me and birdie and begin decorating. I can't wait to have regular weekly practices with my band and start performing around SoCal. I can't wait to get more clients for BFAB photography. I even can't wait to sign up for health insurance and government aid because well, I am in control of everything now!!!! 

The summer camp I got hired at is one of the most wonderful places I have ever been too. I know it is going to be a great summer here. Even though I am independent and an introvert (as I write this, I am sitting in my cabin alone while everyone else is walking around camp and meetings), I feel so welcomed and comfortable here. Everyone has been so friendly and I truly feel respected and appreciated, just like I do at my other job in San Diego. The camp is amazing and I can't wait to capture everything from the horse back riding to the yoga classes. You know those summer camps you see in the movies? Thats this camp basically. 

So throughout the summer, I hope to post more pictures since I'm finally getting into a normal routine but here are just a few (out of the hundreds) that I took yesterday. I hope everyone has a great summer! 

The New Kinetics Part Two

Happy Blogging!