So I posted on Saturday that I was going to try to post everyday to catch up on all that’s been going on. I also mentioned that I would be posting on how my vacation was and how awesome rest is. And then I didn’t post yesterday! But I figure since Sunday is the day of rest, then I’m excused from not blogging… in the spirit of what I was planning on writing about. See what I did there? Anyway…

My In-Laws just happen to be some of my favorite people in this world, I think I’m pretty lucky that way. They also happen to live on the paradise-esque island of Maui and go out of their way each year to make sure we visit them (pull my leg right?). We usually go in the fall but because of my busy wedding season and Casey’s work with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival extending through the fall, we got to spend our first winter in Hawaii. Let me tell you… winter on Maui is magical! Not only are you taking a break from cold weather somewhere else, but it also happens to be whale season. The highlight of our trip (besides simply spending much needed time with family) was a sunrise whale watching trip my father in law treated us to. We had to get up at 5am to get out there but it was all SO worth it. There were whales EVERYWHERE. In fact our guide (who follows them between Alaska and Maui every season) said it was one of the top 5 best trips shes ever been on. It made me remember how amazing the natural world we live in is! I didn’t bring my camera to Maui (this was a major vacation move) but below are some shots my brother in law got.

I mentioned I didn’t take my camera with me on this trip. I did this mainly because I realized that it is really valuable to give your craft space to breath. As a creative professional, what is a fun hobby for some is my in-and-out daily life. And even though photography is something I LOVE, it has a tendency to get stale and old after a while if I’m not careful. I was feeling this as my 2010 busy season was coming to an end, like I was loosing my vibrancy and childlike excitement and curiosity for my craft. So I went to one of the world’s most visually beautiful places without my camera! This did two things, it forced me to rest (and leave work at home in a sense) AND it made me SO excited to get home and start taking pictures again. I’m so thankful for both of those things. I can’t explain how important rest is! One of my best and wisest friends always told me that when everything is super hectic and stressful, it’s important to take a little time each day and do something for yourself, something that makes you rest and recharges you. Without that you’ll just run on empty (eventually run out) and the gift that you are giving back to the world always suffers because of it. Thank you Shirley Anyway I got some much needed deep rest, realized that there are some things in my life I can cut back on (ahem, daily/hourly facebook checking) so work time can be shorted yet more efficient and rest time can actually be a regular attainable thing.

I felt like this is especially important for self employed creative types, but I think it’s really relevant to everyone these days… well at least the bit about facebook

ps – I think the line in The Social Network nailed it when one of the first girl users termed it as crazy addictive!

pps – a note to all brides or actors (or really anyone thinking about having nice skin) I tried Trader Joes Lavender Sea Salt scrub on my face today and was BLOWN AWAY at how amazing it is! Like so much so that I’ve been telling almost every girl I talk to today… So far I’ve deducted that mostly girls read this blog, so I’m mentioning it here too. If you are a guy reading this, than I apologize for this totally girly moment, but to my defense, my Casey tried it too and thought it was awesome… so there.

Also because posts are always more interesting with more pictures… Here is a silly picture from KC and Marissa’s summer wedding at Lake of the Woods, near Ashland Oregon