Beliefs.

I believe in looking, talking, and acting like a lady. 

I believe in cheesecake and chai lattes.
I believe in eating while trying to lose weight. 

I believe in the little bird on your shoulder. 

I believe that true love comes when you least expect it.  

I believe that hugs are the best stress relievers.

I believe that you should never let your praying knees go out. 

I believe that confidence can create happiness. 

I believe in equality. 

I believe in manners. 

I believe that you are and can be a better person then you think. 

I believe in paying it forward and giving back. 

I believe in laughing at yourself. 

I believe in counting your blessings. 

I believe that men have it just as bad as women.

I believe in smiling and talking to strangers. 

I believe that everyone has a talent. 

I believe in myself. 

I believe in you, too. 

Date a photographer.

I almost cried. I would love a man who sees all of this in me someday.

Date a girl who takes photographs. Date a girl whose favorite sound is the click-click of the shutter as it closes and opens to capture a memory. Date a girl who sees the wonder in the simplest things. Date a girl who looks at the world and wonders how to put a little of herself in it.

You might find her in the park, lost behind her lens, the world a blur around her as she tries to capture a single moment in time. You might find her in an exhibit, a look of concentration on her face as she contemplates a photograph that called out to her as she was passing by.  Or maybe you will find her in a bookstore, a book in her lap as she pores over photographs of weddings all the while wondering what hers would look like.

Take her out to photo walks and laugh as she tries to take a picture of you. When she gets tired of walking, buy her cupcakes but wait until she has taken pictures of them before proceeding to eat them.  Listen as she tells you her ideas for a photo shoot on the ride home.

Take her to a restaurant and wait patiently as she surveys the menu carefully, appreciating the food photography. And again, wait until she has taken a photo of your food before digging in. Allow her introduce you to Ansel Adams while you both eat your lunch. Introduce her to your favorite musician as you wait for the bill to arrive. When you get home, change your Facebook profile picture into a photograph she took of you. She silently hoped for it.

Take stolen shots of her. Compile it and give it to her on her birthday. Tell her you love her over and over until your voice replaces the click of the shutter as her favorite sound. Kiss her after she lifts her head up from the camera. Give her camera-shaped necklaces. Go places with her.

You will never be bored again.

Date a girl who takes photographs. She will never whine about a little dirt on her favorite pair of jeans as she kneels down to get a better angle of her subject. She will never be afraid to take adventures with you. She will take photographs of you not just with her camera but with her mind as well and keep it to herself to admire at night. But above all, she will teach you how to look at the world with a brand new perspective and she will do that unknowingly.

Marry a girl who takes photographs. Ditch those wedding photography books and give her the most beautiful wedding you could. She will teach your kids to find the beauty in everything just as she had taught you. Every day will be an adventure as she tries to create photograph-worthy memories with you. She may wake you up in the middle of the night because she is buzzing with ideas but she will make it up in the morning with a stack of hot pancakes beside a steaming cup of your favorite coffee blend.

Grow old with a girl who takes photographs. Sit with her on the front porch as you both pore over the bits and pieces of the moments you’ve had together. Stroke her hair as you both relive the photo walks that you took and the places you have been when you were both young. Smile as you both reenact your clever wedding vows.

Date a girl who takes photographs because she will always see that “something” in the most “nothing” of things.  She will never let anyone take you away from her like she never lets anyone steal her photos and that is just one of the evidences that she loves you.

Source

Oh hey, 2012

The year of 2011 has treated me good. Oh so good. 

I have had to go through many (good) changes. My photography got out into the world more then I ever dreamed of at this age. I feel as though I found my true self, I know the person I am and what I need to do to better myself. 

In the new year of 2012 I would like to work even harder at everything I do. Do things I kept telling myself I would do but never got around to it. I want to better myself and have fun while doing it. 

Here are some things I would like to see happen in the year of 2012. 

Become healthier. Start doing some running. Eat better.
Become a part of Student Leadership at The Art Institute of Colorado. Participate in many clubs and organizations at school.  Big Bothers & Big Sisters program when I'm 20.
Get back into singing and fight stage fright.

Art and Crafts every week.  Read. read. read. Scrapbook more.

Learn film photography. Learn to cook better.
Think before I speak. Less gossip. (Everyone should practice this.) 

Expand my wardrobe of more vintage and thrift type things. Get my third tattoo. Third ear piecing. & Dye my hair of deep violet.

I had a resolution of trying not to be such a perfectionist...I find this to be an unrealistic goal for myself. Hey, I'm a Virgo, it's in my nature. 

I will be moving to Denver, exploring more places, and meeting new people.
I want to be involved in more then I ever have. I may get little sleep but it will all be worth it.
Adventures, Hard Work, and Creativity will make up the year of 2012.

Bring it on two thousand twelve. 

Off my booty

Ever had days where you just have no motivation...to do anything?

Nothing crafty or creative to whip up?

Welcome to my past couple days. It's a poopy feeling, really.

I have been lacking on editing all of my photos from La Paz. Last night I tried to sit down and make something, such as artist trading cards and I couldn't whip up anything creative from that brain of mine. I've wanted to start taking photos for Ron Howard's Project Imagination Photo Contest too.I have not been going on daily walks/runs like I told myself I would do.

All I have wanted to do is watch movies and eat popcorn. Blog and blog stalk all day with some pinning on pinterest.

My head is saying "Do something!" but my body is saying "Eh..no thanks."

Maybe because it was the weekend.

Today is Monday, Maybe this will fix the problem.

If it doesn't someone needs to put some motivating words into my head.

Help a girl out?

Healthy over skinny.

Once upon a time.

I use to be skinny. Size 3-4.

I also didn't eat very much.

I was not as happy as I could have been.

I even felt fat.

Today I am 5' 4.5" and a size 10-12.

I have some curve.

& honestly love my body.

I enjoy looking like a young woman.

But of course like every girl, I have my days. Like today.

I feel like a chub chub.

No, not fat, just a chub chub.

Days like these I have to remind myself of this...

I cannot stress, when I stress I gain more weight.

You have one body, just love it.

You don't have to be skinny to be beautiful.

Don't concentrate on your flaws

The point is

I'm curvy, healthy, and happy.

Ya dig?

Do however remember

Eat foods that will make your body say "thank you."

Water. Water. Water.

& Daily activity.

Don't forget the smile on your face too.

Feeling Spicy.

I missed make up.

Overload.

I was feeling hot-to-trot. Mmmkay?!

Pancake pig.

My parents left for the beach.

I was left home sick and exhausted.

I got hungry.

Hungry for some pancakes.

I pulled out the eggs, milk, flour, and baking power.

Adding some vanilla for extra kick.

Best pancake batch I've made so far.

All it needed was some chocolate chips and someone to share them with.

It's okay when you're alone.

Faith

Noun

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.

2.belief and trust in and loyalty to God

Such a beautiful word Faith is.

I will always have faith in

God.

Myself.

& my loved ones.

I try my hardest to have faith in

Others.

Ideas.

& Changes.

I always have to remember that

"Faith makes things possible...not easy."

Be an inspiration.

My whole life I've wanted to be an inspiration, a good role model, someone to look up to.

I do good unto others, I give my time to help those in need.

I've gone for my dreams in life and driven to succeed.

I'm a good student.

I've never been afraid to befriend those who need a friend the most.

& I feel as though I'm just a well rounded person.

Comments like these are what give me the courage to be the best I can be.

"Dearest Mariah, you inspire me, just thought I'd let you know.

"You're an inspiration"

"You're going to be a great mother someday."

Getting messages from Mothers I've never met....

"Thank you for helping and inspiring *Amanda! She needs a good role model."

(*Name changed for blog)

I asked little Mason today (Who is the age of 3) "What do you want to be when you're a grown up, Mason?"
He pointed at me and yelled "LIKE YOU!" with a big smile on his face

I thought it was the sweetest thing, I was almost in tears.

Knowing you've touched someone in their lives.

Knowing that you are setting a good example.

Knowing you are inspiring others.

It's really the best feeling in the world.

There is nothing that can boost your self esteem more knowing you are making a difference.

I hope throughout my life I can inspire others as I am today.

I want to set the best example for everyone around me especially my little brothers and cousins.

I encourage everyone to be the best they can be.

Set a good example for those around you.

Help and do good unto others.

Shine your brightest.

I promise you, you would never regret it.

♥

These are a few of my favorite things

.Sundays and Tuesdays.

.Vintage.

.Sweet words.

.Handmade and homemade.

.Pearls.

.Freckles.

.Books worth reading.

p.s. take note my hair is long enough to curl now.

5 years.

It's amazing how much you learn about yourself and change in the amount of 5 years.

Have you ever been asked "Where will you be in 5 years?"

Let me tell you about myself 5 years ago, where I wanted to be, who I am now, where I am, and where I see myself at age 25.

Past.

14 and a freshman at SCMS

I was the girl who changed her boyfriends like you do your underwear.

No interest in school.

Wore too much eyeliner.

I cared too much about being skinny.

Sang and danced my way through life.

Where I wanted to be the age of 19

I wanted to be a model and married.

Currently

19 and college art student.

I haven't had a boyfriend for awhile now.

I take my schooling very seriously.

I lost all the eyeliner.

Happy with my figure.

I photograph and create my way through life.

I ended up on the other side of the camera for a living.

Still Miss. Baumgartle

Future

24 and a professional photographer.

Engaged to a wonderful man.

Still happy and healthy.

Photographing beautiful faces and traveling amazing places.

I'll have a Saint Bernard and white picket fence.

Kids can wait another year or so.

Because.

Once upon a time I use to be obsessed with these survey things. You know..when myspace was cool?

So while I enjoy my breakfast of egg whites, toasted that got a little too crispy, and glass of 1% milk I will share a few tad bits of myself.

& why yes, I did write you two blogs in a day.

Don't ask why it has a white background...I personally think it looks tacky.

A. Age: Nineteen.
B. Bed size: One that can hold two or maybe three people. Plus a lap dog & a fat cat. Although, this may not be too comfortable.
C. Chore that you hate: Anything having to do with garbage. Yuck.
D. Dogs: My Sophie girl in Utah. Oh I miss that sweet little black doggie of mine.
E. Essential start to your day: Smile. Even if I do have bed head.
F. Favorite color: Lavender and Coral.
G. Gold or Silver: I enjoy both. Just not together. Ever seen rose gold? *Drool*
H. Height: 5’4 1/2 ish.
I. Instruments you play: My vocal cords.
J. Job title: Photographer
K. Kids: Zero. Sophie counts as my child.
L. Live: Currently- San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur...Mexico.
M. Mother’s name: Cara
N. Nicknames: I had a few emo nicknames back in the day. Today, I'll just stick with Mariah. I've had a few people even call me by my middle name.
O. Overnight hospital stays: I hope none until I pop a little munchkin out. Someday
P. Pet peeves: Not that I wine a lot, however, I could do a whole blog on some of my pet peeves. For now, we will go with..."Oh shit." Person-"DID YOU REALLY JUST SWEAR?! I've never heard you swear! Say it again!" Really?....
Q. Quote from a movie: "Ah my, how the world still dearly loves a cage" -Harold and Maude.
R. Right or left handed: I am right handed and right brained in case you were wondering...which makes me always right. I went there.
S. Siblings: My two little sweet half-brothers. Judah and Liam who live in Portland.
U. Underwear: Is this really appropriate?
V. Vegetable you hate: My Mom Grandma always tries to make me eat my cooked carrots.
W. What makes you run late: I.Am.NEVER.Late. May I add my high school and college record (so far) is tardy free?
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth and wrist.
Y. Yummy food that you make: I've heard my oreo truffles are pretty bomb-diggity.
Z. Zoo animal: Are otters at the zoo? If not I'll go with a giraffe.