Showing posts with label morning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morning. Show all posts

Monday, 14 April 2014

Pick Me Ups

A list of things that feel good:

  • Having your class cancelled on a beautiful day. 
  • Laughing so hard your face hurts. 
  • Watching a child do something for the first time. 
  • A great idea. 
  • Getting mail. 
  • Walking out of your last exam. 
  • Seeing hard work pay off. 
  • Your favourite lunch.
  • Clean laundry.
  • Being told you did an excellent job.
  • A care package. 
  • Student discount. 
  • A crisp white shirt.
  • Seeing how happy your dog is when you take him for a walk.
  • An unexpected gift. 
  • Walking barefoot in the sand. 
  • Taking uncomfortable shoes off.
  • Singing in public and hearing a stranger say “You *GO* girl!” 
  •  Landing on the runway after a long flight. 
  • An almost dangerous sense of determination. 
  • Feeling needed.
  • The ability to listen.
  • Compassion. 
  • Travelling.
  • Writing something you're proud of.
  • Smiling at strangers and getting smiles in return.
  • Wide open spaces.
  • Knowing that we live in a world where most things are just a phone call away.
  • Snacking when you get home late. 
  • Latte art.
  • Being with someone you love when you need each other.
  • The smell of the first bbq of summer.
  • A sleep in the afternoon after a big meal. 
  • Making use of the whole day. 
  • Watching a black and white film.
  • Eating food you grew yourself. 
  • The first warm summer days.
  • Being brave enough to stand by your decisions.
  • Waking up next to someone you love. 
  • The smell of freshly cut grass.
  • Knowing that all is well.
  • Finding a starfish at the beach. 
  • The sound of wind in the trees. 
  • The sound of the ocean at high tide.
  • Meeting new people and having them become good friends faster than you thought possible. 
  • Finding common ground with someone you were unsure about.
  • Knowing and feeling that some person really likes you as you are.
  • When the weather is just warm enough for you to eat outside.
  • Listening to the falling rain drops. 
  • Watching the dew drops on flower petals early in the morning. 
Keep a look out for Pt. 2!

Sunday, 15 December 2013

8am Sunrise

It turns out there are some beautiful benefits to forgetting to turn your 6.30am alarm off.

Initially, waking up at 6.30am felt miserable. Although, after half an hour reading and half an hour of intense yoga, I found myself incredibly energised. Lazing around the house until half ten didn't really feel like a good use of my time.

So, after checking what time the sun was due to rise, I packed my camera equipment, threw on some scruffy clothes and headed out.

Taken on Fujifilm Instax 210 - 8.01am
My first breath after stepping outside was bracing - I think it's easier to forget what the air feels like when you've been inside over night.
The roads were still, the trees tranquil and the odd chirping bird flew past every few seconds. Only walkers and their canine friends braved the crisp early hours (surprisingly, these are some of the friendliest people I've met, all willing to discuss their own morning routines).
View from the Skatepark at 8.27am - Taken on Fujifilm Instax 210
I strolled to the top of Valley Gardens to find a desolate skatepark and playground. Although I'd love to say I went for a 'Sunrise Skate', I really didn't. However, perching at the empty skatepark and taking photos was more than enough for me.


Valley Gardens at 8.33am - Taken on iPhone 4s
Following a long walk through Valley Gardens, from bottom to top, I started for home and the views were just as idyllic on the way back. 

Busier were the roads now and it wasn't easy to stand in the middle of traffic and shoot. Although, I am elated with this picture.

Taken on iPhone 4s - 8.37am
Reaching the point of my first photo, I thought it was only fitting to see how the sky had developed in 40 minutes. And here it is!


Taken on Fujifilm Instax 210 - 8.40am
The colours appeared a lot softer now and the vibrant pinks from the earlier shot had developed into a subtle rose tone. And the church's spire adds an additional focal point.

Walking up the drive, I realised just how contented I was. If you can't appreciate what you have at home, how can you appreciate anywhere else?

  

Friday, 6 December 2013

Autumnal Walks

Waking up earlier than I need to has some great benefits.


After some meditation and tea nothing pleases me more than getting outside when it's early and the air is crisp to wake up my soul... And the dogs.