its facebook/twitter/internet official. Matt and Emily are Engaged!

New Beginnings...something I continuously run into.

This week my former roommate Matt and his girlfriend Emily came to Grand Rapids, MI. He called me up earlier in the week asking if I was interested in photographing their portrait on the beach in Lake Michigan. My thoughts were " Why in the hell would the two of those want portraits done on Lake Michigan. We just got 4 inches of snow (not a lot of course) and its cold out. This is generally the slow time of the season for a photographer."

Of course I agreed and said yes. I was more than excited to see them again. Matt and Emily have been together since sophmore year of college and I think everyone that knows them knew they would get married. It was only a matter of when. According to Matt, two things had to happen before he were to propose.

1. Graduate from Grand Valley
2. Get a job

Well both of these tasks were completed a few months ago so all of us were asking when is he going to pop the question. I was in the loop a month ago knowing he was shopping for a ring. He told me a bunch of stores but the one store that caught my attention was a store that sells rings with a teal colored box...Tiffany's for those of you who don't know. He never gave me a direct yes or no and all that was mentioned was sometime soon he would propose...

So Saturday December 4 rolls around and we meet up for lunch and drive out to Lake Michigan/Kirk Park which is twenty minutes away from Allendale. We arrive and its cold, but most of the snow had melted. The three of us walk down to the beach and start photographing and this is what I started off with...






During the photoshoot, my off camera flash and 60" umbrella kept getting knocked over by the wind. All the photographers that are reading this are probably having a heart attack over this. I will be getting sandbags VERY VERY SOON. The equipment was ok, I was more than confident with that. It was during the session that Matt said " Hey LaVere, can't you just mount the flash on top of the camera or something?"

My response....No Lipsky, I would prefer not to and I have the situation under control, my equipment is OK, and no worries!" I continued to photograph them a little more until I grew sick of the shot and suggested maybe they sit on the beach facing the water while I photograph them off in the corner so-to-speak.

I was setting up my lightstand in the sand and getting my exposure and poses set until Matt suggests "Hey LaVere, instead of sitting down could he stand up instead?"

It was at this point in time that I realized everything was coming together and he WAS going to propse to her. All my lighting that I am so picky about went out the window and I knew I had to just get the shot regardless of how I envisioned my "portrait" to work. As I was photographing "test shots" I overheard his conversation to Emily about how when they first started dating and she would come visit, they would go to the beach...this just reconfirmed my theory he is going to propose so I continued to photograph them and long and behold he gets down on one knee to Emily holding the teal colored box...






She of course said yes. The whole event was great. I knew one day these two would get married. Time to start planning the bachelor party...

DTW to LAS 24, November 2010

Vegas here we come! Time: 3:25 EST

Currently I am writing my first blog post in the air thanks to Delta's free wifi for the holidays. This 17" Dell laptop is taking up so much room-unfortunate. My older brother T.J. got bumped up to first class for giving up his sear in the 39th row. How that happens I do not know. What we do know is he is enjoying the free drinks and meals 37 rows ahead of us.

Anyways, the reason I am traveling yet again is for the holidays. I am with my family this time and we are celebrating Thanksgiving and my younger sister's 21st Birthday. It will be a good time away from work, and Michigan.

I do have a potential job opportunity in Columbus, Ohio to work as an aerial photographer for Henderson Aerial Surveys/Kucera International. Sounds like a great chance for me to work in the photography field-specialized photography field. Never once did I ever think of doing aerial work because I didn't even know how you could start a job/career in the field. I will be hearing more news in the upcoming weeks about this job. If not I can always switch over to Best Buy and work in digital imaging...

More updates [and photos] to come. For now I'm going to relax and enjoy the rest of my flight, courtesy of Delta. THANK YOU

11, October 2010. Rainy Day

Today I decided to take my iPod and my journal over to Termini on the north side of the station on the second floor. While I was there I met another traveler-Irene-from Switzerland. We conversed over an hour about Rome and traveling. She traveled to Rome over 25 years ago and met up with a close friend on her visit. She's been all over Europe, Mongolia, but not the United States. one day she would like to. Largo Argentina was brought up and the both of us knew of the location in relation to Caesaw. Rumor is that was where he was assassinated.

We also spoke of our experiences of traveling and why we love Roma, especially the cappuccinos and how Starbucks or any coffee NOT from Italy is weak, bitter and disgusting.

Before I forget and a note to future travelers. One must always be willing to reach out to those around you. Italians and their hospitality is outstanding and most of Europe can be. Irene offered me a caffe latte and a meal to share with her while we conversed. It is rare in the US to find such hospitality because of our fear driven society. Blah! Let's just say there are some people I know who wouldn't enjoy Europe...

Seoul Korea will have to be next on the list of places to travel. Irene noted Seoul as the Italians of the east in terms of being direct, the fashion, the history, etc. That statement made it clear that my younger sister will have to go to Rome.

*update: she has thought about studying abroad in Florence, Italy. EXCITED!*

I am honored to have Met Irene and others on my travels. There are these moments that happen for a reason I am not sure of yet, but I love the direction my life is going towards. I pray for safe travels for Irene and other travels I met while in Rome.

Afterwards it was time to venture off to Via della Lungara to meet up with Ranin. Ranin and I took a communications course and a film study course in the summer of 2009 at John Cabot University. Currently it's been raining since this monring so i have my hoodie, but its humid out too. The night before my sleep was not enjoyable There was an obnoxious man that kept yelling for hours outside my window. He continued until 11am in the morning...JERK. Anyways, it was good to hang out with Ranin and meet new friends. That day we just sat outside of JCU/ Cafe Settimania.

I am happy to say my confidence in speaking italian is growing, though I do not call myself an expert. I am trying to implement it more everyday since I've been back in the states

October 10, Sunday

Something was off about Sunday. Maybe it was the fact I slept in until 10:30am and missed my morning cappuccino...

After getting up, I got dressed and walked to Campo di Fiori again for a pizza al taglio. What that means is pizza that you can walk away with instead of purchasing a larger one in a restaurant. Typically they cut it with a knife or scissors and price it based on weight. I also went over back towards the university to get my daily fix of gelato...its OK though. With all of the walking I've been doing, gelato has nothing on me. Traveling back to Trastevere was back on my list again. Sitting in the hostel was unnecessary so why not find a place in Trastevere and enjoy an authentic Roman scenery.



The massive steps in Trastevere was my choice to sit. Shade was covering the steps while I read Art & Fear for an hour or so. I needed to avoid the mid-afternoon sun somehow. Walking back was NOT an option...much too soon!


However, exhaustion settled in. I wanted my siesta...stat! I knew the buses would be crowded and taxis were out of the question. I hauled back to Termini and took a much needed nap...a nap that was at least 4 hours off and on. It wasn't the rest nap on record, but it is what it is.

Around 8pm, I went down to eat cappriccosa pizza.

The pizza consists of Prosciutto, artichokes, black olives, and hard boiled eggs. Rosa Maria and I are favored towards this classic. We must make this pizza sometime and share the love with others! After dinner, I left to re-visit the Spanish Steps. I've seen it already but after going through thousands of photos from last year, i realized I never took a photograph at night, which is what I prefer, so here's the end result.



My 50mm 1.4 continues for me to look cautiously. My next personal assignment is to photograph extensively with the 16-35 2.8L and interior spaces. Ciao ciao!

Saturday October 9, 2010...excerpts from my journal

This morning, I ventured off to Campo di Fiori to purchase a couple of apples. I also drank water from the coldest fountain of Roma which is featured below.

This fountain was introduced to me last summer, it’s located near the Parliament or some government building. Right down the road from this fountain is this clever find.

This small coffee shop holds no more than about 25 people at one time. It’s Sant Eustachio where a great cappuccino costs you 1.40 Euro…the best cappuccino you can find in Rome. The coffee shop has been published in the New York Times and is notable for its logo that resembles the jager logo. To my knowledge, it is the only bar (coffee shop) where the barista adds the sugar to your cappuccino. Next time, I am devoting a whole suitcase devoted to this coffee. NO coffee in the US even compares!

Afterwards I decided to photograph past the gates of the National Monument. I never went up the steps to see part of Rome on the horizon.

The view was great to enjoy and photographing with the Canon 50mm 1.4 has presented a challenge, a good one. It has forced me to pay attention while I walk. The zoom on a 50 is your own two feet moving forward and backwards. There is less to worry about too. The 16-35, 24-70, 28-135, flashes can be overkill in the city. Also using my camera phone has proven itself to be useful. I get nervous sometimes using my DSLR in populated areas of Rome because they MIGHT think what I’m photographing is suspicious. It could be also the fact I am programmed into thinking this because I just happen to get myself into trouble with a camera…

Without the SLR, I have less to carry around, it fits in my pocket, yet can take good photos. This is why a Canon G-11/12 would be a great camera to my collection…someday. Focus on “Less is more.”. Continue with this ideal…

{INSERT PICS of MONUMENT STEPS}

Essentially “less is more” describes Roma. Throughout people watching, Romans seem to be more laid back, friendly and do things their way. A cappuccino in the morning, cigarettes, napping, eating, drinking, eating more, drinking, and sleeping are common stereotypes of an Italian lifestyle.

So all of this camera talk built up my hunger.

Best Advice for lunch” Grab something to go like a panini. No tip, no service charge, and its much cheaper than most restaurants. What’s even better, is to go to a supermarket to make your own lunch. What I bought was a pomodoro and mozzarella panino with extra salame and cheap cheese puffs for under 5 euros. I went back to my hostel to eat my lunch and watch old episodes of Entourage.

After an episode and a four hour nap, I met up with my good friend Wanda. We talked and caught up with each other over some drinks in Trastevere. I ended up taking the H bus over. At this point my feet are exhausted from constant walking. A single bus ride doesn’t hurt, especially when the station is outside of my hostel. Needless to say, I am glad we met up. I simply wish you the best Wanda. Thank YOU for meeting up with me once again bella! Grazie!

Be sure to check out PatIsa Travel & Tour. If you have any questions feel free to contact them!

At the end of the night I went back to my hostel and picked up a couple Suppli’s on the way. Suppli is a deep fried Italian mozzarella rice ball. Delicious and it only costs 1 euro each. Well worth it every time!

October 8 part 2

I almost forgot to mention on Thursday, I went back to Ristorante Coreano. It was the same waiter I had last time and of course the meal was fabulous for 22 Euros. For bulgogi, mandu, acqua minerale, and the sides. I won't lie, it is somewhat awkward to eat by myself, but I've managed. After the Korean meal, was when I ran into the former federal agent.

Later that night I decided to eat at the restaurant right next to my hostel. PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA! Marghareta pizza and limoncello for dinner was great! I only I could bring home limoncello in my carry-on, but unfortunately not.

Tomorrow after my Italian breakfast I will meet up with Wanda, whom I met last year during my travels. I am also thinking about visiting a special coffee shop near the Pantheon.

Happenings on October 8th (late post)

On Friday, I was viewing the northern side of Roma via the Italian National Monument. Again, it's surreal I am back in Roma without the great people I experienced Rome with. I won't lie. There was no one to talk to, but I have overcome that. My purpose of the trip wasn't to meet new people, but to establish what is going on with myself. The moment this entry starts to sound cliche, please stop reading it.

Currently I am photographing what interests me visually while eating a panini. I made it back down Viale di Trastevere to photograph what was "the day in the life" of walking to campus. I have had no desire to view any map because all of it is still fresh in my head. Many tourists have come up to me already asking where (x) location is. I like that haha. Here are some photos of the old apartment and the walk heading towards campus


trying to remember...my apartment was the 2nd from the bottom, maybe the 3rd.




After venturing from the apartment to John Cabot University (JCU), I grabbed gelato by campus and went to Cafe Settimiana to get a cafe latte to compliment my cappuccino gelato. I was seated next to a husband and wife dentist who were very kind to speak with me. It was refreshing to speak English, but I really want to learn more Italian. At least I have gotten by with the basic phrases, but I've been challenging myself to engage in small talk conversation with locals, wherever I may be. Ordering food on the menu has been great for starters!

View from the South side/ Ponte Sisto Bridge of the Tiber River

On my walk home I met a woman near the Colosseum who was a retired federal agent who was lost and needed to come back to Termini. I offered her to walk back with me because I needed my four hour nap. During our walk, we shared our travel experiences together and why we love traveling. Currently she works for an international courier service that delivers packages within 24 hours anywhere in the world. Sounds like an interesting job I wouldn't mind working for!

I inquired about the federal job sector she worked with. She was assigned with the postmaster which at first glance seems out of place, but it focuses more on white collar crimes and the percentage of an agent being shot is extremely low. It pays well and if an individual signed up before or at 25 years of age, one could retire before they reach 50. Something to look into...

When we arrived back near Termini, she offered to by me a glass of wine for helping her get back. She and her husband are semi-serious art collectors and was with a group on a 12 day cruise ( all paid for). That's what I want to do!

* a lot of images were photographed on my cell phone and will be posted when I arrive back in the US*