Sunday Morning Gratitude

It's been a while since I've stopped by my own blog. I've been in a whirl wind - although you wouldn't know it by looking at my schedule. It's been mainly internal.
A lot of changes going on the past few weeks that have gotten me going inward a little bit more.

Today we are heading to visit some of our family. It's an annual event where each of us has a specific process we have to do in order to make an old family recipe together. One person peels potatoes, another mashes them, another sifts flour, etc. it's a line up of family members all working together. I love the tradition. At the end of it we all hang out in the backyard and pig out. It's a perfect day for it. It's sunny and just the right amount of heat. One of those perfect Southern California days that reminds me of why I don't live anywhere else. Luckily this weather happens often, so I can sit on the porch with glee most mornings.

A mini gratitude list:

My lovely husband Jerry
My beautiful Cat Pretty Girl
this gorgeous home we live in together.
the amazingly delicious grapefruit I ate this morning.
cable ( ok i know that is so sad but true )
Bright sunshine streaming into our house.
Our front porch, plants growing out front, and shade from the tree.
That TREE!
my parents
the dishwasher my grandmother bought us so that "I am not his slave"
Creation and Creating
naps
no schedule
air conditioning
hammock
all my cameras
this laptop
my friends - far and wide -
friends who are on a similar path
choice
the right and freedom to vote
sugar free chocolate from trader joes.
Braggs
breathing
expressing love

ok - I'm getting off track and need to go get ready for the big family event.
Have a glorious day noticing all there is to be grateful for.

Teotihuacan, Mexico Sept 4th-9th Update!

This year - we are lucky to be able to Partner with the Dreaming House. A place that was created by my friend and Toltec Teacher Lee McCormick.

So we've moved our accommodations to the Dreaming House which also means the price of the trip goes DOWN and it includes MORE!

Now the price is

$995.00 !!

It includes:
All meals !
Double occupancy accommodations at the Dreaming House
Transportation from and to the Mexico City Airport
All entrance fees

I'm excited that the trip has shifted to include Lee's Dreaming House, as the energy there is really wonderful.

For more information you can go to this link

Space is limited! Sign up soon to reserve your spot.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in "Teo".

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Quote for the day:

Finally, If you are aware that no one else can make you happy, and that happiness is a result of love coming out of you, this becomes the greatest mastery of the Toltecs, the Mastery of Love.
- don Miguel Ruiz, The Mastery of Love Page 71.

It's June 18th

yep - it's time to take a photo of the tree outside my house. And here it is. I literally just stepped outside about 15 minutes ago, looked up, and clicked. Just one image. Usually I take a few but this one just felt right so I am trusting it.

2 more months and this series will be complete. Strange to be coming around to the other side of this project I started Last August.

It's amazing to see the tree and how it has tranformed over the year - and how my life has totally bloomed in the last 10 months. And how my relationship with that tree and how I see it has changed over time as well. Ok that sounds weird but I didn't really notice the tree before and now I feel much more in tune with all the little changes it is going through all year long.

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Quote for the day:

I did not come to my fundamental understanding of the universe through my rational mind. - Albert Einstein

Aline Smithson

©Aline Smithson

Last Night was our Last Day of Class. I've been taking "the Next Step" with Aline Smithson.
It was a fantastic class. I cannot say enough about Aline. She has a gentle and supportive way about her that is pretty incredible in the photography world. Most people want to clutch what they know closely to them and not share information. Not Aline! It's the opposite! So much information was given we will need weeks to get through it all!!

We finished up the class by looking at everyone's portfolios. It was inspiring to say the least!

We are meeting up again in October for the "Next Step II " and I am looking forward to it.

Being in this class got my creative juices flowing to the extreme! I'm working closely on 5-6 different photography project right now and have about 12 of them I am working on in total! The others need to wait for me to give them some attention - And more ideas keep coming to me! The flood gates have opened!

Aline is a gem - if you can take her class - you will gain much, not the least of which is making a new friend.

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Quote for the day!

You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you unmasked. It has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
- Franz Kafka

*

If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
- Dogen Zenji

Happy Father's Day

This image is of Lake Hodges. I took this with a pinhole camera and type 54 Polaroid.
The image is a long exposure - I am holding the camera in my hands while it's exposing so that the natural rhythm of my breathing is effecting the way the film captures the landscape. So in essence it's a self portrait with the landscape.
I grew up near Lake Hodges. We could see the lake from our backyard. My parents still live in that house, and we are visiting them today for Father's day.

I'm looking forward to it. I feel lucky to have such a warm, nice, loving and funny (!) father.
My dad taught me that work is exhausting, but funny movies help. He can quote you any movie that is a bit off center. Like Animal House, Pretty Woman, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, etc.

My father is a Haematologist and an Oncologist and is known as a warm, caring man who is very well liked by his patients and the medical community. I don't know how he does it and I admire him for what he has chosen to do with his life.

on days off he enjoys going to the beach, reading, laying in the sun and napping, watching funny movies, and spending time with his wife ( my mom ) and their dog Simon , who is also my mom's hearing dog. His favorite snack is a sugar free fudgsicle

Want to see some CUTE photos of me and my dad when I was a baby?
Click HERE

P.S. Want to read about the Lake Hodges Monster?
Click HERE.
***

Quote for the day:
Saying yes, opening up, and loving:
these are the keys that will unlock the prison door.

-Arnaud Desjardins from the beautiful book of quotes and photos called Offerings

Go Team !

This has been a very productive week. All because of the some key players in my life that make a huge impact.
1. Jerry Seiner, my beautiful Husband
2. Aline Smithson
3. Julia Dean
4. Valerie Landsburg
5. Reva Kassmaul
6. John Matkowsky
7. Andrea Scher
8. Rafe

There are many many more but this is the beginning of a very long list of amazing inspiring people. I am grateful. Thank you!

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Quote of the day:

" Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue to exist, a wonderful living side by side can grow up, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky."
- Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters

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Today is the 8 month anniversary of our marriage. My parents read this quote above as part of their speech at our wedding. It was so wonderful to hear them speak these words. Our wedding was so wonderful - and our marriage is magical!

YAY FOR US! GO TEAM !! GO TEAM!!

newlywed bed

new project.
taking a photo of the bed every morning when I wake up, just the way it is.
this is an ongoing project for the rest of the year at least.

( our friend Nicole fed our cats when we were on our honeymoon, and when we returned we found the bride and groom pillowcases on our pillows. We've grown attached to them! Thank you Nicole! )

Today I am starting my day with a pinched nerve in my shoulder, so I will distract myself by writing a gratitude list!:

1. that advil works and we had some!
2. the birds are chirping with glee outside
3. the weather is GORGEOUS already!
4. it's quiet on our street
5. we live in a very beautiful, comfortable home
6. I am lucky to have found my husband ( he is wonderful! )
7. can you believe my cat is 15 years old? I adore her.
8. I have food, shelter, clothing
9. I have electricity ( I did live without it for 6 months once on purpose! )
10. I am much more serene today then I was a few years ago
11. I am healthy
12. We have tivo ( isn't that a sad thing to be grateful for! )
13. I love our front porch, the tree out front, the yard, the plants, the backyard.
14. I have wonderful friends.
15. I don't have any credit card debt.
16. My life is focused on the things I love instead of those other things!
17. I have fabulous, caring, fun parents.
18. I live in a beautiful part of the country.
19. I live near trader joes and whole foods.
20. Some one smart invented the Larabar.
21. I am free of joint pain today. ( accept that pinched nerve that I've almost forgotten about ! )
22. I don't use an alarm clock anymore.
23. I get to wear jeans to work, or pajamas, since I mostly work from home.
24. I love my camera gear! My pinhole, panoramic, nikons, twinlens, holga, etc! YES!
25. I love the bounty of healthy food I get to eat.
26. I love how gratitude lists help remind me of how amazing my life really is
27. I love simplicity
28. I love that I get to start over at any point in my day if I am suffering.
29. I love that we have a bath tub.
30. I love my life.
31. I love getting inspired by other amazing artists, creatives and healers.
32. I love learning.
33. I love taking photographs, making images, creating art.
ok ok ok ok ok
aren't you ready to make your own gratitude lists now?
I'd love to hear yours!!

Valerie Landsburg

©Valerie Landsburg

Yesterday I took a Business Plan Workshop with Valerie Landsburg. It was Incredible. I highly recommend it to anyone who is on the planet. Even if you don't know what exactly you want to be doing, or you already have a business plan, This is more like a vision retreat mixed in with specific tools to get specific about your life, your work, and your intention. Looks like Mine will be covering several different areas within photography - and this tool will help me to get it down on paper - in detail - without it being too painful! Valerie was a wonderful instructor and guide along the way.


This is how she explains a business plan:
Business Plans are not just that paper you give to perspective investors. They are powerful outlines that enable you to bring any idea from inception to fruition.

A Business Plan:
1. Lets people know you have thought a lot about what you are doing.
2. Lets you explore the unlimited expanse of any idea.
3. Lets you know where you need more information.
4. Lets others participate in cultivation of your ideas and more


If you are interested in finding out more you can e-mail her directly at
valerie@wholeacting.com

Quote for the Day:
Never lower your vision to suit your reality. Always raise your reality to suit your vision.
-Robert Fritz

Amanda Keller-Konya

©Amanda Keller-Konya

Last night at the Next Step Class with Aline Smithson, we had the opportunity to meet with Amanda Keller-Konya and hear her speak about her work and see her images. It was so incredible to hear her talk about the work. The way she articulates the different components of the images just blew my mind. She is so smart and talented. Very compelling, important work. I'm really glad I had the chance to meet her. And the class is so good. All of us are so inspired! If you have a chance to take her class I HIGHLY recommend it.

Quote for the day:

" The camera is my tool. Through it I give a reason to everything around me."
- Andre Kertesz

Amtrak Train Photo Day Trip to San Juan Capistrano!

Saturday July 19th


We'll be starting the adventure at Union Station

we will visit the The Mission San Juan Capistrano

Take a lunch break at Ramos House

Then head to Los Rios Historic District

and End our visit with a fun stop at Zoomars Petting Zoo

We'll watch the sunset along the coastline as we head back to LA.

The workshop fee is $150
and includes round trip train ticket, and admission to the mission and the petting zoo.

Space is limited to 12 people.

Grab your camera and join in the fun!

It's a great way to meet other photographers, create a new body of images, and work on your photography skills. All levels are welcome.

You will be given a few photo exercises along the way to help you push your own creativity, and explore new ways of seeing.

If you have any questions or want to sign up - feel free to e-mail me

cj@catherinejust.com


Quote for the day:

"Just Do It!"
- Nike

another quote:

" Just Love yourself and Do it! "
- Luis Canalas - Pro Triathlete ( and my triathlon coach! )