Top 10 of 2010

So here we are, at the end of 2010. I can't say it's been the easiest year of my life, but it has sure been full. It brought me some good things: a little package of pure enthusiasm - my daughter, Julietta. Her smile and squeals can flip my mood 180 degrees. Seriously, you've got to meet this kid. I know she was sent to us, especially, to remind us to smile, even when we may not feel it. You can't not smile when she is around.

2010 brought me a new love as well - my passion for photography. Who can believe that after all of these years of being that annoying friend with the camera in your face and the one who made her college buddies sit down and go through every.single. photo album, one day I'd be on the verge of taking photos for a living?!

When I left the US, nearly eight years ago, I remember writing in my journal about how excited I was to see how I'd fill up the rest of the pages - what adventures lay before me, what new people would impact my life, and where I'd end up. I couldn't even fathom the idea that I'd be writing from a small house in Valencia eight years later with a husband and two daughters. I had no idea I'd be about to start up a photography business.

Life sure floors me now and then... well, actually, it floors me every time I stop and think about it.   I'm writing this from one of the deepest, darkest, lowest points in my life so far, and yet I'm filled with so much hope. I know that there are a lot of us out there at this very moment who are suffering in some way. I do believe, though, that it is our faith and our hope that get us through the rough patches, and it is with our actions and our pure desire to want something better that we can change the parts we don't like, even if that means looking at things in a different light. I have absolutely no idea what this next year will be like, but I do believe, my friends, that it will floor us.

It will bring us to our knees.

It will be the best year yet.

I  believe it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Love,

Sarah

Hotties Part Dos

I didn't really have to tell them to do much posing. Although, I think I told Luis that he was "The Man" in this one.

These two are so ridiculously good-looking, it kills me. They are my friends who... well, it's a bit more complicated than the second half of a short sentence. 

 Here goes...

Nora - ON FIRE!

Nora is from the UK. We met here in Valencia while doing the Cambridge Celta course to become English teachers. She lived here for about two years (is that right, Nora?) and then took off in search of new adventures in Costa Rica...and adventure she found! ; ) 

Enter Luis. 

I swear, model material! Look at that smile!

Luis was a student in one of her classes who showed her the real Costa Rican way of life.

Somehow she convinced him to leave sunny, tropical Costa Rica to move back to England with her (I bet all she had to do was wink at him. Have you seen her?!!) where they both found real, proper, responsible jobs.

I can't stand how cute Luis is in the background of this one! I smile every time I see it.

Doesn't this make me look like such a detail-aware photographer, with that little old couple, barely in the frame. How cute are they? That was a total accident. Sssshhh! Don't tell anyone. ; )

 They are now a "cheesy" married couple living in Cambridge, and being real proper, responsible adults who are planning their celebration wedding for 2011. On the side, Nora is the famous "Nora the Kitchen Splorer" who always taunts me with her yummy recipes that I know I'll never have the patience, nor the ability, to make. And Luis is Mr. Splorer. He gets to eat all her yummy food and laugh with her. I bet he takes care of most of the technology in their house too, as he's a computer genius.

I love these two. They are so easy-going and fun to be around, and it's so obvious how much they love each other. They make romance look easy, and they made photographing it a snap. Just looking at each other or laughing together made for these incredibly romantic images. ( Hey, thanks for making me look so good, guys!)

Last year these two came to visit while I was pregnant and cranky and chasing around a toddler. We live in a residential area outside of the city with not much to do around here. They had no problems whatsoever hanging out and going with the flow. No stresses. No complaints. They are just pleasant people who I love being around. I wish they could come and visit me once a month. Everyone needs a little Nora and Luis in their life.

Nora and Luis - The Ridiculously Good-Looking Couple

Nora and Luis are here visiting!!! We went out and did a quick photo-shoot Saturday evening. We are going to take a few more shots tomorrow as the sun hid behind the buildings an hour earlier than I had anticipated. DOH!

Here's a little peak at how ridiculously good-looking they are, though. I don't think you have to be much of a photographer if your subjects are this attractive.

Look for more photos of these hotties on Wednesday!!