• Fact 49:
  • Fact 402:
  • Fact 61:
  • Fact 82:
  • Fact 128:
  • Fact 760:
  • Fact 326:
  • Fact 61:
  • Fact 58:
  • Fact 601:
  • Fact 12:
  • Fact 731:
  • Fact 19:
  • Fact 777:
  • Fact 100:
  • Fact 2000:
  • Fact 27:
  • FACT 32:
  • Fact 273:
  • Fact 1977:
  • FACT 3:
  • Fact 4:
  • Fact 55:
  • Fact 8:
  • Fact 12:
  • Fact 322:
  • Fact 8:
more facts?
Fact 49: Fact 402: Fact 61: Fact 82: Fact 128: Fact 760: Fact 326: Fact 61: Fact 58: Fact 601: Fact 12: Fact 731: Fact 19: Fact 777: Fact 100: Fact 2000: Fact 27: FACT 32: Fact 273: Fact 1977: FACT 3: Fact 4: Fact 55: Fact 8: Fact 12: Fact 322: Fact 8:

Fact 49: My favorite part of the reception is the wedding cake.  Aside from an all-chocolate one, I ALWAYS make time to sit down and eat cake.  And for the record, my two favorites are Carrot and Key Lime.

Fact 402: In October of 2007 we packed up all of things, put them in storage, filled 4 suitcases, grabbed the cats and our passports and moved to Paso Ancho, Jalisco, a small colonas in the foothills of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  It was the best decision we ever made.  The experiences we had there for 8 months were life-changing, eye opening and humbling.  We miss it every day.

Fact 61: My sister and I are my father’s two favorite things.

Fact 82: My Mormor and her friend Gloria have been best friends for 60 years.  They met in grade school and still spend time together at least once a week.  They have taught me the meaning of friendship and I long to have that when I am old.

Fact 128: I know every word to the songs Shoop, Parent’s Just Don’t Understand, Paul Revere and Bust-A-Move.  I can be caught singing them in any public setting if they can be heard playing in the background.

Fact 760: Originally, I wanted to become a Marine Biologist.  As a kid I had the opportunity to study with Project Oceanology and The Mystic Marine life Aquarium in Connecticut, where I am from, all the way through high school.  At age 16 I traveled all the way to Belize to help assist researchers on a Dolphin and Reef research project.  To this day my love for marine life is ever-present.

Fact 326: I once competed in CBR, a cross-country scavenger hunt that is filmed from beginning to end.  During one of my challenges I had to eat 4 live crickets, 2 live earthworms and whale blubber.  For the record I won that event!

Fact 61: My 7-year-old nephew is my favorite person to get into trouble with.

Fact 58: My mother loves me unconditionally ever though I’ve been driving her nuts since birth!

Fact 601: The tattoo on the inside of my left arm is a Quaking Aspen tree that I drew in honor of my brother who past away in August of 2004.  They are indigenous to Lake Tahoe, Ca where he lived and worked as an Emergency EMT for almost 20 years.  And just for the record, “Yes!  It took over 2 hours and hurt like hell but I never cried.”

Fact 12: I am allergic to all tropical fruits that contain tiny black edible seeds in them as well as mango.  They cause me to go into respiratory distress.  Thankfully I can eat pineapples, my favorite fruit.

Fact 731: I have an irrational fear of being struck by lightning.  Not only that, I know 2 people who actually have been struck and it scares the living ‘bejesus outta me!

Fact 19: I have been caffeine free for almost 14 years.  It causes me to have hospitalizing panic attacks, so I’ve never tried Jager Bombs or a good ole’ Absolute and Red Bull.  You will, on occasion catch me sipping on a decaf hazelnut coffee, and sneaking a Reese Cup but only in very small doses.

Fact 777: Our two cats have lived in 3 different states and 2 different countries making them more well traveled than some humans we know!

Fact 100: Although I loved riding my bike as a kid it wasn’t until just recently that I have rediscovered those amazing inventions that balance on two wheels.  In the summer I try to bike at least 10 miles every other day.

Fact 2000: I never laugh as hard as I do with my girlfriends.  They are my chosen family.

Fact 27: I once helped saved people from a burning building.  My friend and I were driving through the city when we noticed a couch on fire on someone’s porch.  She kicked in the door and rescued the people inside while I stayed on the phone with 911 until help arrived.  Within 4 minutes the entire building was up in flames.

FACT 32: All of my pets are named after famous musicians.  My two cats are named Ani (after Ani Difranco) and Myla (after Miles Davis).  The newest addition is our English Cream Golden Retriever.  We named him Mingus after Charles Mingus, a jazz bassist.

Fact 273: I have worked for many years on finding my inner strength and loving who I have become in the process.  As a result I have found a resounding happiness.  I remember to smile every day, sometimes all day long.

Fact 1977: In 2003 I competed in Red Bull’s international competition called FLUGTAG.  Teams from all over the world submit blueprints to build and attempt to fly non-powered flying machines.  My team was invited to compete in the event that took place in New York City.  We did not win.

FACT 3: My least favorite word in the English language is moist.  I hate it.  It makes me squirm when others say it, when advertising uses it or if I can’t find another word to use in lieu of it.

Fact 4: I began studying dance as a young child in all genres including tap, jazz, ballet, point and international folk.  At age 16 I was cast in CARNIVALE!, an International dance and music group.  We toured all over the east coast, including Walt Disney World in 1993.   Currently I focus in Latin American Ballroom and it continues to be my favorite of all the dance I have done.

Fact 55: I am admittedly addicted to soup.

Fact 8: I embrace my inner tomboy.

Fact 12: My favorite movie of all time is the Goonies.  I have watched it more than I have watched any other movie.  There were actually several cuts of the film and I have seen them all, my favorite being the original version.

Fact 322: Since turning 19 years old I have lived in Connecticut, California, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Jalisco (Mexico) and Parana (Brasil).

Fact 8: My cat Myla loves when I sing Opera to her.  It’s like I am the pied piper, whenever I begin to sing she has to find me and crawl up onto my chest, regardless of where she is or what she is doing.

  
 
!!That damn bird just won't shut up!! Wedding day today, thank goodness Earl changed his mind and decided to just be a tease. follow me
Today is Friday, September 11th.

Today is Friday, September 11th.

And that means quite a few things. First and foremost, my thoughts and heart go out to all those who lost their lives and loved ones 8 years ago. I remember exactly where I was, exactly who I was with, exactly how I felt as I watched the news. I have several friends [...]

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And that means quite a few things. First and foremost, my thoughts and heart go out to all those who lost their lives and loved ones 8 years ago. I remember exactly where I was, exactly who I was with, exactly how I felt as I watched the news. I have several friends who lost people in their lives as a result of that day and I want them to know how much I am thinking of them today. I am also proud of how far we, as a country, have come since that day and all that is ahead of us in the future.

Secondly, I have a wedding this afternoon and am so grateful that the weather is going to be absolutely PERFECT!!! It’s been raining for pretty much 5 days straight, however we had a small break on Wednesday while we got together for their engagement session and now today the clouds have cleared and the sun is shining! YAY!!! Good karma these folks have. Here’s a little peek of our shoot from Wednesday.

Next, there are only 3 HOURS LEFT to bid on me for your wedding!!! NO ONE HAS BID YET, you could get me for as little as $1000. AYKM??? Seriously, what an awesome deal.

What’s Included?

-150 save the date cards donated by Access Design
-up to 6 hours of coverage
-unlimited digital images
-all upload and editing time
-password protected online gallery to proof, share and order prints from
-all high res images in both color and b&w burned to disc with reprint copyright
-feature on my blog
-an extra hour to use either for an engagement or “day after” shoot

TO PLACE A BID GO HERE! ONLY 3 hours left TO WIN!

Saturday Mingus, Andy and I are going to be walking in the Great Strides event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and we need your donations. Seriously, any small contribution helps. I have a goal to raise $1500 personally, last year I raised close to $2300!!! Please consider helping us out.

PLEASE MAKE YOU DONATION here BY tomorrow at 9am!

Last but not least, Fridays are a very fun day here in the Arroz household. BATH DAY!!!! Since we brought him home, Mingus has gotten a bath every Friday. Last Friday, I thought I would take some photos to share with all of you. He’s slowly but surely getting used to all the suds, even though HE LOVES TO SWIM the bath is still not quite his favorite but we’re working on him.

// 09.11.2009 // Eyes Open Project OPEN THIS POST
Please take just 10 minutes to watch my video and cast your vote!

Please take just 10 minutes to watch my video and cast your vote!

There are only 52 hour left to vote for the projects in the Name Your Dream Assignment. My little project has a big heart, but not so many votes at the moment. I have made a video to share with everyone concerning my project and why I am so incredibly passionate about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma-5ZO4kU4w Unfortunately the contest [...]

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There are only 52 hour left to vote for the projects in the Name Your Dream Assignment. My little project has a big heart, but not so many votes at the moment. I have made a video to share with everyone concerning my project and why I am so incredibly passionate about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma-5ZO4kU4w


Unfortunately the contest has turned into more of a popularity contest
than quality and worthy projects deserving of a grant. Many of them seem to be proposals to get trips around the world paid for and many of them are in the top 20. If I can’t get my votes up in the top 20, then the project has no chance of being reviewed by the judges. With my whole heart, I believe that my project has the potential to not even win the grant, but possibly make significant change in our nation.

Years ago, my brother Reed was riding his bike across country to raise money for his dear friend who was paralyzed in a climbing accident. Along the way he read about a contest to win a free scholarship to go to music school to study drums, all you had to do was send in a postcard. Instead of one, he continued to send in multiple cards a day, each day he stopped to rest. He didn’t give up, regardless of how monotonous sending in the postcards might have seemed. He won the scholarship, went to school and is now playing music full time rather than following a path of business that his heart was never in. I am inspired by him and his determination. That is why I have continued to send out notices, why I haven’t given up yet . . . . even though I am pretty far behind in the pack. 52 hours is still a lot of hours to get a lot of votes.

If you have already voted, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!


If you have not yet, it ONLY takes about 3 minutes and could possibly give me the opportunity to make a difference for every child in this country.
YOU CAN VOTE HERE!
On Facebook? Join my club: NAME YOUR DREAM ASSIGNMENT- Vote for Kirsten

If you have a blog and want to post my video, that would be AWESOME and if you can repost it on your Facebook wall that would be even more AH_MAYYYYY_ZING!!!

Thanks again. Voting ends Friday night/Saturday morning at midnight.

Much love and gratitude,
kirsten
ps. i promise that tomorrow I am going to start posting photos from my trip to Europe! Thanks for hangin’ in there. :)

// 04.02.2009 // Eyes Open Project OPEN THIS POST
Nate, Tricia & Gwyneth in the news!

Nate, Tricia & Gwyneth in the news!

I just wanted to share this with all of you. I hope you all remember Nate, Tricia & Gwyneth, the beautiful family from the Outer Banks. I ran an auction with the proceeds going to the CFF in honor of them and their story. Well, there was a really wonderful story written [...]

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I just wanted to share this with all of you. I hope you all remember Nate, Tricia & Gwyneth, the beautiful family from the Outer Banks. I ran an auction with the proceeds going to the CFF in honor of them and their story. Well, there was a really wonderful story written about them as well as an ABC News feature a couple of weeks ago. Nate posted the link on his blog and I just pass it on. It really does make you believe in happy endings!

// 01.28.2009 // Eyes Open Project OPEN THIS POST
For Amelia’s Dad

For Amelia’s Dad

Hello my ever so patient blog readers! I know, it’s been over a week since I last posted. I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year. I have a million and one things to post and hopefully will get to 1% of them over the next few weeks, including a few resolutions. [...]

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Hello my ever so patient blog readers! I know, it’s been over a week since I last posted. I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year. I have a million and one things to post and hopefully will get to 1% of them over the next few weeks, including a few resolutions. However, this post in a very special post. A photographer-friend and her family is really in need of some help. I am sure, as all of you have now learned, I am all about helping others. Actually, I feel like the last couple of months has been nothing but helping others on this blog, but you know what . . . . . I feel great about it.

Amelia’s father was diagnosed with ALS not too long ago and unfortunately the disease has been progressing much quicker than they had ever wanted. Many changes need to be made to their home in order to accommodate a wheelchair. Due to financial restraints, the work has not been made as quickly as they need. A couple of weeks ago Amelia announced this devastating news on her blog for all the world to read. She also ran a silent auction for a portrait session with all proceeds going to her family. I thought it was wonderful and offered to do the same. Of course I would. So, here is the deal . . . . .

* The auction is good for one portrait session, up to 2 hours.

* It can be used for a family, senior, maternity, newborn, child, head-shot, engagement, bridal or a just because session. Seriously, there is no limitation here. I could even come shoot your family reunion if you want.

* I will travel for this auction, included. . . . on me!

* I will throw in a 20 page mini flush-mount album (5×5) of your favorites.

* Bidding begins at $400. Come on folks, that’s close to what I charge just for the session alone.

* Just email your bid to kirsten@innatephoto.com

* I will announce, periodically, on my blog where the bidding is at every couple of days.

* This auction begins immediately and runs for 1 week, ending January 19th.

* Please consider helping this fantastic family out.

ALL proceeds from this auction, as with all of my fundraising efforts, go directly to Amelia’s family. In fact I will not be receiving the payment, the winner of the auction will need to send the money directly to her fund.

I am including her post below. It is so incredibly touching, I couldn’t not help.

*****************************************************************************************************

As many of my blog followers may agree, I am definitely a picture-taker and not a writer. I do my best to write positively and according to my entries in order to describe the many adventures I experience as a photographer, mother, and wife. Well this time I am writing as a daughter and I ask my readers, in advance, for forgiveness as I stumble over this blog post in order to put into words the way that I feel about an unfortunate trial that has been placed in the lap of my family (in fact, as I am trying to type this my heart is pounding so loud I can hear it in my ears). This is for my dad.


Earlier this year he found himself randomly falling down and even found himself having trouble walking and lifting his right leg. He went in for some testing to see what was going on, only to find that there would be no solution and that he would never walk normal again. To make the long story short he was diagnosed with ALS (or many of you may know it as Lou Gehrig’s disease, please click here to find a site that describes exactly what this disease is and how it can effect the victims that get diagnosed with it). In simple terms, this disease causes muscles to stop reacting to the brain’s commands and eventually takes over the whole body. My dad was diagnosed with ALS officially in September and since then he has lost complete use of his right leg and his left leg is now fading faster than the right. The progression of this disease takes a different toll on each one of its victims, with my dad his ALS is progressing rapidly and he is already in an electrical wheelchair.


Now here is the reason for this post, I am reaching out to the world for help. I already know that my dad won’t survive this, but with help, he can be comfortable in his last months (hopefully years). I am auctioning off a family portrait session to help raise funds that will be put to helping him with medical bills, rebuilding a handicap bathroom, or the purchase of a wheelchair accessible van. While I know that one family portrait session won’t pay for all of this, every little bit will help, especially since my dad hasn’t been able to work since August. I am starting the auction bidding at $250. I usually charge $500 for our portrait sittings. The sitting will include approximately two hours of coverage, online proofing, and a $100 print credit. Please email me at amelia@amelialyon.com to submit your bids, I will close the bidding at midnight on new years eve. There has already been a savings account set up for him and everything donated is tax deductible. I really appreciate any help in this effort, I plan to do a few more auctions in the near future, but this is my first attempt.

Here is a photo of my dad and me taken about three weeks ago at Zion’s National Park:

These next four photos make me laugh to tears, I tried to get a portrait of my dad, but this what I got instead:), I love you dad!

*****************************************************************************************************
And this is what made me cry, one of the comments left on her post. It’s from her Dad:
My dear daughter Amelia, I am so incredibly touched by the love and well wishes from all of your blog buddies.
The things which have been posted have added to my life additional peace, great courage and an abundance of gratitude in life. I have decided that I no longer have ALS. I now have ALD, “A Lucky Dad”. However, this disease doesn’t ever end, it goes on forever! How could any father be discouraged, regardless of the situation, when he i
s blessed with such a loving family? I can not begin to tell you how deeply I love you. I understand how difficult this is in your life. I need you to know that everything is alright and the strength we are learning from this trial is far beyond our ability to understand today, but will be of priceless value in our future lives. I love you and you family so much. Love, Dad I just have one last thing to say to you. HAVE A GREAT DAY!”

Please take a moment and think of how lucky in life you truly are and how much of a difference bidding on this auction could make to this family.
Much love from the Outer Banks Wedding Expo, wish me luck,
kirsten

// 01.11.2009 // Eyes Open Project OPEN THIS POST
more posts?
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