||Easy & Healthy||

Walking home from school today I thought to myself, "I'm not that hungry and I'm feeling really lazy. What's something I could make that's healthy but doesn't require that much effort?"

As my mind was trying to visualize what my refrigerator and drawers contained I remembered I had eggs and hadn't made an omelet in a while. So I got home and attended to the task but as my body slowly grew more and more tired with every item I added to the little bag full of ingredients I take with me, I decided not to grab any chicken or sausage and just stick with veggies.

I've only made one other omelet since I've been here and that poor thing looked like it got into a fight with the baby spinach I stuffed in it. Though it was broken and ugly its taste was still satisfactory. But this time around I sauteed the spinach along with some squash and cherry tomatoes and it seemed to fit in that omelet just right.

Here's to tasty AND pretty food!

Easy, good and healthy

-DG

||That's A Wrap||

Beautiful ladies seem to be a theme for today. I finally finished off that role of film from my earlier post with this lovely face and can't wait to develop it next week!

Lately I've  been trying to make every role of film count. If that means waiting for a good day to shoot something I actually like (for example, what I did today) then so be it. Often I would be happy with only two or three shots from the whole role but I'm anticipating a little more than that this time.

Many times with film I get lazy and figure that teachers like street photography and somehow always go back to that. Especially because it's so easy to snap a photo of someone or anything on the way to school and just finish off the roll. But to be honest I'm pretty sure street photography is my least favorite, the idea of photographing people without their knowledge or consent sort of bothers me.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate a well-taken street photo and have respect for those that do it, but personally it's just not my forte.

Here are a few digitals of this stunning woman. AND she did her own fabulous make up!

-DG

||Flowers & Hats||

I have this friend, her name is Kendall and she's a model.

Your welcome for allowing you to marvel at her beauty.

-DG

||Marked For Life||

The first week I moved to SF this guy in my dorm walked past me and I was like "Sick tattoo dude!" and he replied, "thanks I just got it" and then I thought to myself, I want a tattoo. So the next day I went to a tattoo shop and got one.

Death metal playing and a muscular guy covered in ink awaiting, I nervously walked up to the desk and asked if I needed an appointment (clearly I have never done this before) and after clarifying that I was 18 the owner tolled me I could get it that day! Receiving the little push I needed from my roommate and signing a few papers I found myself laying face down on a long cushioned table. All of the sudden it felt like a cat had gotten revenge on me, deeply and slowly clawing at the back of my ankle and every now and then giving me a couple of seconds in between to catch my breath. About 15 minutes later it was over and I am now marked forever.

Here's the funny thing. I was the person that was never going to get a tattoo. I didn't even know what I wanted and not that I had anything against them I just never saw myself ever getting one.

It's sort of interesing, this symbol just came to me I don't know how, why or when but it did and after I got it there was this meaning that some how accompanied it.

The symbol is on my broken ankle which reminds me that through that time of my life God was always with me healing and teaching me new things daily. I got this tattoo in San Francisco which is my favorite city in the world and no matter what trials I will face here I have God who loves me unconditionally.

After the deed was done I didn't really know what to feel, I wasn't overly excited or full of regret, I was sort of passive. But everyday I'm liking it more and more and of course once I told parents and they said they still love me I was quite relieved.

||Mondays Call For Salads||

You can't really go wrong with a good salad!

All it takes is some fresh zucchini, baby spinach, carrots, eggs, apples and raspberry vinaigrette to enjoy a light yet filling dinner.

-DG

||Fashion Friday||

Yesterday my roommate, Marina and I finally got to team up our talents and created a beautiful final result. Bailey, our model was amazing when it came to letting us take over and do our thing.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect look from Marina and I would also like to thank the lighting for being exactly what I needed for my shoot!

The main purpose of this shoot was actually for my black and white film photography class for a project I'm working on, but I got some digital ones just for fun. I can't wait to see how my role of film comes out and what differences I'll encounter. But for now enjoy!

-DG 

||Dedicated To Food||

This past weekend my grandparents drove up to SF to visit me! Just kidding they came for the Giants but don't worry, they managed to schedule me in a couple of times during their trip. Along with them came some of my moms amazing home made Slovak sausage. Today I got to taste a little bit of that glory.

How could one go wrong with the world's best vegetables (zucchini and squash), noodles and sausage? Unless you're a gluten free vegetarian who hates vegetables I must say this is a pretty satisfying dinner.

-DG

||Revisiting A Distant Memory||

To many, China Town is a popular tourist attraction which, it definitely is but almost everyday when I walk past it, it reminds me of Uzbekistan. I grew up in Uzbekistan for ten years before I moved to Carpinteria California and that was a very different experience. Unique, amazing, beautiful, hard and unforgettable are a few words I would use to describe my childhood. Often when I reflect on my years living in Central Asia I stumble upon some pretty rad memories. Among many of those crazy memories, lie's a very vivid one which involved "bazaars".

Bazaars are sort of like farmers markets except a lot bigger, dirtier, louder, and just a bit more intense. Basically if you speak English or any other foreign language and don't know how to bargain you were in for a lot more than just a trip to the outdoor grocery store. I don't know how my petite, Slovak mom did it with three children for ten years but she did and looking back it gives me even more respect for her than I already had.

It's weird how areas of a city can trigger memories and take you back to a moment in time that hasn't been revisited in a while. Often I do this through photos but when it happens differently every so often I don't mind it!

Two more days until Friday

-DG

||I Had A Thought||

After a long day of classes and not so good eating choices I decided to go for a run. As I made my way through china town I was still at the "feeling good" stage and on my way, a kind gentleman gave me a high five. Now, everyone prepared me for the sketchy aspect of SF and I assure you I have been on guard, but no one really brings up the fact that every city has a few good people. I happened to run into one of them (literally) which was a fun start to my work out! Eventually I made my way to the beach by Fisherman's Wharf  and I spotted some very welcoming stone steps over looking Alcatraz and the beautiful city. Instead of making my way up an annoyingly steep hill which is my usual rout I had a thought, why don't I just sit and enjoy this incredible view before me? So I did.

As my muscles started to relax and my body temperature cooled down to the perfect level of not too hot, and not too cold I had this weird feeling that I don't think I've ever experienced before. Music in ear (which made everything more dramatic) I looked slightly to the right, then my head followed my eyes to the left and it hit me, that feeling was the excitement of being "home". I say "home" because it IS still my earthly home but I like it and I may not live here my whole life but for now I'm definetly content.

After what seemed like the perfect five minutes I got up and started the journey back. Right as I was getting to the point of giving up and wanting to walk the rest of the way I tripped. Notice I didn't say fall because I didn't. I tripped, but it wasn't one of those cute trips that no none notices, I'll admit I almost completely toppled over and there were two very concerned witnesses, but I made sure I was quick about it and gave them a thumps up before we passed each other. I just love being humbled (no sarcasm intended, I really do believe it's good for us). 

You can bet your bottom dollar that gave me the last push I needed to sprint all the way home.

 Happy almost Tuesday!

-DG

||It's Not A Big Deal, Just Make A Meal||

One of my fears of moving to SF and living on my own included cooking. I always knew I was capable but having the world's best cook/baker for a mom and an aspiring nutritionist/chef for a twin sister gave me an excuse to be lazy.

Ever since I've gotten here I can't stop! Although what I can make is limited and pretty basic, it's edible and I'm having a blast learning how to satisfy my taste buds. I was always intimidated, thinking I would never be able to fill the extremely large shoes my mom left for me but meal by meal I'm realizing that it's not so bad and every time I mess up well, there's always Chipotle!

Cheers three day weekends every week and using the time to make yummy food!

Happy Friday

-DG

||In My Weakness||

Discovering who I am in the Lord and His purpose for my life has been difficult this week. THIS WEEK, people it's only the first of many. But I'm incredibly hopeful and my heart is full of peace for I know I am loved and treasured by the King on high. That is a comforting truth that I will hold on to for as long as I'm blessed to serve Him here on this earth.

College. Is. Crazy.

God. Is. Amazing.

Happy Sunday!

-DG