Writing with Sparklers

I've never seen anything like my town on the Fourth of July. 

Personal fireworks are illegal in most of the state, but they are legal in my town, and people drive from all over to blow up fireworks in the park on the Fourth. In fact, personal fireworks are such a huge deal that the town always holds its firework display the weekend before the Fourth.

I'd always heard about how big of a deal fireworks were in our town, but last year was the first time I saw it in person. I went to the park to take pictures and got some really awesome ones. The picture below is pretty much what you would see if you stood in the middle of town and turned in a complete circle. It's absolutely nuts, and it goes on for hours.

This year a group of us had a cookout in a friend's house a few miles down the road, so the display wasn't as intense as being in the park. But from their backyard we could still see some of the craziness.

To be honest, I kept seeing pictures on Facebook and Tweets from people at the lake or the beach or up in the mountains, so I was feeling kind of lame about staying home this weekend. I was thankful to have friends to hang out with on Friday night. It was fun!

We all hung out and blew up our own fireworks while I played with sparklers. I wanted to see if I could make letters and shapes with a low shutter speed and my tripod, and...success! I really think taking pictures of fireworks might be one of my favorite things to take pictures of. You just never know what you're going to get.

Are fireworks legal in your town?
Anyone else get any good firework or sparkler pictures this year?

Goodbye, July, and Hellooooo, August

[One of my firework pictures from Fourth of July. See more here.]

I'm linking up with Allison as I say hello to the new month and goodbye to last month.

Goodbye, birthday month. 

I will miss making everyone pay attention to me. Good thing I have a pool party birthday party planned on August 10. My birthday is never over. Amen.

Hello, parents' anniversary month.

My parents are celebrating their 31st anniversary on August 7.
I have no words to explain how awesome this is. My family rocks.

Goodbye, casual summer running. 

I've enjoyed going out for runs whenever I please without having a set schedule. But....

Hello, half marathon training.

I've running half marathon #6 in October and #7 in November. I'm hoping to shave some time off my PR! (1:56) I'll be doing long weekend runs with the Oklahoma City running group and trying to maybe incorporate some sprints at the track. 

Speaking of running.... goodbye, old running shoes & hello, new running shoes. It's time for an upgrade.

Goodbye, rampant jealousy and stress

Dear Jealousy, 

It's been real, but it's time for you to go pester someone else. I'm tired of constantly feeling envious of all my friends. Yes, they have houses. Yes, one of them makes more money than Jordan and I combined. Yes, they have really cute Sperry's and I'm rocking four-year-old Converse.

But it's just stuff. Stupid, dumb crap.

I love my husband. I have a great apartment. I have a family I love. I really like my church. I have amazing friends.

So suck it, jealousy. Take your stress and discontent somewhere else. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Hello, new Bible study.

I am SO ready for a new Bible study. It's a time commitment (every Wednesday night from August to November), but I'm looking forward to meeting some new ladies from the church and being diligent about quiet time and Bible reading.

Speaking of church, say hello to Christmas decorations! Yes, I was at the store last week, and they were putting out ornaments. And Christmas wreaths. Is it just me, or is it still too early?

What are you saying goodbye and hello to?

My 30 by 30 List + Pictures of Fireworks

This year I took my very first stab at firework pictures. Thanks to my tripod and remote, it wasn't a horrible flop even though I had no idea what I was doing. I won't be winning any awards, but it was pretty fun.

Now that Independence Day is over, we start talking about something really important....

My 27th birthday!

The looming arrival of this monumentous event in T-minus five days seemed to me like the perfect time to create my very own 30 by 30 list.

In case you're unfamiliar with the phrase, this is a list of 30 things I want to complete by the time I am 30 years old. I should tell you that a few of the items on this list are already completed. You can call that a cop-out if you want, but I decided it would be okay to include things I'd already done only if they were things I would have put on a 30 by 30 list had I made one when everyone else was doing it, like five years ago.

It was important for me to include measurable goals instead of stuff like "be nicer" or "wake up earlier." I mean really. Vague much? Also, a lot of these involve traveling, which may or may not happen if I still don't have some sort of notable income in the next three years.

Final note: I'm still debating on an add-on for #31: avoid being homeless.

Now then.