If you look closely at the sky in the image below, you'll see lots of little specs. Those are kites. This was taken during the Kite Festival in Jaipur.








 Meet Shiva, the snarky little camel who had me terrified throughout my entire ride. Her expression says it all.



























Journal Snippets:

"[...] I feel that there is no way to capture a culture without capturing the people living with it. After all, it is they who form the culture. Landmarks are important, but nothing compares to photos that allow others to shamelessly gaze into the eyes of someone from a totally different lifestyle, religion, or financial situation."

"Now, as I look into her big, beautiful brown eyes staring back at me, it becomes even clearer that nothing tells of India as well as the eyes of its dwellers. These are eyes full of compassion, curiosity, strength, and a hunger for more. That hunger drives their rapid growth as a society and also speaks to their faith - that desire to be constantly, increasingly devoted to their god, or to reach the next level of spiritual wisdom."

"It has become my belief that people living in impoverished areas are closer to the heart of God than many of the wealthy. Jesus, Mother Theresa, and Ghandi all lived lives of deliberate poverty, performing their work with little more than the clothes on their backs. When you lack physically, you learn to rely on your spirituality and your social capital. These Indians in impoverished communities may live simply, but they are wealthy in relationships and community."

"India is a place that makes you face certain things about your Self."

"The women in India demand the respect of those around them. There is strength in their demeanors. They work hard to earn and maintain a good reputation for themselves and their families, and it is frequently the women who resist proposed changes in society and culture. Women are certainly not on top in this country, but just as in America, they are the anchors and glue that hold the culture together."

"I mean, where else in the world does an entire community rally around flying kites from their rooftops as a sport?"

"And for the first time in my entire life, I had to explain and analyze my own culture from an outsider's point of view. [...] Being an anthropologist (which every traveler should consider themselves) is not only about observing an analyzing other cultures, but it is also about being able to step back and do the same for your own culture."

"Now, being back in the states, the materialism blares like a siren. [...] I hear conversations around me about whatever drama is surfacing, and the extent to which I do not care is almost humorous. I experienced more culture shock coming back to the states than I ever did in India. [...] On the bus drive through Dehli, my India roommmates and I made a resolution to always 'keep it India' - we did not want to return to US and become desensitized to how much we take for granted."

Because we've just moved to the beautiful city of Nashville last week, we've been running around like giddy tourists, attending all of the (free) events and making a bucket list of all the restaurants that we want to eat at (but can't afford to right now). Last night, we went to a movie in the park at Elmington Park near 12 South. Really, we were just following the Grilled Cheeserie truck. We couldn't care less about Despicable Me 2. Those grilled cheeses, though. I bet your mama never made grilled cheeses like that before.

      It's so hard for me to come up with the words to describe to extent to which I've been molded and inspired by these last two years. My Teach for America season has come to a close, and I've no more opportunities to enjoy spending my afternoons with these beautiful spirits. When I look at these heart-melting faces, I remember the things I learned from them, such as how to find joy in anything life throws your way, how to use your obstacles as stepping stones, how to love with abandon, and how that love can help you get out of bed and fulfill obligations on even the most difficult of days. I see Jesus in a lot of my students every day, and I know that God has loved me in a very tangible way through them. There is so much about Mississippi - Hazlehurst, the Delta, Byram, and otherwise - that will cling to me forever and that will always warm me like a glass of good wine.
      As the buses drove away last week, and little hands and smiling faces waved and shouted from the windows, tears rolled not because I was sad they were losing me. I was sad because I can only hope and pray that I have left such a legacy with them and with Mississippi as all of it has left with me. I am leaving Mississippi with stronger convictions and deeper passions. I am leaving so that I can take Mississippi's story into other parts of the country and wait anxiously for a day when the rest of the world see and understand its beauty, grit, and power.

I had the privilege of photographing this adorable little dude's birthday party! I was reminded why I love photographing kids so much. I mean, look at those baby blues and chubby cheeks.

Why is the "revolutionary woman" always portrayed like this:





















Why can't they be portrayed like this?



After a meeting I had today, I realized how remarkably ecstatic I am about some of the things that I have started/accomplished. Then, a moment later, I realized how many times I felt embarrassed to "talk business" around other people or to answer questions about the organizations or events I initiated because I didn't want to look like the "woman who was trying too hard," or I didn't want to seem too dominating or something weird like that.

I realized that I have a complex about being a female leader!

Then, I remembered a super cheesy but also super awesome pop song by The Veronicas, "I'm a Revolution." I realize that I should be excited to shout above all the noise of people who doubt women's potential that I am a revolution. I want to show young girls that YES you CAN BE a revolution. You CAN start revolutionary things.

Mothers, Fathers, tell your daughters every morning that you can't wait to see all of the mountains they will move. You cannot wait to see all of the creative, benevolent things they will do.

Teachers, call on the girls in class when they raise their hands. Give them opportunities to problem solve. Tell them that you believe they can do remarkable things. Tell them they are strong and that they can do revolutionary things.

I could talk about this for days, y'all.

And here's a girl who articulates an aspect of gender inequality in a way that this post does not.

Because this past week included International Happiness Day, and because it just so happens that I have playlists filled to the brim with feel-good songs, I have compiled a playlist of the songs that have a reputation of making me (and whomever else gets to hear them in my car) dance.

I am certain there is something on this playlist for everyone!


If you know of any songs that are guaranteed to make me happy, send 'em my way.

Happy weekend!

      The biggest perk of Josh and I both being educators is that we have a lot of the same breaks - Christmas break, summer break, and spring break. This week was spring break, and because we were both a little too burnt out to actually go anywhere, we took advantage of the opportunity to just have a week to ourselves. We've been able to read, tire out our dog, cook fun meals, watch all those movies we've saved to our watchlist, and just enjoy being married.

      Yesterday, we took our lunch out to the reservoir.































And today, we went to the adorable, nearby town of Clinton.









 I couldn't bring myself to do anything with this picture. It's too gorgeous in raw form.

 Below, you'll find our brooding model shots. :)


























Anyone else on Spring Break or have any exciting weekend plans?