Precious Portraits

Bonjour friends! First, I would like to apologize for not posting in awhile, as there hasn't been much to take pictures of lately. The world has been quite boring photography wise, which was okay with me because otherwise life has been quite filled with excitement. I got accepted into Boston University which was my top choice. I also graduate high school in 20 days! It feels like just yesterday I was a puny little freshman taking the bus to school and actually doing my homework right when I got home. I still shudder when I think about about the days I wore Uggs and leggings every to school every single day. Okay so maybe I still wear leggings every day, but they are just so damn convenient! 

Anyways last week, I did manage to stay after school and take pictures of my friend Gabby. While browsing the pictures you might ask yourself, "Is that her actual eye color or is Fiona that good at Photoshop?" To which I would answer, "Yes, I am that good at Photoshop and yes, that is her real eye color." Life isn't fair like that sometimes. Enjoy!

Also shout out to my fellow Jews, Happy Hanukkah! 

Some silly pictures because well, why not?

CONFUSED

SHOCKED

HAPPY

MILEY

Bits of Beauty

The world can certainly be ugly. Life itself can be dark and unpleasant. Finding the small bits of beauty in your everyday humdrum can turn a gloomy day into one that's little brighter. Look around. I’m sure you pass by the same houses, street signs, trees and people everyday. Sometimes you forget to really look at your surroundings. There’s a house a block away from mine that I only recently noticed. Green shutters, farmhouse porch with twin rocking chairs, a white picket fence, framed by two evergreen trees. It’s adorable. I can't believe I never really saw it before. I’ve been happily surprised many times by just taking an extra minute to pay attention to the environment I’m constantly walking, running, and driving by. Here’s a collection of a few beautiful things I have seen by observing the world around me a little closer.

Stop and smell the roses! It can change your day around.

The sky is one of my favorite things. It's almost always putting on a show! 

Fairy Berries 

Nature's Jewels 

I know it's pollution... but it's pretty

The colors of the trees 

When my snapchat stories aren't of my dog they're of the lovely things I see 

The lights I drive past (Or the lights my boyfriend drives me past) 

Little gems such as two full glasses 

Lights on water are a favorite of mine

Don't forget there are sometimes interesting things to see beneath your feet! 

A Day with George

Despite the snow earlier this week, the sunshine today proved it is still Fall in DC. Today my mom, my second grade teacher, her daughter, and I went to George Washington's residence. There we were able to visit his tomb and walk around his historical estate, that was also home to a variety of animals from camels to sheep. The grounds were spacious and provided for a pleasant walk along the Potomac river Although it was expensive to get in, as the tickets were $18 per person, it was worth the price because it was obvious that all the money goes to preserving this expansive and historic property.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

          Every year as I get older I become more and more thankful for the holiday Thanksgiving. I am thankful for Thanksgiving because it forces families who wouldn't normally come together to spend a whole day together bonding through cooking too much food, eating until you can't stand, and taking walks with one another in attempt to burn off all that turkey and mashed potatoes you knew you shouldn't have gotten seconds of, but couldn't resist (we have all been there my friend). It is not everyday of the year that I am reminded to tell my parents and my friends how thankful I am for their love and support. I know I should be grateful everyday, but life isn't perfect and sometimes I forget to say thank you. It's hard to appreciate something so great as having two adoring parents, brothers and a handful of amazing friends when life won't stop to let you take a moment and appreciate all the greatness that surrounds your life. I'm not saying that my life and the people in my life are perfect, but what I am saying is that I am thankful that I have a day that lets me appreciate what I do have rather than what I don't. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day and that you too got a chance to tell the special people in your life thanks.

Here are some candid photos from my Thanksgiving:

My cousin Dorie and her rambunctious dog Toby.

My Grandma and my Aunt Stephanie

Wouldn't be thanksgiving with out selfies and a surprise visit from our mystery guests

He won by one point. Whatever. 

Sneaking in turkey before the dinner...shame.

"Give me a kiss" she said

Skulls for Thanksgiving was a little too dark so my cousin and I decided to give them a makeover. 

New York State of Mind

As a senior at a Jewish day school, I have learned a lot about the presence of Jewish life on college campuses. For example, I was under the impression that the Chabad houses run by colleges use their religious privileges to attract students to their organization by serving alcohol to underage students. I admit this negative perception of the Chabad was a construction of my own ignorance. This perception proved to be erroneous when I traveled to New York City this weekend and spent a lot of my time at the NYU Chabad house.

Although I previously knew that the Chabad house at NYU had free dinners, I did not know that they offered free food for every single meal of the day. A privilege I didn’t fully appreciate until the house provided me with a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner all 3 days of my stay in New York- no questions asked (that’s 12 meals…just incase you can’t multiply or add). I was in shock by their generosity. I did not know the Rabbi or any of the students, but there they were serving me endless portions of bread, cookies, and fruits all weekend long. My belly and I were overjoyed and warmed by their unfamiliar hospitality.

It wasn’t just the free food that made me feel so welcome; it was also the student’s amiable attitude (which had nothing to do with the free wine). I am not sure whether to describe them as having excellent social skills or simply just friendly, but each student I was introduced to seemed generally interested in getting to know me. Some of the kids even hugged me goodbye when it was time to go back home. Shocking I know, but I swear happened. Human compassion exists people, turns out they were not just serving me food to force me into becoming religious like I previously assumed. I stand happily and chubbily corrected.

I apologize for the lack of photos from my trip. Here are the few photos that I managed to snap for you guys:

Frosted Blueberries

My friend Daphna and our wonderful hosts for the weekend 

Taken at the Highline

All photos taken by Fiona Whittington