apparently the whole senior photo/graduation announcement thing is a very american tradition. my parents had never heard of it until they moved here and they just never jumped on board with it. none of us kids have ever done it before for high school or college and i've decided to change that. i think it's a fun idea to document this time of your life as it's the end of one big chapter and the beginning of another. so nicolaus shot some photos of me over the weekend (and apparently photo shoots by yourself can be a pretty awkward/squinty eyed/lopsided smile ordeal...haha but it was nice to get outside and breathe some fresh air!) and i designed a graduation announcement card, and now i just need to go get them all printed and sent off.
this whole process got me thinking about traditions and whatnot. a lot of the time i've felt like i don't have roots in any particular place or am overly attached to a lot of family traditions. i think it's because my immediate family left all our relatives behind in south africa when i was at such a young age. i never had family reunions or sunday dinners at grandma's or anything of that sort. which always makes me a bit sad because i do love my relatives and cherish the times i have spent with them. but i understand why my parents moved us away and am so grateful for all the opportunites it's afforded me over here in utah.
utah will always have a special place in my heart because it's this beautiful place where i grew up and have a lot of fond memories. but it's not like we have a ton of family here or we go generations back as pure-blood utahns. a lot of the time i feel really out of place in the culture here and can't wait to get out. but that's the beauty of not feeling rooted here or stuck in certain traditions...nicolaus and i have a whole lot of uncertain options in our future. we have an unmapped life ahead of us where we can ditch old traditions and adapt new ones to our liking. there are good things to come and i love the anticipation of being open to all sorts of possibilities.
I never got senior photos taken in high school and I kind of regret it. It is definitely an American thing. I do like the idea of it though. The new phase in your life definitely deserves to be documented. Your photos look good! :) The future is such an exciting thing! I bet you and Nicolaus will do something awesome!
ReplyDeletethank you so much!! and i certainly hope so :)
DeleteWhere oh where did you get your top?! I love it!!
ReplyDeletethanks!! i actually got it from tj maxx about a year ago..sorry that's not more helpful!
Deletei love that last picture! it's so beautiful and candid :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
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some girl - a diary.
thank you! :)
DeleteLove that third photo and your haaaair! So beautiful. Also, that top is lovely!
ReplyDeleteoh my thank you so much!! i have been working on growing out my hair so that just made my day :)
Deletei wannnnnna take graduation pictures.. but austin doesnt seem to like the idea. HOPEFULLY i'll get him to this weekend :) you look beautiful. i love your shoes. i love your shirt. i love your hair. i love you & i like that austin & i aren't the only ones with an unmapped future!
ReplyDeletehaha whaaaat he should definitely get on board. and thank you thank you thank you. and i love YOU and loved hanging out the other day and want it to happen on the regular again!!
DeleteDon't worry so much about traditions sometimes, even if they're routine family ones for the past generations. It's good that you've managed to acknowledge your roots though. But do keep in mind that the best kind of traditions can be created with friends, and loved ones alike. :) Your senior photos, not to mention, are absolutely perfect. If only I were as photogenic as you!
ReplyDeleteso so true. you always have the best words of wisdom :) and thank you!!! and you totally ARE. haha but seriously you are adorable and don't ever believe otherwise!
Deletebeautiful! love these photos. :) and your hair is amazing.
ReplyDeletethanks julia!! :)
Deleteyou look great in these photos! and enjoy the not-knowing-ness of everything...it's scary but also a big wide open world for you guys to go conquer!
ReplyDeleteyes yes yes so true and that's the best kind of outlook to have. and thank you! :)
DeleteIt is such an exhilarating feeling to have unmapped potential in front of you, that's a beautiful thing about life, the constant opportunity for change. Your shirt is so perfect. Zipper details are always rad.
ReplyDeleteyes it really can be the BEST thing. and thank you - i do agree! :)
DeleteYou look so pretty!! I got your graduation announcement and I'm so happy for you! :) Xoxo.
ReplyDeletethank you thank you!! i couldn't be more excited :)
DeleteAs I'm reading your mom's book it's obvious why you're thinking so much about family traditions (emailing you this week about it). I love how every family is so different; and I totally didn't realize that grad announcements were an American thing.
ReplyDeleteI want to see your announcement!! I'm sure it looks amazing! And, your shoes are killer! What brand are they?
haha yes that's one hundred percent true! and okay that sounds great!
Deleteawww thanks i will have to photograph it and post it! and thank you :) they're just asos brand from asos!
you're beautiful! i'm loving the new hair...totally might use the cut for inspiration! i think i'm in a hair rut. on another note: so cool that you made college grad announcements! it's awesome that you and nicolaus can start your own traditions. even though i definitely have somewhat traditional american memories and ways, it's so fun to learn things in a new way and grow accustomed to new things. as i am learning now, growing up and being on my own :) congratulations on being FINISHED! xo
ReplyDeleteyou are SO nice - thank you! and that is seriously the best compliment. haha please do use it! especially because i think you have the best hair! and yes, yes, yes i agree fully. and thank you so much!!! :)
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