sunrise

It was 3:37 AM when I googled the time of today's sunrise, and not long after when I made the decision to stay up only 2 more hours to catch it.

The sky was dark as I got on my bike and pedaled down to the seawall.

The ocean was still, like a giant mirror had been placed on the surface of the water, and the world was quiet, the only sound being the gentle breeze blowing through the trees.

Sitting near the water on a rock, waiting for the sun to make it's appearance, it felt like I was a part of a magical secret, like it was only me and the world at that very moment.

I waited and waited, for over half an hour to see a magnificent yellow, orange or pink glow that would light up the sky, but it never came.

As I put away my camera and started to bike home, I looked up and saw the slightest bit of pink behind the clouds.

Although that was the best it got, I didn't complain on the 20 minute uphill ride home.

I came to watch the sunrise, and that's what I did. No matter how grand or bland it had been, I still felt rejuvenated and alive. I've been meaning to do this for quite awhile and never got around to it, so it feels nice to have done it.

So what are you waiting for? Wake up at 5 AM to catch a sunrise. You'll be glad you did! :)

-Hope

some more 365 (100th post!)

Just thought I would catch you up on my project 365- here are photos 10 through 17. 

ten 

linking up above picture with snap and share | young/old

eleven

twelve

thirteen

fourteen

linking up above picture to little somethings photo challenge | summer

fifteen

sixteen

linking up above picture to paper heart photo & show {off} your shot

seventeen

Any favourites? 

-Hope

click it up a notch photography contest | july

I can't believe this is already my third time entering Click it Up a Notch's Photography Contest! I love this contest and look forward to it every month. It's always hard to choose a favourite, but my favourite this month is probably this one:

Taking self-portraits is generally irritating and tough, but I really like how this one turned out! :)
-Hope

inspiration can be found in the weirdest of places

I always complain about feeling un-inspired, but really, I just need to stop looking so hard and realize that inspiration is everywhere.

Sometimes it can be on this website, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or sometimes even this one. 

Maybe it will be found in this picture,

this picture,

this picture,

this picture,

this picture,

or this one.

It can often be found on this blog, or this one, or this one, or this one or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one.

It's kinda everywhere, you just need to stop searching for it.

-Hope

my grand european adventure

I've recently decided that when I graduate I want to take a huge trip all around Europe. When I say huge, I mean HUGE. It's past 6 in the morning and I haven't yet gone to sleep because I'm so excited and can't stop planning where I want to go and in what order. 

As of right now there is a grand total of 12 countries and 25 cities, so I need to start saving as soon as possible! ;) When I get a job in September I'll be putting away every other pay check into a savings account specifically for this trip. Starting on Christmas, birthday and Christmas money will also be divided in half so that half can be put away.

I don't exactly know who I'm going with yet, but to make things cheaper I'll probably stay in hostels and B&B's to save some money. Obviously the details aren't all worked out because I still have another 3 years of high school before graduation and I just got this spur-of-the-moment-idea yesterday, but I do have all the places I want to visit planned out, so I'll show you those! :)

Madrid, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Paris, France

Normandy, France

Amsterdam, in the Netherlands

Berlin, Germany

Munich, Germany

Lucerne, Switzerland

Berne, Switzerland

Rome, Italy

Venice, Italy

Florence, Italy

Siena, Italy

Stockholm, Sweden

Moscow, Russia

Istanbul, Turkey

Athens, Greece

Santorini, Greece

Meteora, Greece

London, England

Stonehenge, England

Bath, England

Manchester, England

Dublin, Ireland

Kilkenny, Ireland

Pretty sure that this is every photographer's dream trip! ;)

You know what the greatest thing about being young is? We have the world at our fingertips and can choose to do whatever we want, which means that there's actually a possibility that this trip will no longer be a dream, but a reality! :)

What's your dream trip? Anything you think I should add to mine? 

I'm off to bed. Night! :) 

-Hope

golden hour loveliness

A few nights ago I was home alone and super duper bored, so I decided to take a walk down to the seawall not far from my house.

I couldn't have chosen a better time since it was golden hour! :)

There's something so extraordinary about golden hour. Seeing the world covered in golden light intensifies the beauty of everything around you. Not to mention that it creates some gorgeous bokeh!

Also, my mom got an iPhone which means I now have access to instagram! :) I'm so excited about it- if you want to follow me, my username is hopeturcotte.

-Hope