Project 52 Catch-up and Completion, Weeks 39-52

It's been a while since I lasted visited this space and Project 52 has really fallen behind. Photos have been taken (though not as often as usual) but I haven't been online much or even taken the time to review and edit my personal pics. I'm happy to say that this project is now complete (all posts here). I'm looking forward to a fresh start and new ways to inspire and nourish this passion of mine.

And here they are, the remaining "Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014":

Week 39: Child's Play. Watching the ducks.

Week 40: Shadows, light and crayons. Nail painting.

Week 41: Umbrellas are for sunny afternoons.

Week 42: Apple and Pumpkin picking.

Week 43: Halloween outfits. Frozen has been a big part of our year.

Week 44: Christmas card photo.

Week 45: Leaf blowing. Christmas tree decorating.

  

Week 46: Baseball on a cold afternoon. Recycle engineering. (iPhone pics)

Week 47: Dolls. Admiring the tree.

Week 48: Frozen, again.

Week 49: Third visit to doctor's office. It was a harsh winter. (iPhone pic)

Week 50: Candyland. (iPhone pic)

Week 51: Christmas morning.

Week 52: Birthday celebration. (iPhone pic)

A September Morning

Early Sunday, around 10am, sunny and warm for a late September morning. I had just finished drinking my coffee when I asked the girls if they wanted to go out. We didn’t do much. The girls picked wildflowers (more like weeds) and ran in circles while I clicked away with my camera and smiled every time they found a flower. Nothing extraordinary or different from other random days; in fact, I had completely forgotten about that morning had it not been for the photographs. I was browsing my catalogue for the past few weeks and realized I had neglected some. All of a sudden the memories rushed back to me: their smiles, Lucía doing her silly dance, us running back indoors away from the mosquitos I thought had left along with summer. I know the girls won’t remember ordinary moments like those but I’m glad I can capture some of them; and even though I’m not in the actual images, they’ll know I was there all along… as I always will be.

38/52

Week 38: Playground

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

Project 52: Weeks 36 & 37

Week 36: Raining indoors and morning art.

Week 37: Loving the NYC skyline.

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

35/52

Week 35: Drawing with chalk.

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

34/52

Week 34: Jane's Carrousel

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

Project 52: Weeks 32-33

Week 32: Enjoying the beach.  Week 33: Evening at the park.

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

(taken with iPhone)

31/52

Week 31: Summer fun.

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

30/52

Week 30: Admiring sunflowers and seashells. 

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

Returning Home

(Post translated from by spanish blog: Regreso a casa.)

A few months ago I returned from Dominican Republic where I was on vacation. It’s difficult to describe what I feel towards my hometown. Although I miss it, it seems that as more time goes by, the more I distance myself from it. Maybe what I love is the memory of it, the high school and college years, the place it once was, the girl I was back then. 

As I left the airport with my parents, I had this strange feeling of not belonging, I was home and yet it didn’t feel like home. The city had changed since my last visit: on my way to my parent’s house I encountered a new highway, new cemetery, businesses and buildings that did not exist before. The city had grown, it seemed like another. I would’ve liked to roam the streets with my camera, return to the places I frequented once, reconcile my past with my present but I couldn’t get myself to do it. The sense of insecurity was stronger than the love I feel for this country. Perhaps I exaggerate and put much thought into it because of the violence I’ve heard of recently. It’s sad to know that I don’t feel the freedom and tranquility I did when I lived there as a teenager. Some people (like my mom) refuse to live afraid and don’t think much of the situation. And, yes, I get her point but it’s hard to accept these changes and when my heart is anchored to the past. 

Nowadays, when I’m in Santiago I enjoy it because my girls love it and are happy there. For them, it’s another world in which every day there is something new to be discovered and experienced, like pick mangoes from trees, play with chicks and fallen leaves, jump in puddles and watch their wet footprints magically appear on the cement, carry and chase my aunt’s dogs, jump over beach waves, help grandma take down clean laundry, eat breakfast outdoors and feed the parrot. Small and everyday things that is so much more appreciated after a long and brutal winter. 

Here, a few pics of our time there: