how this little ole thing has changed me

{today's prompt; self portrait}

I can hardly think about anything else but sitting down to read this 1000 page book.  Addicted. 

I wasn't going to write for yesterday's blogtember prompt - discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.  It wasn't until I read y'alls different posts that I realized duh! it has changed me in ways that I never noticed until now. 

When I first started this blog, I had intended it to be my photography website - Acornphotography (hence the blog's URL).   I liked having a place to put all of my photos and write a little description of what I captured. It wasn't until around this time last year that I found myself enjoying the writing part more than the photo part.  

When I finally realized this I had every intention of starting from scratch and writing a whole new blog.  But the idea of putting just what I wrote out there initially terrified the hell out of me.  I mean, who really gives a shit about what I have to say?  I am pretty boring.  But since I had already built up a following (albeit very small), I decided to slowly start sharing what I had to say little by little.   

So how has it changed me? For the first time in my life, I enjoy writing.  And while I know what I have to say is not necessarily earth shattering, I have confidence in what I write.  This coming from a girl who never felt comfortable turning in a paper without Mom proofreading it first.  I am still learning to find my voice and decide where I want my small part of the webs to take me but I love it and am enjoying this journey.  It has also led me to gain a little bit more confidence in who I am as a person.  I am starting to let go of what others' opinions of me and what I choose to do affect what I do.  If something, like blogging, brings me joy then why shouldn't I continue down that path even if someone thinks it stupid.  And if you know me at all, you know that's a big deal.  

What about you, has blogging changed you?

Perhaps in a way you didn't realize until just now.

Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al"

And this song.  I have been obsessed with it ever since I was kiddo (and yes, because of the title). Helene had a link-up yesterday that I wanted to participate in but ended up not because the temptation of drinks and dinner out won.  But since I like to always leave a Friday post with some good music, I figured what the hay.

What songs define you?

What gets you pumped for the weekend? 

Linking up with Helene, Jenni, Rachel, Whitney, and Jean today!

Until next time, 

Self-Portrait

Week 4's Photo Challenge was to take a self-portrait.  I was really not looking forward to this week's challenge as I really hate taking photos.  After all, we are our own worst critic.

Even though I was not looking forward to this weekly photo challenge I definitely knew how I wanted to photography myself.  I got married a year and a half ago and fell in love with my wedding dress.  Such a shame us girls rarely get the opportunity to wear it again.  There's isn't much to the dress.  Just a simple off white sweetheart neckline dress from Nicole Miller.  It was perfect for our beautiful outdoor wedding we had in July.  It has been sitting in our guest room closet since I got back from the cleaners and I have been dying for an excuse to put it on again.  This week's photo challenge gave me that excuse I have been looking for:

Yes, I know it's blurry and has some ghosting.  I'd even say it's a little overexposed but that is why I like this photo.  Adds a dream-like quality to it.  The fact you really cannot see my face (because it is blurry) is just an added bonus!  

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Cheers to yet another week!