(^Downtown Joaquin… rush hour)

The ‘campers’ did a few photography projects, including taking some shots around the big city.    I think they did a great job!  Here’s that finished product:

Their other work was just as fantastic, by the way! 

]]> http://cristalvazquez.com/2010/06/back-home/feed/ 0 http://cristalvazquez.com/2010/04/for-my-mom/ http://cristalvazquez.com/2010/04/for-my-mom/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:22:54 +0000 Cristal http://cristalvazquez.com/?p=899 Something called Fiddle Mania is going on in downtown Opelousas.  Last week, while doing a couple of senior sessions downtown, I saw roughly twenty big-violin-looking things lined up around the courthouse square.  Each one was painted elaborately and differently- and I knew immediately I would have to come back after my sessions were finished and take some pictures for my artsy Moma.  If I had had more time- and a babysitter to keep the fussy, teething toddler I was pushing in the stroller while I snapped these shots- I would have taken pictures of the back of each fiddle, as well, because both sides were equally amazing.  Oh well.

Here you go:

(Kind of lazy editing… Sorry! )

And while we’re talking things non-photography and non-baby- related, I have to mention that my cousin, Nathaniel, who, as far as I know, is the only member of our family that can sing in tune at all, “has been named one of five winners of the 2010 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, an elite competition that identifies the best young opera singers in the world”.

Here’s what I know about opera:

1. Nathaniel is an amazing and accomplished opera singer (currently with the Houston Grand Opera).

2.

But even though my knowledge of what he does is limited, I do appreciate that what Nathaniel has accomplished is BIG.

“Given the reach of the auditions, the number of applicants, and the long tradition associated with them, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are considered the most prestigious in North America for singers seeking to begin an operatic career.” (Source)

He performed at the NY Metropolitan Opera with the Met Opera Orchestra last month as part of this contest.  Now, of course I haven’t been there, but I saw this picture and I think my first reaction was, “Wow”, followed by, ‘How can he be related to me?’  (If you’ve heard my Rock Band singing, you know what I mean.)

Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS to my little cousin, Nathaniel.  We are all so very proud of you!  (Seriously.  I think my mom had your story included on Shelby County Today two or three times.  And you don’t even live there.  And you never have.    Love you, Mom!)

Yes, this really did happen to Flat Ally:

But, she was somehow able to escape that precarious impasse unscathed (Dictionary Skills Alert!) and will soon be well on her way to her next stop- New Jersey!

(Don’t know what this is all about?  It’s a variation of this.)

I LOVE it so.

{He gave himself an extra arm because he “wanted to look a little like an alien”.  }

Those are my niece’s cute gap teeth.  Impressive, right?

I have other cute pictures of my other cute nieces, too.

Tomorrow, tomorrow. 

Thanks,

Cristal

On August 12, 2000, we got married at Hodges Gardens.  It was hot.  I fell down (I can’t figure out where Jacob gets his clumsiness…).  We didn’t go on a honeymoon.  He was starting his second year of med school and I reviewed his notes with him on our drive home from the ceremony.  I still remember reading about helicobacter pylori (it’s an infection, not an intoxication! ).  We stopped at a gas station in Many, Louisiana, and had lunch: Meat pies and Chicken Crispitos.  Nice.

Nine years and two beautiful children later, we’re still married.  It turns out he’s not that bad at math after all.  I guess I’ll keep him.

Happy Anniversary to my dear husband today!!!

He sent me flowers.     (Of course, one of our babies is in the back of the picture. )