First Dip

I stood in knee-deep water clutching my shoulders and moved about an inch deeper every 2 minutes. I looked back at the old woman on the beach. She was staring at me with concern, probably because I looked more like someone contemplating suicide than someone about to go for a swim.

I've been in France for more than a week now and I figured it was time to face my fear of "cold" water and just go for it. After all, how could I (pardon the pun), fully immerse myself in this country if I didn't soak up (there I go again) every bit of it... including 18°C water. Okay, I exaggerated, maybe it was around 21°C, I don't know.

I gazed around one last time, at the vast parking lot filled with holiday camper vans, at the senior citizens tanning beside their striped beach parasols, at the sparkling water in front of me with little boats bouncing up and down, and then up, at the clear sky with the sun toasting my skin. It looked like summer. It was summer, but the f*cking water didn't get the memo.

Oh well, here we go. With one deep breath I finally took the plunge, wiggled around the water for a bit and then got out. It wasn't that bad. In fact, it felt really nice. Refreshing and awakening, as proven by all the hairs of my skin standing at attention. 

Like many of my experiences here so far, this was another first time.

You know that famous motivational question: "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" Here, my answer is always: yesterday or just a while ago or just now.

It's been really wonderful seeing, tasting and experiencing things for the first time. Most especially the things that Arnaud only used to tell me about. "One day we'll take my van and drive to the salt area of Guerande and you will see, it's really nice."

It wasn't nice, it was for me, breathtaking. And realizing right then and there that I was experiencing something that I only used to imagine in my head, that was really something. And so, continues (as our friend JonJon says) "Les Aventures de Denise Nicole". To many more firsts and to many more dips for the rest of this trip... I'm ready. :) 

France is full of lovely homes. This one belongs to the equally lovely Reitzer family. 

Merienda time in their lush garden

First time: raspberry picking (plus other fruits from the Reitzer's garden)

Camper Van Culture in Quiberon - we live in a camper during weekdays too (it belongs to Arnaud's mom)

Sailing in Saint Nazaire

Sun worshippers of Quiberon

The boys at the Marais Salants, Guerande

 After work beer and sunset

Arnaud leading me to the "secret spot"

Finally, overlooking THE secret spot (which I'm not allowed to show here :)

New Year

2011 was a roller coaster ride. So many ups and downs, so many unexpected twists and turns. Towards the end, I felt dizzy, a lost and a bit disoriented. But, I'm thankful for everything that happened and I'm thankful that it's over. :)

2012 on the other hand has my stomach in knots. Positive knots. Like something exciting is about to happen. Something that makes me want to burst into a million colored jelly beans. You know that feeling, right? :P

I'm not sure of what's coming, but I know it will be a super great year. I'm turning 29 in a few days and I guess it's also reason enough for me to go all out and end the 20s with a bang! :) 

I spent the turn of the year with my family, in my mom's province in Antique.  My sister Monique and I decided to go out and snap a few photos. Later on we realized it was the last sunset of 2011. :)

If you want to see the rest of the photos, they're here: http://denisetolentinophotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-light.html

Here's to 2012. Rock n' roll!

People I Shot

I created some kind of a photography portfolio blog.

It's got two sets of photo stories right now.
Do check it out and let me know what you think.
But don't be too harsh. :P

Marshall Mondays: Bed Day

Once in a while the boy and I have what we call a "bed day." Basically, it means we spend one whole, lazy day in bed. We order in, dine in bed and lie with the laptops, TV remote and anything we could potentially need within reach. Doesn't it sound sooo fun? :)

Yesterday was one of those days. Cool, post-rain-weather, Sunday, plus it was my first weekend with the 2 boys since I got back. The afternoon light in the bedroom was so nice that I decided to bring out the camera and take shots of the Marshall cuddling that happened.

Happy Marshall Monday!:-D

Marshall Mondays: To the Best Dog in The World

THANK YOU
for being there when we want / need to cuddle.

for looking out for the people around you.
(Marshall making sure the pool cleaner doesn't drown.)

for being there to listen, even when you're dead tired.

for letting me know when we've spent too much time on the computer.

for being such a joy to have. Looking at you is enough to make us smile.

Happy 5 months buddy. We love you!

After A Moon Landing

when i grow up

i want to live near the sea
crab claws and bottles of rum
that's what i'll have
staring at the seashell
waiting for it to embrace me


-fever ray

6 am. Walking home with Dane after an out-of-this-world Moon Landing party at Jungle Bar. A bit dazed, I managed to take some shots in the dawn light. In case you don't know her, Dane is a celebrity in the blogosphere and is very used to having her photo taken, drunk or not. Naturally the photos turned out well. :D

After we took these shots, she told me it reminded her of this video by Fever Ray. Awesome,awesome! I got so inspired that I took lines from the song and posted them *points upward* up there.

Ok super moon, you got us into enough trouble. 'Till the next 18 years.

*Check out Dane's famous blog on http://trustme-itsparadise.blogspot.com/

Marshall Mondays: While He Waits

One of the oldest human needs
is having someone
to wonder where you are,
when you don't come home at night.

Margaret Mead

I do not enjoy the few occasions where we have to leave Marshall behind, but there is also pleasure in knowing that there's someone waiting for us at home. Someone who will leap at the sound of our feet approaching the door and greet us with joy, excitement and a wildly wagging tail.

the boy of the girl with the camera

the girl with the camera
thinks you're beautiful.

the girl with the camera
is in love
with the way
the light falls on your face
watching closely
as you shift in place

the girl with the camera
with her heart looks through
open, eager
to take in
all of you

photos 1-3, 5-8 from the flickr group: my boyfriend is awesome
4 & 9 are mine. :)

Marshall Mondays: Furry Little Chicken

Our dog looks like a chicken when he sleeps. And it makes me giggle every time.
His other poses look so cute too that it makes us want to wake him up to hug him.

But when he sleeps on my feet, I make sure not to move even if it means my feet fall asleep too. :)