Awkward & Awesome Thursdays {Week 5}

Such an amazing week I've had...and of course like all thing awesome, it just flew by in a snap! So many things from my time at the amazing Chicks Who Click Conference that I want to share with you all in the coming weeks, including some exciting additions and changes to Missie Jurick Photography; but first it's time once again for Awkward & Awesome Thursday!

The Awkward:

• Can I get a round of applause,please? I spent four days surrounded by extremely talented, blog-stalker-worthy, utterly wonderful fellow photographers...and somehow managed NOT to completely embarass myself! I didn't fall, walk around with spinach in my teeth, trip over any cords during a photo session sending sets tumbling, or {that I know of, anyway...} say anything completely ridiculous. For this I'm granting myself a one-week "pass" for anything in the awkward range of life. This week, as far as my blog is concerned, I was the epitome of perfection....{?? is this allowed ??}

The Awesome:

• Stressing slightly over being at a conference all by your lonesome only to find that a friend from WVU, who you haven't seen in 4 years, is there too!
• Having a career in which conferences are actually FUN, motivational, enriching, emotional, and life-changing events. True confession: when I was a teacher and went to conferences I'd be watching the clock thinking "when's the break?!" Since becoming a photographer full time I don't miss a session and am always just wanting more! True confirmation that I've made the right call for myself in leaving behind a steady paycheck to build my own business. It really is all worth it.
• Needing a box of tissues because you're just that moved by someone's images and story.
• Being "that girl" on a 5 1/2 hour plane ride who talks a stranger's ear off because you have so many ideas in your head you just can't keep them in a minute longer or you'll explode....and having that stranger thankfully not strangle you or pretend to fall asleep. {Regina, if you ever stumble upon this blog thanks for listening and your feedback!! }
• Coming home to your dog waiting excitably at the door for you, tail wagging and tongue out.
• Your best friend coming to visit...and a house being a home again because of that.
• Excuse to go to the Cupcake Gallery!!! Your best friend is here with her hubby and two crazy-cool kids, and everyone knows after a day at the Children's Museum you HAVE to have cupcakes!

Heather & Erica will have their posts up today, too, so don't forget to check in with them! I hope you have a fantastic weekend...HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! XOXO missie

Awkward & Awesome Thursdays {Week 4}

Welcome to week four of "Awkward & Awesome Thursday!" This week I'm writing to you from hot, hot, hot & sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, where I am so excited to be attending the "Chicks Who Click" photography conference at the beautiful FireSky Resort. I'm thrilled to say my flights here were not only smooth, but I somehow managed to avoid the dreaded "C" boarding group on my Southwest flights AND scored the extra leg room of the emergency exit row. To top it off, my bag was the first off the carousel and I had enough time to sit by the lagoon here and read a bit before everything begins tonight. Ahhhhh....but, I will stop there before I jinx myself for the trip home! I hope you all  have had a fabulous start to your summer, and without further ado......

The Awkward:

• Going to a conference all by yourself...I feel like I'm back in middle school! What should I wear? Who do I sit with? They're laughing over there in the corner...is my skirt tucked into my undies? Do I wear the lanyard and ID tag around my neck, or is that not what the "cool kids" are doing? Where's Sandy Puc'? What's she wearing ... is she wearing hers? If she is, then I'm not nerdy for wearing mine....she's cool, she's got multi-colored hair...ok, other people are wearing theirs so I'm OK....but the bag? What do I do with the bag? Is it nerdy to carry it around? OK...I'm just gonna sit here and read until the first class starts...
• Realizing that the reason you seem to be 1 hour early to register and then again to go to the first class is because you ARE 1 hour early. {How could I forget about that final time change I just had?} These gals at the registration table must think I'm weird and really not good at telling time...I was right in my world, just not theirs...oh, well....it only took me 3 hours to figure it out...

The Awesome:

• Being at this conference!
• The goody bag !
• The amazing talent downstairs...I can't wait to soak it all in and make new friends!
• My Grandparents!! They both competed in the Senior Olympics this week  and brought home a Silver (PopPop), Bronze (Grandma) AND a Gold (together as a pair team) in bowling! So darn proud of them!!

OK--- ten minutes 'till show time! I'll blog more about this week for sure. For now, don't forget to check out Heather and Erica's Awesome & Awkward posts, too. Always a hoot, and always with beautiful imagery!

Awkward & Awesome Thursday

Here we are! Week two of the "Awkward & Awesome" blog post, where you get to have a little giggle at my own expense. In addition to getting to know me a bit more...It's free! So, why not come back every week? And while you're at it,  check out my fabulous friends Heather & Erica, who are taking part in this fun little bit, too! (and don't forget to share your link to your blog with us so we can follow along with you. Drop me a line on facebook)


(drumroll, please....)


The Awkward:

• Ya know those "sneeze guards" up at salad bars & buffets? Whack!! Completely smacked the back of my head on one...that's what I get for cheating on my diet at a Chinese Food Buffet. (I believe it was the sesame chicken that I was reaching for....)
• At this same restaurant a woman kept following me asking where I found my shrimp...well, I didn't have any shrimp on my plate, I had no idea where the shrimp was, and I was running out of ways to tell her that...
• What's up with the atomic wedgies that only seem to occur while you're running on the treadmill at the gym...during the most crowded time of day? (is there a discreet, polite & ladylike way to pick those?)
• Having to chase my cat, Biff, around my yard while I'm in my hot pink pajamas...he's been having a bit of a love affair with our stray cat through our screened in porch and once again "busted loose" to go on out and party. I should add that the street I live on has a couple museums and businesses, so there's always people out and about....

The Awesome:

• A bowl full of fresh blackberries
• My heating pad + a good book = sweet relief for my back after yesterday's workout
• Speaking of good books....Water for Elephants is fantastic. I read it forever ago, but am re-reading it this week so I can see the movie. 
• My hilariously entertaining, completely supportive, and oh-so-loving parents celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary.  
• "Poe", the stray cat I've been feeding and trying not to fall in love with, finally let me really pet her the other day. Her purrs were going full-force as I rubbed under her chin.