Graduation Celebration

On Tuesday June 21st myself along with fellow classmates walked across the stage at the Ottawa Convention Center to receive our diplomas and officially graduated from the Algonquin College Photography Program (click here to view the program blog). As previously mentioned, I was nominated for the School of Media and Design Award and... I WON! It is "awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated achievement in leadership in program-related activities, application of learning outcomes for the benefit of others and excellence in reaching the learning outcomes of the program and applying the knowledge to higher levels". I received the award that evening and I am truly humbled that I was chosen and thank my professors for the nomination.

It was great to catch up with friends and hear about plans for the future. Best of luck to all the graduates and I wish you all plenty of success in the future!

Having some fun at my house before heading into Ottawa for the ceremony. I got some V.I.P tickets for my mom, dad, and my partner Mendel.

My diploma, some beautiful flowers I was given, School of Media and Design Award

...as you can see I was in a bit of a mood for layouts today :)

Summer Eats

So I have been lacking on the posts for a little while...oops! 

Quick update: in the past few weeks I ran my first 10k race. To see proof that I actually did it click here to see photos during the race and me crossing the finish line (yeah that's me the cheesy crossing tandem with my partner). AND I shot my first wedding. Hands down the wedding was more physically demanding but I was lucky enough to have two fantastic families and a beautiful bride which made for a truly lovely day. I will be posting some images soon. 

To feed you photo appetite here is what I had for dinner last night. A little salt and pepper shrimp with lime.

Confession: there are only 3 shrimp in the image but there were about another 5 in the pan that I wolfed down...

36383

This weekend is Ottawa Race Weekend for 2011. I have always wanted to run a marathon, so this year my partner encouraged me to sign up for a race. Tomorrow we will both be running the 10K race. It's no marathon but hey, it's a start! 

Click here to see the course maps and get details about the routes, cheering sections, starting and finishing lines. If you have some time tomorrow the race starts at 6:30pm and if all goes according to planned I'll be crossing that finish line somewhere around 7:45 (fingers crossed). Come out and show some support for the runners and keep a look out for bib number 36383.

Wednesday Morning Wake-up Call

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from my professors telling me that I was nominated for the School of Media and Design Award. I am so excited, thankful and humbled by this. Click here to see more details. 

Thank you to the professors who nominated me for this amazing award. 

Friends, Food and Fireworks

For the last 5 years some of my closest friends and I have spent the May long weekend at the Ray cottage on Sharbot Lake. The weekend usually consists of card games, cold beverages and way to much food. This year we also decided to add fireworks to the mix and fortunately only a few of us sustained minor injuries. As always it was a weekend full of good times, many memories and laughing so hard that my sides still hurt.

How many grown men does it take to build a mini barbecue ?

A lovely summer salad

My buddy Mark and yours truly shooting roman candles across the lake.

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

Myself and a few of my favorite people decided to venture out to the gallery this past Thursday (fun fact: it is free after 5pm) and ended up stopping by one of the gardens for the tulip festival.  Here are a few images from our little adventure.

I guess not everyone likes tulips...

Photogs in a clog!

Happy Mother's Day

For all the moms and moms to be, thank you for everything you do! This is your day, enjoy it and relax.

Love you mom!

This is the card I made for my mom today. I am sure she appreciates that my cards no longer have macaroni on them.