Contest 2008 ( WINNER ).......................

I first want to thank all of you that did enter the first contest of 2oo8. I am so glad I have so many loyal readers out there... It has been so much fun reading all the entries and I am so suprised by the turn out... Thanks to all of you for taking time out of your busy lives to keep up with my small diary of photography and personal journey. There are alot of great things in store for 2008, so stay tuned.....ok.. on with the winner....

And the WINNER is....

Drumroll Please.. ......

Momma to Lars ( Aka.. Michelle E. )

I loved Michelle's entry and love what she is going to do with Operation Smile and the fact that she will be giving so much back to the community. Thanks Michelle for all that you do and have done and will continue do do to help with Operation Smile.
Michelle wins a photo session with yours truly, all the negatives. and a 11x14 masonite print, and her son Lars, gets to be the star of his own blockbuster short film produced and directed by Onward films (aka: My awesome husband).. How fun will that be??? :) and I told you that there was a secret prize at the end... Well... Since this is the year of giving back.. Michelle will also be able to gift a photo session, (again by yours truly) to any one of her friends that she wishes...See, there are two winners... How fun... again, all negatives included. How cool is that???
Here is Michelle's entry:


Gina,

I want to thank you again for this contest. The process of putting it together has been so much fun. And, it has really helped me to slow down and enjoy the moments of life.

Completely Sincerely,

Michelle Edwards


Task #1: Stop and Smell the Roses
For the last couple of years, I have let myself get caught up in the hustle, bustle, and stress of life. I was going through an intense Dental Hygiene program, studying for the National Board Exam and taking the California State Board Exam. I was also trying to be a great mom, support my husband in the pursuit of his dream to be a college professor, and keep up with the responsibilities of life. I had a never-ending to-do list and very few moments of peace. And, I missed out on a lot. Now that my program is over, I have found a good job, and Aaron is teaching college philosophy, I feel like I can breathe again. And, my main goal for 2008 is to enjoy it.



In 2008, I will leave the toys out overnight so I can have 10 more minutes of playtime with Lars.

In 2008, I will enjoy the scenery during my commute, instead of worrying about that one chore I still need to do.

In 2008, I will take a much needed vacation where I will sit on the beach and watch my son play in the waves with his daddy, not thinking about work or school.

In 2008, I will stop and smell the roses.



Task #2: Cookies with Lars
Lars loves to cook. If we are making dinner, he pulls over a chair to stand on so he can stir. He makes his monkey and his lion breakfast in the mornings in his little kitchen he got for Christmas. When we were making Christmas cookies with his Gram, he wouldn't let anyone else roll out the dough. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a chef when he grows up. He gets so much joy from cooking.


I think it would be great if Lars could star in a video while making oatmeal cookies.




Task #3: Operation Smile
There are three reasons why, in 2008, I will support Operation Smile, a charity that repairs childhood facial deformities like cleft lip and palate.

1.) As a dental hygienist, I understand the physical consequences of being born with cleft lip and/or palate. I know about the nutritional deficiencies that can result due to complications with eating. I also understand the problems associated with ear disease and proper speech.

2.) When I was in high school, I went on a mission trip to Guatemala where I volunteered at a hospital. I worked with babies who had cleft lip and/or palate. I saw, first-hand, the difficulties they faced as well as the lack of funds available to correct the deformities.

3.) My aunt was born with bilateral cleft lip and palate. She was lucky, though. She was born in the United States to a mother who was a nurse. My grandmother was able to care for her in the months before her surgery, inserting her feeding tube and taking the proper precautions so that her sinuses wouldn't become infected. And, because she was born in the United States, corrective surgery was an option for her. Her palate was repaired and she had dental work to replace her missing teeth. She still has a small hole in her palate and a small scar above her lip, but you would never be able to tell she was born with this deformity.


Cleft lip and/or palate occurs in 1 in 600 – 800 births. Those children who are able to receive treatment undergo many procedures that could last well into their teens or beyond. If untreated, this condition can lead to physical and psychosocial issues. But, it is easily treated as long as treatment is available. Operation Smile provides surgery for children who wouldn't otherwise have access to it.

Task #4: I'd never taken Lars to Disneyland
When I first read, "take a picture of yourself doing something you've never done before," I thought high adrenaline: bungee jumping, cliff diving, facing a spider alone. But, for my first time photo, I wanted to stay with the overall theme of this whole project: My goals for 2008. So, my photo for this task may not be super exciting or photographically interesting, but it does show me taking a break and enjoying my son. We went on our first trip to Disneyland together, and had the time of our lives. I will never forget him running up to Goofy and giving him a huge hug, holding his little hand while riding "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", or him singing his version of the Pirate's song ("yo yo, yo yo, yo yo, me") all the way back to the car



Thanks Michelle! E-mail to set up a date for all your goodies....
~G