25 and I'm still alive

If you're like me, you don't just celebrate your birthday. You celebrate birthday WEEK.

In my case this year, it's a four day celebration that began on Thursday, when I had the day off from work and Andrew treated me to my birthday tattoo. We drove into Queens and I got my thigh finished by Christian at Top Shelf.

A quick before picture. I've had the outline since last spring.


Also a quick after picture. Before we wrapped it up.
Once it's all healed and shiny, I'll take some more photos. I am IN LOVE with my left leg. I have seven tattoos but the only one that has any color is the cactus flower on my foot, which was my first tattoo that I got with two friends on a trip to Arizona when I was younger. But now I get to look down and see this bright, beautiful traditional tattoo whenever I'm wearing shorts or a dress and it makes me smile. The bald eagle is for my grandfather who passed away. Christian gave it a brown head because that's the color of the females feathers. Pretty empowering stuff. Because to me, the eagle's got this. That snake doesn't stand a chance.

And can I comment on the ORANGE?! Because that's like the best part.

Yesterday, my boss bought Mexican food for the office in honor of my birthday. Which was really nice of him, and also delicious. Last night a bunch of my friends came out to Ichiban in Port Jeff for birthday sushi and tofu and combo plates and then we went out to my favorite bar, The Velvet Lounge, and did just that. We lounged. I had a really great night. I'm lucky to have such great people to call friends.

Here I am, drunkenly enjoying some of my sweet little gifts.

So, it's safe to say that I had an AMAZING birthday. And tonight I get to go to my Amy's and celebrate her Jonathan's birthday, which is on the same day as mine - March 8th! I like to think that we're all soul friends based on that little coincidence.

I'm really excited about everything at the moment. Andrew and I have a move in date for our apartment in Nashville (it's gonna be May 15th!), and everything is looking just peachy. I was almost bummed about turning the big 2-5, but it's looking like one of the best years of my life already and it's literally JUST begun. Permanent smile.

:)

Blue Toad Photography

"Finding" my new job has seriously improved almost every aspect of my life in different ways. First of all, I'm happier. Like significantly and that's the most important thing, because I was feeling kinda hopeless for a while in my old position. I have a job that I enjoy, that allows me to get creative, and I'm thanked by my bosses after every day. I feel like I really fit in here and I'm motivated to do my job well and help improve the company. Secondly, it has allowed me to get to know the creative director here, Rob, who is an incredible photographer. We'd start out just talking about photography a little bit, since it's always been a hobby of mine. Something I felt passionate about and loved to do but never seemed to find the drive to push myself further. As time passed, we'd go more in depth and I'd learn more and more every day. He's given me copies of programs and Strobist tutorials, and helped me decide on my next piece of photo equipment. As of now we have a deal worked out, where I'll bring him subjects to add to his portfolio and in return I get free studio lessons. Just last weekend, I went and helped him set up all of the equipment and completely assisted him on a shoot. I'm feeling so much more fulfilled, and hopeful that my ten years of amateur photography will actually turn into something more. I mentioned my cousin's engagement shoot a few entries back. What a big deal for me, and what a sense of achievement that gave me. I'm super motivated to keep learning, and with the gift of a new flash, to keep expanding my horizons within the field by learning portrait photography and even outdoor lighting techniques. Basically, this entry is a big THANK YOU - to Rob, my job, and myself for making the moves I had to in order to become a happy, complete version of myself. Check out this beautiful portrait from Rob at Blue Toad Photo:

That model isn't half bad either, huh? ;)

There's a glimpse of the shoot where I played assistant. I set that stuff up! Gels and strobes and beauty dishes dance around my head at night. I'm definitely amped about diving right into this.

If you're interested, please visit the Blue Toad Photography website.
And "like" the Facebook page!
Word of mouth is huge in such a competitive industry.
You'll definitely be seeing more from us.

Anyone who lives locally (Suffolk County, NY) who would be interested in having portraits taken, feel free to email me at corinnegalvin@gmail.com.

New layout

Based on one of my favorite things,

(one day, this will be complete)

And because this post seems to be lacking substance, aside from my naked back,
here's my song of the day:

The Replacements - Bastards Of Young by WBRNewMedia