That Was Then, This Is Now

I saw this music video on South Australia’s Twitter Feed, and I had to share it. The images in this video remind me a lot of my time in college at Cal State University Monterey Bay. I would take my long-board skateboard and ride up and over the hills on campus and bask in the warm sunshine and breathe in the salty ocean air. The majority of my friends were skaters/surfers; how could you not when you were 2 miles from the ocean with thousands of abandoned roads to explore (our college campus used to be the Fort Ord Military Base).

The video also hit me on a personal note. I feel like it represented being young, wild, and free. I’m at a point in my life where I am able to jump ship and start a new adventure. If Tourism Australia doesn’t realize that I AM in fact their missing puzzle piece, then I can’t say that I haven’t given my WHOLE HEART into this contest. Every cell in my body knows that this opportunity to live/work/sleep/eat/breathe/photograph/explore/document South Australia is what I’m destined to do on August 1, 2013.

I have been collecting numerous letters of support to turn into the Tourism Board, and reading many of them has brought tears to my eyes. It’s evident that my passion is noticed by all those around me. I am overjoyed to be sharing these with the judges!

As I’ve mentioned before, I knew my passion was the ocean and animals since I was 5 years old after my first trip to Sea World.

That Was Then, This Is Now

Occasionally, I have had friends and family members question if I would be able to make a career out of doing what I love. I don’t want my job to be something I dread doing everyday. Life is too short to not enjoy what you are doing for a living. I don’t care about making a lot of money; I live simply. As a nature lover that is fueled by the sun; I don’t belong behind a desk 8 hours a day.

Set me free in the wilderness, and I will explore and capture the most amazing stories/videos/and photographs! I want to thank all of those who are supporting me spanning across the globe. The outpour of well wishes and support with reassures me I’m on the right path. Cheers to the final day of the Shortlist Top 25 Campaign. I wish the best of luck to all the those in the running for all 6 jobs!