I keep forgetting to mention that I have been selected as a finalist in the Photographer's Forum competition, which I am thrilled about. I doubt I'll make it past the next round, but there were around 14,000 submissions and my photograph was top 11% and therefore getting published in this year's coffee table book for the magazine. I think this is the furthest one of my pieces has gotten in a juried show. The photo I entered is from my first trip to Malaysia. I guess that horrid climb up Mt. Kinnabalu was worth it for the pictures. I have never in my life seen a terrain change so often and so drastically - it really was an incredible experience (just painful on the legs and lungs).

Here's the picture:

Laura Edria Tanis

Because I was so thrilled to be a finalist, it got me thinking about my future in photography and the course I should take my life in the next few years. There are so many options - so many contests to enter, grants to apply for, decisions in applying for an MFA and where to apply if I do, etc., etc. Apparently, the stress has set in. Who knew being an artist consisted of so much schooling/so many decisions.

Advice anyone?

So in an effort to pick up my day, first some lovely words (www.pinterest.com), two bedrooms that would make me feel so much better right now, a wish list (anyone into the Secret - I want these things, if I act like I already have them, I'll obtain them - does such thinking work for materialistic things?! ha), then the sketch for the day. Enjoy.