As my seventh year of teaching comes to an end, I find myself pulling out of the end-of-year drudgery and reflecting on the special moments and people who have gotten me through this year.
It’s no secret that work drains me. I’ve contemplated leaving the profession completely and the beginning of this school year knocked the wind out of me. I guess the universe must have known I needed a pick-me-up because it sent me the most incredible group of students. At a time when I questioned my purpose, I met kids who answered that question over and over again. I work at a difficult school, but I have some of the most kick-ass students you will ever come across. I am grateful to each and every one of them for making me feel like I matter.
Oh, and I received an award from Yolo County as well. My principal and school district nominated me for the “Excellence in Education” award and even though I still argue it isn’t a big deal, I’ll concede that it was pretty special to be recognized. (Even if I was fighting an anxiety attack before going up to receive the award. 😉 )
Photo #1
Title: Blems
Short for blemish (I think…S, correct me if I’m wrong.), these eggs aren’t chosen to be sold due to shape, size, or color. This little nugget was in my batch of blems and I happen to think it’s prettier than the ones that get picked for market.
Photo #2
Title: Prickly
Taking a break from landscapes, I used my 105mm macro for this month’s images.
Photo #3
Title: Dessert Ingredients
When I see carrots, I think carrot cake. This is how my brain works, people.
Photo #4
Title: Fig and Prosciutto Crostini
I miss food photography. I’m hoping to get back into it once summer break starts and I have extra time on my hands.
Photo #5
Title: Lupine
We stopped on the side of the road to photograph some pretty lupine on Highway 70 on our drive through Feather River Canyon. The 24-70mm 2.8 is a pretty good substitute when I don’t have my macro on hand.
Patty Nguyen Zurilgen 
Gorgeous and amazing Patty!!!! Such amazing photo’s. Congratulations on the award and accolades, much deserved. You are uber talented.
Thanks, Suzanne! I hope you and Percy are well!
Congrats to much deserved accolades!
What, no photos of Bailey?
I had one on my phone that I wanted to post and then completely forgot all about it! I am a terrible dog mom. 😀
Beautiful photos, Patty, and congratulations on your award! Praying you will have a fun and relaxing summer and that you’ll feel refreshed and recharged in the next few months!
Thanks, Nancy. I cannot wait until summer break. Two days and I will be home free!
Wonderful, beautiful, love it all. A special lady gets a special recognition-well deserved my friend! Now how about me trying to post food pic’s-HA! Sad, I am not a PHOTOGRAPHER-period! So many have asked me to try so I am for them. It is very time consuming my friend. Unless you are Patty N. and love it! LOL Have a wonderful summer off and enjoy! Hugs always, Cheryl xx
Oh, you’ll be caught up with and obsessed with food photography in no time, Cheryl. Just you watch! 😛
???? I don’ know about that Patty-so many recipes were stored on an old computer and cell phone going though them (still am) is time consuming then taking new pics of new recipes again time consuming. I just cook and bake so much in any given day/week well its on-going. I’d rather create, tweak the recipe-cook, bake and share it then snap a pic LOL. Not my thing really! Enjoy the summer-hope you take a fun trip(s)! yay…xx
Yes, it is so time consuming! That’s why I had to take a break from it. It is a ton of fun but I couldn’t keep up!
You are so very good with it though remember that! At best I’ll always be a novice with an iPhone but I am ok with that! LOL hugs xx
xoxoxo
xo
All these photos are awesome.:))))
Thanks, Mom. ❤
These photos are fantastic , I could use some of your talent and knowledge when it comes to food photography .
Congratulations on your awards. Teaching is a difficult but also a very rewarding profession.
Thanks, Gerlinde! I can’t wait to start shooting more food again this summer. And yes, as hard as teaching is, it sure does make me happy. 🙂
Nice pictures
Thank you. 😊
Congratulations on your Award, this is just fantastic and your photos are stunning, Patty “you have a gift”. Have a great summer! 🙂 xx
Thanks, Linda! You know I’m a huge fan of your work. I hope you’re having a great week!
Congratulations on your award Patty, teaching is not for the faint-hearted, and you’ve taken it to the next level by the sounds of it. Your photos are delightful as always, and yes, I’d love to see some more food photography from you 🙂 Love those flowers too.
The flowers were so pretty, Loretta. I wanted to lie down in them and daydream for a bit.
Any recognition by your peers is always special, no matter what it is. Beautiful group of pics Patty – can’t wait to see you back in the “food” business 🙂
Thanks, Judi! I’m excited about it!
Congratulations Patty, I didn’t know you earned that award, that is so great. I’ll have to tell Mike! Lovely photos and it is nice to see some food !! I love the egg because it reminds me of how much you love your yolk porn! cheers, and missed you in April 😦
Yes, you know of my love affair with eggs! I didn’t end up going to LA last weekend, but I’m still trying to make it down there at some point this summer. We’ll have to try and coordinate! Please tell Mike hi for me! xoxo
Beautiful photos Patty and congratulations on your award, I’m sure it is much deserved!
Thank you, Fida! 🙂
Congrats on the award! It’s definitely deserved, and good on you for persisting despite it all. You’ve got a lot of strength! 🙂
Thanks, Nell! Now it’s time to recharge for the upcoming year! 😀
Congrats, Patty! Yes, teaching is such a difficult profession! But you have made it through one more year 😀 ! I love all of your photos, and please do photograph more food – I have a soft spot for that subject myself 😉
Your food photography is superb, Julianna! ❤
First of all Patty – congratulations for your award: surely well deserved!
One more congratulation on your superb photography – It is hard for me to choose one particular photo of May so, in short, each and everyone is my May-favourite :), but those blue lupins (?) are just WOW.
I loved photographing the lupine, Carina. They were so pretty! Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m heading over to visit your blog right now! 🙂
Huge congratulations on your award, Patty, that’s wonderful. And here’s to another year of teaching and aiding amazing students 👏🏻👏🏻 you’re a star xxx
And your photos are exquisite. I especially love Blems, like you say, it has so much more character than the supposed ‘perfect’ eggs. And the lupine is stunning, I love that blue 💙 Xx
Hi Elaine! I’m so happy to be on summer break now. Hopefully it goes as slowly as the last semester of work! 😉 xoxo
Ha ha! Time flies when you’re having fun remember! X
No no no! It should go more slowly so I can savor every moment. 😉
Good luck 😉 xx
Congrat’s on making it through another year. Good kids make all the difference, I bet. 🙂 Phew… thank goodness for them! Gorgeous photos, as always, Patty!
Thanks, Nancy! Good kids are the best. They get me through!
You take such gorgeous photos! They’re all so stunning!
Hi Ai! Thanks for the compliment! 😀
I really like the lupine because lupines are rad and also because I like the repetition in the background. It makes it seem like the one in the front emerged vibrating from the group. It has some energy to it. Cool!
That piece of toast — so good! Love the dark and moody. And congratulations — so happy for you!
I love low key images for food. Such lovely a understanding of light.
Thanks, Ian! 😀
Gorgeous photo. I feel hungry straight away haha 😉
Sabrina 🐫🍋🍒
http://www.OrganicIsBeautiful.com
Beautiful photos as always, Patty! Congrats on the award! Well deserved, you are very talented😀
Hi Patty it’s been ages! Congratulations on everything, but mostly, thank you for your honest post, it is such a piece from the heart, that it is inspiring. In a culture where to admit that you find something difficult, is not generally acceptable, it’s wonderful that you just said it. I admire all teachers, it is such a hard profession. I teach post-grads, which is easier, because they have chosen to be there and are somewhat adult…
What a lovely thing to wake up to your comment this morning. It put a smile on my face. Hats off to you for being in the teaching profession as well. I like your “somewhat adult” bit… 😉
Hi Patty – thank you! Missed this and only found it today, sorry about that. Glad I put a smile on your face. Ah the somewhat, I added that in, after some deliberation…. happy saturday!
My hearty congrats for the for the “Excellence in Education” award 🙂
I just loved these images and as always, excellent use of light and DOF 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing and have a beautiful day ahead 🙂