After Post-Secondary Education Drowning.

We are taught growing up that the stages of education are basically this:

1) Birth

2) Pre-school

3) Public-School

4) High-school

5) Post-secondary: College or University

6) Adulthood/ the rest of your happy life.

But hey, let's back up for a moment! I have entered a part of my life that has altered this 'perfect' timeline and made me question whether we have missed a crucial step in our development. As we step forth and begin on our life's journey, we strive to be the best we can be. We usually forget to leave wiggle room for the inevitable failures/curveballs that shape who we are and where our futures are heading.

So what am I going on about? I am talking about the stages in our lives that we all must face: The in-between moments that occur when we change a daily ritual, like school or a job, and have to change how we live. It disrupts our mental balance and leaves us to cope with this sudden change.

I have just graduated from college, and the unnerving, unsure, drowning feeling has been creeping in. Now that I have a few weeks of free time, I had planned on treating it as a vacation; a graduation present to myself to catch up on sleep and rest my mind. However, this hasn't been as easy as flipping a light switch! When I wake up in the morning, I can't seem to sleep in because I'm used to my early morning alarm. My mind is wrestling with me to do something, and I can't sit and relax my thoughts. I decided to talk to some of my colleagues who have also graduated to see if they were experiencing the same phenomenon. I was interested to find that I wasn't alone. Many of my friends have even had anxiety/ panic attacks flare up out of nowhere, with no usual triggers. 

So what is going on here? From my understandings, I have come to some conclusions.

((The thoughts being expressed do not reflect the analyses of mental health professionals or doctors, and should not be taken as studied facts.))

Whiplash- With all of the running around and late nights finishing projects at 3:00 am, the sudden stop of frantic endeavors will leave you with mental whiplash! Suddenly everything comes to a stop. Without the chance to wind down and come to a slow, our minds are trying to maintain the frenzy in which is has been operating. 

Blank Calander- 9 am meeting here, 8 am exams all week long, report due over there... oh! I have nothing to do! When I flipped my calendar from April to  May my screen went from a neatly organized, colourful collage to a blank page. I had an overwhelming feeling that I had to be doing something. I found myself scheduling things like, "don't forget to call mom at 3:00" or turning on my birthday alert setting, (which I had turned off to save room), so that I had something to review each week! Crazy, right?

Solutions? 

What I found best was to keep myself busy. I knew that I needed rest, so I distracted myself with simple tasks such as knitting, reading, organizing, etc.  These relaxing activities gave my brain something to focus on and calm those buzzing thoughts down.

I also started drawing again. My college program was such a creatively driven course; I wanted to keep on pushing my designs. I was able to exercise my brain while not being pressured with due dates or project guidelines. 

Next on my 'Back To Zen Checklist' was going to start the hunt for a job. Starting out with a part-time job would get my schedule structure back. Having this in place would organize my thoughts because I would have to start planning my time again. Instead of staying up late watching Netflix and sleeping in as long as I could, I was going to get back on a more regular agenda.

Meditation, exercise, and proper eating. These three keys are what will get anyone feeling healthier and will get rid of that terrible post-grad melancholy. Suitable activity will help get those endorphins pumping and will get you feeling happier than simply sitting around the house. At first, I hated the idea of any working out and demanded more sleep. When I pushed myself to start my routines again, I found that I slept better and had more energy in the day!  If you are unable to practice strenuous exercise due to arthritis or any other factors, then I recommend meditation as a comfortable alternative. Don't forget to eat fresh produce and stay away from anything boxed or canned! Keeping a healthy diet will boost your energy and decrease sluggishness within your body!

NY4- Strange faces

Our day 4 was probably the most enjoyable. This was our "free" day where we could go anywhere and do anything we pleased. While some stayed in bed and watched Netflix, a group of us, myself included, followed Dave C. like baby ducklings as he showed us his view of NY!

We took a very long subway ride to Coney Island where we enjoyed the first and most important meal of the day with cheese dogs. I can now check that off of my bucket list! The hot dog was very tasty!


While enjoying some much-needed lunch at a sushi bar, I glanced out my window to see a man on the street holding a cup for some change. He met eyes with mine and I smiled back at him. Seeing that I was friendly, he started to perform a ballad, using his umbrella as a microphone and dancing to his beat. I felt a bit bad that I was sitting here enjoying this fine meal and he was begging for money and singing and dancing for it! I quickly finished, came out and gave him some money and took some photos. He was such an interesting subject that I forgot to ask his name as I focused on my shooting!

Another mystery person happened as we were nearing the end of our day. We were walking along the street near Queens and I saw a man talking with a big group of men. For some reason, he stood out to me the most. Maybe it was the fact that more of his body was inked then the non-inked parts. His face was covered in little designs and lines. He wore black and a sideways hat; smoke poofed out of his mouth and nostrils as he snorted at one of the men's jokes.

As we approached the same part of the sidewalk I asked him, "Could I take your photo?"

 He replied with, "Ya sure, what do you want me to do?" He looked at me waiting for an answer.

 All I could think to say was, "Just act natural!" 

He turned and laughed at his group of guys who also laughed back with him. "That shouldn't be too hard!" I nervously laughed back, trying to play it cool.

My classmates were still walking down the street and I was getting anxious to catch up. I couldn't miss this opportunity to photograph such an interesting face. I quickly took 3 photos, thanked him and joined the group. Only later would I realize I hadn't even asked for a name... AGAIN! To this day, I am upset about that fact but maybe in a roundabout way it adds to the photo's story.

I love taking portraits and New York only helped to grow my love of photography with each passing day. I would never leave my house without a full battery and an empty memory card again. You never know what you may find!

If for some strange reason YOU are this guy, please try to get in contact with me!! I'd love to hear your story!! 

NY3- Alexa will be the death of Chidley!

Dave C. had high hopes for us to start the day off on the right foot. That is until Alexa decided to scale the roof of our subway deck, near our hotel! Her hands were covered in what I could only guess was grease, dust, old chipping paint, and bird poop... I quickly got her a napkin and used some water to wipe it off! Don't worry Chidely! You only have us for a week!

The city is a dirty place, Alexa!

Told ya...!

Travelling through the streets and subway rails, we were all getting tired yet again. Alexa had a great idea: Energy drinks! After stopping at a convenience store we 'kept on trucking'. (pun intended).

Alexa displays her undying love for the miracle liquid, that is Redbull.

There is street art all over the place! I had an amazing time cataloguing anything that I saw that interested me. Alexa had some favourites!

.... and a goof ball!

Just look up....

"You have a bogie-"

She's a rebel, what can I say?

"Look I'm a crane too!" "Oh.. there goes $4000.00...."

To the surprise of Dave, we made it back to the hotel injury free! There is more to come! we are only on day 3!

NY2- 15,638 Steps

Hotel --> St. Patricks Cathedral --> High Line and Chelsea Market --> Aperture Gallery --> Lombardi's Pizza --> Hotel.

Day two... Only it felt like week two. My feet were not yet sore, but that was yet to come! We were fitting so much into only a few days so the time felt much longer than it actually was. Regardless of the length of the stay, I was having such an amazing time.

The Cathedral was built in 1858 and took over 20 years to be constructed. The hard work that was ever so carefully placed into this magnificent building shines through the stained glass windows and echoes off the marble walls, illuminating the many rows of pews. People were walking around, sitting for prayer, and some were lighting prayer candles.

I lit a candle for my Papa.

Amazing architecture! 

Dave's glorious beard glistens in the sunshine.

Art is everywhere, especially the High Line

The boardwalk was a lovely walk, especially on this particular day! It was warm and there was a slight breeze. As people passed by us I couldn't help but wonder what each person was thinking. Beside me was an artist sketching the drummer beside her. After the sketch she filled it in with watercolour markers, blowing on the thick papers to dry them. Grabbing a fuzzy peach popsicle, my afternoon was made. 

Busy, busy, busy markets!

 The markets were just booming as we ventured onward. One of my favourite parts of the walk was to look into the little shops and cafes to experience different people's everyday lives at a glance.

Right outside Lombardi's Pizza there is lots of night life.

 "Cheers!" Cries my teacher, as we all clink drinks at the long and piled table. We were finally to our last stop before the hotel. Ordering so many types of pizzas, I could not keep count,  we awaited our orders. The first bite of Lombardi's Pizza was to die for! Whether this was the best pizza I had ever eaten or I was hungry from the long day, I scarfed down multiple slices in a matter of 10 minutes.

7th floor of our hotel.

Each one of us flopped onto our beds and rested our, now, aching muscles, and imported the day's photos. We were tired and ready for a hot shower to prepare us for the next adventure that tomorrow would hold for us.


If you would like to check out my colleagues thoughts about the great NYC, visit our school blog here! --> digitalphotographylambtoncollege.blogspot.co

NY1- We Have Arrived!

I have been meaning to write a post about my amazing experience to New York for a while now. I am excited to share my moments from my week long trip with you and hopefully to invite a few people to connect and to be a part of these little inside stories my colleagues and I have shared together. You know the old saying, "You had to be there..." Well, that is exactly my intent; to take you to share the experiences with me!


Day 1: Detroit Airport --> ICP --> MoMA --> Rockefeller --> hotel.

Nerves were high, my heart was screaming at the false impending danger; plane rides were so unnatural to my body for I had never flown before. As I looked at the faces around me, excited and planning their first steps in the city, I was curled up in my airport chair surrounded by luggage and trying not to be sick. I wouldn't necessarily say that I have anxiety today, or at least I am able to control it better than in the past, but I would have believed myself at that moment.

Thinking back to only ten minutes before this point, it had gone by in a blur.
1) Correctly provide my dad with instructions to the airport.
2) Enter the correct doors for my flight.
3) Find the luggage checking stations.
4) Make sure I didn't have prohibited items on my person like water bottles, certain foods, etc...
5) Provide correct paperwork to the gate attendant in a rush to board all the passengers to the plane.
6) And finally finding the right departure exit.

Here I sat. Not even music could calm me. I suppose it was a mixture of the fear of missing the right steps and the happiness of visiting a new place for the first time.


I owe Alexa so much. She held my hand for the entire take off and settled my nerves until we were quietly gliding above the city. I am very lucky to have such an amazing girl in my life.

"Oh no! My gay is showing!"

Right after we got off the plane we left to drop our things off at our hotel rooms. We only had seconds to grab some grub before we set off to complete the days' tasks!

The day started in Detroit, making our way to the International Center of Photography. As our group of 15 students viewed the incredible images throughout their hallways we took in as much as we could in hopes to improve our skill. Even during the MoMA, I felt that even if I had been there for the full day I would not have been able to take in all of the amazing works of art.

Jodi enjoys her first breakfast in NYC

HDR.... AND Pano!

Just three blocks from our hotel.

My mind raced as flashing lights skipped by us. We were travelling up the Rockefeller elevator. Entering, our class scattered to each end of the roof. My instructor dared me to create an HDR panoramic; not an easy task for a photographer without her tripod but the results are quite nice!

If you would like to check out my colleagues thoughts about the great NYC, visit our school blog here! --> digitalphotographylambtoncollege.blogspot.co

Portraits of You

I am very proud to announce that E.H Photo had entered into a contest to be displayed in Dufferin County Museum. I have just received an email stating that one of my photos has been selected! If you are close by, feel free to support this great cause and check out some amazing photos.

More info here!

Looking Back Puts a Smile on My Face

As the week continues, the realization that these are my final moments of college comes to the foreground of my mind. I had been waiting years to finally be rid of the constant studying and regurgitation of information. I had convinced myself that this was only  something I would be doing for my education but looking towards my future I understand more that this is something I will be doing all through my life. I will constantly be learning until my final seconds and still, I will not have experienced everything I have ever wanted to.

I look around my classroom and see tired but content faces hard at work. We have worked so hard and come so far in this program. I am proud and impressed by the people in my class. When I recall the photos I have seen over the past two years, the level of professionalism is easily recognized.

Tough Moments-

I feel as though this section will be long because the program at Lambton College is meant to push us and prepare us for the future. Most start the Digital Photography Program expecting to have a few projects, some Photoshop lessons and expand their hobby. This is a major misconception! This program is a business course in a sense, as well as a technical course.

Image challenge is an amazing opportunity to have five pieces of work critiqued by some experienced judges. The amount of improvements that I have learned has only improved my photography! After the judging, they announce winners the following week and this is important to me because it is another addition to my resume.

Exams are another challenging time because the stress level is sky high! Having that constant fear that you are forgetting a key component of this term is terribly frightening. In the end, I always seem to pull through exceptionally well. Here's hoping for this last term's exams as well.

The New York Trip was one of my most favourite parts of my college career. I was so impacted in the journey of traveling through the streets of raw NYC that I have even considered moving, and working there!  The plane ride to get there sent panic into overdrive! I am afraid of heights so getting used to the idea of a soaring metal box was not an easy pill to swallow. After landing I was ready to take on the amazing adventure that was New York.

Another stressful time would be the gallery show. Evanesce was a great success but getting to that point was extremely challenging. Planning, timing, organizing,  designing, cleaning, communicating, directing, and traveling; it all takes a toll on the mind and body!

Love of my Life-

The school has not only been a place of education. I have made so many relationships throughout this time and made new friends to last for years. I will forever be indebted in College for bringing to me the most amazing girl in the world. From the beginning of term one, I have slowing grown a beautiful love that I never want to let go of. I have always known that college would be the place to meet people of similar interests. I have always had this strange feeling that this was when I would be able to connect to someone on a truly deep level. This internal intuition was finally realized!



For all of the work that has been done these past two years, I am thankful for all of my support, friends, and family. I wouldn't have been able to do it without your help! I would also like to thank my teachers. There is one in particular that I want to thank for her endless support and positivity. She knows who she is! Her knowledge was very impactful and I have learned so much from her. I want to be clear that I'm not just saying this for extra marks! Late night messaging with panicked questions about project due dates and advice has made me so indebted to you! It is nice to see an instructor with  a true passion for helping students.


What is my next plan of action once I am graduated? Let's just say that I am going to be resting for a bit to recuperate then I am jumped feet first into my passions!