Currently a team from PhotogenX is making a documentary about modern day slavery in the United States. They have been posting weekly "webisodes" and this is the second one that has been released so far. For more information or to watch the other webisode, visit their website here.
My attempt to post every day has been at the mercy of busy life and trying desperately to not be sick anymore. What started out as a photo of the day might find a better suited title such as a photo every few days, a few photos on some day or no photos for a couple of days, so I apologize if there does exist even one faithful reader who waits on bated breath for each day's post (misie? mom? anyone?).
I contemplated picking out photos for each days post before hand so that I could just click "publish blog" and be done with it, but the truth is, photo of the day is not just about posting photos for everyone to see. I am not even certain anyone cares to see them, it is more about forcing myself to go back through all of my photos and LOOK. It is about remembering each face and place and moment. So, if a photo ever seems random (much like today's), is slightly out of focus and doesn't have an amazing story to go along with it, know that something about it struck a chord in my heart as I clicked through files upon files.
As many of you know, I brought back a few little souvenirs from Haiti in the from of a parasite and salmonella. At first I hoped (prayed, pleaded!) that it was just an upset stomach and would go away by its own, but after a week of not being able to keep any fluids or food in my body, I headed to the doctor. The doctor put me on one antibiotic while we were waiting for test results to come back from the lab. Two days later, salmonella showed up and I started taking another antibiotic in addition. My levels of energy were so low, which does not jive well with my achiever personality. I was starting to get better and then started feeling achy all over. The pain started out around my joints, in my ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders and then eventually spread to my back and became excruciating, effecting the tendon along the right side of my spine. After getting good advice from a pharmacist ("Go to the ER!"Thanks, Jess!!) I was told what I already believed, that my body hates drugs and that I was having a bad reaction to the antibiotics. I was given pain killers and laughed a lot with my dear friend Jo (who graciously drove me to the hospital at 2am) every time my oxygenation levels "flat-lined" because I was having such a hard time taking deep breaths.
The next morning I called my doctor who advised me to stop taking both antibiotics (ER doctor only told me to stop taking one-the antibiotics had seemingly already done their job and I didn't need them anymore) and to rest rest rest. I had no option but to rest, I could barely move and was in intense pain, despite taking pain killers faithfully every 4 hours. My friends and family have been amazing, sending out prayers, words of encouragement, bringing me Gatorade and flowers (Thank you,Sharee for the hope flowers!) Not to mention my incredible husband, Steve who deserves a black belt in making Diane feel better. He sings me songs, buys me frost Gatorade, holds my hand, wipes my tears, gets me (goes to three stores to get me organic non-dairy) soup, takes out the garbage, watches LA Ink marathons with me even though I only have enough energy for two episodes and then fall asleep every time, rubs my back, does the laundry, tells me I am beautiful and means it, even when I am barfing and pale, does the dishes, and is working to change the world usually all in a day's work.
So, with that, I bring you today's photo of the day...because my sense of humor is still sort of intact.
It's photo of the day time! I forgot to post yesterday (this parasite is really sucking the life out of me!) so I included a bonus video post today. enjoy! your comments are welcomed!
dear faithful friends, as i'm sure you've noticed from my lack of posts over the years, i am not great at keeping my blog up to date with my life. it's true that weak internet connections, busy travel schedules, etc etc etc play a part in this and have brought me to the realization that when life is moving at a bajillion miles per hour, which it often is, i work better in images than in words. so, in an attempt to get the stories out of my head and onto this page, i am going to post in a different way for a little while. one photo a day for as many days as i remember to do it.
Read more...Since the earthquake brought more suffering upon an already hurting nation, we have been in dialogue about what our response as PhotogenX should be. The opportunity is here - On February 23rd a team of photographers will travel throughout Haiti to gather research and perform a country wide photographic survey to begin the development of a long-term strategy for the actual rebuilding of villages and small towns. We are partnering with YWAM Haiti (who have been working in the nation for over 20 years) to develop the concept and a presentation that will be given to YWAM international leaders as well as International Diplomats, Business Executives and Media contacts so a bridge of HOPE can be built within a sustainable long-term response.
NEED {How you can get involved}
:: We would love to bring $15,000 in aid to help refugees that still need basic food, shelter and clothing. We will facilitate this donation through YWAM Haiti who have set up a large scale humanitarian response to the crisis and are currently housing over 7,000 refugees with minimal resources to care for them.
:: In addition we need to raise around $8,000 to cover the travel costs of our PhotogenX Team heading to Haiti next week.
:: PLEASE PRAY FOR US, so we can see clearly how best to serve this broken nation.
