I'd have to say that I am truly a product of my environment... mix together a small Midwest town, a magical island with lots of bikes, an obscure Eastern European country, then throw in a west coast paradise . . . and there you have it... Andrejka "girl next door"...
I was born in a small cornfield of a town in the middle of Michigan. From there I traveled north to an island with no cars (but plenty of horses and bikes)... and now I live in paradise... ask me which place is best, I can't say... each has and always will be a significant part of me.
I love my Midwest roots... with Slovenian parents to add a twist (hence, Andrejka). This area gave me a deep appreciation for family and community. For it was an area where the community IS your family (whether you like it or not... not as a child but now I see the value beyond a price tag). Here I learned about the joys of simplicity and finding natural beauty in everything, plus the European influence always spiced things up.
Then came Mackinac (from now on referred to as "the island"); the tropical island everyone dreams of ...(only this one forgot about the tropical and got lost in Northern Michigan). This place is more magical and unique then I have space here to write. For some strange reason, this island has attached itself to my heart and will never let go. I discovered this place 9 years ago while running an art gallery for the extremely talented Marlee Brown at the Grand Hotel... ever since I've been returning what is beyond a normal amount. Last year I took the 2 hour drive, 2 plane rides, another 2 hour drive, and 30 min boat ride from SB (just for the weekend I might add) ... 10 times. . . and still every time I stepped off that boat dock I got butterflies in my stomach.
And finally, my home . .. Santa Barbara, California (aka paradise) . . . what can I say . . . it's the American Riviera . . . we got the mountains, we got the ocean, we got great weather, we got great people, and we got GREAT grocery stores (you'd understand if you grew up in the Midwest) . . . plus it is one of ... if not the ... top location for a destination wedding ... a great place for a photographer to live;)
So there you go... this makes up who I am... where I came from... and just why I can be a little crazy sometimes!
Love,
A
I was born in a small cornfield of a town in the middle of Michigan. From there I traveled north to an island with no cars (but plenty of horses and bikes)... and now I live in paradise... ask me which place is best, I can't say... each has and always will be a significant part of me.
(my childhood driveway)
I love my Midwest roots... with Slovenian parents to add a twist (hence, Andrejka). This area gave me a deep appreciation for family and community. For it was an area where the community IS your family (whether you like it or not... not as a child but now I see the value beyond a price tag). Here I learned about the joys of simplicity and finding natural beauty in everything, plus the European influence always spiced things up.(Mackinac from the air)
Then came Mackinac (from now on referred to as "the island"); the tropical island everyone dreams of ...(only this one forgot about the tropical and got lost in Northern Michigan). This place is more magical and unique then I have space here to write. For some strange reason, this island has attached itself to my heart and will never let go. I discovered this place 9 years ago while running an art gallery for the extremely talented Marlee Brown at the Grand Hotel... ever since I've been returning what is beyond a normal amount. Last year I took the 2 hour drive, 2 plane rides, another 2 hour drive, and 30 min boat ride from SB (just for the weekend I might add) ... 10 times. . . and still every time I stepped off that boat dock I got butterflies in my stomach.(Santa Barbara Palm Trees)
And finally, my home . .. Santa Barbara, California (aka paradise) . . . what can I say . . . it's the American Riviera . . . we got the mountains, we got the ocean, we got great weather, we got great people, and we got GREAT grocery stores (you'd understand if you grew up in the Midwest) . . . plus it is one of ... if not the ... top location for a destination wedding ... a great place for a photographer to live;)So there you go... this makes up who I am... where I came from... and just why I can be a little crazy sometimes!
Love,
A
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hello again, trying to see who you are...
(06.04.09 @ 03:01 PM)nice life you`ve had.... what can I say... nextmonth I`m moving again... It will be my ยบ10th time this will happen in my life...
Send you all I can with my pictures at my page, from my Mexico that I love and will miss....