I think I need to start a new blog about cats sitting in windows. Sooo cute!!

Face paint enthusiast Cara Skillingstead, a sophomore at Western Washington University, sheds new light on self expression. Her love for face painting began as a child but has grown with her and become a significant part of her life. “It used to be a novelty but now, it’s a part of me,” she said. Every Friday Skillingstead paints her face depending on her mood.

Brian Toews, sophomore at Western Washington University, puts both his majors to the test in Fairhaven Theater’s production of Hamlet. As an english and theater double major, Toews admits he enjoys applying his love of words to his acting. “I look at text a lot, and being able to understand the words and language helps,” said Toews. Fairhaven Theater’s production of Hamlet will run Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28.

A group of Western students watch as MC, Jason Qlick lays on a bed of nails while volunteer Chris Leonard stands on top of him at the Earth Day celebration, Saturday April 23^rd. Many who attended the event were there to watch the festivities while “Enjoying the sunshine,” said Western student Sarah Reif.

Bellingham performance artist, Jason Qlick, captured audiences on Saturday April, 23 with a variety of stunts at Western Washington University’s Earth Day Celebration. Qlick performed in between musical acts at the event, doing tricks from juggling to letting a volunteer stand on his stomach while lying on nails. As a former Western student Qlick was happy to help entertain at the event. “I want this to be a fun event, and want to make sure people come back,” said Qlick.

My camera battery died half way through Western's Take Back the Night, feminist March on Thursday, and when I got back to my Bellingham home I realized I left my battery charger at my Whidbey Island home!! My mom sent it to me in the mail ASAP, and today IT ARRIVED. I used my inferior Nikon D40 for the weekend, but now, I'm back to my Canon T2I. *Plug for Canon: their batteries last reaaaaaally long, mine lasted for three weeks!

Here are some photos from the Take Back the Night event.

YELLINGHAM 2011

Western Washington University students (from left) Mizue Aoki, Jesse Lavigne, and Kelly Colee, join a community member in holding a sign for Japan at a gathering in Red Square on Monday, April 11th. Community members and students were invited to congregate around the Skyviewing Sculpture, created by Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi, to honor those who died in the Japan earthquake and to offer support for the survivors. The event was put on by the Smiles for Japan group who organized the event to help raise money and awareness for the people of Japan.

I need this camera.

Seattle band, The Great Fox, performed to a full crowd at the Underground Coffee House on Friday night. Photographed is vocalist Courtney Baster.

Western students Jenna Kuczynski and Sarah Robertson lend a hand building a new vegetable bed at a Roving Garden work party Thursday afternoon on Grand St. The event was part of a new project started by Sustainable Bellingham. The organization leads weekly work parties in various home gardens in the community. All are welcome to get involved and put their green thumb to the test. After the work is finished, the volunteers are invited to enjoy a meal prepared by the host.

Bellingham resident, Julie Adams, searches for the perfect fingerlink potatoes at the opening of the Bellingham Farmer's Market Saturday morning. Despite the rain, Adams said, "Everything is great, it's the first day and everyone is out and about."

I'm in a photojournalism class this quarter which requires me to post my photo assignments to a blog. I'm going to use Canned Cactus as the station for this. So for the rest of the spring I'll be posting photos for my class on this blog, but I'll still be using it for other various things too. I'll also be posting non-class photos on my other blog called Mountain Eyes. Happy April.