by Emily Wenzel | Jun 7, 2011 | Personal Posts
Waiting. Always Waiting. Issaquah 6/4/2011
Before the sun rises, we rise. We get up. I shower.
We break down a bike, load bags in the car, we drive.
Rather, he drives and I sleep.
We arrive at a state park, a beach, a waterfront.
The sun is just coming up. It is peaceful, calm.
I wish I’d remembered my running shoes.
There are many people, bleary eyed but chipper. Wives with coffee in hand. Kids asleep in their fathers’ arms. Family and friends who sacrifice their sleep to cheer for loved ones.
There are so many wetsuits, you can smell the rubber.
There is laughter. Tension. Nerves.
Shouting from the announcers. The gun fires.
The wave of swimmers hit the water. Family members wait on the sidelines.
The unique sound of hundreds of wet feet slapping the pavement as they run towards the transition area. The frantic rush as people watch their loved ones run on, further faster. As wetsuits are ripped off and bike shoes are shoved on.
Then, they are off, pedaling to places we can’t see them. We wait.
One by one, they return.
The slide in on the gravel. Stumbling off their bikes. Legs, weak, now forced to run.
A bike is racked. Shoes are shoved on feet. They run.
It’s only a couple miles, but it feels like forever.
We wait. Again.
This time by the finish like. The shout of the crowd rises, echoing in the still morning. “Good job!” “You can do it!” “Just a little more!” “You’re almost there!”
My hands, red and almost raw from the clapping. My voice, hoarse from the screaming.
My heart racing. Hoping.
The worry when it feels like its been too long since he came through the transition.
The joy, when he crosses the finish line.
The exhaustion written on his face.
I pack the bags back up. We sit in the sun. Too tired to move, but ready to go home.
We’re already planning for the next one.Summer is here, triathlon season has begun.
by Emily Wenzel | Sep 20, 2010 | Personal Posts
Earlier this summer, H, and a friend of ours decided to compete in a triathlon at Lake Samish, WA. I think they had all the fun, as I spent the day huddled under an old, pink, Strawberry Shortcake blanket, trying to keep my camera dry and still take some pictures.
by Emily Wenzel | May 24, 2010 | Personal Posts
Back in March, I had the chance to shoot the HPIC (Hawaiian Pacific Islanders Club) Luau. It was the 41st annual luau at Gonzaga, and I am proud to say that I have been at the past three of them. As usual, I had a blast working with HPIC and I loved every minute of it! Even though the Luau doesn’t start until 6pm, many members of HPIC and the other multicultural clubs on campus – such as FASU and ISU – donate their time to help get the whole thing up and running. When I came by in the morning, the dancers were doing a final rehearsal and a multitude of other people were helping cook food back in the kitchens. The Luau is much more than just a show. At 6pm, the doors open, and the lines are usually long. The tables have been set, and people are served delicious Hawaiian food that I can’t even try to pronounce but I love every bite of it!Each year, the luau has a country store and some fun games that they play with the crowd. The MCs ask questions about Hawaii, give out prizes, and people eat a lot of food. Then, the dancing starts. Since the Luau is all about having fun, the first dance this year was a Tahitian dance, and the dancers then invited some audience members up on stage to try it out. After this, the dancing – and the stories that accompany each dance – begin. This is my favorite part, because for a while, I am no longer sitting on the floor of a gym at Gonzaga University, but I am off in Hawaii, a place I dream of visiting someday.
by Emily Wenzel | Apr 10, 2010 | Personal Posts
In January, I scored 4 tickets to the exhibition show of the US Figure Skating Nationals, and we were mere rows from the ice. Sweet! I was able to snag a good shot of Evan Lysacek, who would win the Men’s Figure Skating Olympic Gold Medal less than a month later. No Big Deal, right? 🙂
by Emily Wenzel | Sep 13, 2009 | Personal Posts
storm clouds.
high pressure. thunderstorms.
fall lightening.
the taste of rain in the morning. the smell of fall.
sunny Saturdays. flip flops and cardigans. skirts. the breeze. windblown hair. smiles. slow songs. high heels.
downtown. Raw. sushi. German Riesling. cool, crisp wine. late night laughter. low lights. smiles. candles. cupcakes.
the park. the river. dreams. surprises. birthdays. dreams. baking. bike rides.
croissants. memories of Berlin. Prague. Vienna.
barefoot frisbee. soccer games. camera in hand. the crunch of fresh leaves.
new friends. old friends. dancing. barefoot. in the kitchen. skype dates. a child’s smile.
doing dishes. lazy Sunday mornings. St Al’s bells. Thirst. reunions.
hugs.
lots and lots of hugs.
dreams. reading. realizations. questions. old plans. new plans. winter dreams.
hot tea in the morning. iced in the afternoon.
addendum: 10pm mass. the lord’s prayer. CS Lewis.
faith. atheism. finding yourself. joy. love. understanding. true knowledge.
more cookies. campus at night. friends. family. acceptance.
the past. the future. this moment.
Gonzaga. Fall 2009.
Sometimes a photo can’t sum it all up, but neither can these words. I just want to soak up my last fall at Gonzaga, before winter comes. Before spring when we all go our own ways.
