Wow. It's been a while. Feels strange trying to write an entry here. Awkward and yet somehow familiar...

Life is finally settling down. I'm enjoying being back in the UK and living in London. Our flat is compact but nice, it does the job for now, until we manage to buy something here. I finally, after couple of months of looking, accepted a job offer. Throughout the process of applying for jobs and going to interviews I had to seriously re-adjust my thinking. There were opportunities that on paper got me excited about the prospect of going further, making more money, gaining more status... and yet when I went to these places I couldn't help but feeling that it wasn't right. Bigger and better it might have been, but also faster and more time consuming. I had thought I wanted to move on to the commercial side of design, but the reality of killing yourself over the sole goal of making more money for the company or creating only to try to sell a product just felt... wrong. In a way, during these past months, I've come full circle. I remembered once again that my photography is what truly gives my life fulfilment, and that a job that pays the bills but doesn't take over my life is the only way to go in order to have enough time to devote to taking pictures.

So yes, on Wednesday I accepted a job offer for a position which is practically identical to my old job. I'll be working as a magazine designer for a charity, in an environment that is spookily similar to my previous workplace. Even down to the people! My salary didn't really go up, but other benefits more than make up for it. My pride tries to make me feel like I'm moving backwards, but in my heart I know that it was probably the right decision, for now.

It's been quite quiet on the photography front for a while now. I just haven't had the time, nor has my head had any space for creative thought. There's been little things that have worked as little reminders. Like selling one picture for book cover, and some for a promotional calendar for a smoothie company. I also started a photoblog at the beginning of the year, trying to ease myself back into the habit. Now I feel like I'm ready for more. I want to continue with my Duality series and I want to shoot more conceptual things, really get back into the swing of things. So if there's anyone in the London area who would like to model for me, do drop me an email (with a few pictures of yourself), I'd love to hear from you!

If anyone wants to buy a Canon EOS 20D, I've got one for sale. Send me a note with your offer if you're interested.

What else... I've been loving being able to go to many more gigs now that I'm in London permanently. Loving it. And on Tuesday ~pebaline and I went to check out the finalists of The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2008, which was quite inspiring. The next day it was announced that Esko Männikkö was the winner, which I was very happy about .

Anyways, it's nice to be back! I promise I will try to be more involved again. And I promise that you will definitely see more pictures from me. Soon!

Thank you for all the support you've given me even when I've been absent.