Magic Archives | Page 6 of 8

More Sunset Magic

by Crystal StaffordMagic May 29, 2018Comments are Disabled

The gradual introduction of our son to the ocean has been so much fun. Today was his first time in his little bathing suit. He looks so fragile yet the amount of strength he has gained since his birth two months ago is amazing. I think he might walk before he crawls. Magic 149/365, Gradual, …

Now I Know

by Crystal StaffordLife, Magic May 13, 2018May 13, 2018Comments are Disabled

I always thought my mom was CRAZY. That time she stood at the water’s edge when I was 13 and learning to surf, crying and begging me to come out of the water because there was lightning in the distance. That time in high school when she begged me not to do my student exchange in Moscow, just after the fall of communism. That time she came running and screaming out of the house threatening divorce when my dad was about to take me for a long ride on his vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle that didn’t always run that well. All those times I came home late at night to find her sleeping in an armchair, waiting for me to make it safely home. The countless calls and text messages at all hours of the day and night, asking where I was and if I was ok.

I thought she was crazy.

Now I know, she WAS crazy. And now I know that I am too.

Now that I am a mother, I can’t imagine letting my kid do ANY of that. Driving god knows where on those dangerous roads late at night all alone? I think I might be worse.

So now, I want to thank you, mom, for being crazy.

Thank you, mom, for your bravery. Thank you for having the courage to let me go. To let me live. To let me grow. For letting your heart bounce around all over this globe despite the anxiety I now know you felt when your imagination ran wild with all the things you knew COULD happen to me. Thank you, mom, for now, I know. I only made it this far because of your CRAZY love.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Magic 133/365, Granny Meets Dasan, San Ramon, Costa Rica, April 16, 2018

The Dream in Me

by Crystal StaffordLandscapes, Magic May 12, 2018Comments are Disabled

I wrote a song a couple of years ago, and this photo is the manifestation of its wish. The dream in me finds the dream in you. Sunsets and magic, can we dream by two. And then the dream came true. Magic 132/365, The Dream in Me, Nosara, Costa Rica, May 12, 2018 Sunsets and …

Sunshine and Smiles

by Crystal StaffordLife, Magic May 10, 2018May 10, 2018Comments are Disabled

Before having a child, I promised myself that I wouldn’t be one of those people that only post photos of their kids. I am trying to maintain my path of becoming a semi-decent photographer and explorer of all things magical. It has been so difficult to keep this promise to myself. I mean, look at how cute he is! (I also promised I wouldn’t claim that he is the cutest, most advanced, super baby ever). But seriously, look at how cute he is!

This has been hard because not only is he all I want to photograph right now, he is literally STUCK to me 24/7. I had to cancel an ambitious study of low tide reflections because the very next day I realized low tide was at 2:21 pm and it was way too hot to take him to the beach. So I have to manage my expectations for the time being until he has legs that work.

So in an effort to maintain my focus on the above-mentioned path of photography and exploration, I am limiting myself to posting photos of my super baby once a week. And I am allowing myself to post photos of him on my photo/adventure blog because there is still an art to capturing the cuteness of super babies. Right?

This gallery of photos is another precious family beach moment we captured a few days ago at sunset in Playa Guiones. I can’t help but emojicate. ❤️????????????❤️

Magic 129/365, Super Baby, Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica, May 3, 2018

Crystal Stafford, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.

Trust in the Love

by Crystal StaffordLandscapes, Life, Magic May 9, 2018May 10, 2018Comments are Disabled

There is a mantra that has evolved from within me recently. TRUST IN THE LOVE Not in the person you are with but in the love that exists between you both. Trust in what you are creating together. Because if it is real and it is good it will last. There is nothing to fear. …

Is this just a dream?

by Crystal StaffordHDR, Landscapes, Magic May 8, 2018May 10, 2018Comments are Disabled

You find yourself asking this question when at a burn. This particular dream took place in real life at Afrika Burn 2017. I love burns. They are a spiritual place for me. One where creativity soars and judgment is erased from the mind. This adds up to be the ultimate freedom. If your soul ever …

Magical Africa Burn

by Crystal StaffordMagic, Travel May 7, 2018May 10, 2018Comments are Disabled

I have been lucky enough to attend three burns, Burning Man in 2010 and Afrika Burn in 2016 and 2017. All three of these events deeply moved and inspired my soul, but I have to say, Afrika Burn has a special place in my heart. The event brings people from all over the continent together …

The Seed of the Soul

by Crystal StaffordLife, Magic May 3, 2018May 4, 2018Comments are Disabled

Home is where the heart is. That is what they say. Antonio and I feel that wherever we are together, that is home. So for the past few years home has been all over this beautiful globe. But with the birth of our son, home has taken on a whole new meaning. Home has gone back …

Container Casita Coming Soon

by Crystal StaffordLife, Magic April 30, 2018May 10, 2018Comments are Disabled

Since I first found out that I was pregnant, I have travelled to 11 countries and I have moved six times. And I still have two more moves to go until I finally have a place I can really call home: this beautiful container casita (which kind of means tiny home in Spanish) that Antonio has spent the past three weeks building with his own hands. We are beyond excited to finally move into our very own home. This has been long in the making and we have met and overcome many obstacles in our pursuit of a home on our property in Nosara, including one contractor named Keylor Aragon who ran off with $20,000 and never managed to do a single thing to our property. Yes, I am calling him out because I don’t want ANYONE to make the mistake of hiring this man again.

But back to the magic part. Then our next contractor has managed to spend the past 8 months stringing us along on our original home, Casa Nido, and have still not even broken ground.

But seriously, this story does have a happy magical ending. About two months ago we had had it and decided to take the matter of a home into our own hands, but mostly Antonio’s hands, and we bought a container. After the delivery of our son we moved to San Ramon (move number 6) and that is where we have spent the past three weeks, me breastfeeding and Antonio nurturing his own creation, our home. Coming soon.

In just the two months since we decided to go this route, here we are. It’s nearing completion and we will be moving in July 1st.

Magic 119/365, Container Casita, San Ramon, Costa Rica, April 30, 2018

A Hawk in the Eye

by Crystal StaffordAnimals, Magic, Photos April 29, 2018April 29, 2018Comments are Disabled

When I was 17 I had a vision. An honest to god vision. No hallucinogenic drugs were used in the making of this vision. My professor, yes, I had a professor in high school, his name was Dr Hartley and he changed my life, Dr Hartley excused me from class and sent me to something …