One hundred weeks. Seven hundred days. Nearly two full years. That’s how long I’ve been doing this Photo of the Week project. It started as a creative project inspired by the Photo of the Day project that my mentor at the time, Heather Holt, was taking on. Over time it’s morphed into more of a visual diary, a week-by-week photographic record of how I’m spending my life. My blog is often a month or two behind chronological time, so this series has become a way to check in in real time with you guys, say hi and give you a preview of what’s to come.

When I’m feeling dejected or frustrated, one of my go-to pick me ups is to flip through the Photo of the Week folder on my desktop and remember what a full life I am living; how unbelievably lucky I am.

Obviously, I wanted to do something big for one hundred weeks. I had grand plans — a “Best Of” roundup, an e-book retrospective, something big. But of course, life got in the way and this week happened to correspond with the very week that I packed up my temporary home of Gili Trawangan, finished my Divemaster course (Oh, so did I mention that now I’m a divemaster?), and wrestled with the decision not to say goodbye to a holiday romance gone right (Oh, so did I mention that I’m seeing someone? Astute Instagram followers picked up on it anyway. More later.) So those things kind of stood in the way of creative genius and photographic greatness.

But that’s okay. I’m giving myself a pass. When I look at these photos, I’m going to smile and remember how happy I was on the 100th week of my travels. There’s always week two hundred for something really grand.

Photo A
Sunset at Gili TrawanganSunset spent sipping cocktails and making big plans — to be revealed soon!

Photo B

Week-100
Week-100

I’ve been getting more abstract with my underwater photography and really enjoying this new direction.

Photo C
Diving on Gili TrawanganMy last dive of my Divemaster course on Gili Trawangan

Photo D
Divemaster on Gili TrawanganThis is me, one hundred weeks after making the best decision of my life.

Dear readers, your comments and thoughts are what has made this series one of my favorite parts of the week. Thank you so much for making my day and participating! So, as usual… which photo is your favorite?

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48 Comments...
  • Skúli
    May 13 2013

    Congrats on the 100 weeks! I must say the turtle, seems like it’s climbing(swimming) the Stairway to heaven. Very nice!

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks! It is quite the milestone, and I’m so happy to have all of you to share it with!

  • memographer
    May 13 2013

    After a hundred weeks you look great, Alex… but, I have to go with Photo B-Right 😉

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks for the vote and the kind words! Much appreciated! 🙂

  • Congrats on 100 weeks, and another big congrats on becoming a divemaster! Well done! So you survived the snorkel test then 🙂 And I’m going to vote for photo C!

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      I more than survived it… I shocked myself by owning it! As one girl came up to me and said after, “It’s always the quiet ones!”

      • IT IS!! I have seen probably 30-40 snorkel tests here now, and it’s usually the quiet ones or the ones who don’t drink who rock it! I am neither of those things but managed to chug mine the fastest, black out for a bit, do a respectable puke on the beach and then party the rest of the night 🙂

        • Alex
          May 18 2013

          Yeah…. let’s be serious, I’m neither of those things either 🙂 However I was really nervous about it so I think that added to everyone’s surprise! And I also assigned two separate people to be in charge of me after. Good move on asking two, because one of them ended up drunker than I was, ha.

  • Naomi
    May 13 2013

    I agree with memographer, my favourite photo is Photo B-Right. I love following your photos of the week, it’s a nice way to round up your travels. Congratulations on your Divemaster and making it to week 100, I look forward to seeing more of your travels and your amazing photos Alex!

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thank you so much Naomi! Here’s to 100 more!

  • Dad
    May 13 2013

    The nominees are….
    Photo A – Really great travel photo, makes you want to be there too
    Photo B – The photographer as artist
    Photo C – A remarkable variety of color in the fish, very pleasing to look at
    Photo D – Obviously the subject is a beauty and marks a milestone in your life
    …..and the winner is, TADA, PHOTO B, it took more than just aiming the camera at a subject but an artistic vision.

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks Dad, love your thoughts as always and can’t wait to see you soon 🙂

  • Kristen Noelle
    May 14 2013

    You know what… I’m going to go ahead and just pick all of these! Each one awed me, and I am ultra happy for you for reaching a hundred weeks on your great escape and becoming divemaster!! Excited to hear what’s in store =]

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thank you so much Kristen! Your comment means a lot to me… thank you so much for virtually coming along with me 🙂

  • Rachel
    May 14 2013

    Wow, 100 weeks! I like photo B.

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Seems I have a winner! Thanks Rachel 🙂

  • Caroline T
    May 14 2013

    Lovely pictures once again, and congratulations on your week nr. 100! I love the last picture of you, the diving one. It is really great.

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks Caroline, I appreciate it! Thanks for reading 🙂

  • Sophie
    May 14 2013

    Really hard to pick from these .. All so beautiful! If I do have to choose I will pick B since I do love your new abstract photos.

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks Sophie! I miss painting and printmaking and doing art with my hands… so the camera has to be the next best thing 🙂

  • Chris Shaw
    May 14 2013

    What your Dad said,… 🙂

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      He is wise, isn’t he Chris?! Thanks for reading, as always 🙂

  • Chris
    May 14 2013

    Well done on reaching 100 weeks. Some really great pictures there.

    Also – congrats on your DM. It was one of the best things I ever did also. Are you going to stay on Gili?

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks Chris! No sadly I have left Gili! I’m currently in Bali en route back to New York for a nice visit home 🙂

  • Olivia
    May 14 2013

    Congrats sissy!!!!

    Photo B!

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks Livi…. soon I’ll be congratulating you! Can’t wait!

  • Cat
    May 14 2013

    100! Really? Already! That’s so awesome, congrats! Oh and I vote for B though I’d really love to go sit in photo A. 🙂

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      I know, right? Where does the time go!? I feel like I was just posting Week 50!

  • wes
    May 14 2013

    D because your mask is too big and you should have sold it to me when you had the chance.

    :b

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Ha, no, this is actually my new smaller mask! This is the Cressi mini-shadow, which actually does fit my face quite well — it’s just the angle. You wanted the Rona, right? I actually miss that mask… the stupid Cressi won’t stop fogging.

  • The Guy
    May 14 2013

    100 hundred fabulous posts of your amazing pictures Alex. Thank you very much and I look forward to the next 100.

    Well done on the diving course.

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      What a sweet comment — thank you so much! The comments on my Photo of the Week posts are what keep me going with this series… and this is no exception!

  • Andy
    May 14 2013

    Though, like always, I like them all, B and D are my favorites this week. Congratulations on all the good things in your life. Best of luck to you!

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thanks Andy! What a lovely comment, much appreciated 🙂

  • Hannah
    May 16 2013

    I’m going with A, because I can’t wait to hear all about the plans you were hatching whilst you sat there! Congratulations on this amazing milestone Alex, I have loved following your journey, and watching your photography skills continue to grow. Here’s to the next 100 weeks, and many more after that 🙂

    • Alex
      May 17 2013

      Thank you so much sweet Hannah… you are such a wonderful cheerleader and I love reading about your somewhat parallel journey as well! Sometimes I am can’t believe how much we do in fact have in common 🙂

  • Lola
    May 17 2013

    Love the new abstract underwater photos!

    I think it’s wonderful that you met someone and have some big plans coming up. You’re young and having fun is what life should be about right now. If I can give you any advice (from an old gal), try not to let a relationship change your plans too much. Have FUN! but do for you, and only you. This is your adventure.

    Looking forward to hearing what’s up next.

    • Alex
      May 18 2013

      Thank you Lola, for the sweet sentiments and the words of wisdom! You gave me the same advice that I’ve been giving myself, but it’s always nice to hear it reinforced 🙂

  • Jen
    May 18 2013

    Happy 100 weeks! That’s a lot of pictures!

    I’m completely undecided between B and C; I love them both!

    Congrats on completing your Dive Master course! I can’t imagine how excited you must be.

    • Alex
      May 18 2013

      Thanks Jen! Honestly, it was such a huge feeling of accomplishment, I almost compare it to getting my degree! Can’t wait to blog about it.

  • Thelma
    October 4 2013

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006641531786&sk=about

    Is this your facebook or is someone pretending to be you?

    • Alex
      October 4 2013

      That is not me! Thanks for pointing it out — I’ve reported the account to Facebook! Creepy!

  • Thelma
    October 5 2013

    Yes it is strange, I also reported the account.

    • Alex
      October 6 2013

      Thelma, do you mind shooting me a quick email to let me know how you found that account?

  • Alex
    March 10 2014

    Thelma, with all those bubbles in theses crystal clear waters and your achievements as a divemaster, did you try freediving as well?

    • Alex
      March 10 2014

      Well, I’m not Thelma but I think this question was addressed to me 🙂 I have never tried freediving but hope to give it a try someday!

  • Alex
    March 10 2014

    Ooops, sorry for the confusion, maybe it’s because I’m an Alex too 🙂 You have great freediving centers around in Gili or Bali, with amazing instructors that are world class champions, and it is a thrilling experience to discover your own amazing possibilities (we all have the ability to reach 30 meters easily). Water addiction with or without air is complementary, you’ll love it, Alex from faraway Paris

    • Alex
      March 11 2014

      I definitely plan to try it someday! Just waiting for the right time and place 🙂

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