Back to Blogging

A sunset as seen from my living room

I've been wanting to get back to blogging for a long time.  I love this it can act like a journal, recording big and small moments in my life.  It gives me clarity, because I can have difficulty sorting out how I really feel about something until I've typed it out.  I'm looking forward to the routine of it, a way to organize my thoughts and make me step back and appreciate my blessings.  Also, I'm excited at the prospect of having a reason and motivation to work on my photography.

At first, this will be a bit scattered.  I don't know how long it will take me to find my 'blogging voice', or what recurring features I will have- I'm just happy to blurt out whatever comes to mind (as I do in person).

Welcome, and thanks for reading.

Confirmandi

I nearly never get to sorting through my pictures so fast, but I knew my mother wanted to see them, so I hastily edited them (and hastily took them too...my battery was mostly dead the entire day).  Insert more excuses as to why the pictures aren't great >here< (they're not my favorite, stylistically).

Annnnnnnyhow, here's to celebrating the confirmandi: Emily and Jack!

Photo by Nicolas Storc

Photo by Mark Campanaro

My Neighborhood

So, if you haven't gathered, it's been positively ages since I've taken any pictures - it's been a disappointment for me.  Between moving, and craziness at work (it's sort of a 'busy season' for me), I just haven't had the time.  I come home from work exhausted, and all my time goes into gathering enough energy to get through the next day.  However, all that is about to change (hopefully).  I've started a gym routine this week, and I've become obsessive about cleaning my place and keeping my life in order.
I feel more content now than in any time in the last 9 or so months.  The other day I was in my kitchen, fresh out of the shower, singing along to Jason Mraz and cooking myself dinner- and just thought to myself how incredibly wonderful it was to feel simply content.  With myself, my small life, and just where I am at the moment.  It's an incredibly satisfying, nearly indescribable feeling.  Anyhow...moving on to pictures of my neighbourhood.
Honestly, I haven't wandered east of where I live at all (not that I've been far to the west, but I favor it, as that's where all the museums are, the La Brea Tar Pits, The Grove, etc.) but my friend came in town and we found a place to eat in that direction [side note, it was absolutely fabulous and you must go- it's Genwa Korean BBQ].  These pictures are wonky as I could have done a much better job with the aperture...but I love them in any case.  Also, we sort of got lost on the way (it was because he was the one to look at the map first, ha ha)

Flowers in front of my building

my cute little street

Seriously, everyone on my block owns a dog, saw tons on my walk

Palm trees everywhere









Our yummy dinner!

so many beautiful colors in Korean food



Alex approaching the El Rey

Shake Shack & Tide Pools

After our long and sweaty hike, we walked to the shake shack and I gorged myself on a delicious turkey burger, sweet potato fries, and a super yummy chai spice shake.  I realize that wasn't interesting to any of you, but it was very memorable for me.  After we got some sustenance, we walked down to the tide pools which was so much fun!  It was really the perfect day.

Crystal Cove State Park

For my lovely friend Prestyn's birthday, she decided to have the gang go for a hike, and chose Crystal Cove State Park as the destination.  I must admit, I was often last, and the one to initiate breaks- but it was a beautiful and fun day (although my legs were sore for a few days after, ha ha).  I really enjoyed being outside, especially now that it's heating up so much.  I would definitely recommend the area. Check it out:
(sorry the pictures are in reverse order, will change at a later time)


 

Stephanie & Mark

So these shots are pretty terrible...wrong lighting, poor location- however my subjects are dang cute.  My little sister Stephanie and her adorable boyfriend Mark begrudgingly let me snap a couple photos before the sun was completely gone.