Category Archives: people
mural
I drive by this mural every morning around 7:22a.m. when I take Kari to work. Yah, I know, I’m a good girlfriend. Every single time I drive by this mural which is alongside a wall of a music center in Portland called Music Union - I think to myself, “I must stop for a quick shot of its beauty.” So, it looks like yesterday was the golden day when I did just so.
I always think to myself when I look at this part of the mural, “Sing it, baby!” And, then I hear her say in a sexy, sultry voice, “Baby, you’ve got to do a lot more than shout from your car window like that to get ME to sing…” 
suds…
Our front load washer has been broken ever since we hauled it across the U.S. of A. in JUNE. Ever since we discovered it was broken, we’ve had to take our wash every week to the local laundry mat. I dream about the day when we can afford to purchase another front load washer and have the freedom to wash when I please.
In the meantime, it’s a lot of this…
joy.
All I can say about this shot is, “pure joy.” I love to see children experience excitement and joy like this. It brings joy to my heart. And the best part is that she was playing with her momma at this moment. THE best.
perspective.
I had so much fun yesterday at FairyTaleTown with Junet and her daughters Lily and Kaylyn. Maybe it’s because I know those girls, but I definitely am putting my foot in my mouth. I thought that I wouldn’t enjoy clicking children’s photos. I thought I would rather stick with a daily experience, abstract, nature girl kind of style.
After yesterday’s shoot, I definitely know now that I enjoy doing shoots with children. Plus, I get to get my kid fix in at the same time. Life is good.
celestin’s.
I had a great evening last night with Junet and some friends. Dinner at Tapa The World was yummers. After dinner, we went to Celestin’s for a drink and rum cake. The rum cake was served on a puddle of rum which tempted me to walk over to the bar, grab a straw and yep – take a sip. There’s nothin like doin shots through a straw.
I guess it doesn’t take long to begin living the motto: “Keep Portland Weird”. Although, I think I’ve always been weird.
pumpkins.
There is nothing like seeing the excitement in a child’s eyes over something as simple as a pumpkin. I got to experience that feeling this weekend after spending the weekend with my sister and her family out at the Oregon coast. On Sunday, we caravanned back to Portland to spend another night together. I had the best time playing with my nephew and experiencing the newness of life and words with him. It made me chuckle each time he’d run over to the pumpkinand worty gourds displayed in my living room and say, “PUMPkinssssssss!” I’d respond to him, “Yes, boo…that’s a pumpkin.” He’d smile big showing me all his new teeth and then run off into the living room to find more new things to play with.
My cup runneth over.
determined.
Sprina amazes me. She never stops. This look I was able to capture is what I think the essence of Sprina. Determination. This year alone, Sprina planned and organized her own wedding, she is currently going through Grad school, she’s working for a local designer in the northwest, she is the current board president of Step It Up, Inc., and she is involved with her family & local community. Every time I talk with her Sprina has a new project up her sleeve. She never stops.
I enjoy witnessing the fire inside of her that drives her to achieve her goals and dreams.
elephant’s
I had my first event photo shoot last night. The event was for a non profit that I’ve been volunteering for called Step It Up, Inc. It was held at Elephant’s Deli on 23rd and NW Burnside.
Capturing the faces and event was a bit challenging because of the night time, indoor, low lighting. I think I was able to grab a few.
It’s funny how I once was a ham in front of the camera, now I’m a geek behind the camera. Love it!
ducks.
I’ve been told that after a few months into the Oregon rain season everyone basically turns into ducks. I have heard from a lot of people that the rain seriously never goes away until May or June. This scares me in a way. But, on the other hand, I’ve lived in wet climates previous to Portland. They haven’t been as wet as Portland, but I’ve experienced the duck-syndrome.
I am commited to seeing the silver lining during this season. Cuz, I’ve got to tell you the Spring and Summer here are friggen fabulous!
lifestyle.
I can’t get enough of the skyline these days. This storm passing through has been incredible to watch. If you didn’t already know, I have a fascination with the sky; the clouds and the shapes that it creates. I think this bike scene is the epitome of the lifestyle and culture that Portland embraces.
I think I’ve made a real storm chaser of myself.
compassion
In September, while touring my mom throughout Portland we stumbled upon two monks from the Mangyal Monastery (home of the Dalai Lama) – who were creating a Compassion sand mandala for 2 days at a store in the pearl district called Cargo. The Venerable Ngawang Chojor (on the left), is a senior monk who apparently was in Seven Years In Tibet with Brad Pitt. What I found most amazing is that once this mandala was finished, there was going to be a dismantling ceremony as a metaphor for impermanence of all things. It is believed that witnessing the creation of a mandala develops ties within the people in attendance and that it also strengthens community.
Have you ever witnessed a mandala being created?
transform.
I am thankful for all of this free time that I have right now. I feel like my life has transformed once again; doing yoga, volunteering my skills to a local non profit, click click clicking at everything I see. This time has given me the chance to slow down. I look for and appreciate the beauty in every moment I breathe. Kinda like witnessing the sunrise this morning after dropping Kari off at work.
I am thankful that I have the opportunity to make smart decisions for myself without being so hasty all the time.
