Wrapping up a decade

It seriously feels like yesterday when many of us were curious and anxious if coming into the new millenium would end in crazy y2k disaster (seriously, remember that craziness?!). But instead, nothing came out of it and all laughed at the absurdity of the whole thing. That was ten years ago, a decade ago! It has all flown by and this past decade has been quite awesome because it was the decade that defined who I am or would become. From a college student studying film at UC Santa Cruz, to an overly hard working executive in charge of production in the entertainment business. I burned myself out in six years with this line of work and disappeared into traveling the world. I uncovered so many hidden treasures in the world and am still working on visiting more of the world. I learned how to allow myself to be creative and to explore my passions. I discovered that it's okay to make mistakes. I had my heart broken (two too many times) and healed from them. I took a huge leap meeting a random person in a bar who became my husband. I learned what it means to love someone unconditionally. And I learned that what I thought that I knew about love before is nothing compared to the newfound love that I will have as a mother. This past decade has held it all and I can't believe that it has gone by in the blink of an eye. And tonight, as my husband and I have a mellow night enjoying each other's company with homemade cheese fondue and board games, I am going to soak in each moment, knowing that the next ten years will go by just as quickly. Happy new decade!

• favorite 2010 moment: traveling in halong bay, vietnam

Total Lunar Eclipse, 2010

In the Silicon Valley area, we didn't get much of a break from the clouds to really enjoy the lunar eclipse. There were a few breaks in the cloud covering but they were short and sporadic. At least I was able to capture (somewhat clearly but not the best photos) of the before and after shots of the eclipse.

• 10:30pm •

• 11:30pm •

Sunol's Holiday Train of Lights Photo Highlights

What an incredible excursion to dress warmly (considering that we do live in Northern California and we hardly ever have to dress warmly) and enjoy an hour and fifteen minute train ride that goes from Sunol to Niles Canyon. We splurged the extra money ($40/pp) to reserve seats on the Holiday Club Lounge. Not only did we get to relax in an art deco, refurbished and heated lounge car, but they also treated us to hot apple cider (with brandy for adults) and cookies which was a yummy and surprise perk. I think the main selling point for having this become a holiday tradition when our child is older is that you can bring whatever you want on the train and make it into a whole, picnic experience. It's little adventures like this that makes us quite giddy about all the future adventures we're going to show our child!

My favorite Santa Cruz stop: Evergreen Cemetery

I have lots of favorites when it comes to Santa Cruz since it was my home for the most crucial part of my adulthood. The Boardwalk, Pacific, De Laveaga Frisbee Disc Golf and all the delicious, hidden eateries. However, one of my favorite places is Evergreen Cemetery. This is one of the oldest Protestant cemeteries in California and was established in 1850. With it's eerie atmosphere, dark paths and crumbling gravestones, this is one of my favorite places to spend a few hours taking photos. Although one thing that I never had the balls to do: visit it at night.

Halloween Season...

...is the beginning of the best time of the year. Fall, pumpkins, spices, crunchy leaves and all the wonderful holidays that are just around the corner. This time of year makes me warm and fuzzy.

Besides the warm and fuzzies of this time of year, the past three months have been crazy and have been neglecting this blog since I haven't had the energy or motivation to take photos. Right now, most photos have been sitting on my hard drive, waiting to be post-processed and I know that I will get around to it, it's just I'm waiting for my body to start allowing me to have energy and fun again! The first trimester really does take everything out of you and whoever coined the term "morning sickness" is a mean person because it's so not true, it's all day sickness. Anyway, I want to keep this blog separate from my pregnancy/personal/etc experience so I've been writing elsewhere. If you'd like the link for the blog, leave me a comment with your email address or email me directly and I'll send you the link. I want to keep this space mainly for my photos so on that, a lovely photo of my pumpkin from our pumpkin carving party. I think that this is my best pumpkin to date. I love Jack!

Their love...

My grandparents have been married sixty four years and when they go out on walks, they still hold each others hands...to me, this is the definition of love.

Weekend getaways...

...are always wonderful but this weekend getaway to Prescott, Arizona will be an incredibly memorable one as we celebrate my grandfather's ninetieth birthday. We're looking forward to spending the weekend with the grandparents, parents and sister. Weekend getaways that involve being close with the family, sharing family stories and of course, being with my wonderful grandparents is what makes this upcoming weekend memorable. Ninety years old...wowzers.

• my grandfather four years ago on our alaskan cruise,

i love this photo •

Yosemite weekend getaway photos

I love Yosemite and am already planning the next trip...a winter wonderland trip perhaps?!

• silhouette •

• olmsted point •

• mono lake detour •

• half dome goodness •

Disconnect time

Rarely do I get to disconnect from the cell phone, laptop and internet so I am definitely excited and full of glee to escape from it all as we head to Yosemite. We're camping outside the Valley at Hodgdon Meadow which is perfect since we don't have to be surrounded by the mass tourists of the Valley but still a close enough drive to head there for a day. Originally our plan was to include a 14 mile hike out to Clouds Rest but with the husband's knee acting up again, it will be a weekend of mellow hiking and of course, endless photo taking! It's been about two years since we've last been to Yosemite and really need to take advantage of it more often...it's only a four hour drive away! I'm looking forward to disconnecting this weekend and being one happy camper!

• setting sun on half dome - 2008 •

Four months old, pure gorgeousness

Back in May, she was a two week old baby who was an absolute joy to do an impromptu shoot with. Now she's four months old with piercing blue eyes, a brilliant smile and already, a natural in front of the camera.

San Jose's Zombie Crawl

For the past two years, we have endured the August summer heat to participate in San Jose's Zombie Crawl that takes place in downtown San Jose. The crawl starts at Gore Park (such an appropriate name) and does a circle through the downtown area and of course, the local pubs. There is nothing better than beginning to feel excitement that Halloween is quickly approaching by wandering through the streets with other zombie fanatics! I will have to say that the husband's clown zombie outfit is the best ever especially since he embraces the true lurch/zombieness of the whole event and successfully scares people. Makes the vegetarian zombie who eats grains very proud :)

Stumptown Beer Revival highlights

This past weekend, we drove up to Guerneville to enjoy Stumptown's Beer Revival...an all you can eat BBQ (this part I really did not care about, seriously, seeing twelve hundred people chowing down meat was the most unattractive thing ever) and an all you can drink (so awesome) festival (entry ticket: $55!). Although I didn't really care for the BBQ portion, being around great friends, drinking wonderful beers from thirty different vendors to choose from and hanging out by the Russian River was just incredible.




On our drive back on Sunday, we drove via Hwy 1 and stopped in Duncans Mills (population: 85) for an incredible and hearty breakfast at Cape Fear Cafe which is highly recommended. Although taking Hwy 1 is a long and windy drive back to Silicon Valley, the rolling hills and ocean views makes the drive incredible. It is weekends like this that makes me fall more in love with Northern California :)

• upside down tank gem at Goat's Rock •

• highway one viewpoint •

• point reyes viewpoint •

San Francisco's Mission Mural Walk

From Clarion Alley to Balmy Ave, here are the highlights from the oh so colorful and super rad mural walk in San Francisco's Mission District. I know...lots of photos but I couldn't pick a "few" of my favorites! Lots more on the flickr...

• women's center •

• zoomy fun •

• RV Mural Clash •

• originality •

• unique perspective of trash •

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• click on the following storyboards below for larger views •

• after a long day in the city, it's time to commute home •

Five days old, pure amazingness

Our friends just had their little baby boy and I had the pleasure of doing his five day old photo shoot. The shoot didn't start until late in the evening so the lighting wasn't ideal (natural light is my light of choice and I don't like using flash on a newborn) but I am still happy since he was just absolutely incredible. I look forward to watching him grow and capture more moments with him...