My travels

f.y.i

2010-01-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

charlottelavinia.tumblr.com

xo.

Captive Market

2009-06-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

This article holds dear to my heart. Ive worked in Cheb before, going out on the streets and into the brothels and ghettos to give a hand to these girls who are entangled in prostitution.
I really believe we need to become more aware of what is happening in the world around us. It is a long article, but I suggest to read it because I believe it helps gives a voice for these girls and boys who do not have a voice for themselves as well as combating ignorance and apathy that are deep rooted in the ultimate reactions to human trafficking. So often we forget that we can make a difference, we have the priviledge of being safe and loved and having basic rights that every human deserves.

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/thomas100806.htm

This article was written in 2006, before I went to Cheb. I can tell you many stories in depth of how this city I believe is changing for the better or if your'e just curious of what it is like. I have many pictures of Cheb, but they are all analog, but when I have the chance, maybe I'll scan some online. Also the one thing I think the writer left out is how we can personally make a difference. I have a friend who went to Ethiopia and just recently helped a few girls out of prostitution and assisting them by opening a coffee shop. I also know someone who is living and working in Cheb to help the people. If you are interested in giving back to people making a difference in these ladies lives, seriously, even if its just $15, let me know!
<3

M.I.A

2009-06-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

So much for this blog, eh? Reason being, my keyboard is broken and I have been busy with work, hence the lack or Blog posts! I am planning on buying myself a lovely white little mac soon (I would go for the pro, but well, I'm paying and I'm cheap), so once I get that in place, I'll join back in the cyberspace fun!

Ta ta for now!

<3

Mooooovie Review: Little Ashes.

2009-05-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Worse delivery then "Marie Antoinette", filmmaking was parallel to "When In Rome", costume design was laughable, the actors were pretty awful...
Oh poor, El Salvador Dali! How he was put to shame...

I vaguely remember yelling at the screen with my arm in the air a few times it was so unbelievably horrendous.

Two perks: I did take away that someone should make more movies on artists, (kind of like Meet the Masters in school, but much more thought out then this one) and I didn't feel like I wanted to die like I did after seeing "Revolutionary Road".

I would usually say go see it, just for a ridiculous laugh, but it was over two hours long and you would regret spending your money on it.

To remember him how I'm sure he would rather be remembered:

Long time no blog

2009-05-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I've actually been busy this week!
I'm currently too lazy to start another blog, so maybe once I'm not living in orange county and my life becomes eventful, then I'll have more to write about. Anyways, I'm off to the beach now!!

(Contact sheet: Angela Kohler)

Here we go

2009-05-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

So, I realized my blog keeps on flip flopping from personal entries to things I find and like online..... I get really confused on what I want to write on...

SO, this one will just be for my personal entries again....

and I'm starting one just for fun about photography, fashion & fun finds

yay. I'll post the link once I write an entry...

Funny story:
Yesterday I was at my job training and I was introducing myself to this girl and she was like
"I know you, I remember you and your sisters performing in the Trabuco Mesa Talent show"

Let me just let you know that I get this alot, it's the strangest thing.
Really, when I die, I'm pretty sure this is how I would be remembered. We performed when I was in Kindergarden, first and second grade and apparently that is our family legacy to the local community... I owe it all to our lovely stage mom.

mikey likey

2009-05-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

How amazing is this knit rug?

or this vanity case?

Karen Walker Sunglasses

2009-05-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

So fun, check them out!
http://www.karenwalkereyewear.com/

Editorailzzzz pt 2

2009-05-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

ID, MAY 2009

VOGUE PARIS, MAY 09
PHOTOGRAPHY: INEZ LAMSWEERDE & VINDOODH MATADIN

My personal favorite....

NYLON FOR CHLOE, APRIL 08

Editorials

2009-05-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

LULA MAGAZINE, ISSUE #8
PHOTOGRAPHY: YELENA YEMCHUK

ITALIAN VOGUE, APRIL 2009
PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVEN MIESEL

peek-a-boo

2009-05-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's Mother's Day today! One thing I always love about my mom is she always smells so nice. Haha, it's true though. Your memories are usually evoked through smell, so I guess it makes my memories with my mom that much sweeter...

Indian Fabric

2009-05-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

I found one of my saris from Mumbai last year, so now it's covering a chair in my room.

I love the peacocks.

Son of a gunnn

2009-05-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Timothy Allen is totally living my dream life. He's currently working on a show called Human Planet; "television series travels to eighty of the most remote locations on Earth to find stories about man's remarkable relationship with the natural world." It's with BBC & the Discovery Channel. One day I hope to take part in a project like this!

His Blog: http://timothyallen.blogs.bbcearth.com/

to read more: http://humanplanet.blogs.bbcearth.com/

Boredom.

2009-05-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have been so bored lately I'm going out of my mind!

mmmm, I want to sail away somewhere....

Take some photos....

Ride a bicycle...

Maybe tomorrow has something more exciting for me out there.....

fingers crossed.

Nick Brandt

2009-05-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

I saw also saw this photo at Paris Photo and it was another one that totally stood out. I forgot who photographed it, but I found it again thanks to the world wide web. Seeing it enlarged bigger then myself was incredbile, I think I stood in front of it for a good 5 minutes.

Like my new Blog Head Picture?

2009-05-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu

2009-05-04T22:20:00.001-07:00

Getting excited for summer!

2009-05-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

Sunshine. Waves. Bikinis. Bicycles. Margaritas. Love. Love. Love.

Photos on ffffound.

Like a minature Buddha, covered in hair.

2009-05-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Wisdom.
I found this through Alix (thanks!) and I thought it was too good not to share it.

Wisdom - Introduction from SLNSW on Vimeo.

Flickr: crystin moritz

2009-04-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

I spend waaaay too much time looking at photos on flickr. I love this girl's work. It makes me want to go analog again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fridafritteuse/

I <3 steven meisel

2009-04-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

& I love Lanvin
<3 <3 <3

Water Project

2009-04-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Rebecca Meinhard, took these photos to show the health effects of not having access to clean water.

Skin Disease starts with the children.

Loss of hair.

Skin colour change.

The child's skin disease at his ear.

Drinking tainted water.

Peter Beard

2009-04-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

I love how he uses his collage and painting abilities to deck out his already amazing safari photographs.

Friday Night.

2009-04-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful night tonight...

I need some imput!!

2009-04-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

I found this school through YWAM (haha, Im never going to escape) and its called "Photogenx" stupid name. Anyways, It's a school for 1 1/2 years of photography while going to every continent!
It would be from September 25th 2009 to April 1 2011 and its around $1,250 a month including travel, food, accomidations and school supplies.

Schedule:
The Foundation of Photographic Communications I Intensive Training 2009
Sep 25 - Dec 18 2009- Southern Africa

The Biblical Foundation of Photgraphic Communication Intensive Photo and Design Training
Jan 1 - March 26 2010- Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece

Humanities and Science: A Global Perspective 3 month long Bible Course on the Next Wave yacht
April 2 - June 25 2010- North Africa, North/South Europe, Latin America

The Foundation of Photgraphic Communications II: A study of global world culture
July 2 - Sep 17 2010- Kona, Hawaii

Communications Core Course Intensive Photo and Designn Training
Sep 24 - Dec 17 2010- Kona, Hawaii

Communications Outreach Distribution of Publication
Dec 31 - March 25 2011- World

Debrief: Next steps
March 25 - April 1 2011- Kona, Hawaii

Question: Do you think it's wiser to do community college for 2 years first then end up doing this OR do this in September, then when I come back have an amazing portfolio and either start working in photojournalism or try and get a scholarship at somewhere like RIT.

I need feedback!!

If I am Inez Van Lamsweerde, who can be my Vinoodh Matadin?

2009-04-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

How great would it be to find another photographer that you are on the same visionary and creative level that you become a duo? That's what Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin have done for years. Although their work has know to be been quite controversial in the past, they are also one of the most highly sought out photographers. They're know for pretty much putting Kate Moss on the map, campaigning for Balenciaga and MM Paris, photographing Bjork's video "Hidden Place" as well as photographing everything from YSL, Vogue, Valentino, Chloe and GQ. Oh, did I mention that theyre one of the first to start using Digital Imaging effects?

Happy Belated Earth Day!

2009-04-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

So, they took the "Planet Earth" tv series and recycled it into a film for Earth day? How environmentally friendly. And, is that Darth Vadar speaking?

Anyways, call me lame, but I' excited to see it.

On the topic of movies, here are others I'm looking forward to:

Parlez-vous français? Let's just be thankful it's not Shirley MacClain!

I want to know who's not completely stoked to see this!?

John Krasinski with a beard! Need I say more?

Okay, I'm actually liking the looks of this ROMANTIC COMEDY. (gahhh)

Indian Puzzle with Holga

2009-04-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

"When I think of India, I think of a puzzle, put in disorder pictures, jumps between reality and sleep, dream and nightmare, plenty of colors not able to be recognized, floating mosaic in which every person and every thing has no constant place.
Pictures, colors, shapes, scents, voices swell in front of my eyes, put on each other, whirl around my head, cause faster heart beating, sweating. I want to 'close my eyes, ears and nose' and be alone just for a second...but at the same time I think 'burst of feelings', so I delight in this wonderful mosaic of life, I become part of it, one of the elements of the puzzle."

Beautfiully depicted by Magdalena Rzymanek

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magda_rzym/sets/

100 Degrees in April??

2009-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

I don't want to be leathery and wrinkled by the time I'm 25, so I'm in need of a hat or two!

photos on ffffound

Current mood:

2009-04-21T00:49:00.000-07:00

photo on ffffound

Oh, Lord...

2009-04-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

...won't you buy me a mercedes benz?

Camilla Akrans

2009-04-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Another one of my favorites, she's one of the top photographers right now.. I love love her style and colour pallette..

You probably know her from the new H&M and Bebe campaigns and she photographs many editorials in Vogue & Harper's Bazaar...

More photo loveeee:

Kat Macleod

2009-04-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

Early Vogue Covers

2009-04-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

How adorable are these??

Sarah Moon

2009-04-18T11:39:00.001-07:00

Love, Love, Love

Daisy Chains

2009-04-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

What did I do today? I made daisy chains. Actually, when I was little, Felicity and I were making daisy chains and singing together at lunch on the field in elementary school and a group of boys came and beat us up. Haha, nothing has changed.

Yesterday

2009-04-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

Was an interesting day...
I bought my first pack of cigarettes, just because I can.

(Notice it isn't lit, I'm just trying to catch up with the advantages of being "of age" since I never got to celebrate my 18th in america. Next stop: Lottery Ticket)

My aunt told me she doesn't need me to work for her & she'll need her car back, so I'm unemployed and carless next week. Fantastic.

I tried to help a lost dog on the street coming home by attempting to catch it to read it's collar for about 20 minutes, without success & ended up letting this guy who stopped for me to call the po-pos.

My daffodils bloomed :)

I tried to do still life again, but pretty much failed.

Upside: I have tomorrow off. :)

Vintage Love

2009-04-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

http://weheartit.com/

Elle Editorial March 2009

2009-04-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

Beautiful photography by Dusan Reljin.
http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Fashion-Spotlight/Naked-Ambition

Paolo Roversi

2009-04-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw his work was at Paris Photo in 2007 and I've been transfixed at his work ever since.
Seriously, If I could be half as good as him in my lifetime, I'd be completely satisfied.
www.paoloroversi.com

If I wasnt broke, it would be mine

2009-04-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Cast from a plastic Barbie camera into sterling silver
http://thehandsomepanda.bigcartel.com/

April Showers

2009-04-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

www.angelapiercephotography.com/

"Though April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in may
So if it’s raining, have no regrets
Because it isn’t raining rain, you know, it’s raining violets,
And where you see clouds of daffodils
So keep on looking for a blue bird, And list’ning for his song,
Whenever April showers come along"
-Al Jolson

http://www.drawnfromwater.org/

2009-04-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

I have some of THE MOST AMAZING friends!!!
This is their project.
Go to the website.
Read their story.
Find out how you can help.
Send it to everyone you know!

Drawn from Water from Drawn From Water on Vimeo.

Happy Easter. :)

2009-04-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

This is the first normal Easter I can think of.
Last year?

....With Alex, stuck in Prague overnight with absolutely NO sleep, finally get on a two hour bus ride, then walk from the Czech Republic into Germany in the snow for at least 4 hours.... hitch hike the whole way with no one stopping until Alex leaves me, then finally get a ride by a creepy guy in a van... Back home, have no food in the house and end up SPLITTLING 1 cup of noodles for Easter dinner. Go to bed at 7:30 crying from dealing with rude Eastern Europeans, hungry, exhausted, sleepy, and freezing cold.
Ah, the luxuries of Orange County!!!

Timothy Allen

2009-04-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.photojournal.co.uk/
I love the variety of his work

Paul Rand: A Designer's Art Part II

2009-04-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

I love to see God in art

"We know that where we percieve no patterns of relationship, no design, we discover no meaning. The reason apparently unrelated things become interesting when we start fitting them together.. is that the mind's characterisitc employment is the discovery of meaning, the discovery of deisgn. The search for design indeed, underlies all arts & sciences... The root meaning of the word art is, significantly enough, 'to join, to fit together'."
- John Kouwenhoven

Style Love

2009-04-08T22:29:00.001-07:00

Jane Birkin

Kate Moss

Bridget Bardot

13 steps to starting a non profit

2009-04-08T01:48:00.000-07:00

1.Understand what a nonprofit is
2.Formulate a mission statement.
3.Form a Board of Directors.
4.File Articles of Incorporation.
5.Draft bylaws.
6.Develop a budget.
7.Develop a record-keeping system.
8.Develop an accounting system.
9.File for 501(c)(3) status.
10.Apply for a federal employer identification number.
11.File for state and local tax exemption.
12.Fulfill charitable solicitation law requirements.
13.Apply for a nonprofit mailing permit.

Thirteen steps may not seem like too much, but even one task looks to be SO difficult!
If anyone knows a better way to help people while still being able to be accountable for your actions and abiding by all tax and federal laws, PLEAAASE let me know.

Tomorrow: Formulate mission statement.

After step two, this will be an incredibly daunting task.

MTV CASTING?!?

2009-04-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Guess who ended up at MTV studios and tried out for a DATING SHOW!?

SO story time:
Last week Jenn got a call from MTV studios, thanks to her friend Brandon, to go on a dating show with him. We both thought it was an April Fools joke, but it turned out to be legit and Jenn agreed to go to a casting with the hopes of winning a free vacation out of it. So, being her moral support and ready for a little adventure, I agreed to accompany her to go today to Santa Monica. We ended up at the MTV studios laughing at the predicament Jenn just got herself into. Okay, so being the easy going people pleaser that I am, somehow the producers convinced me to try out too!
Conversation:
Producer: Why don't you try out too?
Me: Noooo, no, I'm just here for moral support
Producer: Oh, come on, you have nothing to do anyways. Here's the papers.
Me: Okay!

My word, I had to fill out information about myself and dating, take pictures and have a video taped casting. Another random adventure in my life. I'm scared that I will agree to actually end up on the show. I'm persuaded so easily. WHERE'S MY WILL POWER!?

Current Read- Paul Rand: A Deisnger's Art

2009-04-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from the book:

Ideas About Ideas:

"The source of the creative impulse is a mystery. Where do ideas come from?

Any theory about inspiration must be offered with certain reservations. Ideas may come from anywhere, anything, any time, any place. For the most part, however, I believe that they spring from rather unromantic, sometimes unexpected, or even unsavory sources.

The artist is a collector of things imaginary or real. He accumulates things with the same enthusiasm that a little boy stuffs his pockets. The scrap heap and museum are embraced with equal curiosity. He takes snapshots, makes notes, records impressions on tablecloths or newspapers, on backs of envelopes or matchbooks. Why one thing and not the other is a mystery, but he in omnivorous.

Wildy heterogeneous as his inspirational treasures appear, curiosity is the common denominator and the pleasure of discovery an important by-product. The artist takes note of that which jolts him into visual awareness. Without the harvest of visual experience he would be unable to cope with the plethora of problems, mundane or otherwise, that confronts him in his daily work."

another sunny day

2009-04-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Shilpa Chavan...

2009-04-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

...is the designer in charge of her accessory line, Little Shilpa. Her designs are inspired from the streets of Mumbai.

littleshilpa.com <- Check it out!!

Today.

2009-04-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

Was a great day spent basking in the sun at the beach.

Flowaaa Powaaa

2009-04-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

So long winter!

2009-03-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

Spring is here!
I have enjoyed alot of looks from this year so far.
Here are my favorites.

Room Inspiration

2009-03-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

I want a fantastic study area

I'M GOING TO BUY A NEW LENS

2009-03-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

SIGMA 10-20MM.

& once I get more money, I also want buy a close up lens & a polarizer, but I'm excited on getting clearer photos.

Boredom & Blur

2009-03-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I need a new camera lens desperately and a laptop. I was just bored on the computer todaaaaay

Jacques Villeglè, je t'aime!

2009-03-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

The results are in, amigo! What's left to ponder?

2009-03-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY took my GED test!

I think I passed. No, I better have passed!

The hardest part was math, considering I stopped with only Algebra 3 years ago, but thats alright.

Now for something completely different:

I <3 hidden cameras

2009-03-10T17:42:00.001-07:00

The king of lomography

2009-03-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

These are by far the best shots I've seen taken from a Holga:

convinced...

2009-03-07T22:28:00.000-08:00

.... I don't fit with my generation.

proof:

calling for an office parody

2009-03-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Cooks Corner!?

2009-03-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Guess who YOURS TRULY actually went ALONE to the local biker bar.

Hardly anyone was there and I realized that the best part of the place is when people are actually there. Maybe one day I will have enough guts to go when people are actually there. At least next time I won't wear a braid in my hair and chandelier earrings

I hate making titles...

2009-03-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

For a while I have been lacking inspiration with photography. I am on a mission to get the power baccckkk.

YSL, thankyou!

A photographer I just stumbled upon, I LOVE this picture he took. (The rest, I'm not too thrilled about)

http://mikhailwassmer.com/

I love when photography gets me excited.

love like money

2009-02-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

So, I finished reading Blue Like Jazz a few days ago, but something keeps popping up into my mind that I want to share.

"Mr. Spencer then asked us about another area in which he felt metaphors cause trouble. He asked us to consider relationships. What metaphors do we use when we think of relationships? We value people... We invest in people, another peson added. And soon enough we had listed an entire white board of economic metaphor. Relationships could be bankrupt, we said. People are priceless. ...... The problem with Christian culture is we think of love as a commodity. We use it like money. ..... I used love like money. The church used love like money. With love, we withheld affirmation from people who do not agree with us, but we lavishly financed the ones who did. ..... I used love like money, but love doesn't work like money. It is not a commodity. When we barter with it, we all lose. When the church does not love its enemies, it fuels their rage. It makes them hate us more."

Anyways, I thought this was such a great way to look at love as we all fall short of loving everyone. Well, he ends the chapter talking about a new way to look at love:

"I replaced economic metaphor, in my mind, with something different, a free gift metaphor or a magnet metaphor. That is, instead of withholding love to change somebody, I poured it on, lavishly. I hoped that love would work like a magnet, pulling people from the mire and toward healing. I knew this was the way God loved me. God never withheld love to teach me a lesson."

Pelvic Thrusts and Tom Selleck Mustaches

2009-02-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

Alex brought this video to my attention, and quite truthfully, I could not just let my eyes enjoy this video.

Especially, Paisley, when you come back we HAVE to learn these moves.

On the brighter side...

2009-02-25T18:06:00.000-08:00

I bought the most succulent, delicious, mouth watering strawberries. Seriously, they must be in season (I never pay attention) because they're the most flavourful strawberries I have EVER tasted. Nature is amazing.

I'm also into this new website where affordable art prints are put up every tuesday night. It's a good way to maybe collect some art and learn about some artist. Even cooler then the pieces costing around $20, the artist chooses some of his profits to go to a charity.

tinyshowcase.com

frustratingggggg

2009-02-25T09:59:00.000-08:00

I've been sorting through my head quite a bit lately and many frustrations have been surfacing.

For one, it is SO hard to see most of my friends out in the world, really living a life of serving. I really wish I could join them, but right now it's the most unopportune time, having to go to college soon.

Another, is Saddleback Church. Okay, so attending there when I was younger and going with my mom through the years, there have always been things that they have said or done that has rubbed me the wrong way, but I have always brushed it off because of course no church is perfect and we all make mistakes, I'm aware of that. So, recently they built a brand new youth center and just take a wild guess how much it cost. ....Cmon, just guess. Okay... 20 MILLION DOLLARS. For ONE building. 20 big ones! Utter insanity! I understand that the church is huge, so obviously the tithes will be generous, especially from the area that we live in, but it's completely unnecessary. Not only that, the pastor of missions has even ran into me while I was leading a missions team and I told him I wanted to do long term missions, yet they won't financially support me one bit. They spend 20 million dollars on one building, but they will not support people who want to go out? It's SO frustrating.

I'm even more frustrated with myself that I really haven't been acting on what I care about and helping others. It's so hard to remember others how I am living today and it's sucks that I really haven't been able to do anything for the kids in Mumbai.

With all this, in the end, I realize how great it is to have grace. And really, I know this sounds completely sappy and from a lame christian book mark, but it's so good to know that no matter what we do, where we are at or what we can or cannot accomplish, God loves us as much as he'll ever love us in this very moment. For me, this is SO reassuring and helps me move on without guilt, but going on to help others not because we are supposed to or that makes me a better person, but simply for the fact that someone else can experience this unconditional love.

okay, venting done.

blue like jazz

2009-02-24T15:03:00.000-08:00

I started reading the book "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. It has some really good points and views in it, I suggest it. Anyways, as I'm reading it, I have this image of the author as a typical granola, christian hippie. I mean, he lives in oregon, went to reed, writes christian books and smokes pipe. I used trusty old google images to see how accurate my judgments were.

Big letdown, he's just so normal.

I wanted to share a few quotes from the book, but I forget where they were written. Maybe I'll go back to it later.

Here's one part in the Author's Note:
"Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself It is as if they are showing you the way."

St. Valentine's Day!

2009-02-17T05:04:00.000-08:00

I flew over to Germany and surprised Alex for this special day! I walked into his living room where he was lying down on the couch and he thought he was going crazy, it was AWESOME. Reall,y he looked like he saw a ghost. It was such a surreal experience and I was SO nervous, I was shaking so much, I almost fainted. Haha, it was great.

So, Germany is COLD. And life can go on again. :)

go love.

I'M SO LAAAAAAME

2009-02-10T01:58:00.001-08:00

I felt a little less awk. posting this on my blog then on Facebook. I think it's such a lame cyberspace fad, but at the same time, I LOVE reading others entries. So here it goes:

25 things you may not know about me. (HAHA)

1. I love fancy things and fashion, but I hate it at the same time. I hate that materialism has such a hold of me when I am home. I wish I could throw all my clothes and things away. I have even contemplated becoming a nun. But, I want to get married and I don't believe in praying to saints. Maybe I just like the Sound of Music too much.

2. I LOVE living in community. I want to just live with my friends, do art and be inspired by eachother. I miss that.

3. I think about Nitis and Bilieka everyday. I love those kids so much, I can't even explain it. I wish I could do something for them help them out. I always feel so guilty about not doing anything for them. I also always think of the Bangle Shop Workers, especially Rosa. All the people in Mumbai hold a special place in my heart.

4. Out of the twenty three months Alex and I have been together, we have spent about 18 apart. :(

5. I havent been to school in over three years! FREEEEDOM.

6. Speaking of school, since I dropped out, people automatically assume that I'm lazy and unintelligent with no ambition. It's kind of annoying. I'm SO thankful that my parents saw how school was really the one failing me and my Dad let me stay home with him instead. Thank God for graceful parents and unconventional learning.

7. I really really have always wanted a dog. I hate those small yappie ones though. Dropkick! (kidding)

8. I have a feeling if I don't end up getting married, I WILL be Liz Lemon.

9. I dont think I really have much in common with people my age. I.E- I dont like partying or "hooking up". I also love listening to k-earth or classical in the car... so lame, I know. I suppose I've always been an odd one. In second grade, my desk and cubby were filled with dirt, rocks and grass because I wanted to save them from children trampling on them. I was also a literal tree hugger.

10. I am proud that I have gotten over my fear of public speaking. Best way to get over it: find out a few hours before that I have to preach in front of a church with a sermon lasting 45-90 mins.. not including translation.

11. I really wanted to get a tattoo for my Dad of one of his paintings, but then I realized if he knew, he would probably just be really mad I even got a tattoo.

12. Speaking of my Dad, I miss him more then I can explain. He was sillier then Will Ferrel and more selfless the Ghandi. I also wish I didn't have such a warped view of "God's will" when he passed. After alot of pain and confusion, I now realize it was NOT God's will that he died and not everything here on earth is God's intention. hallelujah to that..

13. I used to always walk and take the bus everywhere around here. I don't mind it, but I love how everyone in Orange County thinks that's THE WORST thing imaginable. I also wish there was better public transportation here.

14. I don't like when people comment on my fluctuating weight, just like how it annoys me when people ask why I don't model like my sisters. It kind of goes hand in hand.

15. One time I lived in an african village in India. We had a farewell party where the village only had one song on one CD, which was "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira. We ended up dancing to just that song for hours and hours with the whole village. Even the 104 year old gma was dancing. It gets even better. Since it was our last night in the village, we ran out of bottled water, but we were SO thirsty from dancing for hours, we drank from the well and ended up being sick all the next day.

16. I don't like peace signs or peace necklaces. I was in Nordstrom and saw a peace sign necklace for a few hundred dollars. Buying the necklace and having all the proceeds go to a charity, now that would make sense. If you really were an advocate for peace, it would make more sense to donate that to a worthy cause, or help someone in your family or circle of friends out. Then again, who am I to talk...

17. "Live. Love. Laugh" Can we just all agree that it's THE LAMEST quote EVER.

18. One time I accidentally got purple silly puddy stuck under Mittens' (my cat) armpit, so we had to shave it. Another time, my father had the brilliant idea of putting foil on all his paws to make him dance. I used to chase him around the house, just to hug him, he would turn around and chase me until I would start screaming and crying. I bought a Santa beard for him this year. I also love how his middle name is most suited for a woman in her 40's, Carol. Pretty much, I love to hate him and I hate to love him.

19. I can't wait to get married one day!! Not so much about the dress and location and making my bridesmaides feel self conscious in their dresses, but the chance to stand in front of everyone you care about and declare your love and commitment for one person... ah, how beautiful. I've also realized getting married isn't so much to make you happy as it is to make you holy.

20. My parents really were hoping for me to be musically or artistically inclined. I have tried to learn violin, recorder, keyboard and guitar. I was also in singing lessons as well as in choir. My dad also used to try and give me drawing lessons. Oh, what a disaster.

21. One time I spent about a week on a train going across China. It was actually really fun! For instance, we were SO bored, we would go through different cars on the train and tickle people's feet when they were sleeping.

22. I have the most RANDOM family ever and I LOVE it! One time Felicity and I WALKED to the spectrum... it took us over 4 hours. Just the other week, my whole family and I decided to go on the most busy day to Cooks Corner, the local biker bar, just to see what it was like. The best part was EVERYONE stopped and stared at us, it was like in a movie. We left 30 seconds later, with so much shame. My mom also never ceases to suprise me, like one time she came home at 2AM from a bar, smoking hookah.

23. Lessons learned from Tibet: Don't climb mountains if you have asthma like me, or you may almost DIE. DON'T try yak butter tea, no matter how convincing the locals sound. And don't let some guy Wayne take you out for dinner and end up paying 400yen for Yak tongue and yak soup. DO buy as many swords, pipes and jewelry because the rest of China only sells poorly pirated movies.

24. I love the fact that Alex has my second grade school picture in his wallet and tells strangers it's his child.

25. The most proud thing of myself is not even about me. It's about the fact that Felicity was asked to audition for the Pussycat Doll's spinoff band, Girllicious. I'm still not over it.

Alexander & I

2009-02-10T00:19:00.000-08:00

Oh, if only you had a french accent.

kees. kees.

Boy oh boy...

2009-02-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

My mom and I had this huge undertaking the last weekend to clear out or attic. So, going thru everything, I found the two most memorable dolls or my childhood.

Yes, that IS a boy george doll. I've told people that I had one before, but they didn't believe me. I wonder how many other children learned to braid hair on his head of yarn hair as well..

Oh, but it gets even better.

Did I mention my mother was a fan of Boy George in the 80's?

(NOT halloween)

My lesson learned from the day is to be thankful for my mother and the person that she is today. Otherwise she may just look like this:

P.S- Check the doll for a permanent lipstick stain on his forhead.

Well, hello world.

2009-02-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't done this blog thing in a while. I've just been too lazy lately.

Okay, so update. Probably the most exciting thing that has happened to me lately is that LOST started back up again. Jenn and I have been trying to get our hands on jumpuits, so we can be part of the Dharma Initiative, but it has been a lost cause.

For Lost junkies: Okay, so the old lady in the end of the episode talking with Ben. Do you think it is the scientists mother? Or do you think it may be the young girl on the island from the 50's guarding the scientist... or BOTH?? hmmmm.

I tryed once again to sign up for school, but yet again i was too late. ahh, oh well. But, that does mean that I have now until August to do something and I'm SO ready for a change. I really think something big will happen soon, I just feel it in my bones. God has something up his sleeve.

So many people (or more like 4 of my friends) have gone back to India lately which I am sooo jealous of. Even though when I was leaving the country I thought I would never return and it took me 5 months to start eating Indian food again, I really miss it there. Well, I miss the people there. Or, just Nitis and Bilieka. No, I miss all of India actually.

I also have stopped working at Anthropologie. Sorry, Paisley and Felicity, no more discounts. Booo.

Oh, and instead of keeping up and doing yoga everyday, I have traded that in on watching reruns of Arrested Development.
There's SO many good moments to that show, but here's one of my favs.

pitter patter

2009-01-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

The past few nights I've fallen asleep to the sound of rats.
Creeeeepy.

I also read two good books this week

I need a new book now. Any suggestions?

I live in the lamest place in the world.

2009-01-09T12:18:00.001-08:00

Need I say more?

Hooray!

2009-01-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

For a new yearrrrrrrr.

It's interesting to look back on this past year. I have experienced the worst day of my life (in India) and the best week of my life (in New York). I started last year off in Germany with all my lovely friends sclose by, with the tension of outreach right around the bend and ended the year living a completely different lifestyle, back in Orange County with my family at the movies. This past year has brought so many crazy things. I was able to live in three new places: India, Sri Lanka and San Francisco; as well as having suprise travels to Jordan and New York. Ah, some times were SO slow, like this summer living back at home unemployed, but I really have enjoyed this year!

I'm really intruiged to see where life is going to take me this coming year! weeeeeee

twenty five

2008-12-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

Before I die, I want to:

1. Learn underwater photography and get my scuba diving liscence
2. Wake up to open windows on a body of water and start every morning overlooking my view
3. Go to Bhutan, then backpack to the Himilayas
4. Have tea with the Dahli Lama
5. Open my own art gallery
6. Fluently speak German and French
7. Have my work published in National Geographic
8. Appreciate my body
9. Live in a flat in Paris
10. Decorate my house just the way I want it, always with fresh flowers
11. Learn to cook food from scratch
12. Go to a ball or an extremely formal event
13. Own my own darkroom
14. Have my photography hung in the Louvre
15. Wake up every morning to fresh fruit and coffee
16. Have an intimate wedding outside on a warm summer evening
17. Go to Spain for the running of the bulls and the tomato fight
18. Help the people of Evershine Nagar
19. Go on a cruise, maybe even work on one
20. Age gracefully
21. Plant a flower garden
22. Have a dog
23. Try and grow a small fruit orchard
24. Get more intune with God's spirit and live more like him
25. Try and see as much of the world as possible, while making a small impact wherever I end up

I may just have to change my perfume.

2008-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

How did they know to perfectly depict my dream life so well? Flying into the sky with balloons and all..

Break free from Injustice.

2008-12-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

The way of peace they do not know;
there is no justice in their paths.
They have turned them into crooked roads;
no one who walks in them will know peace.

So justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;
for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.

Like the blind we grope along the wall,
feeling our way like men without eyes.
At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;
among the strong, we are like the dead.

We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.

For our offenses are many in your sight,
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities:

rebellion and treachery against the LORD,
turning our backs on our God,
fomenting oppression and revolt,
uttering lies our hearts have conceived.

So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.

Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The LORD looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
Isaiah 59:8-15

This entry is from a girl's blog where she is in Ethiopia teaching. But, I can relate so well to how she describes her experiences and struggles.

"It is easy to see how far off the path the world has strayed from the will of God, how far we have come from the perfect world he created. I cannot imagine seeing all the problems in the world without the hope that God is redeeming it. That he cares deeply about injustice. The poor, the sick, the hungry. To look at the world and not believe he is soveriegn and that the work above all the evil, that in faithfulness you will bring forth justice, you will not falter or be discouraged until he establishes justice on earth. It would be such a hopeless place without faith that someday he is coming back and that until then he wants us to lose the chains of injustice and untie the chords of the yoke, to set the oppression free and break every yoke, to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter, and when you see the naked, to clothe them. These are just some of the passages that help me get through the times of discouragement and overwhelming feelings of smallness and helplessness against the giant problems. I have to remind myself that I am only given myself this one life, these few opportunities to bring good for my life and do something to stop and reserve the evil and injustice that I see going on outside my window each and every day. It's a great reminder and a strong challenge to be able to be spending my life on behalf of the poor and suffering. To really make the most of every opportunity and to seek God's heart with every thought and action. It's a really hard charge he has given us, but bothly I am making harder steps, closer in line with God every day. And luckily, we have this power to rely on every day because it's too much for just me. I know there are so many people doing so much good in this city and all over the world, but it is going to take so much more then we are doing now. I know that I can be doing more, really spending myself on behalf of those in need with the love of Jesus and temperal provisions here on earth. It's harder to avoid thinking about affliction, poverty and injustice when it is looking me in the face 100 plus times a day. Each face makes me question myself. Am I really doing everything I can? Am I making sacrifices that I really feel? Giving of myself so much I can feel? Spending everything I have been given to seek God's purposes accomplished? Or am I holding back? Riding the border between selfishness and selflessness? That makes me think alot about my daily life and my future. Am I bringing the absolute most good I possibly could all the time? What more could I be doing? Am I serving in a place where I can bring the most good for change? Where does God want me? Where does he want me to be? Am I willing and able to go there and be that person? Am I really willing to abandon everything to what God asks for? Serve him and seek him with everything I have? These are just some of my musings and they don't really make any conclusion. But, they are the thoughts that keep me up at night. Whatever conclusions these thoughts lead me to, I know that God is shaking me free. The remaining complacency that is sitting me on the sidelines, just watching the world crumble further and further without stepping out. Giving all, just to stop one more little piece from falling."

I hate hate deforestation. :(

2008-12-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

"Talk to Dove before they destroy Paradise Forests:
greenpeace.org/dove

Unilever, the makers of Dove beauty products, are buying palm oil from suppliers who destroy Indonesia's rainforests. We've got the proof. They're causing forest destruction, species extinction and climate change."

Dove Onslaught(er) from Greenpeace on Vimeo.

It's our responsibility.

Feelin' a little more wise

2008-12-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

I got two wisdom teeth pulled today! Wait, does this mean I am more wise now or my wisdom has been taken from me? Ah, I'm a little dizzy right now. Don't listen to me.

And, I kind of figured how to put two photos together on my mom's old school photo editor system. I need a laptop for my photos to be able to take it a step further though, but it's fun for now!

Zuper Model Docu-men-tary Our.

2008-12-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

I took some pictures of Paisley and Felicity the other day.
Theyre pretty weird. But, here's a taste. I'll post more later.

thanksgiving weekend photos

2008-11-29T17:33:00.000-08:00

Vogue

2008-11-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite models (besides my sisters or course), Catherine McNeil has a spread in Vogue right now. It's quite intimidating considering I'm only a few months younger then her, yet she's one of the most sophisticated models around.

And yes, I still find this really amusing.

Newport Beach

2008-11-24T22:48:00.001-08:00

So by two in the afternoon today, I was still sitting in my bed, bored in my pajamas about to die of boredom. I decided to get out of my house, so I went down to Newport and took pictures.

update

2008-11-20T14:44:00.000-08:00

Recently, life has been quite fun!
1. Alex flew me out as a belated Bday present to NYC to spend a week with him!

2. I celebrated Halloween after two years away! I must say, I love America and our traditions.

3. I'm working at Anthropologie which means 40% off clothes. Woo!

4. To top it all off: 80 degrees in November. I'm more than THRILLED that I don't have to deal with walking through a snowy, wet German forest this winter.

5. BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT ELECT!!! (I almost gave my pity vote to Nader), but I'm so glad I was able to partake in this huuuge landmark in American history.) Don't fret Ralph, there's still 2012.

New photos on Flickr, btw.

ALEX=19.

2008-10-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

Its Alex's Birthday today! ! !

I just wish I was there to share it with him. Last year we were at his home and we took a small plane through Northwestern Germany. Fun! fun!

This year we shall celebrate in the Big Apple!

Boredom has gotten the best of me.

2008-10-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

19.

2008-10-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

So I just celebrated my Birthday, which was really nice. I went to a spa, had my very first massage and facial, also my nails are now painted and my hair was cut not with my kitchen scissors! I feel so grown up!!!

I really want to work on my photography portfolio, but I feel so uncreative!

I think I need to watch Huel Howser to get ideas where to go in California!

Who's up for an adventure!?!?

2008-09-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

I really want to go to Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt this summer for two months.
I think it would be amazing to have a mini-team of a few people just ready to help those in need!

If you are just a tad bit interested, pleeeeaaase talk with me!!

I'm thinking of Ethiopia for a month, help in an orphanage for two weeks then go to Lale's tribe in the bush for 1/2 a month.
After, head to Sudan for two weeks and then Egypt for the remainder of the time.

I'm trying to plan in advance to build a group, so we can all support eachother to raise the money and make it actually happen.

"YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD"
-Gandhi

Holy War.

2008-09-25T22:48:00.000-07:00

Is a Holy War ever really "Holy"?
I am on a quest, you may say, to figure this out.
It is a question I keep asking God... and myself.
What is your view?
And do you know of a book that goes in depth about this?

Dominated.

2008-09-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward riding on die autobahn in the future.

Another feat of the day: waking up before noon.
I haven't experienced an early morning in 6 months.
No joke.

Christian Radio

2008-09-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

I turned on my mom's radio today which was on a Christian talk radio. It caught my attention immediately where this Pastor was speaking on the Bible. His view of the gospels were that they written were as though the writers were reflecting back on what happened and for instance, the gospel of John isn't in chronologial order merely because he didn't remember when everything happened.
Are you f'ning kidding me?!

The authors of the Bible write specifically to the issues of their time.

For example, the first three mircales in the book of John are directly related to the three major gods of Asia Minor, the region John writes his gospel to. Dionysus was the god who turned water into wine, Asclepius was the god of healing, and Demeter was the goddess of bread. John directly begins his story with Jesus turning water into wine, healing, and then feeding thousands of people, he wanted to show those people at that time that Jesus is better then those gods.

THEEEEENNNN
they were talking with another caller about woman's roles in the church and at the end the Pastor said,
"I'm glad you're in the right, by believing in what we believe".

So, since I didn't agree with what they said, does that mean I am in the wrong?

The Bible is a book that is not black and white, it is letters, poems, stories, all breaking down the social and polital barriers of it's time. It's a book that contains many writings throughout history, collected and translated, some stories written down many years later. It has context and background, refrences to the Jewish religion and culture, mistranslations that we need to keep looking at it in a different light.

As GOB would say, "Oh, C'mon!!".

First attempts at Still Life.

2008-09-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

Pornstar Recruiter?

2008-09-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

Driving home today I ended up behind this bro, lifted truck, a
massive bumper sticker across his rear window reading "Hustler" and his license plate
said "Porn star Recruiter, show me what you got".
Disgusted enough, he ends up driving on my tail then pulls right up next to me and makes obscene gestures directly at me while my five year old cousin is sitting in the back seat asking me what he is doing.
AH, I was completely appalled and disgusted I was close to crawl out my car window and punch the chump square in the nose.
To get my way, I just flipped him the bird...
Flight of the Conchords style.

Halloween.

2008-09-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

+

I hooope so!

Recently...

2008-09-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

I have been taking care of my cousin Tatiana. It's a fun job.