Bringing it back to life.

I don't fly like paper, or get high like planes. But I have been, MIA. It's not because I don't want to blog, or I banned myself from the internet (that's just crazy!) but my life has been ummm...how do I put this properly. "Well, I don't have one."

Chris and I moved last weekend to a fabulous apartment in Nob Hill. AT&T couldn't come and install the internet until Thursday. I cried about it. Fa real. When Chris told me, I said "But how am I suppose to blog?" AT&T doesn't care and couldn't give us an earlier appointment. Trust me internet, I shook my head and fist.

But besides not having internet, my life consists of: Getting up, going to work, going to the gym, going home to unpack, and going to sleep. It's been like that since Monday and I've never felt so dead in my entire life. That's until Thursday. I sat in my office with an hour to go and a headache that made me want to cry to my Mom. But I sat there feeling the need to be alive. So I went home, I picked up my camera, and I cardioed (I know thats not a word, but whatever) myself up and down and up some more of the hills surrounding our neighborhood with my camera. It was the only moment this week that I did something I truly wanted to do. Something that made me smile. It made my heart happy like a little dancing leprachaun. I finally felt alive.

Below are some of the snapshots I took of our new neighborhood.

This is one of the reasons I love our new place. Our view from the rooftop.

I love the next series.

Left: Our Lobby

Center: Grace Cathedral (Just up the block)

Right: My favorite Hotel on California St., The Mark Hopkins

And this...this is one of my favorite street photos I've ever taken. This is Chinatown.

We've still got a lot of unpacking to do, but once it's all done I'll post photos of our new place. We have these big bay windows in our bedroom and living room that pours in the most amazing light.

But until then, I promise I will blog more. I look forward to March because it's my birthday month, engagement sessions, and a special shoot next Sunday. Then April begins my wedding season for this year! So much to look forward to!

Happy Saturday!

143.

I opened the door, and to my surprise found a box along with sunflowers. You were nowhere to be found until you decided it was time to reveal yourself. I was shocked, excited, and most of all happy. Happy that you showed up unannounced. Happy that you brought sunflowers, and happier that the box contained cupcakes. We'd been only dating a couple of weeks. But it was then, at that moment, I knew I loved you.

I didn't tell you this at the time. But i'll tell you now, and for the rest of our lives. I love you.

Je t'aime. Mahal Kita. Wo ai Ni. I love you.

To many more laughs, moments, and love.

Happy Valentines day my love!

GJ

*Photo by Michelle Ocampo Photography

Wedding Wednesday: Venue

This one time, I promised that I wouldn't show anyone what my wedding dress looked like because I wanted everyone to be surprised. I swore this while I was in it. Then, this other time I ended up sending at least 12 people the picture of it. I officially suck at keeping promises to myself.

So tonight, when I was trying to decide what little portion of our big day to share, I realized that I don't want to share anymore details about our wedding because I want people to be surprised. But knowing me, in 2 weeks, i'll probably share with you what our favors will be, but it's not my fault that I'm so excited. So excited that I just have to share with the world ;)

Anyways, tonight I thought I'd share our venue. Our little gem of a venue located on a hill in Sonoma. I remember the first time Chris and I ever went, I headed straight for their wedding table set-up and I thought to myself "This would be an incredible place to get married" And I'm so happy to have that thought come true!

I took this photo during my first trip there :) But this is only a small part of the place. You should see the view, our reception area, the barrel room, and everything else about it. I love it, and I can't wait to get married there! Almost 9 months left to go!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, Monday, Monday.

Cue Natasha Bedingfield's Unwritten...

SO today, I felt like Lauren Conrad. My life was an episode of the Hills except without the drama, Speidi (Thank God), crazy Kelly Cutrone demanding that I can only wear black, and an internship at Teen Vogue. What I did get was a beginning to a 12 week internship for the fabulous JdV Hospitality. I know it's not teen vogue, but whatevs. For 12 weeks, I'll be immersing myself in all things Operations, Sales, and Food and Beverage. Then in May, my parents will get just what every parent would like for their child, a college diploma.

I'm excited for all of the things that I'll be learning within the upcoming weeks. At one point in my life, this was what I wanted to do. It was my dream. Be a business woman in downtown San Francisco. Sit behind a desk and sell hotel rooms/plan events. But today, when I sat in my big leather chair, in my cubicle, hearing only the sounds of people typing and phones ringing, all I wanted to do was connect. Connect with my clients. Connect with my camera. Connect with those that love.

Don't get me wrong. Though one was a dream of my past, at 23 years old, I am grateful to be able to say that I've experienced \do my dream jobs. It's truly something that I am grateful for.

In other news, I met with my fabulous graphic designer Shelley Szudera. She's been working on my branding and sent me some mock-ups last week. I knew she was great, but i LOVED what she created for me. Tonight, we met to talk about making last minute edits to my logo and my brand in general. I love Shelley because she knows just what I want, and delivers that and more. I am so excited for it all to come together, and even more excited to show you the final product. I'm working on a new blog, and a new website so please stay tuned for that.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Follow your heart

I've been looking at my old blog a lot lately. A blog that contains entries from last year. Entries from the open book that was my heart, filled with chapters of passion, love, and a zest for life. An open declaration of my life at the time of realizing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and what I wanted my life to be...

This weekend, I sat in a cafe with that same heart. Except this time it was with more passion, more love, and extra zest. I left feeling like I made the best decision in the world, because in reality I did. Though I'm still at the beginning of my journey, I can look back with no regrets. I know that I've made the right turns, even with the bumps that I've encountered, and the many more I'm sure I'll come across. But when your heart knows where to go, and you don't give up, you'll get to the destination just fine.

To the many dreamers out there just like myself...a dream is just the beginning. And eventually one day, it will all be reality. When your heart speaks to you with intensity, don't ignore it. When the little spark inside of you feels like it's going to burn out, light it again. Trust in what you are, believe in what others believe you can do, and most of all, follow your heart.