Still standing still

Photography is my therapy. It just makes me feel right. I don't shoot enough, and even more I don't post enough of what I do photograph. Hope that changes. Here's some images from last weekend.

Paris 09: Marche Marche Marche... A

I think I read somewhere that open air markets originated in Paris. Maybe I'm mistaken, maybe not. But these are everywhere, everyday. This particular one is the market at Bastille. Consider it your neighborhood farmers market on crack. A long strech of a fresh produce, seafood, cheese, eggs, and everyhting inbetween, including buttons.

Paris 09: Going to the Chapel

For a long time I never understood why my mom and my aunt felt the need to visit every church we passed whenever we took a trip to Europe... or anywhere. Isn't it all the same? Altar, candles, artwork, shrine?



I later learned that visiting churches was something my mom and my aunts and uncles did as kids growing up in the Philippines. On special holy days, they would go from church to church in their neighboorhood and adjacent areas. My grandparents were very adamant about this and made sure they received (or asked for?) their blessings.







Take a seat. These chairs were in about 90% of the churches we visited. An intresting contrast to the church pews we sit in every Sunday.





It took me awhile to get into taking pitcures when we first arrived in Paris. It wasn't really until we got inside the Notre Dame Cathedral that I was enthused about shooting away. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was the light or lack thereof. Or the fact I knew I wouldn't get separated from my cellphone-less family. Or was it because everyone else in there was a foreigner just like me?

Paris 09: Bonjour

I've been back for a week now. Finaly sorting thru hundreds of photos. Here is day one. We had a very early start and did a lot. After day one I thought we had seen it all. My body sure felt that way. We covered a lot of ground on foot, something our Los Angeles spoiled feet were not used too initially. But I loved not having to drive anywhere and I miss the walking.















We paid a visit to the world famous Laduree. I have to say I was unimpressed with their store space. It was very dark in there. Their packaging, however, is awesome. I love every box they have. Their macarons on the other hand? La Maison du Pain wins. The cookie wasn't crisp enough, too soft for me. Though that might be the Parisian preference. I'm also going to have to favor Piere Hermes macarons over Laduree. No pictures of the Piere Hermes cookies, they didn't make it to their photoshoot, thats a good sign.

what a friday.

since i will be away on my birthday, the boyfriend took me out to celebrate early. korean bbq. yum. we tried a place both of us had never been to. he made a reservation for 7:30. reservation? it didnt seem necessary when we pulled into the parking lot. but when we walked inside, it was packed. only one open table and it was ours.


i thought their menu was interesting. pictures plus explanations of the side dishes. ive been eating korean bbq forever and i dont even know all those dishes. and it might be the first time ive seen "korean bbq 101" in a menu.


yum yum. i didnt eat much of it because i was too excited for all the other stuff.


steamy jap chae. i love this.




it was a challenge to take good pictures when i was too busy eating and my hands were greasy. overall it was good place. the people were really nice. hostess super friendly. waitress was cool too. we got seated right next to the tv and ncaa bball was on. so that was a huge plus to the bf. awesome bday dinner. followed by cupcakes and ice cream. no pictures of that just a smile on my face. thank you boyfriend. soowan galbi we shall meet again.


it was a great ending to a friday, especially when it started like this. a leaky ceiling in the studio. it was a mess. we had to throw away so much. first day of spring. spring a leak. spring cleaning.

junk not in your trunk.

as i drove to work this morning, i was surprised by a load of stuff in the alley behind the studio. clearly the stuff had just been placed out there. i dont think it would last over night. and by the look of things, i don't think they were meant to be there.

by late afternoon, a woman was in the alley as well. she looked equally surprised her belongings were out there. she sat nearby in her denim shorts and brown boots, stressfully checking her cellphone.


i was too much of a sissy to talk to her. anything can happen in a pico boulevard alley. then again anything can happen in l.a.

Happy Patryze's Day

we had our usual 20 deep family dinner in celebration of her un-teen birthday. welcome to the club.

mmm... caaaaaake.


we ran into this cutie on our way out of the grove.