I think I still have sand in my bag!

I just got back from Glamis, my very first 'sandy' trip! I spent 4 days out there with Dave, the family and family friends. Gotta tell ya, at first, I did not know what to think of the desert, 'very outdoorsy' as my friend Laurie described when I told her my Holloween weekend plans. lol. I love the outdoors but I have always chosen to be outdoors by the water-streams, river, lake and ocean- but DESERT? mmmm..I don't know.

But because of Dave's enthusiasm and convition about how much fun I will have, I packed our bags and we loaded up our car.

I have always heard stories from my sand loving friends about Glamis, but not until I saw it  'in action' I was amazed. The algodones dunes are HUGE! Everyone brought out their toys to the desert, dune buggys, quads, mortorcycles...

So I rode in dune buggys, learned how to ride a quad with Dave, and rode my first dune! :)

Thank goodness for the showers in the mobile homes. ;)

We sat by the camp fire, made smores, played games, embraced the company of our friends and family, we made wishes to dozens of shooting stars...what a great experience, what an amazing trip.




*Videos are to come, of course! But the taste test and planning for the reception D'oeuvres waiting for me this month, i probably won't be able to edit all the raw clips.

Whooray for how blessed I am to be close to all the amazing places to visit in So Cal! Snow season is coming up- Lake Tahoe, here we come in December!

 

" It takes two to create beauty, and not only in the play of light and shadow, of color, and contrast; or most delightfully of fashion and flesh- it takes two beings-one poses, another who snaps." ~Sports Illustrated 2008~


As I have mentioned in my interests, I enjoy photography very much, both behind and in front of camera.  If we only get to live this life once, as we make the very best out of it, improving our body and soul- why not record all of that, through photography? It is the same as blogging, writing and vlogging.

Coming from a very conservative, traditional Asian culture, one of the big no no's for my family is for their kids to even think about modeling. As a kid, I've always picked and chose the sort of traditional values I wanted to follow and the outdated ones I'd like to break. I attended my first photo shoot about 4 years ago, and then on and off through out the years. As a newbie, my in front of the camera skills, were, uh, very raw.

Expressions, body language, lighting, holding a position, composure, message-all that changes between every flash.

Through out this modeling journey, I can say that I've learned a lot about boundaries and myself. Although, I know the society (or my family) has its own opinions about modeling, I have to say that I am glad that I have taken on this journey. Notably, I have also met some of the most talented photographers; make up artists and most beautiful models (inside and out!).

I can see my growth whenever I go through my old and new pictures. Sometimes I am like," WHAT WAS I THINKING?" and sometimes I can tell I am completely uncomfortable in the picture. Ha Ha. I remember I was told many times by different people that modeling, in a way, is to pose the most uncomfortable poses, and make them look natural and comfortable. That always stuck with me. Posing uncomfortable poses I got it down, now I just have 'look' comfortable. :P

 

 

 

I once read a response on Gaia about maturity. It said that maturity is transparency. It got me thinking about how ‘transparent' I wanted to be, or should be. I do maintain a certain level of privacy online, but mostly, I think I do share a lot about my thoughts and experiences. However, I stopped sharing so much of the modeling side of me for the fear of, how what is art to me at the moment, can be easily misread by someone else. Or maybe I was shying away from judgment.

 

But who is a better judge than myself? 

 

 

As of earlier this year, I took a long break from photo shoots. I found that I had other aspects of my life that I wanted to work on and a few new foundations I wanted to build and strengthen. I am glad I did- now I have a better sense of who I am and what I want-I am hopeful that it will show through the lenses.

 

Last week was my first photo shoot in many many months. We shot in studio and on location in San Diego. Busy downtown, I almost forgot how awkward it could be shooting in public with people watching (as they talked about in the video above). I am utterly excited about the images and concepts from that shoot (Stephen Akers Photography rocks!)- I truly believe that shoot captured my growth in the past few months as a person.

 

With that said, I also record my journey here:

 

www.modelmayhem.com/358483

These are pictures before the break. I am hopeful to have the new pictures up in two to three weeks.

 

Here's to all who stays true to him/herself. Cheers to photography, self-realization, and the courage to grow.  

I have been given a lot more conscious thoughts into the law of attraction, and I am affirming that my reality is exactly what I have manifested, in all areas of my life, but especially in my love life, past and present.

I have been going through my experiences I labeled my memories, and each one of my past relationships really played a major role in what I thought I needed and attracted at the time- intentionally or unintentionally.

I'm going to write more about it in my later blogs, but just wanted to affirm once again to the power of law of attraction. My consciousness is the creator of my universe. My reality is my manifestation.

Motherhood. :)

Some of my closest friends are experiencing motherhood. My bestfriend Ashley has just given birth to a beautiful little girl, Kelly Ann; and my friend Raquel also had her second little boy, Owen. I have enjoyed the new pictures of their babies online-gosh, what a beautiful blessing they must be experiencing!

I am not rushing to experience motherhood just yet, a beautiful milestone to look foward to, for now, I am loving being Auntie Sandy. :)

Getting some pratice, not bad!

Here's to you, what's going on in your life since we last really 'talked' and catch up?

1. Do you still live at the same place?

2. Taken any vacation lately? Where did you go? Had a good time?

3. Any new blogs, online journals, videos, pictures you've posted and I should check out?

4. Are you single, met someone, in a relationship, engaged, married?

5. How's work?

6. How are the kids? (considering I have more and more friends with kids now!)

7. How's your love?

8. Holiday plans?

9. Any big future plans coming up? Are you thinking about a vacation soon? Plans to change? New goals? Projects you are working on or planning? Changing your diet?

10. a book you are currently reading or listening to, that you would recommend?

11. New amazing restaurants I should know about?

12. Somethings you are most excited about lately?

13. Major changes you've made in your life lately?

14. Places you want to check out, but haven't?

15.What's been on your mind?

I know nothing beats face to face interaction...but for those who live out of town and those with quite a schedule....I'd really like to know what you are up to lately.  :)

Re-post this bulletin with your answers so your other friends can 'catch up' with you as well, and of course, I will be sure to check out your re-posts!!

always,
Sandy

Melting in the palm of your hands

Tingling finger tips

Working your hands down my back, pressing and releasing,

each breath,

with the motion of your hands, and your heartbeat,

pulling the strings of my soul, dancing.

We are one, we declared.

Brushing my fingers down your back, I whispered.. I believe.
 
So thankful for your love, soul, and touch.