With One Eye Shut...

Kameron and Architecture in Seattle WA - August 2009

2009-09-30T00:20:00.000-07:00

Kameron chilling with his favorite Auntie and his three buddies - Zoe, Casey and Lucy.

The first Starbucks at Pike Place Market.

The lobster tails are huge!

Awww, almost got a shot of the fish in mid-air at the infamous Pike Place Fish Market.

Kameron is too cool to poise for the camera with mommy Karen, daddy Ken and aunties Michelle and Susan.

The Space Needle peaks above Frank O. Gehry's Experience Music Project.

A vortex of guitars takes center stage inside the 140,000 sq. foot building.

A large digital screen projects graphics dancing to music.

The entrance and "blob" shapes of the building.

Kameron takes in the scenery on the "Flash Gordon" monorail to the EMP.

The exterior shapes symbolizes the energy and fluidity of music.

Travel buddies - Susan, Michelle, Trish, Brett, Sonia and Danny.

Pork anyone?

Little Kameron having fun with daddy Ken!

Visited the Seattle Central Library in downtown by architect Rem Koolhass. At 412,000 sq. feet and a price

tag of $165 million, it has the capacity for 1.4 million books and 400 computers.

Level three provides a "living room" type of space for patrons to gather and read.

With ceilings as high as 40 feet, the Reading Room on level ten seats 400 patrons.

The diamond-shaped steel and glass skin boosts 10,000 panels of glass. To keep out heat and glare inside

the building, a barely visible thin aluminum mesh is encased between two panes of glass in areas that

receive the most direct sunlight.

Stopped by Seattle Univeristy to check out the chapel by architect Steven Holl.

Interior of the main sanctuary.

Mommy Karen and little Kameron by the Baptistry.

A "light vessel" by the choir, one of many through out the chapel.

Looking through the entry doors at the reflecting pool and bell tower.

Finished off the weekend with brunch at Coastal Kitchen, located in the Capital Hill district of Seattle.

Kameron showing off his talents with a linguini mustache at Elliott's Oyster House.

On the way home I got a great view of Mount Rainier, which stands at 14, 411 feet.

Summer in New Zealand: Week 3

2009-03-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Sophia's 9th Birthday! She requested an angel food cake with fresh berries,

which was proudly made by her mum!

YEEAAHH! Personal pizzas for all the birthday guests. Pineapple and bacon

were among the favorite toppings. Yes, it was a lot of work for mommy Enaj!

Sophia's little toes and my mosquito bitten foot step onto the beach at Lake Taupo.

After visiting a glass shop in town, we all took a dip in the refreshing lake, renowned for trout fishing.

Driving back through Tongariro National Park, the sun settles behind Mt. Ruapehu, which is one of the

world's most active volcanoes.

Cheers! Here's to auntie Stella who made a chicken curry with green beans. Notice the Tabasco bottle?

Had to spice up the dish after the fact, couldn't make it too spicy for the little Kiwis.

Make a funny face if you want dessert! I think Sophia wins this one.

Awww, little Carter didn't like the water. Good thing Dad is around to carry him!

It was warm and sunny at the beach, the winds were roaring across the Tasman Sea. The kids loved the

water, but we all could of done without the sand flying into our eyes!

I love the country...this is a stand in front of a house where one can purchase fresh eggs, honey and

vegetables on the honor system.

Deven, Sophia, Georgia and James demonstrate the "hand" signals of the Pee Wee Kiwi Campbell Street

gang of Wanganui - West side.

Everyone hold up their Tamagotchi's!

With mastery and precision, Deven cooked me up a delicious omelet!

Carter giving me a nonchalant kiss in the morning. He's more interested in looking good for the camera!

Sophia, Deven and Georgia braved the 800+ steps up Durie Hill to see the views of Wanganui and its river.

Deven and I climbed up Durie Hill Tower, a memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers of WW1 from Wanganui.

Sophia and Rick check out the panoramic views of Wanganui.

View of Wanganui, looking west towards the Tasman Sea.

Oh, what to do with my leftover New Zealand money? Okay, candy for everyone!

As I sat in the plane before take-off, I snapped a photo of my beloved New Zealand family as they waved goodbye.

After being home in LA for a couple of weeks, I received this drawing from my niece. I love the curly-Q runway,

the family waving goodbye and my little head looking out of the plane's window. The only thing missing were

the tears running down my face. Yes indeed, I'll be back...

Presenting the Kiwi Bunch!

Enaj, Carter, Rick, James, Alice, Deven, Stella, and Sophia.

Summer in New Zealand: Week 2

2009-01-16T01:36:00.029-08:00

Packed up the kids and went camping at Kaitoke Regional Park, which was the filming location for

Rivendell and the Fords of Isen in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Set up tents by the river and went tramping

in native bush forest, which is filled with fern trees - a national emblem of New Zealand.

Mom watching over Carter as he fights through the jungle to save his auntie Stella!

Deven shows off his latest acquired artwork - a temporary site installation

via SPF 30 - by his buddy James.

James and Deven conquer the river, but despite their efforts, sandflies are abound! But the crystal clear water

and bright, warm sun made it a perfect day.

Deven demonstrates his cannonball jump into the refreshing Pakuratahi River.

Sophia manages to find a comfortable spot in the Pakuratahi River, which drains into the larger Hutt River.

Deven, Rick and Carter stand on a swing bridge over the Hutt River, which provides most of the municipal

water for Wellington.

Snuggled up in a sleeping bag, Sophia sleeps with her eye's partially open...or is she awake and spying on me

with her little tiger?

Roasted Leg of New Zealand Lamb! Made with garlic, lemon and rosemary - not too shabby for a first time try.

The family enjoying a home made dinner of roasted lamb, smashed red potatoes, broccoli and of course some vino!

Sophia and I made some delicious peanut butter cookies.

After a morning run, I saw Carter awake in his parents bed through the window.

Summer in New Zealand: Week 1

2009-01-04T23:25:00.017-08:00

After a 12-hour flight from LA to Auckland, I boarded a 12 person plane for an hour

flight to the river town of Wanganui to visit my sister and her family. The town is

located on the west coast of the North Island, about 7 hours south of Auckland.

My first day with the kids: Carter-2, Deven-10, and Sophia-8. I arrived on a sunny New Year's Eve day

and being with the kids made it one of the best yet!

Little Carter fell asleep at a picnic outing on New Year's Day.

The other kids, Sophia, James, Mika, and Deven had heaps of fun climbing trees via New Zealand style...barefoot!

Sophia and her adopted auntie Alice, who is a glass artist and the hip mother of James.

The day after New Year's Day is a holiday in New Zealand, so we had a bbq at the house. Carter approves

of the sausage-on-a-stick and being surrounded by the women of Wanganui: Mom - artist extraordinaire,

Alice - a glass artist, Sheila - a painter and her mother April - a ceramicist.

Me and the little one. When he isn't sucking on his index and middle finger, his favorite word for

EVERYTHING is Nooooooo!

Sophia couldn't resist the last little bit of pink marshmallow on her cheek.

Even in summer it rains, but the kids make it fun and entertaining during an outing to the farmer's market.

Uuuugh! Carter struggles as he attempts to open up a tin box from the wrong side.

But he doesn't know it and he just looks so stinking cute!

National Protest Against Prop 8

2008-11-16T13:57:00.081-08:00

With the unfathomable passing of Prop 8, which denies same-sex couples from lawful marriage, opponents

have been striking back with several protests. I joined the forces on Saturday, November 15 and marched

with fellow Angeleans to fight for equality and battle bigotry.

My buddies Minh & Ted marching in the Prop 8 protest and recently "tied the knot" on Nov. 3, 2008.

Seriously, WTF Cali?

Hundreds of protesters emerge from the Metro red line at Civic Center station near City Hall. Metro authorities

let us ride for free and with every station stop, people cheered as other protesters came on board. We were stuffed

in like sardines, but well worth the trouble!

In tandem with other marches around the nation through "Join the Impact", thousands of gays, lesbians,

straights and families took to the downtown streets to show their solidarity to overturn Prop 8.

Touche!

Double touche!

"And blacks down in the South had their own drinking fountains." I overheard this response when someone

said that gays & lesbians have civil unions. In other words, offering a separate contract is NOT equality,

especially when a marriage license is sanctioned by the state, which has a constitutional responsibility

to not discriminate against race, color, creed, religion, sex...

Despite the +90 degree heat, thousands of protesters marched together peacefully in downtown LA

before heading north through Chinatown.

Equality for All. Overturn Prop 8!

Scenes of Winter and Spring - Bay City, MI

2008-06-10T19:31:00.018-07:00

The polar bear plunge in Tawas, along Lake Huron.

Late afternoon sunlight on a home in the westside.

Ice fishing on the Saginaw Bay.

Fish shanties dot the ice near Independence Bridge.

A spring sunset on Veterans Memorial Bridge.

A swan in a field of melting ice.

Aplin Beach along the Saginaw Bay.

A backyard view of Aplin Beach.

One-week-old spring bunnies.

Save the Saginaw Bay!

Fishing poles frame downtown Bay City along the Saginaw River.

Fishing for walleye in the Saginaw Bay.

Little piglets on a farm in Kawkawlin, MI.

Bowling in Bay City, MI

2008-06-10T19:10:00.013-07:00

Yes, I went bowling so now I'm officially a Bay Citian. One cannot live in Bay City, MI and not bowl.

Thanks to Scott Pacheco (now in Miami) and Ryan Stanton, writers at The Bay City Times, for

organizing the weekly Wednesday night bowling at Washington Lanes. I even broke 100, once. Extra

thanks to fellow photo intern Adrianne Bonafede for taking this excellent photo with my Fuji Instax Mini.

Caught in the act.

2008-06-10T18:44:00.010-07:00

I came home one day and found Ella sound asleep on the futon couch. She looked so sweet and innocent.

I stood in front of her for a bit and took some photos. The clicking sound woke her up and she gave me

her guilty doggy look and then quickly scampered off. No punishment given here, just cherishing all the

moments I can get with my 13-year-old goldie.

Missing my Kiwi family - Oct 2007 photos.

2008-06-10T17:23:00.009-07:00

Little Sophia.

Sleepy Carter.

Stopped off at Opunake Beach on the way to New Plymouth.

Deven & Sophia at Opunake Beach.

Winery in Hawke's Bay.

Deven & Sophia at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth.

Carter's first haircut.

Rainbow in the backyard, Wanganui.

Lee/Baum Family at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth.

My Ella

2008-04-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

Enjoying an afternoon nap with her favorite ducky!