Monday Inspiration

Credit: The Holstee Manifesto -  http://shop.holstee.com/

Godmommy & Me Day

I have been wanting to spend the day with  my Goddaughter Corynne for the longest time. Attempt #1 happened two years ago when she was two years old. I got to the house to pick her up and she ran away from me and hid behind Katrina (her mom) - not exactly successful.  It took me two years to recover from the rejection =)  but last Saturday I made my way back to their house for Godmommy & me day, attempt #2.

I was really, really excited to take Corynne to Kid's Space Children's Museum because I still have such great memories of visiting when I was a child.  This time when I got to the house, I was greeted by a giant smile and giggles of anticipation.  She was so excited!  The funny thing about that is that her mother told her that she was just going to spend the day at my house, yet and still she was ready and rearin' to go.

The drive was a long one, but after 1,253 "are we there yets," we pulled into the Kid's Space parking area and I let Corynne know that we weren't going to my house because we were going to a surprise place instead. She gasped in excitement and I knew this was going to be great.

There were cars everywhere.  What I failed to realize in advance, was that the Gold Cup soccer match between the US and Mexico was taking place next door, the same day, completely crushing my super fun plans. Kid's Space was closed. I immediately panicked. "What are we going to dooo? What do 4 year olds like to do? I don't have toys at my house! She'll be bored senseless!"  In my mind, attempt #2 was quickly turning into a FAIL.

Fun with Sebastian

I called my sister for ideas, then I called Katrina, but of course, no one answered. Then I tried to think about where I like to go on Saturday mornings and Target was the first thing to come to mind.  I asked Cory if she wanted to go to Target and you would have thought I said Disneyland! Haha. Yep, she's a child after my own heart :)

We stopped at Denny's for lunch, then Target for a Dora the Explorer book and frozen popsicles and we spent the rest of the day driving from my apartment to my sister's house and back, watching movies, braiding doll hair and playing with my kitties.  I was pooped by the time the day ended but I had so much fun entertaining the little one.  Thankfully, the day turned out to be a great success after all.  Cory says next time she's staying with me for three days and then we'll go to her "surprise." Sounds like a plan to me, kid.

My Voyage to Little India

I'm not much for blogging these days but I hope this changes in the near future.  I think the process of writing my thesis has zapped most of my desire to write. FYI, this is why you might find me posting more pictures than words these days.  But I still feel the need to document life as I know it, while it's still mine.

It's been a long time coming but...MY GRAD PROGRAM IS OVERRR and I couldn't be happier!! I feel freer than I've ever felt before and I plan on taking advantage of every moment.  I've taken on quite a few photography gigs lately and I hope to continue honing in on this craft until I have completely mastered it.  

I photographed my neo (sorority sister) a while back at Venice Beach and I was really pleased with the photos.  She was a fantastic model and she is extremely creative so when she asked me to take photos of her again this year, I couldn't say no.

Friyana has some great ideas for this upcoming photoshoot and I am sooo excited to see how this all develops.  In preparation for the shoot, we went on a shopping trip today to Artesia, which I now know as "Little India."  Before today, I couldn't even tell you in what direction Artesia was or if it was even a part of LA County.  (Currently adding "explore LA" to my list of "things to do now that you've graduated.")

Shopping for treasures!

Trying on wedding jewelry

I LOVE learning about different cultures so I had the best time today as Friyana introduced me to various sari styles, maang tikkas (forehead ornaments), finger ring bracelets and traditional Indian wedding jewelry.  We went from store to store and each one possessed a little something different than the last.  We ended the afternoon at cute little restaurant where I ate dosa and had my first Limca (soda). Let me just say that it was delicious and I wish I had one right now. :)

Stay tuned for this photoshoot. I just know it's going to be amazeballs!

Ready to eat my dosa (the delicious thing that looks like an extra large pancake) and Limca!

"It's amazing how little you can know about a culture when there is so much of it around you."  -me

Late night Target run

Sunchips, frosted circus cookies, popcorn, cereal and pancake mix. This is what happens when I shop hungry.

FYI, thee best choco milk ever!

I try to limit myself to two bottles a year because I WILL chug this stuff faster than the average bear...but it's just so good!