2012

I'd never taken the idea of a fresh start to heart until 2012 began and within days, my life was completely different.

I had a new job, I bought new clothes, I could be an entirely new person.

But I wasn't. I'm not.


I still stay up too late. I don't get enough sleep. I was a workaholic, and then I wasn't. I stopped worrying (a little).


I saw San Francisco through new eyes. I ate out a lot and waited countless hours for brunch. I didn't feel guilty one bit.

I met my heroes. Who, I learned, were also just girls making it work. They were genuine and passionate and refreshing.


My heart broke in a new way. I was disappointed in people I trusted. I let it defeat me, for a while, and then I decided I didn't give a fuck.



I took on more shoots and projects. I spent hours with culinary antiques thanks to Ruth and I stayed in a treehouse. I got published.


I lost my favorite ring.

I fell in love with Portland.

My camera reminded me how beautiful my friends are. We discovered places together and they let me take their portraits.

And I made more friends. Different and inspiring in new ways, loving and wonderful all the same.

I got separated from the kitchen and rekindled the love in one big homemade ramen night. Now dinner parties are my dream for 2013.

I spent another birthday away from home. I felt overworked and exhausted but couldn't believe I was on my first "business trip." In New York City, nonetheless.


I shared a lot of meals outside. The weather was forgiving and even inviting.

I ate out too much.


I never got tired of our phở place. I ordered the same thing every single time.


I discovered the central coast. We got a little car sick, but it was beautiful the whole way. Best coast, indeed.

We had a fondue picnic by a lake at sunset.


I only went to the farmers' market once. In Portland. It was the best Saturday.


I traveled when I thought I wouldn't get to anymore. For work and for friends: New York, Portland, Chicago, Portland, Charleston, Portland again, Austin, Florence, Munich, Berlin.


I've never traveled so much in the States. I hope to see more.


I went back home. I walked familiar streets and went to my favorite gelaterias. I've never felt more comfortable speaking Italian. I couldn't believe it.

I had the sweetest boy by my side.


I held the lightest, most pure life in my arms.


I felt most content at golden hour.


I cherished old family and friends and welcomed new ones. I celebrated more. I was thankful. I am thankful.

Thank you, 2012.
2013, I'm ready.

happy, merry

Lately it feels as though I don't have much to say. My thoughts are neither here nor there, they just are. And while I'm perfectly content to sit back and watch my family together eating, laughing, and eating again, I never want to pass up the moment to be thankful.

Happy, merry everything to you and yours.

sunday crabbing

It's interesting to realize that you can go your entire life living somewhere without knowing one of its greatest treasures. I grew up in Pacifica but had no idea what type of fish the fishermen caught on the pier-- let alone that you could go crabbing.

We went one Sunday afternoon. We had, quite possibly, the most inadequate equipment you could use for crabbing but the kind strangers around us gave us tips and even helped get everything set up (you know, like putting the line on the reel). There was one woman who was out there for the first time with her big brother and she was catching fish left and right.

There were two things that I loved the most: first, the community. Even though we had no idea what we were doing and even though we were technically "competition," there were so many people who wanted to help and show us the best way to do everything. They told us that the rod could be better and that the fishing line was too thick ("What were you planning to catch, a whale?"). This and many other gestures of kindness, just because.

Second, the time of day. I've been resentful of the early sunset for the past couple of months but I've never appreciated it more than that Sunday. We came out when it was still bright and even though we were only there for a few hours, we watched golden hour turn into the most vivid sunset on the Pacific.

These pictures aren't enough. It doesn't even matter that we didn't catch a single crab. It was perfect.