moving on

I'm both excited and a bit sad to say my blog is moving over to a new platform. I don't mean to get all nostalgic, but Blogger was a great way for me to share my thoughts and photos for the past 4+ years. I'll still be writing about the same things with the same blog name, I'll just be over at celestenoche.com/blog instead.

Hope to see you there!

the end of the ranunculus

This time last week I couldn't even pronounce ranunculus. I still might not be saying it right. That's not the point.

I wanted to take a picture of these beauties but they were in a vase that didn't match, in a spot with poor lighting, and in an overall inconvenient spot to take photos. So I borrowed a new vase, found a spot by a window, and as I began transferring them over they began to fall apart.

You can see where the petals are starting to wilt, that they're taking their final breath, and one poor bulb just started shedding petals no matter how I held it. The point I'm trying to make but haven't really reached is that these pictures were work. Not a lot, but they certainly weren't effortless. Almost nothing is (nothing that matters, anyway).

I thought about it and tried to make it work but the final product didn't match what I'd imagined. The funny thing is, I think I like them better this way.

only for today

My grandmother would have been 89 today.

I have a small envelope of some of her things. Miscellany, mostly. Notes, a pocket mirror, church brochures, a bobby pin. There's also a small stack of worn cuts of binder paper. You can tell they were held and read over and over-- she hand wrote about a dozen prayers and would read from these throughout the day.

I miss her. Her delicate cursive is so telling of who she was. They make me cry so I try not to look into this envelope too much.

But today, it's okay. Happy Birthday, Mama Hely. Mahal kita.

the new year

The very first day of this new year was spent half watching Parks & Recreation and half sharing a homemade dinner with new friends. I've made no resolutions except to do the best I can each day.

So far, this has led to cooking more, writing more, testing a new set of watercolors, and planning birthday surprises. And more Parks & Recreation (Leslie is my new idol).

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.