My First Wedding Gig

The slideshow is up!!!

& Jack Johnson makes anything 100 x's more enjoyable!

Disclaimer: only a small percentage of these shots were taken by yours truly. Marco is amazing and I have much to learn from my sensei!

*I think I'm decent with still shots, but I really need more practice with moving subjects.

Challenge Me, Mold Me

I'm not saying I'm a perfect christian... I'm a sinful being & simply want to become more God-fearing...

"The end is only the beginning".... I love how optimism is instilled in this quote. Tonight was the last gathering of my women's small group. The support, friendship, & love that was established has been truly amazing~ I mean, I feel so close to them & I've only known them for 10 months! I'm tremendously grateful to have these beautiful (both inside & out) sisters in my life.

I found so much growth through WSG! If you know anything about me, it has been a struggle getting plugged into a church. Luckily, I was able to find a "home" at CPC... one of the BEST decisions I've made!

I felt so fortunate to have Leilani & Rhonda (HAHA!!) lead the group. I found the discussions to be very insightful~ and honestly, it was incredibly interesting to understand the book of Genesis on a deeper level. I've heard the stories before, but now we were able to make connections, understand the symbolism, and found a way to make it more applicable to our lives.

Sooooo, I also sweated bullets tonight (I got so nervous and HOT! lol)... why? It was the first time someone challenged me to co-lead a bible study. I didn't think I was "holy moly" enough to do so & I simply didn't have the confidence to lead... but I realized, it wasn't about that. I was only asked to be a vessel...

Some interesting highlights:

• These comforts (knowing that God will never give up on you, God uses broken and failed people) without challenges can lead to laxity, but the challenges without the comforts are crushing!!! I believe this to be soooo true!!!

• The more we see how weak and undeserving we have been, the more his patience, love, and grace shine out and cause us to wonder.

• God can call faithful and Godly people (because essentially, we are ALL sinners) to endure terrible suffering. Some say it can be painful and destructive; others say it can lead us into a life of greater usefulness, greater growth, and most of all greater JOY. An obedient life does not move us into a suffering-free life nor a life of greater comfort- I believe it just opens up our eyes.

• As we look at Him and rejoice in what He did for us, we will have the joy and hope necessary - and the freedom from idols and pseudo-securities -  to follow the call of God when it is dark and difficult. Trust. In. Him.

• You are more sinful than you dared believe, but more accepted than you dared hope. I get the chills from this one!!! haha

art in the streets, geffen contemporary @ MOCA

I took a LOT of pictures while at the exhibit! lol 

To spare your eyes from fatigue (& time!), here are a select favorites from the day.

artist: andre
i LOVED the pink!! haha~
he tagged up all the stall doors too!

artist: unknown
so clever~~

artist: risk

side mirror of risk's bus

artist: os gemeos

artist: jr
notice how HUGE his piece is and how detailed his work is!!
incredible!!!

artist: jr
some parts were glued over plexiglass... some just dangled like curtains

artist: banksy!!!!!!

detail shot!

artist: banksy

(read the small print) haha!

i was so happy to see his artwork on display... i danced~
haha! don't judge =P

artist: banksy
fish sticks & ketchup!!

artist: banksy
i adore this one~ innocently yearning.

artist: banksy

artist: banksy

artist: banksy

artist: banksy

artist: banksy

artist: banksy

artist: banksy

artist: banksy
so creative!

artist: banksy
i loved how a father was giving his daughters a history lesson while examining this piece

artist: banksy

artist: banksy & several art students

artist: banksy
crayon machine gun!

artist: banksy
naively, dangerously in love

cosmic cavern closet fun
there was SO much going on in here!!

cosmic cavern closet fun

"street"

"street"
an antique ink bottle!

artist: I forget =P
I love how it looks like a splotch of ink

old school & new school spray paint!
check out the vintage cartoon drawings~

artist: lady pink
i love how she used a woman's body as a canvas.

artist: henry chalfant

artist: roa
the doors would swivel open to reveal either the skeletal or digestive systems!
being a science geek, i LOVED this piece!!!

artist: geoff mcfetridge
lance mountain
the lovely ladies chilling on the skate park exhibit

artist: kenny scharf

afterwards, we topped off the afternoon with some gloria's!! yum!!

best home-made tortillas in town!

molcajete!!

delicious fish tacos

I'm a fan...

Free Mondays at Art in The Streets
Courtesy of Banksy

Banksy, I Hate Mondays
ART IN THE STREETS
FREE MONDAYS AT MOCA
COURTESY OF BANKSY
June 13–August 8, 2011

The Museum of Contemporary Art announces today that British artist Banksy will sponsor free admission at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA every Monday for the duration of Art in the Streets.
“I don’t think you should have to pay to look at graffiti. You should only pay if you want to get rid of it,” said Banksy. “MOCA is very grateful to Banksy for his unprecedented gesture,” said MOCA Director and exhibition co-curator Jeffrey Deitch. “Art in the Streets is drawing record attendance, and opening it up to everyone will have a lasting impact on communities in Los Angeles, many of whom have not been to the museum before.”
The gift will help engage the exhibition’s diverse audiences and make it universally accessible—an important trait of graffiti and street art, which the exhibition illuminates.

Free Mondays at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA will be every Monday, from 11am to 5pm, June 13 through August 8, 2011.

ae gyo

Derived from the Chinese characters "love (ae)" and "beautiful (gyo)." The closest English translation of ae gyo would be "winsome," defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as "generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence." Not surprisingly, ae gyo is considered a feminine trait, generally attributed to women who can charm men and elders through a careful balance of sweetness, cuteness, poutiness, modesty, thoughtfulness, and submissiveness.

In doggie world, Zoey takes the crown! My good friend's baby~~

She always finds a body part to lay her head.

cuteness!

orange champagne sorbet & watermelon mint agua fresca

For the past 10 months, I've been committed to CPC's women's small group. Every lady has been a TREMENDOUS blessing to me!!! I sincerely appreciate the insightful discussions, accountability, & encouragement shared with them. We always start off with a meal (breaking bread/fellowship) & its given me the opportunity to experiment with various recipes! Today, I was in charge of dessert & drinks... btw, E unni's kim chi jji gae was deeeericious* thank you!! =)



Champagne Orange Sorbet (...kind of hahah)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup chilled champagne (I just got a moscato)

2 tbps strained fresh OJ

1 large egg white

blueberries & raspberries for garnishing

In saucepan, combine sugar & 3/4 cup water. 

Bring mixture to simmer over moderate heat. stir & let simmer for ~10 mins.

Cool and chill syrup ~2 hrs (or until cold).

Cut oranges ~1/5 (to form your pimp cup!)

Now dig to China!

I hate jack-in-the-box toys & I hate popping champagne...

If & when a wuss (like me), call on a dependable male figure.

Strain to separate pulp from juice. 

Then add OJ, champagne, and 1 cup of chilled syrup. 

Freeze mixture until frozen but still soft.

As sorbet is freezing, do the dishes!!

My mild case of OCD prevents me from working in a dirty office/kitchen! =P

Separate egg white.

Beat until frothy, add to sorbet, and freeze until firm.

I used a toothpick to hold the berries together.

Call me MacGyver! 

I found tea candles to be perfect for punching out holes.

Sadly, I had to cheat.... lol!

Everything looked good, but my sorbet didn't freeze in time for SG.

So..... I sadly admitted defeat & bought some from the store....

=((((

I'll try to follow up on how the actual champagne orange sorbet tasted...




Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Ingredients:

4 cups watermelon

1/2 cup water

8 mint leaves

8 tbsps sugar (add to taste)

1 lime (half thinly sliced & half to squeeze)

Puree watermelon, water, leaves, and sugar.

Strain out seeds.

Squeeze in half a lime & throw in thinly sliced pieces for presentation.

Easy peasy!!!