There were a couple of activities that I was not able to document due to so many reasons, so I’m going to list the ones that I have not been able to blog about that is so worth mentioning with at least ONE photo! Oh and before I forget: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who made my MAY a worthwhile month! 

Ivy & Billy’s Wedding: Ryan and I drove to Montclair, CA for a wedding on May 23rd. We.Were.Guests! It felt really nice to just sit back and relax! Although there was no pressure for me to take photos.. I had to take SOME for remembrance purposes. ;o). Their wedding was really beautiful; from the chapel decor to the reception being held at Laguna Cliff Resort & Spa. The view from there is really something one should enjoy. This was also the place where Billy had proposed to Ivy, so it was a special place for the couple. Did I mention that Ivy and Billy were a gorgeous couple!? Well, they were!

Trinidad Family Portraits: After the picnic, Jennifer had asked if I could take at least one family portrait for her family. Her brother Neil was here visiting from the Philippines because he was on vacation from ministerial classes. We actually had booked to do the session on May 23rd, but they had to reschedule because of family functions they needed to attend to in San Diego. Neil actually left today for the Philippines, but hopefully when he comes back again for vacation, I can schedule an afternoon to take their family portraits :o) 

Sneak Peak: Meinrad & Gaile’s Wedding: Today, Mein and Gaile got married! I’m so happy for them and I can’t wait to post up more pictures of their wedding day. For now, here’s a sneak peak.

I missed a video last week… long story… so I’m not going to explain why I didn’t post one. I did.. but didn’t :oP

—-

These past weeks, it seems as if Ryan and I have been running around from one project to the next… It’s been quite busy for the past five months and now I’m excited to having some time relaxing with Ryan this upcoming June, July and August.  We have a couple of portrait sessions, but most of the weekends will be used for church activities that we are planning to go to. I’m still going to be blogging though.. but mostly personal things that I’ve experienced in this so-called life of mine..

Tomorrow, May 30th, Ryan and I will be working our last wedding for this month.  Our friends Gaile and Meinrad are finally getting married! I’m so very excited for both of them! Gerard and Johnson are helping out with video and my cousin-in-law, Natasha is going to tag a long and help me shoot!

Natasha is so awesome! I’m going to have to take some new portraits of her so that I can blog about this awesome cousin of mine! ;o) For my Happy Friday Video, I asked Natasha to upload the track and field video she edited that my cousin Jodick filmed.  I don’t want to ruin it for you, so just watch it… it’s so inspirational!! All I can say is… if you really want something… you just need to go for it.. and if it’s God’s will, you’ll get what you’re hoping for.. even more!

This video is just the best way to end the month of May!

Thank you Natasha! You inspire me so much! I’m so glad you’re part of our family! You’re a blessing to us all ;o)

They are one of the most nicest families you could ever know and Ryan and I had the privilege of taking their photos late Monday afternoon. The timing for this session couldn’t have been any better because it was also Kim’s birthday and farewell party for her and her sister Krystle. The two are heading back to the Philippines to finish up studying while their parents are in the US, so a family portrait session was a MUST before heading off to the motherland!

Kim and Krystle were one of the first friends who helped me out while I figured out this photography business. They had given me the opportunity to take their portraits two years ago.. and it was about time we finally have new pictures of them.

We decided to use a corner part of their backyard as our backdrop and I loved how the photos turned out! Here are some of my favorites, but to view more, please click here.

Miss Kim:

Krystle:

Bonus picture of Kim and Krystle with their friend who came just in time for some picture-taking.

I’m going to miss you girls but at least when Ryan and I travel to the Philippines, we have friends to visit :o)

I taught the Children’s Choral Group to represent our locale in 1994 during our Children’s Day Choral Group Competition. With God’s help, our choral group placed first because of the hard work the kids put into it.  The kids in that group were lucky to perform during the church’s 80th Anniversary Celebration as well.  It was one of the most memorable times of my life and I loved having the opportunity to teach the children and be close to a lot of them.

Andrei was one of those kids who joined. He didn’t know this, but at the time, he was definitely one of my favorite kids because he always did what I told him to do and he never gave me a headache. He was always willing to help me out and I appreciated it because I was only 16 years old.. and having to deal with 80 kids was a hand full! (Note: I loved all the CWS kids in that choral group!)

Andrei has grown up to be an awesome friend and brother. Last Friday, May 22, Andrei graduated his studies in Biology in California State University, Dominguez Hills! So congratulations Andrei! Even though he’s much taller than me… he’ll always be that kid that joined the choral group 15 years ago… the one that always called me up for rides… and the one I have grown to look up to :o)

Here are some of my favorite shots of Andrei. To view more, please click here for the slideshow!

My favorite-favorite cheesy picture ever! Eunice: Thanks for the idea! ;o)

I’ve been wanting to blog, but I’ve been  lost for words for the past couple of days… My friend Mary Jane Castanaga passed away on Friday… Mary Jane and I always had such fun conversations.. most of the time, we would end up talking about her curly hair… :o). She was such a kind and loving friend..and the way she passed is too much to think about and hard for me to accept… I can’t believe I won’t be seeing her during our district activities…

Ka Johnny, Ka Frida, and Rose: I can’t even imagine what you are all going through right now… but please know that there are so many of us that are here for all of you…

For those who were not able to meet this young woman in person, here is a remembrance website created for Mary Jane: http://sites.google.com/site/maryjanecastanaga/

Rosalie: Thank you for scanning and sending this picture to me. I remember that night when she asked to take a picture with me.. I’m not a picture taking person… but I’m so glad she pushed me to take a picture with her.

****Edited to Add 5/28/2009****:

I wanted to add my most memorable stories with her so I never forget…

We had so much laughs and our conversation always ended up talking about her curly hair. One time as we were dressing after the worship service in LB, we were talking and she suddenly said to me, “You know, my hair and my sister’s hair used to be really straight when we were younger.” I looked at her and said, “yah right Mary Jane! You’re kidding me right?” and she said, “no really, it was!” We started to crack up and I said, “What happenned?” and MJ just kept on laughing.. saying, “I have no idea”..

Another unforgettable conversation I had with her.. also after w.s. in the choir dressing room.. she again suddenly says, “you know, people used to call me “weed girl”. I looked at her seriously and reply back, “that’s messed up! is it because of your hair??” she defensively said, “NO! Because of my name! You know.. Mary Jane…..” I looked at her apologetically and said, “Oh.. sorry!!!” Mary Jane just started laughing…. ever since then.. when I’d get a message/text/call from her, she would reference herself to me as “weed girl”…. I miss her..

I was talking to Ryan the other day during our lunch break. We don’t work in the same building or company, but we make it a habit to eat lunch together because we can. And… I enjoy eating lunch with my husband…

While we were having lunch, a song started playing in the background of the restaurant that brought me 11 years back and I started to think about what moment in time that song reminded me of… The song was Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply”. About 11 years ago, I remember being in my bedroom with my then baby brother, Jordan.

Rewind: He was crying and I remember my family and I were getting ready to go somewhere, so everyone was busy dressing and Jordan needed someone to pick him up.. I got him from my mom’s room and brought him to my room where the song “Truly Madly Deeply” was playing… I started to sway him and as I sang the song to him and I remember just how much I love my baby brother…

So back to my first story… While we were eating lunch.. I told Ryan… I miss the past… I miss how life seemed easier back then… I miss the people that were still alive because so many people I cared about are now resting in peace… I just miss the past….Yet, I’m always looking forward to the future… to what the future holds for us… and most of all I’m enjoying the present time that we are given…because the past is history, the future is a mystery, but the present is a gift…

Since photos make blogs better…the following photos were taken last year. These are photos of my friends Ricci, Carlo, and their boy Riley! Riley is so cute! I could just squeeze and hug him forever! Photos are definitely one way of capturing the past to enjoy today and tomorrow.

There’s just so much to learn in regards to photography. Just.Too.Much. But I’m excited and can’t wait for tonight! Ryan, Fred, Natasha and I area attending the Digital WakeUp Call Tour Seminar: A New Dawn.  We’re hoping to learn a lot of new techniques in using off/on camera flashes and more! For more information, click here. I don’t think it’s too late yet to sign up. It’s $79 to register at the door, but i think you can still register for $59 online.

Here’s a sneak peak from our photo shoot with Andrei taken on Sunday!

Ryan and I met up with Hugh and Juliet on Friday, May 15. We scheduled a dinner with them to just hang out, relax, and talk about their honeymoon and upcoming ever after session. We had a really great time.  We decided to eat at the Celebration Round Up at Big Thunder Ranch. Not only was the food and company awesome, but we even had some entertainment.  Plus, it was really nice eating outside under the stars.

After dinner we decided to go to the renovated It’s A Small World ride. We were looking for disney characters that are now included in the rides.  Pretty coooolll. When we left the ride, the fireworks show had just begun. It was pretty incredible being so close to where the fireworks are launched! I could not stop smiling.

When I though the day had ended on a high note… Juliet and Hugh takes us to one of the stores on Main Street where they bought us a couple of gifts.  Coffee mugs for me and Ryan. Juliet thought the red mug was perfect for me, being a photographer and all… :o)

I really like the following gift even more! It’s a picture frame and photo of all of us.

Juliet and Hugh: THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL EVENING! It was something we needed… just a time to relax and enjoy with good friends!! Thank you both soooo much!

Thank you guys and gals for representing our locale! We’re all so very proud of you!