For our anniversary, we took a trip up north to Napa, the city and a few other places.  We flew up there and drove back in a 240SX, one that we bought up there.  This would make this the 6th 240SX we’ve bought!  Between eating amazing food, hanging with good friends and buying another 240, I’d say this trip was one of our most memorable trips ever!

If you are new to my blog, and don’t know the significance of the 240SX & me + Benson, rather than explaining, read this past article.  Reading this article brings back so many memories…like ducking from cops in Irwindale so we could get cool photos at a warehouse.  Ahhh memories!!!!!

Here are some photos from our trip:

The San Jose airport is the coolest airport compared to all the SoCal ones!

Remnants of Ryan’s scotch

my husband is a photographer-in-training but he just doesn’t know it yet

me and Benson finally getting a taste of Thomas Keller’s famous fried chicken.  At Addendum in Yountville, CA

 a chateau cat…one of my favorite shots from this trip!

there is something romantic about us driving home in our new 240SX.  I think we’re the only couple that can say 240 and romantic in the same sentence…

Teaser
I just finished up a super fun photo shoot with a local make-up & fashion blogger.  Photos coming up soon

I was sitting in the drive-thru yesterday, thinking about options…  reading emails, and a good friend forwarded me a link.  I usually delete those, but this friend doesn’t send me much ever, so I checked it out.  It ended up being a fantastic read.  It very much rang home with the options stuff!   It was titled “The 10 things I’ve learned.”  It was an essay, and was listing out the top 10 things he’s learned in life.  The ones that really hit home for me were these:

• You can only work for people that you like
• Some people are toxic, avoid them.
• less is not necessarily more
• how you live changes your brain
• doubt is better than certainty
• tell the truth

Check it out .  Maybe this too can help you with your “options.”

I haven’t had a chance to download the photos from this weekend’s project.  So for now, I’ll leave you with my favorite shot from my work’s “Team Building” day out.  We spent an entire workday at Downtown Disney & K1 Speed.  How fun is that!?

Destiny’s Child – Cater 2 U

Tomorrow: weekend project pics!!!

Just the night before I was answering questions via email for a magazine article that’s being done on Drifting Pretty.  I was asked, “who do you idolize and why?”  That was easy peasy to answer, with no hesitation.  I guess the question I have, is: does everyone need an Idol?  Do you have to be a certain age?  To me, you have an idol when you are driven to do something.  I think we all are driven, but possibly in spurts or at different times in our lives.  Who to YOU idolize?

My idols

Danica Patrick.  A name synonymous with women in racing.  From the looks of this picture, she just looks like another pretty face, but you would never guess she is a Indy & Nascar driver, who is in it to win it.  She’s outspoken, sees the playing field as level (no special “she’s a good driver for a chick” handicaps), and capitalizes on her empire.  She can do hot photoshoots for sports illustrated or be a spokesperson for Tissot watches and godaddy but when it comes down to it…she is a driver.  She does it all, because she can.  Why not do that Sports Illustrated photo shoot.  There are no rules!  If anyone has earned it, she has.

Jasmine Star.  She is one of the most sought after wedding photographers in this country.  She quit UCLA Law to pursue photography.  She had no formal training (except from the university of the internet) and in just a few years, she quickly became an icon in the industry.  Jasmine does workshops (like the photo above) to teach aspiring photographers (AND current pros) while still running her photography business.  She took a risk, made her own unique brand and is making a difference in the photo community.

Both these women who I idolize are strong, driven and are out there making it.  I still have so many things I want to do with taking Drifting Pretty to the next level and even starting my own photography business.  You have got to idolize someone to help get you there.

See you at the finish line ladies!!

I’ve been taking care of my elderly grandmother that I am SO fortunate to have in my life still…she physically is in terrible condition, but mentally “all there” and in great spirits. I’m witnessing Benson’s only grandparent left, slip into a state of alzheimer’s. At work, my dear co-worker has cancer. One of my students in Drifting Pretty is on leave because her mother is in grave condition, in the hospital suffering from cancer. Benson has 2 friends who’s moms both suddenly passed away. I could go on…there is more, but you get the picture.

Sad things go on, life goes on…all these happenings in life make me super sad, but more importantly, incredibly thankful. I am Thankful that I’ve been blessed with time to spend with these people, blessed to be able to comfort friends and blessed with this trait to make the best out of anything. This is depressing shit right? But I turn all this shitty news into thankfulness, and I find comfort and continue on with a contentment towards life. I don’t know how I got that trait…but I am thankful.

thankful too for this…