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A couple days ago, I photographed my last shoot for the year. Should I repeat that last part again...because...really...I might just sing it. LaaaaaSSsst shoooooo^ooot of da YEEEEEEEAR! Yes, I just sang it Jamaican style. When I walked back to my car, I felt all High School Musical and snapped my fingers and kick-ball-changed into happiness. I love shooting, but I also love times when I can recharge, rethink, and realign my core and strive to become a better photographer. Stepping away from my camera sometimes helps me do this.
These past few weeks have been totally crazy, but whenever I had a free chance, I'd bury myself in a book. I didn't read as much as I'd like this month, but I'm hoping that changes in December. In fact, last night I hid in my closet and made out with Amazon.com. It was like seven minutes in heaven...with my credit card. When I emerged, JD asked what I was doing and I was all, huh...whaaat...oh, nuthin...
JD thinks I have a shopping addiction, but if Amazon is wrong, I don't wanna be right.
Oh! Look at these new book ends. And then I died from all the cuteness. |
Here are a few recent Good Reads...
*Little Bee by Chris Cleave.
Okay, so this book? Unreal. Capital U. Capital Nreal. I started it and realized I couldn't put it down...it was literally glued to my hand and I found myself reading at red lights (just kidding...sorta). It's narrated by a Nigerian girl (Little Bee) who immigrated to the United Kingdom and chronicled struggles she faced as she tried to escape the brutal murders of her family and village. But it's not just that. Cleave interweaves another story of an English couple who changes the trajectory of Little Bee's life and ends, ultimately, with her finding a voice and leaving a legacy. I read this book en route to NYC and finished it in a cab ride to Manhattan. As we crossed into the city, I sobbed...and knew I was changed.
*Fifth Avenue, 5 am by Sam Wasson.
Speaking of NYC, I bought two books at the airport because I needed material for the plane ride home. I've never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's, but seeing how it took place in Manhattan and I was headed there, I thought this book was apropos. Much to my surprise, it not only read like historical documentation of how the movie was made, but a sociological look at women in the 1950s and the roles Hollywood created them to play. Wasson dissects how Audrey Hepburn ushered in a new type woman...a type of woman who challenged preexisting ideas of gender, sexuality, and power, all while wearing a little black dress.
*Tinkers by Paul Harding.
I bought this book simply because it won the Pulitzer Prize. Ugh, I know. I was THAT girl in the bookstore...but cut me some slack, I was on a time crunch before I boarded my plane. Now here's the thing about this book: it's not just well written, it's SO well written. All these pretty words strung together like fireflies on a lonely clothesline. I enjoyed the read, but I just didn't get into the story as much as I wanted...and it was shame because I totally wanted to.
I started a new book last night while I was at the dog park with Polo and under the dim lights adjacent to my chair, I struck gold. And it's only chapter two. Can't wait to share about later, but until then I hope you're having a beautiful week and gearing up for kick-ball-changing of your own!
Happy Wednesday! |
    
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SJC Mission Engagement : Rachele + Will
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T hey sat in the same room during their sophomore year of high school. Rachele was the over-achiever in the first row of their History class and Will--and his long, wavy hair--could be found squarely in the back. They talked on their way in and out of class, but Rachele was busy raising her hand, answering questions, and perfecting the art of being perfect to notice Will. During junior year, they paired to be partners in their Chemistry class and though sparks flew over the bunsen burner, they still remained friends.
Then senior year came around and something happened in their English class...and/or over AOL Instant Messenger. Brightly colored text appeared on their computer screens and the overuse of emoticons made their friendship flourish and one night before a holiday break, Will asked Rachele to a movie. They bonded over late-night shakes at Carl's Jr and soon became best friends.
Thirteen years later, they're still best friends...and soul mates. They'll wed in San Diego next spring and stand together in front of their friends and family promising to start their lives the same way they started their friendship: by making history. |
| We met at the beautiful San Juan Capistrano Mission for their engagement session and I couldn't have dreamt of a prettier Southern California day! |
| After a quick outfit change, Rachele donned a special dress given to her by one of her best friends (Hi Robbie! Can't wait to meet you at the wedding!)... |
| The backdrop of the Mission served so well and created just the perfect setting for the engagement session... |
| The best thing about Will is his ability to make Rachele laugh without even trying...it's an amazing gift. |
| These two make a simple portrait radiate because of their love... |
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Hey, Kids, That's When Grandpa Vomited!
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W ait, I don't seem to understand, I said to him at 2am on our car ride from Los Angeles International Airport. JD picked me up from my trip to the Cayman Islands and let me know some terrible news. Wait, I don't seem to understand, I repeated. He shook his head, remained quiet, and then I cried. Jasmine, I want to vomit. Right then, I knew we were in trouble.
So here's the story: When we decided to launch EXPOSED Magazine, we outsourced our shipping fulfillment to a private company because we knew we were too busy to handle the shipment load. Basically, this company would package and ship each magazine, eliminating us from the process. While I was in the Caymans, JD received news that our shipper quit. Just like that. No warning, no foreshadowing, no shipping system in place to process the orders. For three days, JD stuffed, labeled, and shipped hundreds of magazines, but we were thousands behind.
Why didn't you tell me?!? Not wanting to worry me while I was out of the country, JD kept this information to himself while he tried to create a new system. That's when I cried again. |
For three days, JD, Polo, and I stuffed magazines into envelopes, printed labels, bought two PC computers (who even does that?!) and tried to create a new system that didn't require me to type each label ONE BY ONE (oh, yes, I did that...68 labels in four hours...can you say HOT MESS?!). The following Monday, when we went to the shipper's to collect the magazines they had on-site, JD instructed me to stay in the car. Why?! Why should I stay seated when that guy totally screwed us and I need to give him a piece of my mind?! DOESN'T HE KNOW I'M LATINA AND WE GO CRAZY?!?
JD locked the doors as he walked away.
We struggled for a few days with our system (I even resorted to hand-writing labels, but quit when they looked straight ghetto), but finally found a system that worked. After much frustration, I'm thrilled to announce that every order until Wednesday, November 23, 2011 has been fulfilled, including international orders. All other orders will be processed today.
I can't thank those who ordered EXPOSED Magazine enough for their time and patience. This adventure has been absolutely crazy (I should really write it as cray cray but I'm not rapper enough), but we made it out alive. Alight, alright...we're making it out alive...but I think that's part of the story. Part of our family folklore when I'll one day sit around the fireplace and tell my grandkids about the time I had this cray cray idea that made their grandpa vomit. |
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Featured : UK Wedding Magazine
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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| I was delighted to see aftereffects of the photography workshop I taught in London last July...many thanks to Kat Williams for getting the photos featured in the United Kingdom's Wedding Magazine! I look back to this experience with such fond memories and I was lucky to meet some of the most amazing photographers along the way. I love all things British, so having a piece of UK print back at home makes me incredibly honored. |
E very year my family sits around the table at Thanksgiving and says for what they're most thankful. It's all very Hallmark Special-ish, but has come to be one of my most favorite times of the year. Without fail, my family turns to me and rolls their eyes (except my sweet mother) because they know what's coming: tears. I'm the eldest of five children, take control of my siblings, and can be a little rough-around-the-edges when dealing with them (When's the last time you showered?...The only grade you're allowed to bring home is an A+!...The Goodwill called and wants their clothes back!), but I'm fiercely protective. When it comes time to verbalize how thankful I am for them, I cry.
And it's one of those dirty, scrunch-my-face-shake-my-head kind of cries. It's worse than this: |
Later today I plan on sitting around the table and thanking my family and husband for dealing with me. Sometimes I'm a tough person to love, but it makes me realize just how lucky I am to belong to them. I feel like each of them--in their own Jacob the Wolf way--has imprinted me. And, boom. Twilight just made an appearance on the most thankful day of the year. THAT'S HOW I ROLL.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! |
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