wilderness called

so I went.

One morning, I woke up feeling extra spontaneous. Upon seeing this beautiful photo on Instagram, something deep inside me knew I had to go. Alberta was inviting me. I had to respond. I had to go and meet her.

I became the woman who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets what she looks like. The adventurer half of me scolded the logical half for unnecessary and excessive cowardice, namely its petty reason for giving up on the #creationtherapyinCanada trip a couple weeks ago - unpredictable weather come September. Beauty is worth the risk, it said. So what if it rains the whole time you're there? Better to go than wonder what could have been.

So we booked it.

While planning for the trip, I was scared that looking through too many pictures would kill the magic and ruin the awe factor when I actually arrived at scene. Boy, was I wrong. Everything was infinitely better than the best shot out there.

The real thing needs to be seen, heard, smelled, and experienced. In person.

On top of the inner perfectionist censoring my work as per usual, these photos are even harder to release, partly because my laptop is dying, partly because the past 2 weeks have been crazy, and mostly because my pictures don't do it justice. At all.

I tried to capture the beauty before my eyes, but I can't shake the feeling - the fact, I should say - that my work only conveys a tiny percent of the breathtaking glory that is the real deal. So please, go taste and see for yourself.

so close, yet so far

Sometimes you are at the right place at the right time but you're not used to the camera you borrowed, and it doesn't focus on the right subject.

So you cry. And release deep anguish via an all-too-real sigh.

And make an oath to come to the next game, with a different set of equipment. Immediately, you wonder, why do I do this to myself?

Touch down...

fútbol

is a high contact sport. Sometimes I think it's more dangerous than football - no helmet, no mouthguard, no shoulder pads; just wee little plastic boards for shin guards.

There's a lot of fighting for the ball.

Tripping,

shoving,

tackling,

arm grabbing... you name it.

It's also high speed,

and demands a whole lotta stamina. You run for 45 minutes straight, take a 10-minute water break for half-time, then give the field another passionate 45 minutes.

You gotta dribble and look up and find space and juke opponents all at the same time.

Soccer is not for the faint-hearted. Sometimes your heart drops as you watch the ball get too close to your goal. Followed by a sigh of relief when your goalie steps up.

Fouls, flops, and back-to-back action. It's a lot of drama.

Can you jump like a girl?

usc vs oregon state

Last night the Trojans beat the Beavers 35-10 at home in the Coliseum.

 Touch down!

uhop open house

Here's the answer to the frequently asked question "where do you disappear to on Wednesday nights?"

See more here

firenze by foot

Once upon an October, about 11 months ago from today, 

I woke up to these views from our Airbnb balcony. After a beautiful first meeting with Italy in Sestri Levante and Cinque Terre, Grace and I had made our way down to Florence.

When we arrived the previous night, we could tell right away that this was a very walkable city.

Our first stop? Gelato of course.

To this day I wonder what it would look like if the Arno were clear.

Another puzzle: how does everyone park so neatly and tilt the front wheel in the same angle?  The ever present sight of scooters throughout the city reminded me of the Italy I had seen in The Lizzy McGuire Movie. Interesting how much our perceptions of foreign countries are shaped by media consumed during our childhood.

 I would have enjoyed this city a thousand times more had it not been for the incessant foot traffic. Tourists x tourists x tourists. Everywhere. Yes, I, too, add to this visiting population. All I'm asking for is space though - enough room to take it all in without needing to snake through crowds. Can I just have Disneyland to myself and my crew? 

This is where hidden alleys come in. Okay, maybe they're not so secret, but located deep inside the narrow and confusingly windy Florentine streets. Regardless, I just want to be able to capture moments like this without unwanted tourist bodies photobombing the frame.

I was told to watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, but the mosquitoes up here got a little too friendly with me. After enduring 6+ bites, I called it a day and headed down. I recommend wearing long sleeves for any brave souls ready for a horizon watch.