uhop open house

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

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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.

coffee mill

Samcheongdong (삼청동) is by far my favorite neighborhood in Seoul. It's a good place to get lost in, with lots to see, from boutiques and art galleries to traditional Korean homes. I could spend days just roaming the unique streets - sights change with every few minutes walked; no two blocks look alike. For the tired feet, plenty of artsy cafes await. For the indecisive soul, unfortunately, too many to choose from...

On my first visit to Samcheongdong, we stumbled upon 커피방앗간 (roughly translated as Coffee Mill), a cozy coffee shop tucked away somewhere up a hill and around a corner deep in the less touristy area (accurate and reliable GPS provided by yours truly). Side note: apparently Korea did not name its streets until last year. So locals still give directions using "that big pole" and "over yonder."

"Coffee House"

"Beans for sale! Can grind for you"

"To-go very welcomed"

Out front, the owner draws 1-minute portraits for 1,000 won.

The proceeds from portraits go to needy children - though I'm not sure what kind of needy.

Do we really look like this?

Wander around the home-turned-cafe, and you will find a back alley with a simple sign that reads "side door."

Solid drinks, indie ambiance, and a boldly honest shop-owner. I bought some espresso and my coffee-master aunt approved!

seen through a crack

the dream center's 19th annual back to school bash

Last Saturday, The Dream Center gave out 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to poor children in LA. Some kids (+ their parents) started lining up at 4 am for a backpack... definitely put my life in perspective.

Watch this little man on the big screen @ 0:24 and again @ 0:39

Afterwards, the kids got to play,

make art,

slip 

n' slide,

celebrate,

Tarzan,

Spiderman,

pet a tortoise,

strike a pose,

get a free haircut,

and take some clothes home.

It's been a while since I exercised my serving muscles. I've gotten pretty fat after receiving and receiving and receiving but not giving much in return.

The Dream Center, thank you for recruiting ordinary folk to help out with your amazing projects. What an honor it was to be able to bless with what I love doing most - photography. Thank you, thank you, thank you for pouring out Jesus' love on the city. Your service to the needy, homeless, incarcerated, abused, fatherless, trafficked, and hungry makes Los Angeles a better place.