Mil Ojos

Retratos del Olvido

2012-01-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

These people are in my harddrive, lost in the past. Sometimes its nice to look back into forgotten folders and bring people into the light.

today's pictures, yesterday's memories

2011-11-29T08:12:00.000-08:00

black & white film - south east asia 2011

Variete Criolla

2011-06-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

I dressed up as a clown for halloween, not once, but 3 times in a row when I was a child. My choice. I'm was never scared of clowns, in fact, I felt bad for them that some twisted person started a clownaphobia... Anyhow, Last week, I went to a circus in Buenos Aires at a circus school. They call it "Circo Criollo" (criole circus) because they still carry on old traditions from 70 years ago... Here are some photos of the evening...

right here right now

2011-05-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

I've been living in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the past 7 weeks. I came on a one way ticket looking to stay for as long as I'm ready to leave. Its a great feeling. It also makes me anxious... I often times find myself asking the question, why am I here? I forget that I've wanted this for as long as I left this place at the age of 12. I knew I was going to come back. And the time is now. 12 years later.

I'm searching for everything and nothing at all. I'm on a personal quest to understand evolution, personally and socially.

I've not taken as many pics as I hoped for, but these are some recent snapbits of peeps and moments that caught my attention.

Thanks for reading!!

Winter is here...

2010-12-14T02:33:00.001-08:00

Snaps from a lovely day trip to Big Bear, California.

2010-07-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

This journey is starting to create a pattern. Thursdays are usually transition days where I say good by to students and get ready for the next group. Even the dynamic of each group is similar. I'm getting really familiar with the geography of Laos and understanding the culture better, each day. Even though I'm far in a foreign land, away from all I am used to, life is turning into a routine. I think its of human nature; We do it unconsciously.

I spent the last two weeks doing "Off the Map Laos -Photo Trip-" This trip is designed for students interested in seeing the more rural parts of Asia through a lens. We started in the capital of Laos, Vientianne, and made a loop North and then South and finally crossed the border into Vietnam. All by land.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Thanks for looking :)

Last week in Laos for now...

2010-06-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

Again, said goodbye to some wonderful people. What makes it harder is knowing that I'll most likely never see them again. We shared laughs and with some, even tears, and now these are only memories of the past.

Group II, another week at Elephant Camp. Since there's not much to do but be in the jungle with elephants, I think students get really close with one another. I was nervous that in this digital age, kids would be more socially awkward but I was wrong, or at least for these kids. For most, this was their first time travelling on their own; and for some, their first time ever leaving the country. I can't think of a better form of education but to see the world with your own set of eyes.

We all become a big family with the few Laos cooks and guides at the camp. It all comes together when we go camping into the deep jungles with all of them and the elephants and their mahouts for one night. While Laos men cut bamboo, creating all sorts of useful artifacts like cups, spoons, containers to make sticky rice, etc... the women cook delicious meals made with picked curry leaves, banana leaves, bamboo, etc...

I'm now staying in a bamboo hut facing the Mekong River. I get 1 full day to chill out before my next project. I'm going to Vietnam! More details to come...

Thanks for looking!

~kisses from Laos~

Otra vez, tuve que despedirme de los estudiantes. Es dificil porque lo mas probable es que nunca mas nos volvamos a ver. Compartimos risas y hasta con algunos, lagrimas. Y ahora esto es nada mas que recuerdos del pasado.

Grupo II, otra semana en el Campo de Elefantes. Como no hay mucho para hacer mas que estar en la jungla con elefantes, los estudiantes se hicieron muy buenos amigos. La verdad es que estaba un poco preocupada de que en esta era digital en que vivimos, los chicos serian medio aparatos, pero estaba muy equivocada. Por lo menos con estos chicos. Para la mayoria, esta seria su primera experiencia viajando por si mismo, y para otros, esta seria su primera vez viajando al extranjero. Estoy segura que no hay mejor forma de educarse mas que ver el mundo con sus propios ojos.

Ahora estoy en un tipo cabana de bamboo que da al Rio Mekong. Tengo un dia entero de descanso antes que empieze mi proximo projecto. Me voy a Vietnam! Detalles mas adelante.

Los quiero mucho!

~Besos desde Laos~

Sa Bai Dee

2010-06-17T00:05:00.000-07:00

Today I parted ways from my first group of students, and what can I say, It's never easy to say goodbye, no matter how much or little you know someone. These kids remind me of my teenage years and also, that I'm getting old. You learn so much when you teach, or guide the youth and I couldn't be more grateful.

The students spent this past week in an elephant training program. Each kid got their own elephant for whom they took good care of: bathed them, fed them and let them roam free in the jungle. We slept in Bungalows and ate some amazing food.

I've been working on par with Lao and Thai guides and that alone is an experience. Cool thing is they got the ins and outs for the less visited places like tribal villages and places in the jungles hardly exposed.

I'm back in a white walled hotel room with AC and internet, oh yeah, and no weird looking bugs next to me.

Location of photographs:

Luang Prabang, Laos.

Cheers!

Cool Kids!

So Far

2010-06-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

I still pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming. I'm in a city I never knew existed, seeing new faces and hearing new things every day. I feel like a newborn. It's been almost a week since I've arrived to South East Asia and I'm still trying to grasp my current reality. A week ago I was emptying out my room in San Francisco, and having moments of complete desperation. I was even doubting my decision to leave the city and moping around like a turd. Now, all I think about is wanting to extend my trip and/or just become a traveling gypsy again (this happens to me every time I travel). Here, my worries are if I should bring my film or digital camera out for the day, if I ran out of toothpaste and/or if I remembered to email my family. That will all change in about 9 hours when i have to wake up 8 teenagers and take them over to Luan Prabang.

Run through: I'm working for a travel company called Rustic Pathways as a travel guide. I will be leading about 3-4 projects while I'm here.

So far, I've met most of the South East Asia staff and they have to be some of the kindest people I've ever met. Well, enough words, I'm beat, and I've got some photos to share.

Much Love <3

Day 01

2010-06-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

The beginning of my trip starts at the airport, or many of them. Three flights, three countries, 10 hours. People lie on benches while they wait for their connecting flights. Sun beams through the oval shaped airplane windows, bouncing off a missionary couple.

Lately for the Chronicle...

2010-05-02T13:29:00.001-07:00

UCSF Professor Bruce Alberts gives Alvarado Elementary School students hands-on lessons on how to conduct science experiments related to air pressure, which he does through UCSF's Science and Health Education Partnership. I had too much fun with these little munchkins and stayed for the whole lesson...

Residents were ordered to evacuate their apartments due to the fact that the cliff holding the building is eroding and is unsafe for the residents. It's too bad... the view from the building is beautiful!

Some pictures at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge...

2010-03-21T00:16:00.001-07:00

A blurry world underground, filled with smoke, cards and half naked women. Where people are easily distracted by their own illusion of getting the jackpot. Numb, robot-like, predators of the machine. South Lake Tahoe.

Lately

2010-03-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

As an intern for the San Francisco Chronicle.

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Wedding 11/07

2009-12-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

Politicians

2009-10-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

A little event coverage at City Hall...

Mission Loc@l

2009-10-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

Some photographs I took for Mission Local, a community newspaper funded by UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. The newspaper covers the neighborhood of the mission district offering diverse residents a way to connect and stay informed.

Pastor Bob

2009-09-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Two recent photos I found through my hard drive while contemplating what oh what to enter to CPOY. Meet Bob, a socially liberal yet Politically Republican Pastor residing in Jeffersonville, NY. He was my subject during the Eddie Adams Workshop 2008.

2009-08-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

I was asked to be part of SynergyZine: A San Francisco based collaborative Zine produced by local artist. These are some photos I picked for the Wabi Sabi issue, which will be releases August 22, 2009.

Jason & Amanda

2009-05-30T02:10:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure to photograph a wedding on 05/23 for a beautiful couple with such radiant spirits. The wedding took place at Wente Vineyards, one of the best known Wineries in Livermore, Ca.

Easter with the Sisters

2009-04-15T07:35:00.001-07:00

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an organization composed of highly visible gay icons and social activists who use their visibility to advance a host of human rights and liberal issues both within the LGBT community and in mainstream society, celebrated their 30th Anniversary at Dolores Park on Easter Sunday.

Fashion

2008-09-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

Since I've been back to California, I spent some time in Los Angeles experimenting with fashion photography. This is Esther, an aspiring model/actress. Makeup done by Ella Makeup.

Retratos Mexicanos

2008-07-07T16:43:00.001-07:00

2008-07-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

Cuidad Mexico

2008-07-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

I've been residing in Mexico City for the past 3 weeks. My very good friend Sandrita and her uncle Pedro offered their colonial style family house to all of us broke travelers. It's been a unique experience... living in a house full of wacky photographers from all over the world, that is. And by unique I mean amazing, and a once in a lifetime roller coaster ride. The first week of my stay, I attended Foundry Photojournalism Workshop. The following week I was Part of "Project Luz" an NGO with goals to "Inspire and empower youth to make a difference in themselves and their communities through photojournalism." (as stated in www.projectluz.org) I was a Photo-instructor to teenagers in Nezahualcoyotl: known as one of the most dangerous towns in Mexico. I didn't think so, in fact, I never did... Why believe in Media's stereotypes? Danger is found in ones own backyard. The students were talented little buggers. Some really do have a vision. Now, I've got some story attempts, but access takes time. My next stop is Oaxaca. And then, wherever the wind takes me. Hope you enjoy my most recent photos. And keep visiting my blog for I'll continue updating! Gracias y Suerte!