when the fire lanterns became stars in the black sky

This weekend:

... I was a bridesmaid.

... And at the same time ran front of house for Pi Catering.

... I watched the red sun set behinds my friends as they sealed their marriage with their kiss.

... I lit a fire lantern with Cameron and sent our wishes up into the blackness of the sky.

... I savored the ocean air and sat around a bonfire with some of my favourite people.

... I watched my little boy wonder at the sand on his feet

... And became proud as he found more courage to sink his little head under the water.

... I remembered some of the reasons I moved back to Manila.

... But am now even more convinced I belong by the ocean and not in the city.

...This weekend.... It was hard to let go.

.taking time out.

                                                                                    

I have neglected this space.

But the ocean was calling my name. The clouds reflected onto the silver waters; grey, misty and cold. The wind whisked me away from reality onto an island that brought tropical rainstorms and sombre, moody skies.

Momentarily on a quiet Friday morning while my friends were still sleeping, I walked miles down a somewhat deserted beach. I watched the toned woman practicing her morning yoga, meditating and breathing within the oceans reach. I watched the mother and child collect shells along the shore. I watched couples stroll hand in hand. And while I watched life pass by around me, I breathed in my moment. I let the crisp air kiss my skin as my shutter clicked away and rejuvenated my mind as I wrote words that freely filled the pages of my journal.

So yes, this space was neglected. But just know that I have not disappeared. I just took a little time out for a little bit of discovery, unravelling and adventure.

                                                                                                        

.We live in deeds, not years. in thoughts, not breaths.

We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; 
In feelings, not in figures on a dial. 
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives 
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. 
And he whose heart beats quickest lives the longest: 
Lives in one hour more than in years do some 
Whose fat blood sleeps as it slips along their veins. 
Life's but a means unto an end; that end, 
Beginning, mean, and end to all things—God. 
The dead have all the glory of the world.

       -Phillip James Bailey

day twenty seven to thirty.

I tell you. What a way to end August.

Seeing that I wasn't fully committed to the August Break and am openly admitting to it, I spent a generous amount of time the last weekend behind my lens. Perhaps a little frustrated with the lack of equipment, but nevertheless, a full few days with my little friend.

I found myself two hours out of the city with wonderful people on Saturday night at The Farm, and with landscapes that took my breath away. Who knew that an oasis like this existed only two hours out of the city!? After a surreal sleepover,  the last few days of August were then spent with family, good food, good music and wonderful weather. Who could have asked for more. And as this month ends, I am ready to begin September with a breath of fresh air, loads of thoughts to document and plenty of ideas for my blank canvases. I am so ready.

.happiness and the husband.

Bob Marley - Waiting in Vain

Each beat takes me back to September 2007. Each word he sings makes me feel like I'm sitting on the shores of Negril watching the sun set and waves crash on the shore. We are walking every morning to our favourite breakfast place for some banana bread, bacon and blue mountain coffee. We are sitting by water watching the man with the umbrella hat sell his chicken, beef and callaloo patties. We are waiting for the lobster man to pass by late afternoon with his cooked lobsters. We are waiting to watch the sunset at the Sun Jerk Beach hut on the plastic swings with our feet buried in the sand. We are laughing at the shadow lurkers. We are walking the shores as if we would never see the ocean again .  What an amazing time we had. There were no worries, there was no stress and nothing got in our way.  My heart warms when I think of all the laughter and fun.

I close my eyes and feel the music ricocheting through my soul and I am there. We are there. And I am forever grateful for music that can take me back to that time where we lived like there was no tomorrow.

what music takes you back?

. come away with me.

today i wish i could have sand in between my toes.

i wish to feel the sunshine basking on my skin and to feel the sea breeze grazing my skin.
today i would love to smell the salt in the air and to close my eyes and hear the waves echo.

in this moment,  i  just wish to be away from reality.