Erin Nomura

Being at peace with what is so...

2010-03-16T23:20:00.001-07:00

Questions, concerns and considerations. Running through my mind at what seems like every moment of my waking day. What will my babies look like? Will I be able to breastfeed? Will they be naturally born or will I have a c-section? Do we have enough money to support a family of four? When will they come home from the hospital? Will there be any complications? etc. etc. etc...

There are moments when my mind is so clouded with thoughts, like a mask the condensation begins to hide what's really behind my being. I make like everything is ok and all is well, when underneath it all, I am scared, anxious, paranoid and somewhat depressed. It's in these critical moments that I realize the damage my thoughts have taken on my 'being' and on the creation of my future.

Perhaps it was the experience of myself this afternoon. Due to an abnormal one hour glucose screening, my OB ordered a second more extensive glucose test be taken. While in the middle of this three hour glucose tolerance test, I became ill and almost fainted. After I threw up, the phlebotomist ordered the test be suspended. Four vials of blood were to be drawn; As a result of dehydration, my veins were not plump enough to draw from. I was pricked four times. The last attempt was in the middle of my forearm...

I've fainted once in my life. It was on a Saturday night in the middle of a Dave and Busters arcade. Today was different. Today I remembered everything that was happening to me. The nausea, the buzzing in my ears and the tunnel vision. The struggle to not vomit and stay alert and awake... Grabbing Kevin's t-shirt to stay upright and forcing myself to keep moving as I thought it would keep me from fainting. Then finally throwing up in to a small trash can... and then feeling a little bit better after expelling the awful glucose syrup I was asked to drink at the beginning of the test. All the while, the same question was swirling in my head, "Don't faint! You're pregnant with twins! Don't faint! Don't go down! Stay awake! The twins, the babies!"

For some reason, I made it mean that if I fainted, I would have lost. Lost what? I don't know. All I could think about in the moment was to stay awake and grip Kevin's shirt as tightly as possible. I was so fearful that if I fainted, that something would happen to the babies. As I got my head together, I realized that the combination of fasting and dehydration most likely put my body on overdrive, therefor causing my blood ressure to drop and feel faint. Low blood sugar could have also been a culprit.

With all that said and done, I still go back to reoccuring dialogue of: Questions, concerns and consderations. As one could imagine, after todays drama at the lab, I have more concerns than ever. The meditation or lesson, however, lies right in front of me... literally. My future holds nothing. Absolutely nothing... If it holds nothing, than it can hold anything. I remind myself that it's probable that tomorrow will be another anxious, concern filled day if I allow it to be. I can create a day of anxiety and unanswered questions if I wanted to. The paradox is that none of know REALLY what will happen tomorrow. We are always moment to moment and in the space of NOW. Fleeting really. SO tomorrow could really be a day of unexpected miracles... if I create it that way.

I may physically still be a bit weak and dehydrated from todays episode. But who I am is not 'dehydrated and weak'; that is simply the experience I have of my physical self. Who I am is resilient, peaceful and light. Questions, concerns and considerations may still cloud my vision, but for now, I'm taking on that I can still see through the clouds... it just takes an alternate way of CREATING the world in front of me.

"Expose Yourself" Class Curriculum

2010-03-04T16:27:00.001-08:00

March 2010 Class Schedule (Expose Yourself Series)

2010-03-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

An Introduction to "The Exposure Series"

2010-03-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

2010-02-23T01:36:00.000-08:00

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

Benjamin Zander on music and passion | Video on TED.com

2010-02-23T01:31:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Zander on music and passion | Video on TED.com

20 weeks

2010-01-12T18:33:00.001-08:00

baby...???

2010-01-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, my ObGyn does not conduct ultrasound procedures in her office. We were anxious to find out the sex of our baby, so we chose to see a 3D/4D specialist in Huntington Beach. The ultrasound is not a diagnostic scan of the baby. The office we visited specializes in 3D and 4D images and video for keepsake purposes.

I sit back on the reclined table, and there is a large machine beside me (the ultrasound and 3D/4D machine). In front of me mounted on the wall is a large flat screen panel television (42" or so) with an image of the familiar ultrasound scan window. As the technician applies a cold gel to my belly, we chit chat about how this is my first ultra-sound scan and that I am quite anxious to know the sex of the baby. She begins to rub the scanner back and forth on my belly and we continue chit chatting. I'm looking up at the arge screen as we are talking and I notice that there are two separate 'blobs' on the screen. I ignore it and guess that it's nothing. The technician continues to rub the scanner around my belly, and says to me, "Well..." (It was that moment I knew something was up)... I replied to her by saying, "SHUT UP!" And she tells me that she see's two baby's in my belly.

Cue emotional crying...

Kevin is video taping the drama on his camera and remains very very quiet. As soon as I am able to load the video online, you can all see for yourself how the drama unfolds...

We are so blesed and are both still in awe of this miraculous event. Twins run in both my mother and fathers family. I have second cousins who are twins... so although I am surprised, I'm not THAT surprised. (But I'm still surprised...)

Mom and Dad are in awe and still can't believe that they will be Granparents to TWINS. Kevin's parents are just as surprised. I am just as surprised and in awe of the whole thing. Knowing that I have a BOY and a GIRL growing inside my belly, I take pause often during my day and thank the universe for such gifts.

The outpouring of support and love from my friends and family is greatly appreciated. I still can't believe that I am having twins... Thank you to everyone who has committed to donating their time, their hand me downs to advice on my pregnancy and labor procedures.

I am scared, anxious and excited to begin this journey of motherhood. I am taking it all day by day and moment by moment.

more updates to follow - and hopefully a video...

16 weeks and 6 days.

2009-12-19T03:09:00.000-08:00

Somewhere around 15 weeks, my belly kind of... expanded. All of a sudden my handy 'bella band' (a large stretchy spandexy tube you wear over your non-maternity jeans, pants, etc.) was NOT keeping my pants up. I would sit down at a restaurant, and as I stood up, the sag in my rear end hung nearly to the middle of my thighs... not very flattering. My mother, just laughs.

Friends bend over and put there mouths to my stomach and speak softly to my belly... they gently pat or rub my belly as if it somehow will bring good fortune or luck. Compliment or annoyance? Well, if I am anything like the Buddha, total compliment. If I am anything like a FAT man with a sign above his head that reads, "Good Fortune", annoyance.

Kevin will rub his hand over my belly and look at it while saying things like, "How's the BABY...?" or, "Ooohhh, look at the babeee..." And I think privately to myself, "I wonder if the baby understands the difference between the sounds of adults making "coochie-coo" non-sense and simply speaking coherantly...?

I am frustrated that I have not had an ultra-sound performed. I have heard the heartbeat, but I have yet to SEE it. Isn't that supposed to be a milestone? My last visit to my OBGYN was disappointing... I reminded her that during the last appointment she had mentioned that I would have the opportunity to have an ultra-sound performed. She let out a deep sigh and said, "Well, it's not like a big deal or anything... It's like, there it is, there's the baby, then you're done." I was so taken aback that I didn't even react to her statement. I have been bitter ever since. Perhaps it is my own attachment. I just wanted her to keep her word...

So I am up late, I wake up late then I eat late... this vicious cycle has taken a toll on me. I can tell that the baby needs more nourishment. I wake groggy and weak. When I do eat, I feel exceptionally nauseous. I almost had an accident at Whole Foods this evening. Soba sounded so yummy and healthy (with spinach and wakame). I could tell Kevin was really nervous, but Ihad him stay put in his chair in case I did hurl. Talk about mind control... I can not recall a time where I was more ready to throw up --- it was right there. And I psyched myself out of it... it was a really intense five minutes... We left the market unscathed and with a nice bag of leftovers...

16 weeks...

2009-12-14T22:38:00.000-08:00

My Jewelry Story

2009-12-02T01:05:00.000-08:00

I wrote this email to the artists who are participating in my Holiday Artist Trunk Show this Sunday, December 6th. In an effort to inspire creation, it also tells the story of why I started making jewelry...

Hello all... as the holiday artist trunk show fast approaches, I realized I did not share with all of you why or how this event all came about... It was originally created in my community leadership class, but the story goes much deeper and stems from a very precious place... I would like to share with you what this whole thing is and why I was inspired to create this event.

I'm eight years old, my day care teacher, Miss Tori, is wearing the most adorable pair of earrings. Today, they were pink with tiny white stripes running down each bead. I stare at her earrings, fascinated by the color and way the little sparkly bead swivels back and forth, back and forth. I gather the courage to ask her about her where she got them, and she shares with me the name of a place called, "The Bead Shop", in Laguna Beach. I tell my parents about Miss Tori's earrings in great detail and they agree to drive me to Laguna Beach in search of "The Bead Shop".

I walk in to a small store off of PCH in Laguna Beach, and the shiver of joyful excitement runs up my spine. I am in BEAD HEAVEN. Red ones, blue ones, green ones, glass ones, plastic ones, skinny ones, long ones, shiny ones, rainbow ones... I am overwhelmed by the choices and the possibility of limitless creativity. I am in the bead store for two hours... Time lost all meaning and value. I found my calling, my passion, my art.

The next ten years were spent practicing, learning, experimenting, playing and creating. Finally in 2005, after dozens and dozens of positive comments, feedback from artists who saw my pieces and family and friends constantly pushing me to SELL my jewelry in galleries and major jewelry stores, I took action. I created line sheets, wholesale prices, had the pieces photographed, created an inventory, registered for a sellers permit etc. I created a business for myself.

There was always one fear... A fear that stalked me in the middle of the night, taunting me over and over and over again. It was this little voice telling me, "Aww, Erin, c'mon. Your stuff isn't good enough. Why are you spending so much time and effort making jewelry no one will buy. Sure your family and friends like it... because they are your FAMILY, of course they will tell you they like it..." Imagine this voice in your head every night, repeating and repeating and taunting and taunting... It was almost unbearable. It felt so risky to share my art with the public. "What if they don't like it? What if they say I'm no good? What if they don't order anything?"

I was tired of being in fear. I was tired of playing it safe. I was fed up with my clever game of self-sabotaging my dreams. I recalled being eight years old again, walking in to the bead store... And I remembered how excited, anxious and joyful I felt at the mere notion of being able to create ANYTHING I wanted. ANYTHING!!! ANY color, ANY shape and in ANY way I wanted. And so I asked myself, "Why BE self-sabotaging, helpless and a victim of my own demise" when there is only opportunity ahead of me... I can still create... now it's creating a business, rather than a necklace.

I'm 30 years old, and I'm standing in front of a store called, "Something Silver", in Mission Viejo Mall. I am waiting for Stephanie Hara, the buyer for Something Silver, to meet with me and look at my line sheets. She sits down with me and looks though my linesheets smiling and making awesome comments on my work. She then takes out an order form and proceeds to place an order with me for three of her west coast stores (Downtown Disney, Seattle, Wa and Portland, Or). I am almost peeing in my pants as she writes down my very first whlesale order.

Over the next two years, my jewelry was featured in 8 of their 10 stores across the nation. What seemed impossible, was now possible. What historically was not moving, was NOW moving... Then came Bloomingdales... The rest is history.

As an artist, there are always moments of hesitation and trepidation when conducting new business in this changing market. Questions like, "Am I good enough? Are my products what people want? Is it original?" etc, arise and sometimes stop or slow our process and creation. It has been a dream of mine to create and host a trunk show for designers and artists, just starting a business and who have been in business, to share THEIR passion with the rest of the us.

Imagine a room full of friends and family, holiday music, the sweet scent of peppermint, cider and gingerbread... And the site of people enjoying themselves and eachother in an intimate and personalized shopping environment. Artists sharing their stories with eachother, making new friends, creating new contacts, and being a HUGE contribution to their charities! This is what I am up to creating, this is the joy I want to share and spread with you all. And to do so in a safe, friendly and non-competative environment. And with it being a time for giving and seasonal greetings, why not share your passion with the world while contributing portions of sales to a favorite charity.

I have worked really hard to personally invite those in my family, my friends and clients who have a sincere interest in supporting our event and our causes. It is up to all of us to create the success of this trunk show. I HIGHLY encourage you (if you haven't done so already) to create your own invitations, forward the Evite invitation, post on facebook or twitter or myspace, etc. Call your friends and family, tell them what you are up to and how you are a part of something that is contributing to others this season! Promote your charity! Invite charity members to attend. There are so many options!

But most of all, remember why you ever chose to pick up that sewing machine, that camera, those pins and scraps of fabric, that t-shirt, that paper, that doodle you drew that tunred in to something super cute... Remember why you chose to be an artist and why it meant so much to you. It's time to share your self, your art and your passion with others. You are very special people with such gifts to share with others. And I am honored and so lucky to have you aprticipate in this event with me.

I am really looking forward to being and celebrating with you all on Sunday.

In Bliss, Peace and Love,
Erin

2009-10-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

I am currently 12 weeks pregnant. Almost at the end of my my 1st tri-mester. YAY! The following is my first blog entry as a pregnant person... hah! Enjoy.

__________

It’s Thursday morning, October 29, at 10:30 am. I am walking to the scale, I take off my scarf, put my purse down, I take off my shoes, and I think about all the other items on my body I can remove... (girls are funny about their weight, yes?) I step on to the scale and am surprised that I have not gained any weight. Yay! I mean, yay? Wait, I thought I was supposed to gain weight. I’m slightly concerned about not gaining weight, but then recall from researching that it is normal to gain only three pounds or so in the first tri-mester. Phew, ok on to the room with the stirrups, yoo-hoo!

The nurse asks me to pull up my sweater as she wraps the inflatable device around my arm to measure my blood pressure. Tighter, tighter and tighter, until she says, “116/80... normal.” She asks me to lay down so she can look for the baby’s heartbeat. I lie down and as I stare up at the ceiling, there are four or five images from familiar comics and pictures of kittens and puppies. Humorous sayings are printed on them meant to put patients like me at ease. (If I could remember what they said I would share them, but I forgot...) Gel is being rubbed on my lower belly and I shudder at the coolness as my skin becomes goose pimply. As the nurse presses the device in to my belly, the sound is like a loud wind, swishing and swooshing in my stomach. She stops and I listen, she moves a little to the right, I listen... She moves a little to the left, I listen... She continues to prod my belly for what seems like an eternity. I hear a faint beat and the nurse quickly tells me that the sound I hear is my OWN heartbeat. “Okaaay...”, I’m thinking in my head. “Where is the BABY’s heartbeat?” The nurse turns the speaker off and says to me, “Well, its early.” I can feel my face turn red and the heat begins to shoot through my body. The nurse says to me, “Okay, so now you can meet the Doctor and she will talk to you about some other things.” I’m wiping goopy gel off of my stomach and I’m semi-pissed that I didn’t hear the heartbeat inside my belly.

I’m walking down the hallway gripping Kevin’s hand and I am talking to myself in my head. “Why couldn’t she find the heartbeat? Why? Why? What’s wrong with my baby? Is it even alive?” Kevin and I sit down at Dr. Sugihara’s desk. The Doctor sits down and begins to chat about my test results. I breathe a sigh of relief as all of my tests have come back clear. I ask a few important questions about more tests during the next few weeks. Then the Doctor says, “Okay, so let’s go listen to the heartbeat!”

I tightly grip Kevin’s hand. I walk back in to the examination room. The cool gel hits my skin again, but this time, I don’t mind. The device probes my belly once again, and we hear the swish-swoosh sounds again. The Doctor quickly points out that the sound we hear is my own heartbeat. “How many beats per minute is the fetus’s heart beating at?”, I ask. “About 150 beats per minute”, she replies. She scans and scans, presses and prods, back and forth... I am feeling anxious, scared and fearful. I look in Kevin’s direction and he smiles at me reassuringly. I look up at the comics at the ceiling, and I am not amused anymore. The Doctor tells us that the target is only two millimeters in size so it may take time to find it. Three to four minutes pass (which feels like an hour) and I can feel myself fill with sorrow. “What if it is gone? What if it is dead? What if it doesn’t even exist?” The thought’s in my head take over and I close my eyes in sadness.

The sounds emitting from the speaker still mimic those of a windstorm. Then my Doctor asks me to stay still and jokingly says, “Okay, hold your breath...” And then, I hear it! I look over to Kevin and he is smiling with his head down. Tears begin streaming spontaneously out of my eyes. The heartbeat sounds like a swirling spinning washing machine, “Sweesh-o Sweesh-o Sweesh-o”. I was so present in that moment. All of my bills, financial matters, pending appointments and any angst I held in my heart - completely vanished “in a heartbeat”.

Kevin and I leave the Doctor’s office completely astonished and feeling alive. We enjoy a plate of pasta at our favorite Italian joint, Roma D’ Italia. Spaghetti and meatballs for Kevin and clam linguini with white sauce for mommy and baby.

Henry

2009-06-27T01:49:00.001-07:00

What a treat! I get to listen to live music and photograph at the same time. I love what I do!!!

Portraits in June to chase away the gloom...

2009-06-23T23:08:00.001-07:00

2009-06-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.popphoto.com/Features/20-Easy-Techniques-For-Improving-Your-Photos

Downtown Santa Ana

2009-06-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

'frozen fountain'

Walking down the city streets of downtown Santa Ana, I realize I had lived here for two years and I never went for a walk outside 2nd and Broadway. I am joined by my father, Al Nomura, and two friends (photography class participants), Claudia and Laura. We are on a walking tour of downtown Santa Ana, photographing the city and enjoying the perfect 70 degree weather.

'raining?'

In front of the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Gallery I test my skills at long exposure. I got a cool shot of the water streaming from the fountain. It looks like it's raining with sunny skies. Cool.

'up'

I'm sipping on my banana mocha from the Gypsy Den, savoring rich espresso, mocha and banana in between shooting... With each break between shots I am finding myself taking longer and longer sips through the narrow straw, and I am feeling more and more full and experiencing levels of brain freeze that can not be healthy for humans. Frustrated by my wet fingertips touching my camera, I down the last third of my sumptuous banana mocha. And like a good girl, I wipe my hands all over my jeans until they are completely dry before I handle my 'precious'. Now, I'm off to rediscover brick walls and other various vintage like structures and curiosities!

'peeking through'

'2nd street'

As I turn the corner form the serenity which is 2nd street, I come upon the parking lot which is behind the bar now called, Proof. Brick and more brick, then randomness. (See image below) The drum actually says, "Step One"... If anyone know's what this is or what it was, let me know... interestingness everywhere.

'step drum'

'old city hall'

(If you're really reading this... stay tuned. Falling asleep infront of computer... can't type any more...ZZZ zzz 'head bob' zz z zzzz...)

'peanut'

'post-office peek'

'slots'

'jacaranda shadows'

'tamarindo por favor'

'big smiles, small butts'

'WTF?'

'calcutta'

'rome'

'gate'

'empty courthouse'

'jet'

'criss-cross shadow'

'street light'

'Kuri'

2009-06-01T01:33:00.000-07:00

Carwash

2009-06-01T00:57:00.000-07:00

Dodge Ball!

2009-05-30T00:23:00.001-07:00

Dodge ball. Yes, dodge ball. The aroma of the gym alone could kill a room of sorority sisters... testosterone mixed with the stench of gym socks and jock straps. Ah, the sweet smell of 'sport'. Don't get me wrong, there were a few ladies playing the game as well. And yes, they kicked some butt.

The highlight of the tournament was a team of six, came strutting on to the playing field dressed in colorful t-shirts and SPANKIES! Wow. What a treat (spoken facetiously, of course).

Bailey

2009-05-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Bailey was one of 14 models we shot last Saturday. It was a mega-shooting of HUGE proportion. 13 hours of shooting, 14 models and 15 gigs of memory shot. It was absolutely fantastic.

Stay tuned, more fun from Saturday's shoot to come.

Quiet Moment

2009-04-24T02:22:00.000-07:00

Walking through Balboa Park sometime ago... I spotted this gentleman resting with his bag of recyclables. A perfect, perhaps Divine, streak of sunlight draped over him and his bag of soda cans. All while a Saint looks over him.

San Francisco Chinatown

2009-03-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've been to San Francisco's Chinatown four times in my life.

1979, I'm five years old. My Grandparents chose to retire and as a result, take their first (and only at the time) Grandchild on a vacation up to Northern California. I'm half-sleeping in the backseat of a Toyota Celica, wondering why I feel nauseated. I look out the car window and stare curiously at the crooked streets and sideways cars. There is a yellow stuffed animal in my lap. I named it 'Ducky'. Grandpa drives over the Golden Gate Bridge and opens the sun-roof. I'm climbing on the center console sticking my head out of the window, cold wind chilling my five year old cheeks. I look up and the sky is blue with puffy white clouds and the bright orange pillars are towering over my head. Strolling through Chinatown, I see many items Grandpa carried in his fishmarket. Grandma bought me a chinese style jacket. It's red with little gold flowers.

1995, I'm in college. Traci, Miyuki and my boyfriend at the time, are venturing to the city by ourselves. Tram at SFO, Taxi to BART, BART to city, then walking for block after block to a seedy motel in the area known as the 'tenderloin'. Our feet are blistered red and our hands are almost bruised from carrying our luggage (suitcases weren't designed with wheels back then, I guess). All my boyfriend and I were thinking about was being alone in a motel room (we were 20 years old, c'mon!). We arrive at the motel, and come to find out all four of us were sleeping in the same room. Damn. Ghirardelli Square, an over-priced seafood dinner at the Tadich Grill (I ordered the least expensive entree on the menu, Shrimp Scampi), girlie conversation about shaving, and a brief jaunt in to Chinatown. My only memory of Chinatown was a small fortune cookie factory where they let you eat a fresh cookie hot off of the cookie press... heaven! Three elderly Chinese women are dutifully folding each flattened cookie by hand, inserting paper-fortunes one by one. One of the women stands up and loudly ask me, "Yu wan regulaa owa sick-see fochune cook-ee?" I look at my friends and bust up laughing. Did she just ask me if I want regular or sexy fortune cookies? "Ya ya, yu wan sick-see fochune!" I say, "OK" and leave with three bags of regular fortune cookies and one bag of sexy fortune cookies. Anxious to know what my "sexy" fortune is, I crack the extra crispy cookie open in half and gently pull the small narrow white paper out. My sexy fortune reads something along the lines of, "You have nice bed tonight". Laughing hysterically as all four of us spent the next five minutes opening sexy fortune cookies after sexy fortune cookie, I made a mental note of the location of the cookie factory (it was in an obscure alley). I promised myself I would go back for the cookies one day. I had to share this wonderful place with everyone.

I'm 20 something... With my boyfriend (ex-boyfriend now) visiting relatives of his in Walnut Creek. I am on the BART absolutely ecstatic about visiting the city. I am craving a visit to Chinatown to find the fortune cookie factory. We walk through North Beach and we stop for a delicious cup of coffee and a pastry at an Italian Bakery... h e a v e n. We approach Chinatown on foot and I am anxious to explore every alley way and crevace I can find. We walk up and down the streets and turn down every alley I can find. I am cursing myself as I never wrote down the name or the location of the fortune cookie factory the last time I was here. Damn! Damn! Damn! Stressed and tired from walking, I give up and wait for my relatives to find us as I am sick of walking and have to go pee.

March 5th, 2009. 3:00 am. My iPhone alarm is going off... "Starlight", by Muse is blaring. I pull my earplugs out and I'm rolling over to wake Kevin. "Baby, it's time to get up...", I whisper with intention. Kevin moans loudly in disapproval and I walk to the bathroom. The lights are on in the apartment as I realize the sun doesn't shine before 4:00 am. The shower is loud and I hear Kevin growl from the bedroom (our apartment is small). My eyes are heavy but my mind is racing.

"I am going to San Francisco today. I'm going to San Francisco today. I'm going to San Francisco today." Capping my toothbrush holder and collecting q-tips, I put the final touches on my toiletry bag. Kevin's eyes look sleepy and we give the kitties Amelie and Kuri one final kiss and pet. The sky is still dark, but I am knowing that in less than 12 hours I WILL find the fortune cookie factory and I WILL have a warm fresh off the press cookie in my mouth!

5, 22, 405 to Century Blvd. Wally park to shuttle to United terminal at LAX. A little Incubus, Royksopp, and some Cafe Paradiso for good measure is playing in the iPod. Check in, wait in line, another line and finally the security check. My father doesn't travel very often, and watching him go through the security checkpoint was kind of funny... But I wont go in to detail. Let's just say, back braces should be removed prior to walking through a metal detector. (Love you, Dad)

SFO, Enterprise rent-a-car (Michelle, you ROCK. The best service EVER for a rental car company), and then we are off (freaking finally) to Chinatown.

The gps is politely telling us that we are driving in the incorrect direction. I'm sitting in the back seat and I'm quietly giggling at Kevin as he drives through Downtown San Francisco for the first time. He appears stressed. Looking out the window, my eye's are picking up every nuance of the city I rarely see. First stop, Great Eastern Restaurant. Dim Sum... ahhh, yes. But this place was different.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-eastern-restaurant-san-francisco
No carts here. Order what you like from a menu and check off the items you want. The hustle and bustle of the crowd is interestingly intoxicating. There are live shrimp, various fish and crab dwelling in tank windows. A Chinese waiter approaches our table and mistakes us for understanding the Chinese language. He get's that we are of non-Chinese decent and hurriedly asks us, "You or-da now?". And so we order... and order... and order some more. Dumpling after delicious dumpling. Each morsel bursting with more flavor than the first. Shrimp, Leek, Scallop and pork dumplings... Rice noodle drizzled with a soy sauce concoction that melts in my mouth. And piping hot jasmine tea to complete the savory flavor left on my palette. I am now fully prepared to hike my way around Chinatown anxious to explore and discover the nooks and crannies that were left unseen the last three times I visited. Here I go...

Strolling down the streets I am taken aback by the grafitti that covers the alley walls, structures and even automobiles. Although it is disruptive and intrusive, somehow it becomes camouflaged among the rest of the cityscape.
It is now approaching 3 o'clock. There is no sign of a fortune cookie factory. My hope is running thin and I am ready to give up. I am delighted to have found so many wonderful moments to photograph. But alas, I have not found my cookies... my fortune cookies... I turn down one last alley, Ross. I catch a cool shot of laundry cascading down a fire escape drying in the wind.
I continue down Ross...and I smell them. The sweet aroma of sugar and dough hits my nose and I am about ready to jump for joy. I'm flipping out! I walk towards the sweet smell and behold! Here I am, at the Fortune Cookie Factory.
I am ecstatic. I walk in the tiny room and there are three older Chinese women creating each fortune cookie by hand as they come off of the press. They each have their own special way of making sure the fold is perfect. There is a short window of time to insert the slim piece of paper which holds the coveted fortune and then fold the cookie in to its classic shape. If too much time has passed, the cookie will harden. An older Chinese man approaches me smiling from ear to ear. He reaches over to the fortune cookie press and grabs a freshly pressed cookie and hands it to me quickly. The warm delicate cookie slowly folds in my hand then hardens to an odd flappy shape. I put the cookie in my mouth and I am instantly taken back to the first time I visited the cookie factory. It is a perfect moment.

We continue our walk through Chinatown and our bellies are full of Dim Sum and Fortune Cookies. We are very very happy campers.

To view the complete gallery of images from my Chinatown excursion, please visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagebliss/sets/72157615287561569/

Just Beachy

2009-02-14T01:18:00.000-08:00

Celebration at Hsi Lai Temple

2009-01-28T01:20:00.000-08:00

I didn't know what to do...

2009-01-26T00:14:00.001-08:00

Sunday afternoon, Dana Point Harbor. My father, Kevin and I are walking on the breakwater with our cameras, anticipating a few shots of the days sunset. Maneuvering our way along the rocky path, we gaze out over the water admiring the Surfers making their way on waves in Doheny State Beach. Something catches my eye below me... a young pup is climbing the rocks just ten feet below.

Cut up, fur missing, it's eyes slightly gray with mucous, the pup makes eye contact with me and begins to climb the breakwater rocks toward us. I lean over the rocks and watch in awe as the pup climb its way up at least five more feet up towards the top of the breakwater to where we are standing.

It's eyes gleaming, I could swear the pup was trying to approach us. I knew the pup was in need of help and my eyes begin to well with tears. I'm feeling helpless, sad and angry. The pup continued to climb higher, inch by inch. It paused a few moments and surveyed the rocks, then lifted itself up and climbed again. I'm anxious watching the pup continue to pursue higher ground and I tell my Dad and Kevin that we should leave the area as it would not be healthy to interact with the animal, especially if it was ill. We were already too close to it and my gut feeling was to go.

I caught one last photograph of the pup as it turned to watch my father leave... I get up from my knees, brush the dust off my jeans, put my camera in my bag and I stare at the young pup for several more seconds. The pup paused as it wasn't able to climb any higher up the breakwater rocks. So it just stared at me. And then the stories began to run through my mind... Maybe the pup was waiting for its mother as she fished for food. I knew it is common for the mother to leave its pup on dry land while she hunted for food. But I couldn't help but wonder if this pup was seeking help. Perhaps the pup was fine, its injuries healed and was simply saying, "hello" to us. Whatever the case, the moment was deeply touching and heartbreaking at the same time. It was the first time a wild animal looked at me in my eyes at such close range. The brief connection was moving and deeply profound.

Since this encounter with "Bubby" (as I've named it) Kevin and I have chosen to look in to volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

I reported "Bubby" to the Marine Mammal Center with an attachment of his photo.

Chinatown - Los Angeles

2009-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

(Shot with a Canon 20D)

The Session - Brothers

2009-01-21T23:51:00.000-08:00

(Shot with a Cnon 20D)

The Session - Rene

2009-01-21T23:50:00.001-08:00

(Shot with a Canon 20D)

The Session - Huisok

2009-01-21T23:48:00.000-08:00

(Shot with a Canon 20D)

The Session - Alicia

2009-01-21T23:31:00.000-08:00

(Shot with a Canon 20D)

A Family Affair

2009-01-18T23:06:00.000-08:00

My Grandma, Mary, designs blouses out of 'Furoshiki' panels. Furoshiki (風呂敷, furoshiki) are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. 'Cho Cho Designs' is the name of her company and the blouses are unique, contemporary and distinctly Japanese.

For the Holidays (which us Nomura's celebrate in early January or late December), we chose to have the cousins photographed while modeling Grandma's blouses.

We turned my aunt's house in to a full on impromptu runway studio. My Dad, a professional photographer, had a blast setting the lights for me, Kacie and Micah (more cousins). Touting our Canon's, we fired off over 500 shots as we encouraged our model cousins to WORK IT!

What a cool, spontaneous, extraordinary shoot! Our entire family came together and created a phenomenal group of shots. There was little to no planning, no shot list, and no agenda to follow... I am a part of an amazing family. Fully creatively self-expressed! (Shot with a Canon 5D)

Shogatsu

2009-01-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

It is January 1st, 2009. Grandma is shuffling in the kitchen fussing over my favorite 'ozoni' soup. She mumbles something in Japanese, "...Shiran. My food no taste good this year." She says this every year, with out fail even though we tell her it's just as amazing as last year and the year before. Guests are salivating over the delicacies which completely cover the huge dining table. Seki-han (red-bean mochi rice), octopus with green onion, sesame oil and soy sauce, kamaboku (pink, white and green Japanese fish cakes), lobster, shrimp, kuromame (sweetend black soy beans, dried fish, kuri (chestnut paste), sushi, kazunoko (herring roe), bbq pork, california rolls, potato salad, chicken salad, cucumber kim-chee, green bean casserole, chirashi (sushi rice), kalbi (Korean bbq beef), sesame chicken and ozoni (soup with mochi). Most of the Japanese food prepared by Grandma on New Years Day has special meaning associated with it. I know the beans mean something that has to do with money, I think. I always make sure I eat a couple (I pop it in to my mouth real fast and barely chew... I don't really like the taste). I sneak a small piece of beef off of the edge of a plate while Grandpa smiles warmly at me. "Ara! Dame! Kitanai...Wash your hands!", I hear my Grandmother shout at me from the kitchen. I swear that woman has eyes on the back of her head.

And then there are the dogs. Cassidy (black Lab), Lacy (yellow lab) and Kahea (half fox terrier and half chihuahua) "Lacy! NO!"... "Kahea, get back here!"... "Caaaas! Cassidy..." All three circle the dining room table in hopes of just one fallen morsel of Grandma's home-cooked creations.

I'm feeling quite toasty and very red. I've had about 5 sake shots by this time, 9 p.m. or so, and it's time for something sweet. Mmmm, cookies, King's Hawaiian Passion cake, homemade bundt cake, Aunty's green jello... I start to feel guilty for not knowing how to cook New Year's food like my Grandma, so I pick up my camera and take pictures the pretty food instead.

Kampai! Happy New Year!

The last day of 2008

2009-01-07T00:20:00.000-08:00

“Irasshai-mase!!!” is being shouted at me by four young Japanese waiters. I am guided to a seat at the bar which overlooks the food prep and cooking area. I can feel my skirt hiking up my thigh higher than I am used to and I struggle to pull it down towards my knees all while trying to look graceful sitting on the awkward bar stool. A group of young college age students sit at a large table behind me chattering about the world’s current events. And to my left is a young Asian guy with his buddy, neither one engaged in much conversation with each other as both are busily texting someone on their mobile phones. I am at Shin-Sen-Gumi Ramen, in the South Bay about to eat the last meal of 2008.

As I get acclimated to the smells, sounds and awkward bar stool, my mind is skimming over the last several years worth of New Years eve’s. When was the last time I actually went out for New Years Eve? I instantly recollect two times when I went all out. I am nine-teen and my parents are out on the town. I make a promise to not have too many friends over. Needless to say, I have triple the number of friends allowed at my house, there is alcohol scattered in every room of the house and I am am throwing up in my kitchen on the floor at the stroke of midnight. The second time I recall, I am in my mid-twenties. While dressing at the hotel, a photograph of me is being taken... I’m wearing a black and red china-girl style dress and my hair is tied up in an up-do with silver glitter adorning my eye-lids. I am posed on the hotel bed on my stomach while being conscious of my cleavage. Fast forward six hours or so. I’m in my hotel room, laying on my stomach and a photograph is being taken of me. However, compared to the earlier image captured of me, I now have red eyes, mascara has run down my cheeks from laughing and sweating at the night-club, the up-do has turned in to a birds nest, the “Happy New Year” tiara upon my head is bent to the point where it now reads, “ppy New ea”, and I am experiencing a major wardrobe malfunction in the bra department. Good times.

My new years flashbacks are interrupted as the waiter brings a steaming hot bowl of Hakata Ramen in front of me. My high heel flips off the bar stool foot rest as I try to get out of the way of the waiters reach and I accidentally thrust my chest in to the counter. I smile and casually pull down my skirt again.

I eat most of my noodles, gyoza and seaweed salad and I am now off to Santa Monica to dance the night away. “Doomo-Arigatoo-Gozaimashita!!!”, is shouted as I depart the noodle house. Finally, I am going out on the town New Years eve. It’s been so long. I’m anticipating party people dressed to the nine’s, martini’s all night long, a little hip-hop, some funky house music even a little rock and roll, and a handsome man to kiss at midnight.

Flash forward two hours.

It’s 11:50 p.m., December 31, 2008. I am unlocking the door to my apartment after having driven all the way back home to Santa Ana from Santa Monica in the most hellacious fog I have ever witnessed. No dancing, no martini’s and no hip hop and rock and roll. My boyfriend has a fever. My priority is to keep safe and to be healthy. With ten minutes left in 2008, I am sitting next to him on the couch in the dark with Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark on the television. My mind is flashing back on all that could have been that night and what I could be doing right now (dancing like no one is watching, drinking my dirty martini with extra olives, etc.) But I’m not doing any of those things. I’m sitting at home listening to intermittent gun fire and the sound of banging pots and pans.

Instead of resenting my boyfriend for being sick, regretting driving all the way to and from Orange County to Los Angeles twice and worrying about my skirt hiking up my thighs all night... I turn to Kevin and I think to myself, all that matters is that I am with him right here, right now... And I still have a handsome man to kiss at the stroke of midnight.