Black Gold

I watched the documentary, Black Gold, and it was rather fascinating. It is a movie that focuses on the injustice in the coffee business and how the local farmers are not receiving fair prices for their beans. It amazes me that we spend anywhere from $1 to $4 dollars on a cup of coffee and somehow the coffee farmers are not seeing the profit. In fact, these farmers are barely surviving. With as much money as I spend on coffee every year, I was overwhelmed by my own ignorance on this subject. Maybe because it easier to ignore social injustice than knowing what one person can do that could truly make a difference. I know for the longest time this was how I lived my life but then I started educating myself and now I can't turn away from global social issues. Trust me; ignorance is not bliss.

For more information see: http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/
Photo provided by this site.

1st year of flickr

Today is my one year anniversary on Flickr.

It has been a year since I got back into my photography. Somehow in the midst of shooting weddings, I lost my love and passion for this beautiful gift I have been blessed with. I walked away from it for 2 years. I couldn't even look at a camera without looking at it with great apathy. But then a friend came into my life and somehow my love was renewed and thus started my Flickr blog. Slowly I started shooting again, and my passion started to awaken. My longing to capture my daily wonderful and blissful moments just became an addiction. An addiction that I can't stop feeding. Everyday I am challenged on how to be a better photographer. Even through all the mundane daily life moments, I am challenged to capture its beauty and simplicity.

So to you my friend; thanks for bringing back a lost love of mine.

Andres and the old man

2 things i love: Andres and old people

Andre's is the cutest little hidden treasure of Kansas City. I tend to always order the same thing: Cheese pie with 2 mini salad's. I have gotten into a rhythm there and can't seem to break it. And of course after the most delightful meal, the tray of fabulous handmade desserts come out and you have to pick only one. How do I ever commit to just one? I suppose it is the fact that I know I will return and face this dilemma once again. I savor every bite and walk away so satisfied. I feel for just that one meal; eating became an art form.

I love old people. They offer such wisdom and amazing stories of their past to share. They have grown up in some very difficult times-the depression, ww2 and generally lived a very simple lifestyle. They were not distracted by this crazy media driven; immediate gratification world that society has formed today. Oh how quickly times change. I long for the simplicity of life that they come from and can only imagine what they think of this world today.

So to bring this together, I went to Andre's yesterday with some friends and while I was waiting in line, the cutest old man starts talking to me. He asks me about my life while sharing a few details of his own. He proceeds to tell me his wife didn't want to come into the city today but has a tradition of always eating at Andre's while in town. He then says, " I will share a table with you, if you like." Little did he know I was with a group of girlfriends so I had to gently decline. I know I would have enjoyed a lunch with him very much and it would have brought these two loves of mine together for just a moment.

the beginning...

Lent.

A time of reflection.
A time of self denial.
A time to slow down.
A time to turn away from distractions.
A time to be quiet.
A time to make changes.
A time to embrace Him.

my new addiction.

Happy Birthday.

My dear Coco,

You recently turned two.

It wasn't too long ago that I wondered how we would ever survive together. You had much to teach me as I did you in order for us to live in harmony.

You were a slow bloomer in potty training which only taught me more about patience.
You demanded attention that just reminded me how selfish I am.
You loved to chew and destroy material things which revealed to me how possessive I was with things.

Happy Birthday my dear little one. Thanks for teaching me how to be a bit more unselfish, patient, giving, and loving.

oh chicago...

it's been two years since i left you. there is not a day that goes by that i don't think of how you changed me.

you stripped me of everything that i held so dear.
you showed me my darkest days.
you forced me to surrender my deepest hurts.
you brought hope to my future.

oh chicago. you changed me and for that i will always love you.