Polaroids are the root of my love of Photography

Polaroids mean more to me as a photographer than anything else. 

Polaroids are the memories and stories of how my family was growing up. Hiding in my Mom's closet, I would go through her boxes of polaroids and would revel in all the beautiful pictures of her and my family back home. I found out that my Mom was a teacher in Hawaii and that was one of her first jobs in America. I learned through these photographs that she is a pioneer teacher for the Bilingual program in Hawaii.**which now is a huge program that adds to the colorful quilt that is Hawaii. 

Polaroids mean a lot to me because I also learned through these incredible pictures what the world was like through my parents eyes of when they first made their big move to America.

So it saddens me deeply that Polaroid will be discontinuing the production of instant film. I always have though of polaroids as the first "digital camera." 

You get an instant shot. or what i like to call "instalove" 

Whoever is reading this. please keep this legacy alive.

above are some of my favorite findings of mine. the first ofe is of Jojo when she was a baby. oooh the bowl cut<3

the second one is Waikiki where my Dad used to work when he first came to Hawaii.

and the last one is of my dad. aint
he pimpin! How can we no longer have polaroids!:( its like taking a huge part of history away.

***wowza

I check my families myspaces' regularly. it keeps me connected. I recently visited my sisters site and came across this photo. I left my other Dslr with her because I know how, although not very vocal about it, she is passionate about photography and she is really good. 

The photo above is probably one of my most favorite shots ever. its soo beautiful. and its of SACRAMENTO! I miss the colors. and crusin around with good music.:)

I picked up some books today. I have been feeling really inspired lately.

here is my selection:

Letters to a Young Poet - Rainer Maria Rilke

Scattered Poems- Jack Kerouac

Insecure at Last - Eve Ensler

I want to curl into a corner with a comfy blanket and hide in these books for the next couple of mornings. that will be my plans for the weekend. 

and to take my mamiya for a spin. 

i miss you jojo!

just an after thought

i just cleaned out the inbox from my cellphone. It looks like i hold onto these little sweet notes from my loved ones back home.

I hold onto them when I am down so I can still feel connected to you guys. 

i just got one from jfo and she said, I'm starting to notice little bits of you in jas. like the way she'll laugh or say something sometimes. I think its just cuz im thinkin of u.

or

from hasanah

Ur my bestest friend. I was crying on the plane because I am so grateful to have u in my life. The dude next to me asked me if I was okay i was sobbing so much.

fuck I miss u crazy girls. jasum especially. it hurts so much to be away from your crazy unicorn ass. 

muahahaha

sometimes i wonder if I will ever meet new friends out here that I hold as dear as the ones back in cali.

i was so frustrated with my light set earlier that I decided to mess with my mamiya that has been having issues with focusing back to infinity. But with enough angst and determination I FIXED IT!

so my postings will now include medium format...YEAH! I think i need to start taking more portraits/shots of my new city anyways. 

ahh man:(

i was soo excited to come home and mess with my studio lights now that everything has settled down. I finally am getting the hang of my new job. I am getting used to maryland and getting familiar with the streets and where to go. I even took a little trip to target and ikea to treat our new place with plenty of nice things.(I'll post pics when we are all done** 

I got my softbox out. Broke out with my old mamiya trl and guess what. my POWER PACK isn't working!!!! Ahhhhh AND novatron is closed until tomorrow. I hate when things like this happens. I want answers right away so i can get to work. i think its my OCD/ADD. fuck!

anyways. above is a cute pic of what our room looks like so far.

we even buckled down and got a coool lamp that looks like a futuristic lotus. sooo sweet. 

Me and lucas spent the weekend indulging. we also bought "No Reservations"

It made me dream about how I still really would like to open a restaurant. Food and the art of it is something that will always make me glow. We had a lot of interesting conversations in our slightly beer buzzed stupor. Life, the HISTORIC ELECTION. Love, our future. This year is about putting all goals into play. I got to thinking about my family back home. Because previously, my sisters have always been a part of my plans. every victory or failure I would celebrate or laugh off with a wonderful meal. soo i asked him, How do you move on? How do you move on from missing them soo much? I told him, its like Its something that i cannot wrap my head around. Living my life without my sisters is like living a whole new life completely. and I can't see my future without them. I don't want to forget how they look like, or how they are. Especially how weird and funny they are**But I also feel if i don't let go, my pain from missing them will never subside. hopefully one of these days i'll figure it out. I can't wait til May. It is my birthday month. The sun will be shining AND it will be a good time to visit back home or THEY can visit me. stinkers.

have a good week everybody:)<3

peace and blessings.

jamie

*****YES WE CAN

this is so inspiring.

i dont know how to embed it. yikes

but please, loved ones, check this out. this is history in the 

making. me and lucas feel the same. Mr. Barack Obama touches our hearts. He will be the leader that will bring forth a better world.**

www.yeswecansong.com

blaHHHH

what a tiring day/week! but i must say i am honored to have a job like i do. the kids are beautiful and my co-workers are awesome.my new friend Bee - this totally cool chick took me to an asian market. I am not kidding, my heart sang with joy. I was in heaven. it felt good to find vegetables and snacks that i could get back home. I was almost convinced that I wouldn't be able to find a market like that. i know, i know- i was trippin. I am starting to understand that the move me and lucas made was not only brave. but HUGE. I don't think my co-workers know how truly appreciative i am of them and how they are making me feel like maryland is more like my home now. so thank you lifetouch:) jo, jerome, jas and hasanah i really miss you guys. you would love it out here. 

p.s

above is a sneak preview of some of the photos i will be publishing this year.

enjoy guys

cheers

yeah for baltimore

my local grocery is (safeway) in canton. I noticed there is a bakery called cakelove right on the corner...

It is suppose to open this month. so last night after picking up some stuffs i noticed a dready guy in the store setting up.

It was the guy from SUGAR RUSH on the food network. and automatically remembered he is from DC. wowza. sooo cool. I am learning to love this city more and more for its people, local home grown shops - less franchises and all the indiosyncrasies of this history filled city.<3

Happy Friday!