10/8/2021
2:20PM
I haven’t written a blog post since March 2021. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. 7 whole months. I didn’t even realize it was a hiatus of over half a year. My goal has been to write up 12 blog posts in total, a benchmark of one per month. I have about 3 months left, and I’m determined to try and reach the finish line with flying colors.
So I guess it’s only fair to give you all an update on what’s been happening on my end yeah?
TIME SKIP
11/12/2021
Andddd so another month has passed and I’m back here finishing up this post. My mentality RIGHT now is let’s just give the people an update in the next 10 minutes before I go out and celebrate a friend’s birthday. Best to just get it out of the way. To make that check off my to do list. To bang it out. So here goes nothing.
TIME SKIP AGAIN
11/18/2021
Turns out I had to pull some photos from my old phone, and I was too pressed on time to finish it all. Here goes nothing - Round 2.
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April 2021
I was fortunate enough to be part of Facebook’s Campaign for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month through being an active member of the group Asian Creative Network. It was my first time being on the flip side of the camera, and boy was it challenging being one of the talents! Through this, I learned to respect the models that I shoot at a whole other level. I also got to meet many other talented and special individuals from other Asian centered Facebook groups. What made me even happier though was the fact that there were so many people who looked like me who were actually involved in making this project come to life.
May 2021
Took a trip with some of the besties and others over to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Shoutouts to Big Dawg Alpha for driving my group - Anne, Teresa, and I there and also Tiffany for the ride back! It was my first time there, and what a joy it was to be spending time with individuals who I love and care for. Just being away from my responsibilities back in NYC was so restful. That was the last time we did a trip like this, and I cannot wait for the next one down the line.
June 2021
It was my first time being involved with East Side Stories! Plus it was something special to me. This project was specifically for the restaurant group, ATO, for an event of theirs that was partnered with San Pelligrino. It was called On The Line, which welcomed over 50 NYC line cooks for a night of community, inspiration, and hospitality. It was a night that honored the important work that line cooks do to elevate the entire restaurant industry. I think that this industry is one that deserves so much recognition through their rigorous work and skill. I’ve been a fan of ATO for so long. AND East Side Stories is a bunch of young creatives that have such a beautiful mission of telling unheard stories.
Here’s a link to my shots on their Instagram Story!
July 2021
I MOVE OUT! I’ve been looking forward to this day for so so long. I think especially with the pandemic, and being stuck at home 24/7 with my family, it just really irked me in ways I didn’t know was possible. I’ve been so patient for all these years. So many of my friends either moved out during college or right after college, and had this taste of freedom. I wanted to do that too. Believe me, I love my independence and just want to do the things I want. However, I honored my parents' decision for wanting to help me buy a place. And although I’m nothing but grateful, I never did mind struggling or putting in the work. I just wanted to be happy. I’m a very fortunate individual and I’m so thankful. Here I am - in Woodside, Queens. I’ll cherish every square foot and memory I’ll get to create here.
August 2021
East Side Stories is back. And this time we’re taking the experience over to Iceland! A short film was being shot there and they needed a photographer, as well as an audio guy to assist for the weeklong project. It was an unforgettable time there. Our team put in so much work to get whatever we needed to get done. Early mornings to late night, and none stop driving from shoot location A to B all the way to Z. I learned how WORK every individual in a production team puts in and that movies, tv shows, commercials, etc would NOT be possible without the help of these lovely individuals. Anddddd yeah the country is just beautiful - for miles and miles long.
September 2021
Teresa and I take a mini road trip! We took a weekend trip celebrating our 1 year anniversary as a cute couple through the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC. It was my first time being in the latter 2 cities, and I’m so happy I got to spend this new memory with my lovely girlfriend. We explored and took lots of photos. I’m just happy that we got to share that special moment between the two of us.
October 2021
For the final month here, I just continued to be grateful and blessed with more opportunities bestowed upon me. I love my life, truly. It’s never perfect for me, and I can guarantee you it’s not perfect for anybody out there living there in this world. However, I strive only to look towards the positive things in life, while striving to become a better me. No other words needed here. I think the photos are proof enough.