Hello, it's me.
Hello, it's me.
I'm in California dreaming about who I used to be.
I know I haven't posted anything since I've moved out here, but it wasn't because I wanted to or intended to. I just didn't have the words to describe how I was feeling day to day. It was a lot change for me.
Hello, it's me.
I'm in California dreaming about who I used to be.
Sea clouds and the starry night on Piuma Road in Malibu.
Photo courtesy of Idriss Njike
I know I haven't posted anything since I've moved out here, but it wasn't because I wanted to or intended to. I just didn't have the words to describe how I was feeling day to day. It was a lot of change for me. Picking up and packing up a life I used to know all too well, and then unpacking all of that was not the easiest for an emotional being like me. I knew that I could not get back into any routine I used to have. I was starting from scratch.
I used to jam to music while photo editing to unwind after a work day, or even be excited to edit my photos. But for the last few months, I was shooting and not looking back at any of it. I have memory cards filled with photographs I've taken these last 6 months that I have not uploaded or sifted through. After work, I just didn't want to stare at a computer screen. I didn't think anything I took was post worthy either. I travelled to Europe back in April and I still have not looked at any of those pictures!
It's like writer's block. Except it was my vision. Blocked.
I still remember the first day that I looked at any photograph, and that was the first week of September, when I finally looked at photos I took when I attempted to capture the milky way. Some serious skill and serious gear is required to get those pretty shots! (Neither of which I have mastered!) Mind you, I took those photos back in August, and I still have 5 more months of material I have not looked at. This was a great start though. I was slowly getting my mojo back.
Someone told me that the reason I stopped shooting was because I didn't love photography enough. That hurt me to hear, even though I knew that was not true. Deep down I know that I find comfort in photography. It is my passion and my hobby. I love it, and at the time I wanted to post or write on my site, but with everything going on in my new life, I was lost and very uncomfortable...busy figuring out me. I knew that I will always have photography to fall back into, but living in the moment now was really important for me. Figuring out these discomforts is what I needed to focus on.
One thing about photography that is both amazing and slightly irking is that when you take photos, you're so addicted to getting the shot that you become trigger happy with it. Sometimes you forget to step back and absorb what is really before you, using the gift of sight you are born with-- your eyes. How beautiful and fortunate we are to have eyes that can see this world in front of us. Because before you can really take a good photograph, you need to be able to see it with your own eyes, feel inspired, and create the work that you are drawn to. At least that has always been the case for me. I couldn't bring myself to like anything I was shooting because I was lost in this new world, lost with myself. I didn't know what was wrong at the time, but as of late I've been able to get my groove back with the help of inspiration.
I left the people I love back home to figure out myself and to chase a dream that I've been dreaming about for a long time. With that came a sacrifice that I feel every single day. But do I ever regret it? Not a single day thus far. There are rough days, sad days, nostalgic days, days that I find myself crying to sleep and not knowing exactly why so much emotion is arising out of my eyes and choking up my throat. But at the end of the day, I wake up and breathe a breath of fresh air and thank Buddha for allowing me to do this journey on my own. I am happy! Really freagin' happy!
And with this quick little update to my visual journal, I sign off without a photograph (that I took) to show you. I just want to let you know that I will be posting again very soon! I will finally be looking through my Europe content, and every random thing I took from sunsets to palm trees and more.
And what exactly helped me get my groove back? All it took was a little visit back home to New York City to see the people, the places, and everything in between that I love most. And for that, I thank you kind special individuals who know exactly who they are. ;)
Hello from the other side!!
With Love from LA,
Laura the Angeleno <3
Chapter 25
Chapter 25 is still being written, and I only have two and a half months left to fill the pages of this number, but so far I only beam excitement for what more lies ahead. Today I say farewell to my East Coast life and make the big move to Los Angeles, CA.
Chapter 25 is still being written, and I only have two and a half months left to fill the pages of this number, but so far I only beam excitement for what more lies ahead. Today I say farewell to my East Coast life and make the big move to Los Angeles, CA. I did not wake up one day and suddenly decide that today will be the day I pick up my entire life and move across the country to a city that I hardly know on the opposite coast of NYC. I always said that I would eventually do it. Eventually is now.
New York City has been and always will be my home. In fact, for the last 25 years, I never left it and I never moved away from it. It is where I was raised, where I learned how to walk and talk, where I navigated an unreliable transit system, met some of the strongest and most influential people, got my bachelor's degree, landed my first job straight out of college, and it will always be the city that allowed me to dream as big as possible.
Leaving behind everything you know is the toughest part, and though this has just begun, I already know what an impact this decision will have on the rest of my life. Whenever I thought about leaving NYC, I always thought of all the reasons for me to stay behind. They weren't excuses at the time because they were reasons within comfort. It is exactly this moment that I feel comfortable stepping out of it, too. I am very fortunate that the time to leave now is entirely my decision— unhindered.
Have you ever had that feeling where everything leading up to this moment felt exactly right? Well, this move feels exactly that way, where every bone in my body knows it is good for me. It feels right and I can't look back. LA might not be what I imagine it to be, but I will never know the answer to my "what if," if I do not take this chance, this opportunity, and move there.
I don't know what lies ahead, and I don't know who I will meet, what I will encounter, who I will become, but I head there knowing that I will latch on to what I believe in and overcome any obstacles that come my way. This is where two roads diverge, and I choose the one headed west.
Love,
Laura
That Time I Went to New Orleans
Back in March of 2015, I went to New Orleans for a long weekend. Why I waited this long to write about it, I don't know, but I still really want to share this memory. Though I speculate that most people probably think of Bourbon Street when I mention going to this city, I actually think of its amazing Cajun cuisine, Jazz music, upbeat atmosphere and the feeling of being in another world.
Back in March of 2015, I went to New Orleans for a long weekend. Why I waited this long to write about it, I don't know, but I still really want to share this memory. Though I speculate that most people probably think of Bourbon Street when I mention going to this city, I actually think of its amazing Cajun cuisine, Jazz music, upbeat atmosphere and the feeling of being in another world.
I have to say that New Orleans is hands down my favorite US city that I have been to so far. I don't think anywhere else will top this place! I would gladly revisit this city whenever I can. I squeezed as much as I could do in two and a half days and that meant trying to have every meal everyday so that I could try as many restaurants as possible. Team No Sleep was ready for maximum impact.
I am no expert of New Orleans, but below are the highlights. Though it was too cold in March for the alligators to come out, the swamp tour was still fascinating. We also went to Oak Alley Plantation, which happens to be where Beyoncé filmed her Deja Vu music video. So, we had to channel Bey and make our own version (see below). I also really enjoyed the Frenchmen Art Market because everything there was so original. I always love buying unique jewelry pieces from local artisans and that was a cute nook in the French Quarter. Of course I did visit Bourbon Street, too, and it was just as good for a nondrinker like me!
Without any more words, please let the pictures speak for themselves and see what were in my visions!
Honey Island Swamp
Oak Alley Plantation
Frenchmen Art Market
Laurence Fishburne to the left!
Cafe Amelie
This was my favorite restaurant there! It got me at the entrance because it was like walking into a secret garden.
While waiting for a table, we sat on these decorated benches and simply hung out.
We were hungry and I was really into the food so I completely missed my opportunity to take food photos. However, there menu is below. Everything was amazing, but I specifically remember how delicious their meatloaf was! I would go back just for the meatloaf!
More Food! Nom Nom Nom
Fried Gator Poppers from Felix's
Charboiled Oysters from Felix's
Shrimp & Grits inside the French Market
Bourbon Street
THE HURRICANE at Pat O'Brien's!
We even made some friends that night...
In Conclusion...
We'll keep some of our activities a secret. But, we had an exquisite time!
I'm a huge foodie, music enthusiast and curious wanderer. New Orleans has its own culture and is unlike any other city in the rest of the US. You don't have to be a drinker to have a good time here. Just stick to virgin daiquiris like the one I'm sipping on up above! I had the time of life.
<3,
Laura
PS: I'll be back.
For more Landscape photos, check out New Orleans under my "Places" tab, or preview below!
In My Visions: Two Years Later
IN MY VISIONS is two years old! Here's my place and personal space.
When I have words to say, but no one to say them to...except to myself, I share it here.
In this two-part blog post, I reflect on this website and on the self.
Two Years Old
Two years ago, I sought after my own space online to share the pictures, the visions, the memories, the thoughts and the journey of my growth with photography. Now, I can't believe In My Visions is two years old! I used to think that it would be hard to maintain a site because I didn't know how frequently I would be able to post. Then I realized that timing didn't matter because there is no deadline with something like this. It was all about when I felt like sharing my inspirations, thoughts and moods. No pressure, just pleasure.
With this new year, I already have a great feeling about my visions to come. I know I will continue to travel. Above all, I look back at everything I've done with this website and I see how much it has in turn helped me grow. For those of you who have followed me since I first began this website, thank you for your undying support. And, for the newcomers along the way...I always welcome your visits! Whether you check this website at random, or hardly at all, I hope that those glimpses still allow you to see this space as a reflection of me and find peace, feel comfort, and see beauty in color and nature.
In My Visions brings me joy, excitement and pride.
If you've ever read "The Alchemist," you'll understand that I've learned part of my personal legend. This website is a part of that legend. There is so much beauty in this world and I want to see it my own way. In My Visions will take me to those places. As will my curiosity, wonder and empathy.
Love,
Laura
PS: New year, new logo!
Fun fact: I scribbled that down on a post-it note nearly half a year ago and only recently found it in my notebook. Now I brought it to life, and i'm digging it...so far!
Until next time. Thanks for reading all the way through!
The Sun Always Sets in the West
The sun always sets, no matter where you go.
The sun always sets, no matter where you go.
You can believe in fate or destiny.
But, you cannot deny the choices you make, the paths that you take.
The sun always sets.
And, it'll always be in the west.
photos taken at Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, California
