a sojourn and a home

I am thinking about these two words: home and sojourn a lot right now as they are a potential theme for a photo project I am working on with a friend of mine. I went out today with old friends and as we hung out I carried those words with me. Together, the three of us, we flew a kite on the beach in Whiterock. It was so freeing and startling - I felt home as I photographed the kite, as I learned to fly the kite. After playing we went for appetizers and talked. It had been about three years since we sat down together and chatted. We starting talking about my first stay (sojourn) in NYC. As the memories poured out into the air, I felt excited and hopeful. I remembered, how innocent I was as I clamored around the city. I remembered photo shooting so naively. --- Later this evening, driving home - I felt inspired. I live in this great city, I have a great camera and I am entering in, with the same naiveté, the same innocence. It makes me hopeful, ready to create a new portfolio, of this new home, this new time in my life. To create excellent life changing, inspiring memories.

Oh Vancouver: From A to C

I found a place in the Vancouver area in a city that is comparable to what Queens is to Manhattan. Burnaby, it is called. Changes are good. I never imagined living in the place, which holds Canada’s second largest shopping mall. But, if you saw my place and met my wonderful new housemates, I think you would be equally excited for what is to come.

Finally after 9 months, I bid farewell to New York City… yes, I know what you are thinking, - how sad is it, that this bidding took so long - Ah, I tell you, it’s not sad at all. It was a process, a trip of self-discovery. I think I would call these 9 months, the wandering months.

Home. It’s something that means something to me - recently, I went through a break up and my friend Jenae decided to make me a break up kit; part of the kit contained a CD of some of her favorite melodies and lyrics, unintentionally, most of the songs she found for me, referenced the idea of home. I am an adaptable person I can be at home, anywhere. Still, there is that idea of being in a place – where roots are planted, where life is affirmed, where successes are made and family is born. It’s a place you hang your hat, where the bed is yours, not borrowed. I crave that place. This week, I moved into my new house and I bought a dresser. It’s pretty and white; I have been eying it for a while. It feels almost symbolic of what’s to come. Many times this week I have sat on my (borrowed) bed – stared at my dresser and smiled. Almost as if there is a secret inside of me, but it’s not a secret…it’s so much more. All my traveling, my moving – it brought me here. I never thought I’d plant roots on the lower mainland. I never imagined the greater Vancouver area, being home. I never bothered to consider it would be a job that would make me still. I agonized over where to live, for so long. I see now, all my reasons, to move or live in each place, I have encountered in the past few years, were like stepping-stones. To get from a to c I had to trek through b.

PS. Soon, I'll buy a bed.

*

I wrote Finding Place a few weeks ago. I have felt a lot of change in these past few weeks. In this time: I have met someone, ended whatever it was with that someone, I have planned a bachelorette for my best friend, realized that all my friends here are wed or to-be-wed, become content with being 30 and single, found a deeper connection to my photography, and most importantly, I have discovered home - at HOME! How odd. I spent 6 years gone, only to return. I am so excited to get re-involved in my life here. Re-discover my place. Me, in my hometown. They say you can't go home again. I say, whoever 'they' are - they were wrong.

homecoming

There is something so sweet about homecomings. I am in Canada right now, visiting and being loved on by my amazing friends. I feel so blessed right now, so encouraged.

going home for Christmas

Christmas is around the corner, tomorrow I am going home to see my family. These tracks are about 15 mins from their home. I am very excited for tea time with my step mom and random adventures with dad.