Date of Birth

I just woke up from a long night of dreams. I dream SEISMIC dreams, big dreams I think, but don't remember what I've dreamt about but I know I dream big. Big enough to cause my physical to ache and mind to run amuck. One of the sign that I know I dream big is when I woke up tired than usual, usually it takes me about 30 min to wake up and I would jump in the shower to rinse the sleep away; the past 6 to 8 hours of perhaps wanted or unwanted dreams.


I want today (the date of birth) to be a day of reflection.

Reflect of "the what" in my life, "the why" do I do these things, and "the when" will I do them or continue to do them. Most people on their birthday have a party, go to eat, play golf, surf or just kick it. For me, I like to think. Think about the past year(s) think about tomorrow, think about the "what" "why" and "when". It hasn't always been this way every year. I think it started when I turned thirty and felt that life is more than just being happy; it's about having joy.

I'm a doer and also a dreamer, another word I don't sit around dreaming about life and don't do anything about it. My dreams are not of the nice big house in Lanai or driving a mini cooper around Kauai top down; it simply just to have joy, shared joy and lived the joy out.

Being happy is momentary but joy keeps you going. Going when the going gets tough, going when you can't go anymore. Joy is objective and only sees the destination and not the present. Happy is subjective, it changes with your situation, mood, the color of your hair, weather, okay you're catching what I'm saying.

Joy comes from knowing who you are and who God is. My motive in life is just to love GOD and love His people.

Now to the "what, Why, and When"

The what is,
What can I improve to better my relationship with Jesus and to serve Him better?
What am I doing to better my self and my family, to make them the best loved?
What am I doing to be a better husband to my wife after 12 years of marriage?
What am I doing to be the best dad to my little girl?
What inspires me, to be a better photographer, artist, worship leader, musician?
What is important?
What do I need to trim out of my life?
What is it? that I spend most of my time doing?

Why?
Why do the above "what"
Why do what I do? everything from the day to day, weekend, and tomorrow.
Why love, give, care, forgive, embraced,
Why think of these things(jk) why?

I know after answering the What and the Whys the next step is to answer the question of When?

When do I do the what, from the whys?

Hummm, ponder, pondering, still pondering, coffee break, nap, wash socks, eat poke, more coffee, I'm thinking...thinking......

and now selah....(this is when I go off line)

a day is like vapor

I gave my wife and baby the biggest kiss and hugs tonight, cause our days are like vapors. My hearts goes out to Chris' family and friends. His wife is pregnant and due in Nov. Please pray for her and the baby.

Ado(Red) = Adorable

I hope you are not surprised to see another pic of the han-han, but she sure is adorable. I have no shame, just all love for this little girl that I can't stop taking picture of.

She has so much personality, and is already so funny with her imitations of her mother. She is a quick learner, and copy everything that we do...oh boy...or should we say oh girl...

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast

Man, I woke up this morning and I think I've just hit the Jackpot! It was so surreal, like a painting, like a poem, a great movie on a cold night, a beach day, well, anyway I think you got the picture. My wife made sugar free chocolate cake with banana cream cheese toping for breakfast...and that's all I have to say. Oh, and this girl.

Ho'olaulea = Hawaiian Festival

Nothing like waking up to two most beautiful ladies in the world....one is 9 months old and the other is Mrs. Ratana.

Today is the HO'olalea at Alondra Park by Gardena. We try to go to this festival every year due to the nature that is all Hawaiian. Most of these people are families from Hawaii who have lived in Hawaii and now here. We missed Hawaii period. If we have the chance to move back we would do it in a heart beat. Although, there are some conditions that needs to be met first, like schooling and money. At this festival there will be lots of "Hawaiian" food, lots of stuff from Hawaii, Hula dancers and competitions through out the weekend. Even though, my neck and back is still bothering me I want to be there. May be I'll just lay down under a tree eating shaved-ice and lau lau, wearing my Kamehameha school gym shirt. What a day to spend with my peeps and my two best girls. You should come...Just google Alondra Park in Lawndale and you can't miss it. The festival is both today and tomorrow.

Frustration mandate

Sometimes from a day like today, I feel like jumping out of this costume of flesh and into something more suiting. Something, cool, with a hint of minty fresh. My body still aches from the accident, my mind is relentless of that jerk I spoke to on the phone today. My spirit yearns for a new, a refresh, a top-off, a cool-off.

Sometimes, I don't know what to do, all I can do is just be. Be quiet, Be mad, Be snap-ing, Be in this flesh, Be annoyed.

I hold on steadfast and continue with this channel of perpetual frustration. However, when feelings are written out, somehow, i feel that this frustration is being flushed away. Away into the oblivious of the internet, the zeros and ones, the spam blocker blogged-out, twitter-rific yahoos. Be gone, I say to you and yours. I really could use a good weekend without you (frustration) feeling of being annoyed, that feeling of inherent coil abstract chaos that I can't explain in spoken word or speech.



On the other hand, in written words I can pile it up so high, taller and taller until it reach the heavens. To the Lord of heavens, to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He can take care of it; that's what He does, you know? He takes it away, away from me, the muddy, the pops, unnecessary twitch, the busy wacky tacky. All of that, all of it. How much is all?

I frustrate no more.

Insurance Company from Hell

Just got a call from an Insurance company from hell (from the lady that hit me on Wednesday) and I think my blood pressure just hit the boiling point RED, then some. (which is pretty rare, comparing to my normal self which is at easy going green) This guy on the phone was very smooth, he ask questions that is tricky and made it sound like it was my fault that I was driving straight and his client crossed over two lanes and hit me. Hummm, lets see? when is crossing over two lanes from one side to the other became the normal traffic gesture in Irvine? Never. I got so mad I told him that if I ended up paying for this, a lawsuit will be in the works and he better tell his client that California law is still illegal to go from a left turn lane to right just because she wanted to, and by sending her shady insurance representative to do the intimidation, she'd messed with the wrong Jack! :o)

Will keep you updated...stay tune.

The heart tree

I painted this mural for my baby girl when she was born to remind her of all the love that she has in this world. This tree bear hearts, each heart has the name of each person in her life. The tree is not merely a painting on the wall. It symbolizes the foundation of which my wife and I are praying that she will have for her life. Just like in Psalms 1, this tree is strong. The foundation which we pray that she will hold on to and be the deep deep root that will never be upheaval no matter what turmoil or storm that may come.

Accidents Happen

I am a good driver. No tickets for the last 20 years, no past accidents, crash, or hit and run. However, today accident happened. I was coming off the 133north exit on Gateway (Barranca) in Irvine and then....BAM, I felt my car spinning like I was on a skateboard doing 360, 720, 1080. While I was spinning I maneuver away from hitting two cars, 2 street lights but found my self and my poor car in the middle of the intersection intersected. A lady in her brand new Lexus decided to move from her left turn lane and crossed over two lanes in front of another car to go the opposite way (illegally) and just gassed it from her destination until she reached; mine. She seems stunned but acknowledged that it is her fault and was very apologetic for the accident.

I know accidents will happen and should accept it as a part of this mystery call life. I can't help but think that, accepting what comes your way will some how, relived you of the burden that will bog you down. I was bogged down but now I BLOGGED down; and feeling better (not my neck or back) just better and not bitter.

On a Sunday Afternoon

-WARNING-

If you are looking for the traditional family portraits at Sears, you have come to the wrong website; we, on the other hand, are just plain crazy. Real images depicted here, no posing or studio lighting involved. Just lots of good music, good food, good friends and lots of love and a side of craziness. :o)

Some may say that this is a brave picture to post because it shows the vulnerability of the family. It is not the traditional picture perfect studio commercial. That, is what I love about these guys they are not hiding anything. This is the real thing, real people, real family no pose or trying to replicate another family time; it's them and they were nice enough to share it with us.



I LOVE WHAT I DO.













I love that they weren't looking at the camera (mine) there is so much personalities and bond between all four of them that makes this picture so special and timeless.

The Quintanas (1)

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, the weather was perfect; southern California skies with a slight off shore wind . The Quintanas drove up from south county to our beautiful destination.



Their two girls were such a blessing and full of personality that made the photo-shoot so much fun.





Jessie and Shannon have the same kindred spirit as me with low-key Hawaiian style that reminds me of home and old friends. We talked about living simplistically away from the rat-race returning to the sandy beaches and family owned grocery stores. Wow, how life as we know it has changed; but this family has not.


Can you guys tell me about that one special picture that means so much to you after all these years? Albeit if you take a look at it again, the same feelings that you had will come back, the smell of the beach, the rocks, the "puka" shells, the people, the hot weather, but overall; you will remember the bond, the love, and the emotions that you’ve felt…..This, no one can take that away from you, will never go away, thus, will make this picture timeless and yours.

My church

refuge |ˈrefˌyoōj; -ˌyoō zh |

a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble

Sometime...

I feel like yelling but my daughter will do it for me.

Sunday July 6 Thai Town

Had a photo shoot in Hollywood and found this girl waving.
She seems weird.

And found this guy standing around asking for money,
looking pretty mischievous with his dark glasses and highlights.

5th of July is overrated?

I hung out with two most beautiful girls in the world; not overrated at all.

July Babes

Wow, July is here. Seems like time is fly n by. Hannah is going on 9 months and these are all of her friends.