Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Yosemite Trip, 2020

Travel
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Yosemite Trip, 2020 We were so lucky to catch the beginning of the fall color in Yosemite! It was like a gamble to find the right timing. I heard last year was earlier than usual!  We were so fortunate to see the postcard quality nature in person. Colors were alluringly...

2020 Mexico – Cabo Pulmo, La Paz and Todo Santos Trip Report

Travel
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Mexico, 2020! We were a little nervous leaving U.S. for Mexico because of the corona virus pandemic and a U.S. border closure. Well... we are heading out! We'll see what happens~~ Best time to travel... Half of the plane was empty. I got extra cookies :) When we arrived, I got a message with a drawing map from my Airbnb to get to his place in Cabo Pulmo. One road... We got a rental car and drove about 2 hours. Last 30 min seemed forever driving on a unpaved road. We were happy to see the ocean finally! The map was pretty accurate :) We got to our AirBnb. Super clean and simple. There were so many dogs hanging out here. All friendly and didn't bother us too much. These two, specially the pug wanted to show us around like he owns it. Such a boss.   It was windy and cloudy. Bad news was most of the dive shops closed due to the rough weather and all the snorkeling trips were canceled! They were not even sure about scuba diving until the next morning... I was bummed. I need a drink. Happy Hour! Beans and cheese... Shrimp ceviche Chips and salsa Next morning... After all the worries... YES!! I did 2 dives!! This is a national park and the reef is protected so I needed a permit for a big camera. Since weather was not so great anyways, I decided to shoot only with GoPro. I saw bull sharks for the first time! They were gracefully swimming around us and checking us out! In a muggy water,...

2019 Florida trip – Shipwreck, alligators and sharks!

Travel
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Red eye flight to get to Florida! I drove 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo. As soon as I arrived in Key Largo hotel, Marina Del Mar, I jumped in the pool immediately! So refreshing! I was not diving until the next day so I decided to walk around to check out the neighbor hood. Nobody was walking lol as usual. I found a Stephen Frink's gallery. He is one of my inspiring underwater photographers and they were getting ready for DEMA show. Then I wanted to get some snacks... This waffle house caught my eyes. I usually don't eat waffles but I had to stop there to check it out. Ladies were so friendly and working hard! Also checked out a Cuban restaurant. Food was ok here. May be I didn't order a right dish. I was with Rainbow Reef Dive Shop to do scuba dive for 3 days!   The dive shop had a cute 3 legged puppy. Super friendly dog welcomes us every morning :) Wants to play all the time! Look at his eyes!!! I was excited to be on the boat. I couldn't wait to go underwater! Getting ready to get my gear all together! Beautiful morning... Fun crew I got to to 2 days of reef diving and one day of whip wreck. Visibility was ok but I got to capture few shots. You can see more underwater images from here! I walked more around the neighborhood after my dive. Free pastry 3-7 pm if you order sandwich!! Lucky me! Beautiful sunset ...

Please donate or sign up for a photo shoot in Huntington Beach

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face
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Huntington Beach Photo Shoot 7/27 - 7/29!! I'm so excited to be coming out to LA to shoot 2 amazing female survivors and artists from Infinite Flow - An Inclusive Dance Company. I have time for only 5 more shoots. Let me know if you or your friends would like to shoot with me in Huntington Beach in 7/27-7/29 ★ Your session fee is tax-deductible and a portion of your funds will go towards photo sessions with trauma survivors. Donations are also greatly appreciated. Please donate here Marisa Hamamoto - Sexual harassment & stroke survivor Miya Schaikewitz - Spinal cord injury survivor Opening spots are 7/27 - 3pm, 6:30pm 7/28 - 9am, 3pm, 6:30pm 7/29 - 8am Huntington Beach Discounted Photo Package $250 Includes:  (This package price is ONLY for this location) • Consultation (50% deposit) In person or on Skype/Facetime • Pool session (50%) 60 min. Pool session • High resolution digital photos Two final retouched photos Additional retouched images are $25/per ••• Please contact me to save your spot! ••• This is my Talks@Google from this year sharing my story, passion and why I am here today. Please check it...

Portland Trip Report!

Travel
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Arrived in Portland!! Started walking around the neighborhood to get to the other side of the river. It was about 80F. Houses are really cute. I love these pointy roofs. Roses are blooming everywhere in the residential area. I stopped by at Pearl Bakery to have a little snack before the SHIBARI workshop! Vegan lemon poppy seeds was moist and delicious! Shibari workshop was held at Sanctuary club. Paintings are sexy. My first attempt! My friend, Audri had to stay with me for 3 hours. Thank you for being such an amazing model! Thank you, Seattle Shibari, Johnathan! Then I got to see the family!! Thank you Jerome for letting me borrow your wife! Their dog, Hanzo. Vegan chicken wrap! So deliciously fried! Cathedral park. Rose Garden was beautiful.   Houses around the garden were good looking. Walked through the Washington park. Then walked to the famous Powell bookstore. It was a perfect place to rest in AC. I wanted to get an ice tea so I stopped by at this Bakery. This vegan raspberry truffle was delicious! I got to meet my friend Lindsay at the bar, Vintage.    The last day... I went for a walk in the morning. I love stopping by at cafes in Portland. They are so cute. It was a nice walk and saw this pup getting sunbathe. Then I packed my stuff and checked out my Airbnb. Walked to this cafe to meet my friend, Yoko! It's been awhile, we had a great time catching up over lunch! I walked...

San Diego Trip Report with Liz Carmouche!

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
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Leaving San Francisco was such a hectic experience! I was really stressed out but when I woke up to this beautiful morning, I inhaled and exhaled deeply with my eyes closed. I could forget all the negative thoughts and restored fresh mind. It's so dreamy and surreal. I started assembling my new Ikelite gear. This is my first time using their new housing and I find that it's simpler than the older version. I'm liking it! I met Liz! She is already comfortable being underwater because she plays in the UTL (Underwater Torpedo League), so I wasn't worry about anything! She can stay solid underwater. Her body is like a weight! (100% muscle) Communication is important during the photo shoot. THANK YOU Liz and her son for making time to meet me and do underwater transformative photography! They were so amazing underwater. Please read her story and beautiful images from here. BIG THANK YOU to Michael Timm, a free dive/scuba instructor from SD who helped me capture behind the scenes. I treated myself with an amazing lunch after the photo shoot! The sushi chef was Japanese and highly recommended me to go to Sea World... (ah...no thanks...) My Airbnb host was friendly and sweet. She was also backing 400 cup cakes for her grand kid's school event!!! ...yes, 400!! The place has a pool and Jacuzzi!! Gotta come back here in Summer! After I left the house, I decided to do Falconry for the first time. I actually didn't know that this sport is 4000 years old!! They were so beautiful. ...

Huntington Beach Trip for PADI, Dive Warriors, Jared and Xoe

Travel, Uncategorized, Underwater Healer About Face
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It seems like I travel back to the same place twice this year. I was in Grand Cayman twice and Huntington Beach next!! I love traveling to see same people to catch up and build a tighter relationship. Back in September, I was in Huntington Beach to meet a veteran, Jared from Dive Warriors and an accident survivor Xoe to do underwater transformative photo shoot. Also I was happy that PADI asked to contribute a dive trip report with veterans for their blog page. As soon as I arrived to Huntington Beach, I wanted to jump in the ocean. The weather was gorgeous and made me feel at home. So beautiful. I drove to L.A. to see my busy friend, Carlos! It's been awhile. He has been making amazing movies and his work always blows me away. So inspiring. You need a break! Stop working!!! I went back to my AirBnB in Huntington Beach and I saw my host, Don cleaning the pool! This is my second time coming back to his place!! He is super supportive for my campaign. He took care of his pool back in April for 3 breast cancer survivors. I really appreciate how generous and humble he is. I've never met any host like him!! He is always smiling too! (and his hair is awesome) His beautiful kitty and a pup :) Guarding the pool. I went to visit my boyfriend's aunt and uncle who live near by. They fed me Impossible burger!! Thank you Laurie and Ben!! The next day,...

Talks at Cayman Island Cancer Society’s Annual Event!

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face
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After the first trip to Grand Cayman scuba trip in April, I went back to the island two months later to give a talk! I think it was 92F in April so... it's cooler in June... Cayman Island Cancer Society invited me to their annual dinner event in June. I had an opportunity to share my project in front of 250 people and I was thrilled to talk in front of survivors. When I arrived, the operation manager, Jennifer picked me up from the airport. After I dropped my stuff off, we went to meet Dr. Perre who is representing the sponsor for the event. Then we all went to the radio station, Radio Cayman to talk! It's starting soon!!! Introduction from the host... Jennifer starting to mention what's going on for the dinner event... Dr. Perre answering questions about cancer... I also spoke (couldn't take my own photo!) and shared my project! Thank you so much for the opportunity! Then went to have dinner by observation tower... Beautiful mosaic art in the stairway. You feel like you are underwater ~ Then it started raining... Chickens and iguanas are everywhere... The next day is the big day! I practiced a lot for this speech!! They had a army theme... We are ready! One of the cancer survivors I've worked with! Dr. Perre giving me advice!! Let's go! People are coming in!! My talk! You can watch the talk from this link! Next day, I did a photo shoot all day at this pool! The owner had these puppies... Adorable... Lymphoma cancer survivor, Ava. Please see her beautiful images from...