I watched in amazement when different herbs started to pile up in front of me, all weighted on a hand scale and equally separated into four neat portions. Out came moss, bark, willow, branches, and different grasses. One-by-one a new drawer was opened to reveal its contents. The table was starting to look more like my garden than anything else, and it smelled amazing! All I asked for was a remedy for active sinuses. I think my sinuses got the ‘over-achieving’ part from my brain, since they are so close to each other… just saying. I’ve been bugged by my nose for years, and when I ask my doctor to send me to ear-nose-throat specialist she just gives me more nasal spray “Use it for a month, if it doesn’t work, I’ll refer you further” Really? Well, thanks… Of course it works, while used, but then everything returns to ‘normal’ once I stop. It also comes with a long list of possible side effects, including stunt growth. Um… no thanks, my nose seems to be better all of a sudden! Being a ‘health-freak’ and all, I decided to give Chinese Herbal Medicine a try. Yes, I realize that when herbs are boiled they release similar chemicals as the ones used in conventional medicine (with possible side effects), but somehow this pile of garden on a table seems a lot more natural than a plastic bottle. What are your thoughts on traditional versus conventional methods? Spray or feet in hot herbal water? I’ll let you know how it goes.
Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category
Traditional vs. Conventional
Thursday, October 20th, 2011Exposure Show
Monday, October 17th, 2011I woke up this morning and started running through the presentations in my head, eyes closed, nose into my pillow, just to realize that it’s already Monday and the Exposure Show was over. Wow, what a whirlwind of a weekend it was! So appreciative for the amazing opportunity to present at the Exposure Show. Was overwhelmed by all the kind feedback. Thank you! Thank you all who attended the show and listened to me speak. Never had I thought that sharing my experiences would have such an effect. Thanks to the organizers of the show for all the hard work that went into making it happen.
I’m in a bit of disbelief that the weekend is actually done. I spent a lot of time anticipating it, not only because of the show, but it was also the end of a very busy season. It was a crazy build up to this mid-October weekend, and now that it’s all done and over with, I can settle back into my regular schedule. Lots of things need catching up on. I feel horribly bad for neglecting some, but there just wasn’t enough hours in a day, and something had to give. On the second day of the show, someone asked if I was still shooting with equipment that was listed on my 500px profile. Damn! I had completely blacked out on updating everything before the presentation. How ironic, especially since one of the talks was on Benefiting from your Failures. I have no idea how I will benefit from this one yet, but lesson learnt: Update all portfolios, photos, and roll out new website BEFORE you do a major presentation! “Head meets Palm” once again. I have a long list of tasks that will have to be done in the near future before the destination wedding season starts. Expect more frequent blog updates, new work, and a new website.
If you’re wondering what I looked like during my presentations, a very nice young lady drew a picture of me on Sunday. It made my heart melt! Also found a photo of myself in The Epoch Times review of the Exposure Show. Thanks Matthew.
Gold Stars
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Being an over achiever and all, I love getting my reward stars. The 12-year-old in me craves for recognition of good work… So when I walked into Starbucks last week and saw black and gold “Your drink is on us!” sign, they had me. Like a proper sucker for amazing marketing I went on their website and tried to register a card, except… I didn’t have their card. I mean, I have one, a very pretty one, but I never did put money on it. My commitment issues with pre-paid things run deep. I don’t like gift cards either. The knowledge that I have money on a card that has an expiration date and the pressure to commit to buy something is daunting! But… I love my gold stars! I walked into Starbucks this morning, got my pretty card out, and said: Can I get $25 on it! And just like that, I have committed myself to 12.2 cups of Grande Awake tea. If it wasn’t for their incredibly smart marketing and a talented design team this would have never happened!

Fortune Cookie
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011My morning started with scavenging for breakfast food. So imagine my delight when I saw a fortune cookie on the kitchen counter. Someone left it there, UNATTENDED, for my taking! Not that fortune cookies are breakfast food, or tasty for that matter. It’s the OH EM GEE, what will the fortune say that gets me excited. Drum roll please, cause this definitely requires one! Dun Dun Dun ” Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think.” What? I don’t know how to feel about this one! What happened to “You’ll have a wonderful day, wear your lucky socks” fortune? Now I will feel all dramatic from over thinking it. Thanks fortune cookie! You gave me a sugar rush too…
Wedding Planners
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011If you don’t know Jane Dayus-Hinch, then you have never watched the Slice network, and definitely haven’t seen a single episode of Wedding SOS. I can applaud you for doing better things with your life than watching TV! I, on the other hand, am addicted to all things wedding and that show just happens to be on TV during my lunch time. Yes.. juuuust happens, cause I don’t have any other channels than Slice! Nope, not a single one!
So Jane, also known as fairy God-mother, is a wedding planner, and she grants three wishes to desperate, ‘planning-challenged’ couples right before their wedding day. That woman is pure genius, plus she is hilarious in her proper British ways. This past weekend I had a chance to meet her and be a ‘crazed fan’. While taking a photo with her, I squeaked that I loved her show, which I do, and she goes “Well, which episode is your favourite?” …and I didn’t have an answer. Very classy… I probably watched every single one of them, and I couldn’t recall any on the spot. Eh, other than embarrassing myself, I learnt a few new things from her presentation. And here I thought that I was pretty good with weddings. There goes that bubble!
That brings me to a point of how important the wedding planners and coordinators are. They come armed with knowledge, experience, a book of great vendors, and all the tips and tricks that newly engaged couples just don’t have. Even if you plan the whole wedding by yourself, you still need someone on the day to coordinate the event. Last thing that you want on your wedding day is to stress about last minute decor details, think of who is supposed to bring the knife for the cake, or open doors for your grand entrance. Delegating all those tasks to the bridesmaids and relatives is one solution, and hiring a wedding coordinator, so all can enjoy the day, is another. Yes, you would have to pay for their services, but think of all the time you save and worry-free nights full of sleep. But if it’s really not in the budget, try to get a wedding planning book or an app to keep you on track. Enjoy planning your fabulous day, and stay clear of that evil word ‘stress‘.
Being a pro-photographer I only carry an iPhone camera with me. That’s how I roll! ^_^
Moon Festival
Monday, September 12th, 2011I love holidays especially when delicious food is involved! Found this box of mooncakes waiting on the kitchen counter and couldn’t help myself. Oh, they are yummy! Today happens to be Mid-Autumn festival, which is a pretty big deal over in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Korea. There is a similar holiday in Japan as well, but on a different date. Being a curious one, I went digging for information on the festival and now I really want to go and experience it.
Mid-Autumn Festival is known for:
- Eating mooncakes – They had me at eating!
- Matchmaking – How cool is that? During dances, young ladies throw their handkerchiefs to the crowd and guys catch them and return them for a chance of romance.
- Lanterns and floats
- Burning incense in reverence to deities
- Fire Dragon Dancers
- Moon rabbit – If you stare long enough at the full moon you’ll see a rabbit that lives there.
Happy Moon Festival 中秋節快樂. Go find yourself some mooncakes.
Today I [heart] – Music Websites
Monday, September 5th, 2011
CBC Radio Canada Building in Trois-Rivières, QC
Since I have a glamourous job which allows me to sit on a chair in PJs for the most part of the day, I get to listen to a lot of music while editing. [Don't tell that to my chiropractor, he won't be happy with all the sitting that I do]. And nobody wants to listen to the same iTunes playlist over and over again. That’s where the music websites come in. I’ve used a number of them over the years and here is a list of my favourites:
1) 8tracks
The website users make ‘mixed tapes’ for any occasion.
Hot: It never gets boring cause you don’t know what’s coming up next. You can always switch genres and discover new artists. Can add mixes and songs to your favourites and surprisingly a lot of it makes a decent background noise.
Not: The song lists for the mixes are not available. They have some limitations due to their license. Although I love indie-rock, listening to Skinny Love – Bon Iver once in every mix gets tiring.
2) CBC Radio 3
The home of Independent Canadian Music, has live streaming and a large song library.
Hot: The live broadcast is great with some amazing DJs. Makes it easy to discover new artists.
Not: As the name suggests, primarily indie and Canadian. Which isn’t a problem unless you want greater variety. Can’t skip ahead in each genre stream.
3) The Hype Machine
Gathers music from the latest blogs. Has a radio show discussing what’s new and hot in the music scene.
Hot: You can play all the newest additions, discover remixes, and save them as favs.
Not: Once again it’s mostly indie-rock with a dash of hip-hop. Hard to find any of the older music, and there are just too many remixes.
4) Musicovery
Discover music by timeline, genre, or mood. They have changed the website since my last visit.
Hot: I love selecting a decade and just listening at random. Pretty much all of the 60′s and 70′s have been covered during long editing days. The mood function is great, easy to select the level of ‘distraction’.
Not: Not the biggest fan of their new website. I had issues with their old service, not sure if it still applies.
5) Grooveshark
Just discovered this website. I’ve heard about it before, but never used it. So far looks pretty cool!
Hot: From the first look, I love the design and easy navigation.
Not: Popular list looks like a MuchMusic channel play list.
That completes my list. What are you listening to?
Boots
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011There it was, so subtle but true, the smell of autumn. It happens every summer, that one day when it’s still nice and warm, but you know that it’s soon to be over. It doesn’t feel like it should be over yet, but it is, and the wind tells you so. Everything is set in motion shortly after, including the arrival of a new fall wardrobe and boots. Ahhh I love boots. Soft leather, knee high, able to walk, go perfectly with skinny jeans, these are only a few of the requirements. They also have to look good, and these look amazing! Please welcome the newest addition to my shoe collection! Yes, they did have a photoshoot of their own.
Friday’s: Q+A
Friday, August 26th, 2011What do you know, it’s almost September which means colourful leaves, sweaters+tights+boots, and back to school time. I’m sorry if I just depressed everyone! Speaking of school, I looked forward to it every year, starting from day two. First day of school was just hectic, filled with entrance ceremonies, ridiculous bows, and terrified children that parents left at the doorsteps of an educational institution. Which, if you were like me, was a gigantic five floor building with… character. So on it went for the next 18 years, every September I went back to school, if not to study then to teach.
Being a nerd at heart, I do miss it now. So to make things better, I’m dedicating Friday blog posts to Q+As. I’ll be answering your questions, sharing photographic techniques, talking about gear and anything business related. I may not be an expert in… any of the fields, and my way is not necessarily the right way, but it works for me.
Here is my first day of school: big bows and all. Let’s see if you can find me.
My sugar love
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011Dear Sugar,
I love you so much that it hurts. I just had to give you up together with your best buddies pastries, bread, and carbs. I’m so sorry but it had to be done. My brain craved for you all of the first week, my taste buds tingled every time I saw an apple pie… I love you still, but my body is better off without you. Yesterday, there was a delicious looking chocolate brownie, organic too, and it called to me with it’s rich velvety voice “Eat me with that dark Earl Grey you’ll be having.” I pondered, and ordered rooibos tea instead. Dearest, my life is just as sweet without you. So long.
Love,
Katie
Two weeks ago I had a miserable break up… with sugar! I know… How could I? I blame it on TED talks, this one in particular. Matt Cutts says that you can do anything for 30 days. I figured it’s worth a try. The first couple of days were not exactly pleasant, I substituted sweets with fruit and it worked. The worst part is that I love strong black tea and it goes oh so well with pastries. And all the coffee shops just loooooove to sell pastries… Since I’m crazy stubborn, and I feel amazing now, the next two weeks don’t intimidate me at all.















