I am healthy and safe...

    I've had a few family, friends and clients send me emails about our recent trip to Mexico. We returned on April 16 and were only in the country for a few days.

    I am completely healthy and taking every measure possible to stay healthy. Thank you for your concerns!Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Surgical Masks: The Latest Fashion Craze from Mexico

    FASHION/HEALTH - When it comes to fashion, its become a cliche to wear a gas mask on the runway. Especially when it comes to fetish or BDSM garb. Its been OVERDONE. Stop doing it already! (I swear people are so unimaginative at times.)

    But... with the recent spread of the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) from Mexico, a lot of people are taking the wise precaution and are wearing surgical masks to protect themselves from the deadly plague.

    Before I get into this I think its really important that people wear protection, even if you're not sick. You could catch H1N1 from somebody else, just by shaking their hand, opening a door, handling money, someone coughing nearby (or in an elevator) or any number of ways since its an airborne bacteria. The best way to prevent it is to be very careful about what touches your hands, what touches your face or goes in your mouth, and be mindful of washing your hands regularly.

    So buying food at the cafeteria or restaurant near your workplace... big no-no. Bring a bag lunch. No, you're not poor, but you are cautious. Who knows what people are coughing onto the food in the cafeteria's kitchen... its best not to take that chance.

    Far too few people in epidemics even take these things seriously... and they're the ones who get sick first. It is better to err on the side of caution, even if you feel weird about wearing a mask in public.

    However, there are two things that concerns me:

    #1. How effective are surgical masks at preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus? Really we should all be wearing gloves, washing our hands and faces multiple times per day, and wearing masks which are much more effective.

    #2. How fashion friendly are surgical masks? Well... not very. But you could wear lots of blue to match them... or maybe even buy nurse scrubs and wear those, which would be kinda kewl even if you're not a nurse.

    My solution has been to skip the mask and opt for a bandanna, folding it in half diagonally and wearing it as per bank robbers in the Ol' West. I firmly believe the bandanna, which comes in many fashionable colours and designs, is more effective because it covers the sides of the mouth much more effectively than a surgical mask.

    If I wanted to go all out I could get a gas mask, but they're pricey and apparently take a lot of practice to learn how to wear properly. If the H1N1 virus epidemic reaches that point... I think its time to just call in sick (even though I am not) and avoid going to work for several weeks until this whole plague thing is over.

    But in the meantime I think the bandanna option makes a smart (and much more fashionable) way of keeping myself safe. A thick scarf could also work, but depending on the weather that may be unpractical.

    See Also:
    Swine flu spreading faster than expected
    Worldwide Influenza Pandemic Warned
    Swine flu hits Mexico and western United StatesSource URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Apologize for eveything

    For causing u misunderstand my message n meaning
    For causing u in miserable
    For causing u ... anything..just everything

    I din mean to say too much
    but me emotions caused me to talk
    talk in this box

    After the talks
    u might get hurt
    sorry...me hurt either
    i don't know the reason

    But i have no rights to stop u from thinking
    I have no rights to stop u from figuring
    or anything...
    because im just no one..i just have no rights
    to interrupt any of yours

    i know it may seem that u have fed up
    n bored with all these apologies
    but other than apologize..
    im speechless

    p/s: If u wants to misund what i said, im speechless.Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Stupid IPC

Me....in action!

Sarah & Chad - Oshkosh, WI

    I first met with Sarah about 6 weeks before her wedding reception. Sarah and Chad were planning their formal reception for April 18th... I usually book weddings up to 18months in advance and to book a wedding only a few weeks out is definitely unique!

    Sarah and Chad were married last summer. They quickly moved up their wedding day so that Sarah's grandfather could witness the marriage ceremony. My heart was touched when Sarah told me she had to make a decision to get married in two days to be able to share the special moment with her ailing grandfather. The couple quickly planned their in-home wedding, got food and drink from the local store and invited their closest family. They had a wonderful heartfelt ceremony at her grandfather's beside.

    Fast forward to April 18, 2009... Sarah dressed in her wedding gown and Chad in his camouflage vest and tux. They were ready to celebrate with their family and friends at La Sure's Hall in Oshkosh.

    The following images are some of my favorites from the day!



    Congratulations Sarah and Chad!
    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Feel awful

    Why?
    why u never try to und how i feel
    my mood been so bad for past 4 hours till now
    doin nthg looking at books
    have no mood at all
    wondering how m i goin to face the exam tmr

    just a simple thing and u thought that im telling u smthg bad
    im nt ignoring u or wat
    im js trying to tell u thgs that u would like to know
    no hidden motive
    pls..
    im suffering
    i duno what's the best way to tell u
    how to tell u
    even u r in front of me

    i feel so awful..feel so bad
    seems lk no one out there und me
    feel so lonely
    had tears for hours
    just duno how to confront u
    i duno what's going wrong

    its hard to knw what u r thinking
    i thought that i hv make u mad at me
    bcz u js go...disappear like that
    it's my fault saying things u dun like to hear
    but i have no choice

    i've been struggling through out the nite
    it's hurt..

    tears js scroll down..
    nthg to stop it..
    feel so bad...Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

原来..

    原来 心是寂寞的
    原来 世界是黑暗的
    原来 天空是寂寞的
    原来 海洋是无尽头的
    再多"原来"..
    还是无法真正的了解你

    是我太自以为事了吧
    还是说我太小气了呢?
    好矛盾哦...

    曾经 有个朋友告诉我
    他女朋友在外地工作
    他俩都分隔两地
    可是他们是怎样维持着这段感情呢?
    他说:"信任"

    信任?
    因为这两个字
    他们才可以走到今天
    他们快结婚了
    忠心祝福这对恋人

    信任 
    到底存在吗?
    看见家里两老..
    无可否认 我已经不知道什么是信任了
    也许 在我的世界里
    从来没有信任这两个字
    自私的我 只相信自己
    因为无数次的伤害
    无论是家庭或感情
    都看透了..

    有时侯 发觉
    原来 活在这个残酷的世界是多么的痛苦
    原来 再坚强的我
    只不过是一个空瓶子
    很多事情并不是想象中的简单
    很多事情不是金钱就能解决
    很多事情不是一句道歉就能了断

    也许 年轻的我还不知道大人的世界是什么样
    也许 愚笨的我不知道什么解决方案才是最有效的
    也许 再多的也许
    也说不清脑海里的矛盾和心里的挣扎

    再多的"原来" 和 "也许"
    也无法填补破了洞的心
    够了 真的很累 心 好痛好痛
    也许 真的该结束了吧
    还是 根本就不应该有我的存在
    还是 我 根本就不应该活在着个黑暗的世界

    很无奈...

    希望爸妈可以和好....
    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

错了吗?

    直觉告诉我
    我错了
    真的错了吗?

    我所做的一切真的错了吗?
    好矛盾 好无奈
    我已经尝试一番了
    尝试着去了解你
    知道你需要什么和要些什么
    可是 我 还是很失败

    我所做的一切一切都是为了你
    为了你 我对家人作出了多少谎言
    为了你 我努力的工作 只求让你的心愿达成
    看见你拥有了自己的手表 多么的高兴 我也替你感到开心
    也许 在某个程度上 我用错方式 去表达我对你的爱
    也许 我实在太笨 把所有的储蓄都放进我们的爱情里
    我知道 爱情不是用金钱来衡量的
    可是 那时候的我
    除了懂得满足你想得到的东西以外
    已经想不出什么点子了

    在这个学期开始时
    我已经察觉到 你变了
    很坦白的说
    你变得不是以前我认识的那个人了
    该怎么说呢?

    也许 我现在说的
    会令你感到不自在或不高兴
    可是我觉得说了出来 比较舒服吧!
    你 变得把钱看的太重了
    你 变得比我想象中的瘦多了
    这些都还好

    最重要的是
    你还记得你对我说过的话吗?
    你是否还记得你对我作出的承诺?
    我依然把它们牢牢记在心里
    我并不是想强迫你还是催促你把承诺实现
    只是在想 你到底还记得你所作出的承诺吗?
    你说过 会让我很快看见你设计的衣服
    我就以为开学时 就能穿上
    可是 并没有
    那 就等情人节咯..也没有
    那时候的我
    有点心碎了 心想你是否忘了你所说过的话

    从此 我很害怕你对我说的每一句话
    害怕是空口而言 害怕那又是一个空瓶子
    有好一阵子 流下了许多的泪
    哭得好累 好累
    可是那时并不想让你担心
    所以只好自己承受

    过后 和你谈了几次我们的问题
    我 还是忍不住泪水
    你应该觉得我很无聊 很傻吧
    什么事情都哭一大场

    ......Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Where is my study mood?

    Another four more papers to go
    but..
    rainy day comes
    suddenly
    my study mood gone
    whole day looking at the notes
    but nothing goes into my mind

    not in a good mood either
    may be for what had happen today
    perhaps i should not argue with u over it
    perhaps i've choose the wrong time
    but i just duno why
    i just wana express to u how i feel

    next week will be having 3 important papers
    but not yet study anyone of it
    shit!
    feel so bad

    asking myself..m i able to score what dad's expectation?
    will i able to score better than last sem?
    i just wan a good intern

    in doubt.....Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

什么是幸福呢?

    雨 下过了
    一阵阵的冷风吹过
    感觉有点凉

    打了好几个喷涕
    是否被人诅咒着
    还是想念着呢?
    我想 现在的我
    应该没人想念吧!

    什么是幸福?
    幸福是什么呢?
    幸福 这两个字
    一直涌现在我脑海里
    浮浮飘飘的
    好矛盾..

    有人说
    幸福是美丽的
    幸福是有安全感的
    幸福是独特的
    但 对我
    却不知道什么是幸福

    也许身在福中不知福
    可是却什么感觉都没有
    也许我太自私高傲了
    要求也很高
    您的付出 我没领会
    您给的幸福 也察觉不到

    也许我太笨了...Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Guiltyness

    Yea..promised won't blog
    but i m jz duno who to go in expressing my feelings now
    drizzling rain outside the window of my room
    cloudy weather
    best describe how i feel now

    I din mean to argue with u over matters
    i din mean to make an empty promise
    just that i hv my own reason
    n family problem which i just get to know an hour ago
    i din mean to do it on purpose
    i js hope u und and realise what i try to say

    i felt guilty for what i caused u to suffer
    may be u din feel that
    but i do

    i know u are in hot temper now
    angry with me
    but u should angry with me
    with a sudden "no" to u
    sorry..

    i hereby would like to apologize
    for what i've caused u to be
    i really din mean it

    i won't ask for any forgiveness
    cuz i dun deserve it
    anyway
    feel better after wrote this

    p/s: trying to get bck study mood!



    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Deconstructed

    New print set I'm making for my shop.
    It's a block print deconstructed version
    of my latest watercolor piece.
    It will be sold as a set @ my Etsy shop
    when I reopen it mid May.
    It is printed onto beautiful
    Fabriano Medioevalis
    4.75" x 4.75" paper.
    It will be signed and numbered.

    ***I wanted to thank all of you
    who have written to let me know
    you are keeping us in your prayers
    during these scary times in Mexico.
    We are staying away from the City,
    healthy & tucked lovingly under God's wings.

    Psalm 91:4 (KJV)
    He shall cover thee with his feathers,
    and under his wings shalt thou trust:
    his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Published - Wisconsin Bride Resource Guide

    I am proud to announce that Wisconsin Bride Magazine has chosen my work to be featured on both the cover and inside header pages of it's newest publication, the Wisconsin Bride Resource Guide.

    I am consistently submitting my work to publications. Wisconsin bride called me last August to inform me that 6 of my images have been chosen - with two being on the cover. I am so happy that my images were selected.

    Some of my couples featured include:
    Becky and Jason, Wedding - Kaukauna, WI
    Leslie and Josh, Wedding - Appleton, WI
    Theresa and Andy, Wedding - Menasha, WI
    Rachel and Ali, Wedding - San Francisco, CA
    Michelle and Dan, Wedding - Eagle, WI

    Cake and ring photos are by Ardent Photography. Other cover photographers include Michael Krakora Photography, Expressive Photography and Artists' Eyes Photography.

    Inside pages featuring my wedding photography can be found for the following headers:
    A Budget You Can Live With - page 6
    The Rings - page 26
    Music - page 34
    Photography and Videography - page 36

    The guide is like nothing else out there. It features not only images from local wedding photographers but real content you want to read. It is also a handy wedding planning tool that can help you figure out your wedding day timeline and keep track of vendor information.

    To request your free copy of the guide just visit any Southeastern Wisconsin wedding show or fill out this form at WI Bride's website.Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
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Steph Velez :: Senior Session

    Look who's graduating! Stephanie has been a dear friend to my wife and I for MANY year. She is a doll. Smart, sassy and she can sannnnng. She and her mom Lu sang at, get this, MY wedding! This girl's got talent. I'm officially putting it out there that if any dude are interested in Steph, they must come through my wife and I for full approval first. After us you have to deal with Lu. ;) We love you and are soooo proud of you sweetheart. Go get em girl.

    ~Sam









    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

Janice & Lee :: Seattle Engagement

    Such natural chemistry. THAT'S what makes this set so special. I'll have the awesome privilege of shooting Janice and Lee's wedding in September in Seattle. Excited for them as it's destined to be quite a wedding. They will be married at Farm Kitchen in Poulsbo WA. (stones throw from Seattle). Looks like such a charming location.

    So I flew up and back the SAME day for their engagement session in Seattle. I literally arrived, shot, ate Pho, (what else do you eat when in Seattle) and flew home. :) loved my time their and LOVED this session through and through. I know I've said that some couple look like they stepped out of a magazine but come on.....these guys! Like peanut butter and jelly how fitting they are together. SO fun shooting for them.

    I also had the distinct privilege of shooting along side one of Seattle's best! I'm not talking coffee either. My buddy, Sergio Mottola, came out to play on this one. This dude is pure talent. He's steadily holdin it down and is a force to be reckoned with. He'll be shooting this one with me in September. Have a look at his work and his take on the day. Prepare for the awesome: Serg

    Look out for a wedding or 2 to be blogged within the next few days. Thanks again, and enjoy your week folks. :)

    ~Sam













    I thought of this shot on the plane ride over. Seattle. Starbucks. Peets. Coffee, get it?






    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

My pre-wedding season vacation

    *** note ***
    we are healthy and not affected in any way by the swine flu. We returned to the US on April 16th far ahead of the outbreaks.

    In the last 12 months I've traveled quite a bit. I've even been to a few sunny locations like Hawaii and Key West. Even though it might seem like I've been on lot's of "vacations"... none of them can measure up to 5 days of nothing-ness all while enjoying it with your husband.

    We stayed at the Riu Palace all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The weather was between 80-84 degrees and the only cloud we saw in the sky was on our last day. It took a good day for us to both unwind and actually believe that we were BOTH on this vacation with no responsibilities. No child to potty-train, no dog to feed, no dishes to do, no emails to write... by the second day I told Andy that I had nothing on my mind. No images in my head and no thoughts coming to mind; this has not happened for me in at least 3 years.

    Besides laying in the sun we both read 500(ish) page books. I read Twilight and Andy read a thriller. If you know me, I do not read books very often. I'm more of a magazine or blog reader. So for me to finish a book in that short of time is pretty cool. (I could do an entire Twilight review post...)

    We also tried out boogie boarding. My friend Marina Miller from Honolulu would be proud that I caught the very first wave with my "rad moves". We only had a little bit of time in the ocean but it was sooooo much fun!

    The Riu Palace was excellent. The food was great, the service was amazing, the rooms were modern and soooo comfy, the room service was so much fun and free... I could go on and on.

    The only downfall of our entire trip was on the flight from Chicago to Puerto Vallarta... the airline maintenance crew missed flipping a switch that flowed the water to the plane's restrooms. About one hour into our flight the captain came on "we are headed back to Chicago". We had to land, wait almost 2 hours and get on another plane... United Airlines made good on the blunder by offering us $150 towards our next ticket purchase and a free cocktail.

    Here are some snapshots from our trip... taken with an 7 year old digital point and shoot camera.

    My next "vacation" is only a few weeks away... I will be shooting a destination wedding in Punta Cana for an amazing Kaukauna couple. I am taking Miranda of Reminisce Photography and Design as my second shooter.

    If you are looking to book an awesome vacation check out Funjet Vacations onlineSource URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

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