Love, actually

Our Thanksgiving celebration with the family was a wonderful time. We give thanks after we're all done eating. Seems like it's easier to be thankful when you're not hungry :) 

I said I'm thankful to have such lively family. I didn't use that word, I used "tan chistosa." I laughed so much tonight. 

Now everyone's gone home or is sleeping. I'm in the living room and just put Love Actually on. It's my holiday movie of choice. Oh, the holidaze. So crazy. I can't stand them, but watching the movie and hanging out with family and friend eases the pain. Maybe this will be the last year I watch this movie alone. 

Talked to the most important person in my life today, about leaving. I'm scared and my heart is breaking, but if I don't leave... I'm afraid if I don't leave I'll lose myself completely. Arkansas has been good to me, but leaving is long overdue. 

Life never goes as planned, does it? Today I'm thankful for my family, because they're with me and make me laugh, and that heals my heart. 

A travelogue of sorts: California, Oct/Nov 2011

Taking back tia Cande to the Golden State. No voice. Just a week this time, but so ready. Lidi, Sandy, Pauli, China. Jennifer & Jacob came from Vegas to hang out. Tim Burton exhibit at the LACMA. Venice Beach. Lidia's pupusas and sunsets. Cold water. Meeting new family in Moreno Valley and L.A. Seeing tia Lipa after nearly 10 years. Tia Luz's 79th birthday. Drawing my primitas, teaching Kaylee to love film photography. Lots of laughter. Pumpkin carving, late night talks, querido diario. Stella Rosa and others. Too much. Calle Olvera, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, did I miss anything else? Urth Cafe and taco trucks. Tengo pegue. Beach hoppin', fruit stands and honey samples. Postcards for Mauri at every stop: thrift store painting at Ventura, pizza Hawaiiana at Carpinteria, sunset at Summerland and gelato at State Street, Santa Barbara. Pupusas, platanos, etc. Laughs. China, ya no me respetas? Pyramid lake, Lensbabies and Lomos. Lomography store. Meeting new friends, new projects, new passions: Las Fotos Project. I want to go to the LACMA, but myself. Cuando la noche me contesta. Lots of tweeting. Talked to Mauri. Talked to el Chinito. More family in L.A. Saw mis primitos (Chepitos). I don't want to go back. Stand on the chair, why not?

No digital photos, just film for me.