The past two years of performing for V-day and FWN's The Vagina Monologues and Usaping Puki (New York in 06 and San Francisco in 07) was a great and memorable experience! It was not just about being on stage and effectively delivering the monologues during showtime. The curtain call for me was the end of the TVM journey and the beginning of a "newer" me. Each show has always made me a different person. New friendships, new experiences and new reflections always makes every trip to the city for months worthwhile. It was the journey that started with the casting call, then the conosimientos, the domestic violence workshops (yes, one needs to understand what DV is and how to be an advocate for ending the violence at home and helping those who may need it), the acting coaching sessions, the group rehearsals, press conferences and then the show...and in between these important activities was the journal. I wrote my thoughts in the journal given to us at the very beginning. I wrote as many or as little as I wanted - but I wrote my thoughts, my poems and my personal struggles. It felt good to write and weather I have shared the words that resided in those pages or not, I know that I wrote it in the midst of strong, supportive and compassionate women who understands.

Last weekend, I went to the city to do the cover photo shoot for this year's V-Diaries magazine at the Carnelian Room on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America building. With my two kids in tow, I had no intention of hanging around for a long time. But I was curious to see the cast for this year's show and went downstairs to the auditorium to meet everybody. We ended up staying for the entire time! I have to admit, the cast (now including men) was beautiful - full of energy and exuding strength and conviction. The monologues - some old and some brand new all resonate a clear reality and sometimes a message. The afternoon ended with the conosimiento, a sharing of certain information about oneself. It was special to be a part of it, as always...

So goodluck to this year's cast...I know you will all do very well. Get the word out there, start selling those tickets...and stay strong and postive.

Your photog and former cast member,
Owen


Photos from last week can be viewed here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lexusgirl/sets/72157603838223297/

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Finally -- its here! My staying up late (ok more like 3am!) paid off....Here is my new postcard with some of the cutest kids I've photographed and then some... I can't wait to get the actual cards and get them out there....Yes, I think I am sticking with the blue and pink theme color..

Lots of plans in store this year... but as my friends say...small steps...one at a time..but do come back and visit once in a while....

A while back I posted one photo of Sean and his Myanmar protest project. Here are a couple more pics from that session. Sean is an art student (and former tae-kwon-do champion) from CalPoly. Although the poses here are not his own ---his interpretation was more subdued and somber, I asked him if he could do this for me.

Hey Sean - how did your project turned out?

If you want to learn more about what is going on in the military ruled Myanmar...here are a few links:
http://www.mizzima.com/www.burmanet.org/
www.world-newspapers.com/myanmar.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/30/myanmar.suu.kyi/

Here are some photos of Lavina and her two cute girls. It was late afternoon, the rain was pouring intermittently - it was cloudy, gray and dark. And yet, these two girls did not seem affected by the gloominess of the day. Hmm..that's why I really love to take pictures of kids....they seem to always be in some protected forever summer capsule...I especially love the eyes of these girls, bright, expressive and always full of wonder.

Some pics...

There's more photos of Shital: mom, wife, entrepreneur, doctor and friend extraordinaire....but for now, here's one for the road. Isn't she sassy?

January 28th update - Added two more photos from the shoot...Great time with this lady - she's a sweetheart!!!

To dearest Puja,
Life comes with so many blessings as you already know...But every blessing, be they be many, each and every one of them is special. I hope that you like this photograph and that your soon to be born child will treasure this photo as much as you will.

Thank you for allowing me to capture this one important moment.

Owen

I've been meaning to show you guys this birthday package I did for Krystal's 18th birthday or for the Filipino community, we call it the "Debut" or the coming out party/welcome into adulthood/rite of passage sort of thing similar to the Quinceaneras or the Sweet 16t birthday party.

Her album was a 10 x 10 hard bound magazine/coffee table style album and I was so delighted to present that to her mom. Likewise, she was also very happy and thrilled to see the finished product...she had no idea it was really a "modern style" album. All their hard work, the beautifully decorated hotel ballroom, the gifts, the towering cake, the gowns, the choreographed dances, the beautiful guests and entourage that accompanied Krystal and her family that special day were captured in that book...and I'm glad that they will enjoy that for the rest of their lives.

Eric's Bar Mitzvah was the first Bar Mitzvah I have ever attended. Although my understanding of the readings and the different parts of the ceremony was limited, the fact that I witnessed one of the most important passages in Eric's life was a great priviledge. The ceremony was very solemn, and the speeches given by his parents were heartfelt, beautiful and memorable.

Eric, I wish you all the best in life. I applaud you for your wholeness of heart and for your genuine concern for the world and the people around you. Congratulations on a wonderful celebration, the food was great and the party was so much fun...