Have you ever sat in front of your computer trying to figure out what to write and just draw a blank?  I'm so used to writing business related paperwork that sometimes I write an entire post and delete it because I feel like it's too technical and cold.  I often sit and type and delete and type and delete some more... it's a process I go through quite often as I work to create a post that is heartfelt and meaningful.  It can be quite a time consuming process, you know, weaving words together in an eloquent fashion to create just the right sentiment.  I've found, however, that not every post will be perfect, some will be beautifully flawed and there's nothing wrong with that.

I sit here tonight and I start to type an explanation of sorts on these Milky Way photos I took at Yokohama Bay on O'ahu's Northwest shore and I'm feeling so very distracted with work and exhaustion that I lose my train of thought...I love photography, it's my art, it's the way I express myself and let my imagination run free and I hate it when I write about it and it comes off like stereo instructions.  I have always been an artist of sorts...and though photography is quite different than composing music, it still provides me with that sense of creativity I so dearly love and don't get enough of in my day to day life.

Much like a Starry Night on O'ahu's North Shore, I went on a quest to chase the light and capture the Milky Way at another beautifully dark beach where there aren't any lights to create pollution in the sky.  Though astrophotography isn't my specialty, I find it so enjoyable and freeing because it provides me with a challenge.  Mastering the camera's settings and adjusting and compensating for the lack of ambient light so that the camera captures the beauty of the Milky Way is not something that comes easy, but seeing the final result is so gratifying.  Yeah I'm a geek, but you know that already.

Anyhow, I just wanted to share some of the beauty of the Milky Way from a different beach with a slightly different perspective from the North Shore shots I took a few nights before.  I hope you enjoy these photos.  Over the next several months, I'm going to do more of these with different foregrounds to change it up a bit and hopefully, they will get better as I continue to learn.

If you look carefully, at least one of these pics has a shooting star flying through the shot.  Close your eyes and make a wish with me... you know... it might just come true!


I think part of the reason photography means so much to me is that while I'm taking photos, I'm completely cerebral, in my head and quietly pensive.  Seeing these photos reminds me of a moment in time that was so beautiful, so peaceful, so quiet- as the sound of the waves washing in and out of shore at night soothed my soul and the cool breeze caressed my skin.  These photos forever freeze those moments in time and looking at them helps to transport me back to that quiet peace that I feel like I don't get enough of in my day to day world.

I hope you all have a peaceful and serene Saturday.  I'm so thankful to God that the ordeal in Boston has some sort of resolution so the people that live in Boston can all breathe a collective sigh of relief with the rest of the country and attempt to get back to some sort of normalcy.  Hugs and love to you all.  I hope you all know that among the evils in this world, among the hustle and bustle of life exists beauty and love.  Whether you believe it or not, you are so very loved.  God created us in His image and we are all beautifully unique.  You aren't worthless, you aren't ugly, you are beautiful, you are perfect just the way you are and I hope you all know that.  I'm sending big, warm hugs to you all from Hawai'i.  If you ever need to talk, let me be that ear, share with me your story.

Aloha,

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For more photos like these, click here:  What Jean Likes Photography //Fine Arts Gallery
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I'm co-hosting an awesome Thursday party people!! Come hang out with us, share your old-er photos.  It's so fun to see what everyone looked like...you know... back in the day....

Today I share a photo of my son Alaka'i and I when he was only 1 year old.  That was over 10 years ago.  My how time flies!! I used to think I was soooo fat back then.  Not so much, at least not compared to now.
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I love coffee, anyone who follows me on Instagram knows my love for coffee and espresso runs deep, deep I tell ya!!  I honestly must say, without coffee in the morning, I would be a literal walking zombie unable to complete my work and function normally.  It's natural considering I don't get nearly enough sleep which is something I'm working on, but I digress.  This is about coffee and how much I love it and this literal gem of  a place tucked away in Hawai'i Kai, less than a mile away from my home.  I must confess, I don't go here as much as I wish I could but if you're ever in the area, you must check this place out!!

It's located right on the water, overlooking the marina.  Indoors is a real beautiful, clean, and beachy themed decor with wood floors that gives an overwhelming sense of relaxation. It's a quiet and relaxing scene both inside and out.  They have a nice seating area overlooking the water where you can feel the ocean breeze run through your hair ever so gently as the sun caresses your skin.  If the decor and location wasn't enough to entice you to check this coffee house out, you have to try the coffee.  It's an always delicious, never burnt heaven on earth kind of taste that soothes as you drink and gives you a burst of energy when you need it.

Here's some info about Island Brew Coffeehouse:

Island Brew Coffeehouse is a local coffee shop in Hawai'i Kai independently owned by four East O'ahu residents serving premium coffee and healthy food choices with a focus on fresh, local and organic products. Island Brew Coffeehouse uses organic Milk in all our espresso drinks and coffee beverages and offers organic rice, almond, cocounut and soy as alternatives. Along with the espresso drinks and shakes, Island Brew Coffeehouse also offers Acai bowls and smoothies.

Breakfast offerings are served all day and include freshly baked pastry, locally baked bagels, waffles, breakfast bagel and croissant sandwiches. The lunch menu at Island Brew Coffeehouse includes made to order oven roasted sandwiches made with Naked Cow Dairy butter in a variety of bread, meat and cheese combinations as well as flat-bread pizzas.

Enjoy a variety of Hawaii grown, Fair Trade and Shade Grown coffees from around the world – including Jamaica, Sumatra, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Kenya on a table with amazing waterfront views of the marina .  Island Brew Coffeehouse is partnering with local schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations to promote community service and environmental sustainability. Island Brew Coffeehouse allows guest the option of ceramic mugs and glassware or compostable cups made from corn. 

I mean, just reading that, how could you not like this place?  Here are some quick pictures that I took with my iPhone while waiting for my lavender latte on Saturday.

My niece Alohilani got her hands on my phone the other day while she was at the house.  She's a rather smart nearly 3 year old. She figured out how to get my camera app open and took a ton of photos of herself eating organic dark chocolate almonds that I gave her while I was working on business figures for a couple minutes as she watched Shirley Temple on my other computer in my office.

I knew she was playing with my phone but didn't notice the photos until I was looking through my phone album today.  I love discovering those unexpected, accidental selfies that kids take.  These are some of my faves.  She's my darling girl, that one.  You have no idea.  She's like a little mini-me with some Filipino blood thrown in from her mama.  She has my feet and my spicy personality.  Seeing the unmitigated joy in her face gives me the most overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post tonight.  Why, why do such needlessly tragic acts of violence happen?  Why?  Today I picked my son up from school and explained to him that there was an attack in Boston at the marathon where two explosive devices went off and at least 2 people died and dozens were injured.  I explained to him how a little boy, only 8 years of age was one of those killed in the blast and that the police have not found the person responsible for this act of terrorism yet... He asked me why?  Why something like this happens, why people shoot schools or blow up other people... I looked at him with no real answer because such violence baffles me as well.  I looked in to his brown eyes and told him,"because there is a lot of evil in the world and a lot of people who do evil - just because they want to".

The last 5 months have been filled with questions and general bewilderment for my son because now that he's eleven, he is now old enough to know and understand how serious all the events, the fighting and the needless acts of violence in the news are.  He's slowly becoming more aware that true evil, true misery, true loss exists in this fallen world we live in and it's really hard for me to watch him come to these realizations.  I worked so very hard to shelter my boy, to protect him from the evils of this world but now that he's getting older, he's reading news papers and watching the news now more than ever because they discuss current events in his class.  He's coming to the realization that the world is full of people who commit heinous acts of evil without reason and I see a little part of his innocence get chipped away little by little.

As a mother, it's my job to protect him but also to allow him to know what's going on the world and how it affects him.  He's not a baby anymore, no matter how much I'd like to freeze time and keep him small, he will continue to grow and God willing, will become a wonderful man someday.  I have to equip him with the knowledge and skills necessary to cope in this world and to deal with the needless violence in this world without losing hope.  Despite all the evil and hate that exists, God is still with us and we need to keep our eyes on Him.  I don't know what I'd do without Jesus. I know not all of you share my beliefs and I'm not trying to push them on you, I'm just sharing what I believe and how that faith in God gets me through horrific days like today.  The hardest part about being a parent is letting go and allowing your child to make their own decisions as they mature into young adults, hoping and praying they'll make the right decisions all the while knowing you can't make those decisions for them.  Free will.  We are God's children and though He loves us, He will never push himself on us or force us to follow Him. He wants us to love Him freely just as I want my son to love me freely but we all have to make that choice for ourselves because God gave us free will and it can be used for good and for evil.  I just have to try my best to be a good daughter to God.

Man today I was so worried and saddened when I heard the news.  I prayed when I found out what happened and immediately started to have sort of a panic attack because people near and dear to me live in Boston and I couldn't reach any of them.  Turns out that due to the chaos, phone service was patchy at best. I just thank God that those I love are safe.  I pray for all those who were killed and injured and pray that the guilty parties who thrust this violence on the great city of Boston are caught and put to justice.

Such needless violence, needless tragedy.  If only people could be decent and not hurt others for some sick sort of gratification...  Signs of the times I suppose.  It's just so heartbreaking to see such suffering.

I hope you are all safe and well.  Take those moments to embrace those you love even closer and thank God for every second of life because none of us knows when it will be our last.  If you don't have anyone to embrace, if you feel unloved and alone... know that you are not alone, that you are so loved by God, even if you don't believe in Him.  I'm sending virtual hugs your way and if you need someone to talk to, a friendly ear to listen...I'm here.  You are loved, you are worthy, you are precious so don't discount your value in this world.  ***** ME SENDING BIG HUGS YOUR WAY *****

I pray for the people of Boston, for the victims and their families and for the law enforcement; may they find the guilty parties and bring them to justice.

Love and Aloha to all of you,