Life Through My Lens - Hawaiian Wedding

A bit of fun employment and nice weather has allowed me to take some lovely photos over the last few months. I also have someone very special to thank for fixing my 50mm 1.4 lens. Seriously, there's nothing more annoying than being a photographer in a very photogenic environment without a lens that works. A Youtube video, a few tools and lots of patience on his part saved me a few hundred dollars and my creative sanity.So I'll be posting my life of the last few months through my lens.

First, a trip down a very green, gorgeous memory lane. I went to Hawaii's Oahu a few months ago for my friend's wedding. The talk of Hawaii's beauty is not just hype. The island is green and lush, reminding you of a pre-historic oasis - perhaps because Jurassic Park was filmed there? Despite technically being in the United States, you feel like you're in a different country, surrounded by Polynesians who come from the other side of the world - or at least the other side from New York City. We stayed in the Turtle Bay Resort on the North shore. There is something priceless about being able to stroll from the beach to the pool, to your hotel room, and then back to the beach for a wedding. It's hard to decide what I loved more - the pristine, uncrowded beaches of Tulum or hearing the loud waves lull us to sleep in our Hawaii hotel room. I split a room with a couple which worked out fine because the rooms were huge and we all got along perfectly. Plus it helped that my friends and I have the same traveling desires - mainly those that revolve around food, relaxation, water and minor exploration.

Oh. So I caught the bouquet. I've never caught the bouquet before. Usually I duck in horror like a typical single, career woman living in New York City. But this time I was surrounded by single, career women living in New York City who all ducked and consequently, the bouquet went flying into my face. I caught it perfectly, in self defense. My roommate took a picture to document the moment. Truth be told she had to take about five photos because I had trouble mustering a genuine smile when shock and anxiety were my first emotions. But months of the bouquet drying nicely in my apartment has helped me happily embrace this possibility.

Tulum Travels

I really lucked out with my resort choices on the beaches of Tulum. The resorts along the beach are much more expensive than those in town and need to be booked in advance during key vacation times. On my first night, I stayed in Uno Astro Lodge, at the advice of some random girl I met in Playa Del Carmen. It's not well known by the cab drivers and I wasn't even able to find it on Google Maps, but for those trying to find it - it's one resort North of Ahau Tulum. Aside from the location being absolutely stunning, I got a fantastic deal - they put me in one of the artists' tents because everything else was booked. I didn't have electricity and had to share a bathroom that was outside - but for $70 a night, that was a small price to pay for such a special place.

The hotel is perfect for yoga, meditation, or anyone interested in a having a bit more spiritual self-reflection while sunning themselves on the beach. The crowd was a mix of hippie artists, yoga instructors, New Yorkers, a young student on an extended trip, German families.. quite a range but generally those who are fairly zen and free-spirited.

I only spent one night there but felt my entire being shift to a more relaxed state during my stay. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's a magical place. There's a peacock named Phoenix who likes looking at himself in the mirror regularly (self reflection?), free-spirited children running around - enthralled by the ocean rather than their electronic devices, and regular meditation sessions led by the resort.

I met two women, both named Alison and both living in Williamsburg (weird) but otherwise, kept to myself. There was really no pressure to become part of any of the activities or talk to those around you. And the actual beach was equally free-spirited. Technically, it's illegal to go topless or skinny dip in Mexico (Catholic country), but according to the internet, rules along the Tulum beaches have relaxed with an influx of Italian tourists over the years, accustomed to topless bathing. Along the beach near my resort, there were a few who went topless (me included), and one guy who jumped into the water naked but had his bathing suit nearby. I still regret not doing the same.

While I felt off the grid, I didn't feel lonely or disconnected. Rather than stress over figuring out life's meaning or my high purpose, I was able to just be. Feel the white sand under my feet, the sun on my body, hear nothing other than the waves. Ironically, my wifi connection was excellent - better than any other place I stayed. There's something surreal about checking Facebook while in a candle-lit tent, listening to the guy next to you play his guitar. Of course at some point, I turned my computer off and read a book.

But if I was there longer, I could see myself finally tackling the better part of my novel. Their breakfast is well-known and according to the manager, Nicole Kidman once ate there. I took a yoga class in the morning which turned into a private lesson for only $15.

They have a beautiful covered, outdoor space which they use for various classes, ranging from meditation to African dance. The yoga instructor was excellent and the setting might have ruined me for all future yoga classes in New York City. I also explored other hotels and shops within a ten minute walk from the resort. There's one, long road which features shops, trendy restaurants and other resorts. While they mostly featured clothing and gifts native to Mexico, there were also a few upscale stores reminiscent of Nolita in their selection and clientele.

There is no question that I will visit Uno Astro Lodge again.

On Mexican Time

According to my mother, my first word was "Hola." I have a long history with Mexico, despite the fact that my skin practically glows in the sun and I barely learned any more Spanish than the above. My grandparents retired in San Miguel de Allende and every year for ten years, my family would make the 10-plus hour journey to San Miguel. First a 5-6 hour plane ride to Mexico City, and then a 3 hour car ride from there. While I was always jealous of friends whose grandparents were a short car ride or flight away, the experience of visiting Mexico was truly priceless. I remember the smell, the tastes (sour tamarinds), the feel of walking on cobblestones. The site of donkeys walking alongside old VW Bugs. Walking underneath the covered outdoor walkway that separated my grandparent's kitchen and living room - and the thrill of doing that during a thunderstorm.

So when I arrived in Tulum after Playa Del Carmen, I finally started feeling like I was in Mexico. I got off the bus and dragged my suitcase across a two-lane road towards a cafe sign that said wifi. The coffee and company was good but the wifi was not. Twenty minutes into my arrival, Mike, an expat from Florida and recent owner of a clothing-optional resort, introduced himself to me and offered to help me find a hostel for the night. And then I met Cody, another expat, who called himself a treasure-hunter-pirate, a horticulturist, wise in the medicinal properties of plants. He proudly listed the various children he had living in the States, one being a porn star, and gave me a number if I wanted to reach him.

At the advice of Mike, I walked a few blocks to the nearest hostel, which might be so new that I still can't find the website. For $40, I had my own room and bathroom and two beds - more than I needed and at a price I didn't mind paying. I showered and set off into the town.

Tulum is incredibly easy to navigate. It's one long strip with most shops on one side and I can imagine side streets that will continue to get built up as the town gains popularity. Perpendicular to the main street is the road to the beach – which is either a ten-minute cab ride or twenty to thirty minute bike ride depending on which beach you’re headed to. Tulum is definitely a hippie enclave, a stark contrast from Cancun and the outdoor American mall that Playa Del Carmen has become. On the main street, you’ll find plenty of inexpensive trinkets from woven and beaded bracelets to hats and sarongs. I didn’t do any research on food before heading out and could have probably found cheaper, better choices but the portions were satisfying, and food was both fresh and affordable.

 While exploring the town, I ran into Cody and a young Mexican woman who according to Cody, was from the mountains. He proclaimed, in English, that he wanted to put a baby in her because she was so beautiful, but couldn’t because she already has one growing inside her. After letting me photograph her, she asked for my name so she could find me on Facebook. Facebook isn’t going away anytime soon and we should be glad. It’s truly a gift to be able to connect with people from all over the world with such ease and get a glimpse into someone else’s life – even if that just means only browsing their feed occasionally.

I spent the rest of the evening hanging out in the lounge area in my hostel, searching for hotels near the beach. While there, I met a Canadian couple who advised me to stay in town and bike to the beach to save money, but I had my heart set on having a more relaxing vacation. After an hour or so of searching with no luck, I finally typed in the name of a resort that was given to me by a Colombian girl while sitting in Starbucks while in Playa Del Carmen. I was in luck – they had one room left and within my price range.

TRAVEL TIPS:

Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with anyone in a café or hotel-common area. I found throughout my trip that the advice of a stranger regarding where to stay saved me hours of research on the internet.

Most places have fairly reliable wifi but oftentimes only in the common areas because the signal can’t penetrate the thick, Mexican, stone walls. This can be annoying when going outside at night means battling mosquitos but on the bright side, you're likely to meet people.

Bring mosquito repellant – preferably natural, because many parts of the Yucatan, especially Tulum, are extremely eco-conscious, encouraging travelers to bring biodegradable shower products.  

Speaking of eco-conscious, in most parts of Tulum, you can't throw your toilet paper in the toilet and need to put it in the trash. This is weird at first but based on my experience and others through Trip Advisor, it surprisingly doesn't smell since the garbage is taken out daily.

Getting Warmer - NYC to Riviera Maya

It's been a strange few weeks for me. After an awesome six month run, my freelance with JWT ended at the end of January. It was a fantastic experience - I met smart people and got the experience of working for a "big traditional" agency. I also contributed to two major new business wins (Google Enterprise and PUMA). And then was hired to work at JWT Inside - their employee engagement agency for one project. But then last Thursday, it was my last day - except there's always the possibility I could come back for another stint. So kind of a weird - goodbye but maybe not goodbye.While I was trying to tie up any loose ends, finish my project, say my maybe goodbyes, etc. my friend messaged me on Tuesday saying she's in Playa Del Carmen - I should visit. It just so happens that I'm on my other friend's flight benefits since his sister just had a baby and isn't likely to travel but I've barely used them - other than U.S. flights. The weather was really starting to wear on me.. even this charming couple on the Upper East dressed like they never left the 1970's or the East 70's wasn't enough to keep my spirits up in the cold.

Fast forward to Saturday morning at 4am - I drag my suitcase ten minutes to the subway in 25 degree weather wearing a light fall jacket and manage to check in literally three minutes before they close checkins on international flights. My adventure has gotten off to a great start. The flight is full with one standby seat available and the guy who had priority decided to take a later flight. I wish him all the love and karma in the world.

I sit next to a couple pushing 80 - both with some major hearing loss. I know this because they speak so loudly that even the guy across the isle with the noise-canceling headphones can hear them and gives me a sympathetic laugh. But I can't complain as I imagine my bare feet dipping into the sand. The couple wisely advises me not to study or think too hard and to get some sun. I greatly respect the wisdom of my elders.

The crowd at Cancun makes for some interesting people-watching. Retirees going on group trips, quickly changing into warm-weather clothing. I learn that nothing gets more friendly attention in Mexico than a single woman. If I had stayed any longer at the map booth - I would have received a proposal.

TRAVEL TIP: Take the Ado bus to Playa Del Carmen or even Tulum. It runs fairly frequently (I only had to wait a half hour) and only costs about $10 vs. the $70 for a car service. I realized I made the right choice when I was the only non-Spanish speaker on the bus.

I arrived in Playa Del Carmen with only a vague idea of where my friend's apartment was and a meeting time but it was incredibly easy to figure everything out. Playa basically has one main road that doesn't allow cars and goes for about a mile or less. You feel like you're walking in a huge outdoor mall. I dragged my suitcase over the cobblestone streets wearing a black t-shirt, jeans and sneakers in the 80 degree heat and easily located my friend by using one of the three Starbucks' wifi. I suppose there are some benefits of globalization.. I'm also pretty sure that the main drag had more free wifi than all of NYC.

The above is how I felt after squishing my feet into the sand. After two days and nights in Playa walking around what I felt was not really Mexico - more like South Beach / the Jersey shore, I decided it was time for me to check out Tulum. On Monday, after kicking around the idea of leaving on Tuesday - I decided why wait - saw that the bus was leaving in an hour, packed and sweated my way to the bus station. A 45 minute bus ride has led to a world of difference.

As I write this, I'm sitting in a hostel in Tulum, chilling with a Canadian couple and young Guatemalan, getting tips on what to see and do. This -after meeting a guy who owns a clothing-optional resort and horticulturist who can grow and identify about every plant / herb that's ever been used for.. medicinal purposes and seems to be an expert in native medicine.

On to the next chapter. There's a word for this... YOLO.

Perfect Strangers

While packing and I don't get along, I love to travel. My adventures started a few hours before I hopped into a cab towards the airport bound for Minnesota. I sat in a cafe a block away from my new apartment. Moments after I sat down, the guy across from me struck up a conversation. He's a successful composer who's created some fairly famous music. He talked about how most New Yorkers have headphones permanently plugged into their ears. We're constantly surrounded by the sounds of the city - rarely left to hear our own thoughts.Recently, my friend came to visit me from Northern, NJ. He had taken an hour long subway ride without his headphones or even a book. "But what did you do? You mean you just sat there?" I asked him in complete disbelief. "I just listened to my own thoughts, let my mind go blank." I walked home from the cafe for one block listening to the sounds of the city and was promptly given a generous "hello" by an old man on my street.

My adventurous path had a slight hiccup. Others call it Laguardia Airport. This was one of the first times in a long while that I've flown on an airline other than Virgin America or Jet Blue. I can't tell if it's the type of passengers who were sitting next to me or the lack of personal entertainment systems - but I learned more about the lives of those sitting next to me than three year long Manhattan neighbors.

I met a banker who grew up in Norway but moved to Chicago for college. While raising his kids, he lived in Hong Kong and Florida. He joked about wanting to be independently wealthy and could no longer stand the constant travel his job required. Kind, well dressed and well spoken, he dreamed of a life beyond banking, a profession, he noted, that was now hated. It was interesting to see his perspective and even more interesting to note that he was sitting in coach.

The woman next to me was from Chicago but recently moved to Denver. She's a single mother of two college aged twin girls. Her dream was to start her own business but she was coming back from New York for a job interview. She constantly had a new question for the Norwegian who was equally as inquisitive.

I just finished reading this delightfully entertaining and inspiring book "Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding her Inner French Girl." It goes beyond superficial advice and delves into the cultural differences between the French and Americans. For instance, in France, one is not defined by their job. And one does not share their life story and private dreams to their fellow passengers during a two hour long domestic flight.

Finally, As I was waiting in O'Hare for my connecting flight to Minneapolis, I struck up a conversation with a young, friendly girl while waiting for the "charging station." She was from Texas and a recent college graduate who was on her way to Russia. She's visited a Russian orphanage as a volunteer through her church organization twice and this was her first trip going without church, to visit those children who are now her friends. Many of us cynical, non-religious New Yorkers tend to judge and fear conservative middle America or Southern church organizations. But it often seems that as we sit in a cafe, drinking our lattes and reading the New York Times about an article that's criticizing the far right, and role of the church in America, those church-goers are raising money so they can visit an orphanage in Russia and bring a smile on someone's face.

I got on my short flight towards Minneapolis sitting next to a young man who I suspected was in the army. We rolled our eyes as we listened to a two year old screaming with an unnaturally loud set of lungs but didn't talk. I thought, when we're left to our own thoughts, we dream about leaving the banking business, starting our own creative business, leaving Texas to go to Russia, leaving New York to live in Paris, or simply, realizing how similar a perfect stranger can be to ... ourselves.

Day 2: A Photographic Journey through San Francisco: Dolores Park

I woke up pretty early yesterday allowing me to spend the morning working in a café, researching the newest Ad Age A-Listers, working on a few blogs and responding to emails. Finally, I took a break from researching and decided I was due for another day of exploration. After having my first Nicoise salad of 2011 at La Boulange, I headed to the Ferry Building for another afternoon of photographic exploration. One brownie and a few photos later, it was time to get a different perspective so I hopped on the BART towards the Mission. I guess the Mission reminds me of Williamsburg, Brooklyn but prettier. While Brooklyn has the view of the East River, The Mission has greenery and beautiful, elaborate murals. Who wins?At some point while I walked around Dolores Park as the only sober person, I realized, it's probably not a good idea to photograph people smoking up. But according to my college psychology professor, weed doesn't cause violence. Dolores Park was completely packed at 4pm which made me wonder, do these people have jobs? Then of course, it instantly occurred to me that I don't really have one either. Soon.. I'm working on my Sputnik moment!

P.S. I've been inspired by the photographer Max Wanger who I found through Joanna Goddard at Cup of Joe and question how he achieves his look, hence my heavily light saturated photos. I might have to go on one more adventure soon with a fill flash.

Ocean Beach, Muni, & Embarcadero - Photography Journey Through San Francisco

Yesterday, the internet told me that Monday the 24th is historically known as the most depressing day of the year. Naturally, I refused to stand for this kind of talk and decided to go out of my way to soak up some vitamin D. Here's my photographic journey through San Francisco from Ocean Beach to the Embarcadero. After living in San Francisco for three months, I can happily say I finally had some time to explore. Sometimes words just can't describe a scene but when talking about how I felt, these words come to mind; peace, joy, happiness, euphoria, inspiration, sunshine, refreshed, creative, sand, nature, beauty, balance, harmony, love, luck, wholeness, adventure.. you get the idea.

For more photos, you can go to my flickr page here. Peace & Love, Molly.

Tête-à-Tête Tuesdays with Molly

From my other blog Curiosity Matters

August 10, 2010 Hello! Today I’d like to pretend I’m not sitting in my New York apartment while the temperature approaches 90 degrees. So I invite you all to take a trip with me around the world as I interview Paulyn, a flight attendant for an international airlines. Good timing? This girl is calm and collected and the only exit she is inclined to make is through an actual door.I met her a few weeks ago through a good friend over copious amounts of Indian food. So please, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

Tell me a little bit about your background. How long have you worked as a flight attendant? And have you always lived in Singapore?
I love traveling. Will never get enough of it. I have been flying for almost 10 years. I have lived in Singapore all my life. I almost joined Emirates in 2004, but the thought of having to live in Dubai all by myself changed my mind. I prefer to live with my family.

What made you want to be a flight attendant and what about it has made you want to stay in the industry for all these years?
I have always wanted to travel around the world.  I didn’t come from a rich family and I never got to travel much when I was younger. I met my ex-boyfriend 10 years ago who was a flight attendant. He always showed me pictures of his travels, so I decided that upon graduation, I would like to join the airline too – to travel for free and get paid at the same time!

What’s a misconception about being a flight attendant that most people have? Is it glamorous? Does traveling to interesting places ever get boring?
The common misconception would be that they sleep around among themselves or with the pilots, which is totally NOT true. More misconceptions are that we are very materialistic. The female flight attendants only want to go for the rich guys, buy branded goods, etc. And worst of all, that we are Bimbos or Himbos – that we do not know the current affairs, except for shopping and eating!!! Some of us, including myself, are University Graduates. Some are working towards Masters degrees. I must say there are some black sheeps, but NOT everyone is like that.
The only glamorous part about the job is that you get to travel around the world every other day. But it is in fact NOT that glamorous when you have to clean the toilet, wipe the vomit, get scolded by unreasonable passengers and have to deal with jetlag ALL the time.
Traveling to the same places over and over again, without exploring newer places of interest, can get really boring. I used to be in a German speaking crew, and I flew to Frankfurt, Zurich and sometimes New York, once or twice every month. But I didn’t even bother to go out. I only went out when I was hungry or I had something to buy. And the layover at the station can be very short, so I would not be able to explore other parts of Germany.

You fly with people from all over the world. Do Americans stand out? How are they different from other nationalities?
Hmmmm… How should I answer this question? I must say the Americans are just another passengers onboard. To me, I would say the Singaporeans are the hardest to please.  Though this is NOT always true, but at least 80% accurate. I would think that this is because the airline I work for is their national carrier. They expect a lot for the price they paid to fly with us. I love the Swiss. I think they are the most polite and they do not need to be told repeatedly about the safety regulations they have to follow, like fasten seatbelt during turbulence, etc.  And they only ask for water during the lull period (in between meal services)!!

What is your favorite route to fly?
To Europe. The Europeans are usually quite well behaved and they often listen to your instructions regarding to safety issues onboard.  Also, I love the rich history in Europe.  I love the castles, the old buildings etc.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met on your travels and why?
Hmmm… another difficult question.  The ONLY famous person I ever met was Richard Quest from CNN. He is quite a famous person, yet he is so humble. He actually allowed the set of crew to take not just one, but a few pictures with him.  As for interesting person…. I can’t think of any at this point of time.

Is there a country you haven’t been to but would like to visit?
I would love to visit South America one day. Especially Chile and Argentina. I am learning about wines, and heard so much about the perfect weather conditions for wine-growing in Chile.  I would also like to know more about their culture and history, etc.

You have to pack light when you’re traveling. What are some beauty products you never leave home without? How do you keep your skin looking fresh and moisturized during the long flights?
I will never leave home without my moisturizer, serum, eye gel, and my sun block. I’ve gone for a facial once a month, since I was 22. I also do my own mini facial at home or overseas. I bring along my facial masks, etc. It is important, no matter how tired you are, to remove your makeup before you sleep. Otherwise, that is the end of your skin in the long run.  Since I already have slightly dry-skin due to flying, I apply a moisture-sleeping mask, before I sleep.  Your skin absorbs the moisture, while you are sleeping.
The cabin is very dry, so it is important that one have proper skincare, before any makeup. I also carry along my body cream so that I can apply them as often as time permits during the flight, to keep my skin moisturized.

What country makes the best beauty products? Hair products?
I found out that many products that I used are made in California, USA, but are patented in Europe. I.e. Sothys.  I think probably the best beauty products are from Europe. As for hair products, maybe from France and the USA.

And is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers about your experiences and beauty advice?
I think most people forget about their necks. You can do a face-lift, but can’t do a neck-lift?? Don’t forget to take care of your neck as well. One can still tell your age, no matter how good your face looks, if you don’t look after your neck. Apply some moisturizer over it and mask it as well.
Never leave your house without Sunblock!! Even if your office is just across the street!!  Sunblock is one anti-aging skin care you should never forget to apply!!!
Looking beautiful is not just about looking after your skin. What about your hair? Being properly groomed like going for a manicure and pedicure, dressing well, like color co-ordination, etc, having simple makeup whenever you are leaving your house, especially if you are going to meet someone, are just as important. It is the whole package. You can have the greatest skin, but if you are dressed terribly, or your hair is in a mess or your nails are all chipped, you still looked TERRIBLE.  Agree??

Tête-à-Tête Tuesdays with Molly

Hello! Today I'd like to pretend I'm not sitting in my New York apartment while the temperature approaches 90 degrees. So I invite you all to take a trip with me around the world as I interview Paulyn, a flight attendant for an international airlines. Good timing? This girl is calm and collected and the only exit she is inclined to make is through an actual door.I met her a few weeks ago through a good friend over copious amounts of Indian food. So please, sit back, and enjoy the ride.Tell me a little bit about your background. How long have you worked as a flight attendant? And have you always lived in Singapore?

I love traveling. Will never get enough of it. I have been flying for almost 10 years. I have lived in Singapore all my life. I almost joined Emirates in 2004, but the thought of having to live in Dubai all by myself changed my mind. I prefer to live with my family.

What made you want to be a flight attendant and what about it has made you want to stay in the industry for all these years?

I have always wanted to travel around the world.  I didn't come from a rich family and I never got to travel much when I was younger. I met my ex-boyfriend 10 years ago who was a flight attendant. He always showed me pictures of his travels, so I decided that upon graduation, I would like to join the airline too - to travel for free and get paid at the same time!

What's a misconception about being a flight attendant that most people have? Is it glamorous? Does traveling to interesting places ever get boring?

The common misconception would be that they sleep around among themselves or with the pilots, which is totally NOT true. More misconceptions are that we are very materialistic. The female flight attendants only want to go for the rich guys, buy branded goods, etc. And worst of all, that we are Bimbos or Himbos - that we do not know the current affairs, except for shopping and eating!!! Some of us, including myself, are University Graduates. Some are working towards Masters degrees. I must say there are some black sheeps, but NOT everyone is like that.

The only glamorous part about the job is that you get to travel around the world every other day. But it is in fact NOT that glamorous when you have to clean the toilet, wipe the vomit, get scolded by unreasonable passengers and have to deal with jetlag ALL the time.

Traveling to the same places over and over again, without exploring newer places of interest, can get really boring. I used to be in a German speaking crew, and I flew to Frankfurt, Zurich and sometimes New York, once or twice every month. But I didn't even bother to go out. I only went out when I was hungry or I had something to buy. And the layover at the station can be very short, so I would not be able to explore other parts of Germany.

You fly with people from all over the world. Do Americans stand out? How are they different from other nationalities?

Hmmmm... How should I answer this question? I must say the Americans are just another passengers onboard. To me, I would say the Singaporeans are the hardest to please.  Though this is NOT always true, but at least 80% accurate. I would think that this is because the airline I work for is their national carrier. They expect a lot for the price they paid to fly with us. I love the Swiss. I think they are the most polite and they do not need to be told repeatedly about the safety regulations they have to follow, like fasten seatbelt during turbulence, etc.  And they only ask for water during the lull period (in between meal services)!!

What is your favorite route to fly?

To Europe. The Europeans are usually quite well behaved and they often listen to your instructions regarding to safety issues onboard.  Also, I love the rich history in Europe.  I love the castles, the old buildings etc.

Who is the most interesting person you've met on your travels and why?

Hmmm... another difficult question.  The ONLY famous person I ever met was Richard Quest from CNN. He is quite a famous person, yet he is so humble. He actually allowed the set of crew to take not just one, but a few pictures with him.  As for interesting person.... I can't think of any at this point of time.

Is there a country you haven't been to but would like to visit?

I would love to visit South America one day. Especially Chile and Argentina. I am learning about wines, and heard so much about the perfect weather conditions for wine-growing in Chile.  I would also like to know more about their culture and history, etc.

You have to pack light when you're traveling. What are some beauty products you never leave home without? How do you keep your skin looking fresh and moisturized during the long flights?

I will never leave home without my moisturizer, serum, eye gel, and my sun block. I’ve gone for a facial once a month, since I was 22. I also do my own mini facial at home or overseas. I bring along my facial masks, etc. It is important, no matter how tired you are, to remove your makeup before you sleep. Otherwise, that is the end of your skin in the long run.  Since I already have slightly dry-skin due to flying, I apply a moisture-sleeping mask, before I sleep.  Your skin absorbs the moisture, while you are sleeping.

The cabin is very dry, so it is important that one have proper skincare, before any makeup. I also carry along my body cream so that I can apply them as often as time permits during the flight, to keep my skin moisturized.

What country makes the best beauty products? Hair products?

I found out that many products that I used are made in California, USA, but are patented in Europe. I.e. Sothys.  I think probably the best beauty products are from Europe. As for hair products, maybe from France and the USA.

And is there anything else you'd like to share with my readers about your experiences and beauty advice?

I think most people forget about their necks. You can do a face-lift, but can’t do a neck-lift?? Don't forget to take care of your neck as well. One can still tell your age, no matter how good your face looks, if you don't look after your neck. Apply some moisturizer over it and mask it as well.

Never leave your house without Sunblock!! Even if your office is just across the street!!  Sunblock is one anti-aging skin care you should never forget to apply!!!

Looking beautiful is not just about looking after your skin. What about your hair? Being properly groomed like going for a manicure and pedicure, dressing well, like color co-ordination, etc, having simple makeup whenever you are leaving your house, especially if you are going to meet someone, are just as important. It is the whole package. You can have the greatest skin, but if you are dressed terribly, or your hair is in a mess or your nails are all chipped, you still looked TERRIBLE.  Agree?? :)

Colorado Part 2 - The Wedding

My second cousin Cory and her new husband Chase

The beautiful couple again

Friends of the bride

The view from the mountain top venue

Cousin's friends

My other second cousin and her adorable daughter Kate

Another second cousin with her adorable and delightful son Neil, brother of the bride Kent, in the background

Coloradians knows how to get down

My second cousin Kent

New Favorite Photographer - Embry Rucker

Found through the photo agency John Kenney & (JK&)

New Favorite Photographer - Embry Rucker

Found through the photo agency John Kenney & (JK&)

I'm There.

Haven in Paris.

Need I say more. Okay, I will. 1 week vacation rentals in Paris, Provence and Tuscany. Who's with me? I have 6 vacation days to burn up before the end of the year.

San Francisco Chronicals

People have been asking me if I plan on moving to San Francisco any time soon. I thought long and hard about this- running check lists through my head as I wandered around. I definitely love that it's close to the great outdoors. New Yorkers get excited about taking a mini vacation to Coney Island or Central Park for some fresh air. Whereas the air in San Francisco is always fresh and the lack of foot traffic prevents you from having that viceral reaction of wanting to leave the city every once in a while. Not to mention a short and cheap ferry ride can get you to Sausolito- a quiet resort town on the water, devoid of activites that don't involve walking or eating... slowly.

BUT for me, when it comes down to it, New York is the best place for my industry. The hills in San Francisco exaust me and stiffle my sense of adventure since I'm thinking of my next destination in terms of level of difficulty. I came during a lucky, but very uncharacteristic patch of five day sun whereas their weather is usually more like what New York is experiencing right now.

My trip did make a lasting impression on me. I'm almost positive that despite loving my neighborhood, I will not be able to stand living in a shoebox much longer. I'm going to start looking to move to a quieter area by June 1st. I had an amazing time with my WCS and a few others we dined with along that way that I've managed to keep in touch with. Laughed harder than I have in months. Had some fantastic food everynight for Italian to Tapas. Yum. And was inspired by San Francisco colorful design at the MOMA and from the stores of Castro. Had moments where the beauty of the city literally took my breath away. And concluded the whole trip with a slightly miserable red-eye flight where I landed in cold, rainy New York and couldn't help but to laugh. Life is good.

First Day in San Francisco

I totally could have woken up at 7:30 and taken advantage of my body being on East Coast time, but true to lazy form, I set my alarm for 9:20. And here I am. Debating what to do with myself. I've been here a few times and feel no pressure to do touristy things although I haven't done much of that the previous times here. So far my ass hurts from the hills. What was supposed to be a nice stroll home after pancakes and hot chocolate turned into a - I think I'm going to hurl my pancakes and hot chocolate. At least there's no worry of me getting out of shape here. Um okay. Boring myself.

What you really want to hear.. I saw a man that had a dog on a leash. On the dog sat a cat. On the cat sat a rat. And looking at this dog with a cat with a rat, was one slightly jaded New Yorker who thought she's seen it all. She hasn't.

P.S. You can follow me on Twitter. MissMolls of course. Feel free to email me with ideas on what I should do while in San Fran!