Confessions of a Fruit Bat

       Fruit bats. It's the name my dad gave to my mom and me, when I was a kid. He would go grocery shopping, buying several pounds of fruit, and within two days... it was gone. Did he eat any of it? No. The fruit bats did.

       Now that Sam + I are married, it's a similar situation. The day after we go to the farmers' market and buy five pounds worth of persimmons and pears, he'll ask, "What happened to all the fruit?" Does he even have to ask? The fruit bat ate them.

       Sam knew early in our relationship that I had a fruit addiction. Having dated for only a few weeks, we went on what we call our first "love voyage," a long weekend up to the San Juan Islands. He picked me up in a red Ford Explorer to start our journey North, and when I opened the car door, there was a whole crate of satsumas waiting on my seat. I knew I had found a keeper.

       So it was only fitting that when we visited Hawaii a few weeks ago, I went crazy wild for all the tropical fruits. We got fresh fruit at the markets, from people's "fruit stands" in their front yards, and also picked a wide variety of wonderful wild guavas along various hiking trails across the island.

       Since the only way I know how to keep fruit around is to preserve them in pictures, I thought you could enjoy them with us in our photographic tribute to the edible delights of Kauai. 

Fresh sunrise papaya. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Wild guavas. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Farmers' market haul! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Longan fruit aka "dragon's eye" translated from Mandarin. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

Sam going bananas!

"Fruit stand" in someone's front yard.

Fresh achiote at the farmers' market.

Lihue farmers' market.

Wing beans!

Fresh passion fruit.

Sam made fresh bread all week.

Homemade garlic + onion bread.

Hiking and picking wild fruits!

Wild guava.

Wild bananas.

Wild mini-guavas.

Breadfruit.

Wild coffee along the Napali Coast.

Green wild guava.

       Hover over each image in the slideshow to read the caption :)

xoxo,

Ariel (+ Sam)

Monday: Finding Focus

       Considering the sweat-inducing heat that the orchids at the Singapore Botanical Gardens thrive on, and weighing the additional factor that I (a.k.a., Sam-mule) was loaded down with all our luggage, it was easy to decide that navigating the dizzying network of connected, subterranean malls under Orchard Road, and seeking the sanctuary of a theater to cool off in and enjoy a movie, would be time well-whiled, before catching our overnight flight to New Zealand.

       As we explained to friends during Thanksgiving, that's the last time we've gone out to the movies. Two years ago.  And as I heard myself tell the story, I got the OBVIOUS hand-bonking-head message: it's time to schedule a proper movie date with my wife!

       Thanksgiving was gooood as gravy.  Not only were we able to host a dear friend from out of town, we got time to reconnect with our other closest peeps in the Bay Area.  The day, while stuffed with awesomeness, also made me feel homesick for my family back in Seattle and across the Pacific.  Arriving back home, we got on Kayak, and bought two plane tickets traveling north in December.  Unfortunately, we don't have plans to visit Taiwan any time soon.  Nevertheless, we were able to get out Sunday evening, avoid the crowds of shoppers downtown, nerd up a pair of 3D glasses, and savor the Life of Pi, and thereby assuage by degrees my regret.  My cousin recently finished production of the movie, signaled by the absence of animals like a Bengal tiger and striped zebras popping up on her Facebook updates.  It was the perfect family movie.  We especially enjoyed sitting after the film for the credits, and spotting her name on the screen. "There she is!"  I felt so proud of her, I could have thrown a bouquet of flowers on stage.  

       Life of Pi is a smart parable about, among other things, the meaning we get from life.  One of my favorite quotes from the book by Yann Martel sums it up: "The world isn't just the way it is.  It is how we understand it, no?  And in understanding something we bring something to it, no?  Doesn't that make life a story?"  

       Holidays are not an absolute vacation, but are like field trips with required homework.  The assignment: contemplate that day's particular holiday meaning and… eat a lot.  Looking over the photos from Thanksgiving together, it's not hard to find things to be grateful for: family, friendship, opinionated cooks, stuffing (why do we eat it only one day out of the year?), love, and leftovers.  I'm also thankful for those aprons we gallantly wore, protecting us from runaway gravy trains.  We are big on wearing aprons, not only  because they allow us to give each other giant, uninhibited bear hugs without fear of messing up each other's fine clothes (and the consequential reprisals), but also, and most importantly, for the silly photos they make (see below).

       Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.

With thanks,

Sam (and Ariel)

Two hams and a turkey! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

Mom's stuffing. So amazing and delicious. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

Mom, Auntie Yam and Dad -- aka The Yams. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

Too cute! Maya and Daniella, aprons on and ready to eat! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

Liam and dad getting excited to chow down. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

Nom nom nom! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

The feast begins. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Thanksgiving in San Francisco.

Monday: Finding Focus

       Remember being a kid and waking up real early, when the whole house was still asleep, and racing to catch the start of the morning cartoons?  Shouldn't every day begin with such child-like enthusiasm?  Sometimes, when we feel like slugs, we find it just takes a moment to stop and reflect on what's really important to bring the week into focus.  Each Monday, we thought we'd share a quote or an idea that inspires us, and that hopefully resonates with you as well.  Today, we feel propelled by love.

       "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."  - Maya Angelou      

       When we were in Kaua'i, we met up with Kore and Matt, who were there to celebrate their honeymoon... and yet still wanted to spend the day with us.  To use another childhood analogy, it felt like lining up on the soccer field at recess and getting picked FIRST to be on the team.  We felt honored to see them. 

       When we asked Kore and Matt about their honeymoon, they talked about the beautiful, secluded beaches they visited in Molokai.  But the story that stuck with us most, was how they spent their mornings together.  This is a couple who knows how to connect and find their focus, every single day.  Each morning, Kore would lead Matt in his very own yoga class.  How sweet is that?  Talk about two people who love each other!  They exemplify Maya Angelou's words perfectly, demonstrating the magnetic, energizing power of love.

       After hearing about these yoga sessions, we just had to ask Kore if she would teach us as well.  That's how we got our own custom yoga session on the beach with these two love birds.

Private yoga lesson on Poipu Beach with Kore + Matt. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography, Kauai, Hawaii.

Warrior one! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography, Kauai, Hawaii.

The honeymooners! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography, Kauai, Hawaii.

Post yoga class, relaxing on the beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography, Kauai, Hawaii.

       Who's down for taking some yoga classes with us this winter?  Give a holler.  Also, check back here every Monday morning, for a little inspiration and beauty to energize your week.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

The Aloha Spirit, and Living a Broad Margin

       In Walden, Henry David Thoreau confessed: "I love a broad margin to my life."  What an appealing sentiment, not only in the visual respect, but also as a sensible design philosophy for whole-hearted living.*  What it means to make room for a wide margin, invites digressive, unhurried daydreaming.

My straw hat hangs in a tree overlooking the ocean. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Straw hat, Kauai, Hawaii

       Spanish culture embodies one of my favorite expressions of the concept.  When Ariel and I lived in Andalucia, the margins were many.  We took siestas in the sizzle of the day, and later, took casual strolls at midnight, stopping at cafes to sip tinto de verano (literally, tint of summer).  While this schedule required a bit of getting used to, with practice, each day grew fatter and sweeter with the ritual.  Most of the modern world shuns this type of laziness, but when studies show that a short nap can increase cognitive function, memory retention, and mental resilience, on balance, those busy-bodies may have got it all wrong.

       Yet, as small business owners (here in America, where taking naps is for cats) the temptation to work is relentless.  The fact that we enjoy our work, and don't stop until we see our reflection in the high polish we insist upon, makes it even harder to find an excuse, and the time, to stop and take a breather.  Our weekends are booked with photography sessions, and our weekdays are spent editing and attending to the endless have-tos of keeping a business running.  We joke that we clock in after brushing our teeth in the morning, and clock out after flossing at night.  It's what we call, "good business hygiene."  Of course, anything worth doing, must be done all out, and we feel blessed to have a business where we are able to do three things: (1) work together, (2) enrich the lives of others through art, and (3) give back to our community.

       Through the miracle that is California, we can eat locally grown strawberries in early April and juicy watermelon through late October.  Our wedding season parallels the almanac of our sunny state's long, abundant growing season.  Spring through fall are the busiest seasons.  Although we have weddings here and there in the winter (and do plenty of other photo sessions besides), this is our season to rest.

This monk seal is just waking up for a short scratch before another nap.  A privilege to document, monk seals are on the endangered species list.  This one happens to sport a nice coat of green algae -- it's not easy being green.  I photographed the seal in Poipu, Kauai.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Monk Seal, Kauai, Hawaii.

       Just as the earth needs time to lie fallow before bearing new crops, just as a note is heard more clearly after a rest, just as animals and even insects require sleep and rest (even if only sleeping with half their brains at a time like dolphins so), so we too need to rest well to work well.  Artists find inspiration in rest.  A blank canvas is a pillow to dream on.

Ariel holds a lei she is about to give me. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Kauai, Hawaii.

       Sensing that it was a good time to take a trip (no more local watermelon), we made the short hop to Kauai'i (with plump papayas hugging the trees like pink pandas!).  This green island is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Hawaii.  Talking of the cyclical nature of rest and work, the isles themselves are the product of long periods of work and rest.  The Hawaiian hot spot pushed magma up, forming land, and as the tectonic plate shifted, new land masses formed between oceanic gaps, creating islands.

       Ariel and I are island people.  Tropical sea breezes are in our blood.  My mom grew up in the back of the only grocery store located in a small village in Taiwan, where the townsfolk would come to take phone calls and even get their disputes judged and decided by my highly-respected grandfather.  Ariel's grandparents grew up in Puerto Rico, and owned a coffee farm.  Little surprise that Ariel's dad constantly touts the virtues of coffee, and even when she was a toddler, nudged her to sip from his mug, drinking the black mixed "like candy."**  While some people may feel stir-crazy on islands, we love them for the chance, at every turn, to look out and rest our eyes on the great expanse of the sea.

After a run and a swim, Ariel decorates me with an orchid lei.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Orchid lei, Kauaii, Hawaii

       Hawaiians understand what it is to live with a wide margin.  It's in their vowel-spacious vocabulary.  Take, "Aloha."  You've heard it a hundred times, but do you know what it really means?  Don't grab for the dictionary, because translations fail.  Everything you hear about Hawaii (think: hula girls, surfing dudes, and cocktails served in coconuts) sounds cliche, until you actually arrive.  Suddenly, wearing a loud, floral-designed Hawaiian shirt feels as good and natural as letting out a long sigh.  The Aloha spirit is not a travel ad campaign, but is a part of the culture.  It's saying "I love you" to the clerk at the supermarket as you count out your change.  "Aloha!"  An invocation of the divine.  Using this word zooms you through the fast track version of spiritual liberation and interconnectedness, and you come out as if you've lived through the 60s, joined a naked hippie commune, and owned a VW bus - and still have a nice tan to show for all of it.

       I'll admit, we did bring the laptop and spent a week… working.  But can you really call it "work," when you get to sit outside on the patio, drink endless papaya smoothies, and watch the sun paint a new masterpiece on the horizon, in purples, pinks, and oranges, at dusk every night?  The important thing is we also had a lot of time for no responsibilities, just bring a towel, kind of fun.  We'll post some sun-soaked photos in our blog in the weeks to come (featuring, among other things, a dramatic waterfall, an ode to tropical fruit, and a catalog of cute animals.)  Now that we are back to work, we are just excited to look back and rest our eyes on the images taken on our vacation, and remember the joy and fruitfulness from taking a darn break from time to time.  We hope that as you read along, you too feel encouraged to take some time off for yourself, and, allow a few pages of your life to be written with a wide, wonderful margin.

"Aloha!" © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Travel Photography Kauai, Hawaii.

       How do you keep a broad margin to your day? Feel free to comment and let's start a conversation!

Aloha,

Sam (and Ariel)

*Not to mention, as a lawyer, who appreciates room in the margin for footnotes and gloss that make a text more comprehensive.

** Stay tuned for photos we took of wild coffee plants growing under the jungle shade and in the high altitude of the Na-palis.

Original GIANTS Fans

       1991, Candlestick Park, the SF Giants vs. Montreal Expos. My dad took my friend, Pearl, and me to the baseball game, to cheer on our home team.  As a native San Franciscan, the Giants have always been a part of my personal history. When I was a kid, every summer the SF Public Library held a summer reading program.  When you finished reading a certain number of books, you got a prize: either a paperback book or tickets to see the Giants. I always picked the Giants tickets.

       It became a tradition for my dad and me every summer to head down to Candlestick park, bundled up in a few extra layers since it was always freezing at the ballpark. We'd munch garlic fries and order my absolute favorite, malted ice cream, eaten with a wooden spoon. And somehow, it seemed that every game we went to, Barry Bonds would hit a home run and the Giants would win. It was baseball magic.

       Last night was no different, when the Giants won their second World Series game in just three years. Sam + I chose to listen to the game on the radio (what can we say, we're old school) and when that last strike was called, we grabbed each other and started jumping around the living room. Again, baseball magic! So excited and so proud to live in The City of the World Champs!

1991, Candlestick Park, the SF Giants vs. Montreal Expos. Photo by Robert Soto.

1991, Candlestick Park, the SF Giants vs. Montreal Expos. Photo by Robert Soto.

1991, Candlestick Park, the SF Giants vs. Montreal Expos. Photo by Robert Soto.

1991, Candlestick Park, the SF Giants vs. Montreal Expos. Photo by Robert Soto.

Photo by Robert Soto.

       Oh -- and that game in 1991, the Giants won, 10-3.

       (Can't wait to see more wedding photographs? We'll post more soon - we just covered a beautiful wedding in the Santa Cruz mountains a few days ago.)

xoxo,

Ariel