jam

Yes, I am just about to write a bi-picture snapshot(s). The wee hours of the morning are not a prime time to make this caliber of a decision, so the indecisive route it is. Thinking about it, there's a lot to be said about these two images. The first-- the dismal state of my poor kitchen table, quite forcefully taken over by the incessant wave of "work." The second-- a jar of jam. Argentinian jam, to be specific. It's been the new look for my breakfast toast this week, but also a reminder of the place that it came from-- a place much different than where it stands today.  It's a simple reminder to me to put my own "problems" into perspective, and think of a world other than my own as I finish off my breakfast in the few moments I have before the bell rings, and school starts once again. 

Flicker

It was a pretty crowded day at the Huntington Library the Thursday that I visited for an AP Literature assignment. I came to analyze the originals of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales; ended up spending not so much time doing the assignment than strolling the unique, beautiful gardens that attracted so many visitors that day. This walkway cuts through rows upon rows of roses of every variety in the Huntington's famed Rose Garden. In the midst of the crowds shifting in and out of my camera's viewfinder, here's a shot of the flicker of emptiness, of serenity, of peace that so beautifully captures the natural wonder of the rose gardens. 

Love,

Eileen

Chocolate Chair

A trip to LA Koreatown is never complete without the obligatory two scoops of blueberry icecream at Chocolate Chair. I'm usually not a fan of fruity ice cream- I tend to go for the classic duo of chocolate and old-fashioned vanilla. But, I've since been a convert. 

Chocolate chair makes each order of ice cream fresh, every single one. It's unique, not your usual ice cream. There's a definite sense of purity in this kind of cooking- a fast dwindling art form of "made to order food". 

Definitely stop by and have a scoop (or two!) for yourself whenever you are in the area! Bon appetit! 

A Touch of Nonsense

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.

-Dr. Seuss

Tis the Season

Happy holidays from Coffeestrokes! We hope that wherever you may be, you are enjoying a season full of laughs, love, and great memories. 

Every Christmas, my mom brings out this centerpiece in front of our sparkling tree. It's just another small reminder of the countless memories my sister and I have of loud holiday parties, a house constantly filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and the excitement of running down in the morning to open gifts on Christmas day. 

Whatever your Christmas traditions may be, tis the season to pause to enjoy the precious moments that make Christmas, Christmas.

Love,

Eileen

Secret Gardens

It's only just a rustic wood ladder, two empty terracotta pots nestled together, the first slates of a stone walkway, and the hints of green plants, but to me this corner is my secret garden. In the urban jungle of home, memories of this place remind me of a time when things were much simpler, when life was filled with just the people I loved the most, and when I was entirely captivated by the raw beauty of Italy.  

And you still continue to captivate me, my secret garden, but now only in the lazy daydreams and fading memories that so frequently plague my afternoons. Until next time, my friend, until next time. 

Love, Eileen

Calm After the Storm

The tranquility that often precedes a catastrophic event is known as "the calm before the storm." Before the waves of an impending storm begin to rock the boats of our lives, there lies moment of peace, of silence, of suspense. 

Often ignored, however, is the calm after the storm.  It's an entirely different experience. Your boat is badly scratched; perhaps the strong winds cut a hole through your mast, but you made it through-- it's all over now. There is a moment of peace as you recollect yourself and realize that the storm has passed.

The little boy in the picture had just made it through a small, but significant storm. Cruising down the Mississippi River in central Louisiana, he encountered one of his greatest fears-- the alligator. As his tears dry up, he looks out the boat to realize the danger is past; nothing is going to harm him. The calm after the storm has arrived; he is safe now. 

Love,

Eileen

Hello, Goodbye

There's that brief surreal moment right in between sunset and dusk that sets the stage for all things romantic and deep. The moment that I took this shot, I was cruising down the Seine River in the heart of grand Paris, taking in the timeless beauty of the city. As we approached a rather simple looking bridge, I see one woman waving down to say hello. Reflexively, I turned on my camera, pointed, and shot this lovely picture, only to realize I never had a chance to say goodbye. So, hello and goodbye to the friendly woman I met in Paris. It's never too late for a simple greeting.

Love,
Eileen