Back Home!

Just arrived from LA and because there was a delay to our flight, we ended up arriving a bit later than expected. All good but that's the end to our LA trip.

Breakfast at Dan's

On our way to LAX after a short weekend stay here. We went to Ghia's graduation, shopped, Disneyland, and now Dan is dropping us off at the airport for our returning flight to San Francisco.

Disneyland!

She's texting her mom...

...."We're on our way too Disneylland!!"

We goin shopping now!

Beverely Center here we come.

Happy Graduation Ghia!

Claiming Baggage

I always wondered what would happen if mine was stolen.

Claiming Baggage

I always wondered what would happen if mine was stolen.

First time...

...I rode an airplane like a bus...pretty much just had to sit anywhere.

Waiting to board our flight to LA

As of now, I'm playing Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 on the DS with Cher (remember Scorpian, Sub Zero, Raiden?). Our flight is at 9:40pm and it's about 8:45pm. But we will be at LA til Monday for my friend's graduation @ UCLA and Disneyland!

My Last Day As "Coach JJ"

Here's me and my students from one of the two schools I work at as the after school photography teacher. I've been with these students as well as another group at a different school for 6 weeks teaching the basics of photography and just having fun taking photos.

For the final class I laid out all their photos they took with the disposable cameras and they identified theirs so they can keep it. I'll be working on a book for each group too to present their images to the City of Daly City. Hopefully I'll be back next year with a new group of kids!

Happy Birthday to my Cher!

We ate at a Russian restaurant called Cinderella on Balboa and 5th I want to say?.. Somewhere there... anywhoo, I chose it for her birthday since we like to try something new. And our first impression was that it was pretty good.. maybe we'll come back there and get something else since I thought my plate could've been better. Eh!

But yea, my birthday present is what Cherry is holding above--a VHS tape.. yes, one of those things. It's a Disneyland vacation guide video from 2003 haha. But yea, I've been planning it along with my friend who is graduating from UCLA this weekend and I just broke the news to her today.
Disneyland here we come! Oh.. and there's my friend Ghia's graduation too.. but Disneyland yee!

BYOA: "Your Diaspora" Set Up

All photos by Cherrymae Jumoc

Here's the wall the organization alloted me.

My first [and largest] image up: a 16x20 print of the Philippine flag in the airport.

Various 5x7 and 4x7 prints.

"Mom's Departure" and "Mom's Arrival" posted. [Yea, I took off my button down--pushing down pins is tough work!]

All most done... placed my business card at the end. Still have to put the informational cards to give more info on the conceptual images as well as the Philippine pictures. I'll also have a couple of business cards on the floor as well as a sign-up sheet to give thanks who stopped by.

Where my head is at will be the informational cards. [You the shape? The triangle? Remind you of the Philippine flag? A lil bit?? Ehh.. I tried. Cherry and I made up the placement on the spot haha]

BYOA: "Your Diaspora" Details

When: Thursday June 12, 2008, 6pm
Where: The Fillmore Center: 1403 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA
What: Infin8sync's Bring Your Own Art (BYOA) monthly showcase

I'll be presenting some of my images from the Philippines (more than 15) as well as the two conceptual images I posted here on my blog. Melonie (one of the two organizers) showed me the wall space I'm allotted and it's a lot! Regardless, if anyone wishes to come out do!

The theme, "Your Diaspora," features artists circling individuals' cultures. So I'm there to represent the Philippines. Plus, it's Philippines' Independence Day! (As well as my girlfriend's birthday!).

Bargaining with Ice Cream and Conversations

After parking my car, I hear the familiar jingle that can only be emitting from a beat up van.

"ICE CREAM! ICE CREAM!" I'd shout when I was little while running and waiving my hand to catch the ice cream man's attention.

Now, I just go up to the street hoping he sees me and I just nod. Regardless, I pull out my wallet and look over the myriad of choices on stickers posted on the van's exterior.

"You got any of those fruit bars?" I ask.

He points at various juice bars. Yes, there's a difference from fruit bars and juice bars.

"Nah, never mind."

"We got these here," he points at those juice bars I mentioned. I look up to see him and he's this dark middle aged man with an Indian accent. I've never seen him before so he must be new around here.

"I'll just get the Sundae Chocolate Crunch. How much?" I remember how the Strawberry Shortcake Crunch taste like medicine.
"Two dollars."
"Two dollars?! That's expensive... others are at $1.25"
"Ok.. I'll give it to you for $1.50."

He goes to back to get it but that kind is not there and presents me with a chocolate. Ice cream men have this way of presenting the ice cream in their hand even though you haven't paid yet... but they see you have money on your hand and for some reason it makes the transaction easier and faster. It works well with children. But I'm not.

"Uhm... come on man.. how about $1.25."

He thinks about it. "Ok, $1.25." He gives me my change and from here, I have my first conversation with the Ice Cream Man.

"You a student? You go to university?" He asks. His salt and pepper eyebrows raise over his dark sunken eyes.

"Yea, I am. I just had a tough semester!" I exclaim. "I go to University of San Francisco. I'm taking nursing there."

"I see. My son, he's a doctor."

"Oh wow.. he graduated here?"

"No... I meant he in school still. Back in India. My daughter too in school. She's taking pharmacology."

"Oh that's good! Are they planning on coming here?" I ask.

"Well," he pauses. "If all goes well, you know? But thank you," he says with an honest smile.

"Ok.. take care man."

I take my ice cream and open it as I walk towards home thinking about that man. His son and daughter and I'm sure the rest of his family are back home in India while he's here selling ice cream. And "if all goes well" his children will be here.

I bargained and so is he.. I just hope gets the better deal in the end.