Seattle . Travelogue

When you're in Seattle, you can't help but fall in love with the great outdoors. With only a few guaranteed months of good weather out of the year, there is a deep appreciation for even small pockets of sun throughout the day. Luckily, my last couple of trips to Seattle were drenched with warmth and was spent doing all the touristy things I love-- visiting the gross but endearing gum wall, walking around Pike Place, eating some chowder, and visiting the very first Starbucks Coffee to ever exist. This time around, my gracious host and lovely friend, Annie gave me a sneak peek beyond the comforts of my touristy views. Seattle, I've found, is the land of innovation, health, food, coffee, hiking, and consignment shops, rain or shine. 

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream . Seattle, Washington

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream . Seattle, Washington

Hello Robin . Seattle, Washington

Hello Robin . Seattle, Washington

Consignment Shop in Ballard . Seattle, Washington

Consignment Shop in Ballard . Seattle, Washington

Consignment Shop in Ballard . Seattle, Washington

Bop Street Records . Seattle, Washington

Musashi's . Seattle, Washington

Jewel Box Cafe . Seattle, Washington

Homegrown Sustainable Sandwich Shop . Kirkland, Washington

Aura Bakery & Coffee Bar . Kirkland, Washington

Aura Bakery & Coffee Bar . Kirkland, Washington

Aura Bakery & Coffee Bar . Kirkland, Washington

PLANLED Headquarters . Federal Way, Washington

Bogul Bogul Cafe . Federal Way, Washington

Boiling Point . Bellevue, Washington

Rattlesnake Ridge . North Bend, Washington

Feelin' Sluggish . Rattlesnake Ridge

Rattlesnake Ridge . North Bend, Washington

Rattlesnake Ridge . North Bend, Washington

Lynnwood, Washington

Twisted Ankle . Lynnwood, Washington

Lynnwood, Washington

SEA -> ORD

*All photos taken and edited via iPhone. 

N

Portland . Travelogue

The Pacific Northwest will always have a special place in my heart, so it's awesome when I get to travel there for work. Portland in particular is home to some of my favorite places to eat and walk around. Most of my visits are limited to the downtown area, but this year I got to venture out and try the famous Pok Pok for some amazing Thai food. Not to say that there isn't a a plethora of places downtown to get a cultural experience. The famous Portland food trucks line up and down a couple of different parking lots, serving all kinds of food from fish n' chips to Ethiopian to Mauritian, which is a mix of French, Chinese, African, and Indian. There's just something about food that  gives you a special connection to the place you're in and for the people of Portland, food is also a way to allow the place you're in to connect with you.

Stay tuned for another post from my stay in Seattle. 

Courtyard Portland City Center . Portland, Oregon

Courtyard Portland City Center . Portland, Oregon

Courtyard Portland City Center . Portland, Oregon

United States National Bank Building . Portland, Oregon

Chez Dodo Food Truck . Portland, Oregon

Food Truck . Portland, Oregon

Pok Pok . Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Unknown Building . Portland, Oregon

Union Station . Portland, Oregon

*All photos taken and edited via iPhone. 

N

Yejun & Carol . Proposal

It was one of those sticky, hot, sauna-like days in the good 'ole cornfields of Champaign-Urbana. It's not often that I get to take the two-hour hike down to my second home, so when Yejun emailed me about this shoot, I jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know, just standing and waiting in the bushes left me literally drenched with sweat. I normally don't like sweating, but being able to capture Carol's reaction after waiting many years for this moment was absolutely worth it. From shock, to tears, to constant smiles for the rest of the day, she was probably the happiest girl on campus. Good job, Yej!

N

'Murica . L

This is how Rogers Park does the fourth of July. There are no special showings for a set time, no designated areas to watch, and no caution signs to keep you from getting burned. The neighborhood kids just come out to the beach and set fire to the illegal fireworks they got from across the Indiana and Wisconsin border. These bombs are going off everywhere and the friendly neighborhood park begins to look like a war zone. At first it’s scary knowing that one of them can take away a limb and if that doesn’t kill you, the toxic gun powder fumes quite possibly could. But as a couple of these bad boys soar into the air, you kind of forget about all that and become completely mesmerized by the majestic bursts of colors… at which point, there’s nothing left to do but just stand in awe. 

N