Is this even real life? 2016 flew by way too quickly, and I'm sad that it's ended. As we prepare for our next season and transition into 2017, I'd like to recap with you my journey and celebrate the love that you all have extended towards me. 

2016 has truly been a year of celebration. As I've shared before, I want this blog to be a place where my readers can truly know me and my growth as a photographer and in my personal life. So if you've been following me for a while, I'd love to extend a word of thanks for your love and support. I seriously can't wait for all that awaits me in 2017, but in the meantime, let's take a walk down memory lane. 
 

a season of proposals
 

As you can recall from the summer, I photographed quite a few proposals within 3 months. It was an incredible feeling to receive inquiry after inquiry to capture these joyful occasions, and I even got the chance to travel a bit throughout Texas for these moments. 

First one up, Sean & Joseph. And man, what a start! If you haven't read their story yet, you are missing out. Who knew you could still propose to the love of your life after a crazy monster downpour?!  (Click here to read more)

Next, we have Tian & Joseph at the McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston, TX. Joseph used a fun way with geocaching to ask his bride-to-be for her hand. (Click here to read more)

Then, we had Ashley & Joon, who also got engaged at the Centennial Gardens. Joon knew exactly how to woo his lovely lady so you'll definitely want to read their story. (Click here to read more)

Fourth, back in Austin, we had Emily & Nathan, who shared a simple, yet intimate engagement that could tug anyone's heart. (Click here to read more)

And finishing up my summer season, Kayla & Leo. Theirs felt so romantic and dreamy, with Leo dancing away with Kayla and proposing to her under a vintage gazebo. Need I say anymore? (Click here to read more)

travels
 

J and I took some time off in the summer as well to do some traveling for our friends and family. We took our first road-trip to West Texas for a wedding that I got to attend as a guest! I always say I prefer being on the shooting end more, but it's nice to take a break once in a while. (Click here to read more.)

Then in late August, J and I flew up to Toronto for his cousin's wedding so we had quite a week exploring and befriending those who were a part of the occasion. (Click here to read more.) 

favorites

And to wrap up this post, here are my favorite frames. 

As most of you know, I took a three week break in September and went back to Taiwan. As always, the trip was filled with adventures that nourished my soul and opened my eyes even wider to the wonders of the world. I've decided to split my trip into two blog posts: the first one more thoughtful and focused on family and lifestyle and the second one visually showcasing my travels. Enjoy!

When we think of Taiwan, the first things that often pop up in our minds is its cuisine and local attractions. My friends and I often express our mutual appreciation for this country and our personal experiences that excite us whenever we plan our next visit there. For me personally, I am always beyond excited whenever I have the chance to go back. It's quite odd, however, because despite being raised in Texas, Taiwan's not exactly foreign to me. Starting when we were only a few months old, my mother made sure to take my brothers and me back every year to familiarize us with the other half of our culture. After all these years, it warms my heart to know that I can still call Taiwan my second home. 

In my previous trips, I normally arrive in Taiwan at late hours of the night, when the lights are speckled colorfully throughout the city. It was a nice change to be greeted by the morning haze and lush clouds that framed the backdrop of my view.

Before I saw such a glorious view, however, I remember marveling at the midnight sky that glittered with the biggest and brightest stars that ever shone. It was personal and fleeting, yet I can't help myself from sharing it to others. I initially tried to photograph it, but I eventually decided against doing so as I knew that my pictures wouldn't have done it any justice. Instead, I enjoyed it as it was, with humility and recognition of life's grandeur. 

Gradually, the sun began to peak out of the horizon. A rainbow gradient boldly swept through the sky before fading into the clouds with shades of lavender and musk. 

It's a shame that such moments as this come and go so quickly. The sky faded away into an overcast and the clouds opened up to the familiar sight of Taiwan's farmlands that extend throughout the country. On the edges of the island, its harbors were lined with boats that were preparing to set sail for their morning catch. 

It was a comfortable sight, and although this country isn't necessarily "home" as I am from the States, I very much consider it one because it's deeply rooted with the histories of my childhood, culture, and family. 

family

Sometimes, small means everything. Despite having only known so few members of our entire family, we were able to cultivate an intimacy that only grew stronger throughout the years. My immediate family is the only one in the States so I often crave the rowdiness that can be experienced at family reunions. There's nothing more special than the feeling of closeness and family warmth. More importantly, family time creates opportunities to hold aimless conversations, which are ironically quite powerful in the way it shapes how we live and understand life. 

I love to share about my American life with my cousins, banter with my aunts, and play battle of wits with my uncle until one of us admits defeat. All the while, my mom is in the kitchen cooking dishes with Taiwanese and Chinese, specifically Fuzhou, influences. The smell itself can bring me to tears because they remind me of my childhood.

food

Speaking of food....

I recently joked that if I didn't do anything else in Taiwan besides eat, I'd be just as satisfied. There's no denying that Taiwan's food is a huge attraction to its visitors, but it's so much more than just "yummy food" for me. I feel so much nostalgia whenever I get to indulge in delicacies that are reminiscent of my childhood. Back when my grandpa was still alive, we'd often have our family dinners outdoors, next to his little house (He was a colonel in the army so we lived in a military district), and we'd always share huge meals together. It was humble, authentic, and joyful. In fact, our family valued family dinners so much that it was a requirement to eat together every night no matter what. 

Aside from my love for the taste, I find myself particularly attracted to the authenticity and love that is put into the food. When I purchased food anywhere along the streets, I always found it quite endearing to regard the owners as "auntie and uncle" or "grandma and grandpa". They, in return, served us with smiles and converse with us with a tone of familiarity. It brings people together and cultivates a sense of intimacy that can be shared with anyone, even strangers! 

Beef Noodle Scoup. A classic
. 

Grilled Squid at a Night Market

Sugar Apple

Oh-ah-misua: Oyster & Pig Intestine Vermicelli

Mi Fen: Taiwanese Fried Vermicelli and Cuttlefish Soup

Beef Soup Dumplings

Pork Soup Dumplings

Typical Taiwanese breakfast: Egg Pancakges and Soymilk

Dou Hua:  Tofu Pudding with Peanuts and Ginger Syrup

Egg Tarts

Beef Wonton Soup 

Taiwanese Tempura

Seafood Hotpot (who cares that it's 80 degress outside, right?)

Taro Cakes (best translation I can do)

Sweet Potato

lifestyle

It was a great feeling to step out of the ordinary for a little bit and be inspired again. The simplicity in Taiwan's lifestyle paved way for emotional and mental rest as well as a rejuvenation of my mind to learn and explore again. It was magical to wake up to sunrise every morning and start each day in anticipation of the journeys that lie ahead.

However, this created a conflict in me. On one hand, I'm in love with the simplicity and slowness of Taiwan's lifestyle. It brought forth a happiness that I haven't felt in a while, and I loved listening to my relatives' stories about their childhood from the 60's and 70's. To them, this was their way of life, but I saw it as a unique form of freedom. 

On the contrary, now that I'm much older, it felt odd to see life conduct itself so simply, and I often found myself wondering if the people there were content. Of course, Taipei itself has developed quite impressively throughout these years, but in the outskirts outside the city, such as where I live, it lacks the luxuries that I am often blessed with in the States. When I pass by quaint villages that have housed little cottages and communities for decades, I can't help but wonder if the people there have experienced a world bigger than their own. 

It wasn't long until I realized that perhaps by questioning their contentment, it was actually a reflection of my own heart. I mean, why shouldn't they be content? They have what is essential to their lives and it's held together by family, tradition, culture, and love. True, perhaps many of them aren't able to see and experience the rest of the world in their lifetime, but they've managed to turn their quiet lives into a treasure of its own. Something a foreigner can appreciate and perhaps even long for. 

It was a humbling revelation to realize that perhaps I haven't been prioritizing what is actually essential to my life, and instead, I've been focusing all of my attention, desire, and identity on what is only fleeting.  

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."
— Mary Anne Radmacher

Traveling is a huge part of my life. Secured in my mind and heart forever are the endless stories of my adventures from one country to the next. From the humble villages (and wild monkeys roaming the beach!) in Malaysia to the dark quiet ramen alleys in Sapporo, I remember it all. Traveling is one of my favorite things to talk about, and if I'm not careful, I could easily talk away three hours. 

I value storytelling, especially when we get to share our stories in person, because it's one of the most captivating things we can experience and I know it will never die away. From my experiences as a growing photographer, I've learned that not everything needs to be captured and confined in our cameras, phones, or whatever we use to "remember a moment". Don't get me wrong., photography is a wonderful way to share a story, be it mine or someone else's, but even a camera can become a distraction when you're in the presence of something beautiful ("Beautiful things don't ask for attention.") Sometimes, it's better to just stay in the moment and soak everything in. I've learned to let life teach me about itself while I humbly and curiously learn with my senses and process everything with my mind. Even if I return home with only a few pictures, I'd be okay with that because it's better to have a compilation of rich stories in my memory that are worth sharing than pictures with blank contexts. 

You know how we always proudly come home with little treasures that we find during our travels? Well, I guess stories are my most prized souvenirs. 

The best part of traveling, though, is ultimately how it grows us as a person. It pushes us out of our comfort zones, and it's up to us to determine how we want it to shape our adventures, our memories, and our character. I truly think if we let our childlike faith guide us through our adventures, we will return home with a little more humility, compassion, and wisdom. 

Love,