Joanne's bump

I had so much fun shooting for my dear friends when we visited Ontario, Canada.  There baby girl is due late October and I can't wait to meet her at Christmas time! (I know Christmas is still a few months BUT it will come by so fast!)

Congrats to you both!  You look fabulous honey and cute with your belly!

Laos & Thailand

It has been nearly 13 years since I first visited Laos and Thailand.  Our family reunion trip was planned since 2005 and I am so happy that my husband (being his first trip) and I were able to make it.

During the Vietnam War, my grandfather,was a 4 star General for the Royal Lao Army who worked for the Americans. When the communist took over in 1975, he was taken for ‘re-education’. He was gone for 12 years and never saw his children (my mother and aunts/uncles) or my grandmother, Bounsou during that time. All the sisters and brothers worked hard together to help their mother; took on parent-like-roles to their younger siblings, selling food at the markets, cleaning houses, etc.

By the time my grandfather came back, one brother and 8 sisters fled the country, some going to America, Canada, Australia and Thailand. Our grandparents had the opportunity to visit America from 1990 to 1991. Today for some sisters it is still hard to talk about how they escape. I am so grateful that all of them made it safe and sound and are in a better country.

The house my mother grew up may not be there in a few years as the city of Vientiane continues to develop forcing people out of their homes. This truly was the best trip of our lives and many more trips to follow in the years to come!

I highly recommend Thailand as an Asian destination to visit-so rich in culture and very budget-friendly!

Ruins in Ayutthaya

Need protein?  Add some bugs to your diet!

Vang Vieng, Laos + Rice fields/worker

That Luang, my ancestry built.

Vientaine Morning Market- silks, food, etc.

Hua Hin

The Grand Palace

More Ayutthaya ruins

:: Little Miss Avia ::

Introducing cutie pie Miss Avia whose is 7 months old!  Isn't she adorable?  She was such a good sport and a happy baby during our session!!!

 

I'm alive

It sure has been a while since I have updated my blog with photos!  I have plenty of new photos to post especially now that summer is here (which I cannot believe we are already more than half way through) but do hope you are having a great summer.

The last 8 months, have been busy with a bit of work and exploring our new city!

Good bye 2010!

Where ever you are celebrating, I hope you are enjoying this holiday season with family and friends.  May 2010 be filled with joy, love, good health and peace.  I will see you back in the new year!

Moving to Boston

After 11 years, my husband graduate with his PhD and we're now off to Boston. We love it already! We love living in a new city (more similar to Ottawa, Ontario-mid-size city and full of historic buildings). I personally like that we live in one of oldest cities in the United States. New England is filled with endless history from the American Revolution, Kennedy Brothers, Boston Tea Party, Mother Goose, etc and I can not wait to go out with my camera to explore this wonderful city. Here are some pictures of Boston so far. Enjoy! First up is Paul Revere's House, beautiful stone road in North End, Chinatown, the Seaport, Downtown Crossing Graveyard on Tremont Street.

 

Earth Hour

On Saturday, my husband and I participated in the 2nd annual Earth Hour and found it very quiet and peaceful to have candles lit throughout the house. Just think in the old days, how it use to be, people must have went to bed at 9pm! I was also happy to see that our young neighbors across the street with their candles too. It's great to see every day more people are becoming aware of the environmental issues we face. As our population increases, so does our generation of waste, energy, water, and air use. We must take care of our natural resources by building a sustainable future and definitely education is important to all ages, hence, why I chose the environmental sector! Here's to Earth!