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checreates

Cheฬ ๐Ÿ”ฅ Video Creator & Storyteller

DEACTIVE. Moved to @chethecreative; travel @localloverstravel
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ San Diego Fil-Am | *God is a Creative*

192
posts
2K
followers
2K
following

002 BET ON URSELF aka โœŒ๐Ÿฝ cushy contract

My job & I broke up. It was mutual; they wanted a mime. I wanted to speak my mind.

So whatโ€™s next?
We creatives make careers out of outsourcing our gifts.
For the first time in 15 years, Iโ€™ll be freeing her โ€” for me. ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ
& running after a dream Iโ€™ve had since high school:
Video.

For once, not for money, but for play.
& to tell the stories of dope people and places Iโ€™ve met along the way.

For this vid, I simply wanted to test a new โ€œfisheyeโ€ lens.
Techniques picked up from the GOAT, @gakuyen .

So whaddya say?
Have u given ur dreams a chance?
Or PLAYED with ur creativity / hobbies today?
Get after it, fam. ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ’ฅ

~~
Fisheye, videography, San Diego video, San Diego, summer, fair, video techniques, Billie eilish, CHIHIRO


144
45
1 years ago


UPDATE: video is live TODAY after pausing for LA ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ

๐ŸŽ‰ HER 1ST VIDEO IN 1 YEAR, Yโ€™ALL!!! ๐Ÿฅน

๐Ÿ’Œ THIS VID IS FOR YOU.
For you with a dream, idea, or even an inkling whoโ€™s thought:
โ€œI canโ€™t do thisโ€ฆโ€ followed by every excuse possible not to step onto your path.

๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ For you whoโ€™s BEEN THROUGH it & back,
Decided THIS year youโ€™re gonna squeeze those frigginโ€™ lemons
To make some DANG good lemon martinis. ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿธ

๐Ÿ’ƒ Or for you, who just wants to smile;
Be inspired by all the dope folk who fill our cities with
All their dreams, their people, their good taste:
Gathering creative communities that bring out the best & the blessed within us.

I offer you:

>> Pivoting After 30 <<
My most personal video series yet.

Dropping tomorrow on the YouTube.


150
60
1 years ago

005 // CREATIVITY TAKES RISK ๐Ÿ’ฅ

The best discoveries come when you put yourself out there.

For me, that meant 2 photoshoots in our first 2 days in Japan ๐Ÿ“ธ โ€”

(Because who needs sleep when youโ€™re outrunning jet lag?) โœˆ๏ธ

I was determined to step into this identity of video creator,
& team up with street photographers to capture one another in our craft.

Jet lag aside, this turned out to be our BEST decision.
For Michael & I, our favorite moments came from interactions like these โ€”

โœจ MEETING fellow creators turned friends,
Spurring one another on in what we love.

//
๐ŸŽฅ For this edit, I used my first-ever LUT from @cinegrams !
I have yet to learn color correcting for the base layers for consistency,
But I LOOOVE how this film LUT looks over the lights of Japan.
I also love street photography, so my fav style to shoot is street VIDEOgraphy.

More on that, tomorrow ๐Ÿ˜Œ

~
Cinegram, street photography, Japan travel, Tokyo, video editor, female filmmaker, video creator, travel video, color grading, film student


96
23
1 years ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago


๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago

๐ŸŽŠ HAPPY 20 YEARS TO MY CULT!!!

One of my besties in these photos said,
โ€œWhen youโ€™re bummed out by what you see online, put your phone down. Talk to people in real life. Youโ€™d be amazed at how kind people truly are.โ€

I wish everyone a love as overflowing, long-lasting, uplifting & edifying as Iโ€™ve been grateful to carry & cultivate with these women.

๐ŸŽ“ From degrees to moving cities.
๐Ÿ’ Heartbreaks to holy matrimonies.
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dancing babes to dancing FOR babies.
๐ŸŒฒ NorCal trips in RVs and ATVs; bachys to find Drake in CAN; forest folks at Oregonโ€™s coast

My banh mi babes, and my ACies.
Thank you for being all the love this world needs ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿฝ


88
2
8 months ago


OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago


OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

OOF, writing about your struggles while in the struggle is scaryโ€ฆ

But also somehow, freeing. [Read @ link in bio.]

Much of what I intend to create has to do with the CHOICE to move forward:

Creation as prayer in action: our answer to making sense, unveiling beauty in a dark, hard, grievous world. Sigh.

I hope, in reading this, you feel less alone if youโ€™re also going through your own bout of darkness (or have gone through one)!

To being the examples in our families and communities of silence โ€” to saying YES to break the chains of shame, suffering, and grief.

~
Fil-am, Filipino American, career pivot, chronic illness, mental health, depression, urticaria, autoimmune, invisible illness, hashimotoโ€™s, life change, pivot


264
57
9 months ago

โ€œTaking pictures is not my priorityโ€ says Nao.

Okay?? Interesting thing to say for a photographer โ€” and not just ANY photographer โ€” THE top-searched street photographer in Tokyo

(according to me & many visitors, as Naoโ€™s keyword usage is supreme)

โ€œThe camera is a tool. Just like speaking English is a toolโ€

I loved this interview โ€” it showed me what makes the person BEHIND the lens so good at their job.

Any other camera folk, do you agree with Nao?

~~
#Locallovers #meguro #meguroriver #japanfriends #megurorivercherryblossom #streetphotographercommunity #tokyostreetphotography #tokyostreetphotographer #japantravels #tokyotravel #sayyestolife #adventureiscalling #liveagoodstory #getoutandlive


29
6
10 months ago

Layoffs wrecked my future. Then, I took a deep breath, and decided I had nothing to lose.

A year and some change ago, I was happy + thriving at a top company, with co-workers I cared forโ€ฆ and copywriting work which was cool for the pay.

But I wanted more. I knew the fullness of my dreams x abilities were not meant for a CTA button (lol).

I was comfortable there, and started to envision a growing future. But then, out of nowhere, I lost 95% of the people I cared for.

I was left at the company with an uncertain future.

As certainty dimmed, this hankering to DO THE THING Iโ€™d longed for since childhood banged ever louder to the beat of my sweaty, excited heart.

If I no longer had a future at this โ€œstableโ€ companyโ€ฆ could I go for the thing Iโ€™d been dreaming about?

This PASSION Iโ€™d had since middle school when I forced my friends @angela.x.cm @alison.valenton @joannacatanus to recreate a scene from FRIENDS (โ€œthe pillows are the essence of the chair!โ€) ๐Ÿช‘ ?

I realized: no company, no matter how loyal I am to it, could a) promise me stability, or b) give me the career path Iโ€™ve longed for, for myself.

I threw caution to the wind and went for it, searching for a creative in Tokyo whose story I could film.

๐ŸŽž๏ธ Today @localloverstravel I shared Naoโ€™s story: a street photographer who dared to say YES,
And the 2nd yes, after my own, to prompt an avalanche of โ€œwhat ifโ€™s?โ€

This YES has led me to film the stories you donโ€™t see (but deserve to!) across Japan; Portugal; Ireland; Mykonos; Nashville; Las Vegas; OC/LA, and of course, San Diegoโ€ฆ

๐ŸŽฅ And though Iโ€™m far from being a great videographer ~
I hope my passion captures you through the screen, and inspires you to

a) encounter people / places that challenge and change you;
b) JUST. SAY. YES to those secret dreams on your heart, no matter how โ€œreadyโ€ you are.

The world is waiting for you to come alive ๐Ÿ˜‰

~
#getoutandlive #justsayyes #goodnewsnetwork #liveyourdreamlife #tokyostreetphotography #tokyovideo #yestheory #liveagoodstory #femalevideographer #showyourwork #streetinterview #filipinafilmmaker #lifeafterlayoffs #layoffs #careerpivot #goafteryourdreams #goafteryourgoals #taketheleap #motivationpost


121
15
10 months ago

Layoffs wrecked my future. Then, I took a deep breath, and decided I had nothing to lose.

A year and some change ago, I was happy + thriving at a top company, with co-workers I cared forโ€ฆ and copywriting work which was cool for the pay.

But I wanted more. I knew the fullness of my dreams x abilities were not meant for a CTA button (lol).

I was comfortable there, and started to envision a growing future. But then, out of nowhere, I lost 95% of the people I cared for.

I was left at the company with an uncertain future.

As certainty dimmed, this hankering to DO THE THING Iโ€™d longed for since childhood banged ever louder to the beat of my sweaty, excited heart.

If I no longer had a future at this โ€œstableโ€ companyโ€ฆ could I go for the thing Iโ€™d been dreaming about?

This PASSION Iโ€™d had since middle school when I forced my friends @angela.x.cm @alison.valenton @joannacatanus to recreate a scene from FRIENDS (โ€œthe pillows are the essence of the chair!โ€) ๐Ÿช‘ ?

I realized: no company, no matter how loyal I am to it, could a) promise me stability, or b) give me the career path Iโ€™ve longed for, for myself.

I threw caution to the wind and went for it, searching for a creative in Tokyo whose story I could film.

๐ŸŽž๏ธ Today @localloverstravel I shared Naoโ€™s story: a street photographer who dared to say YES,
And the 2nd yes, after my own, to prompt an avalanche of โ€œwhat ifโ€™s?โ€

This YES has led me to film the stories you donโ€™t see (but deserve to!) across Japan; Portugal; Ireland; Mykonos; Nashville; Las Vegas; OC/LA, and of course, San Diegoโ€ฆ

๐ŸŽฅ And though Iโ€™m far from being a great videographer ~
I hope my passion captures you through the screen, and inspires you to

a) encounter people / places that challenge and change you;
b) JUST. SAY. YES to those secret dreams on your heart, no matter how โ€œreadyโ€ you are.

The world is waiting for you to come alive ๐Ÿ˜‰

~
#getoutandlive #justsayyes #goodnewsnetwork #liveyourdreamlife #tokyostreetphotography #tokyovideo #yestheory #liveagoodstory #femalevideographer #showyourwork #streetinterview #filipinafilmmaker #lifeafterlayoffs #layoffs #careerpivot #goafteryourdreams #goafteryourgoals #taketheleap #motivationpost


121
15
10 months ago

Layoffs wrecked my future. Then, I took a deep breath, and decided I had nothing to lose.

A year and some change ago, I was happy + thriving at a top company, with co-workers I cared forโ€ฆ and copywriting work which was cool for the pay.

But I wanted more. I knew the fullness of my dreams x abilities were not meant for a CTA button (lol).

I was comfortable there, and started to envision a growing future. But then, out of nowhere, I lost 95% of the people I cared for.

I was left at the company with an uncertain future.

As certainty dimmed, this hankering to DO THE THING Iโ€™d longed for since childhood banged ever louder to the beat of my sweaty, excited heart.

If I no longer had a future at this โ€œstableโ€ companyโ€ฆ could I go for the thing Iโ€™d been dreaming about?

This PASSION Iโ€™d had since middle school when I forced my friends @angela.x.cm @alison.valenton @joannacatanus to recreate a scene from FRIENDS (โ€œthe pillows are the essence of the chair!โ€) ๐Ÿช‘ ?

I realized: no company, no matter how loyal I am to it, could a) promise me stability, or b) give me the career path Iโ€™ve longed for, for myself.

I threw caution to the wind and went for it, searching for a creative in Tokyo whose story I could film.

๐ŸŽž๏ธ Today @localloverstravel I shared Naoโ€™s story: a street photographer who dared to say YES,
And the 2nd yes, after my own, to prompt an avalanche of โ€œwhat ifโ€™s?โ€

This YES has led me to film the stories you donโ€™t see (but deserve to!) across Japan; Portugal; Ireland; Mykonos; Nashville; Las Vegas; OC/LA, and of course, San Diegoโ€ฆ

๐ŸŽฅ And though Iโ€™m far from being a great videographer ~
I hope my passion captures you through the screen, and inspires you to

a) encounter people / places that challenge and change you;
b) JUST. SAY. YES to those secret dreams on your heart, no matter how โ€œreadyโ€ you are.

The world is waiting for you to come alive ๐Ÿ˜‰

~
#getoutandlive #justsayyes #goodnewsnetwork #liveyourdreamlife #tokyostreetphotography #tokyovideo #yestheory #liveagoodstory #femalevideographer #showyourwork #streetinterview #filipinafilmmaker #lifeafterlayoffs #layoffs #careerpivot #goafteryourdreams #goafteryourgoals #taketheleap #motivationpost


121
15
10 months ago

Layoffs wrecked my future. Then, I took a deep breath, and decided I had nothing to lose.

A year and some change ago, I was happy + thriving at a top company, with co-workers I cared forโ€ฆ and copywriting work which was cool for the pay.

But I wanted more. I knew the fullness of my dreams x abilities were not meant for a CTA button (lol).

I was comfortable there, and started to envision a growing future. But then, out of nowhere, I lost 95% of the people I cared for.

I was left at the company with an uncertain future.

As certainty dimmed, this hankering to DO THE THING Iโ€™d longed for since childhood banged ever louder to the beat of my sweaty, excited heart.

If I no longer had a future at this โ€œstableโ€ companyโ€ฆ could I go for the thing Iโ€™d been dreaming about?

This PASSION Iโ€™d had since middle school when I forced my friends @angela.x.cm @alison.valenton @joannacatanus to recreate a scene from FRIENDS (โ€œthe pillows are the essence of the chair!โ€) ๐Ÿช‘ ?

I realized: no company, no matter how loyal I am to it, could a) promise me stability, or b) give me the career path Iโ€™ve longed for, for myself.

I threw caution to the wind and went for it, searching for a creative in Tokyo whose story I could film.

๐ŸŽž๏ธ Today @localloverstravel I shared Naoโ€™s story: a street photographer who dared to say YES,
And the 2nd yes, after my own, to prompt an avalanche of โ€œwhat ifโ€™s?โ€

This YES has led me to film the stories you donโ€™t see (but deserve to!) across Japan; Portugal; Ireland; Mykonos; Nashville; Las Vegas; OC/LA, and of course, San Diegoโ€ฆ

๐ŸŽฅ And though Iโ€™m far from being a great videographer ~
I hope my passion captures you through the screen, and inspires you to

a) encounter people / places that challenge and change you;
b) JUST. SAY. YES to those secret dreams on your heart, no matter how โ€œreadyโ€ you are.

The world is waiting for you to come alive ๐Ÿ˜‰

~
#getoutandlive #justsayyes #goodnewsnetwork #liveyourdreamlife #tokyostreetphotography #tokyovideo #yestheory #liveagoodstory #femalevideographer #showyourwork #streetinterview #filipinafilmmaker #lifeafterlayoffs #layoffs #careerpivot #goafteryourdreams #goafteryourgoals #taketheleap #motivationpost


121
15
10 months ago

When scrolling leaves you numb or in fear, remember: look for the helpers. Then, become one.

Here are some organizations / people whoโ€™ve uplifted us, this week:

1๏ธโƒฃ @ooocommunity, the baddest โ˜•๏ธ๐Ÿต shop with the boldest flav-uhs, raised $621 (โ€ผ๏ธ) for @migrantfreedom by slanging drinks alongside @kilig.laย @family_frequencyย andย @heyannastrongย through the โ€œBataan Cafรฉโ€ pop-up

2๏ธโƒฃ @unitedwedream is the largest youth-led network advocating for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrants in the U.S.

3๏ธโƒฃ 1,000s of immigrants and refugees who are here currently need your help acclimating to a new culture. Things as basic as, how to grocery shop? @worldrelief connects you with those seeking help to make here feel like home.

Inspired by some @allsaintschrch nuggets ๐Ÿ’Ž in a recent message on justice: โ€œRead more books, watch less newsโ€ and โ€œCommit to regular, local serviceโ€.

๐Ÿ”” If you know of any organizations doing *tangible good*, please share them below. Iโ€™ll be doing my research to apply my heart to my hands, too.

~
#creativitymatters #creativityeveryday #creativeliving #positivitevibes #visualdiary #creativelifestyle


48
13
10 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โ€œU r so hot nโ€™ cold with IGโ€

Maybe if Instagram was like tumblr in 2002, Iโ€™d like it a lot more

Had the most @localloverstravel day, and this #arcticmonkeys track is haunting me


40
11 months ago

โœจ To my makers, creatives, & faith-filled leaders: yes, please keep showing up

Aka, your role in hard times

It is utterly heartbreaking to see all thetorn apart families, businesses, and communities at home. Not only is this targeting us & places we love in our own cities; itโ€™s ripping apart innocent families who came here to live the dream many of our immigrant parents came for, too.

In a time like this, we creatives, makers, & visionaries can feel conflicted about showing up & sharing our gifts.
๐Ÿต How do tea; pottery; culinary challenges; words help in these hard times?

๐Ÿ‘ˆ๐Ÿฝ swipe pic: Then I remember this gorgeous wheel: Whatโ€™s Your Social Change Role? by Deepa Iyer, which I first saw around 2020. Some of us are Disrupters, Weavers, Frontline Responders: We protest; fight legally; raise funds.

๐Ÿ’ก Then, there are those of us who step into the darkness this wickedness breeds, and actively put forth light. We are the Healers; Storytellers; Caregivers, nurturing and nourishing people to sustain this marathon for change. We are the Visionaries: dreaming of a more unified future, and painting that reality as if it already exists.

๐ŸŒŸ @localloverstravel , at its core, is about slowing down to know the person across the table. Itโ€™s cultivating curiosity & openness to experience a way different from yours. Together, our cultures weave a tapestry of Godโ€™s love & beauty that wouldnโ€™t be complete without one another.

โšก๏ธ So, whatโ€™s your role in social change?
I pray the anger and fear that may be settling on our hearts, be turned toward Hope, as we take healing actions to tend to one another.
This is a worthy fight. You are not alone, and even moreso, you carry gifts / vision / a breaking heart that will act as balm for these times.


35
4
11 months ago

โœจ To my makers, creatives, & faith-filled leaders: yes, please keep showing up

Aka, your role in hard times

It is utterly heartbreaking to see all thetorn apart families, businesses, and communities at home. Not only is this targeting us & places we love in our own cities; itโ€™s ripping apart innocent families who came here to live the dream many of our immigrant parents came for, too.

In a time like this, we creatives, makers, & visionaries can feel conflicted about showing up & sharing our gifts.
๐Ÿต How do tea; pottery; culinary challenges; words help in these hard times?

๐Ÿ‘ˆ๐Ÿฝ swipe pic: Then I remember this gorgeous wheel: Whatโ€™s Your Social Change Role? by Deepa Iyer, which I first saw around 2020. Some of us are Disrupters, Weavers, Frontline Responders: We protest; fight legally; raise funds.

๐Ÿ’ก Then, there are those of us who step into the darkness this wickedness breeds, and actively put forth light. We are the Healers; Storytellers; Caregivers, nurturing and nourishing people to sustain this marathon for change. We are the Visionaries: dreaming of a more unified future, and painting that reality as if it already exists.

๐ŸŒŸ @localloverstravel , at its core, is about slowing down to know the person across the table. Itโ€™s cultivating curiosity & openness to experience a way different from yours. Together, our cultures weave a tapestry of Godโ€™s love & beauty that wouldnโ€™t be complete without one another.

โšก๏ธ So, whatโ€™s your role in social change?
I pray the anger and fear that may be settling on our hearts, be turned toward Hope, as we take healing actions to tend to one another.
This is a worthy fight. You are not alone, and even moreso, you carry gifts / vision / a breaking heart that will act as balm for these times.


35
4
11 months ago

Once in a lifetime.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Miggy. Wow.
These bikes WHIZZED past us as I was taking a photo and I laughed; Michael had the foresight to grab this shot.

Kind of like travelโ€ฆ and the best chocolate mousse Iโ€™ve ever had, these moments are so special, you have to grab โ€˜em.

๐Ÿ“ Douro Valley, Portugal.
A for real slice of paradise ๐Ÿฅน

~
Lamego, Regua


77
8
1 years ago

Olรก, Portugal.

Youโ€™ve colored my soul.

~
Porto, chapel of souls


78
14
1 years ago

Olรก, Portugal.

Youโ€™ve colored my soul.

~
Porto, chapel of souls


78
14
1 years ago

Olรก, Portugal.

Youโ€™ve colored my soul.

~
Porto, chapel of souls


78
14
1 years ago


์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ ์„ธ์ด๋ธŒ - ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ, ๋ฆด์Šค, ์‚ฌ์ง„, ๋น„๋””์˜ค, ํ•˜์ด๋ผ์ดํŠธ, IGTV๋ฅผ ํ•ธ๋“œํฐ์— ์ €์žฅํ•  ์ˆ˜ ์žˆ๋Š” ์ตœ๊ณ ์˜ ๋ฌด๋ฃŒ ๋„๊ตฌ.

์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ-์„ธ์ด๋ธŒ.com์€ ์‚ฌ์šฉ์ž๋“ค์ด ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ์—์„œ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ, ์‚ฌ์ง„, ๋น„๋””์˜ค, IGTV ๋“ฑ์„ ์ง์ ‘ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•˜๊ณ  ์ €์žฅํ•  ์ˆ˜ ์žˆ๊ฒŒ ๋„์™€์ฃผ๋Š” ์ง๊ด€์ ์ธ ์˜จ๋ผ์ธ ๋„๊ตฌ์ž…๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. Story-Save๋ฅผ ์‚ฌ์šฉํ•˜๋ฉด ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ์—์„œ ๋‹ค์–‘ํ•œ ์ฝ˜ํ…์ธ ๋ฅผ ์‰ฝ๊ฒŒ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•˜๊ณ  ์ธํ„ฐ๋„ท ์—†์ด๋„ ํŽธ๋ฆฌํ•˜๊ฒŒ ๋ณผ ์ˆ˜ ์žˆ์Šต๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ์—์„œ ํฅ๋ฏธ๋กœ์šด ๋‚ด์šฉ์„ ๋ฐœ๊ฒฌํ•˜๊ณ  ๋‚˜์ค‘์— ๋ณด๊ธฐ ์œ„ํ•ด ์ €์žฅํ•˜๊ณ  ์‹ถ์„ ๋•Œ ์ด ๋„๊ตฌ๊ฐ€ ์™„๋ฒฝํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. Story-Save๋ฅผ ์‚ฌ์šฉํ•˜์—ฌ ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ์˜ ์†Œ์ค‘ํ•œ ์ˆœ๊ฐ„์„ ๋†“์น˜์ง€ ๋งˆ์„ธ์š”!

์šฐ๋ฆฌ์˜ ์žฅ์ :

ํšŒ์›๊ฐ€์ž… ๋ถˆํ•„์š”

์•ฑ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ๋ฐ ๊ฐ€์ž… ์—†์ด, ์›น์—์„œ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ์ €์žฅํ•˜์„ธ์š”.

๋…์ ์ ์ธ ๊ณ ํ™”์งˆ

์ €ํ™”์งˆ ์ฝ˜ํ…์ธ ๋Š” ์ด์ œ ๊ทธ๋งŒ, ๊ณ ํ•ด์ƒ๋„ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋งŒ ๋ณด์กดํ•˜์„ธ์š”.

๋ชจ๋“  ์žฅ์น˜์—์„œ ์ ‘๊ทผ ๊ฐ€๋Šฅ

๋ชจ๋“  ๋ธŒ๋ผ์šฐ์ €, ์•„์ดํฐ, ์•ˆ๋“œ๋กœ์ด๋“œ์—์„œ ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•˜์„ธ์š”.

์™„์ „ ๋ฌด๋ฃŒ ์‚ฌ์šฉ

์ „ํ˜€ ๋น„์šฉ ์—†์ด ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•  ์ˆ˜ ์žˆ์Šต๋‹ˆ๋‹ค.

์ž์ฃผ ๋ฌป๋Š” ์งˆ๋ฌธ

์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ๊ธฐ๋Šฅ์€ ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ์•ˆ์ „ํ•˜๊ณ  ๊ณ ํ’ˆ์งˆ๋กœ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•  ์ˆ˜ ์žˆ๋Š” ๋ฐฉ๋ฒ•์„ ์ œ๊ณตํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ์‚ฌ์šฉ์ž ์นœํ™”์ ์ด๋ฉฐ, ๊ฐ€์ž… ์—†์ด ์‚ฌ์šฉ ๊ฐ€๋Šฅํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ๋งํฌ๋ฅผ ๋ณต์‚ฌํ•˜์—ฌ ๋ถ™์—ฌ๋„ฃ๊ณ  ์ฝ˜ํ…์ธ ๋ฅผ ์ฆ๊ธฐ์„ธ์š”.
์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ๋Š” ๊ฐ„๋‹จํ•œ ๊ณผ์ •์œผ๋กœ, ์„ธ ๊ฐ€์ง€ ๋‹จ๊ณ„๊ฐ€ ํ•„์š”ํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค:
  • 1. ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ๋„๊ตฌ์— ์ ‘์†ํ•˜์„ธ์š”.
  • 2. ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ํ”„๋กœํ•„์˜ ์‚ฌ์šฉ์ž๋ช…์„ ์ œ๊ณต๋œ ํ•„๋“œ์— ์ž…๋ ฅํ•˜๊ณ  ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ๋ฒ„ํŠผ์„ ํด๋ฆญํ•˜์„ธ์š”.
  • 3. ํ˜„์žฌ 24์‹œ๊ฐ„ ๋™์•ˆ ์‚ฌ์šฉ ๊ฐ€๋Šฅํ•œ ๋ชจ๋“  ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๊ฐ€ ํ‘œ์‹œ๋ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ์›ํ•˜๋Š” ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ์„ ํƒํ•˜๊ณ  ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•˜์„ธ์š”.
์„ ํƒํ•œ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋Š” ๋น ๋ฅด๊ฒŒ ๊ธฐ๊ธฐ์˜ ๋กœ์ปฌ ์ €์žฅ์†Œ์— ์ €์žฅ๋ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค.
๋ถˆํ–‰ํžˆ๋„ ๊ฐœ์ธ ๊ณ„์ •์˜ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋Š” ๊ฐœ์ธ์ •๋ณด ๋ณดํ˜ธ ์ •์ฑ…์œผ๋กœ ์ธํ•ด ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•  ์ˆ˜ ์—†์Šต๋‹ˆ๋‹ค.
์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ์„œ๋น„์Šค์—๋Š” ์‚ฌ์šฉ ํšŸ์ˆ˜ ์ œํ•œ์ด ์—†์Šต๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ๋ฌด์ œํ•œ์œผ๋กœ ๋ฌด๋ฃŒ๋กœ ์‚ฌ์šฉ ๊ฐ€๋Šฅํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค.
๋„ค, ๋‹ค๋ฅธ ์‚ฌ์šฉ์ž์˜ ์ธ์Šคํƒ€๊ทธ๋žจ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•˜๊ณ  ์ €์žฅํ•˜๋Š” ๊ฒƒ์€ ์ƒ์—…์  ์šฉ๋„๊ฐ€ ์•„๋‹Œ ํ•œ ํ•ฉ๋ฒ•์ž…๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ์ƒ์—…์  ์šฉ๋„๋กœ ์‚ฌ์šฉํ•˜๋ ค๋ฉด ์›๋ž˜ ์ฝ˜ํ…์ธ  ์†Œ์œ ์ž๋กœ๋ถ€ํ„ฐ ํ—ˆ๋ฝ์„ ๋ฐ›๊ณ , ๋งค๋ฒˆ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋ฅผ ์‚ฌ์šฉํ•  ๋•Œ๋งˆ๋‹ค ์ถœ์ฒ˜๋ฅผ ๋ฐํ˜€์•ผ ํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค.
๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œํ•œ ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๋Š” ์ผ๋ฐ˜์ ์œผ๋กœ ์ปดํ“จํ„ฐ์˜ ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ํด๋”์— ์ €์žฅ๋ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ์œˆ๋„์šฐ, ๋งฅ, iOS ๋ชจ๋‘ ๋™์ผํ•ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค. ๋ชจ๋ฐ”์ผ ์žฅ์น˜์—์„œ๋Š” ์Šคํ† ๋ฆฌ๊ฐ€ ํ•ธ๋“œํฐ ์ €์žฅ์†Œ์— ์ €์žฅ๋˜๋ฉฐ, ๋‹ค์šด๋กœ๋“œ ํ›„ ๋ฐ”๋กœ ๊ฐค๋Ÿฌ๋ฆฌ ์•ฑ์— ๋‚˜ํƒ€๋‚ฉ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค.