Jennifer looking down from the top of the sky tower. She is sitting on a 38mm thick piece of glass
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Jennifer taking photos
Jennifer has become quite an excellent photographers, often taking much nicer pictures than those of my DSLR!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Jetlagged in Auckland
Hello Followers,
It's about 430am here in Auckland, NZ. I'm jetlagged but for some reason Jennifer can sleep through the night unaffected. We are staying at the Nomad Fusion Hostel here. I'm really jealous that the hostel system here is so nice these days (at least compared to the ones we stayed at in Europe circa 2002). I wish I had come when I was younger, they are much cleaner and more social and seems like a lot of fun for yougner travellers. As for Jennfier and I, we are sticking to the doubles...the dorm rooms and social aras are just a bit too noisy for us (what old fogies we are). Right now some german dude is skyping next to me...seems like he is explaning what a "food court" is.
We have been in Auckland for a few hours and so far we've took a nap, visited the skytower (comparable tourist attraction to Taipei 101), and had a simple Japanese dinner. The skytower was cool because unlike Taipei 101, we got to go up on a clear and sunny day. Furthermore, the view of Auckland trumps Taipei as you get to see port, ocean, and mountains.
Auckland is a bit like UC Berkeley. At least the bit we are staying in which is close to a local univeristy (Univ. of Auckland...i dunno). Basically, there are tons of asian immigrants, Japanese, chinese, Korean. So to be honest, it doesn't feel like we left Asia yet...ha!
Our plan today is to take a ferry out to one of Auckalnd's neighboring islands to take a hike, picnic, and some photos...then to come back to organize some logistics (rent a van) and figure out where to head out.
I'll be glad to be heading out of the big city for some natural activities (finally). We'll be back in Auckland in a few weeksto finish off what we didn't see this first time around.
Hope everyone is doing well....please comment!
It's about 430am here in Auckland, NZ. I'm jetlagged but for some reason Jennifer can sleep through the night unaffected. We are staying at the Nomad Fusion Hostel here. I'm really jealous that the hostel system here is so nice these days (at least compared to the ones we stayed at in Europe circa 2002). I wish I had come when I was younger, they are much cleaner and more social and seems like a lot of fun for yougner travellers. As for Jennfier and I, we are sticking to the doubles...the dorm rooms and social aras are just a bit too noisy for us (what old fogies we are). Right now some german dude is skyping next to me...seems like he is explaning what a "food court" is.
We have been in Auckland for a few hours and so far we've took a nap, visited the skytower (comparable tourist attraction to Taipei 101), and had a simple Japanese dinner. The skytower was cool because unlike Taipei 101, we got to go up on a clear and sunny day. Furthermore, the view of Auckland trumps Taipei as you get to see port, ocean, and mountains.
Auckland is a bit like UC Berkeley. At least the bit we are staying in which is close to a local univeristy (Univ. of Auckland...i dunno). Basically, there are tons of asian immigrants, Japanese, chinese, Korean. So to be honest, it doesn't feel like we left Asia yet...ha!
Our plan today is to take a ferry out to one of Auckalnd's neighboring islands to take a hike, picnic, and some photos...then to come back to organize some logistics (rent a van) and figure out where to head out.
I'll be glad to be heading out of the big city for some natural activities (finally). We'll be back in Auckland in a few weeksto finish off what we didn't see this first time around.
Hope everyone is doing well....please comment!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Review of C&H wedding photography in Taipei
To all the newly engaged couples contemplating taking studio pictures in Taiwan:
We decided to forgo pricey engagement/wedding photographers in Los Angeles after discovering that the photographers we wanted started at ~$6K. Instead we opted to make a pit stop in Taipei at C&H Wedding Studio, which is apparently affiliated with a Taiwanese movie star. Jason's cousin, Patrice, was SO extremely helpful with helping us locate this studio and set up the photoshoot and I thought the experience was very positive and organized.
We were required to pick out our outfits before the day of the shoot; our pricing included a traditional tuxedo for the groom and 4 changes of clothing for the bride. I found the dresses to be fairly acceptable, considering I'm quite possibly in the birthplace of sequins, pastels, lace and all things ornate and gaudy.
On the day of the shoot, we started makeup/hair at 9am. As a self-proclaimed make-up artist, I give super mad e-props to the makeup artist at C&H. She was magic. I wanted to be her apprentice. She was lightning fast and super creative and the keebler elf of transformation. We did an offsite shoot in the mountains but cut it short due to inclement weather. In the studio I changed 3 times and called it quits before the 4th dress because I couldn't handle any more posing and changing and attention. The photographer was really casual and put us at ease, despite a zlight language barrier.
The following day, we were able to preview the pictures, select images for print and framing. Pictures will be completed in 2 weeks and both of our families will be "gifted" with uber large images of us. Neat, tidy, super organized and cheap- we ended up paying ~$2k, including additions to our initial package.
Please feel free to ask us any questions about our experience, we highly recommend it!
Jennifer
We decided to forgo pricey engagement/wedding photographers in Los Angeles after discovering that the photographers we wanted started at ~$6K. Instead we opted to make a pit stop in Taipei at C&H Wedding Studio, which is apparently affiliated with a Taiwanese movie star. Jason's cousin, Patrice, was SO extremely helpful with helping us locate this studio and set up the photoshoot and I thought the experience was very positive and organized.
We were required to pick out our outfits before the day of the shoot; our pricing included a traditional tuxedo for the groom and 4 changes of clothing for the bride. I found the dresses to be fairly acceptable, considering I'm quite possibly in the birthplace of sequins, pastels, lace and all things ornate and gaudy.
On the day of the shoot, we started makeup/hair at 9am. As a self-proclaimed make-up artist, I give super mad e-props to the makeup artist at C&H. She was magic. I wanted to be her apprentice. She was lightning fast and super creative and the keebler elf of transformation. We did an offsite shoot in the mountains but cut it short due to inclement weather. In the studio I changed 3 times and called it quits before the 4th dress because I couldn't handle any more posing and changing and attention. The photographer was really casual and put us at ease, despite a zlight language barrier.
The following day, we were able to preview the pictures, select images for print and framing. Pictures will be completed in 2 weeks and both of our families will be "gifted" with uber large images of us. Neat, tidy, super organized and cheap- we ended up paying ~$2k, including additions to our initial package.
Please feel free to ask us any questions about our experience, we highly recommend it!
Jennifer
Dear Taichung
Today I write to you with a full belly from Taichung, Taiwan. We just finished a, what seemed like, 15 course meal with the family interior decorator who insisted on stuffing our faces with dish after dish. I can't handle much more of this gluttony. As much as I enjoy Taiwanese food, I'm looking forward to a bit more activity in New Zealand, which we leave for on Tuesday :) We left Tainan (my dad's house) on a stormy Friday night and roadtripped with my mom, dad and jason to Jason's mom's hometown. The following morning/afternoon was our "Taiwan banquet", which I consider a very sweet conclusion to our parade of nuptial celebrations. Here I have met Jason's entire maternal family- Aunties 1-4 and Uncle #1 and all the cousins. I can confirm that both Jason's maternal and paternal families are SO nice and hospitable and I feel so fortunate to have gained so many relatives who I now consider my own. My mom/dad/sister/brotherinlaw/niece left for Sun Moon Lake after the banquet and it was harder than I expected to say goodbye. I wont be seeing them for the next 6 months or so since we'll be on the road. :(
Following the Taiwan banquet, we were herded into a karaoke room and we listened to Aunties 1-4 and Grandma sing Mandarin oldies, but goodies. We have some highly entertaining videos and pictures to upload for the aunties' respective children.
We spent today wandering around Taichung city, visiting new and old territories. I expect tomorrow will be much more of the same except we will visit Jason's maternal grandparents' house. I <3 Taiwan very much, its going to be hard to leave.
I expect the next time I write, I'll be somewhere in the southern hemisphere wearing a backlava and chewing on some sort of marsupial.
Hope everyone is safe and sound, we miss you guys! I'd like to give a shout out to Mr. Brown and Hanna, whom I miss very very much...
Jennifer
Following the Taiwan banquet, we were herded into a karaoke room and we listened to Aunties 1-4 and Grandma sing Mandarin oldies, but goodies. We have some highly entertaining videos and pictures to upload for the aunties' respective children.
We spent today wandering around Taichung city, visiting new and old territories. I expect tomorrow will be much more of the same except we will visit Jason's maternal grandparents' house. I <3 Taiwan very much, its going to be hard to leave.
I expect the next time I write, I'll be somewhere in the southern hemisphere wearing a backlava and chewing on some sort of marsupial.
Hope everyone is safe and sound, we miss you guys! I'd like to give a shout out to Mr. Brown and Hanna, whom I miss very very much...
Jennifer
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