TIERRA DEL SOL GROUP SHOW: Without Restrictions

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Shades of Grey...

Kris Kan

As I try to settle into my house and my new life, I lose focus at times. I realize that I lose focus because I pause to think about what I want to do next... and how I want to do it...

And, as days go by, you realize that your marriage becomes what is in the books... the moments your parents had when you were little... the moments when your mom would curse at your dad under her breath, the moments of annoyance, the moments of wanting to pull your hair out and scream at the top of your lungs... but there are also those moments of waking up next to someone who adores you, eating cereal together before going to work, and waiting for the moment they come home each day. So, I take it one day at a time as I try to regain my focus on my life and everything it consists of these days...

And, as the days go by, I realize that even though life is clearer when it's black and white, there are always shades of grey, the areas that lose focus, and, it's okay to have those shades of grey because it's what completes the picture...

“Our lives at times seem a study in contrast... love & hate, birth & death, right & wrong... everything seen in absolutes of black & white. Too often we are not aware that it is the shades of grey that add depth & meaning to the starkness of those extremes.” Ansel Adams

Abilities with Disabilities

I have said before that I'm lucky... so I won't be boring you about that anymore. I can go ahead and express my feelings about the wonderful day I had yesterday, which was my birthday, and all the beautiful gifts I received, the great family lunch at the beach ending with a great big 7 layer chocolate cake... but... like I said, I won't bore you with all that. I'd like to express my feelings on something that I would like to share with you...

A few years ago, we went on a family vacation to Cabo San Lucas. We were laying out by the pool and my sister told me that if I put some lemon on the freckles on my nose, they'd go away. (If you haven't noticed, I have freckles on my nose and I have always wanted to get rid of them, somehow, obviously...) So, I believed her and did as she said... Well, the next morning I woke up looking like I had been in a boxing match. My eyes were swollen and somewhat slanted. I was horrified at myself and wouldn't go outside without sunglasses. I also remember it being my birthday that day too. I was so depressed over my physical deformity, I started crying and throwing tantrums. I even kept my glasses on in the plane on the way back home. After a few days, it was better and my face slowly went back to normal.

The reason why I'm sharing this story with you now is because I had a slight deformity for a few days and I couldn't live with myself. I realized that not everybody is built to handle emotional, physical, or mental disabilities. Which brings me to my next point... Modest Fly will be showing the work of a few great artists who are dealing with emotional, mental, and physical disabilities. The work of the students at Tierra Del Sol will be showing at Modest Fly for the month of September and I am very excited about this opportunity. I have so much admiration for these students and the absolute talent that they have. They're work is amazing, but don't take my word for it, come by and take a look at their great abilities, not disabilities. The show is titled "Without Restrictions" and it will be opening on September 2nd, 2011 from 7-10pm. It will be up at the gallery until September 30th, 2011.

Here is a little bit about Tierra Del Sol:

"Tierra del Sol Foundation began 40 years ago in Sunland, California and has grown into a recognized leader in developing innovative, accredited services enabling adults with developmental disabilities to realize their greatest human potential. Tierra del Sol helps more than 500 people across Los Angeles County overcome cognitive, physical, emotional or behavioral challenges resulting from developmental disability. Tierra offers a tremendous variety of educational opportunities for people to discover their own unique talents and abilities to contribute to their community and their family. Most importantly, we believe our community is stronger when all of its members are valued and appreciated. Through Tierra, people are supported to go to community college, to give valuable volunteer service, to create art and to build for themselves the lives that they want."

Steve Miller, Executive Director

http://tierradelsol.org/

I'm Not Alone...

I've been getting complaints about not posting... texts reading: "Why aren'y you posting on your blog??? What are you doing? or seeing me in public and saying, "Why don't you post up more honeymoon pictures?"

Well, honestly, I've been busy trying to get my life in order. I have moved out of my parents house now and am currently trying to make a "home." It's much easier said than done when you have an empty house to work with... no kitchen, no sink, no cabinets, bags of clothes without hangers, and much more... But, I have nothing to complain about because I get more done with each day and it feels like I am actually making a "home..." we both are... And, as we finish our chores everyday and go to bed in a silent home, I realize that it's just "him and I..."

The sound of the Food Network channel coming from my sister's room is gone... the sound of my dad's action movies is gone... and the sound of my mom yelling at him to turn it down, in the middle of the night, is gone... It really is just him and I... Laying there, in the middle of the night, listening to the silence, I realize that "him and I" are "us" now...

Now, it's "us" and "we" not just "him and I." Now, every time I get hungry, I have to see if he's hungry too... every time I wear my clothes, I have to make sure he's ready to go... every time I want to go to bed, I have to see if he's sleepy... every time I buy my favorite snack, I have to buy his favorite too... but every time I feel alone, I won't be...

What More Can I Ask For?...

It's been a while... but I'm finally back here, where my old world is, and it's just how I left it...

Here's a recap of what I've encountered in the last 30 days...

London, England... what more can I say?

Amsterdam, Holland and its unusually slanted buildings and Inception-like bridges...

Germany and its greenery...

Venice, Italy and its indescribable beauty...

Of course, Italy's historical beauty with a blend of undeniable fashion...

The Leaning Tower of Pisa... it was the one sight that made me catch my breath...

Carcassone, Italy and its castles and fortified city...

Italian wood-fired pizza...

Barcelona, Spain and its crowded, topless beaches...

And, last but not least, the one thing I was waiting to go back to...

Looking back on the last 30 days, I have witnessed so much history, beauty, inspiration, love, and love again... what more can I ask for?...

A New Life

Kris Kan

So being that my wedding was almost two weeks ago, I am on my honeymoon now, which is why I haven't been posting. My life has been a series of events... exciting events, sad events, and unforgettable events for the past few weeks... and, now, I am traveling around Europe with my husband and a camera... what could be better?

Having moved through London, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and now, here in Italy in just a few days, I am literally in heaven. Not to say that I don't miss my bed at home sometimes, but having gotten married, my bed at my previous home doesn't exist anymore. Now, it's time to make a new bed in a new home, which excites and scares me at the same time.

At this moment, I couldn't ask for more from my life. I have everything I need here with me and so much more that exists for me no matter what home I go back to. I have left the life I used to lead... my bed, my presence in the family home, my finished laundry, my cooked meals, my dusted room, and so much more I will soon begin to realize each day. I am moving towards a new life... a separate life, a private life, a life of companionship, a life of mutual respect, love, and new creations... I will be starting a new family... a new branch...

The unexplainable feelings I used to have are not unexplainable anymore... I can explain them by these few simple words: "A new life with new beginnings..."

I'm Lucky & Blessed

Kris Kan

The day has come and gone... We waited so long for July 2nd, 2011 and, now, the day has come and gone...
It was exactly how I had pictured it... the people, music, flowers, food, dresses, and... husband... it was perfect! The one thing I can recall from my wedding day was someone saying to me "Don't worry about anything... Just enjoy right now... this is your wedding day... just enjoy now!" While hearing it, I didn't think much of it but as people began to leave and the place emptied, I thought, "Wow... now, I know exactly what he meant..." I don't believe those words can be understood and taken in until your day has come and gone. If it hasn't and when the time comes, please don't worry about anything... just enjoy your day and your moment!
I'd like to take a moment and thank the few special friends who have helped me make this day special and perfect. Thank you to Kris Kan for capturing the moments, Christine, from Fancy That events, for making sure everything went as planned, Eric for putting in so much effort in trying to make my day special through his lens, and all the others who brought in their talents and skills. A special thank you to my family, of course, my bridesmaids, ushers, ring boy, the cutest little flower girls, the best man and his wifey, and... to my sister for being just that, my sister... I love you and thank you... You were my right hand in this and I can't imagine doing it alone. Lastly, a thank you to my husband, Armen, for making my dreams come true.
After the wedding, someone asked me, "Did everything turn out exactly how you planned it?" I thought about it for a second and said, "Nope... everything turned out exactly how I dreamt it..." Thank you to who ever is watching over me... I'm lucky and blessed!

If you'd like to see more pictures from the special day, check out Kris's blog at kriskanblog.com or Christine's blog at fancythatevents.blogspot.com