That Time I Went to New Orleans
Back in March of 2015, I went to New Orleans for a long weekend. Why I waited this long to write about it, I don't know, but I still really want to share this memory. Though I speculate that most people probably think of Bourbon Street when I mention going to this city, I actually think of its amazing Cajun cuisine, Jazz music, upbeat atmosphere and the feeling of being in another world.
Back in March of 2015, I went to New Orleans for a long weekend. Why I waited this long to write about it, I don't know, but I still really want to share this memory. Though I speculate that most people probably think of Bourbon Street when I mention going to this city, I actually think of its amazing Cajun cuisine, Jazz music, upbeat atmosphere and the feeling of being in another world.
I have to say that New Orleans is hands down my favorite US city that I have been to so far. I don't think anywhere else will top this place! I would gladly revisit this city whenever I can. I squeezed as much as I could do in two and a half days and that meant trying to have every meal everyday so that I could try as many restaurants as possible. Team No Sleep was ready for maximum impact.
I am no expert of New Orleans, but below are the highlights. Though it was too cold in March for the alligators to come out, the swamp tour was still fascinating. We also went to Oak Alley Plantation, which happens to be where Beyoncé filmed her Deja Vu music video. So, we had to channel Bey and make our own version (see below). I also really enjoyed the Frenchmen Art Market because everything there was so original. I always love buying unique jewelry pieces from local artisans and that was a cute nook in the French Quarter. Of course I did visit Bourbon Street, too, and it was just as good for a nondrinker like me!
Without any more words, please let the pictures speak for themselves and see what were in my visions!
Honey Island Swamp
Oak Alley Plantation
Frenchmen Art Market
Laurence Fishburne to the left!
Cafe Amelie
This was my favorite restaurant there! It got me at the entrance because it was like walking into a secret garden.
While waiting for a table, we sat on these decorated benches and simply hung out.
We were hungry and I was really into the food so I completely missed my opportunity to take food photos. However, there menu is below. Everything was amazing, but I specifically remember how delicious their meatloaf was! I would go back just for the meatloaf!
More Food! Nom Nom Nom
Fried Gator Poppers from Felix's
Charboiled Oysters from Felix's
Shrimp & Grits inside the French Market
Bourbon Street
THE HURRICANE at Pat O'Brien's!
We even made some friends that night...
In Conclusion...
We'll keep some of our activities a secret. But, we had an exquisite time!
I'm a huge foodie, music enthusiast and curious wanderer. New Orleans has its own culture and is unlike any other city in the rest of the US. You don't have to be a drinker to have a good time here. Just stick to virgin daiquiris like the one I'm sipping on up above! I had the time of life.
<3,
Laura
PS: I'll be back.
For more Landscape photos, check out New Orleans under my "Places" tab, or preview below!
In My Visions: Two Years Later
IN MY VISIONS is two years old! Here's my place and personal space.
When I have words to say, but no one to say them to...except to myself, I share it here.
In this two-part blog post, I reflect on this website and on the self.
Two Years Old
Two years ago, I sought after my own space online to share the pictures, the visions, the memories, the thoughts and the journey of my growth with photography. Now, I can't believe In My Visions is two years old! I used to think that it would be hard to maintain a site because I didn't know how frequently I would be able to post. Then I realized that timing didn't matter because there is no deadline with something like this. It was all about when I felt like sharing my inspirations, thoughts and moods. No pressure, just pleasure.
With this new year, I already have a great feeling about my visions to come. I know I will continue to travel. Above all, I look back at everything I've done with this website and I see how much it has in turn helped me grow. For those of you who have followed me since I first began this website, thank you for your undying support. And, for the newcomers along the way...I always welcome your visits! Whether you check this website at random, or hardly at all, I hope that those glimpses still allow you to see this space as a reflection of me and find peace, feel comfort, and see beauty in color and nature.
In My Visions brings me joy, excitement and pride.
If you've ever read "The Alchemist," you'll understand that I've learned part of my personal legend. This website is a part of that legend. There is so much beauty in this world and I want to see it my own way. In My Visions will take me to those places. As will my curiosity, wonder and empathy.
Love,
Laura
PS: New year, new logo!
Fun fact: I scribbled that down on a post-it note nearly half a year ago and only recently found it in my notebook. Now I brought it to life, and i'm digging it...so far!
Until next time. Thanks for reading all the way through!
The Sun Always Sets in the West
The sun always sets, no matter where you go.
The sun always sets, no matter where you go.
You can believe in fate or destiny.
But, you cannot deny the choices you make, the paths that you take.
The sun always sets.
And, it'll always be in the west.
photos taken at Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, California
When Winter Came in NYC
BREAKING NEWS-- IT SNOWED IN NEW YORK THIS WEEKEND!!
It does every winter, but it's always a dramatic story each time. Come on people, it isn't novel that it snows in this city every winter. So, in case you've been living under a rock, snow fell in New York-- 26.8 inches to be exact. Winter Storm Jonas came and conquered.
BREAKING NEWS-- IT SNOWED IN NEW YORK THIS WEEKEND!!
It does every winter, but it's always a dramatic story each time. Come on people, it isn't novel that it snows in this city. So, in case you've been living under a rock, snow fell in New York-- 26.8 inches to be exact. Winter Storm Jonas came and conquered.
Seeing how New York City is a city that operates on its public transportation, I know snow can inconvenience everyone. But, for the last 25 years of living here, I almost always hide at home and play only with the snow nearby. Yes, I know it can be dangerous outside, but I just didn't want to live inside my shell this weekend. This time, so long as the trains were running, I left Queens and trekked into the city. I put on my warmest layers, my wool stockings, winter accessories, and the most important of all...my snow boots. Though I anticipated on being out there for much longer, the MTA announced that outdoor trains would close early and that threatened me-- so I cut my adventure short. See? I was still being careful and knew that I did not want to be stranded in another borough.
I wanted to shoot with my Canon but the snow blew straight into my face. My camera's not waterproof, so I left it in my bag the entire time. Let's be honest, I wasn't truly prepared to wreck my camera for this. However, that's what smartphones, Instagram & Snapchat are for. Here's exactly what I did during my four hours out in the city.
My New York City Moment
Snapchat
I plan on taking a lot of photos this year, but this form of documentation will do for now. I'm not much of a video blogger, but I do want to remember these moments when I look back. New York will always be my home, so I'm appreciating what it is in this moment, and embracing the weather I dislike the most.
<3,
Laura
Connecting the Dots
Somewhere between the ages of 4-7, I was playing connect-the-dots without a ruler and with bright colored markers. I didn't connect them in numerical order, as I should have because what did I really know about numbers? It's not like I grew up a typical Asian and already learned that ahead of pre-K...oh wait. Well, what was meant to look like a cow jumping over the moon turned into ET on a psychedelic trip in another dimension. Lines were drawn off the pages, on to tables and even the walls. I connected them the way I felt like doing so, and didn't let numbers tell me what to do!
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
Somewhere between the ages of 4-7, I was playing connect-the-dots without a ruler and with bright colored markers. I didn't connect them in numerical order as I should have because what did I really know about numbers? It's not like I grew up a typical Asian and already learned that ahead of pre-K...oh wait. Well, what was meant to look like a cow jumping over the moon turned into ET on a psychedelic trip in another dimension. Lines were drawn off the pages, on to tables and even the walls. I connected them the way I felt like doing so, and didn't let numbers tell me what to do!
I also loved the idea of stars and space. When a pack of glow-in-the-dark stars were gifted to me, I scattered them across my room, on my ceiling, all corners of the walls and directly overhead so that every night I'd stare at them until I'd fall asleep. I was mentally connecting those stars, too.
Then, there were those "beauty" marks appearing all over my body and on my face that wouldn't wash away with soap. At one point, I imagined what design I could create if I connected them. No, I didn't draw on myself, but I almost did...with a pen. I was 20. Just kidding, these are all anecdotes of toddler Chang.
As I got older, the concept of connecting the dots became a lot more figurative than literal-- as all things in life do. The memories of my past have become nothing but a dream. But, I look back and I reflect often. Every stage in my life, every painful memory, every year that goes by, I wonder why something or someone resonates. And it is only by looking back at certain moments, whether joyous or tearful, that I've learned from my mistakes and realized how far I've come, and how to prepare for the future.
The catch is...what exactly am I preparing for when I don't even know what the future holds? How do you prepare for something that is unknown? There really is no preventative measure to take. As I stand on my current dot, I guess let's call it dot 25--a dot for each year-- I realize that I really can't connect to 26. I can imagine myself using that bright marker and drawing lines out of order, but it isn't really in my control. I do just have to believe that some way, somehow it'll all connect until eventually the future is right now all over again at dot 30 and dot 40, or dot 80 if I ever make it there.
I live a little terrified every day, but it's just a matter of how much terror I reveal. Some days are more exciting than others. Some days are a little more quiet than others. All I can do is live it one day at a time. But, at dot 25, I no longer have glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to my ceiling and walls. I just look up to the sky and search for the brightest in this light polluted city I live in.
<3,
Laura
