14 Years

Today Robert and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary!

I remember the moment I realized Robert was pursuing me amongst our youth group of friends. I remember how we all planned a day trip to go hiking in the mountains and how our friends canceled at the last moment which left Robert and I to hike alone. I remember how we had the best time talking and laughing, and how we spent everyday together from then on.
We were married a year later.

Dear Robert,
Happy Anniversary to my pursuer, protector, provider, and best friend. I love you!

Robert and Jeanette 1994.

Photo taken with my Canon 35mm film SLR on a tripod.

Happy Halloween

Ha! You may have already seen this goofy image floating around your emails. So, when my sister sent this over to me, I thought I would share it here with my readers too.
HAPPY FRIDAY!

Church On Broadway

Literally, our host church in Washington Heights, New York, was on Broadway! This old building is nestled in between the busy urban store fronts of a community that sits on a street that is better known in the popular downtown of NYC.




I was moved by the image of this local woman. She didn't know that I was watching, but I was.


We met the night before the outreach rallies and welcomed a guest speaker, Jeremy Pearson, from Dallas, Texas.
I went up to the balcony for this shot, and marveled at the size of this church.




Sarah Hart Pearson, Jeremy's wife, both played and sung beautifully on the piano! You can listen to her music HERE.


Side note: I am currently recovering from an awful flu...NYC pictures coming soon as I am feeling much better to work now!

Teaneck

When I first heard we would be visiting the township of Teaneck, New Jersey I didn't know what to expect. I had to look at a map to understand how we were going to cross a bridge from New York and get to our hotel room everyday.

As our organizers planned it our hotel was right off the first exit once we crossed over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, and what an unexpected view to behold. Tree leaves of yellow, gold, orange, and red leaves as far as the eye can see, something we don't see here in Southern California.

Robert and I walked along the quiet streets around the center of town and marveled at the beauty of the fall season and architecture. I couldn't resist all the brick work and colors so I asked Robert to sit for a few snaps.



We noticed many houses in the area had wells built in the front yards, and most all of the buildings are made of red brick - another characteristic you won't see in Southern California due to our frequent earthquakes!





Here's some of our group making their way back to the hotel and smiling about all the deals they found in the shops like purses and goodies for the room. Leonard had bought so many snacks that he ended up passing them out to all of us on our flight home!! Thanks Leonard, way to help me watch my waistline.


Just before leaving town for the day, Robert and I found this little place that served up the best Greek food...yum.

And yes, more pictures to come of our weekend rallies in Washington Heights and Harlem, New York!!

Planes, trains, and automobiles

On Thursday, I spent half a day or more, traveling by airplane, airport terminal train, and finally car rental. Destination...New York! Yes, I am currently visiting the big apple. Robert and I are part of a team of 50 volunteers who are here with a Christian organization reaching out to the inner city communities of Washington Heights and Harlem, New York through live music, give aways, and a special message from pastors, more on that in the next blog to come.

Meanwhile, my job is to document the whole experience and tell a story through photographs to the various supporters and churches back home. I love my job!

On Friday, we ventured across the George Washington Bridge into the township of Teaneck, New Jersey for a nice lunch and walk along the Jewish owned storefronts. It was a beautiful day with the colors of fall all around us!

Teaneck, New Jersey.


Many photos of Washington Heights, Harlem, and Time Square to follow...check back again soon.
Have a great weekend!

Franco and Melanie Engaged

Franco and Melanie were early high school sweethearts. They sat looking at each other and smiled as they shared their highlighted history with me over coffee at Starbucks. I listened and thought wow, what a blessing to share so many memories and seasons of life up to this point with one special person. I enjoy getting to know each couple and learn how they came together to mark such a sacred chapter of their life.

As we walked and talked through their engagement session in downtown Orange, I could see just how happy and giddy Franco and Melanie really are about their upcoming wedding day. And though you may not notice in all the images, they really had the giggles with each other, so cute!

To view more images of their session CLICK HERE FOR SLIDESHOW



I just loved Melanie's RED shoes!







Melanie's laugh is contagious and soon she had me laughing along with them the rest of the time!




Franco and Melanie,
thank you for the wonderful time we shared getting to know eachother. I look forward to your wedding day and capturing your smiles and laughter as you become one.
Warmly,
Jeanette

Orange Circle

My friends and I got together last month for a little fun in the Orange Circle, a downtown area in Orange County. This was my first time visiting this cute little antique village hidden by all the development of freeways, sports venues, and nearby Disneyland. But it was great to hang out, visit, and enjoy a nice lunch with the girls from my church.

We all love photography and brought our cameras along for fun and sharing geeky info. with eachother. Sadly, I don't have a group picture to show you of the five of us, but as we walked around the shops together I was able to capture whatever caught my eye...check it out.


This one reminds me of Alcatraz...



You've heard of Turkish Delight? How about Turkish Coffee?



This one's my favorite!


This must be the Fort Knox of Starbucks. Really, I think it used to be a bank?


Inside the shops...

This one is for Robert and his love for music.


Mirror, Mirror on the wall...when will I own the 50 1.2 lens!?


Outside in the antique alley...


I love books, but all of these books were from waaaay before my time!



Crissy, Mariann, Patty, and Olivia, thank you for such a fun day out and for your friendship!