This is the end of year 2011 and the day landed on our long run Sat.  It was very busy in the park tonight.  It could be the mid night run thing happen in the park or something.  It is a nice Sat ever at this winter.   The 16 milers was usually difficult, even after 3+ yrs of training at long distance.  But one thing really light up the end of yr run was an incident when I ran past few people in bridal path in CP at mile 12 (i guess).   I was just extremely tried by mile 12 and I noticed 4 people walking ahead of my path in this no man dark in the wood trail.  For some  reasons, I smell trouble the 10 seconds before I pass them.  I knew something bad going to happen and I was hoping not now, not tonight, not when I am so tried can’t see thing in the dark.  I saw 3 young black kids (teens) and a mother (i think), two walk in the front, and the mother with other walk in the back.  Usually when people hear someone approaching from the back, they look back and give you room the pass them.  But this group is different, they were loud and walk all over the place.  That usually means trouble. Then when I run closer to them, I noticed one kid walking with his mom or something playing with a cane.  This is trouble.  So when I pass, I expect something is going to happen AND I WAS right, the kind raise his cane.  From the side of my eye, I can see that he is about strike me in the back.  Then I turn my head, then he look at me and laughing that he scares the hell out of me.  I WAS so mad, then I stop running and turn back asked him if this is funny.  He asked what did I said, then I walk toward him and close to his face and asked him again at a very loud tone if this is funny to him and ready for a fight and I expect that his mom going to stop us or something.  Two things I heard, first this kid said “How about I hit you with this shit (cane)?”  and the mom response was laugh her head off next to us.  I was so mad that this dump ass small kid and wants to hit me.  The thing is my bother just few second be-hide me and coming.  He ask me continue run, and the other black kid were in the front look back because I was loud that alert him.  The only good thing with this kid was he told me to be clam.  My brother asked me keep running so I just left, but I was so mad that all my muscles are ready for it even at mile 12 tried.   I didn’t talk about this the rest of the run, but afterward I really don’t understand why something like this JUST ALWAYS happen to black kids?  I ran in the park for almost 4 yrs on every Saturday and this kind of incident seems to be happens only to black?  Why?  I really don’t get it.  If you run in the wild, you run into different animal like wild cat, bear… but here in the central park you run into different kind of danger.  Don’t get it.

2011.07.02 (Sun, 72F, light rain)

Didn’t get a chance to write because of major changes at work.  Not only I don’t have time for blog, my training is down the south big time.  My manahatten half was record worst and so did Chase Morgan 3.5 miles.  I felt my base are stronger but the race results never reflex to that.  I think work bother my head big time, I am tired, didn’t sleep well.

Recently at this july 4th vacation, we started a new route in CP, the brial path in CP.  It is a 4.2 miles long.  We used to run the big loop, and brial path is a totaly different world.  Lots of good place for photograph.  Just love it.  Will try shoot something there.

Training wise, I run mostly speed now.  Treadmill easy at 7.5 still, almost no tempo, which could be the reason I failed my races.  I tried 9.0 for 3 to 4 miles.  I was able to do that when I am in great performance, which happens only 1 or two in few months.  But at the speed of 9, I felt much easier or comfy at that pace, I just couldn’t do it for too long like 3 or 4 miles.  With some training, I should able to do it.  As for speed, I do 9.5 for a mile and rest then repeat it 3 times in total of 3 miles.  So, what is coming?  I will focus on making my 9.0 for longer like 4 miles.

2011.01.08 (Sat F27, light snow)

Fe is sick, too weak to run so I am solo tonight.  It is a bit cold, so I just want to log my miles no pushing.  I started out only few minutes of warm up and didn’t look at my watch during to whole run.  I just want to feel my body, see how to pace myself comfy for 15 long miles.  The condition was little bit windy and slippry with light snow on the path.  It felt a bit easy at the first loop, then second loop I just try to keep it at consistent pace.  I felt tried after the second hill.  But my legs feel ok after the second loop on the straight road.  Usually I feel my legs getting heavy at that place.  I think my legs finial on a new phase, they are stronger now.  This is great.  So, after the run I check my splits, wow… the first loop (7 miles) all under 8 pace.  ~7:45 avg.  And the good thing is I didn’t push much, I just want to finish.  Finial I see some improvements with my body.  I am hoping to get sub 7 minutes pace the coming manhattan half.  Will see.  Let’s bring it on 2011.

Goal for this year, 2011 N J Half  1:27, 6:39 Avg pace.  So for training wise, I need able to do 6:30/9.2TM pace for 4 miles at least.

By the end of this year, 1:26 hahaha.  Bklyn half/SI half

This is Summer, she is one yr old.  Busy with her strawberry.

Here is another picture of

Picture #4

Picture #5

Picture #6

Picture #7

Picture #8.

Picture #9.

Picture 10.

Picture 11.

Filler

I will be working til the end of the year.  No gift, no pressure this holidays.  Shop when I want to, before or after x mas.  It is also a recover week, so no training or what so ever.  I just want to warp up this thread as this is the end of the year.  Just enjoy the long weekend, no work, more sleep and simply enjoy things.  Next year will be busy as hell for sure.

  We met one of the swimming trainer from our gym in subway.  Got 30 minutes of talking done.  Nice and easy going guy.  We talked about swimming, triathlon training.  Found out he works in red-cross and other two training jobs.  As of running, he isn’t up to our level yet, but as swimming, he is way ahead of us.  When we up to a point for triathlon, we might train each other someday. 

2010.12.11 (Saturday, a warm long run day, yeah.. 35F after few days of 24F)

• The next race should be within 40 days, so maybe 1 more session of training cycle.  At this time, most of the miles are in treadmill.
• Mon: Tempo for 3 miles at speed of 9 (or 6:40 pace), 1 mile warm & cool. at my 92%
• Tue: Ez for 7 miles at 7.5 (8:00 pace)
• Wed: 1 warm, Tempo for 2 miles at 9,  rest a little the another 1 mile of 9.
• Thu: EZ for 7 miles at 7.5 (but mostly due to time, I am able to make 5 or 6 miles out of it)
• Fri: Rest
• Sat: 15 CP long run
• Sun: Rest

As usually, I am aiming sub 7 pace.  I don’t know if I can make it this coming race.  According to paper I should, well, that was what I said last year.  As what I can tell, I am still lack on tempo, I need to push it to at least 4 miles at 6:40… at least.  I am just reaching 3 miles at this moment.  One more session would make it?  I doubt it.  But at TM 9, this speed seems lot easier for me now.  I don’t feel it is fast pace anymore.  But again I need my body able to maintain this speed for at least 30 minutes.

2010.11.11 (Thursday, after everything)

Just too many reasons I didn’t get a chance to update my stuff.  SI half is history, did poorly as hell.  It was a perfect weather and things to be happen as planned.  No, not at all.  I felt strong for the first 5 miles and I was at the right pace (sub 7 min pace).  And I was thinking to reserve my energy toward to the end of the race.  For sure my body handle stress much better than last year and I was expecting good result and time.  No! not at all.  I got 1:35:30 something.  Which is like 10 seconds faster than last year.  So disappointed!  But what can I say.

1-6:58

2-6:50

3-6:52

4-6:57

5-7:09

6-6:46

7-7:06

8-7:33   Hill

9-7:07

10-7:07

11-7:24

12-7:26

13-7:11

14-6:56

2010.09.15 (Thursday, another Recovery week already?)

I was doing the speed work the past training session.  The first week is 4 * at speed of 10 for .5 mile distance.  The second week is 4 * at speed of 10 for .6 mile distance and the last week is 4 * at speed of 10 at .6.  It was hard at the last week, which I couldn’t finish the last repeat.  I can feel my muscle is about the give up and weak the whole time.  So, this is my rest week again.  It would be good for me the refresh myself, so I wont hit the wall because I push too hard for too long.  I want my body and my mind not scare about no improvement.   So, what’s new this week?  My 1 mile record is broken.  I tried so hard to break 1 mile under 6 minutes.  I tried it the past 3 weeks and the best I can get was up to .8 mile.    Why I was able to break it this time.  It was Fe.  He tried that first 2 days ago, and able to make 1.0x with lots of pain and sweat.  When I saw him did it (it is like sound barrier thing for me), I just simple want to run…like flying & fast for .5 mile.  It was a rush, that I was so impress and glad that he made it.  For the last few week, when I tries, I got lots of pressure before I start.  Usually the first .4 mile shouldn’t be an issue.  Past that, things become much heavier and tough.  after .55 time seems to be very slow and breathing seems to be extremely hard and fast.  At .65 mile, I feel about the scream out loud for air and the legs already weak and can’t keep out with the speed.  It isn’t easy to reach .65 either, it required lots of focus and will.  I feel sad and beat up every time I try to break the 1 mile mark and failed.  Standing in front of the treadmill with fear on every attempts… that was a bad feeling and it isn’t health for running.   But that was the past.  I did it right after Fe.  I felt very strong about the run also.  I should able to do it again.  It wasn’t like I only able to do it once because of good body performance.

Think about it more.  I should be back on focusing about running form and running economy, think long term and what I try to reach.

2010.08.18 (Wednesday, Recovery week)

After 3 weeks of speed training, and this is time for recover.  I try to work on my core strength.  I realize that when my core is “activated”, I could run or perform more fluid .  Core exercises help me warm up my different groups for my upper body.  If I don’t activate them, my upper body will be weight a lot more.   So, what was broken the last few weeks.  Fe made it 3 miles at treadmill 9.00 pace and a week later I reached that too.  Currently we are working on treadmill speed 10 for .5 mile (3 minutes) repeat 4 times with ~3 minutes rest between.  So the last few weeks was about speed not mileage.  Also, the CP long run is also broken by running at speed 6:29 and 6:44 pace for a mile.  This is big, and we able to see some progress.  Or it could be cooler weather also.

2010.08.10 (Tuesday,  Feel like summer is about to over)

Training wise, I am still working hard.  My current training schedule is like:  Speed work on Monday, 4 repeats at speed 6 minutes for 3 minutes/.5 mile.   EZ Tuesday for longer miles, 7 miles at 8:30 pace.  Tempo Wednesday, 1.5 mile warm up then 8.5/7 minutes pace for 4 miles.  EZ-Thursday for 7 miles at 8:30 pace.  Cross training on Friday.  Saturday is the long 15 miles run.  At this stage, I need to build a stronger core to support my speed.  I am doing the core performance exercises before each run.   My goal for the next race is sub 7 pace, which is like 2 months away.  I just started 6 min pace for about 4 times, seems like I am able to manage is much better than the first try.  But yet I still can’t control my form.  I usually start breath very hard by the second minute and the last minute it just in total pain.  I hope it will helps me build up speed.  As for EZ, I go really easy because the next day I have more demand run.  I think temp is the only pace I keep unchanged at the moment.

This is almost mid Aug, after few heat wave and now I can see the end of summer.  Compare to the time I wasn’t running, I never notice the different weather within a year.  I never appreciate good and nice weather like I am doing now.

2010.07.07 (Wednesday, Heat wave at 100F)

I can’t go on like this anymore.  Being 5 yrs and still in the circle.  I know I worth more than this.  I should stop hurting my soul.  Why I am getting excuses and after excuses?  I was told in my face, but why I can’t see the truth?  I was thinking I wasn’t trying hard enough but now I know it wasn’t me not trying hard enough.

2010.06.03 (Thursday, Sunny cool day at 75F)

My first attempt to do TM 9.0/6:39 for tempo yesterday.  I wanted to see what distance I can do at this speed.  At the first try, I was able to do 1.7 mile at 7.5 warmup, then .3 mile at 8.5/7:02.  I was dying by 1.5  at 9.0 then drop dead by 1.66 something.  I didn’t feel this is a fast speed when first started, so my leg should be fine with this speed.  My next thing to do is extend this to little longer like 3 to 4 or 5 miles.

2010.05.23 (Sunday, Dry with some sun at 75F)

Today is the day after Brooklyn Half.  The first time I ran in Brooklyn.  It was a pretty good course.  Those up and down hills are very easy to recover in the park.   I didn’t push very hard like I used to in the race, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t have a good race.  I started out at around 85% in the park, try to give myself a little bit of control and watch out on my running form, then feel my body’s performance and don’t go out too fast.  I follow few CPRC female runners because they are at kinda steady pace.  I think these girls know what they are doing.  To me, there is only one small up hill and lot of long down hills, so I didn’t have any issue in the park, once I am out of the park, it wasn’t easy for the first part of Ocean parkway because of the up hill at the beginning.  I try hard to hold my pace but still kind of heavy on this long highway.  I got myself the time of 1:35:55, which is ok for me.  Not great as PR, but I really enjoy the race.

2010.04.18 (Sunday, Sunny at 47F, chill but nice)

The last 2 weeks been great training wise.  The April 10th long run Avg at 8:14 15 miles.  Last night’s run long at 8:20 Avg for 15 miles.  Both runs allowed me use all my energy nothing left at the end and fresh great the next day.  I stopped pushing too hard the last 2 weeks training.  My goal is still train hard, but allow me go easy when my body can’t handle it.  The only changes was don’t give up when I am under pressure and then don’t stop (the key), slow down, go easy.   That made me feel great about running.   So, the last few week I learn not giving up, keep good, and go easy.  I am just glad that winter weather is almost over and the body able train for speed.  Winter usually just conditioning training, because it is hard to improve speed in cold weather for the body.

2010.04.01 (Thursday, Sunny at 70F, nice weather, no wind)

Other than my physical fitness, I need to train my mental fitness.  I am kind of scare of running lately, I get stressful feeling before I run or prep for a run or race.  Like I said last week, I am too focus on pushing and failing.  I can’t stand when i gave up in the middle of the run, it simply gives me bad feeling after all.  I think the reason I want to continue train easy this week mainly because I want to let my mind free, get myself feel how wonderful when I run.  It isn’t all about pain and pushing.  If I can’t enjoy it, I will be burn out and give up like most people do.

Running in the gym isn’t that fun most of the time.  I go to the gym mostly just for treadmill, that’s about 95% of the time.  So, I know my treadmill, I know most treadmill problem in the gym, they aren’t all the same even they are the same model.  I hate when people take my beloved treadmill doing a simple WALK.  That really drive me to the edge.  Not because they took my machine, it is because I have no good machine to run, which make my planned run into nightmare.  And I have to say, 95% of the people on treadmill can’t run, some are talkers (I hate the most), some are walkers (I hate them equally).  I mean, if you need to run your mouth on trash talking crap, please I don’t want to hear it.  I gave you that *#$@* look, but I don’t think you notice anything at all.  Want kind of people are these, chewing gum, laughing talking crap on the phone, watch TV while you multitask all these crap.  Why you even check out yourself in the mirror FAT bitch!!!  I mean you already out of shape, can you see why?  You are here in the GYM, where people actually sweat their ass off.  What the hell, am I missing something.  Why so many people pay to come to the gym and socialize have FUN.  I just can’t stand people like this when she (90% of the time) trash talking next to me.  I try very hard to concentrate here on my work out.  Grrr… Why do people like is come to gym!!!

2010.03.30 (Monday, Rainy at ~50F, nice and relax)

This is the second week of recovery after N Y C H M.  I still want to take things easy even I feel ok 4 days after the race.  During race, I think my front thigh take most impact, I felt very tight (almost cramp) when I was at mile 11 near WSH.   Other than that, my calf without any issue.  I am surprise that I can recover in such a short time after race.  Now I got about 4 more weeks for the next race, which I am aiming under 7 minutes pace.  This is hard, i might able to do it if I am able to have my 95% of performance.  So, I want to start monitor myself again.  Time to use my heart rate monitor.  Here is the numbers: 1 mile warm up at slow pace (6.00).  At 6, my rate up to 155bpm then stay there or under.  At 7.5 for 1 mile, my rate up to 170bpm then won’t go further.  At 8.5 for 1 mile, my rate up to 180 then won’t go further after that.  I ran 4 miles.

2010.03.28 (Sunny but cold at 36F in CP)

Just came back from a 15 miles long run in CP, little late night, got home almost midnight.   The temperature was ~70F few days ago, I was racing in short and tank top last Sunday…NOW winter is back.  I had my full winter gear on me again.  My body hate cold weather!!!  I don’t mind to run in 36F, it is considered warm in winter.  But once your body get use to the warm weather, this is big change for my system.  It is not comfortable to deal with weather like this.

I learned something valuable in this run.  First of all, my GPS run on timer, so it didn’t give me distance and pace that I was running at.  It pisses me off and I couldn’t concentrate on my run for at least 10 to 20 minutes.  I was fighting with my watch and run at the same time, I spent almost 2 miles (19 minutes) to get it running again.  By doing so, I gave up my run basically.  This GPS watch problem happened in my last race too.  Turn out i didn’t have any distance/pace record for my last race and I am really upset at myself.  Because with all the information, I can tell where I start to degrade and how bad that was.  Lot of useful information there.  So, I start bad again, when you start badly, you usually do badly the whole run.  It simply means more pain and longer time, the longer the time the longer the pain.  After the first 2 miles, I talk to myself by saying “OK, I know I can’t push myself today, let enjoy the run and go slow”.  That I should shift my gear to easy pace.  And I was focus to run at my easy pace.  Fei didn’t start good due to his angle, he caught up with my on the downhill section.  He tried to talk to me because we usually able to talk in a full sentence if we on easy pace.  But I refuse to talk, because I really need to make myself comfortable first with my pace, then I can talk to him.  Then he asked me “why you can’t talk?”  I told him I need to focus to make my body into smooth condition first but I feel that I am dying at that moment.    He asked, “But why?”  (I asked myself also)?  I am at second mile, way past my warm up mile.  I am at my easy pace, at this pace I am taking easy and relax.  But why I feel I am in hell?  What’s wrong with this picture?  Why am I tense even I am doing a relax and easy run?  There are so many things in my head before each run, training, racing don’t make any different.  I scare of each run, because I used to push hard all the time.  And for beginner, they think run from point A to B with less time means run faster and push harder.  The real art of running isn’t about pushing, it is about knowledge you understand your body and how to control it, then the side effect is run faster and easier with less effort.  There are 4 gears in running for me at the moment.  Easy, tempo, speed and sprint run.   I train myself base on these speeds.  Easy means relax run, you should able to talk, laugh, look around, run all day at this pace.  Tempo means, you should run comfortably hard but able to keep on this speed for at least 3 to 4 mile ( 30 minutes or more).  Speed means you can push hard and run up to a mile at this speed and repeat few times after short recovery.  Sprint means max speed (all out) for about 2 minutes and repeat for few times.  These speeds train for different areas of your body and they are equally important in training.  Today’s run, I meant to go easy.  But I didn’t do that at all, i was trying to focus to go easy… but why focus when you simply doing an easy run???  This question snap me out.   I am scared of running (deep inside of me), it seems to me i can’t enjoy my run because too many things inside of my head on each run.  I have to check my body performance, my legs are tried or not, my muscle tight or not.  Is the air too cold or not (so I can control my breathing), Am I still able to keep my running form, Is my water management good, is my feet hurt at some spots,  which part of my leg going to fail first, how’s my left or right foot feel, how far away I am from hill, how many miles ahead me (counting your miles left), how many long time I need to go.  Am I too slow, can my feet still able to handle the pounding the ground or not.  There are tons of questions in my head.  But why?  It is an easy run.  I remember last year during CP long run.  We saw a couple running toward us.  i can tell they run better, faster than us for sure, and I can’t believe they were so relax and easy.  They were doing easy run, because they seem like walking in the park.  From that day, I realized we train for almost 2 years with our easy, tempo, speed pace, but we only have one pace.  No matter what kind of training we’re in, we push to our limit at the time.  On easy run, our speed is lower but we push to the limit.  On tempo run, our speed to higher and we push to the limit, so do with speed, we push..  We only have one speed, the push speed.  And that’s why I can’t relax after all.  I am scared at every run, I am scared of failure when i gave up (stop running).  Once I start I won’t let myself stop until the finish line.  I gave up so many times in the past few months before N Y C H M race.  I was upset at myself, and I was worry about my performance, or possible I over train myself will end up hurting my body.  But tonight, I realized it is my mind.  i am about to burn out.  I am worry/scare of running when I should enjoy it.  If I want it for long-term I have to learn how to relax.

2010.03.22

Here is my latest result for N Y C H M.

2010.03.16

So Sunday is the day.  Just few more days to go.  I still don’t feel the pressure yet.  I plan to do short sprint (9.0 for 1 mile) repeats Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Keep run on low mileage for this week.  Fei did his first 9.5/6:14 min one mile today.  It was just a test.  In general, we are learning how to relax in a run cycle.  This is part of the running for training.  A single cycle should be use all part of the leg muscle from toe, arch, calf, knee, abs (core), all the way to shoulder.  In a cycle, these part activate at different time to help the run cycle.  If you tense, you simply lost control of it.  You need to focus to see and use each part.  It wasn’t easy, and it is a very very slow learning process for the muscle to build up.  I am not so good with this kind of hard training, it required lots of focus and concentration.

last cp long run, I didn’t finish AGAIN.  not because it was raining in the middle of the run.  It is the mind (I would blame), not as focus as I used to be.  In long run, I usually don’t carry lots of thing, just keep thing to the min.  So, no extra body movements.  I don’t even care a phone.  My long run is time for my body, not other things in mind to carry either.  Run is just mind and body.  So the whole day simply prep for my mind and the body for this 15 miles / 2 hrs none stop run.  But for the last few long run, I simply failed due to lack of concentration in my head.  It gives me bad after taste.

I am kind of wondering how can I push myself at 110% at each race.  I am kind of worry now.  During training, I am able to do 7:30 pace for 6 miles and it is up to my 93% already.  For my to do under 7 minute pace for 13 miles…I just don’t know!!

2010.03.10

This is the last week of training before NYC half on March 21st 2010.  I don’t feel any pressure as of now.  This is not really a PR course because just too many newbie people running, so I don’t want put too much pressure on myself and get myself into trouble.  How’s my body feeling now? hmm… tried, specially on the Wednesday night.  Just one more day of training then I will take things easy until race.   Now I can run at 8.5 for 3 miles even when I am so tried.

2010.03.06

This is a rest week, just 3 weeks before N Y C half.  I feel tried after months training.  I didn’t run for 3 days after last run 15 miles CP run and I felt newbie when start again on treadmill.  I didn’t know it was so intense when you run, lots of impact, lots of pain even you don’t run for few days.  My current pace would be 7.5 easy, means I can recover at this pace should be 78% of my strength.  Tempo should be 8.5 at the moment, which I can run 3 miles at this pace without issue, should be 85% of my strength.  And my sprint is 10.0 for .3 mile (x4), it is like 94% of my strength.

The last weekend was THE only weekend at 39F, not cold, I mean I don’t have to hide from wind or run away from open area.  I think spring should be here soon.  This winter was such a bad winter, 85% were rain, wind or snow.  I don’t remember how many times I ran in rain or snow.  Lots more than last year.  But my body react to cold weather little better this year.  Can’t run speed during winter most of the time because blood can’t get to muscle.  You feel some muscle with blood and other muscle won’t warm up at all.  knee and some angle won’t be flexible in cold weather.  I remember last year, I can’t expend my legs at all.  I was able to do it this year, but I feel muscle still tight in the whole run.  I usually warm up in 1.7 mile and after that should be better.

2010.02.19

Haven’t update this for months.  I am not stop running, it is just taking a long break from blogging.   So, what i am up to now.

This is a long ass winter, just cold, windy,

2009.12.21

After SI Half, we continue train for the next race.  This is now close to xmas and winter is arrived.  Training is getting tough.  Traveling forward and back between central park is kind of painful and hard.

Japenses – Ramen in NYC.

    Ippudo NY: 65 4th Ave, between 2nd Ave and 8th St

    Ramen Setagaya: 141 1st Ave (9th St & St Marks Pl)

      Result:  This is a small place, ~20 seats.  I was a bit disappointed because it isn’t really a clean place, nor with good AC.  The Japanese waitress was ok not great.  The place make me feel don’t want to stay there too long (maybe because of no AC or something)  The ramen was ok, according to Japanese standard.  It didn’t surpise me on taste though.  I like the noodle, the soup base was ok.  

Here is the store front.

And their Ramen.

Rice bowl.

When finish.. full with sweat.

Received Mary’s request as a second photographer about 2 months ago.  She is a friend of friend, and I met both Mary and Dion before.  Their wedding was just few days ago (last Sunday).  It was a BIG wedding with >350 guests.  It was more relaxing compare to Judy & Johnny’s wedding.  At least I am not the main photographer, I am just so glad that I wasn’t the main photographer.   At the beginning I was expecting to do my very best with their wedding.  After few email exchanges, I realized Mary and I have different view.  She wanted me to cover the main photographer while I want get to know them and design a serial of pictures for them.  I was disappointed that she thinks more pictures/coverage are better.  I was thinking, why don’t you get a videographer? record EVERYTHING then you all set.  I felt like I offered a nice French dinner just for her, but she wants “all you can eat” instead.  I explained what is my style and tell  her about photographs, why I like to capture some moments, but she doesn’t seem to care or response.  I was at a point thinking, don’t do it Chow.  No matter how hard you try, how well you do,  she won’t understand it because you have different tastes.   But at the end, they are friend’s friend and I need more shooting hours.  Just relax and try our best.  It was a western style wedding, so no family pictures (for me :p, not for the main photographer).    Since I was busy at work that week, I didn’t have time to prep for their wedding until the night before their wedding.  To loosen up the brain, we went out to Central Park for a quick 6 miles long run. By the time we got back is already 10:30pm.  Just few hrs to prep our gears.  Went to sleep at 1:30am and got up at 5:00am.  As a result, no energy for the wedding of course.

We at her parent house by 6:30am, go for makeup, hair, bridesmaids, dresses, shoes details pictures.  It was a nice sunny day, felt relax and calm in the morning.   Got few good head shots of 3 bridesmaids.  Fei took care of shoes and dress while I was doing the makeup/hair shots.  Her main photographer/video arrived around 7:30am,  seem to be an ok guy.  I introduced myself and told him if I am on his way or in his frame, just give me a shout.  Dion and groomsmen arrived around 8:30am.  They were outside waiting, and the bride aren’t ready yet.  The door game part was ok, not exciting and playful enough to me.  I was outside (the groom side) while Fei was inside (bride side).  I think that was because of the bridesmaids  not playful enough.  I didn’t see genuine/great expression from their face while the groom were pretty funny.   Groom went in in about ~20 minutes, pictures inside the house and follow a gift from Dion to Mary.  She was happy when she saw the gift.  How sweet.  Then the traditional tea thing for parent.  We left their parent to the reception hall right after that.  Their main photographer seem to be nice as well, at least I like the way he drives on his black MDX.

Don’t know how to start, rested two days after Judy and Johnny wedding.    I am still tried, still couldn’t sleep much. I am still in shocking mode, a lot of things in my mind.  Things I should do, things I didn’t do, things I could have done.  I took a quick look at their raw pictures, I see big improvements in general.   I see what is our style and our direction much more clearly.  It was our first traditional Chinese wedding, which involved Chinese restaurant, food, games, family pictures, kid running off leash, old people, young people, dancing, more crazy family pictures (Even bride and groom don’t know who they are), more crazy family playing who should take the seat and taking picture game.  I became their traditional Chinese photographer (aka, slave).  All I do this stand there, crowd control, yelling, moving people… what on earth, I was just upset.  What photo journalist crap I want before the wedding.  Why do Chinese people think they always take family crap pictures.  I mean, I don’t have a problem taking family pictures.  But why they think taking family pictures is a STANDARD procedure.  I am here to capture what is a wedding for this couple,  10 years later when they look at the pictures, and remind them this moment.   And I don’t UNDERSTAND why these people grab me and shot their family picture, and this is STANDARD mind set for them.  Dude… I am piss, they wasted my time.   I know Judy and Johnny feel sorry for me.  That help a bit, at least someone understand your situation.

We started at 9 am, end at 11pm.  The bridal party were great, fun.  I would say they did a good job.  It is just fun when they are playful like kids.  So I can capture their expressions and emotions.  For some reasons, I seem to know my subject a lot more than they know me.  I study them, because I have to know when she/he will be relax and put his/her guard down in front of the camera.   I remember Joanne from Yvonne’s wedding (the girl got me into this assignment).  I never talk to her before, but it seems to me I know her, and I was able to talk to her like a friend.  By the way, she is pregnant.  So did her hobby, I never talk to him but he was in my pictures and I almost want to say hi to him.

2009.06.14 Sunday

We finally met last Sunday at their parent’s house.  She looks pretty in person, John looks same in the pictures.  She was great at the beginning, but went a bit down hill after.  I think it would be her dog related.  She seems to be worry about her dog too much.  I agree her dog is a bit out of control, or maybe she needs to trust the dog a little bit more.  But since she wants the dog pictures the most, I have no choice to put that in mind.  Nice clean new house they moved in only few months ago.  We did few headshoots there.  Our 1Ds giving us problem .  Vertical shutter switch didn’t work.

We were there from 3:30 to 7pm.   I mainly talk to Judy because we’re exchanging emails a lot about her wedding.  She told me they are kind of laid back people.  But I don’t think that is the case.  Johnny is full with energy, a fun guy.  On the other hand Judy is a bit disappointed.   I didn’t get enough energy from her.  I can’t read if she is happy, no happy about this session.  I only felt she spent too much attention on the dog, to me it was strange.   Anyway, let get back to the photo shoot.  First we meet the dog.  Not really out o control (as Judy state), not really big (as Judy stat 81 lbs).  mid side dog.  I have no fear, just walk to him and let him smell me.  Not a bad dog.  Just look around the house and look for good light.  It is clean,  with lot of light.  basically I want 2 or 3 locations inside the house for pictures.  I was looking around like crazy… no experience I guess. I like the kitchen/island and the living room’s sofa.    So I asked them sit in front of the island and relax while i setup our light.

Picture of them working in the kitchen…kind of act working.  (ok… found out she doesn’t know how to cut things).

I like the second pic of Judy.  very good framing and composition.  Light source on her left forehead.  I like the hand placement, it helps her to relax.  Focus on her left eye.  very sharp.

Here is johnny.  very easy to take picture for him.  He just know how to sit, stand like a man, with good body language.  He is the only one who is that good with pose.  I don’t have to ask or teach how to stand up or sit.  I really like…

After 2 hrs of indoor pics.  We went out for a dog walk.  It was like total out of control walk.  Judy was holding the leash but the dog (cooper) was walking left and right, smelling everything and everywhere.   I am sure her arms is hurt.  Oh well, not my dog and I shouldn’t say she can’t walk her dog.

Finially, we got to a croner of a street (2 blocks) away from their house.  Strong Sun on their back.  very nice rim light warp around their body.  I ask them let me take few pics.  I was down down on the ground for these pictures.  I like the body lanuage of three of them.  very cool stand up tall.  Judy holding leash like she is in control.  It is just coop saw another dog and looking at it.

This one is in front of their house.  Just one of the family pictures I guess.

2009.05.27

Judy Chen contacted me a while back at the beginning of the year.

Here is an initial email from Yvonne on Jan 8, 2009.

“My friend Joanne (you might remember her — she helped me coordinate the wedding day) was raving about your talents.  Her best friend, Judy, is getting married and is looking for a photographer for her Chinese-style banquet in NY on July 11th.  I hope you don’t mind that I passed on your email address to her.”

Setting: Chinese wedding in Brooklyn.  It is a whole day event.

Date:  Sat 7/11/2009

Bridal party:  4 bridesmaids and groomsmen, 3 rings beares and 1 flower girl.

About 350 guests.

Locations: Restaurant in Brooklyn (get details later)

Our work flow usually like, 30% prep for session, 15% actual shooting, 50% post processing (editing manually) and 5% testing/presentation.

Here is one of their picture.

Initial thoughts:  They are young couple.  Johnny is tall and Judy pretty looking.  From what I know they knew each other for years.  I hope I will see their energy/connection from them.  I think they love sunny weather, I think it is my direction for e-session pictures.  They have a destionation wedding in Mexico, and I was thinking to all my effort to take picture for them if they up for it.  But I don’t think they have the same mind set as me.  I was thinking take long time for good pictures but looking at their schedule i don’t think it is their priority at the moment.  I don’t real mind investing time and money for their wedding, but I don’t think they have the time for me.  So I basically chicken out my plan.

But at the end, this flu thing changed everything.  A year of planning end with nothing.  But it is good they went through this, and I think they won’t forget this.  Just feel happy for them after all.

Here is a bit of details from Judy.

“I have 12 people in my bridal party, 4 bm & 4gm. 3 ring bearers (one is 5 yrs old and the other two are twins 2 yrs old) and 1 flower girl (2 year old).  I have about 45 people attending my Mexico wedding and I’m estimating about 350 people for the wedding banquet.  I don’t have a schedule for that day yet because I’m trying to organize my May wedding first.  There are days where I feel clueless and don’t know where to start.  I am not one of those typical girls who dreamed of their perfect wedding day since they were 5.  I cannot envision what my perfect wedding looks like.  But when I do think about it, I would always see us with our close family and friends, drinking, dancing, and a whole lot of laughter together.  That is what I want to capture.

My fiancée Johnny and I have been dating for 10 years now.  We are practically a married couple now.  We are both very family oriented people.  Johnny is more of a laid back guy who likes to hang out at home or with a couple of his friends.  He is not all that into crowds and being in the spot light.  Therefore, we decided on a destination wedding with only our closest family and friends.  Nice and simple.  The traditional banquet in NY is more of a celebration for my parents.  I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

I love the idea of the engagement session.  I’m usually pretty awkward in front of a camera..Johnny is a little better.  I can’t wait for everything to turn around.  Please let me know what else you need from me.”

It is good idea to find a good location (beach) they like.  Ask them take a weekend vacation there and I meet them for a e-session shot.  I want them to be relax and comfortable.   So, let’s find a good location and we start planning what to shoot.

2007 Barbera D'A STI

And the second one is our old friend too, just the location, Napa Valley CA USA.

Bobert Mondavi

This one is a gift from KK.

BLASON De Bourgogne

Just got 3 low buget bottles of red.  Yup, just want to keep on searching the perfect wine. or get to know what is wine about.

Fei’s choice is this.  for newbie wine.

BOGLE Vineyards (2007 California)

Old vine Zinfandel

I pick second one, mainly of good looking label nad it is from Italy

Update: 2009.03.29  smell, not as fruity as the other 2, in fact not very interesting.  Taste ok, easy in, little after taste, don’t know how to pair food with it.  It is good drinking wine.  It is simple, you won’t hate it but you I don’t like it much either.  Would I buy it again?  I think I would try something new instead.

Bricco DI Vergne (2007 Dolcetto D’ALBA) Red wine.

Also I pick the last one:  label and year 2006, Italy wine

Update: 2009.03.29, easy in, a bit in bitter side after in mouth.  Stronger taste among three.  Do I like it?  So so, but would get it again and try it one more time.  No after taste.

Michele Chiarlo

Barbera D’ASTI

Open this one first.  It is good, not much when smell it.  Easy in, no after taste at all.  In fact it is very easy to drink.  I like it.  Not as strong a blackstone, but very good depend on what food you match it.  Would get it again.  Easy to drink, don’t really need any food go with it.  Simply drink a glass when you just want to relax.  2009.03.15

First thing i want to do. 

This is the outside

Another one.

Walking to work.  Kind of suck, that you still have to work.

So, I guess we’ll see this next year.  It is spring now.