California dreamin'

It's days like today when I truly miss California. It's cold. With no hope of warming up, and me slowly counting down the time where I have to head back out into the miserable New York cold...that I miss California. I miss the sun hitting my face and warming me up. I miss those pesky Santa Ana winds. I miss driving down PCH with my windows rolled down and the sea breeze. I miss that break from whatever cold weather there is in California, breaking and heading down to the beach (in March!) I miss sitting out doors to enjoy my starbucks, and walking on the beach.

California, I miss you! But, we'll have to wait till April to see each other.

My first gig!

Well...sorta. My first photo gig. One of Giancarlo's bands, Be Your Own Pet, played a show here and I was fortunate enough to get some shots. Pushing through a mass of 17 year-olds, ducking two stage dives, and three bruses later.. these are some of the shots that I got. I think I'll stick to travel photography in the future.

Hey Jude

Annyong ha shimnikka (Hello!)

Snow day!

The view from my window this morning:

Check it!

If you need a good laugh... check this out:

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

I guarantee it will keep you entertained for hours.

Grey Dog's

If you find yourself in New York City, in the winter (or what is sorta winter-like) and you want to have that "neighborhood" coffeehouse feel, then I recommend this little gem down from Union Square, Grey Dog Coffee. GC and I like to go around the city in the afternoon and find little places to nosh. We can't spend money so we'll split something and usually get a coffee.. our little "going out" without dealing with the expensive nature of the city.

Last night we split the Quiche of the Day which was more like a slice of pie than a quiche, and I can't tell you what was in it other than it just melted in your mouth. Another thing that I need to learn how to cook!! (still working on the whole no-shake with the camera ha.)

We sat inside, with the rain starting to come down outside, taking pictures, eating Quiche and drinking coffee... getting ready for May (hint, hint) It's moments like these that I think I will miss the most.

________________________________________________________
Grey Dog Coffee- 90 University Place (at 12th street)
http://thegreydog.com/

V-day!

This year was my year to plan Valentine's day... and since GC and I have a lot of expenses coming up in May (full announcement to come in April!) we decided to hang low this year... which means I get to practice cooking! I made a picnic in my empty living room and attempted to make it something fun for us.

I'm not a good cook. I don't claim to be a good cook. I know a few staples here and there, but I've found that in my downtime, I love to watch the Food Network. Not that I can ever cook half the stuff that they make, but I love the idea that it's all right there. So this year, I thought I'd try something new, and I cooked Paella. If I believed in former lives (and I don't) I would believe that I was once a product of Spanish family. I love tapas, paella... anything and everything from Spain. Paella is a spanish rice dish that incorporates peppers, chorizo, shrip, chicken, any kind of meat that you want, with any kind of vegtables that you want.

The recipe was simple enough and I made a few little hor d'oeuvres to hold us over until the paella was done (spanish olives with crostini and sundried tomato goat cheese, and shrimp cocktail) However, in the rush to get everything set up, I forgot to get pictures of the creations...although I included a sample paella photo haha. All-in-all it was a great evening. I had more fun setting everything up than anything else!


Now, what to cook next....

Say what!?

The best work out EVER!!! Now let me add in my disclaimer.. I'm NOT promoting a career choice of "stripping," but I have to admit, it is a great workout (all in good fun, of course)

The past weekend I was in good 'ol San Fran with the pouring rain. I attempted to be the trourist because I got in a few hours early on Friday and I wondered around the city, but the weather had a different plan for me. With the rain pouring down, and my pants soaked (and me unprepared with my fancy footware) I ended up at 3 different Starbucks (fully loaded on my non-fat, sugar-free mocha's, extra caffeine- please) and got my culture on at the San Francisco MOMA. FYI.. The MOMA has a great photography exhibit that I got lost in for 2 hours! Sadly, no cameras were allowed. I've been to the city so many times, but not once I have been able to be a tourist. Go figure! But that wasn't the reason I was out there.. it was for Jenn's bridal shower and Bachelorette party. It was a whirlwind weekend, filled with everything from the crate and barrel spring '08 catalog, stripper poles and drag queens. Now I'm officially counting down the days till the wedding!!! (April 5th, T-65 days!)

Here are some fun shots.. more on flickr & kodakgallery

Keeping up my promise/resolution... here is the link to find some test shots that I've been taking- http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyprovansal (the black and white ones are my favorites.. not that I'm biased or anything) The new camera has been both exciting and challenging. There are so many different ways to take pictures and everything works...doesn't work and the users guide has been my bible.. referring to it often. It has been great to sink my teeth into something that I've wanted to do for so long (aside from learning Italian!) I have another side-blog just for photos (http://milkandhoney2008.blogspot.com) or espresso self in the side bar.

I'm headed to San Francisco next weekend for Jenn's shower/bachelorette party and have a down day to explore the city and get some shots in! Taking this weekend off only because it is supposed to be 10 degrees out, and well the Chargers play on Sunday. What kind of San Diegian would be if I didn't root for them to beat the Patriots.. come on!!! Stay tuned!

Resolutions anyone?!

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions. They always start off strong for the first two weeks of January and then come to a crashing hault by the end of the month, when life catches up to you after having two weeks of vacation, to dwell on what your New Year's resolution will be. Well, this year I decided to finally make one.. and well the resolution is to keep the resolution. There are so many great changes on the horizon for Giancarlo and I that it's overwhelming (in a good way) to think about.. but the one goal for me this year, is to really dive into photography. I have all the books, and now as of today (with my canon rebel xti, thanks dad and sherri!) I have the camera to help me push that goal. So here is to 2008, and to all the ups and downs and sideways turns that it will take, and for me to capture it all on film.

My attempt to get technical!

Create a Free Slideshow

Vroom!

It is a tradition in the Provansal household to visit the San Diego International Car Show... most years we make it but this was the first year that I had been down in a long time. We started off the day hanging out at the condo and then over to the convention center to check out the latest and greatest new cars for 2008/2009. If only I had a need for a car!!

Home Sweet Home

It took me two years to realize how great California really is. Don't get me wrong.. I never hated the state but always wanted a change of scenery. Well, moving to New York certaintly gave me that but going back home for Christmas, I realized how great it really is. I wore my flip flops for a week straight. I didn't worry about putting on 5 different layers of clothing and I didn't even mind the traffic! We had a great christmas at home in Carlsbad and traveled back and forth to the condo downtown to celebrate... I'm counting down the days till I get to go back home!

More photos: http://kodakgallery.com/emilyprovansal

Going to the Chapel

Good friends, Ryan and Lora got married on Dec. 14th, 2007 here in Manhattan. Some fun photos follow :)

Fuerzabruta!

fuer • za • bru • ta
\ f'where - zah - broo - tah \
1: brute force 2: the new show from the creators of DE LA GUARDA 3: a 360° heart-pounding theatrical experience

From the creators of De La Guarda comes a brand new original work: FUERZABRUTA.

A non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion, and kinetic aerial imagery, FUERZABRUTA is one of the most exciting events of the fall season. Having already taken South America and Europe by storm, this all-new work from the creators of the revolutionary theatre spectacle De La Guarda defies easy categorization.

Featuring mind-blowing visual effects that must be seen to be believed - a man running full throttle through a series of moving walls, women frolicking in a watery world suspended just inches above the audience - FUERZABRUTA is a theatrical experience that floods the senses.

This experience is mind-blowing, mainly for the fact that theatre-goers get to get involved and be in the middle of all the action. There are no seats, it is standing only, but there is NOT a bad standing area in the theatre. I am counting down the days till we get to go again!

http://fuerzabrutanyc.com

Light me up!

New York City has tons of great moments that can be seen on TV throughout not only the U.S. but the world. One of those events is the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. It has been something that I've wanted to do ever since I moved here but the timing was always off until this year. Giancarlo has a long standing tradtion with his friends that every year, they go and eat at Olive Garden in Times Square (tourist haven) and then go see the tree at Rockefeller Center. Well this year we decided to go just the two of us. So, we ate at Olive Garden (which I haven't done since I was 11) and then wandered over to see the tree. Even at 11 o'clock at night, the crowds were still there and there was a lot of excitement buzzing around. We plan on making another trip sometime this weekend to get some more photos, but enjoy the ones below in the meantime!

Some fun facts:
The first nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was in 1951 on the Kate Smith Show. It was again lit in 1954 on the Howdy Doody Show.

Between 1937 and 1974, 22 different Christmas displays appeared in the Channel Gardens. The most popular display has been Valerie Clarebout's 12 herald angels -- wire-sculpted figures that were first introduced in 1954. The Clarebout Angels have been refurbished and displayed every Christmas for the past 20 years.


(you tubing it)

Ice Skating at Bryant Park

The home of New York fashion week turns into a free.. yes, free... ice skating rink in the winter. Part of my surprise day in the city last Saturday was lunch at the Celsius lounge and ice skating (or the solid attempt to not fall)

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Slightly belated) Thanksgiving at The Pachecos!
(Before shot)

(After shot)

Saturday Surprise!

Just a few photos of Giancarlo and I celebrating our engagement at his parents place. After, he wisked me off to a surprise day in the city where we ate lunch at Celsius, a winter restaurant right next to the ice skating rink at Bryant Park (many heating lamps included!) made an attempt to ice skate in Bryant Park (last time I believe I was four). That night Giancarlo made dinner reservations at one New York's hot spots, The Place. The intimate restaurant is hidden away in the West Village, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.