You have been one exciting year and definitely one that I will look back on and remember!

Your sky miles had me venturing to Denver (CO) and Las Vegas (NV) for photography workshops/conventions, China for a international delegation with Nursing leaders, Waikiki (HI) for Ron’s anesthesia clinical rotation, and Chicago (IL) for some food cravings and baby mooning.

Ron and I also became “little wizards”  when we donned on our Master’s hoods after completing graduate school this past summer!

We watched many of our dear friends (Jalyn & Matt 04.10.10, Ria & Anthony 05.08.10, Kat & Alex 05.29.10, Ann & John 06.12.10, Jennie & Harvey 10.10.10, Joanna & Sergio 10.16.10, & Vannessa & Ben 10.23.10) as they tied the knot, and we celebrated the life our beloved Lola Nene who passed away on 04.07.10.

We also celebrated many tiny miracles with the 2010 babies and newest additions to our families (Audrey (Jan.), Alyssa (July), Deliliah (Sept.), Jacob (Nov), Sofiyah (today or tomorrow!!!), and of course… my own little bambina, Eva Jade (Nov)

Speaking of newborns, I’d also like to thank all my 2010 newborns, children, and families for honoring me with the opportunity to document their 2010 special moments and portraits! You all truly made Kristine Atienza photography the success that I never imagined it would be!! More importantly, I’m grateful for the friends that photography has brought me… from clients, to other fellow photogs. With each and every encounter, I’ve been inspired through life stories, struggles, and blessings. Thank you.

2011, you have some big shoes to fill! But as I mentioned in a previous post after graduation, this will be a year where I finally stop reaching for that second piece of cake, and simply enjoy the pleasures and blessings that are already on my plate…

Happy New Year Everybody!

What’s Chicago without deep dish pizza?!

Lake Michigan

And of course, just had to take a picture with Michael Jordan at the United Center with my favorite pair of J’s: The Cool Grey 4 retros!

Here’s a picture from our room balcony.

Anyways, so here I am back in the blog land. I’ll try my best to be better at blogging. But for now, here’s a “Taste of San Francisco” from my trip this past weekend. It was for my little sister Dez’s birthday. It was nice to get away !! Even if it was only for the weekend

The 12 of us at Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch! (We left at 2am that morning to get to SF by 830ish)

I’ll warn you now, I have an obsession with lines!

I wouldn’t be lying if i used the phrase, “don’t try this at home kiddies!” Reason being: the car I was riding didn’t have a sunroof for me to take this image!

Filipino hospitality in an authentic “San Franciscan style” home (Yes we were all in awwwe!). Thanks to Cookie’s parents for hosting lunch for the 12 of us!

The Back Alley to Haight Street from Cookie’s house

Twin Peaks!

Something I never realized… I shoot with my right eye.

On weekends, Subic Bay is filled with so many people enjoying themselves on the beach and partaking in all the festivities! With tropical weather however, you can’t ever expect when the weather may go bad. Check out the black cloud on the top picture starting to roll in from the right.

Here’s more of those black clouds rolling in.

Lolo treating out Ron and I to lunch

After eating, sightseeing and shopping, we headed home for some more eating. This time it was merienda which translates into, “the afternoon snack”

Here’s my uncle making us some fresh coconut juice! (buko juice)

Along with some Halo-Halo which is a Filipino dessert!

Ron’s alot braver than I am! Here he is eating BALUT which is a chick embryo! He actually ate two of them cause my uncle bought 2 just for him!

Lolo and Lola’s house has changed alot since my visit last year in 2007. There’s quite of mixture of tungsten and fluorescent lights, as well as electrical outputs for the different voltages.

Although they have a formal dining table, we always ate outside in the “dirty kitchen” just so we could get some fresh air.

Lolo and Lola’s room. Just recently, Lolo had that back wall torn down to make “closet space”

More rooms…

On the day before we left, Lolo was feeling the urge for some American and Italian food, so he had the cook whip up something special! Although Ron and I were thoroughly enjoying all the Filipino food, french fries and spaghetti were definitely missed!

Even Lola was in good spirits that day! This was the first time the whole week that she finished all the food on her plate!

Here’s Lolo trying to be “cute” with Lola.

Later on that evening, Orion was hosting it’s Santa Cruzan! Basically it’s a parade of each province’s selected young ladies!

The busy streets of Orion, can you imagine having to clear this street for a parade?!

The beauty queens of each province

and some fun parade festivities!

My Lola’s housemaids and her caregiver nurse hiding behind them. They were camera shy!

The following day was a Sunday and also our departure date… Here’s Lolo and Ron reading the morning paper in the dirty kitchen…

Tito Ermie and Lola in her Sunday best. Members of the church had just stopped by so that Lola could receive communion since she is unable to make the trip to church.

And lastly, Lola’s pride and joy… her garden.