The other road

Sometimes in life you don't get to choose your path. Sometimes your path is chosen for you. You don't always want to go that way but sometimes you're forced to take the other road. The way you choose to walk along that road is up to you. THAT is your choice.

I have cancer. I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. It has been exactly 8 days since my biopsy and 7 days since I was told the cold hard facts. Only one week. Amazing how much life can change in a week.

I am not cancer. I just have cancer. It does not define me. It will never define me. It will not beat me, at least not without a good fight. I feel strong, stronger than I've felt before. I am eating healthy, exercising and keeping a positive mind. I am surrounded by amazing friends and family who exude so much positivity. I know ultimately the end result isn't up to me, but I'm gearing up for the fight. I'm ready for the battle. Ready for the next chapter in my book, the other road.

My beautiful friend Delmy, CEO and editor of DGaray Magazine flew from Denver to San Diego to be with me during this initial phase. Delmy and I met in 2009 at a photo shootout in San Diego. We had so much in common and connected instantly. Delmy has always been an inspiration for me, especially as I embarked on my photography endeavor. 

Over the past few months I have been playing around with a photoshoot idea. Together Delmy and I coordinated the Bohemian inspired photoshoot I had been envisioning. I know I will endure many physical and emotional challenges and changes during my battle with cancer. Our main inspiration and motivation for this shoot was to capture and preserve pieces of who I am today through Delmy's photography. There is no one who can capture my true spirit the way this girl can. I am forever grateful. Not only did she capture my spirit with her photos, but during this very stressful time she distracted me. She made me smile and she continually made me laugh until my stomach hurt.

Delmy was kind enough to edit and share a few photos with me while she was still in San Diego. She says I have to wait for the rest!! Here is a litte sneak peek from our shoot. 

"When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you or you can let it strengthen you." -unknown

Delmy calls this my "F*ck Cancer" picture

DGaray Magazine is set to launch this August. DGaray Magazine was founded on April 28th, 2015 by creative photographer Delmy Gooch. Born in El Salvador and raised in Wisconsin, her life has been far from ordinary. The inspiration for the magazine: All experiences, challenges, defeats and triumphs have served as a stepping stone to fulfill goals and find a greater purpose in life. 

"Change the world. Change your life. Your life is a reflection of your heart and craft. Let your life story be the legacy that changes and beautifies the world even after you seize to exist."

Location: Mission Trails
Photographer: Delmy Gooch/DGaray Magazine
MUA: Lisa Lykissas
Hair: Rebekah Sylvester

Carie and Mobe | Engagement

I've known Carie and Mobe for about 7 years now. We've had so many good times together and I've watched their relationship change and develop to what it is today. From that first Katchafire concert to Mobe's proposal in Costa Rica, I've been there for it all. Carie is one of my best friends, my habibi. She is someone I trust and adore, beautiful on both the inside and out. Honestly I could write an entire blog entry on the love I have for her. She really is the coolest! Mobe seems to perfectly compliment Carie. He is always making her smile and from day one it's been obvious how much he adores her.

When they asked me to do their engagement photos I was so happy!! I was even more excited when they agreed to do the photos at Sunset Cliffs, one of my favorite spots in San Diego and one that crazily Carie had never been to.

Here's a sneak peek into their engagement session at Sunset Cliffs. Carie & Mobe will be getting married at The Bahia Resort this coming October. I couldn't be happier for them!!

MUA: Looks by Lisa

Director of Reflection & JibJab Monitor: JJK

Whistler BC

This post comes a bit late. Our trip was back in February but as I sit here sorting through pictures I can't help but want to share with you one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. 

We chose to fly into Vancouver then make the drive to Whistler. The drive along the Sea to Sky Highway takes about two hours and is approximately 85 miles (137 km). Appropriately named the highway offers vast and magnificent views. On one side of the highway is the Howe Sound fjord, (a wide body of water carved out thousands of years ago by glaciers)and on the other side of the highway are the Coast mountains. If it were up to me I would have stopped 100 times along the way to take pictures, but as it was our trip was a short one and we wanted to get to the mountain as quickly as possible. I got one stop on the way there and one stop on the way home. If you've ever traveled with me you know how torturous this was for me! 

Horseshoe Bay

ferry headed to Victoria

A little bit about Whistler Mountain.

Whistler is located in the Coast Mountains, two hours north of Vancouver. Together Whistler and Blackcomb mountain have the largest ski area in North America, with just over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and more than 200 marked trails. The Peak 2 Peak gondola is the highest and longest lift in the world and takes you from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb. The gondola travels at 7.5 m/s and travels the distance of 2.73 miles between the two resorts, with the highest point being 1,427 feet.

Whistler has been on my list for awhile now. Whistler itself is an amazing place. The village is pretty badass and between the two mountains there is plenty of terrain to explore. Unfortunately, the conditions were pretty bad while we were there. As you can see from the photo below they needed snow and they needed it bad. According to the locals this season was one of the worst on record. With no new snow and pretty cool temperatures, the mountain for the most part remained a sheet of ice for the whole weekend we were there. 

taken from inside the peak 2 peak gondola

(looks like summer!!)

View of Whistler Mountain from the top of Blackcomb

So what do you do when life throws you sheets of ice instead of snow?!?!

1. You eat poutine. You eat a lot of poutine.

2. You drink at the local pub. You try all the local beer.

3. You learn the rules of G.N.A.R. (Gaffney's Numerical Assessment of Radness)

4. You work on your slo-mo video skills.

5. You play trivia with an Asian and you lose every time.

6. You eat your first Aussie meat pie. You instantly want another.

7. You eat a DQ blizzard while holding Dominos pizza on your walk home from an expensive Japanese lobster dinner.

8. You master the T-bar. Or you don't...

9. You find ways to entertain yourself. This may involve twerking.

10.You eat. You drink. You eat and drink some more.

Zog's Dogs in the Village - our daily meeting spot after riding

In case your aren't familiar poutine is a dish that originated in Canada, made with french fries, topped with a brown gravy sauce and cheese curds. Perfect after a day on the mountain!!!

Apres ski at Black's Pub

And despite the conditions you still manage to have an amazing time!!  

"Do not touch or climb on the rings" 

Olympic Village