Post by Katherine & Doug

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We cooked a wonderful dinner together with garlic mashed potatoes (yukons! steamed! with skins!), butternut squash porridge, pomegranates, pumpkin bread, some killer red wine (2006 Angeline Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Rosa, California)  that we scored at the GAS STATION (bonus of living in wine country! – super wine in unexpected places – and cheap!)  and apple pie.  With our immediate families spread out across the globe in China, D.C., Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, it was a quiet holiday with  just the two of us, though our loved ones were never far from our hearts.  In the spirit of the holiday, and of harvest, what we’re most thankful for:

Our Health

There’s something to be said about the California lifestyle.  We walk everywhere, have considered trading our car for two kick butt bikes (not yet but…), we eat fresh local produce from the farmer’s market here in town, Doug’s hair is turning blonde, and we have the ocean breeze at our backs when we go for runs on these gigantic hills.

Our Families

Our families are the most important to us.  With their support and love, everything is possible.  Whether it’s Katherine’s boisterous Korean family with grandmas singing Karaoke, shamanistic ceremonies, and soju (sweet potato/asparagus vodka) all around into the wee hours of the night, or Doug’s gatherings with delicious food, intoxicating laughter, board games!, wine, long talks, and heartwarming cups of tea, or a phone call with our siblings, or an email across the world, we are so thankful for our wonderful, generous, gentle, loving, patient, talented, beautiful families.  <3 <3 <3

Each Other

Everything is easier when shared with the one you love.  From the first postage stamp sized studio apartment, in the heart of the most stressful city on the planet, to crisscrossing the United States crammed together with our belongings like a couple of sardines, we’re two of a kind.  With funny nicknames.  We are so thankful for each others’ love.

Our Friends

Our best friends make us crack up when we’re down, inspire us to be our best selves, will tell us when our pants don’t fit right, and are always up for a road trip…

Our Peaceful Days

We are so fortunate to have this calm sort of lifestyle making a living doing what we love, listening to ocean waves, and exploring our new town.  We are so thankful for this peaceful chapter of our lives.

Musta na nga ba ako???? Masasabi ko for the last few days and weeks I’m bit ok now, not fully recovered syempre, pero unti-unti ng bumabangon, crawling pero I know darating din ung araw na makakalakad din ako ulit ng maayos.
Aaminin ko sa nakalipas na isang buwan, durog na durog ako, halos hindi ko na Makita ang mga piraso ng katauhan at puso ko sa sobrang pagkadurog nun, sa mga ginawa nya sa akin hindi ko alam bakit ko kailangang dumaan sa lahat ng mga un.
Masaya naman ung naging takbo ng relasyon, kahit na alam kong may mga pagkukulang sya sa akin, ok na lang un dahil naiintindihan ko naman, but ung communication na hinihingi ko sa kanya recently un ang nagbago ng lahat, bigla na lang kasing naging ganun, bigla na lang nawala ung sigla ng pakikitungo nya sa akin.
Hindi ko alam saan nagsimula lahat ng problema na un, but each passing days na miserable ako, daming tinatanong ung utak ko, saan nga ba nagsimula lahat? dahil lang ba sa problema ng pamilya nya? dahil ba sa akin? dahil bas a pag-uwi ko dahil ba sa ilang bagay na feeling nya natapakan ko na ung ego nya? Dahil ba sa iniisip nyang pagkakalayo naming dalawa?
Una sa mga naisip ko, ung sinabi nyang problema ng pamilya nila. I know kahit hindi nya sabihin, sobrang hirap un para sa kanya, sobrang sakit ng nangyayari ngaun, tulad na din ng nasabi nya sa akin dati, “ikaw ba hindi ka masasaktan na magising ka na lang isang araw na ung kinalakihan mong pamilya ay masisira na, na hindi na mabubuo pa??” I know I don’t really feel how hard it is for him, pero sa makailang ulit ko ng sinabi sa kanya, pwede naman nya akong maging sandalan, kahit makinig na lang ako sa mga problema nya ok na sa akin, dito nya ako masusubukan kung iiwan ko ba sya in the middle of crisis na bibigay ako agad, na ngaun alam kong mahina sya dun ako susuko at iiwan sya, at nung mga panahon na un at kahit pa nga kung sa mapa hanggang sa ngaun kaya ko yung gawin para sa kanya, a simple thing that signifies how important he is to me. Nung nagkaayos tau after ilang araw na hindi mo ako kinausap,, dun tinggap ko na ang magiging buhay ko kung ikaw man ang makakasama ko talaga buong buhay ko, hindi lang plano nating dalawa ang inisip ko na agad but a plan together with your sisters, nandun na naisip kong ung bunsong kapatid mo ay makasama natin hanggang sa magka-pamilya tayo, kasi I’m expecting that you will support her studies hanggang sa makatapos sya ng koelhiyo, which nasa grade school pa lang sya ngaun, ung isang kapatid mo na magtatapos ng HRM this coming year, I’m planning to get her pag nasa UAE na ako, kasi in naman ang kurso nya dun, maraming opportunity na nag-aabang sa kanya dun, so habang nandun tayong dalawa at nagtatrabaho din nandun din sya and working together with us para mas mapagaang ung responsibilidad na nakaatang sa mga balikat mo, at magagawa pa din nating maging masaya at maipagpatuloy ung relasyon natin. Pero…..hindi na un mangyayari kasi ngaun pa lang sinuko mo na ako, kasi ngaun pa lang pinanghinaan ka na ng loob sa kaya nating gawing dalawa para pagsabayin ung responsibilities mo at relasyon natin dalawa, wala eh minaliit mo agad ung kakayahan kong sumabay sa agos ng buhay mo.
Pangalawa…tungkol siguro sa kakaharapin nating layo sa isa’t-isa, kasi dito nga lang sa Saudi katumbas na natin ang nasa isang Long distance affair eh iniisip mo na pano pa kaya kung nasa pinas na ako at ikaw ay nandito. Dun lumitaw ung tiwala mo sa akin, you don’t trust me enough para hindi muna subukan kung anong mangyayari when I go back home, kung magbabago ba si Lisa, kung kalilimutan nab a nya ako when she go back home, na alam mong marami na akong mapagkakabalahan marami na akong makakasama at maaaliw ko na ang sarili ko kahit papaano hindi tulad ng nandito ako sa Saudi na halos sau lang umiikot ang mundo ko. Eto lang masasabi ko, hindi pa nga natin sinisimulan, malayo pa may ilang buwan pa, bago dumating ung araw na un, sinuko mo na ako, hinyaang mo ng masaktan ako at half of me ay magalit sau, half of me will be filled of too much anger for what have you done to me, for keep me hanging on something na hindi mo pa nasusubukan inayawan mo na agad, kahit isang taon pa ang intayin ko sau makakaya ko un, as long as maramdaman kong nanjan ka lang, nanjan ka lang at mahal pa ako, kasi ikaw mahal na mahal ko eh! Pero sabi ko nga, wala na un, kasi wala ka na din eh…
Isa pang naisip kong nagtrigger sau sa pag-iisip na baka hindi nating makaya na malayo sa isa’t-isa ng halos isang taon eh etong blog ko, ikaw ang may gustong malaman itong blog na ‘to, ikaw ang nagsabing lalawakan mo ang isip mo sa mga mababasa mo dito, ay! Oo nga at nilawakan mo ang pang-unawa at sa pagbasa ng mga laman nito nakakuha ng idea na pakawalan na lang ako para hindi na ako mahirapan, na dadalhin ko pa ung hirap na dinadala mo ngaun, thank you sa malawak na pang-unawa, kasi ng dahil dyan sa mga katwiran mo na hindi naman magkakaron ng impak sa akin ay nasaktan lang ako ng husto hindi sya nakabuti, bagkos sobra nun ako nasaktan at pinahirapan.
May mga realization lang akong mga naisip nung mga time na pinagtaguan mo ako ulit, but this time alam kong ako na ang dahilan nito, hindi na pamilya mo na sinabi mong pinagtataguan mo, hindi mo pa nga siguro ako mahal talaga, mahal man pero hindi pa sapat para maging lakas mo ako sa bawat pagsubok na kinakaharap mo, maging inspirasyon mo para bumangon at lumaban sa bawat hamon ng buhay na isipin mong kailangan kong lumaban at magsumikap para sa akin para magkasama na tayong dalawa, siguro hindi pa sapat ung pagmamahal na nararamdaman mo para magawa lahat ng yan, kaya sa simpleng bagay lang umayaw ka na, ikaw ang may sabi nung unang nadisapoint ako sau, na wag sana akong sumuko agad, na walang bibitaw kahit anong mangyari….anong nangyari sa mga salitang un???anong nangyari at ikaw nag unang bumitaw ngaun? Ikaw ang unang sumuko?
Pero sa lahat ng mga nangyari, sana isang araw dumating na makausa mo ako ulit, I’m willing, pakikinggan lang kita hindi na ako magkokomento pa, alam ko namang tapos na tayong dalawa eh, tanggap ko na un, gusto ko lang malaman bakit nangyari lahat ng ‘to, bakit mo nagawang sumuko agad, gusto ko lang malaman, at pagkatapos nun, you can continue your life without me, kung gusto mo ng kaibigan na makakausap, you can reach for me, kung kaya ko, sasagot ako…just clear it up before I finally go back home, that what I’m longing for from you for the last time…

December is my favourite month of this year.
Not only because it’s my twenty first birthday and Christmas, but Pookie Koo and I can go to shows worth going to again!
Starting with December 4th will be TRAPPED UNDER ICE at Opera House; then comes THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN’s on the 7th at the Mod Club, again just like their last one this year; following with NORMA JEAN and HORSE THE BAND the very next day at Opera House.
Unfortunately, because we want to save up our money for our Niagara Falls trip, which might be postponed to January, we won’t be attending the STICK TO YOUR GUNS show on December 1st.
That would have been such a badass way to start the month, ahhaha.
A bundle of money to save but it’s well worth it!

Speaking of my birthday, I get to pick up my free birthday gift from Sephora and Aerie.
Funny enough both of the presents include lip gloss, hahaha.
Hey, I don’t care as long as it’s cosmetics related, I’m good!

The gift card sent to me from Sephora.
As soon as the first day of December hits, I’m picking it up on the spot.
A set of three shades of lip gloss.
Nice!
By the looks of it I fell n love with the pink shade already, ahhaha.

Although the weather’s a bit gloomily shitty, I still have to attend the jeans photo shoot meeting with Marcus and the crew tonight.
Basically he wants to schedule a re-shoot because one of our models, Mike, left early for some troubles in his house.
Now that everything’s back to normal, or it SHOULD be, I’m confident that I can stay for this shoot unlike the last one.

Tuesday November 24, 2009 By Kevin Morrow

Hi everyone, what’s up?

Funny how I ask that question but I don’t really know your answer until you comment. So comment after you read this blog post and tell me what’s up. Here’s an even better idea, comment what you think about this topic.

I was on facebook and I saw this as a “status update” on my friends page. I thought I would talk about it especially since what I have to say wouldn’t fit on facebook.

So let’s get into this…

Why Are You Afraid to love?

I’ve heard some people say because they are not in control, and as a result they feel the other person is. Let’s look at this from TRUTH. If it is not perfect, unconditional love, it’s illusion. The reason a person would feel like they have no control has nothing to do with love. It has everything to do with fear of love. People are associating love with hurt and pain because they “think” that love can be taken from them.

Love cannot be taken from you. Love is something that is eternal within you, it doesn’t leave. The difference between love and “emotions” is that emotions are created by the mind that separates itself from the feeling of perfect love.

You are the only person that can control your reactions, so thinking somebody else is in control is in your own mind. If you believe things to be this way, that is the way it will be for you.

But check this out…If you love yourself, like perfect love DOES, you cannot be hurt by love. Hurt is the opposite of love and the opposite of love is not real. The opposite of love is an illusion of your mind. That’s why it doesn’t feel right.

Wherever there is fear, there is a calling out for LOVE.

Some say they are afraid of love because you can’t guarantee what will happen in the end. This is also an illusion. You can’t guarantee that you will wake up tomorrow but you still go to sleep. The only thing you can guarantee is that you control your reactions.

Love is not a thought, love is REALITY. This is why everybody seeks it, because they feel they are separate from it. Fears are thoughts. They come from a mind that “thinks” it is separated from love. If you didn’t think you were separated from love you would not have these fears. So the question to ask is, why do you feel like you are separate from love?

If you are afraid of love, you are most likely looking for love outside of yourself. From another person, or valentines day card, or roses, or chocolates, something external that has no real value. The real value of love is internal. That’s why people who love themselves do not fear love. Because they are love.

Think about it…The world is always changing, why would you look for love outside of yourself? It would always change. Your inner beliefs are what make the reality you “think” you see outside of your self.

You are afraid of love because you are afraid to take responsibility in the fact that it’s your fault that you are not experiencing it the way you know you should. This is what causes the conflict. The spirit is perfect love, the mind thinks it’s separated. The two cannot exist together because one of them is not real.

I’m not pointing fingers, I know this to be reality within myself, and this is how I heal my mind.

If I feel like love is outside of me, and I’m not responsible for whether or not I experience it correctly, then I will blame things, people,events, and I will create fear. None of these things are real, they all pass away.

It’s similar to associating success with a car. If you feel like you are successful because of a car, what are you after you don’t have the car, or grow tired of the car. Are you back down at the bottom of the barrel? Do you have to go out and get another car to be successful again.

The more you do something like that, the more you create illusions of reality for yourself. Love is the only reality there is, everything else is illusion. When I say Love, I mean perfect unconditional love. Not the love that is subject to the “perceptions” of the split mind, and the “gratifications” of the ego. I’m talking about the perfect love that everybody is pursuing without even realizing it.

The only way to heal fear of love is to forgive it’s existence. If you can forgive the fact that you see the fear in others, it begins to heal your mind. Once you realize that if you forgive the fear of love in others, you will begin to forgive the fear of love within yourself. This will heal your mind from the false reality that you are not LOVE.

The link below is to The Escape the Matrix Radio Show “Forgiveness is the New Sexy.”

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freeyourself/2009/11/15/forgiveness-is-the-new-sexy

First Steps in Music : San Luis Obispo

Post by Katherine

I hope you had a great weekend!  I received some great news recently, that I have a home for my new infant/toddler music class – The SLO Activity Center!

Infants & Toddlers: Explore simple bounces, authentic children’s folk songs, finger/toe-rhymes, wiggles, tummy tickles, beat motions, and lullabies that have been passed down for generations.  (Birth through 36 Months)

About the class:

First Steps in Music is a positive, fun, and gentle introduction to music and movement for infants & toddlers with their parents! The lessons inspire children to:

 

• Listen, feel, and move to music of all kinds
• Imagine! (through songs and movement)
• Interact socially with other children and their families
• Develop sensory awareness (language, motor, creative and social skills)
• Gain a wide repertoire of music.
• Smile, laugh, and have FUN!  (Parents, too!)

Wednesdays from 9:00 to 9:30 am

Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24.

165 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA

$96 for the eight week session. ($12/class, scholarships available!)

To register for the class (required), please contact Katherine Deakin at katherine.deakin@gmail.com or on her cell phone at (508) 579 – 6781 to get started!

Home Business the New Growth Sector – Why Now? Especially Now.

The world’s leaders have decided that our future is uncertain. Global recession…Global warming… Global Panic.
Well this little black duck will not take this lying down. A recession proof industry like Personal Development makes so much sense as to secure Your families, and their families families, future.
To be self reliant and accountable for your future; as it is always better off in Your hands. Today’s world is full of possibilities that could only be dreamed of by our parent’s generation. In a few short years communication technology has turned the average home into a well equipped global office. With video cameras, conference calling technology and full internet solutions the possibilities are endless to creating a successful business. Social networking sites such as facebook and twitter have given the Internet mass appeal across many generations. Communication is just so easy, accessible and Now.

E – Commerce is now huge business and the internet has created a level playing field that gives every business, large or small, the same opportunity for success. Consumers around the world are spending over $9,000,000,000 a year in commerce transactions over the Internet.
We are still in the early stages of this growth cycle and the demand is expected to grow even faster in the near future.
Home businesses are starting up every day in just about every country around the world and have become a viable way to create a successful business providing an income and security for Your family which is totally up to You, rather than the boss. It costs tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars to set up and run a conventional business.

Running a home based business on the other hand does cut costs quite dramatically. The Internet has the potential to reach customers from all around the world for a fraction of what a traditional business would spend. The Internet has come of age and just about everyone on the planet uses the internet for purchases, research, and employment amongst many other things. The slogan now is, if you want information, just ‘Google it’.

There is no such thing as ‘job security’ anymore. Your only job security is YOU. Smart people are looking for other options, options that suit the lifestyle they demand and they are creating it through legitimate and ethical home based businesses.
One needs to be self motivated and disciplined to have success at working at home as there is no ‘boss’ to check up on you to see if you’re doing what needs to be done. You are accountable for your own level of income.
It’s important to look and utilize mentors throughout your journey – Work with someone who’s already doing the business and having success, learn from them and duplicate exactly what they are doing, always though, put your own flair to what you’re doing and look to always improve; it’s natures way.
The Personal Development industry has been around for many years. Personal Development has been featured on the Ellen De Generes show, Larry King Live and has featured on Oprah many times. As people continue to strive for better results in life they lean more and more to work with coaches, mentors and trainers that can take their business to the next level. The industry has become so popular that over 19 billion US dollars worth of products were sold worldwide last year alone, so people are really looking for self improvement.

Do you dream of achieving your financial and emotional goals while working efficiently and ethically at home, working hours tailored around the lifestyle you dream of? We all do. Do You wish to achieve the work life balance tipped toward Life rather than work. We only have One Life. We must all strive to make it the best one we possibly can.
Personal Development is improving You to be the Best You there is.
Too many people settle for mediocrity when success and abundance is just around the corner.
Home Business is not the scary monster is use to be, as more and more professionals are heading this way, to give them back their lives, and not miss the one time to be there, when their children grow up. …or any other major family event.
That one event, that will never be repeated…don’t miss it.
Just remember; Ford, Microsoft and Coca Cola all started as home businesses.

About the Author:
Christine Greig has a true passion for assisting others to achieve their full potential in life through empowerment on all levels.
Chrissy runs a very successful international home based business in the booming personal development industry.
She shares a love of animals, people, traveling the world, attending Personal Development Seminars to name a few.
Chrissy and her lovely family currently reside on a property in beautiful Sunny Tamworth Australia when she is not traveling, and is Loving Life.

“Seeing people who I have mentored become wildly successful in all areas of their lives, is absolutely the best feeling…
there is no greater joy…I thank you all”

For more information and guidance on how You can become independently successful free call 1800 735559 or visit www.BestEverHomeBusiness.com

This. Is. PossiblythebestvideoI’veeverseen. This is what videos SHOULD look like. The song wasn’t that hot. I bought it when I Am… came out and I liked it, but it wasn’t THIS hot. Gaga set that shit on fire. They both look amazing and the dance break with the chairs, ugh, I melt.

Later, Cammie! There’s a new guy in town. Unforch, Santa Animal (So Budget!) isn’t into early gift giving.

32 days until we are together, swoooooon.

Friday night was a bittersweet (SO NOT BUDGET) evening for myself and those around me. It was Vanna’s birthday party, everything went off without a hitch until the champagne cab ride from hell (we popped champagne in a cab, get it?). I got out of the cab, but my camera didn’t… a sad occurrence for all parties involved because now we must wait until Christmas for the replacement camera to capture our youth.

*Bows head* Cammie is gone, but not forgotten and we certainly have enough pictures to remember him and his body of work.

Please hear me:  Marry me beautiful one.

May I be forever in your favor.

May I always flourish beneath your gaze,

And deign to kiss those lips of ruby red.

To touch your hair is to touch God’s own thrown.

Oh peace be still my ever stirring heart

That you may not burst at the sight of her.

And  filled with awe no motion comes from me

Yet still I quake.  Lost now, what shall I do?

I will sit in solemn rapture thinking

The Gift: A Physician-Photographer Speaks about Work, Life and Photography.

“There are two kinds of intellect; the first is acquired – You learn and your intellect grows superior. The other intellect is God’s pure gift; its heart is in the breast of the soul.” Rumi

Serendipity: the phenomenon of suddenly finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.

Photo: Bridge to ... Somewhere by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Bridge to…Somewhere” was taken at Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. That is one of my favorite places to visit for photography. In this photo, I made everything black and white but left the color of the purple flowers on the trees. I usually don’t like to play around with Photoshop too much on my photos, but I thought it worked well in this case. M.Ejercito

Grace Bay Beach Pier by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Grace Bay Beach Pier” was taken in Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. This is one of my personal favorites. I went for a wonderful walk along the beach with my family and was fortunate that this wonderful pier was on the property right next to where we were staying. M.Ejercito

A while back, I had made a commitment to write a series of get-to-know-you short interviews, where I ask the same/similar set of questions of remarkable people I have met on a range of social network sites; men and women who cherish the interactions they have with others and share their gift of communication by joining the social media conversation – each in his/her own unique way. My goal remains to share insights and stories from my interviewees and present the real people behind the many usernames that greet us on myriad sites.

Today, we meet the remarkable, gifted physician/photographer – Michael Ejercito. I added the definition of the word serendipity at the top of this post because it aptly describes how I met Michael. I was searching for photos on Google Images when I came across the photograph above. I stopped, astonished at the simple, stark beauty of the shot; heaven meeting earth with no obvious lines of demarcation. It was stunning and I followed it back to its source on Flickr. Serendipity led me back to Wisdoc, Michael’s username on Flickr, where I was greeted by a panoply of spectacular photographs; a visual feast for the eyes.

I invite you to kick back and enjoy the generosity of Michael’s story and photographs. A very busy medical doctor by training, Michael still finds time to engage in one of his favorite pastimes – photography. He has “loved photography ever since I owned my first camera when I was 7 and wasted rolls of film taking blurry pictures of my model airplanes.”

“Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.” Henri Cartier Bresson
“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” Aristotle

Family Baptisms: Michael, Karen and daughters via M. Ejercito

Foundation Questions:
Tell us a bit about your background: Who are you? Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
My name is Michael Ejercito. I’m 34 and married to my fantastic wife Karen Reed. We are parents to two wonderful daughters, Sierra (3 years), and Felicity (6 months). I was born in Manila, Philippines but my family moved to the United States when I was only 3 months old because my father, an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician, needed to complete his training in Virginia. We lived in Virginia for a few years then moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin; I was 4 years old and that’s where I grew up.

Marshfield is a nice quiet town right in the center of Wisconsin. Although my childhood roots were in Marshfield, I moved to Madison, when I finished high school, to complete undergraduate and medical school at the University of Wisconsin. After medical school, I moved to East Lansing, Michigan where I did my residency training specializing in Emergency Medicine; I met my beautiful wife – Karen – in East Lansing. Currently, we live in Janesville, which is in southern Wisconsin near the Illinois border.

What do you do for a living?
I am an Emergency Medicine physician. I work in 2 different hospitals in southern Wisconsin as well as in an urgent care center in northern Illinois. Most of the time, I really enjoy what I do. The difficult thing about my job is that I work all kinds of strange hours. I work some weekends and also work morning, midday, and overnight shifts and sometimes it is difficult to adjust to my ever-changing schedule. But, my work is never boring. I hear all kinds of interesting stories each day from all the patients I meet – some funny, some very sad…

Over the past few years, photography has become one of my passions and I would love to eventually make photographs on a professional level.

“Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.” Ansel Adams

Paco Park by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Paco Park” was taken in Manila, Philippines. This is a national landmark and a special place for me – that’s where my parents were married:) M.Ejercito

Healing: Rays of Light by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Rays of Light” is also one of my personal favorites. I was actually on my way to a lake in Madison, Wisconsin to take a picture of the sunrise. But on the way there, I realized that I would be too late for the actual sunrise but was pleasantly surprised by the scene that I found. Another example of how it’s not the destination but the journey that is important:) M.Ejercito

Why did you choose the path you now follow?
I come from a strong lineage of people who have worked or still work in the medical field. Both of my parents are physicians, as well as my maternal/paternal grandfathers, and one of my uncles. I always knew that I wanted to be a physician too. I had a difficult time choosing a specialty and so I chose Emergency Medicine since it encompasses a broad range of medical problems. I see all kinds of people as patients every day – from newborns to people over 100 years old and I cherish the great satisfaction I get from helping each person.

When did you decide to make key changes in your life?
I think that a key moment of change in my life was when I finally became a parent. After spending years focusing my life on improving myself (schooling and working), becoming a father made me significantly shift my priorities from myself and my wife to our first daughter; we had a new family dynamic. I had to sacrifice my already limited spare time and put my time and energy into helping raise my daughter. So far, it has been a wonderful change. We now have two beautiful daughters whom I love very much. We do have some challenging times, but a sweet smile or beautiful laugh makes all the trouble worthwhile. I cannot imagine life without them.

“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” Matt Hardy

Larkspur Star Trails by M. Ejecito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Larkspur Star Trails” was taken at my sister-in-law’s home in Larkspur, Colorado. I love long exposure photography. This particular photo was exposed for about 25 minutes in order to capture the motion of the stars as they rotate around the North Star. M.Ejercito

Family Pet: Ramona in Motion by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Ramona in Motion” was taken when I was experimenting with panning photographs. My dog Ramona loves to run and I wanted to capture her speed as she ran. This photo was taken with a shutterspeed of 1/25 of a second. While taking this photo, I had to swivel my camera to keep Ramona centered while the shutter was open to achieve this effect. M.Ejercito

Share your world view: How do you live your life and manage your household?
Our household is a very busy one. I work full-time and my wife, who is a Family Practice physician, also works full-time. Thankfully, we have a wonderful nanny who helps us out quite a bit when we are working. Juggling schedules is a daily concern especially with both of us being physicians with shifting work schedules; but we somehow always find a way to make it work. My parents live a few hours away and are usually very eager to help take care of our kids when something comes up. Despite our busy schedules, I do feel we get to spend plenty of quality time with our daughters. We also have a wonderful gentle Labrador retriever, Ramona, who completes our family.

“It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You need less imagination to be a painter, because you can invent things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the ordinary.” David Bailey

Bond Falls Tranquility by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

Water Under the Bridge by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Bond Falls Tranquility” was taken in the upper peninsula of Michigan. “Water Under the Bridge” was taken at Mulnomah Falls in Oregon. I love waterfalls! M.Ejercito

Reflective Questions:
What motivates you to get out of bed?
Most of the time, it is usually one of my daughters who wakes up and ushers in the new day. I’m not a morning person, but when I see them smile, I feel much better about starting the day. I think that, in general, the world is a beautiful place and there is so much to see and explore. Photography is also another reason to get up early and there is nothing like sunrise and the early morning light. It is a miracle watching the earth wake up from its slumber. Whether it’s coming home from a long overnight shift or exploring a beautiful scene while on vacation, being outside with nature in the morning is magical.

What makes you happy/laugh?
There are plenty of things that make me happy. Getting to spend quality time with my family is wonderful. Being active makes me happy – going for a nice run, biking, rollerblading, weightlifting – anything physical makes me happy. Of course, taking a nice picture makes me happy too. I’m also a huge sports fan – cheering for the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, or the Wisconsin Badgers teams makes me smile. A yummy meal with good friends or family also makes me happy.

What makes you sad/mad?
I think that one of the things that make me sad is realizing how quickly time goes by. It makes me sad to think that my little daughters will not stay little forever. It’s hard for me to deal with the fact that everyone that I care for will sooner or later grow old and die. I try to treat everyone I am in contact with throughout the day with respect; however, if that respect is not returned it upsets me.

“Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited and the wealth and confusion man has created.” Edward Steichen

Cannon Beach by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Cannon Beach” was taken on the coast of Oregon. I think the Oregon coast is one of the prettiest places in the world. This particular image was an 8 second exposure which I needed to capture the sense of motion of the waves there. M.Ejercito

Healing Hands: Piano Light Paint by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Piano Light Paint” is an example of a photographic technique called light painting. My mother was kind enough to be the model for this photo:) This photo was taken in a dark room. The camera was set for the shutter to be open for about 10 seconds. During this time, I used a flashlight to illuminate the piano. The hands were illuminated for about 5 seconds and then my mother removed her hands from the photo to achieve the ghostlike effect of her hands. M.Ejercito

What would you do differently with your life if you had the power? With the world if you had the choice?
There really isn’t very much that I’d do differently with my life – I’m very content with where my life has taken me. I wouldn’t mind working less and getting to spend more time with my family. I also regret not having the chance to play football when I was in high school. My parents were very protective of me and I definitely understand their concern for me getting hurt while playing; their concern is now underscored by what I see as a physician especially when patients come to my ER because of injuries from playing football. But I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have played…

As far as changes with the world, I wish that people in general would be more tolerant of each others differences. Someone once suggested to me that the root of all wars in this world is intolerance of others. I wish people could look past differences in race, religion, and culture, and realize that we all have more in common than we are different.

What guiding principle(s) do you follow to make your life meaningful?
The Golden Rule: I’m always a firm believer of doing unto others as they would do onto you. Whether I’m interacting with family or friends, or whether I’m dealing with patients in the ER, I try to put myself in their shoes and treat them the way I imagine they would want to be treated.

I know this is another cliché, but I do believe in enjoying the journey of life and not necessarily the destination. I do find that I struggle with that sometimes. For example, when I am dealing with two screaming kids in the middle of the night, I realize that I need to just smile and treasure the moment. Time passes in the blink of an eye and before I know it, those screaming kids will be in college and I will miss the chance to see them at all hours of the night!

“No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer it has chosen.” Minor White

End of the Road by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“The End of the Road” was taken on Highway 128 near Moab, Utah. To me, this is one of the most scenic highways in the United States. M.Ejercito

Water Reflections: Patrick and Eamon on the beach by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Patrick and Eamon on the beach” was taken while we were visiting the Oregon coast a few years ago. Patrick is my brother-in-law and Eamon is his son. Sometimes wonderful moments can occur when you least expect it. In this photo, a wave had just washed ashore and I was fortunate to capture their reflection – a moment later their reflection was gone. M.Ejercito

What word(s) of advice would you give to others today?
Yet another cliché – life is a marathon, not a sprint. When I was in high school, I was a sprinter on our track team and that was how I looked at life; one huge sprint. I worked hard to accomplish my short-term goals. But as I’ve grown a bit older, I’ve come to realize that life is hard work. If you want to accomplish your dream, you really do have to put in the time and energy to get to where you want to be. And it won’t necessarily happen overnight. However, through persistence and focus, you can reach your goals. These days, I have converted my running style as well as my goals in life to a more “long distance” mentality.

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a good person overall. I’d like to be known as a great husband and father. I’d like my colleagues to remember me as intelligent, hardworking, and easygoing.

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” Diane Arbus

Bohol Beach Awakens by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

In Repose: Bohol Beach by M. Ejercito (Wisdoc) via Flickr

“Bohol Beach” was taken on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. Last year, I was fortunate to get a chance to visit the Philippines with my family. Although I was born there, I was 3 months old when we moved from the Philippines to the U.S. I’ve only been back to the Philippines twice since then. I’d love to go back and spend more time there! M.Ejercito

Happiness is…..?
Getting to snuggle in bed with my wife and two daughters all cuddled up together on one half of the bed. It is always wonderful to come home after a long day of work and get a nice hug and kiss from my wife, hear the excited voices of my daughters, and be greeted with plenty of licks from our dog Ramona. Happiness is also getting the opportunity to enjoy Nature’s beauty – from the mountains and oceans, sunrises and sunsets, and the changing seasons – it is wonderful being able to experience it all!
Michael and his beautiful family live in Janesville, Wisconsin where, in between the grueling demands of a physician’s life, he finds time to pursue his passion for photography. You may connect with him via Wisdoc on Flickr.

Do you have a hobby that has grown into something more? Share your thoughts and comments on Michael’s piece or your own efforts at the creative process. Thank You!

Here’s wishing everyone a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING holiday!

PHOTO CREDITS
All Photographs above taken by Michael Ejercito ~ via Wisdoc on Flickr
Happy Thanksgiving bountiful basket postcard ~ via zazzle.com

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank