LOVE YOU MORE

March 30, 2020kyung jung

photo above by Hendry @hendryyadhisna in Seoul, Korea July 8th, 2019 — photo *above* by Hendry @hendryyadhisna in Seoul, Korea July 8th, 2019

Hey there~

Last week was tough for me. There are all kinds of worries and disappointing news pouring in, my heart was filled up with anxiety. It almost felt like I was wandering around blindfolded in the woods. Trying to find a way out, but not sure which direction is right… What a scary nightmare it is if it was a dream!

And then, I found this picture on my laptop that brought me a big smile. My boys were embarrassed to give me a kiss when the photographer asked (Thank you Hendry!) them to pose for our annual family portrait session last summer. They probably thought that I had taken it away (as an out taker~) from our coffee table book selection. Ha! In fact, I thought it was a little silly that two high school boys would kiss their mom for a picture. But this little slice of a magic moment was exactly what I needed to see to remind myself that there is something to look forward to. Someday, even today will become a story to tell our grandchildren 😊!!

Sometimes, you need an extraordinary occasion to realize what really matters. Being able to stay at home with the (not so little) children until what feels eternity is the dream that you always secretly wanted to have. I mean there is no soccer practice to run to, no client meeting to prepare, and no other events that interfere with your well-deserved quality time with the family! Isn’t it what the modern busy life always lack?

On top of making three meals a day, watching an episode of “Reply 1988” per night with the boys, taking a walk outside… there are so many fun things I CAN do that I never had the time for before!

I started organizing my phone pictures. I have 500GB worth of pictures and videos on my phone - if you are like me, you must waste almost 40 hours a day scrolling up and down to find one picture that you want to show your mom. While doing that, I want to finish up our last vacation to Seoul Korea and Hawaii movies. And oh, I want to review all my previous session images (of my clients) and find some hidden treasures to surprise them - just like it did to me😊. Also, I want to try some new Indian recipes and update my home office and mudroom. How about the six-packs I always dreamed of? While I keep social distancing all along, I want to virtually connect many many face time with my parents, sister, brother, and all other friends! Can’t you tell my to-do list is getting way too long already without stepping one toe outside of my house? There is no time for disappointment. Let’s rock it!

Because it is the now that I don’t want to miss. I will stay at home gladly and love everything more!

“Life is made up of a collection of moments that are not ours to keep.
The pain we encounter throughout our days spent on this earth comes from the illusion that some moments can be held onto.
Clinging to people and experiences that were never ours in the first place is what causes us to miss out on the beauty of the miracle that is the now. All of this is yours, yet none of it is. How could it be? Look around you. Everything is fleeting.

To love and let go, love and let go, love and let go...it's the single most important thing we can learn in this lifetime.”

- Rachel Brathen

Until next time, be well ~ friends ❤️

xoxo, Kyung

categories personal
tags personal, family, memory

My turn

October 22, 2017kyung jung

Frankly, I had never used my big camera to take my boys' pictures until very recently. I had done it few times when they had big events at school - I would take my long lens and big camera to photograph the event.

When they were young, they hated when Mom took her big camera out because that meant it was time for her to leave and go to work. And for many years, they showed no interest in being photographed by their mom. It was also hard for me to pick up the camera and “work” with my own children because the time I have with them is limited to when I am not supposed to work. I also never take the big camera when we travel because I want to live in the moment instead of capturing what I see through a lens. Luckily, my phone comes in handy dandy to capture those precious memories.

We have done family portraits by wonderful photographers for last ten years, so the documentation of our family has been well kept. But it was this year, when they went from playing with Legos and watching the Magic School Bus to finding their passion for their instruments when I realized I needed to capture an image of them myself.

As a mother, watching your kids doing something that they love is so rewarding. As a musician (I play piano^^), listening to your children playing their instruments is pure joy. As a photographer, capturing their passion and love is the undeniable mission.

Last summer, when they auditioned for youth orchestra, I made up my mind to finally pick up my camera to work with them. So one evening, I brought my boys to the studio, and we had a blast playing music and taking pictures. I wanted to share the result with the world. Now I feel that motherly pride first hand –it was one of the most rewarding "WORKS" I have ever done.