Sheila Bocchine, Photographer

*I read an article this week the blew my mind. Sometimes, when I’m not focused, I forget, anything is possible.  ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!  You must read this! It was exactly what I needed to get me out of my funk.

*Painting with shadow and light is possible. These are so impressive.  If you haven’t seen them yet, be prepared to be wow’d!

*Taxidermy without animal cruelty is possible. I totally want one of these for my apt.

*It is possible to make the world a more gorgeous place using street art.

*Cooking up a rainbow is possible. This video is fantastic:

Lurpak – Lightest from Blink on Vimeo.

*A secret document that transformed China was possible.

*It was possible to win The Spot Challenge.

*It is possible to leave behind a legacy of incredible photographs that will inspire and teach future generations. Thank you for your work as photojournalists, documenting the things that happened during your lifetimes, Eve Arnold and Homai Vyarawalla.

I’ve been learning about Buddhism for quite some time and the more I learn, the more I want to learn. The philosophies and teachings resonate with me, making me a better person. Part of what I love about living in Asia is the easy access to knowledge, temples and Buddhas.

The Buddha at Tian Tan is the world’s largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Big Buddha statue. I took the cable car to the top, opting for the crystal cabin (glass bottom). I felt like I was in a floating glass balloon, hovering atop turquoise water, dangling above treetops, and disappearing into grey clouds. The first glimpse of Buddha nestled peacefully among the trees and rolling mountain tops was an incredible sight. He’s one of the few Buddha’s that face North.

I ducked into a gift shop to buy some winter gloves, as I wasn’t expecting it to be freezing up there. If I wanted to take any photos I needed warm fingers! I meandered in and out of over priced gift shops, taking the chance to warm up where I could. I reached the gorgeous Big Buddha and climbed the 240 steps to the top, stopping along the way to photograph and pinhole.

At the top people were doing sun salutations, and sitting posed like Buddha himself. Tourist destinations bring people from all over the world and I love listening to their conversations, their beautiful words, their sexy accents. I’m always asked to take photographs of happy couples, and delight in the fact that my photographs are in numerous vacation albums worldwide.

It started to sprinkle and that was my cue to head back down (I melt in the rain). The cable car back was intense. I could only see clouds. I was sitting in a glass box, completely surrounded by clouds. It was truly spectacular.

To view the complete album, click here.

Windows of the World is a fabulous little theme park in Shenzhen, where you can travel (walk) around the world.  Unfortunately you don’t get to collect the coveted stamps in your passport, but hey, you don’t have to sit next to a screaming baby for 16 hours either!

Overall I thought it was a great way to spend the day.  Some of the attractions were more cared for than others (NYC definitely needed a hug and a good cleaning). They could have put a little more effort into the details, and put a western toilet in America.  We don’t know how to use squatter potties! I’d go again if my visiting guests were dying to check it out (of if they’d let me do a pinhole series of the miniatures… I’m still working on that, but you know, language difficulties).

Angkor Wat.

The same little people used through the park.

Japan.

Hungry Koi.

Taj Mahal, India.

Obligatory self-portrait in Venice. I looked everywhere for the gondolas…

Pisa, Italy (I’ve actually climbed to the top when I was a kid).

The Eiffel Tower and the view from the top.

Egypt.

Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota.

Brazil.

To view the complete album of photos, click here.

Now that I live in China, I’m trying to learn more about Chinese artists and contemporary Chinese art. So I will occasionally post my findings for you to learn as well.

*In Shanghai you can see a break-dancing Confucius by Zhang Huan. Although the exhibit sounds really interesting,  I don’t understand most of it, probably due to my lack of knowledge in Chinese history.

*A small city in China, Lianzhou, about 5 hours from where I live, has been holding it’s Foto Festival every fall for the last 7 years. I love what they’re doing. They wanted their city to be known for something and chose photography! The curator and assorted yearly co-curators are quite distinguished in their fields, so the festival is quickly becoming a must-see.

This is one of my favorite lines from the article:

For 2011, Phillips and Duan Yuting fixed on the theme of “Toward the Social Landscape,” focusing on documentary photography. This may seem a little worn to a Western audience used to the work of U.S. photographers like Lee Friedlander and Diane Arbus, but in the context of a rapidly evolving China where society’s borders are ever fluid, documenting the social landscape still possesses a real and vital urgency.

This is such a wonderfully exciting time for China. I love documentary photography and wish to do my part using my pinhole camera. Read the article. Do a little research on the photographers that strike your fancy.

*Accidental Chinese Hipsters – is a blog I check weekly! For those who care less about fashion and more about wearing what makes you feel good, then you’ll probably love this spunky collection of photographs.

(Part 2)

Ronja, Manu and myself inquired at every hotel we passed by for a room.  No such luck. We happened to run into a jogger who walked us to Kowloon Park.  We thanked him and found the perfect sleeping spot behind some trees.  We slept peacefully with the sounds of birds singing in the background. A security guard spotted us and told us we had to leave.  It turns out that we were in a bird sanctuary! We slept next to flamingos! Beautiful flamingos dancing in the early morning light of the new year, sunlight bouncing off their smooth, pale pink feathers.

We went to Starbucks, ordered coffee, plugged in our iPhones and camera batteries and drifted off to sleep for the next two hours. Once awake, we piled into a taxi and headed into Central Hong Kong to watch the Record Breaking Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza! Guinness Book of World Records was there. 88 dragons. 15 lions. A new world record! It was brilliant!

Finally we headed up to The Peak to catch a glimpse of Hong Kong from above. We watched the sun set and the transformation from day to evening as the lights below twinkled on.

Too cold and tired to do anything else, we found ourselves with the most knowledgeable taxi driver in all of Hong Kong. Instead of having to take the metro back to Shenzhen, he drove us the bus station and informed us about a bus that goes directly to Shenzhen. He was a life-saver with a few jokes up his sleeve as well.

Hong Kong is amazing, dare I say, my new favorite city?!?!!

To see the complete album, click here.

Fireworks! Glamour! Champagne! All night parties! Confetti! Midnight kisses! New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday and has been since my parents gave me nose-tickling Spumante and shiny noise-makers as a child. I’ve celebrated in numerous cities around the world, in the most wonderfully memorable locations!

This year was celebrated in Hong Kong! Ronja, Amber, Michelle, Kevin and myself crossed the border from Shenzhen through No Where and into Hong Kong, hopped on a train and exited into a world of glittery holiday lights and police barricades. With magic on our side we found a darling restaurant with a table for 5, followed by a most brilliant spot to OOoh and AAahhhh at every colorful burst of pyrotechnic wizardry.

While drinking a bottle of bubbly we asked a friendly face to snap a group photo. This German man soon joined our group and together we roamed the streets of Hong Kong looking for adventure. The first bar we wandered into said there no tables, we said we’d wait, but tables were immediately available for natives. We kept walking. The second bar, which saw an explosion of confetti on their sidewalk looked promising. We sat down and were given a menu with beers costing 80-90RMB! That’s absolute robbery. We knew their tricks and asked for a Chinese menu but when they refused, we left.

The night was young and with beer in our hands we continued our quest… and from a distance we saw a jumble of neon lights. Dodging double decker buses we hurried across, being delightfully swallowed into a street oozing with happiness and drunken banter. A table appeared in front of Pattaya BBQ. Laughter, drinks, grilled squid, mushrooms and eggplant were in abundance.

Sunrise drawing near we bid farewell to our cozy drinking spot and looked for a place to sleep. Paying for a KTV room for a few hours seems like the most logical except, it was closed. Next we inquired at nearby sauna’s, but unlike sauna’s in Korea, these are for men only. So half of the group took the subway home, but myself, Ronja and Manu stayed behind.

To be continued!

*Also, I get to cross off one part of #7 on my 32 before 33 list. Go to Hong Kong – check!

To see the complete album, click here. 

A few weeks ago, I went to Da Fen painting village in Shenzhen, China.  It was incredible.  I’m definitely going back with my pinhole camera and a million rolls of film. So today, on Tuesday, I will highlight my favorite 10 photos from Da Fen Painting Village.

Da Fen is a neighborhood teeming with art galleries and painting studios. Painters create some original paintings but mostly reproductions that are sold around the world. You know, those Van Gogh reproductions and paintings you see in shopping mall art galleries and Target.  Yup, painted right here in Shenzhen, the city I live in. The neighborhood was beautiful, inspiring and full of amazing photo opps! I bought a gorgeous painting of a bird.

If you want to see the whole album, click here.

Da Fen Painting Village, Shenzhen, China. A painter, painting in his studio, basically a stairwell closet. He inspired me. I imagined that he must paint or he’d explode and therefore found the only space available.  Just shows you can make art anywhere!

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So keeping up with my projects for this year I decided to do one new thing every day for 30 days, every 30 days.  For December I chose not to drink for 30 days. Although I might have a glass of wine on Christmas Eve.  AND!  Thanks goodness for me, New Year’s Eve is on the 31st!

So far, so good. The last drink I had was on my birthday, which was December 1st. Okay… technically if I really follow the rules I shouldn’t drink until January 1st, but it’s the holidays, so I’d say this is a major accomplishment.

I’m trying to think of something to do in January for 30 days. I’m thinking, 30 days of salads! That would be a challenge, but fun and interesting.  Just think of the delicious combinations that could transpire.

I am accepting ideas for other 30 day projects!

Recipe 29, 30, 31 and 32 of 30! I had a goal of posting 30 gluten free, primarily vegetarian, Italian recipes that my grandmother makes before I left for China.  We made more than 30!  Whoo hoooooo!!! Although 2 of these are not gluten free.

As I’m finishing up this project…. only 3 months later…. I’m feeling totally homesick.  Even with Nana yelling at me all summer and poking me with knives to get out of her way in the kitchen, this past summer was really wonderful and I miss seeing my family. My next trip home will most likely be Summer of 2013. Let the countdown begin!

Today we’re making Strawberries (the only way I remember them being prepared), Asparagus with Eggs, Italian Grilled Cheese and my mom’s amazing Macaroni Salad (it’s a must make at least once while I’m home).

Strawberries

(Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

Ingredients:

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A wall in Da Fen painting village, Shenzhen, China.
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Inspiration from me to you.

Thermal Glass Igloos Offer Views of the Northern Lights at Finland’s Hotel Kakslauttanen – Oh my gosh! I’d totally brave the cold to sleep in this hotel.

Tiago Barros Designs a Passing Cloud that Lets You Float Through the Sky – I’ll be the first in line when it arrives in China!! It’s everything my dreams are made of.

Tina Bark Designs – One day I shall own numerous pieces! The Flower Ring is still one of my favorites and if I had a lover, I’d totally buy him the cufflinks.

The Bubble Calendar – I find such pleasure in the pop-pop-popping of bubble wrap and since I never know what day it is, this calendar is a must!

60 Tiny Love Stories to Make You Smile – Just beautiful.

Black and White Portraits of the Homeless by Lee Jeffries – The details and tones of these images are absolutely stunning.

Anonymous donors pay off Kmart layaway accounts – I cried. It made me want to pay it forward and do something to better the world. The generosity of strangers is truly powerful.

Charlene Kingston shares her bookmark directory titled ‘Pursuit of Happiness’, an amazing collection of tips for finding happiness in your daily life.

Nana. Coffee with the old ladies…  I mean coffee ladies! I post this glamourous photo of my grandmother as a reminder while I complete my first list of the new year to make sure I always have as much fun as she does. I mean, how could you not have fun while making bras out of napkins!

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Another year, another list! I’ve writen out my list of 32 things I want to accomplish before I turn 33 and I’m excited to start crossing them off!

1. Learn how to make pickles.

2. Find a way to chop onions without crying.

3. Get a beautiful birdcage and fill it with birds. Or get one huge talking parrot. Or buy a bird for my classroom. Or fill my apt with bird decor…

4. Learn how to do a french braid… better. Oh, and a maiden braid!

5. Learn how to poach an egg.

6. Do a self portrait project. 1 self portrait a month for the year.

7. Go to Hong Kong. Shanghai. Beijing. Guangzhou. And at least one other place in China.

8. Host 6 dinner parties to celebrate life with friends!

9. Learn about wine via a wine appreciation class or wine tasting group.

10. Perfect my left hand writing skills.

11. Get my teeth cleaned.

12. Have a photography exhibit in China.

13. Find the post office in China and send lots of postcards.

14. Buy a new Zero Image Pinhole Camera from Zernike Au himself.

15. Stay in the Shanghai Shimao Wonderland and/or Mausoleum Inn, Tianzi Hotel, Hotel of Modern Art.

16. Get published at least 10 times.

17. Write a book.

18. Do a juice fast.

19. Have a picnic, fly a kite.

20. Read at least 12 books and make note of what I read.

21. Teach my students the words/dance to one super rad song for Monday morning flag raising.

22. Design and print a ‘best of Korea’ photography book. Including trip to Philippines and Thailand.

23. Learn how to say my address in Chinese and learn basic Chinese.

24. Master the squatter potty. First in a dress, then in pantyhose and finally in pants.

25. Find at least 5 (1,2,3,4,5) dishes I enjoy in China AND be able to order them in Chinese.

26. Continue my dream journal.

27. Try to do something new for 30 days, every 30 days.

28. Start and complete one new pinhole photography series.

29. Play the abundance game.

30. Start and end my day with meditation.

31. Start an herb garden.

32. Find someone with whom I only correspond via long flowery letters. Introductions welcomed!

Cute bubble tea cafe wall in Shenzhen, China.

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Only 2 days until my birthday! So, let’s recap and update my list! I completed 21 out of 31 items.

I’ll post my new list, 32 before 33, on Thursday!!

1. Go to the Philippines Went in January/Feburary.
2. Visit my family in America Spent 2 months at home over the summer.
3. Go to Thailand Went in May/June.
4. Get my CELTA or be in the process of getting Attempted… almost died… I’m sure you’ve heard the story a dozen times.
5. Read 31 books (or at least 20) I’m crossing it off. I’ve read at least 20 books this year, even if most of them were online! Next year I’ll keep track of what I read.
6. Send a secret to Post Secret I have it ready to go, when I find a post office in China, I’ll mail it!
7. Send more postcards
8. Make my own postcards — never got around to doing this.
9. Get published at least 10 times — didn’t make it to 10, but here’s another:
A portrait of Epsit was featured on Aweh. I was published 5 times, good enough for me!
10. Have a photography exhibit in Seoul Had one in April.
11. Learn to swing dance Learned in the spring.
12. Become an advance salsa dancer I’m crossing this off because since arriving to China, I’ve learned how to do Salsa 1. So now I can dance on 1 and dance on 2. That makes me advanced
13. Continue being vegetarian — If I don’t eat lunch at school I am vegetarian.
14. Buy a polaroid camera — I didn’t do this yet. I still have 2 more days, I’ll go look for one tomorrow.
15. 10 on Tuesday every Tuesday — Meh. It’s sporadic. A good idea, but like most things I do, not consistent.
16. Go to Penis Park in South Korea — I didn’t get to do this before I left Korea
17. Swim with sharks — Didn’t get to do this either
18. Get my teeth cleaned — Eeek… it’s on my list again for this year and I’ve already started to inquire about an English speaking dentist!
19. Watch ‘Mad Men’ (have been dying to watch this) Watched every episode this summer! Where is my Don Draper! Absolutely fell in love with him! New season starts soon. Swoon!
20. Experience my new photo postcard business idea thrive — Never started it. Not sure what this one was about…
21. Sell an endless number of photographs — I sold quite a few photographs through my boutique. Take a look if you’re in the market for some new art.
22. Get back in the habit of daily meditation — Can’t cross this off… it’s also been sporadic. I’ll try harder this year
23. Make daily entries in my dream diary I have. But not all in the same place…
24. Spend one day smiling at everyone I’ve done it a few times! People don’t know what to do when a stranger is smiling at them!
25. Go to a Bang Bang Room in Korea Went with Joey and my students in the Spring.
26. Solve the Rubik’s Cube Thanks Tobias!! You totally rock!
27. Release more weight! I released 20 pounds this year!
28. Build up my already great jazz collection Oh yeah I did! So much good stuff in my iTunes!
29. Go to Everland to see why my students love it so much Went in April.
30. Do a portrait project of my friends in Korea I did.
31. Say Thank You! Be thankful everyday for at least one thing! Oh yea! Everyday!

Recipe 28 of 30! I have a goal of posting 30 gluten free, primarily vegetarian, Italian recipes that my grandmother makes before I leave for China. Today we made Gnocchi… obviously not gluten free… and I’ve been gone for 3 months… I can’t believe I haven’t blogged in that long, just been busy exploring China and teaching my 4 year olds!

But I’m back!  I’m going to finish posting this series and update you on the wonders of China!

Gnocchi

(Vegetarian )

Ingredients:
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Recipes 26 and 27 of 30! I have a goal of posting 30 gluten free, primarily vegetarian, Italian recipes that my grandmother makes before I leave for China. Today we made Tortellini alla Panna and Artichokes. Two of my favorite recipes… notice a trend? Sorry no way to make tortellini gluten free… unless they make gluten free tortellini??  Hmmm, I’ll have to look into that.

While we were making dinner tonight Nana told me the first time she saw tortellini she was 20 years old.  She bought them, asked how to prepare them and the was told to put them in boiling water and when they float, they’re ready.  Well, she put them in the water and they were floating right away, so she took them out and served them.  Her mom said ‘These are not cooked”.  She later found out that they have to be cooked for about 6-8 minutes, but they always float! Ha!

Can you believe we’re already this far, almost 30 recipes!! I might be on a plane, heading to China when you read this!!

Tortellini alla Panna

(Vegetarian)

Ingredients:
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Recipes 23, 24, and 25  of 30! I have a goal of posting 30 gluten free, primarily vegetarian, Italian recipes that my grandmother makes before I leave for China. Today we made Spinach Frittata, Risi e Bisi (Rice and Peas, a dish from Venice), and Rice and Potato Soup.  I had to redeem myself since I’ve posted a few recipes that weren’t gluten free.

These are all simple and delicious. When I think of comfort food, these come to mind first.

Spinach Frittata

(Gluten Free, Vegetarian)

Ingredients:
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