Sheila Bocchine, Photographer

Pinhole photograph of a flag on a pier in Santa Monica, California.
*****

I’ve started taking Salsa lessons on Sunday evenings at a little place called ‘Turn’ in Suwon.  I’ve always loved watching dancers…at a performance, in a club, on TV, in a musical, on youtube, at a show, on random street corners, at burlesque shows, in plays, in my living room, at a party…

I tried taking swing dancing lessons once but my dance partner wasn’t as enthusiastic as I, thus resulting in a never ending yearning to learn some form of organized dance.  I’ve had 2 lessons and am delighted to report that I know my basic steps and turns! AND when I dance with the instructor I even feel like I know what I’m doing, obviously he’s a terrific leader and I just follow, but the feeling is there!

After our lesson the club is transformed into a spectacle of colorful spin-tops twirling across the dance the floor. Feet repeat the pattern never missing a beat.  The cadence of dance shoes compliment the rhythm of horns and drums.  Hips swing you into a mesmerizing, hypnotizing gaze…

If you wish to partake, Turn is located by Hwaseong Fortress and The Big Chill and start at 5:30.

Pinhole photograph of roses outside of the Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara, California.
*****

This pinhole photograph was taken on a perfect day. With my love, in our perfect yellow VW Bug, driving up the most perfect road, weaving in and out of perfect hidden mansions, palm trees and tropical flowers…  I look at this photograph and wonder what happened?

…and my mind draws a blank.

Time is a perplexing concept, so much can happen in such a short period.  If you asked me on that day, where I saw myself in the next few months, I would have said living in gorgeous Santa Barbara, California, doing pinhole portraits of those free spirited residents. South Korea wasn’t yet a thought conceived.

In the past 3 months, I’ve made decisions that have changed my future indefinitely. Decisions I never thought possible (especially on the day of this photograph).  Decisions, that I chose to execute, leaving me in tears.  Decisions that I question daily.

I’ve started a new journey.  Alone.  I don’t know where I’m going.  I don’t know what I’m looking for.  I don’t know what happens next.

I’m sure of three things.  I travel.  I pinhole my adventures. I dream (out loud, in my sleep, on paper).

Good bye perfect day of the past.  You seem like a lifetime ago.

Pinhole photograph in Santa Barbara, California.

*****

Life is truly wonderful. Korea is such an amazing little corner of the world. Who know a such a small speck on the globe could deliver so much happiness. I’ve been having too much fun to blog, so I wanted to jot down a few joyous moments from the past few months to remember always:

*Many, many, many nights spent making memories in The Big Chill, my home away from home! (Quiz night, Acoustic night, going away parties, poker nights, shots lit on fire…)

*Dancing with drag queens in Itaewon… has happened a few times in the last few months! Oh, how I envy those long legs!

*Finding the perfect salon and getting a super fantastic haircut! I’ll definitely be going to Hair & Joy in Hongdae from now on!

*Listening to jazz at the most perfect little bar in Itaewon. The music is inspiring and the drinks are strong (Thanks Gregory)!!

*Hot springs in Asan, even thought the massage left me with bruises, the magic mineral water left my skin super soft and touchable!

*Hot chocolate machines on all train platforms! There is nothing better than grabbing a hot cup of cocoa to go whilst waiting for the train!

*Quick, quick, slow! Quick, quick, slow! Learning to salsa dance!

*A champagne party in an empty theater in Suwon! How deliciously divine!

*Norebong! Norebong! Norebong! I can’t get enough of those magical singing rooms!

*Byoungju’s magic tricks! Be prepared to be amazed, I’m not sure how he does it!

*Watching the first sunrise of the new decade with great friends on a mountain top in Seoul.

*Dancing! Dancing! Dancing! Korean clubs are such a blast!

*The Drunken Tigers! May we win Quiz Night at least once (but I’ll settle for complimentary looser shots too)!

*Being reunited with an iphone!

*Watching Kim Yuna make figure skating history and being able to share the happiness with my students!

*Finding a way to watch LOST all the way in South Korea

*New K-pop songs. I just can’t get enough of those catchy tunes!

*The never ending quest to find the perfect lip color…

*Yoga! Yoga! Yoga! I love it! AND then the two hours in the sauna!! Pure heaven!

*Learning poker… I’d say I’m starting to get pretty good! Watch out boys…

*Finding a place with scrumptious quesadillas in Seoul.

*Going all the way to Korea to see the largest collection of Andy Warhol pieces.

*Learning to love soju and bean paste…

*My first Korean wedding (totally different from all the weddings I shot in the States).

*Being so happy that I am signing another year and am looking forward to even more years…