End of May Weekend

Saturday

Before I continue rambling my Saturday-venture and before the weekend started, here's a brief story of how all my weekend plans bloomed.
It was a Thursday night. I was already tucked in bed and was in the midst of uploading photos on my vsco journal then I got a pop-up notification. It was an invitation from VSCO to attend Kevin Russ Book Tour. I opened it and RSVPED. End of story.

My day started pretty late. - bc I chose to get up late - I stayed in bed for the whole morning and half of the afternoon. I spent those hours thinking and debating whether I should go out and head to downtown LA or just stay home, and maybe watch Netflix.

Kevin Russ is a travel photographer. He uses his iPhone most of the time to take photos. He said his iPhone is handy and it fits into his pocket. He travels mostly with his friends or alone. My travel life peg.

Photographer Kevin Russ abandoned everyday life for an epic solo road trip up and down the Pacific coast. Shooting exclusively on his iPhone and editing with VSCO Cam®, he captured wildlife, rural scenery, and the quiet, contemplative moments that define life on the road.

Check out all his work on his Instagram @kevinruss

So by 3pm I searched up Kevin Russ on google and I found videos of his adventures from 2012 to 2014. I watched all of them on Vimeo. All videos inspired me and kinda encouraged me to go and meet him.
My inner sunshine told me that maybe this is one of those once in a lifetime moments.
So I did. I rushed to the bathroom, got ready and took off with my backpack.

I left 3:45pm and got in downtown la at 4:30pm. I rode the metro bus and train plus the waiting game was pretty much long to sum it all up.
I trekked from Pershing Square station to 8th street, where the café is located. It was a long walk and I took photos on my way and listened to my favorite playlist on Spotify so it was a good walk. Plus I was half running when I was still on the 6th street and it was already 4:42 pm.

The event starts at 2pm to 5pm.

When I got there, thank God it was not crowded, the café was spacious, the interior was relaxing that I'd totally go back there and spend a day there, and man it was hot!
The first thing I did was I went straight to the table where the supervisor of vsco was at. I introduced myself and we chatted for a bit. I RSVPed and then they gave me a vsco card as they sponsored verve coffee or expresso. I chose espresso!

It was my first time there and I couldn't believe I didn't know about that café.
It's a pretty place to hang out with your coffee buddies or chill with your friends.
It took me forever to approach Kevin Russ because he was still talking to other people.
The whole time when I was having my espresso, I was thinking of Blair Waldorf. Why? because in this type of situation, she would just go up to a person and introduce herself and tada! A fun conversation is born.
Damn. I was being a dork again.

Fast forward to where I and Kevin Russ finally were introduced to each other. THANK GOD he initiated the conversation! haha, I honestly didn't know how to start talking when I was right in front of him.

My question was what's his favorite place he has been or his most visited place. Then he started talking about how he can't tell what his favorite place he had ever been because all were amazing and beautiful and fun, he said. I can tell he is a passionate man. I saw how his eyes sparkled and his smile was genuine while telling his travels to me. And it was contagious! I wished I recorded our convo tho. haha

We have similarities like we love to be out and explore unknown places with or without friends and not minding if we get lost or where the road take us. I told him about my recent travels and we just clicked from there. It was awesome!
He is absolutely one of the people I look up to!
I will buy his book by the end of June and I can't wait for that.
The best part of meeting him was when I asked him to show me how he edits his beautiful photos! And he did without hesitation! He was glad I ask! Learning from the best is fun and encouraging.
I showed him my work as well, he even took my phone from my hand and he just started viewing my photo. I didn't see that coming at all. AND HE SAID HE LIKED THEM!

If I was a better writer, I think It would've been a better story. but hey, I just write my thoughts out...

Sunday

My ultimate goal today is beat Sunday blues by being productive in bed! And I think I did it pretty well. If you follow me on Instagram, you'd know what I'm up to.