Adventures of Yoo

December 3 2015

Whimsical Street Art of Kids Around NYC

Street artist Ernest Zacharevic is back, and this time he’s teamed up with photographer Martha Cooper to bring her photos of children to life. Though generations apart and working in different mediums, Ernest and Martha decided together that they’d capture the playfulness of kids frolicking around New York City. Over the course of six weeks, the pair selected seven different images from Martha’s collection of work, which spans three decades. It’s fun to see how each of Martha’s original photos spring to life through the eyes of an up and coming street photographer like Ernest Zacharevic.

I personally love “Fence Climbers” which shows a gang of children scaling a concrete wall and a black fence all in the name of fun. Like he does so well, Ernest finds the perfect spot to create his works, as they blend with the environment in a seamless yet eye-popping way.

I also love how Ernest incorporates real life objects into his pieces. Can you spot them? I see a boom box and spray paint, a paintbrush, a part of a stroller, and a toy gun. Do you see any more?

See more of his work, here and here.

Close-up of “Lil Crazy Legs”: 110 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Making of “Lil Crazy Legs”: 110 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

“Bottles”: Bedford and Nostrand Train Station

“You be the Kid, I’ll be the Mum”: 1268 Myrtle Brooklyn, NY 11221

“Kid Fly”: 944 Amsterdam New York, NY 10025

Making of “Kid Fly”: 944 Amsterdam New York, NY 10025

“Boy on a Fence”: Corner of 107th St and Lexington East Harlem

“Cowboys and Crooks”: On the side of a van situated on the corner of Franklin Ave and Lafayette

Making of “Cowboys and Crooks”: On the side of a van situated on the corner of Franklin Ave and Lafayette

“Fence Climbers”: The Wyckoff Paediatric Center, 1411 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Books

December 2 2015

Our New Book – For Love: 25 Heartwarming Celebrations of Humanity

Over the last seven years, my partner (and brother) Eugene and I have had the privilege of both curating and writing about touching stories of ordinary people performing extraordinary acts in the name of love. From parents to children, husbands to wives and even pet owners to pets, we came across profound stories that were both visually stunning and deeply meaningful. I’m excited to announce that we’ve now captured our top 25 photo stories for a new book, which has been published by Chronicle. It is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indie Bound. The official release date is March 15, 2016.

From Batkid saving the city of San Francisco to a husband that wore a pink tutu all over the country to bring a smile to his cancer-stricken wife, these heartwarming photographs will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you believe in the power of love.

Below is just an example of some of the stories you’ll find in the book. Within its pages, you’ll find more personal essays (than what you’ll find in the links) because we’ve added original quotes from each photographer. If you’re a fan of My Modern Met, and all the amazing photo stories we’ve featured over the years, you’ll definitely want to buy this book for you or your friends.

Couple Married 61 Years Ago Takes “Up” Inspired Anniversary Photos

Batkid Saves the City of San Francisco

Husband Wears Pink Tutu to Support Wife Diagnosed with Cancer

Adorable Girl Loves Animals Like Her Own Siblings

Mother Takes Adorable Portraits of Her 10-Month-Old Baby and Their Rescue Dog

Photography

December 1 2015

Annie Leibovitz Shoots a Refreshingly Different Pirelli Calendar

On Monday, it was announced that Perrelli’s annual calendar isn’t going to be what we always expect – stunning supermodels posing nude or scantily clad. Pirelli gave famed photographer Annie Leibovitz free reign to cast twelve women for the 2016 calendar and she boldly decided to take portraits of accomplished women instead – writers, filmmakers, artists and philanthropists. Included are comedian Amy Schumer, artist/activist Yoko Ono, writer Fran Lebowitz, singer-songwriter Patti Smith, Chinese actress Yao Chen, and Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat. They were all shot in Leibovitz’s studio this past summer.

As the photographer stated in a press conference, “Pirelli came to me and told me they wanted to shift this year to something different. I made the suggestion that they do women performance artists or women comedians, almost a take-off. I just thought of women I admired and I didn’t let anyone in the studio from Pirelli. It became a very strong set of very simple portraits […] No one was supposed to look like they tried in these pictures.” She continued, “I still can’t believe the women who agreed to do it, did it. I felt a big responsibility to that […] It shouldn’t be a big step, but it is a big step.”

Isn’t it refreshing to see accomplished women with real bodies in the Pirelli calendar? The New York Times is saying that it “may signal a cultural shift.” As they wrote, “this is the first time there is no provocation in the posing, and the first time the attraction of the subjects is in their résumés, not their measurements.”

Unfortunately, we can’t purchase a calendar ourselves, an exclusive group of 20,000 “VIPS” (musicians, politicians and royalty) are given it as gifts instead. To get a general feeling of what’s inside, make sure to watch the behind-the-scenes video, below.

Above: Amy Schumer, Fran Lebowitz and Tavi Gevinson.

From left, Natalia Vodianova, Serena Williams and Patti Smith.

via [Elle, American Photo, NY Times]

Travel

November 30 2015

A Sweet Alternative to Disneyland: Adventure City in Anaheim

Yesterday, our family met up with my sisters and their kids for a fun-filled day at Adventure City. Though it’s one of the smallest theme parks in California, Adventure City has lots of rides and attractions for kids, especially if they’re under ten. Opened in 1994, it’s an affordable alternative to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, in fact, you don’t even have to pay for parking!

There are a lot of great advantages to coming here over Disneyland, the first one being that it’s only about $17 per person whereas Disneyland will set you back about $100. There are enough rides to keep the kids busy. While the younger kids loved the “choo choo” train and the park’s version of “Autotopia”, the older kids had a fun time on the roller coasters. “Rewind Racers” is a roller coaster that goes both forward and backwards, a North America first. For a little downtime, the kids enjoyed the petting farm where they had a lot of goats just waiting to be touched.

The only complaint I have is that the food was a little pricey but that’s expected for a theme park. We spent between two to three hours there and we fit in a ton of rides, mostly because there were no lines. (Yes, no lines!) Also, the park was pretty well kept.

Parker giving his cousin Berry a warm welcome hug.

Logan getting a sweet pat from his cousin Bobby.

Uncle Burt walking around with cousin Riverton. Sammy taking the kids on the train.

My sister Carol riding the Crazy Bus with the kids.

Logan watching his cousins ride the Crazy Bus.

Parker riding the carousel with cousin Berry.

Parker and his cousin Riverton on Rescue 911, like Autotopia but with ambulances, fire trucks and police cars.

Cousin Riverton and Parker in the Thomas and Friends area.

Petting farm was a hit!

Logan in his favorite place, daddy’s arms.

Do you have any favorite places you take your kids? Where do you go instead of major theme parks like Disneyland?

Art & Design

November 25 2015

Fun Links of the Week #3

With gobble gobble day coming up, it’s a short week so I decided to wrap it up with some fun links from around the web. I’m excited about my double Thanksgiving this year, we’re feasting on Thursday and Friday. (Time to bust out the stretchy pants.)

We finally got our brining recipe. Thank God for the Pioneer Woman.

See you on Monday!

Last year, beard baubles were a thing and now this!

Her voice! Jimmy Fallon, Adele & The Roots Sing “Hello” with classroom instruments.

I’m intrigued by this Thanksgiving Reader.

Who knew a fire tornado could be so mesmerizing?

How cute is this shelf?

Charmingly naughty gifs.

Good for Mark Zuckerberg.

Introvert comics.

I enjoy the quirkiness of Romain Laurent.

How to get iPhone live photos down to a fine art.

I want this Yoda on my desk.

Wow, photographer transforms vintage images into modern stories.

50 Christmas DIY ideas. Doily trees!

Sketch & Sniff pencils.

Bedding for Earth science nerds.

Photo of the 1964 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade via Hana Barbara.

Food

November 24 2015

Simple Yet Delicious Thanksgiving Day Recipes

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? We’re having a feast on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. My in-laws are hosting Thanksgiving at their place on Thursday and then my side of the family is coming over on Friday and spending the night till Saturday. Since I have three siblings it’s easy to plan, we usually do it potluck style. This year, I’m in charge of the stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, plus I’m making a super yummy quiche and some baked parmesan nuggets for the kids.

Here’s where I got my recipes for the three, classic Thanksgiving Day dishes:
Stuffing/Simple is Best Dressing (via Bon Appetit)
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes (via Alton Brown)
Cranberry Sauce (via Ree Drummond)

The kids love this chicken nugget recipe I got from Rasa Malaysia. I like how they’re baked and not fried. The secret is using panko, Japanese style breadcrumbs.

I don’t have a picture of the quiche I make. The recipe is from a family friend, who gave us tons of homemade recipes in binders as a Christmas present. (What a great idea, right?) I’ve made this a whole bunch of times, it’s a sure fire hit with all that yummy bacon and cheese. Here’s the recipe:

6 slices crisp bacon
2 cups Swiss cheese – grated
1/2 cup olives – pitted and sliced (I omit these)
1/2 cup onion – chopped
2 teaspoons flour
2/3 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons margarine
1 cup half and half
2 egg – well beaten
1 unbaked pie shell – 9″

1. Combine bacon, cheese, olives, onions, flour and salt
2. Pour into pie shell
3. Melt margarine in half and half in pan
4. Scald at medium heat
5. Pour liquid slowly over eggs
6. Pour over rest of ingredients
7. Bake at 425 degrees for 7 minutes
8. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes
9. Cool 15 minutes before cutting

Enjoy!

Travel

November 23 2015

Santa Rosa Plateau: Our Hidden Hiking Gem

On a typical weekday night, instead of watching tv or playing games on an iPad, we try and take the kids out. One of our favorite places, outside of Disneyland, is this hidden gem inside Riverside County. Only a 15 minute drive from our house, the Santa Rosa Plateau is an ecological reserve that consists of 9,000 acres of protected land. There are more than 200 species of native birds there as well as 49 endangered, threatened or rare animal and plant species. A few times we’ve spotted deer and once we even saw a mountain lion. One of their coolest trails leads to vernal pools where fairy shrimp live. Vernal pools, for those not familiar, are these seasonal, shallow pools of water that alternate from being dry to being filled up, springing with life. They sit on rare volcanic soils, supporting endemic fairy shrimp and wintering waterfowl.

On our hikes, the kids love getting a little dirty. Now that they’re older it’s getting harder for us to keep them in their strollers so we all end up walking, which can take quite a long time. These two toddlers have a mind of their own! Usually, Sam holds Logan over his shoulder while Parker walks or runs ahead. Though our hikes are typically short, less than a mile, we love breathing in the crisp air and we make it a point to talk about how lucky we are to live so near such a breathtaking place.

If you’re looking for a nice day hike, you can even visit the Moreno and Machado Adobes, which are Riverside County’s oldest standing structures. They date back to 1846 and once served as a bunkhouse for cowboys.

Now, here are some photos, taken from the last year, of our trips to Santa Rosa Plateau. From everyone’s smiles, you can see just how much our family loves this place.

Art & Design

November 20 2015

Fun Links of the Week #2

The album is here! Go behind the scenes of “Hello.”

I love tattlys! Now you can visit their temporary tattoo parlor.

These animal tattoos are just up my alley.

Heart palpitating slackline video.

Cute! When you pass out in party and wake up still partying.

Gimme Flair! Want “Boo the Ghost.”

Love superheroes? Check out the “Super Shadows” series.

How busy parents manage life. Enlist the village!

I want to be an ewok.

Would you trust this tattoo artist?

Darth Vader is just like us.

Pray for Paris.

Cat pubs. It’s a thing.

If I was a man, I’d want this.

Love these plant leaves in frames.

Edible gifts. I’m in love with those croissants! (It’s a family tradition.)

This is how you do winter white.

This week, this three part HONY story made me happy. (See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.)

Must watch! Joseph Gordon-Levitt slays “Rhythm Nation“.

(Photo by Shayne Laverdière.)

Books

November 19 2015

Book Review: Year of Yes

There’s a new book out by Shonda Rhimes, otherwise known as executive producer and creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. It’s called Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person. Though you’d be hard pressed to guess it, Shonda is a classic introvert. Two years ago, on Thanksgiving in 2013, Shonda’s sister called her out by saying, “You never say yes to anything.” It was at that moment that Shonda would embrace an epic challenge: for one year, she would say yes to everything that scared her.

The book is a fun read, especially for introverts like myself who would rather snuggle up in bed with a good book than attend a party. (As I was reading the book, I felt like, the whole time, I was cheering her on.) Despite having three hit shows and three kids, Shonda found the time to say yes to attending social events, giving a commencement speech and appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The chapter I enjoyed the most is called Yes to All Play and No Work, which talks about how Shonda still found time for her kids, despite it all.

I am not a naturally optimistic person. I’m too in my own head to be a constant source of cheer. I have to work at happy. Dark and twisty is where my brain likes to settle. So I can use some reminders of what is good and optimistic and glass-half-full about this world. And nothing does that for me like the faces and souls of my tiny humans.

Beautiful quote about how playing with her kids makes her so happy.

So, what are you going to say yes to this year? Could you say “yes” to your kids more when they ask you if you want to play? Are you missing out on opportunities to really live a fulfilling life because you’re just too shy? I’m going to start saying yes more to things that scare me. If this is my last post, come look for me. I may have just jumped off a cliff!

Food

November 19 2015

Delicious Korean Steamed Eggs (Gyeranjjim)

This Korean dish is easy to make and perfect for the kids. Using eggs as the base, you can add in vegetables like green onion and carrots to make sure the little ones get their daily serving of veggies. Korean steamed eggs or gyeranjjim is made in a variety of ways but this one suits my family, Parker and Logan can’t get enough of it, especially when it’s mixed with white rice. For me, it’s like Korean comfort food. I crave it, too, especially on cold, rainy days.

It’s best if you use a stone clay pot but any pot will do.

Start by adding cold water into the pot, heating it on high. You want to bring it to a boil.

These are the vegetables we’ll be chopping up, green onion, carrots, and onion.

For flavor, we’ll be adding in a few teaspoons of fish sauce.

In a bowl, crack three eggs.

Chop up just a tablespoon amount of carrots and add them to the bowl of raw eggs.

Do the same with the onions. Chop them up finely and then add them to the eggs.

Finally, chop up the green onions and mix them, along with the other vegetables, into the raw eggs.

Once the water is boiling, add the fish sauce.

Then, pour the egg mixture straight into the water. Using a spoon, circle around the edges so that the eggs don’t burn onto the pot’s sides. Keep temperature on high until the whole thing is boiling again.

Now, reduce heat to very low, cover and simmer. Heat for five minutes, uncovering once or twice to stir around the edges.

Yay! You’re done.

Recipe:
1 1/2 cups of cold water
3 eggs
1 tbsp of carrots
1 tbsp of onions
1 green onion
2 tsp of fish sauce

1. Add cold water into a pot. Heat on high, bring to a boil.
2. In a bowl, crack 3 eggs.
3. Chop up the carrots, onion, green onion and add to the eggs. Mix all together.
4. Now that the water is boiling, add the fish sauce.
5. Add the egg mixture to the boiling water.
6. Using a spoon, go around the edges so the egg doesn’t burn onto the pot.
7. Once the whole thing boils, reduce heat to the lowest possible and cover. Simmer for five minutes.
8. Open cover, only to stir once or twice around the edges.
9. After about five minutes, check to make sure it’s done and serve with rice.

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