we'll always be those kids again — if i'm lost then how can i find myself?

we'll always be those kids again

we really should be. really. What are we gaining by not being them? What are we losing without being able to be them? Who told us we cant? Shouldnt? Arent? — I’m always going to be “the kid” Jon and the “now” Jon. Heck, i’m going to be Kid Jon / 25 year old jon / 35 year old jon / 95 year old jon if i want to. I identify as Jon12/Jon35, or whatever i wanna be brah. Being able to not just tap into my childhood me, but also let childhood me manifest when it wants to has been sort of a self actualization part of life. It makes sense to me. If I have to always acknowledge the dark person inside of me, or the idea of what is darker in me, why do i need to ignore the child in me? If i need to acknowledge my tendencies I have carried throughout my life, and worked positively towards evolving, why would i not also acknowledge the child in me. Inner child is not inherently evil. Inner child is also the best version of us being able to be true to having fun and being in the moment. We can combine the best parts of us. The ability to have fun as a kid and love life the way kids should and can, with the self soothing and self healing capabilities and literal ability to hold yourself accountable as fuck…..of adult self…..Man that just feels like it makes life ……just …..fuckin better across the board…..—-awesome. I’ve heard things like “I want to love life the way old asian grandmas love mahjong”. Are they not just having a blast? Or even deeper, are they at the wisest points of their life where they are re-embracing their inner child inner self to fully just enjoy the moments and the simplicity of enjoyment. I just love being able to have fun, and sharing that fun with friends and family. Raw. Unfiltered. Nitrate free. Woke $hit. None of that loser shit. Eligibility club. If i want to play claw games, imma play em. If i wanna swing my arms as hard as i can at a hardcore mosh, i done did it. scoote? got. yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. thank you eternally for helping me be the best kid and adult of myself ever of all time, dora. you inspired me to write about this, as usual.

The following pictures were taken on a Kanto Camera Repainted Leica M3 with a Summilux Black Chrome ASPH 50mm on Cinestill BWXX 35mm Film Push developed +1 stop.

liana and paul (with his favorite phrase “u do it".”) - u think paul was wearing black shorts too?

naomi and george showing off the admirable triple H’s simultaneously

Dora hard carrying us in the cantonese dim sum ordering

i identify as hungry/af now. i want to transition to pronouns nom/nom

nimbus waiting at his “notice me senpai, while i sit here from a safe distance” spot

full and bloated but still want food gurl

The pics below were taken on a Leica M10-R Black Paint with a 50mm Canon 0.95 TV (1960s) m-conversion lens.

pic taken while driving across highway - the orange contrast of the bridge in the background really gave me a japan vibe

are you really still scrolling through these pics? cuz if so <3

felt like culture from another time….even canada feels more cultured than the west coast

had to capture that glow off the light to show off how beautiful dora is

such cute lovers. naomi with her big skrong man!

appropriate shopping bag ratio wifey to hubby

strongest grips ever, easily could hang off a cliff for 30 minutes

when you see that opportunity to take some hard as fuq black and white tones. just had to capture that reflectiveness that shows so different in BW

where exactly is this place located so i can make sure i avoid this exact place? asking for a friend

golden hour in richmond ….in a parking lot…still slaps

international fun with friendz at an international market. such diverse. such inclusivity

bomb ass skewers at the thai place (pic bomb too i kno)

love seeing the “hey look over here at this fun place” advertising flags - super nostalgic of a simpler time

my fav fruit mango - dora fav fruit Not mango

proper technique of two hand squeezing that first black stick supa hard

focused on one when another falls apart - allusion to life sometimes

everythings falling down - another allusion to life… such philosphy artfully displayed by the great PKim

how could i focus on the dancing when the meowna lisa is staring at me

it would be reallly cool if there was 4 couples pics of liana and paul in a row

wow a 2nd picture in a row! liking where this is going…

omg a 3rd pic in a row? dreams are coming true…

i had an awesome time in vancouver. a true blessing. my gratitude only grows as i see these memories in picture form. thank you dora, paul, liana, naomi, and george for making it so juicy for a short weekend in a palace of an airbnb. let’s make more international trips happen!

-sincerely jon