Not much as changed, and for that I am grateful. Being able to navigate this town fuels my pride and I walk with

my shoulders broader and my chin higher :). 

The people are still exquisite, the food tastes the same and the air is still damp. 

The heat isn't as aggressive as last time... it no longer robs me of my comfort but it is enough to test my patience.

I surrender to it but am still full of gratitude for the breeze and the subtle freedom it brings, even for a moment. I'm

sure the Khmer laugh at how much sweat my small body produces and soaks through my shirts, I imagine them

calling me a baby and I admit that they're probably right.

The rain comes in unexpected patches. It falls like lead bullets in an unplanned attack on the metal roof of our cage

of a classroom. It drowns out our voices and we don't even make an effort to raise them and compete, it claims a

triumphant victory and we simply wait for it to pass. I am reminded of hot July days and shrieking through the

sprinklers- the incredible display of waves brought the smell of wet dust and grass, and it does the same here. The

streets are washed of their waste and gagging smells and it makes this city clean. A sense of rebirth... in a way. 

I dodge Khmers on motorbikes and I must admit I feel quite daring and proud when I make it across the street

scratch-free. I dance around puddles and my sandals kick up droplets of mud on my legs and clothes and it creates

small constellations. My backside looks like a dirty night sky and I joke that I carry Cambodia wherever I go. 

The clouds roll over us swiftly but stay in our line of vision long enough to remind us how small we really are. I can only

look at them for so long before I'm caught in a sense of bewilderment. Too much beauty and too much to be in awe of.

They. are. exquisite. 

There is so much radiance here. The palm trees, the red dirt roads, the naked children and even the vendors that

charge me based on the color of my skin. I love it all, but it's not home. I am uncomfortable, I am tested, I am

challenged, I am vulnerable and I am uneasy. For the first few days, I fought it... but now I see I need to experience

these foreign emotions in order to be changed. I've given in. It's time to grow. No more fighting. Oh, culture shock,

you almost got me.

I close this with a loving "goodbye" and my hands full of peace signs.  I miss you all. 

Yours Truly. 

She is an INCREDIBLE fashion and senior photographer based out of Seattle. I even bugged her

with silly e-mails when I first started out. And now, she is on my blog. Hallo!

Oh Michelle, I just love you. Those freckles and that hair... you're gonna break a lotta hearts.

Michelle also took photos of ME! Check out the lovelies. 

Here are a few. 

Hair by Swink Style Bar

Make Up by Jenny Bowker

Seattle, WA

I will be in Cambodia in t-minus 10 days until mid-October.

I wanted to put out there if you're needing any questions answered, prints orders fulfilled, last minute bookings

and so on... I  encourage you to e-mail or call me by this coming Friday (8/20) so I can make sure to get

back to you in a timely manner! I will still be able to communicate and book sessions and weddings while I'm

out there, but not quite as efficiently as I can in the states.

Thank you all for your patience, encouragement and support. I love you all. 

Giddy up!

-Kristen

kristen@kristenmarie.org

Spirit Ridge Winery

Osoyoos, British Columbia

Just a couple o' cuties who enjoy laughter and each other. To be wed in October!

We had prepped some 20 mason jars to be used, but only 4 made an appearance. :(

Not to worry, they shall resurface soon.

Redmond, WA

welcomed the bride in an eruption of applause and cheering. Nathan jumped up and down in an effort to try and

express the abundance of joy inside of him. Melissa laughed as tears streamed down her face. 

... Oh. And the photographer cried like a baby. 

Kip Beelman was a blessing and helped second shoot. Some of his images are mixed in here. 

Seattle, WA

If you are a photographer, bride-to-be or an attractive Italian gentleman, let's get together!

Shoot me an e-mail. Kristen@KristenMarie.org. I'll have my camera with me.

Very humbled.

We experienced rattle snakes (fear of), smelly apple crates, and my oblivious decision to take them to

the most sketchy part of such a nice, small town. 

More importantly, I got to experience their love through laughter :). 

Congratulations on your engagement, Jessica and Ben! You two are such a bundle of joy.

Osoyoos, British Columbia

Canada