Instagram Story Viewer

The guy with kaleidoscope eyes. 🎡

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.
-
I‘ve had this bathtub shot in mind for about a year now. The stars recently aligned where I was able to finally make some magic happen. Thank you to all of those involved in helping me curate & capture this moment.
🌻
Model: @carolynvash ✨
MUA: @bvsiixx 🎨

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.
-
I‘ve had this bathtub shot in mind for about a year now. The stars recently aligned where I was able to finally make some magic happen. Thank you to all of those involved in helping me curate & capture this moment.
🌻
Model: @carolynvash ✨
MUA: @bvsiixx 🎨

I’ve been wanting to do something with butterflies for a while, so I was happy to find this shot to use from a recent shoot with the amazing and sweet @zoeszcz.
⠀
With the New Year approaching, I thought this post with butterflies seemed fit. I know not everyone gives a shit about the whole, “new year, new me” mentality, but am I feeling something different about it this time around?
⠀
Is it normal to feel a collective change within all of us around this time of year? It should, right?
Or is there REALLY something going on in all of our lives that’s raising the vibrations and is getting us prepared to shed our old skin for the new?
⠀
#whoknows

Some days it feels like the world is on fire.

We scroll past headlines about the ongoing ICE raids, a genocide in Gaza, and now the threat of war. We get angry that more people aren’t speaking up and wonder what we can even do. Sometimes it’s easy to feel hopeless.

But Operation Healthy Hearts is what hope in action looks like.

Every week they’re on the ground doing the work, feeding families, supporting those most impacted, and showing up with love. No judgement and no questions asked.
They’re a reminder of what community looks like.
A reminder of what it means to care for our neighbors.
A reminder that showing up doesn’t always have to be loud.

Follow @operationhealthyhearts to get involved.
They’re always welcoming volunteers, donations, and anyone willing to give, serve, and stand in solidarity. ✊🏽

We don’t protest for show.
We protest because we’ve seen what happens when we don’t.
Because fascism doesn’t scream when it arrives, it creeps in quietly.
Through policies. Through crackdowns. Through normalization.
Through the illusion that what they’re doing will bring peace.

We protest because we know better.
Because we’ve learned that nothing changes when we whisper.
Because we’ve learned that if we stay silent, they rewrite the story.

We protest because we’re angry.
Because solidarity is stronger than fear.
Because our grief deserves volume.
Because we refuse to let them numb us.
Because dignity doesn’t beg, it resists.

So speak.
Even if your voice shakes.
Even if your platform is small.
Even if no one listens the first time.

Speak.
Because your voice carries further than silence ever will.
And because the moment you believe you don’t matter, that’s when they win.

#NoKings

LA Against ICE.

This video covers the protests that unfolded against the ICE raids in the communities of Paramount, Compton, and Los Angeles on June 7th & 8th. These raids that have and continue to occur across cities are sickening.

They said they were going after drug lords, gangsters, and criminals, but they’re crashing elementary school graduations to rip parents from their children.
They’re intercepting people at immigration offices, people trying to do it “the right way.”
They’re busting into kitchens, workplaces, and Home Depots, showing us that no one is safe, no matter where they are or what they’re doing.

As this continues to occur, I will not stay home and will never stay silent while this administration wages war on our communities through fear, raids, and racial profiling. #FUCKICE

#AbolishICE #immigration #losangeles #iceraidsla #EndDetention

Growing up, my mother was among the countless individuals whose families fled Southeast Asia during the war and atrocities of the 60s and 70s. At just seven years old, she survived the horrors of the Cambodian Genocide.

She vividly remembers seeing her mother murdered and countless other acts of torture during the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled a concentration camp, walked along a river during a bad rain storm, and eventually found refuge sleeping in a barn with dirty pigs in their pen.

After being rescued by her father, she was sent to Paris to an all girls boarding school. Eventually transferring to Long Beach, one of the few places in the United States accepting refugees at that time.

You’d probably expect things to start taking a turn for the better, but unfortunately her life didn’t significantly improve as one might have hoped. She wed men who were abusive and violent, she became an alcoholic, she lived in poverty, and she never had the opportunity to fully live out her dreams.

But despite going through chapters of life that would break most people, she endured each day with the strongest head on her shoulders and an even stronger heart.

I’ve never cared to post about my mom on Mothers Day, mostly because I didn’t want to treat it as a performative holiday. But as the years have gone by, it’s hard for me to keep quiet and resist sharing some of her journey through this crazy fucking life. I realize now the incredible sacrifices she made to maintain the best life she could have built for herself and our family.

Though times were bad when we were younger, I look at her now with the deepest levels of empathy and respect. She did the best she could with the tools life gave her. And now that I’m older, going through adult emotions and trying to figure this all out, I’m understanding more and more how strong, resilient, and incredible my mom truly is.

I once heard this quote that said, “Be kind to your parents, it’s the first time they’re experiencing this life too.”

Last slide: This was a special evening. For my birthday, I took my mom and sisters to experience their first Michelin starred restaurant, my favorite, @heritage.lb. #mothersday

Growing up, my mother was among the countless individuals whose families fled Southeast Asia during the war and atrocities of the 60s and 70s. At just seven years old, she survived the horrors of the Cambodian Genocide.

She vividly remembers seeing her mother murdered and countless other acts of torture during the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled a concentration camp, walked along a river during a bad rain storm, and eventually found refuge sleeping in a barn with dirty pigs in their pen.

After being rescued by her father, she was sent to Paris to an all girls boarding school. Eventually transferring to Long Beach, one of the few places in the United States accepting refugees at that time.

You’d probably expect things to start taking a turn for the better, but unfortunately her life didn’t significantly improve as one might have hoped. She wed men who were abusive and violent, she became an alcoholic, she lived in poverty, and she never had the opportunity to fully live out her dreams.

But despite going through chapters of life that would break most people, she endured each day with the strongest head on her shoulders and an even stronger heart.

I’ve never cared to post about my mom on Mothers Day, mostly because I didn’t want to treat it as a performative holiday. But as the years have gone by, it’s hard for me to keep quiet and resist sharing some of her journey through this crazy fucking life. I realize now the incredible sacrifices she made to maintain the best life she could have built for herself and our family.

Though times were bad when we were younger, I look at her now with the deepest levels of empathy and respect. She did the best she could with the tools life gave her. And now that I’m older, going through adult emotions and trying to figure this all out, I’m understanding more and more how strong, resilient, and incredible my mom truly is.

I once heard this quote that said, “Be kind to your parents, it’s the first time they’re experiencing this life too.”

Last slide: This was a special evening. For my birthday, I took my mom and sisters to experience their first Michelin starred restaurant, my favorite, @heritage.lb. #mothersday

Growing up, my mother was among the countless individuals whose families fled Southeast Asia during the war and atrocities of the 60s and 70s. At just seven years old, she survived the horrors of the Cambodian Genocide.

She vividly remembers seeing her mother murdered and countless other acts of torture during the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled a concentration camp, walked along a river during a bad rain storm, and eventually found refuge sleeping in a barn with dirty pigs in their pen.

After being rescued by her father, she was sent to Paris to an all girls boarding school. Eventually transferring to Long Beach, one of the few places in the United States accepting refugees at that time.

You’d probably expect things to start taking a turn for the better, but unfortunately her life didn’t significantly improve as one might have hoped. She wed men who were abusive and violent, she became an alcoholic, she lived in poverty, and she never had the opportunity to fully live out her dreams.

But despite going through chapters of life that would break most people, she endured each day with the strongest head on her shoulders and an even stronger heart.

I’ve never cared to post about my mom on Mothers Day, mostly because I didn’t want to treat it as a performative holiday. But as the years have gone by, it’s hard for me to keep quiet and resist sharing some of her journey through this crazy fucking life. I realize now the incredible sacrifices she made to maintain the best life she could have built for herself and our family.

Though times were bad when we were younger, I look at her now with the deepest levels of empathy and respect. She did the best she could with the tools life gave her. And now that I’m older, going through adult emotions and trying to figure this all out, I’m understanding more and more how strong, resilient, and incredible my mom truly is.

I once heard this quote that said, “Be kind to your parents, it’s the first time they’re experiencing this life too.”

Last slide: This was a special evening. For my birthday, I took my mom and sisters to experience their first Michelin starred restaurant, my favorite, @heritage.lb. #mothersday

Growing up, my mother was among the countless individuals whose families fled Southeast Asia during the war and atrocities of the 60s and 70s. At just seven years old, she survived the horrors of the Cambodian Genocide.

She vividly remembers seeing her mother murdered and countless other acts of torture during the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled a concentration camp, walked along a river during a bad rain storm, and eventually found refuge sleeping in a barn with dirty pigs in their pen.

After being rescued by her father, she was sent to Paris to an all girls boarding school. Eventually transferring to Long Beach, one of the few places in the United States accepting refugees at that time.

You’d probably expect things to start taking a turn for the better, but unfortunately her life didn’t significantly improve as one might have hoped. She wed men who were abusive and violent, she became an alcoholic, she lived in poverty, and she never had the opportunity to fully live out her dreams.

But despite going through chapters of life that would break most people, she endured each day with the strongest head on her shoulders and an even stronger heart.

I’ve never cared to post about my mom on Mothers Day, mostly because I didn’t want to treat it as a performative holiday. But as the years have gone by, it’s hard for me to keep quiet and resist sharing some of her journey through this crazy fucking life. I realize now the incredible sacrifices she made to maintain the best life she could have built for herself and our family.

Though times were bad when we were younger, I look at her now with the deepest levels of empathy and respect. She did the best she could with the tools life gave her. And now that I’m older, going through adult emotions and trying to figure this all out, I’m understanding more and more how strong, resilient, and incredible my mom truly is.

I once heard this quote that said, “Be kind to your parents, it’s the first time they’re experiencing this life too.”

Last slide: This was a special evening. For my birthday, I took my mom and sisters to experience their first Michelin starred restaurant, my favorite, @heritage.lb. #mothersday

Growing up, my mother was among the countless individuals whose families fled Southeast Asia during the war and atrocities of the 60s and 70s. At just seven years old, she survived the horrors of the Cambodian Genocide.

She vividly remembers seeing her mother murdered and countless other acts of torture during the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled a concentration camp, walked along a river during a bad rain storm, and eventually found refuge sleeping in a barn with dirty pigs in their pen.

After being rescued by her father, she was sent to Paris to an all girls boarding school. Eventually transferring to Long Beach, one of the few places in the United States accepting refugees at that time.

You’d probably expect things to start taking a turn for the better, but unfortunately her life didn’t significantly improve as one might have hoped. She wed men who were abusive and violent, she became an alcoholic, she lived in poverty, and she never had the opportunity to fully live out her dreams.

But despite going through chapters of life that would break most people, she endured each day with the strongest head on her shoulders and an even stronger heart.

I’ve never cared to post about my mom on Mothers Day, mostly because I didn’t want to treat it as a performative holiday. But as the years have gone by, it’s hard for me to keep quiet and resist sharing some of her journey through this crazy fucking life. I realize now the incredible sacrifices she made to maintain the best life she could have built for herself and our family.

Though times were bad when we were younger, I look at her now with the deepest levels of empathy and respect. She did the best she could with the tools life gave her. And now that I’m older, going through adult emotions and trying to figure this all out, I’m understanding more and more how strong, resilient, and incredible my mom truly is.

I once heard this quote that said, “Be kind to your parents, it’s the first time they’re experiencing this life too.”

Last slide: This was a special evening. For my birthday, I took my mom and sisters to experience their first Michelin starred restaurant, my favorite, @heritage.lb. #mothersday

Growing up, my mother was among the countless individuals whose families fled Southeast Asia during the war and atrocities of the 60s and 70s. At just seven years old, she survived the horrors of the Cambodian Genocide.

She vividly remembers seeing her mother murdered and countless other acts of torture during the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled a concentration camp, walked along a river during a bad rain storm, and eventually found refuge sleeping in a barn with dirty pigs in their pen.

After being rescued by her father, she was sent to Paris to an all girls boarding school. Eventually transferring to Long Beach, one of the few places in the United States accepting refugees at that time.

You’d probably expect things to start taking a turn for the better, but unfortunately her life didn’t significantly improve as one might have hoped. She wed men who were abusive and violent, she became an alcoholic, she lived in poverty, and she never had the opportunity to fully live out her dreams.

But despite going through chapters of life that would break most people, she endured each day with the strongest head on her shoulders and an even stronger heart.

I’ve never cared to post about my mom on Mothers Day, mostly because I didn’t want to treat it as a performative holiday. But as the years have gone by, it’s hard for me to keep quiet and resist sharing some of her journey through this crazy fucking life. I realize now the incredible sacrifices she made to maintain the best life she could have built for herself and our family.

Though times were bad when we were younger, I look at her now with the deepest levels of empathy and respect. She did the best she could with the tools life gave her. And now that I’m older, going through adult emotions and trying to figure this all out, I’m understanding more and more how strong, resilient, and incredible my mom truly is.

I once heard this quote that said, “Be kind to your parents, it’s the first time they’re experiencing this life too.”

Last slide: This was a special evening. For my birthday, I took my mom and sisters to experience their first Michelin starred restaurant, my favorite, @heritage.lb. #mothersday

I’ve always been comfortable with spending time alone with myself and my thoughts. In a lot of ways, it helps me feel more alive.

And a big part of being alive is being able to manage unpleasant emotions. Stress, fear, and anxiety will never disappear from this life, but I find being alone helps me discover the tools to deal with them. That’s what I believe takes to grow into the better version of myself, is to transcend and break through that fear and resistance and the unknown.

I’m just trying to understand my place in the world.

Do I have a place in this life without a title or a salary or home to own?
Can I just exist?
What is my purpose?

I find when I ask that last question to myself, it’s harder to feel like I’m making any progress in answering it. But when I am surrounded by my community of family, friends, and loved ones, I’m reminded of the path I’ve been on and will continue to go down.

I feel that if we are truly aligned with our purpose, we come together. And when we come together, you evoke that purpose from those around you, who can meet you, and challenge you there.

So thank you.

Thank you to the people in my life who push me to reach higher, dive deeper, and constantly evolve into a better version of myself. Your support, challenge, and shared vision inspires me every day.

-PK

Switzerland🇨🇭| September 2022

Highlights from my hike from Lauterbrunnen to the summit of Schilthorn 🏔

#switzerland #outdoors #hiking #nature #mountains

Yosemite Valley | April 2023

#yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #yosemitevalley #yosemitefalls #halfdome

A profound awareness arises when one observes the jellyfish gliding through the water, their otherworldly appearance and mysterious movements eliciting a sense of reverence for the profound and incomprehensible beauty of the ocean’s depths.

The jellyfish are but one manifestation of the intricacy of life that thrives in these waters, each species playing a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of this ecosystem.

To study the jellyfish is to delve deeper into the mysteries of our planet, gaining insight into the interconnectedness of all things and the fragility of our existence within this vast and wondrous universe.
-
I put my original caption about this video into ChatGPT and prompted it to rewrite it in the tone and language of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune, my favorite book. The outcome is what you read above.

I’ve always been fascinated with jellyfish and have never been able to put into words how or why I have such an affinity towards them. Glad to know I can rely on an AI can do that for me.

Video captured at @aquariumpacific a few weeks ago 🌊

Cannon Beach at low tide 🌊

#haystackrock #oregoncoast #pnw #oregon #cannonbeach #lowtide #seamoss