Tuesday, June 1, 2010

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

This quote sums up so much of our lives. Life begins with that first step. We all have hopes and dreams. We all have windy paths. We all have crossroads that seem too difficult to conquer ... That's why I started this blog. After years of struggle, at last, I have taken my first step.

My name is Ally … And I'm a hopeful, quirky and zealous 23 year-old living in Los Angeles, California. Let me assure you that I’m not your average California girl with bleach blonde hair and ambition of being famous. My brown hair is short, I work hard to stay healthy and I wish I could eat junk food all day long. I watch movies of all genres, I think reality TV is delightful and I love ESPN. I’m extremely silly, sometimes shy and a hopeless romantic at heart. My life has been anything but uncomplicated and painless. However, the one thing I’m sure of is that I was put on this earth to help, inspire and create.

I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii into a beautiful and humble family. My father, a brilliant and selfless surgeon that has dedicated his life to serving this world in every possible way he can. His life tells of the most spectacular and intriguing journey, stories to come in later posts. Then there is my mother. She was the most beautiful, compassionate and magnetic woman I will ever know. She spent much of her life as a nurse and photographer. Three years ago she lost her four year battle to ovarian cancer. Losing her was the most difficult thing I will ever go through. More on that later... To complete my family, there is my big brother Brian. He is impossibly creative, strikingly handsome and my best friend. Like me, he has struggled to discover his path, earnestly trying to find the courage to take that first step.

After studying film (and art history) in college, like many of my peers, I moved to LA to follow my dream. Cliche, I know... I worked at a large film studio for nearly a year and quickly realized that I have absolutely zero interest in money, show business or any of the superficial elements that go into that domineering world.

That experience led me to where I am now. I am doing what I believe in, refusing to take the convenient path. I have two passions in my life, photography and fiber. As strange as that sounds, it’s true. Fiber is the love of my life. I practically grew up in my mom’s darkroom and learned at a young age the art of photography. I have also traveled a bit overseas, which has also given me an eye for photography. I am currently enrolled in school to gain the intricate knowledge needed to truly understand photography.

Now, on to fiber. I will do my best to keep this short as I plan to have many entries about fiber, as well as heath and fitness … Throughout my life, I always had extra weight on me. I hated the way I looked and no matter what I did, I couldn’t find a solution. That was until I found fiber. Well, fiber found me actually. About twenty five years ago my father created a triple fiber, protein, and vitamin supplement. It looks like sawdust, and tastes like it too, but completely changed my life and my body.

The enormity of what fiber does for the human body is outrageous. Fiber can prevent obesity, colon caner, heart disease and diabetes. I am so passionate about fiber because I know how many people it could help. However, I am here because I have discovered the greatest health/diet secret of all time. I have very unusual beliefs about food, health and nutrition. I love talking with people about it and have helped many of my friends change their lives. This is one of the main reasons why I have started this blog. I want to inspire and help whoever is ready for a change in their bodies and don't know what step to take first.

As I ramble on and on, I realize that I have failed to mention what I am most anxious to speak about. In 7 days I am leaving for Nairobi, Kenya. I will be volunteering as a trip photographer for the non-profit organization Operation Smile. If you aren’t familiar, Operation Smile sends groups of volunteers all over the world to repair children with cleft lip and palate. My father has been a volunteer surgeon with them for about ten years now and it has been a dream of mine accompany him. For me, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope to blog through the entire journey. I will also be visiting London and Paris once I am done with the mission. It's going to be amazing!


As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, in every life there is the day where we decide to take our first step. Well, this is mine. I hope that with sharing my life, my loves and my journey, I can inspire someone else to take their first step.

Aloha nui loa, love to all.

6 comments:

  1. Wow, its really inspiring to read about people like you. People who unselfishly help those less fortunate and in need. People who have found their purpose and true calling in life.
    Unfortunately, I can't say this for myself, I am still young, but most days i feel confused and unsure of what I want my life to be or where its even heading.
    But nonetheless, I really enjoyed this, you now have another follower.

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  2. I am so glad we started this blog. I really like it (insert English accent here) and I really love you.

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  3. I'm so glad Danielle posted your blog URL on twitter, I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures

    Kim

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  4. I so look forward to your posts to come... you sound like such a fabulous girl! :)

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  5. hello my love! fabulous first post.

    this makes me want to blog again.



    love love love love love love love you!!

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  6. Hey Al, glad to hear the trip was so powerful! How about a haiku comparing west hollywood to Nairobi? When you get around to it.

    Sweet blog dude! let's get some tofu again.

    Much love
    --Jared

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