Can you tell us who you are, and what makes you, you? I was Gia, a Korean American who was sculpted by hundreds of years of heritage and ancestry that I once rejected due to societal pressures (kids are mean sometimes!). Now, I AM Gia, a proud Korean American who is finally understanding who she is, and what her journey may or may not be. My mother has taught me to live this journey with both feet in, while my father has always taught me that character building leads to the most important thing of all: work ethic. I guess in the end, who I am is two different generations marrying into one as I take my parents journey with me and sculpt it into my new one.
What were you in your previous life? In my previous life I was a nomad who travelled the world with only a backpack and a small diary to address my dreams and memories. I spent months immersed in small villages throughout certain parts of Asia and Africa working with and learning from the children of the times.
Who or what inspires you? I think everyone I meet - good or bad - inspires me on my journey to become the enlightened person I hope to be. Everyone is a life experience who impacts the way I see certain elements of my environment in my every day.
What is your spirit animal? Truly I am a jungle sloth. I enjoy taking my time more than I should, and am thrilled to always be working with my hands.
What do you have with socks? The only love love relationship in my life. I can never be angry with them, and grow to love them more and more with each passing day. They are my passion children.
When did you start mismatching your socks? I gladly blame my laundromat. Socks continuously went missing, and eventually there were so many mismatched socks it became a necessity to do so. Now, I can't help but wonder why we match socks in the first place?
How do you decide your ideal pair of socks on any given day? For me, it's about comfort. When it's hot and humid, I need to reach into my "summer" socks which consist of light materials, bright colors, and do not go past my ankle at any given time. In the winter, anything goes. Although with a boot, I like a peek of sock to keep me happy.
What is your happy place? My happy place is in bed with a beverage, reading in silence as the traffic outside creates a nice white noise. Losing myself in another reality created by someone else who wanted to share their world with their readers.
We know that you care about the homeless a lot, in your community and donate socks in NY, to the Bowery Mission. How did this start, what brought you to do this? I have been doing this in some capacity since I first moved to New York 10 years ago. NYU was doing a clothing drive my first semester and a representative from the Bowery Mission had a booth. We got to chatting and she told me that socks were actually some of the more important items of clothing they need. Who would have thought, something so small could make such a big impact? And socks are an easy thing to keep in mind, wherever you are: whether you get some ONETO socks and get socks donated to shelters, or pass Duane Reade - to pick a pack of 3 socks for $3.99 - or Uniqlo, I invest in warmer socks for the winter 5 pairs for $20 - on the road, at a gas station $1 socks with a bit of personality. It's easy to pack, it's easy to keep until you are ready for your next trip to donate!
Where can we find you on a Sunday? I wish I could say relaxing on vacation somewhere, but the reality is, I am happiest when I am working on my creative projects. Sunday's are spent either on a set building out concepts, or at home finding inspiration for my next one. One thing I make an effort to do on every Sunday is to READ because reading is IMPORTANT.
What is your trademark or call it signature? My sock shoe combos :)
What does your sock drawer look like? Honestly, immaculate. Color coordinated, in size order, for different types of occasions, for different types of weather.
If you could time travel where would you go? If I could time travel, I honestly couldn't tell you because then it would create a break in the time continuum, and this would lead to a monumental change in time because time travel isn't normal and I could break time! Moral of the story, if you figure out a way to time travel, don't tell anybody because you could seriously damage time and its existing world!
For more GIA SEO find her on IG @giaxseo
Calisthenics translates from the Greek language, it means beautiful strength. It is essentially anything that has to deal with body weight and movements such as sports, dancing, or climbing. I have always done calisthenics, since I could walk ....
EACH YEAR, SINCE 1979, THE AMAZING SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE. AN ORDER OF QUEER NONS, COME TOGETHER IN THE GOLDEN GATE PARK, TO CELEBRATE EASTER AND ORGANIZE THEIR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER. WE WERE THERE TO CELEBRATE AND MEET WITH THE NUNS AND FELL IN LOVE, AGAIN.
RECENTLY WE COLLABORATED WITH THE LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER TO ORGANIZE THE FIRST QUEER SOCK PUPPET WORKSHOP. IT IS AMAZING TO SEE HOW MAKING SOCK PUPPETS, HELPS THE YOUTH AT THE CENTER TO GET THEIR MINDS OFF, OF TROUBLES AND FOCUS ON THEIR CREATIVE SIDE.
