Strong and Sturdy

The Sycamore, so strong, so sturdy and certain times of the year, extremely annoying (when leaves shed and clogged the ethnobotany pond every year). Over the short few years I'm here, I recalled countless unsatisfactory attempts on capturing the height, the strength of the sycamore but none stood out as much as these two. There's something about the branches reaching out from the trunk that reveals a different message to each person, to me, it brought back thoughts of the family.

My parents used to tell me, go far, venture out, don't stay back. I took their advice to heart and together with a lot of other problems, decided to leave the nest. The branches from this sycamore tells an important message: no matter how far you stretch out, you are still connected to that main trunk.

Parents: let go, wind and rain beat on the branches only made them stronger, you cannot hang on to them or shield them forever. Learn and let learn.
Yourself: Go far, yes, (if that's what you want) but remember no matter how far you stretch, be grateful for the love and support.

It's a topsy-turvy world

Tis the season to be jolly...

It's the season again, the season of giving, sharing, celebrating the birth of Christ.
Now, why is this the only season to give? Times are tough, sure, the price tag per gift matters but it's really the thought that counts. Do your neighbor a favor, help a friend finish a chore, let this season's values be enforced throughout the year instead of just the month of December.

I would like to take this moment to remember friends who passed. It's been a year full of ups and downs, two friends left this year, one by choice, another by natural causes.  Live like it's your last and treasure those around you, (Yea, like you really mean it). If it's true what they say about life flashing before your eyes right when it's your time, let's hope you'll like what you see.

Christmas tree @ home

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas 2011.

Merry Christmas!

I know, it's not till another week but what the heck,

"Feliz navidad, selamat hari natal, seng dan fai lok, Merry Christmas!"

Remember?

Remember Duck Hunt? Super Mario bros? Cool kids have Walkmans, cutting off Barbie dolls' hair thinking they'll regrow, watching Thunder cats, Tom and Jerry, and Leo the lion on that big chunky TV tube? You know you're an 80's baby when you were dying to get into the 'Babysitter's club'! Also,  'Kids fun club' mag from KFC used to be the HOT stuff to bring to school.

A recent photoshoot for a friend's nephew and niece brought back fond memories. The good ol' days of playing 'adults' with my sister, looked after my dear nieces and nephew (presently, some finishing high school and one went to college, how time flies!)

Living life in the fast lane for too long? Feeling weary all the time?

Remember when you were young?
Slow down and smell the roses, these kids in the photos sure did.

A Place I Call Home

C'mon. You got to feel homesick at least once.
Homesickness hits me every now and then, knocking on my door, the thought of being surrounded by family and friends back home just stings every time a familiar holiday rolls by.

Thankfully, I'm lucky enough to have found lifelong friends whom I can depend on here in SoCal, people I know I'm going to miss once I do get home. You know who you are and Thank you.

BioTrek in a different shade

Greenhouse after the rain

LA

Ethnobotany garden -BioTrek (Staghorn Cholla)

These past few days, with the cloudy weather and Fall slowly seeping in, I took these pictures of a place I call home in this corner of the world.

Yeap, guess that homesick-bug will always bite, regardless where I'll be  =)

Outside your window

What do you see outside your window?

What would you rather see?

There are many things I want to see, places I want to be. Until it hits you that it's not really about what you want to see, it's who you want to see it with.

It was on a Saturday when the lighting was just right, hitting the plantation shutters in my room.
While running errands - wonderful sunset in Chino, CA, the lighting was too beautiful to resist.

It was a beautiful day - I tried my best to capture my moment in these photos to share with everyone I missed. Wish you guys re right here next to me. Until then, take care.

To the Proud one

The LA arboretum trip was fantastic. Greeted by a peacock who is not afraid to flare out his feathers.  She walked by, he flared out his feathers. Ignored. Another walked by, he flared out his feathers. Again,ignored.

He tries hard, really really hard...But she's just not that into him. Maybe he did it for the camera or the peanuts?

Some people does not believe in failing, these are the ones determine not to give up.
What do you want so bad to not give up?
Giving up is easy to do. You might fail or you might not but having that kind of determination even when everyone else ridiculed you for what you believe in, that's true strength!

I'd like to dedicate these series of photos to the proud peacock who never gives up.