After 1 year.. I guess she must have known it; she is now 1 year old (human year) as she ran away from home today, only to be found later by a boy. Thank you, whoever that is! Thank you! I was dreaming of her today that we were running and then took a rest somewhere, just like in this picture. Relaxing in the sun, getting ready to run… again.
Happy Birthday, my little blue eyed, Missha!
And couldn’t have her today if Qi wasn’t taking care of her… but opse… Missha ran away! What the -BEEP- ! The point is she is back.
During Easter Holiday 2009, a friend and I visited Madrid. My primary objective was to visit the Loewe store in Madrid because it is, as they told me, the very first shop that Loewe has open more than 70 years ago! It took me housr to find the store while trying not to be lost in the city. Hours had passed as I walk up and down on Gran Via Blvd only to find out that I had walked past the building many times, because they were renovating the front of the shop and I couldn’t see the sign.
I spent a lot of time at the shop being amazed by everything as it was so unreal because I would never imagine myself to have a chance to visit the store year ago when I first experience Loewe perfume. I didn’t even know before that Loewe originated in Madrid, Spain. Anyway… how could I leave the store empty handed! I spent an hour or so playing around with their perfume and fragrance until my nose could’t handle it anymore. It was fun as I had a great experience with the customer representative that is being very kind to allow me to try all of the fragrance ^_^
I left the store with a pair of fragrance… Solo Loewe and Quizás Quizás Quizás Loewe. The crazy thing was that when I got the Quizás Quizás Quizás Loewe, I had no idea who to give it to yet. But I believe that soon I will find the one to give it to. They both smell great! One for me and one for my Loewe,…!
Enjoy the short video from Loewe made for Quizás Quizás Quizás (Loewe).
Today, I will be heading out for interview for an internship in Bangkok. Wish me luck! Other news is that I will be servicing my computer with AppleCare. There fore I won’t have my computer to work with for at least 10 days! that is what they told me. 10 days without my laptop… that is going to be hard! But hey! it’s not that bad. I’ll figure something out so that I can continue blogging. Actually I already figured it out ^_^
So just before I go to the interview and have my computer service, I would like to blog this one. I took this photo the first time I visit Madrid but it was the 2nd time that I visit Madrid that I get to enjoy a meal there. As you can see the whole line of seats in front of the building, they all belong to one restaurant, Cafe de Oriente. They separate in sections according to menu. And that cause a bit of confusion when we wanted to sit at another location.
In the end we sat right at the corner right behind where the boy in the yellow shirt is standing. It was a really sunny day, so hot that I remember the camera became really hot as I left it in the sun and the table was also so hot that I couldn’t lean my arm on it! The food was great as was the mist of water. I remember how we were waiting for the mist to turn on… it was really that hot. We kept having one orange juice after another. It was really refreshing. So refreshing that it was gone just seconds after it was served!
Just minutes before we had to leave the park, The Retiro Park in Madrid, I got the chance to take this picture. However instead of the photo, I wish we got to be in the boat just for a bit. Why? for more photos !
If I am correct, I know there are parks like this in Bangkok as well. I am going to find out where and then I will share it here and let see… which is better? In my honest opinion, I don’t think that it is where that matters… it is who you are with that makes the difference ^_^
I mean… look at the photo, they all are couples rowing the boats! … the location became insignificant.
A month has passed since the last class at Les Roches Marbella.
I sure miss it, the lack of time to do nothing else but work and school,
the fresh air in the morning,
the sound of the phone alarm waking me up at 6am for pastries,
the 4 cups of warm milk with Te’ at breakfast,
the delivery of muffins
the all you eat dessert at lunch!
the cutting and chopping meat and vegetable for dinner
the walk in the afternoon over the mountain
the time spent doing nothing but to enjoy the 1 hour happiness of the day
the brownie at Small World
the light breeze of each night
the shining moon over the sky
the north star that always shines
the sand and stone on the road
the sound of cricket in the woods
the moment…
There’s no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepiatone loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it’s so hard?
It’s not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing it’s always better when we’re together
[Chorus:]
MMM it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, we’ll look at the stars when we’re together
Well, it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, it’s always better when we’re together
And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they’ll be gone
When the morning light sings
And brings new things
For tomorrow night you see
That they’ll be gone too
Too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I’d be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We’ll Sit beneath the mango tree now
It’s always better when we’re together
Mmmm, we’re somewhere in between together
Well, it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, it’s always better when we’re together
MMmmmm MMMmmmm Mmmmmm
I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no, combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We’re better together.
Tonight, I would like to dedicate this photo to the one and only “…” with the song “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. I’ll let the lyrics speak for itself.
This pile of rocks and the big stone represents the START of a NEW beginning for a path. Apparently, from the view, the path seems to be rough to walk thru. Why would someone want to walk down this path anyway? Perhaps because they know that at the end of the path is the Beach*, where they can rest happily in front of the eternal ocean.
*zoom-in on the original file and you would see the sea at the end of the road. Yes that little blue pool of water is the sea
I guess that is the best way to reach our destination by fixing our eye on our GOAL in life and do work hard with a POSITIVE mind and everything will become much easier.
This post is related to back to the previous posted as it was the resulted from the “STONE” that marked the new beginning. The question that was mentioned in the previous post… was asked and has been answered.
The ROAD to take was chosen… and now? Keep going FORWARD, “together”.
“Two things I learned in life, kid: find someone to love and live everyday as though it were your last.– Joe.” Alfie 2004.
And to live everyday as it though it were your last, sometime we must put ourselves in the position that there is no turning back, just keep going forward. And to never regret any moment in life.
This is the view of City Center, Valencia, Spain. What a fun, risky, crazy, spot to take the photo, yet…it was worth it.
One more exam to go, One more week until graduation… and one more question to be answer.
Ahh yes… today post is a bit different from the norm. After I have the picture ready to upload, I felt the urge to edit it which resulted in the black and white picture. You still have access to the original color version.
It was during the 48 hour 4 city trip with my colleagues. As we were resting from the walk… I noticed that the majority of the tourists are walking in pairs and as I keep searching for that perfect pair… left and right, I couldn’t find any.
In the end, as I looked up… straight right in front of me is this lovely couple that I only had a split second to capture it.
There, at the moment… it was so sweet that I wish to know who they are so that I can share this picture with them!
So then… I asked and believed.
Now?… Received.
Don’t know what am I talking about? Well… it’s part of “the secret”. ^_^
This view of Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain reminded me of the quote “stand for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.” Well, obviously because there is one statue standing in the center, however I don’t know why is he/she is standing there. Another interesting part of the statue is that he/she is holding a mask that has different expression from his/her real face expression.
Why would he/she standing there? And why would he/she wear a mask?
In my opinion, if you are truly standing for something you believe in… you wouldn’t need a mask to hide yourself. Instead you should throw away the mask with no regrets, no remorse, and no sadness while “standing for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone” and be strong, confident, and happy!
Out of all the bench photos I have taken, only this one is facing forward at the camera. I didn’t notice about that until now. And yes the photo is the different and also the place I am taking the picture that is different from before. Usually I would be taking the picture while I was walking from here to there and most of the time it would be behind the bench.
However for this photo, I took it while I was sitting opposite from the bench itself. Resting and hoping that the day would never end. It was a great day to just walk around the city of Madrid, from the Plaza Mayor to Thyssen Museum to Retiro park then to Gran Via.
A simple photo that has so many stories behind it. One step at a time, there are times that we walk and time that run, but for now… we rest.
I dont’ have much time to type much, but all I can say is that, this is the view that I will be missing. So many memories here with such little time. I have always wanted for this day to come, but when it is here, I don’t think I want it anymore. sigh… weird ha?
“Two things I learned in life, kid: find someone to love and live everyday as though it were your last.– Joe.” Alfie 2004.
And to live everyday as it though it were your last, sometimes we must put ourselves in the position where there is no turning back, just keep going forward. And to never regret any moments in life.
This is the view of City Center, Valencia, Spain. What a fun, risky, crazy, spot to take the photo, yet…it was worth it.
One more exam to go, One more week to the graduation… and One more question to be answered.
Just a few weeks left here at LRM, and this is the view that I will be missing… the road, the sierra blanca, the messy grass, and the memories. In the beginning, from time to time, I walk to Puerto Banus from the school just to go rest by the beach and the port then walk back to school. These past months, due to the busy schedule I only have just enough time to walk up here then walk back. Yet, with my passion, the walk is very refreshing, happy, and hopeful.
The view is going to become part of the good memories that I have at LRM, however I hope that the experiences and the feeling from this place can continue forever.
Work work work, study study study, read read read, work some more, study some more, read some more… just never gonna stop! Sleeping is outrageous! But no, I am not a workaholic, not to that extent anyway. There were times where all I would do is work, obsessed with work to the extent that I have forgotten how wonderful life could be. And to be able enjoy that, is to simple step back a little, look around you and just enjoy the moment.
We all know that there is no such thing as “perfect balance” and as much as I try to balance my activities and academics just to have the right motivation to work and enjoy working, it is quiet exhausted to keep up with everything.
All we need is just a little break, a little moment and a little peace of mind… no worries and no responsibility but to just sit somewhere and just enjoy the moment.
After just sitting there, enjoying the time, watching Matilde and Zoe having fun… time just flew by so fast. I was really worry about them because they are so athletic… jumping, climbing, fliping, and swinging. A few moments later, I grabbed my camera and just clicked! It caught this moment that reminded me of a childhood time when there was nothing to worry about, no responsibility, no drama…
Yesterday, there is a moment that reminded me of this moment in the photo. It was a street that lead to nowhere. I asked, if we don’t know where we are going… shall we keep on going or do we just turn back around or simply just stay where we are?
At one point in my life, I was the kind of person that I must know “exactly” what exactly is on the other side of the road before I start walking. As much as I love walking, it would have been nice to know where I was walking to. Basically there is a destination… knowing exactly how far and how long it would take to get to that destination. However, now what? Now that we get to the “destination”, what else is there to do? Look for more destinations and give myself a new purpose in life?
Today, to some people, I seem to be lost and confuse because when they ask me what do I want and how am I going to get there… I can’t really answer them something that make sense to them because they want the answer that include how and where I am heading to. To me, knowing what I want is good enough and I will do whatever it take to get there… under the one condition, which is that I am happy doing what I do during the journey.
Let’s be real. As the majority of people would know by now that “Life is not easy”. Either we stay where we are or go back to where we were… our life is not going to be easier. So why not go forward on the route that we are actually “happy” while we are on our journey to achieve that objective of ours?
To answer that question I asked earlier… in my opinion, we shall keep on going on that street… as long as we are happy, let’s just keep on going and when we are tired, let’s take a break on the side of the street until we are ready again then get right back on that street and just keep on going.
Why? Because I don’t wanna stop.
What will you do? Will you stay, go back or go forward? Whatever you choose, make sure you are happy.
As much as I want to write to explain why it is “special” day. We all have different reasons and I am sure that my reasons won’t be that much different from yours.
Today, if you haven’t already, thans her. For what, you ask… Thanks her for “everything”
The concept of “love” has been misinterpreted due to the media and culture. We believe that we must “do something” for the one we love. And those that we love must “do something” in return. But TRUE LOVE… can only be describe as the love that ask of nothing in return, as the love that all mothers has for their child.
It’s really hard to tell the one we love of how much we love them… Since a picture says a thousand words, I hope that this would show how much love is being given out in this picture. A heart that is made of tiny little hearts, LOVE that made of little love because it is not ONE thing but it is the compilation of those LITTLE things that they do… and never ask for anything in return.
To mother and mothers; thank you.
*photo taken at Cafe Sweet near the Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
Midterm is finally over, most of the exams went really well but one… accounting!!! In my opinion, I needed more time to finish the work. Oh well the point is, it is over and to keep thinking about it will not change the fact that I only finished “half” of the exercise for the accounting. After the exam, I went to relax with my classmates at their place across from the school. The weather is perfect; sunny and warm, so much so that I jumped into the swimming pool thinking that the water would be nice and warm as well. Not! Freezing cold, and soaking wet.
So we spent some time by the pool just sitting in the sun, warming and drying myself before walking back to my room. That experience reminded me of Christmas day in 2008 when I went for an evening walk in the rain, cold and wet just an hour before sunset at Angel point, Los Angeles.
Love, is in the air…
call out my name,
and I will be there.
Question: What is it with the sunset, the beach, and the view that make it is such a preferred location for couples, families, or individuals to come and just watch that moment where the sun sets into the sea at the horizon?
Answer: I don’t know… and that is why I have nothing more to say today.
Tip: Close your eyes… Take a Deep Breath… Just Feel… and remember that feeling.
Picture info, Location… San Diego, California. Outside of Museum of Making Music.
“We are so arrogant aren’t we? So afraid to age… we do everything we can to prevent it… we don’t realize what a privilege it is to grow old with someone, someone who doesn’t drive me to commit murder or doesn’t humiliate you beyond repair… sweet!” a quote i found very very… true. It was from the movie “P.S. I LOVE YOU”
After i watched that movie, yesterday it reminded me of this picture that i took on the new year. Actually it is the same day that i took the “First sunset of the year, in Vancouver 01.01.09″. I imagine that, it would have been nice to have someone to sit there, together and just be there for each other, doing nothing, worrying about nothing, just be happy.
I don’t think that it is too much to ask for, or is it?
Finally, a sunny day. No more gloom, wind, rain and flying leaves (or leaf dagger)s *that may injure you because of the strong wind. For today, I choose the picture that I took in Marina Del Rey after Graduation day from Basic 75 of M.I.T.T. (Mastery in Transformation Training) What is the training about? There is no way to describe it; really, however, once you complete the course… you will see a different side to your life and that will lead you to places that you wouldn’t imagine before, to do “whatever it takes, go as far as required, to reach that dream and achieve that impossibility” ……… Hey! I am in Spain now, ain’t I?
For the picture, I feel that, if we are all boats, ships, things that float… we have the freedom to float anywhere that we want in our life, but at one point, we will be stopping at a dock where we all can rest together, side by side and we can share all the stories with each other.
Dear Basic 75… thank you for your support, your experience, your courage and your love. Also, thank you for caring enough about me to be honest with me thru out the training. I miss and love you all!!!
From the last post, Sleepless night in Seattle… it reminded me of another sleepless night, due to Jetlag, that I had when I was in Thailand last year. So instead of staying in at home, I drove to “Suan Lum Night Balza” * I think that what it called. This place has everything that you will ever want for gift, food, drink, entertainment, cafe, restaurant… and etc. As a Thai, I bought 2 tuk tuk (little 3 wheel vehicle that we used for public transportation in Thailand). One for my mom in the states and another one I gave to my best-friend, Hans… which later passed that tuk tuk to his/my other best-friend, Jimmy, which then now has passed on to Jimmy’s friend. How did I find out? I saw that Tuk Tuk at my old school, SCI_Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture), on someone’s desk after I have graduated from that place 3 semesters ago. So I did a little investigation. Haha.
And from that moment, I remembered the movie Pass it forward, which I never really watched before, but I understand the idea of the movie that is started by a little boy with a simple request… do something nice to a person, and have that person continue to pass that “niceness” to another.
As far as Bangkok, I am 50/50 about the possibility of going back, it is depend on the job offer *fingers crossed* – hoping for it. But hey, if you know anyone looking for an Assistant Manager in Hospitality Management… Hook me up!!! Bangkok… is nothing like any other city in the world, based on my own experience. Oh well, I’d better get back to finish the Video promotion for our event, 11 March 2009 !!!! A Tale of Four Cities !!!!
This is my baby, she was only 11 weeks old then. It was her 3rd week here with me in California. She was starting to get used to walking with me. No!!! it wasn’t easy at all… Imagine me, sitting on the side walk with a little puppy that does not understand anything yet, because after all, she is just a baby. She is now 7 months old, and is still getting bigger. I had no idea how fast she can grow because months ago I was walking with her and the last time we went on a walk… she was walking me!!! Talking about her energy… she can run for hours. I found that out when I went to Alamansor park at night time just to jog with her when she was a baby (I didn’t want to walk her on the street yet because it could be very dangerous). Oh man… all that jogging… drains all my energy. So I unleashed her… and there she went… all over the park. I just sat there and watched her run all over the place. When she got tired enough… she came back. Cute baby isn’t it? We went a few time to the park but then later we got a warning because there are no dogs allow in the park… DUDE where is the SIGN??? Then he showed me this little sign, a block away from the park, silly!
The moment that I took this picture was after we took a walk for a bit around the house and decided to rest for awhile, that is how I got her to stay because she is out of energy. That moment, I wondered what was she thinking… I wish that she can communicate with me somehow, wouldn’t that be awesome? Sigh… I miss her.
Love, what is it anyway? Do you even remember what true love feels like?
I am sure, I should be the last person on earth to discuss about this topic, why… ? Because I am never good at it, but hey… that doesn’t mean I don’t know what I am talking about.
So do you remember that moment, when you were a child… let say, when you just start learning how to walk and all you can say is… koo koo ka ka. Yes that moment. While your dad, your mom, grandmom, grandpa and your families are all trying to teach you how to walk. I would call that; love… the love that was given to us from our parents without asking for anything in return.
No, we never really understand what that love truly is. After we grow up in this world, the word of trade and capitalism, where if you give then you must get something in return. That is how we generalize everything else along with it. We study hard to get good grades, work hard to earn more… everything is a competition… if you have more, or better… then you are “whatever it is” more than others.
So what happened to love? Love is no exception fell in the same scenario where if you love then you must do “all the criteria” to be loved in return. If you fail to do one, or if you do less than it mean that one love is not as strong as the other.
How do we really measure this thing called “love” ???
Really, I don’t know how. But I know for sure that, love… true love… should be very similar to that love that we received when we were child, back when everything is pure and innocent, when everything was unconditional.
It is not easy for us to do anything “unconditionally” because we always wanted “something” in return. But it isn’t impossible to do… we all can do anything unconditionally, we only do it “just because” we love that person, that little one… that we won’t even know how will they turn out when they grow up. But yet, we love the little one anyway.
So, to conclude this… I still don’t know what love is… but I believe that being unconditional is one of it criteria.
For the picture, it is one of the drive by photos that I took in San Francisco.
