New Year's Day

On New Year's Day, Kepi, Daisy and I were out for an afternoon walk when we caught glimpse of the lovely Maryland sky. The sky was a perfect backdrop to the almost leafless trees of winter.

The sky was on fire for a moment, then darkness took over.

This is my entry to:
 Wordless Wednesday
Ruby Tuesday
and Skywatch Friday.

Goodbye August

How lovely and delicate these flowers are and so is life.

August was a tough month - physically and emotionally, so I can't express how excited I am that it is coming to a close.

September for me means:

• my first semester in grad school
• healing and getting stronger physically, emotionally and spiritually
• Labor Day long weekend
• cooler mornings
• hot cocoa days
• wearing sweaters and knee-high socks
• and soon, most probably playing with a new pup pup :)

Everlasting

How beautiful it would be when this Everlasting flower blooms fully.

Niagara Falls Postcard

A beautiful day at Niagara Falls, Canada.

Remembering Spring

As I sweat and whine about summer's oppressive heat,
thoughts of spring has filled my thoughts of late.

I miss the -

tall weeds dancing to the soft spring breeze
outburst of vibrant colors
sweet floral scents that filled the morning air
anticipation for the first spring rain
waiting for the right time to sow the vegetable seeds
deciding what flowers to grow
excitement of house renovations
looking forward to starting a new.

It's good to remember spring, but now, fall will be here anytime soon.

Pinanga

This photo was taken during my visit to Maui's Garden of Eden: Arboretum & Botanical Garden. There are so many fruits, flowers and exotic plants there but this Pinanga really caught my attention. I didn't research much on what this fruit is for, but I find it interesting that they look like prayer beads and I love their deep red color.

Blooming

I used to get impatient waiting for a flower to reach its full bloom. But as I spent one weekend at Hershey Gardens photographing the different varieties of roses, I couldn't help but be amazed at how beautiful the roses are when they're still in the process of blooming.

A rose half closed and partially opened is so appealing and intriguing. In my perspective, a rose's blooming depends on perfect timing. You cannot rush a flower to bloom. If a rose blooms too early due to unpredictable weather, there is a chance its petals will be wrinkled and damaged even before it reaches its full bloom. But, if given the right amount of time, sunlight and water, a rose will bloom beautifully and last until its peak.

"I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and you laugh till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom." (Unknown)

Such is my life, so many times I've found myself being impatient about so many things including the cure for my aplastic anemia, but obviously my impatience is hurting more than helping me. There are times I'd sit, close my eyes and lash out my impatience and anger into that vastness of space, "Why me?"

When all else fail to calm me down, I think of a rose half closed and partially opened. Maybe I'm still at that phase of blooming and that soon, everything will fall into place and I'll reach that phase where I am fully cured.

For it is in the process of blooming that I'll learn and grow the most.

Hershey Gardens In Full Bloom

At this time of year, there are "5,600 roses representing 275 different varieties" in bloom at the Hershey Gardens. Last year, we missed their peak bloom, so this year, we made sure we got there in time to see their full beauty. The roses of Hershey Gardens did not disappoint.

I feasted my eyes at all the beauty and colors. With a camera in tow, I felt like a bee attracted to each bloom, snapping and focusing at every angle. I felt greedy that I wanted to freeze each beauty and wish they'd last for eternity. The air was filled with their sweet floral fragrance and it was like magic - my worries felt so faraway.

I hope these photos I took would bring some color and joy to your day as well.

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today. (Dale Carnegie)

Lanakila Train Express

Kapolei City Lights (December 2010)

Just looking at this photo is making me miss so many things at home - the sweet ocean breeze, the blue Pacific, crunchy seaweeds, the hunger inducing smoke of huli-huli chicken, body boards hitting the sand, the crash of waves on the shore, the sandy beaches of North Shore and most of all, my family.

Sending my A-L-O-H-A from lovely Maryland! I miss you, my Hawai'i.

Princeton Postcard

I don't know, but I've always felt at home in Princeton (NJ). Driving there this recent weekend made me realize how much I miss the area, the people and the shops. There's more shops now than I can remember. After all these years, the place still feels warm and homey. Although our visit there was short, it was a warm, relaxing, perfect Easter Sunday.

The Tulips adorn the entry way to the Yankee Doodle Tap Room.

This is also my entry for Ruby Tuesday. Check out other entries here.