31-MAR-2013
Time again here is spring!
In Spring break and the Easter long weekend, and always, at this time of year,
Hope you've had a beautiful weekend & that your week is off to a perfect start.
31-MAR-2013
Walking in the Cemetery -- Charleston, SC 2013
03-JAN-2013
Early morning in the living room
I’ve lived in this place for a while now, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally got around to take some pics. I am not in the mood to style it so everything is from my old apartment.
Another year just begun, I’m torn about New Year’s resolutions. They’re promising in theory, but usually turn into unrealistic challenges we create for ourselves. I am officially old and my dream is very small now. Instead of embracing the upcoming year with wishful thinking, I’ve decided to take a different approach this year. I want to start the year on a positive note – Rearrange furniture, Buy few pieces new that I really like (keepers!). Plan a romantic vacation.Something like that.
And with just a slight shift in perspective, I’m much more excited about the year to come. It’s going to be a good one, I can feel it.
29-OCT-2011
The season's first snow before Halloween
Trick or treat! Snow Blankets NYC Before Halloween!This is the picture I took from my living room window. Autumn red leaves coveered by fresh snow. . . Today, the rain and snow, an unusual start to the Halloween weekend, and a perfect way to end the month and we're ready for whatever november brings, so long
06-MAY-2011
Spring Tulips
If I was a Tulip, and you were wind's-wings,
I would not count - my broken dreams,
But bless the coming spring.
I would be happy, to know that you would
Touch my face. When the sun sets in.
I would feel you in full force,
Gently from within.
But strong winds of late May
Again could make me weak.
My petals scattered on the ground
And gone in a week.
But I will come again to let you see
Life is but a circle,
I will bloom again next spring:
For you and only you...
08-APR-2011
Outside of my bedroom window
I must confess that I got to know the name of the flower tree outside of my bedroom window two days ago. My landlord told me it's an apricot tree. It's the first signal to spring with their beautiful white pink blossoms. I am luck to see them every morning when I get up.
Today after work, I took few pictures and I found out the popcorn popping on the apricot tree. Spring brought me such a surprise. Popcorn popping right before my eyes. I never saw an apricot tree in bloom so close before. I was zooming into those blossoms and they are really like little pieces of popcorn waiting to explode into blossoms…
Note to myself: take the time to stop and enjoy the little things – like popcorn blossoms on apricot trees…
Bad news - my landlord may has to take it down because it's too close to the foundation.
3/31/2011
Just a thought
The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs.
Sometimes the most important thing is living in the moment and recording it somewhere… just the short time together of our everyday lives. It doesn’t have to be a scrapbook page – it could just be a photo with your memory of that moment written down…these will be the gems future generations will cherish.
20-MAR-2011
Happiness
I realize happiness is not something that a new car, new clothes, or financial success will bring. Just like most birthday presents, which lose their appeal in a few days, more "things" gives us only the most fleeting joy. True happiness lies in our connection to ourselves and to others. We are social creatures and much of our happiness depends on the quality of our relationships.
In the picture, Shayla is opening her birthday gifts at her 5 years birthday party. As a mom, I wish her another year of laughter, joy and fun, surprises, love and happiness. Another year is a happy gift,
Instead of counting birthdays, we count blessings every day!
14-FEB-2011
You are my sweetheart
Shayla. Her face lights up the room when I hear she walks in and says “mommy”, and runs up and gives me a big hug and kiss. No matter how bad my day has been, my mood completely changes by just one look from her. It’s the sweetest thing! my sweetheart.
14-FEB-2011
Valentine's Day Non- Enjoyer
It seems senseless to me to have a day devoted to making singles feel lonely, and couples feel obligated to buy each other gifts and say I love you.
For most, there is no crueler day of calendar year than that of Valentine's day. While a tiny fraction of the population can look forward to a holiday of wine and roses, poetry and song, the rest majority of us anticipate a day of nausea and grimacing, trauma and grief. A day in which minutes seem like hours, and hours like days, as we reflect sorrowfully on yesteryear's romantic indignities, today's loneliness, and the unknowable but certain heartbreak that will be visited upon us repeatedly in the years to come.
06-FEB-2011
Sweet Bliss
My landlord sent us this fruit cake for Chinese New Year. The beautifully arranged fruits over the cake, so colorful, so vibrant and completed with a light pink cream left the cake charming and beautiful tasting.
15-FEB-2010
Old Street
I went back to China for Chinese New Year last year. This picture was taken in Wuhan while visiting this old street with my dad. It's him walking on the street. This is his childhood place.
It's just a little street,
Where my dad grew up,
He'd love to wander back someday.
To you, it maybe old,
and sort of tumbled down,
But it means a lot to folks
in my hometown.
It's just a little street,
where old friends meet,
and treat you in a same old way.
22-JAN-2011
Shayla, Almost five years old
Shayla is turning 5 next month, she has progressed in many ways. She can draw all kinds of pictures, read basic words, and dress herself. Her personality is taking shape and I as mom can see areas of interest she has and I'll do my best to support her. She has a particular eye for color and fashion.It surprises me a bit at how talented she is at putting together her outfits.
05-FEB-2011
Waiting for mommy
Waiting for mommy to go to Chinese New Year's party. Boring! How long it takes for her to get ready?
It only takes her about an hour to get ready, that includes showering, dressing, makeup and hair... but it takes her at least another hour to get ready to get ready. Does that make sense? Need 15 minutes more, If she can't find her shoes.
She still believe in the less is more concept...
04-FEB-2011
This is Living room
This is Living room. still have boxes unpacked. I am not a superwoman. I am a single working mom.
I can't have a style right away when it comes to unpacking and creating a home. But I do obsess to get everything perfect.
Right now I only have my daughter's bedroom and my bedroom finished. I fantasize (and obsess) about having the “perfect” space, but realize that creating a home is more like working out an intricate puzzle. I do a little at a time. Live with it. Add to it. Do it over again until it fits. My approach is slow.
26-JAN-2011
My New Old Apartment
This is a 80 something years old townhouse. My new apartment since 2011. I live in the second floor.
The apartment has hardwood floors that are very uneven, over the years the foundation has sagged, I think. But I just couldn't take the stained carpet floors in another available apartment. I like hardwood floors and it adds stylish elegance with folksy charm to a home. Plus, I have no time to shop around since Shayla is here. So This is my new home for at least a year.
05-FEB-2011
Things break all the time
My favorite vase was broken during moving. Well, things break all the time. Glass and dishes, fingernails, cars and potato chips. You can break the ice, a contract or a record. There are coffee breaks and lunch breaks and prison breaks, chains can be broken, so can silence, and fever.
Since my vase and other stuff were broken on the way to my new apartment, I made a list of these things.
Why I forgot these?
Promise breaks. Marriage breaks and heart breaks.
26-JAN-2011
The place I have lunch every day
Through the cafeteria window, I could see the slope of the hospital lawn, covered with dazzling snow.
This is the place I enjoy the most every day at work.
27-JAN-2011
Big Snow Storm last night
Damn! Another big snow storm here in NYC! Woke up to find everything blanketed in white. This is outside of my apartment. Of course, my car is stuck in a mountain of white fluffy stuff.(second car in this picture).My landlord went outside and cleaned the snow off the steps and shoveled the driveway so I can go to work.
Again, I have to dig out my car over the weekend. I'm exhausted from shoveling. With that big heavy snowplow, do you know how long it takes to dig out my car from 30 inches snow? Almost 3 hours. Don't think I need any workout this winter at all.
My car is in very bad shape. Took the car to the garage in town. The thing is rusting out from all the salt they put all over the roads. I guess any more of the salt and I wouldn't have a car, its to melt the snow and also to melt my car!!!!
Want to move to west coast. I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would ever
live in this messed up city of New York.