Reach Out for Your Dreams

Thank you, Ronald Colunga for using my photo and featuring this blog!

It is so interesting to read how others interpret your pictures. Ronald writes about positivity and encourages people to reach out for their dreams. Take a look at his website Life Stepping Stone and spread the message. It matters not what you don’t have, it is what you do with what you have that matters!

You have dreams, don’t you? Whatever it is – be it travel, write, climb Mt Everest – what is stopping you? Yes I know. Life has its huddles, obstacles and commitment. Most often than not, that hindrance is YOU! Take courage, friends, reach out for that first tentative step. Small baby steps one day at a time and you are already doing something positive in your life. Be brave!

It is very inspiring to read someone so young with a clear vision and doing something so encouraging. Thanks for the inspiration, Ronald!

Since we are focusing on kites, here is another kite picture in Ronald’s honour.

Kites at Sunset

 

Leave a Light On

Have you have moments when things that once give you much joy is becoming too much like work? One of those burnout moments.

Like one of those flames. Burn too bright too fast, flicker out and light slowly fades. This picture seems an apt analogy. Taken during the recent earth hour. In the bathroom no less. No flash light needed. Wish the candle light are brighter though.

Haven’t quite perfected night photography at home. Always seem a lot of noise in the pictures. Well they said practice makes things perfect. Try and try again I suppose.

I am going to the beach tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

 

Extraordinary Life, Extraordinary People

Photo Credit : Joe Zachariah at http://www.dreamstime.com/joezachs_info

I like the simplicity of the bird picture. Very artistic. Pictures can convey a thousand emotions. But when you dig further and find the story behind the picture, a rich tapestry unfolds. There is more to this picture than what is plainly seen. This work of art is hand painted by a 90 year old lady from India.

Once in a while, I come across a story that is so compelling that it needs to be told again and again. We all can learn from this remarkable and inspiring lady.

I get to know of her story from another blogger, Joe. Originally published in Joe’s Blog – Lata’s mummy. The pictures the article refers to can be found in the original blog.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————–

What you see is only the corner of a table cloth which is hand painted. There are 15 such figures on the table cloth and believe it or not its done by an 88 year old lady. When people talk about retirement and taking life easy after 60, here is a lady who is very busy and innovative with stitching, painting, embroidery and what not.

The flowers in the forefront seen in the above picture was created by simply painting old withered flowers. Her artistic skills really amaze me.

Not only is she occupied, her work sells like hot cake and she is hard pressed for time. In line with the need of being eco friendly and cost effective, the bird nest seen below was made by simply rolling old news papers and painted.

Last year she learned how to use the net and send e mails. So now all her relatives who are flung all over the world just waits for her mails.

Flying and jet lag does not bother her as she is now planning another trip to Australia to visit her son and family who are settled there.

A true inspiration for today’s younger generation who gets flustered by the drop of a hat.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Click on the link to read the original story with more pictures – Encounter with a Superstar : Lata’s Mummy

Thanks for sharing your story, Joe! 

What is your passion in life? Be it sewing, painting, cooking, writing, photographing….whatever that be….do it with heart and soul. Let the artist in you free reign, lighten your spirit and soul and maybe you can be as remarkable as this lady.

Edit : Realised that yesterday was Mother’s Day. Should have mention this in this post. A happy belated Mother’s Day to Lata’s mother and all the mummy out there. You are a woman one hopes to be 🙂

Related Links
Joe’s Profile
Focus on other Photographer’s and Tenerife – Canary Islands
Smiley Faces in Guda Bishnoi Village, Jodhpur
Global Musical Harmony Illustration

 

Perspective : Journey in Travel and Photography

Postaday2011

It has certainly been a challenge at times in meeting deadlines and keeping the goal. Great idea, WordPress.

Three months has gone. Hey, it is only nine more months till 2012. Imagine that. I am glad I signed on for this challenge. Daily blogging induce focus, self-discipline and I hope improve my photography skills. Practice practice and practice till perfect.

This blog has changed focus along the way, now mainly concentrating in travel and photography. Hope those who stumble here through the search engines or other links find the first hand information useful and provides some insight on the places you want to go. This place has always been intended for information sharing.

I found a very old newspaper article saved in one of my scrapbook. 1984 – that was the year the newspaper was published. In the news article, the writer wrote about women photographers back then. So, I guess my interest in photography is not a new-found hobby. It has been building for years and with the advance in technology and digital cameras, taking photographs now is such a breeze.

Travel seems like a faraway impossible dream in the beginning. So along the way I discover that one don’t need to be rich to travel. Set a goal and go! With or without company. Try it!

So I am glad this blog gives me an avenue to write about something I love and what I aspire to do at times. I hope you have great moments in your blogging world. Thank you for taking the time to join me in my photographic journey of self discovery.

Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone!

 

Coming Soon : Earth Day 2011

This saturday, 26 March will be Earth Day 2011. But you don’t have to wait till that day to make a small difference in saving the Earth. Just think about it, what are the small little things each one of us can contribute?

Some ideas here

• Switch off all the main switches at home if you go out
• Instead of using water heater, have a cold shower – it is more invigorating
• Cycle instead of taking the bus to the wet markets or nearby places when running errands
• Use candles instead when having dinner – so romantic
• Instead of plastic bags, remember to bring along the grocery bag instead when out shopping for groceries

Just a short suggestion. Till next time, do your part!

 

1.1.11

There is a silver lining behind every dark clouds. Good Morning! Happy New Year 2011!

1.1.11

Nice numbers, eh? I just need an excuse to blog today. Heh.

As I am typing this, downstairs somewhere in the neighbourhood, drum beats echo in symphony and the revelry has just started….a wedding at the start of the new year. Lovely beginning I’ll say.

Plans for the year

Photography

First aim for the year is to get a new camera. Will be concentrating more on photography. Nature landscape will always be my first love. As I discovered, there are plenty of things to photograph in the city. But it needs a different level of skills and eye sight. Architecture and design photographs need crisp images. On the other hand, movements too are just as useful in photos. The plurist in me hate to see photographs where there are “blurry” people. That is until I learnt that “blurriness” are meant to depict movement and imply action. Okay.

Travel

It used to be if one wants to visit a big theme park, nearest place to go is either the 3 Worlds in Gold Coast, Australia or Tokyo Disneyland in Japan. We have Universal Studios right at home now. So this will be our first family vacation for the year. Where before I felt alright to travel alone, the drive to travel – no mather what obstacles stand in the way – is not quite blazing hot as it was. Maybe that travellust is gone….Nah!…it is still there just a wee bit muted is all. I still aim to return to Switzerland in the summer either this year or the next. Then, there was the recent news of budget travel to New Zealand. Such a temptation to visit year after year.

Well, it is good to plan but sometimes real life has a habit of making things muddy.

Hoping for the best!

Cheers to the New Year!

 

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

 

Happy New Year 2011

It is that time of the year again – to look back and brace for a brand new year.

Hope 2010 has been good to you and let’s welcome 2011 with renewed hope and aspirations.

May all your dreams come true!

Happy New Year 2011

 

Travelling Solo – Tips for Fighting the Blues

Travelling solo gives you so much freedom to do the things you want. That said, melancholy sometimes come unexpectedly. More so if you have been to a place with your family and the next time you travel there, memories circle in your mind. But you don’t have to let the blues pull you down.

So here are some suggestions in beating the blues when you travel alone :

• Bring along a photo of your family. It will keep you close and warm at heart.

• Spray your favourite perfume on a handkerchief or a piece of clothe. Sense has a way of making you feel good.

• Call your love ones. It is not always possible in mountainous region when phone signals are blocked.

• If you have internet connections, IM or ICQ or Tweet. Keep on connecting and you won’t feel so much alone.

• Bring along your MP3 player and play your favourite songs. Music is always a healer.
• If your handphone has this function, record a video of your family. If not have this video send to your phone. It is even better if it is something funny so you can laugh.
• Read. Bring along a book to read so your mind focus on something not dwell on negative things.
• Have a warm bath. Take along those wonderful smelling bath gel or soap and soak in the bath. Soothe yourself and relax.
• Exercise. Exercise release endorphin and that fight the blues. If you don’t like going to the hotel gym, just do light warm up exercise in your room. It is startling how a 10 minute exercise can elevate your mood.
• Massage. No need to call a therapist. Do a self massage. Use both your little fingers, start from the bridge of your nose, slowly gliding in small circles to your forehead and the rest of your face. Actually rubbing scented lotion to your body is already a form of massage.
• Game. Bring along your game set. Or your phone has lots of games to play. This requires concentration and coordination and that refocus your mind.
• Crocheting or knitting. This may not be your cup of tea but I always find crocheting relaxing. This doesn’t take much space. At the end of your trip, you may have completed a piece of craft.
• Crossword puzzle. Some newspapers have them or you can buy a book of crossword puzzle to occupy your time. Again this doesn’t take much space in your luggage.

In winter, there is less sunlight hours. Some people can easily get affected by the lack of sunlight. Know yourself and if weather can affect your mood, try not to travel alone during these times.

Hope these tips help you along. Remember, being on your own doesn’t mean you have to be lonely.

Stay bright and cheerful!

 

Travel – Adapting to a different climate

Image via Wikipedia

Coming from a warmer climate to a much colder climate takes some getting use to. I really, really love winter since it is so much different from the tropics where I come from. Having gone through unexpected sickness and incidence while on the road, I want to write about precautions, medications and some of the danger signs that one should be watching out for.

Medications to bring along

• Vicks – works wonders for soothing that unexpected cold and also great to relieve stomach ache.
• Panadol – for headache and as a general painkiller.
• Antacid & Gastric pills – I am very prone to stomach upset and have a doctors’ prescription for gastric pains. Make sure you bring along your medications if you suffer from any illness and there is a doctor’s prescription else it may be confisticated at customs.
• Axe oil. This is medicated oil you put on your temple for countering that giddiness and nausea. You may have your version of it in your country.

Mountainous region

If visiting mountainous regions, don’t be in a hurry to climb that highest mountain on the first day of arrival. Give your body time to rest from the long flight and adjust to local weather condition. The same applies if you are coming from a colder climate to a warmer climate. Remember, without precautions heat stroke can also kill.

Heat Stroke or Heat Exhaustion

I had heat exhaustion in Auckland and nearly collapse upon arrival at the hostel. Recognise the symptoms – sweating profusely, feeling clammy, trembling body, shaky legs – go to the shower now! Don’t stand, just sit or squat down on the floor with the water flowing over you and let your body cool down gradually.

Hypothermia

The opposite of that is hypothermia – where you body heat is gone and you can no longer shiver to generate heat. An internal inflammation can also cause you to feel so cold that not even two thick blankets can warm you up. I had another incident of that nature when I went hiking alone in the Malborough Sounds, New Zealand. Warm up immediately!  Get a warm drink now. Call for help if you don’t feel any better.

Clothes

Get clothes fitting the weather in that country you travel. For winter time, don’t ever, ever get materials made from cotton for your basic layers, caps or gloves. Cotton retain moisture and you can easily get clammy from cold sweat. Choose materials made from polypro or other sweat wicking materials for inner layers.

For caps, make sure they cover your ears and neck area as cold wind entering the ear channels can easily cause nausea and headaches. Don’t forget the gloves and make sure your jacket has hand pockets. European winters are so cold, falling minus degree celsius so warm up with a thick middle layer. It is common to have a dripping nose constantly so bring along that tissue wherever you go.

Insurance

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you fly. You never know what unexpected things will  happen. With travel insurance, you are at least assured of assistance in times of medical emergency.

Take the necessary precautions and you will be fine. Be safe and bon voyage!

 

Lighthearted Reflections

I don’t really want to dwell on negative issues on this post. Just moments of lighthearted reflections.

Out of curiosity, I checked out how much this blog is worth. $10. Haha. It just strike me as funny. Even so, it is not so sale. Hehe.

This blogging world still makes me shake my head. It amazed me when this article – 5 Reasons for visiting Saas Fee – hardly get views here and yet posted elsewhere, get more views. There must have been a bigger audience there.

Its Sunday night here, with heavy rain outside. If its morning still where you are, have a great Sunday!

Have fun!