I think, therefore I am

Cogito ergo sum --René Descartes 1596-1650

One of my favorite pictures of Mou. It was taken in the summer of 2006, the summer he moved from Walnut Creek, CA to Rockville, MD.

Who would have thought that I would become a cat lover. "Life is like a box of chocolate." I said it is karma.

"If you let them"

(quote)
Words can hurt you, if you let them.
People say them and forget them.
(unquote)

I apologize for the way I quoted these two lines today. They are quoted from Carole King's song, Anyone At All. I felt that I completely distorted the context of this song by the way I quoted it.

I first came across this song when I watched the movie, You've Got Mail. The song gave the movie a wonderful atmosphere at the end. Ironically, I was pulling these two lines out of the context today in an attempt to suppress my negative emotions.

Maybe, I should sing the whole song. That will help.

In The Mood For Love (花樣年華)

Have you seen a film, In The Mood For Love, directed by Wong Kar-Wei? The wall, with the bricks, the stems, and the mud, somehow reminded me a quote from this poetic film.

(quote)
Chow Mo-Wan: In the old days, if someone had a secret they didn't want to share... you know what they did?

Ah-Ping: Have no idea.

Chow Mo-Wan: They went up a mountain, found a tree, carved a hole in it, and whispered the secret into the hole. Then they covered it with mud. And leave the secret there forever.
(unquote)

It is a beautiful, yet implicit film.

This wall is just one of the many walls in Park Slope, Brooklyn. They all carry too many secrets already.

The Dark Years

Do people reflect their emotions in the pictures they took? When you are in love, do you see a world full of love? When you are depressed, does the world look blue in your eyes? When the heart beats serenely, do you see a lake with no ripple or a blue sky with the cloud stays still?

A lot of time, when I reflect on the moment I see the world through the view finder, it seems like that my emotion is always involved in the frame.

Or maybe I am just making this up.

Pardon the wood

Dad once said: if you want to take a good picture of your mom, don't say cheese. I kind of expanding this rule to everyone (including strangers...haha).

I like this picture of mom a lot, including the wood. Well, things usually can't be perfect. That's life. Without that something on the wood, mom won't smile so naturally. Let's just pardon the wood, and look at the bright smile.

It was taken in Great Fall, VA. last summer. We were enjoying a hiking trip.

興 Pho'

With Winnie, Pho is a must. Winnie's mom used to invite kids over for her renowned Pho. There was just one episode that Wei-Ning commented that the beef was like chewing gum...haha

This place is like the gourmet's top choice of pho in Toronto. The pho I ordered was delicious.



This lady was waiting ahead of us. She wasn't happy that the line was cut by the other. She was upset. I thought she was charming, though.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

I took an afternoon off, actually, a day off, to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Cherry hasn't reached its full bloom. Yet, the 70F brought out the crowd. The garden was packed.

I was trying to capture the detail of plants. Then I realized it's about time to invest in a micro-lens.

I accidently met Jen and Michael, friends from DMC. I was alone, though. I should have invited a friend to be my model.



Visitor Center

Love me, Darling

Took this picture in Catalina Island outside L.A. I was amused by the many faces of love. These two couples have such a sharp contrast.

The contentment

I am always bad at keeping in touch with friends.

Three years later since I last met Hui-Chen, she has become a mother. I saw the contentment in her smile. I am happy for her.

Fells Point, Baltimore

Friends and I stopped by Baltimore for lunch on our way to DC. I took this picture as I walked on a side street of Fells Point.

Imaging: Homar is waiting for Bart to come home. Obviously, Bart is in trouble.

We all know how our parents look like when we are in trouble. It's hard to forget, especially when you get to see them like this frequently...ha

Miracle of life

The school is doing reproductive block now. I can't help digging this picture out of my files again.

Took this picture long long ago on the celebration of July 4th in NYC. It must be 2004 in Julie's apartment by waterfront.

I always laugh at my biology-oriented mind when I see this picture.

Isn't this a macro image of fertilization; resembles the splendid beginning of a new life.

Dessert Trends

Winnie w/ Pistachio cupcake

Winnie and I stopped by this dessert place with serendipity. The dessert chef, Donald Duong, was one of the gold medalists of 2004 World Culinary Olympics. I won't hestitate to suggest this place to any gourmets. The presentation and the taste of the dessert are in perfect balance! And my camera and my tongue both appreciated that.

Top-Down: Chocolate symphony, Wedding cake in display, Unknow, Pear tart, Mango tart, Berry box
Dessert Trends:
154 Harbord Street
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1H2
416.916.8155
http://www.dtbistro.com/

Cherry Blossom

Took this picture when I went down to DC for the Cherry Blossom. The little girl was just a stranger, who was enjoying the blooming of the cherry and her youthfulness.

Preface

I havent' traveled for my own cause for a long time, and the visit of Toronto was one that I have been postponding too long. It was a trip without any serious planning on my side (lazy bastard, Winnie will put it that way...ha).

I simply drifted with the slow pace of the city; enjoyed a couple drinks, mostly Canadian Beers.

The trip was delightful, just what I needed.

Was it too short?

Nah, it was just right.