When I saw day four’s assignment, I was a little stumped. Bliss? I mean I’m not a big gesture kind of person, I mean I don’t do big poses when taking a picture. Where can I find a picture of bliss? Continue reading “Photo101: Bliss”
Tag: blogging
Photo101: Water
Have I ever show you pictures of that time I went to Great Salt Lake? No? Continue reading “Photo101: Water”
Share Your World – 2015 Week #23
For your blog do you basically use Mac or Windows applications. What type of device laptop, desktop,tablet, phone or pad? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2015 Week #23”
Photo101: Street and Established Shots
Yes, I have joined Photo101 but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a picture of home, well, unless, I went on pinterest and just find a picture but that wouldn’t be Photo101, would it. Then Day 2, I could’ve just gone outside and taken a photo of my street but everyone’s already seen that and it wouldn’t be fun to see it again and again. So I chose one from my archive. Continue reading “Photo101: Street and Established Shots”
Late Night and Awkward Morning
Last night, right before I went to bed, mom burst into my room, tablet in her hand, and told me sadly my grandfather had passed away. Continue reading “Late Night and Awkward Morning”
I Just Had to Write About This
Today’s prompt: What’s the strangest place from which you’ve posted to your blog? When was the last time you were out and about, and suddenly thought, “I need to write about this!”?
Strangest Places? I’m not sure what you mean by strange. There are a lot of things in the world that can be classified as “strange” like that tower to the left. Posting in a strange place, no, I don’t think I’ve written posts in strange places yet.
In the meantime, I can answer the second question. I have encountered several circumstances when I just have to write about it. When was the last time? That is a good question. Let’s think.
Still thinking…
Ugh, I can’t think of anything with my work in the way. I’m hoping to complete my translation work today so I don’t have to have it hanging over my head for the rest of the month but I don’t think that is likely to happen since I have to seize the opportunity and go work for my other job today.
Still thinking…
Ha, here we go, I can think of two circumstances.
The first “couldn’t wait” post is called, “The Unwinnable War“.
It was written and publish about 13 months ago. So basically, last summer. Now that I reflect on this post, last summer was probably the worst summer in the history of all the summers I’ve had counting the ones as a kid in China. When I wrote this, I felt like I was literally about to blow.
Two weeks after graduating college, mom was making me go back to school. Every conversation we had led to a fight because it’s always about me not finding a job, don’t want to go back to school, not wanting to work, not wanting to study etc. You get my point.
I remember my hands were literally slamming the keyboard when I typed that post. Mom was still bursting into my room every 5 minutes telling me how useless and worthless I was while occasionally throwing something at the back of my head. 2014 had really been a dark and miserable year for me but it’s behind me now and it looks like 2015 is getting better already.
The second “couldn’t wait” post is called, “Is this a Library or a Freezer?“
I don’t know, why don’t you click and find out?
I was literally freezing my ass off in there. When I worked as an ESL tutor, every week, there was one or two days when I couldn’t be in the classroom. The classroom was shared between me, mom (Chinese teacher), and the Spanish teacher. I couldn’t leave the school’s premises and so I had to find another place to go.
Anyway, there’s no thermostat in there and as I sat there trying to do my homework, it would get colder and colder. Even with a t-shirt underneath plus a sweatshirt plus a light jacket plus a large ski jacket (I’m not joking), I still felt cold in there. That room was colder than outside. I couldn’t do much homework in there so I decided to write.
Anyway, I hope you will click the links to the posts and check them out. Although they’re more than a year old, I’m sure they’re still quite relate-able to some people. Looking forward to your likes and feedback on those old posts. 🙂
A Tale on World Ending
Okay, this is the second part to the previous post and since I’ve gotten everything off my chest, it’s time for the prompt. When I saw the prompt this morning, I was like, “No, you’re not serious. Are you serious?” Yes, WordPress was serious.
So here’s my short answer for the prompt. No, the world isn’t ending tomorrow and I’m not going to tell about my last dinner. In the last week, I unconsciously gained a pound. It will take forever to go back down. However I will tell a story on the matter of world ending.
In 2011, mom’s friend came to visit us and we spent two days visiting Yellowstone. On the first day, we visited the north part of Yellowstone and the south on the second day. As we drove along Yellowstone River and eventually reached Yellowstone Lake, her friend’s son, Ryan, looked out the window to the lake and said excitedly, “This is just like in the movie.”
“What movie?” Mom asked curiously.
“2012,” Her friend told her and began elaborating the movie. She revealed the plot and all the different locations that were used to shoot the film.
I tuned out because I did not want to know and if you haven’t seen it yet, I don’t want to spoil it. F.Y.I., it’s a movie about the world ending. But typical mom’s friend. People around me’s more or less the same. They like to spoil things. When we watch a movie or a show, they tend to focus on what everyone in the movie’s wearing instead on the plot or they’ll tell you what the entire thing’s about before watching it.
In late 2011, mom became so curious that she got a copy of the movie. We watched it together and as usual, when it
came to TV shows and movies, mom’s got the attention span of a baby. If the plot isn’t fast enough, she’ll quit watching in about 15 minutes, 30 minutes tops. And she did, leaving me to finish the bloody and graphic scenes all on my own. I didn’t want to watch it but I was too damn curious and it left me wondering why. Why December 21, 2012? Because coincidentally, that is the eleventh anniversary of my arrival in the U.S.
I remember in 2012, some people were particularly antsy, probably having seen the movie, they were convinced the world would end. So on April 21, 2012, there was this big event. I can’t remember the name but it’s like a preparation for the apocalypse sort of thing.
It was a ridiculous idea, the apocalypse and world ending. It was merely based on books and the ancient Mayan Calendar. I even recall my science teacher telling me in high school that the world is not set to end for another 1000 years. Pfft, 1000 years? I’ll be dust and I’ll be careless then. My descendants can fend for themselves then.
I did watch the movie, 2012, again when the rest of the family came visit the summer of 2012. I didn’t want to because I didn’t want to spend the entire movie translating every sentence and every word when no one else was watching it but me. But mom said I had to let it play through and that’s through my computer via HDMI. So there went my three hours.
As for the apocalypse, obviously, it didn’t happen. The world was safe and sound as I ushered in another year in the U.S. on December 21 that year as well as many years after that. I know some people was braced for the impossible though. The news reported it that evening and I had a good laugh about it.
Green leaves with pink elephant ear roses
Vivid Flowers
So, I want to ask, do you remember this picture?
Do not worry if you don’t. This was taken at the end of March. Why am I asking? It’s because I took the photograph below two days ago.
I hope you see the tulips are gone and it’s replaced by the roses. What a difference in just three short months!
But this isn’t about that, it is about these pictures which are my contribution for this week’s photo challenge: Vivid. I hope you enjoy.
F.Y.I: The pictures of the roses and whatever those magenta flowers are were taken with my Note 10.1 tablet and then I played with it in pixlr. The other pictures were taken with my old bad-battery camera.
Love-Hate Challenge
A brand-new challenge (Love-Hate Challenge) is coming around the blogging circle and my name has been tossed into the ring by Humaaq. Continue reading “Love-Hate Challenge”
Not so Happily Ever After
Today’s prompt asks: “And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there? Continue reading “Not so Happily Ever After”
Spread the Love of Blogging
I was tagged by Francesca Smith of A Smith’s World a couple of days ago for the Share the Love Challenge but as always, procrastination takes over but since it’s on my mind right this second, I’m doing it.
Truth, Lies, Assumptions, and Conclusion
Today’s Prompt asks: Is it possible to be too honest, or is honesty always the best policy? Continue reading “Truth, Lies, Assumptions, and Conclusion”
Catching up on Awards
Wow, over the past two weeks, I had so many award nominations that I lost count. So that means it’s time for another award wrap-up. I went back through all the comments and ping backs I received and counted, five (recent) and one from a long while back. I just forgot about it. That makes six nominations! Wow, thanks guys!
So the first and second one is The Creative Blogging Award. Thank you so much, Izzy-Grabs-Life, Nortina Marciela, Lrod’s Blog, for nominating me for yet another award.
The rules are to thank the blogger, put up five facts, and nominate 15 to 20 blogs. Wow, that’s a lot. I will save the nominations for another day. As for the five facts, I will combine it with the Infinity Dream Award below and that makes seven facts. Too many awards, have to be flexible.
The second nomination comes from Geethu of Chococurrent and it is the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you so much.
Since this award only require to nominate 10 bloggers, I will save that for another post soon or never. It depends on my level of procrastination.
The third nomination is from Frederick of Fredtotherick and it is the Sisterhood of World Bloggers Award. Thank you, Frederick.
The rules are to answer the ten questions given by the blogger, come up with 10 other questions of my own, and nominate about 5-10 bloggers. Again, I will save the nominations for later.
Last nomination is from Nortina Mariela and it’s a triple nomination as sort of noted 
with the Creative Blogger Award. The Versatile Blogger is from both Nortina and LadyLeeManila. The Infinity Dreams Award is a new one, I shall put that on my Wall of Achievements. Thank you so much, Nortina and LadyLeeManila.
Seven facts about me:
- As you read above, I am also a procrastinator. I love to complete stuff early but I often end up doing it at the last minute.
- I enjoy writing about Supernatural creatures but lately I seem to enjoy reading Young Adult novels about life and adventures.
- I just finished the first draft of my novella. Yay! However, I found out it’s missing a beginning. So now I have to write the beginning and connect all the strings to make sure everything make sense.
- I enjoy proofreading things (essays, novels, anything). Is that weird?
- I consider myself more American than Asian. Mainly because I have already spent more than half of my life here. Although I’m proud to have Chinese blood in me, it sometimes annoys me that people still consider me to be pure Chinese. Hello? What about the American side?
- I’m running out of facts here. Um, I enjoy listening to pop rock, the older the better, and probably a little of the modern EDM. Is that what it’s called? With the DJ mixing the track thing?
- My last fact is a wish that my novella will be published and eventually becomes a TV show or a movie. You’ll never know.
Now, for Frederick’s questions:
- Which philosophies/quotes/life lessons/cliches/phrases do you find most applicable to you now? Elaborate. When I first stepped off the plane at LAX, my mom told me that all Americans believe in this phrase, “Never say I can’t.” That all I can say. I never thought I can write anything more than a thousand words but look at me now, 20,000+ words. So Never say I can’t.
- What is your worst trait? Definitely procrastinating. I’m not lazy, I just don’t like to do things I hate.
- What age would you like to live to? I’d like to live forever but that will be too boring of a life so maybe 90 or 100?
- Which famous person do you think you can swap identities with, without anyone suspecting anything? I don’t want to swap identities with any famous person because what if the camera got me at a bad angle? Then I’d be a joke.
- List out all your hobbies. Blogging, Writing, Reading, Sleeping, Watching TV, Wordsearch, Sudoku, and Jigsaw Puzzles.
- Which of the five sense do you think you cannot live without? Why? Definitely sight. Without sight, there’re no colors.
- In a good cop-bad cop interrogation situation, (google it if unsure) which role would you prefer to play? I’d play the victim. Maybe the two cops will fight and the victim will go free, you’ll never know.
- If you were forced to participate in a talent show, which of your talents would you feature? Probably singing. I’m a high soprano, so I can hit high notes, I guess that’s a talent.
- If you were to choose one- Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry- which would you choose and why? I’d choose fiction because in the end, I know it’s not real.
- What legacy would you like to leave behind? I’d like to see my work published and land in the children reading list or perhaps even made into a TV show. Something with my name on it.
Thanks for all the nominations, guys. I will take my sweet time to nominate bloggers for each award which more detail will be announced in future posts.
Have a great day! 🙂
Freestyle Writing Challenge
When I saw almost every blogger I’m currently following are being challenged one way or another to participate in the Freestyle Writing Challenge, I knew it would be a matter of time before one of my favorite bloggers tosses my name in the ring. Continue reading “Freestyle Writing Challenge”
4 Ways to a Simple Life
Recently, a reader provided me with a great suggestion for a post: tips and ways to simplify day-to-day life. Believe it or not, my life Continue reading “4 Ways to a Simple Life”
Nobody’s Perfect
The sun is finally out, so are the planes, but the rain has at last stop, for the week at least. Just in time for my friend’s graduation tomorrow. I don’t know what time or whether I’ll be able to attend with the GMAT workshop but hopefully, I can make it. Continue reading “Nobody’s Perfect”
Take Me Seriously!
Today’s prompt asks: Tell us something most people probably don’t know about you. Continue reading “Take Me Seriously!”
Dreams and Nightmares
I can say my worst nightmares are failing all my classes and plummeting to my death. Continue reading “Dreams and Nightmares”
Frisbee Mode
It is really not that hard to get me in “the zone” but once I’m in “the zone” Continue reading “Frisbee Mode”
Exhaustion: That’s Life
Daily Prompt: The friendly, English-speaking extraterrestrial you run into outside your house is asking you to recommend the one book, movie, or song that explains what humans are all about. What do you pick? Continue reading “Exhaustion: That’s Life”
Linger over Breakfast
Today’s prompt asks: Tell us about times in which you linger — when you don’t want an event, or a day to end. What is it you love about these times? Why do you wish you could linger forever?
Continue reading “Linger over Breakfast”
Painless
I didn’t think I would write for the prompt today but an old story came up. Continue reading “Painless”
So Far This Year…
It’s quite difficult to believe that we’re already approaching summer. Where has the time gone? Today’s prompt has asked about how the year is shaping up for us so far. I will have to say, it’s been busy but at the same time, it’s been interesting.
The new year started off with me watching the Tournament of Roses alone, no surprise there. My aunt was too busy sleeping while mom was watching something on the computer and my cousin, as usual, hid in the basement.
In February, we finally said goodbye to them with one final buffet lunch at Golden Corral. After they left, we spent a couple days cleaning up and then everything began to quiet down. Not really though. School was busier than ever with the need to take an exam every weekend not to mention volunteering to do people’s taxes. I cried when I did my own taxes but who wouldn’t when you find out you owe more than 2000-dollars of taxes. 😦
April was a busy month with finals approaching and the A-to-Z Challenge. It was one hectic month.
Now, it’s May. I just completed my translation work for the month and I am on the verge of completing another project today for my other job. After that, I may just work one day a week while spending the rest writing and studying. Oh, that reminds me, I have to register for the test.
Challenges and Achievements…
Challenges:
I think the biggest challenges so far this year has been finding the time to write. Though I don’t think it will be a problem now since most of the shows I enjoy watching ended last week.
I made quite a bit of progress on my novella in the recent days. I am trying to finish the first draft before I have to start the translation work again next month. So that’s 15 days? After that, it will be the editing phase but hopefully not the rewriting phase. I don’t want to rewrite this for the fifth time.
Ugh, I feel like I’m so close to the end of the story yet the end seems so far away. A problem I’m facing with the story is my brain is constantly debating the conclusion, about whether to write a happy ending where the villain loses or a sad ending where one of the heroes dies. Either way, it will be final.
Achievements:
My biggest achievement this year would have to be my grades. I don’t want to jinx it but I just have to say, they are so many times better than my engineering days. Why didn’t I just go into accounting in the first place?
As for my other achievements, at the beginning of the year, February 3, to be exact, I wrote a post for Blogging 201 and that is to set three goals. Those goals were:
- Get a decent job that is does not involve self-employed paychecks
- Write at least 5 1000+ words short stories
- See my daily views increase 10 to 20%
Although I haven’t exactly achieve the first goal. Yes, I have a new second job but it’s not decent and that job doesn’t pay my federal and state taxes. So it’s basically the same as a self-employed paycheck.
I think it’s safe to say that I have not achieve goal #2 but goal #3, on the other hand, I can say proudly I have achieved it. Just look at this…
That is more than a 50% increase from week-to-week. It puts a smile on my face to see how many people are visiting my blog on a daily basis. 🙂 Thank you so much and thank you so much for the nominations!
…and that’s a reflection on the year so far. It’s been a good year and hopefully it will stay that way. 🙂
This is Another Story 