Tag: Photography

Award Nominations Part 1: Liebster

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This puts me at Liebster x2! Thank you so much, Altocumu!

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The rules are…

  • Answer the questions that your nominator posted for his/her nominees.
  • Share 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Make up 11 new fun questions for your nominees.
  • Give some love back to your nominator and link back to his/her post.
  • You must nominate 5-11 bloggers.

Questions Time:

  1. Why did you start blogging? I love to talk and tell stories but most of all, when my days go bad, I have no one to complain to. I used to complain to my mom but we’ll just fight. I’m tired of fighting.
  2. What tips have you learned while blogging? Read read read as well as comment comment comment! If you don’t, no one will follow or read what you write. That and don’t go tag-crazy. Stick to <15 tags.
  3. What/who inspires you? Things that inspire me are books, and reading other bloggers’ posts. Sometimes when I read something, anything, ideas would pop into my head.
  4. What is your favorite meal/food item? I really like Subway sandwiches or other submarine sandwiches.
  5. What is ideal day for you? Wake up, breakfast, work, lunch, dinner, TV, sleep.
  6. If you could talk to someone famous who would it be and why? Hmm, that is a good question.
  7. What makes you laugh? Watching sitcom, not much make me laugh. I live with my mom so I kind of have to be immune to laughter.
  8. Where do you see yourself in five year’s time? Five years, that’s 2020. I see myself in a loft-style apartment in another state with a steady job and faraway from my mom.
  9. What are your passions in life? My passion? It used to be singing but now it’s writing.
  10. What major saying or moto do you live by? There’s always tomorrow. 🙂
  11. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the blogging world?  The same as what I wrote for #2.

11 Random Facts:

  1. I learned to play the piano and guitar when I was in 10th grade. I quit guitar after one lesson because my tiny DSCF9752fingers couldn’t reach the strings. Piano, if I have a chance, I’d like to play it again.
  2. I like music from 90’s and early 2000’s. At the moment, my favorite song is Slice by Five for Fighting.
  3. I used to hate taking pictures but now I’m addicted to it.
  4. Because of my bone disorder, I only grew 5-inches from when I was 10. 😦
  5. I love to keep things organized though I hate cleaning.
  6. I’m a major procrastinator. I often wait until the last minute to do anything even though my heart is dead set on completing the task early.
  7. I absolutely do NOT know how to write a happy ending though I’m working on it.
  8. My favorite color is lavender.
  9. Sometimes, I get angry at people stating the obvious.
  10. If I can go anywhere, I’d go to Europe.
  11. I don’t have a cell phone, not a smart phone at least, just a basic pre-paid flip phone.

Now for my 11 questions:

  1. DSCF9836What made you start blogging?
  2. Something you learned through blogging.
  3. If you can go anywhere, where would you go?
  4. If you can be anything (occupation-wise), what would you be?
  5. One-word you like people use to describe you.
  6. One-word you dis-like people use to describe you.
  7. What are some sounds you dislike?
  8. Who do you look up to?
  9. If time freezes for 24 hours, what would you do?
  10. Are you motivated by hope or fear?
  11. What/who is your inspiration?

Nominations:

  1. All About Being Human
  2. Millie Thom
  3. Homemade Naturally
  4. Lrod’s Blog
  5. Hallucinations of an Angel
  6. The Storyteller’s Abode
  7. Izzy-grabs-life
  8. Nortina Mariela
  9. Faraday’s Candle
  10. It’s PH
  11. Photo ni Ompong

Congratulations to all nominees and have fun! 🙂

Reflection

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Hi, everyone, I hope you’re having a happy Saturday. Continue reading “Reflection” →

Idyll Neighborhoods

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Today’s prompt asks: What does your ideal community look like? How is it organized, and how is community life structured? What values does the community share? Continue reading “Idyll Neighborhoods” →

What’s For Breakfast?

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Ever since my aunt and cousin left, the fridge has been mostly empty. We went from going grocery shopping every few days, which is crazy, to every two weeks or month, which is what we do now. Continue reading “What’s For Breakfast?” →

Writing 101: Death to Abverb

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I told you I was doing Writing 101 in random order, didn’t I? Anyway, the point of the assignment to go to a cafe, park, or a public place and write something that is inspired by what I see. There’s a catch, I cannot use any adverb. Continue reading “Writing 101: Death to Abverb” →

Writing 101: Don’t Stop Rockin’

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Man, I’ve been just so busy this last month, with school, the new job, and the A to Z challenge, it felt like I spent most of April just rushing from place to place. I am just now catching up with the Writing 101 assignments. Continue reading “Writing 101: Don’t Stop Rockin’” →

Writing 101: The Things We Treasure

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Today’s prompt is way way way too similar to the one I did on March 23 that it’s practically identical. If you wish to read my response, it’s right here. Therefore I’m going to do Writing 101 instead. The assignment is to write a story about my most prized possession. Continue reading “Writing 101: The Things We Treasure” →

#AtoZChallenge – Z For…

Published on by Yinglan8 Comments

Wow, can you believe it’s the last day of April already? I can hardly believe it. This challenge’s been fun even though my theme’s been all over the place. Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – Z For…” →

#AtoZChallenge – W For West Coast

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When I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at the private school, I used to ask my students. “Where are you going for college?”

Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – W For West Coast” →

My Collection

Published on by Yinglan11 Comments

I recently began to compile all the short stories I have written into a mini-collection. There’s almost enough there for me to turn it into a book. So who knows, it might be my first published work. I even already have a title for it, “A Light in the Dark: A Collection of Short Stories”.

So is a blurb really necessary? Because I know that most people nowadays read ebooks. At least I can’t remember when was the last time I picked an actual book. Also there’s no book jacket in ebooks. So what’s the point?

But since that’s what today’s prompt asks, I might as well write something. Enjoy. 🙂

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So here’s the gist…

I believe at some point, everyone experience sadness, darkness, misery, you name it. It all just depends on when. This collection of short stories is about my fantasy and life. A few years ago, I went through a period of misery, sadness, and anger. I lost my interest in school and life. I watched the days just slide on by.

One day, I decided to get over it, to shine a light in all of this darkness. What did I do? I closed my eyes and whisked myself to another world. Then all of a sudden, a part of my fantasy came to life. 

It was hard to believe that a few months ago when I peeked into my files that I discover I have written so many short stories. I am so excited to be able to share such collection with you and I hope you enjoy my short stories as much as I enjoyed writing it.  

#AtoZChallenge – U For Update

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This morning, I woke up to something horrific! The time on my alarm clock read 3:10. I jolted up like I’ve just been zapped with a thousand volts of electricity. Is this a dream? I often have dreams about being late for school. Did I just slept the entire day? Why didn’t anyone wake me? Is this like a parallel universe or something?

Anxiously, I reached for the useless cell phone which I only use for the alarm function. I pressed a random button and the screen lit up. 7:55. I relaxed a little and peeked at the other alarm clock on top of the dresser next to me. It was flashing and immediately, I knew what it meant. It meant we lost power during the night.

Just then my mom barged into my room. “Did we lose power?” I asked.

“Did we?” She replied, clueless.

“Uh, my clocks are flashing.”

“I just know we lost the internet.” How does she know that, I wonder? Because if the internet was out when the power went out, then when the power came back on, so should the internet and in minutes. Does this mean she was up in the middle of the night?

I still haven’t reset my clocks yet, maybe later. I just came home a few hours ago after sitting in the testing center for three hours taking an exam about a book with concepts that feels way out of time. It’s a textbook novel about the evolution of cost accounting in a hospital setting. I hope I did well. I still have three more exams before I’m officially done with this semester.

I came home, almost 1 pm, hands shaking and stomach growling. I asked my mom if she’d eaten yet (being thoughtful). She said yeah and told me to eat all the leftover beef. I looked at the bowl of leftover beef. “It’s too much. I can’t eat it all.”

“Then make some noodle for me.”

“I thought you’ve eaten.”

“But I’m not full.”

I threw in an extra ramen and when I was so close to be done, she came downstairs, frustrated. She had just texted her tenant about the air conditioning tuneup appointment she had made for them all by herself. “Put some lettuce in there. We have so much.”

I paused cooking and became irritated. Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. I told myself. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I just want this done. I want to eat.” I said with clenched teeth.

“Fine whatever. Too much, you complain, not enough, you complain.” I took a few more super deep breaths, convinced myself to ignore her.

After the beef was done, I just poured them with the noodles. I sat at the end of the counter and ate my lunch silently. I was in no mood to make conversation, although I had no idea why. The moment I finished cleaning everything up, I bolted for my room. I sat at the computer, wanted to start studying for the next exam but my brain was fried. I had no idea what to write for anything let alone the A to Z challenge. So I spent the afternoon catching up on TV shows.

Now, I think I’m ready to get back to work and study for the next exam now. Anyway, just a quick update. 🙂

Writing 101: Size Matters (In Sentences)

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This was me when I was 11. I couldn’t find pictures of when I was 12. So I thought, this is just as close. Continue reading “Writing 101: Size Matters (In Sentences)” →

#AtoZChallenge – S/T For San Francisco/Turtles

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I’m combining S and T so I don’t have to write another post.  Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – S/T For San Francisco/Turtles” →

#AtoZChallenge – R For Reminder/Ranch

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There are so many words for R. Therefore I’m going to throw out two from the top of my head. Just now, while I waited for my lunch to finish cooking in the microwave, my eyes landed on the calendar. I’ve been very fuzzy lately and often forget the date. I know what day it is, just can’t remember the date. So when my eyes landed on the calendar, I thought it was weird. An eye exam? Today? Oh no!

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The eye exam isn’t for me, it’s mom’s. Gosh I cross my fingers to hope she remembered. If she misses the appointment, it will be all my fault and I will be in such big trouble. I’m already in big trouble last night for not calling her immediately the insurance company never put my old car back onto the insurance policy last October.

You see, that’s a downside of not having a cell phone. I don’t know where she works nowadays and have no clue if she checks the texts and I hate texting, did I mention that? Anyway, if she checks it, great, but if she doesn’t, it’ll still be my fault for not taking the aggressive approach to inquire the insurance agent. In another word, scream at the agent.

Therefore, if I screw up again today, I don’t know what will happen to me. I’m scare which brings me to the second word, ranch. If I can get away now, I will probably go to a ranch. After all, a lot of fugitives (joking, maybe) have known to hide out in ranches. Hey, I’m a fugitive, a fugitive of an emotionally abusive mother. Isn’t that reason enough?

I want to go to a ranch because of the vast space. Acres and acres of grass and land. No burning hot asphalt and certainly no pavement. I would love that. Wait doesn’t everybody?

Source: Pixabay
Source: Pixabay

Temporary Home

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No one was fated to spend a life in such a small space, especially not these brothers, just barely getting by, dependent on its caretakers to feed and bathe them. The book, Temporary Home, chronicles the brothers’ daily life and reading their story will bring you to tears.

Temporary Home begins in the brothers’ early days when they had spent in an aquarium. They had many great friends but somehow their friends would disappear now and then. Their then-caretaker told them he had found a great home for their friends. On that fated day, their future caretaker, a girl with long silky black hair and glasses approached the tank. “Which do you like?” Their caretaker had asked the girl.

The girl pointed at the brothers and at that moment, they knew the girl would be their new home.  The moment they arrived at their new home, the girl fed them pellets she had bought at the store, just three. The brothers ate hungrily and after that eyed the container of pallet, wanting more but their owner had stopped caring for them.

A few months later, the brothers were passed onto their owner’s friends while their owner went on vacation. The brothers’ life at the friends were even worse. They spent day after day, almost drowning in their urine and feces.

A few months later, the brothers were once again passed onto another. This time, a lady and a girl. At first glance, the brothers knew they would be the same as the friends but at the same time, they knew this would be different. They were right.

Their new caretakers made sure they were well-fed, clean, and warm. This was the best home they ever had but they knew this is not forever. Eventually, they would have to return to their lives of starvation and misery.

My review: five out five stars, definitely.

I love the personification of this book. The author portrait the turtle brothers like real people. Reading it the first time, you can never tell whether it was talking about the life of a person or animals. The brothers seemed so real.

It definitely made me cry, alright especially the part of the brothers not getting enough to eat. I felt so bad for them. No one should be starved. So yes, I will definitely recommend this book even if it’s not written.

Writing 101: Point of View

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Okay, I’m going out of order here so I can catch up with this week’s writing 101 assignments. This is Day 9’s assignment. I hope you will enjoy my bit of flash. 🙂 Continue reading “Writing 101: Point of View” →

#AtoZChallenge – P For Park City

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At times, I really wish my mom would go on more of those training where she’s not allow to call home. Like when she went to basic training, the only thing I got during that period was a long hand-written letter, the first I’ve gotten since coming to the U.S which was nice. Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – P For Park City” →

#AtoZChallenge – N For Natural Wonders

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The state of Utah has a lot of natural wonders. It was once the breeding grounds for dinosaurs (no kidding). Archaeologists are still finding dinosaurs fossils out in the desert. Three years ago, when my family came to visit, I had the pleasure to go and see the brand new exhibits at the recently re-opened Natural History Museum.

Beside dinosaurs, Utah also has five National Parks, all with characteristics of its own. My favorites would have to be Canyonland and Arches National Park. I’ve been Zion National Park but I didn’t get to see much due to the my family’s whining. So I didn’t get to see much. Oh well, next time.

Arches National Park is made of a lot of arches and every one is different from the next. What’s so cool about them is they are all made from hundreds and maybe thousands of years of wind erosion. Just the thought that these arches were made by nature made them even more amazing to look at.

Canyonland National Park, on the other hand, used to be an ocean before the Pacific receded to California coastline. Just think, this is what the bottom of the ocean look like.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini-tour of the natural wonders I’ve seen in the past few years and thanks for reading. 🙂

#AtoZChallenge – M For Monterey

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Monterey Bay, California is one of those places that has to be visited at least once. It is situated just south of the San Francisco Bay and next to Pebble Beach (17 Mile Drive). I am not a good tour guide and there are really not much to tell except you just have to see it and marvel at the landscapes yourself.

The last time I went to the city of Monterey which is the city next to the bay was May, 2010. We drove hours through the twisty freeway to arrive to this beautiful city. Our first stop was the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Unfortunately my external hard drive went bonkers that summer and lost all my pictures except these which I had cleverly uploaded to Facebook.

Anyway, after the aquarium, we met up with my mom’s friend who worked nearby and we went to a restaurant by the beach for lunch. It had to be the most exquisite lunch I’ve ever had. After that, we said goodbye to my mom’s friend as she headed back to work and we headed toward Pebble Beach.

17 Mile Drive or Pebble Beach is said to be California’s most beautiful coastline. On Wikipedia, it said that there are a lot of mansions and golf course along this scenic road. I guess I wasn’t paying attention since I was focused on the ocean. I mean, how can you focus on mansions and golf courses when you got this to look at?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini-tour and thank you for reading. 🙂

Tranquil to Rage

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Daily Prompt: Tell us about a time when you flew into a rage. What is it that made you so incredibly angry?

First of all, though mad and angry mean the same thing in American English, it does not in British English. Thus, “Mad” Hatter does not mean “Angry” Hatter. Secondly, I don’t fly into rage, I don’t think anyone does until you’re a very good actor. Thirdly, I don’t get angry in a second, it’s usually built, first annoyance, then irritation, and finally full on rage.

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You can even see the mountains in the distance That was taken 12 minutes after 3

Today of all days should be the day to be angry, at least for me. Why? Nothing is cooperating – the traffic, weather, and of all people, my mother! However, I am not.

What began as a cool light breeze this morning had turned into raging wind by the time I got out of class. As I settled myself in the computer lab, I could hear the wind howling and banging on the windows. I had expected this. After all, the radio did warn us yesterday about the wind warning and the storm that would bring rain and snow.

Late this morning, as I walked to the car, I could feel the wind pulling me back, not allowing me to go forward as garbage, tumbleweed, and debris flew across the way. I felt like I was pelted with garbage like some infamous person. So lucky nothing nailed me in the eyes.

At last, I made it to my car. I quickly threw my backpack into the trunk and climbed into the car, slamming the door shut. At that moment, I became nervous about the drive home with the strong wind and light car but I have to get over it.

Two blocks later, traffic began building. As I sat in the car with my head leaning against the head rest while listening to the radio and the howling of the wind, I became irritated. Can’t anything go right?

I thought back to this morning when my wonderful slumber was rudely interrupted for the second time this week by my mother’s early-bird phone calls. Yesterday, she called at 6:58 am and today at 6:40 am, more than half-hour before I was set to wake up. The reason for her call? To ask me to set up an order to buy stocks. “Do you think it’s a good idea to buy?” She had asked.

I yawned, still half-asleep. “That’s up to you.” I said, almost gagging from my retainers.

“What do you think?” I just sighed and awkward silence ensued, still pissed that she had woken me up so early. Then just as I halfheartedly wanted to hang up and go back to bed, she said, “Just set up the order.” So I did, hung up, and finally climbing back to my bed across the hall only to be woken up again less than 30 minutes later by my alarm.

Anyway, after a nerve-wrecking 40 minutes drive, I finally stepped through the door. My hair was full-blown messy but I was okay. I successfully made it down the canyon gripping tight to my swaying car’s steering wheel.

The sky is brownish, near red now. It will be a powerful storm, I can feel it just by the sound of the wind. “I am coming,” it howls. 🙂

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27 minutes later…

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6 minutes after that, you can’t really see it but the sky had changed a lot during those 33 minutes

#AtoZChallenge – L For Locke

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Before you ask, no, I did not spell the word Lock wrong. I am actually talking about the village in Northern California called Locke. Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – L For Locke” →

#AtoZChallenge – K For…

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I’ve been searching the dictionary last night, trying to find a good word for “K” and there are none that inspire me whatsoever. So instead, I’m going to show you pictures of things that I know of that begin with “K”. Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – K For…” →

Writing 101: Be Brief

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The prompt for Day 5 of Writing 101 have us write about an encounter when we stumble upon a letter. Please note that this is completely fiction. Continue reading “Writing 101: Be Brief” →