I wish I had shown this picture for yesterday’s prompt because it was taken a little more than a hour after the sun had risen. At the time (April), the sun didn’t rise until a little after seven. Continue reading “Photo101: Play with Light”
Tag: Photos
More Sleep, Please?
Today’s Prompt: 6:00AM: the best hour of the day, or too close to your 3:00AM bedtime? Continue reading “More Sleep, Please?”
Photo101: Moment and Motion
This is a picture of the University of Utah fountain. Continue reading “Photo101: Moment and Motion”
Photo101: A Pop of Color
So I haven’t really had the opportunity to go out and take some new photographs since mom has decided to only work one day a week now that she’s getting closer to being laid-off. It affect me going outside and taking pictures because she doesn’t believe in taking pictures without people in it. Continue reading “Photo101: A Pop of Color”
Red Roses
Orange Pumpkin Pie
Yellow Tulip
Green leaves with pink elephant ear roses
Yellowstone Lake
I guess this can be classify as violet, right?
I can’t tell, violet or indigo
Rainbow and More…
Last night, I sat in my new basement bedroom and looked around. I see a variety of things that fit the criteria of Roy G. Biv. But under this bright florescent lighting, the photos do not turn out so good. Therefore, I have decided to again, go to my archive and dig. I’ll show more later, if I have time. Enjoy. Continue reading “Rainbow and More…”
Photo101: Warmth
It’s quite hard to capture something using the sun as the source of light, I think. I’ve tried in the past as you can see in the picture below. It is a picture of the sun on a cloudy day. I was pulling the camera to its maximum zoom (3-times). That’s why everything else look like it’s taken with a cheap phone camera. Continue reading “Photo101: Warmth”
Definitely Out of Season
This year has been undoubtedly wet and warm. However, it’s not just here. Looking at other people’s posts, it looks like it’s happening around the world as well. Yesterday evening, when my mom and I went for a walk in the park, she pointed out the mountains are not snow-capped anymore because normally, a tiny bit of snow would stay remain on the mountains in June or July but this year, there’s none.
Meanwhile, it’s been raining almost everyday. There has hardly been a day where the dark clouds don’t roll in, where we just have blue cloudless skies and plenty of sunshine. Ugh, this weather is killing my mood and inspiration. Please make it STOP!!!
Unfortunately, I’ve already jinxed it. This post was written approximately four days ago and since then, the clouds had cleared up and it’s been one word, HOT! Guess summer has arrived.
Anyway, enough complaining, I want to show you this picture which is definitely out-of-season, trudging in snow in short-sleeves and sandal. This was Yellowstone in July 2011, by the way, and that is NOT my brother (only-child), it’s my friend’s.
Photo101: Natural Worlds
Talk about an easy task. Even though I don’t interact with nature much especially these days, when I step out of the house and something immediately bites me all over but that doesn’t mean I have to be stuck in the house all day long. Therefore, early morning yesterday, while my mom ran to the post office, I took the opportunity and went out to the garden to take some close-up pictures, hoping I can use them for the POV assignment but this is better.
I tweaked this picture just a little bit with Pixlr, a photo-editing app I use but it is a macro picture. Does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what you’re looking at? Hint: it’s a vegetable you eat almost every day, that is, if you eat vegetable.
It looks like the apples from the combination apple tree is coming in nicely. We are going to have lots of apples this year. This is just the Golden Delicious branch. We’ve got Granny Smith, Fuji, and Honeycrisp. All in one tree!
Lastly, blackberries! Last summer, I remember I was harvesting them like I had just harvested snow peas. I think this year will be more or less the same.
Of the three pictures, I am most in love with the blackberry picture. I think the effect I’ve chosen really suits the picture well. Without this effect, the color would look way too bright and the picture would be missing that, oh I can describe it, element.
Photo101: Connect and Tags
For some of you, this picture is not new while for most, it probably is. Yes, this is the same staircase picture I used for my post a few weeks ago. And I’ve decided to use it again for this assignment.
This rickety staircase happens to connect the lower and upper deck of the yard at the rental property. Without it, I probably will not have enough guts to get on the upper level to clear the weeds and distribute the mulch. So thanks to these stairs, I am able to complete that job without my mom throwing a fit about how I’m a scaredy-cat.
Photo101: Solitude
The latest assignment from photo101 is solitude which in my view means a picture of someone looking out into the distance, sad, alone, and may I add, looking completely lost. This kind of photo is quite hard to take and even find because one, I don’t like taking pictures of people because I feel like it’s an invasion of someone privacy to take their pictures without telling them first and two, I’ve never actually seen anyone looking sad, alone, and completely lost. Even when I was in the city today, I didn’t see anything or anyone that fit the description.
So once again, I have dig into my archive and fortunately I found what I needed but first I want to show you this picture:
This is from last May when we went house hunting down by Utah Lake, a large fresh water lake by Provo, Utah. Mom wanted to buy a second house so she wouldn’t have to commute 100 miles daily for work. What you’re looking at is the land. Unfortunately, after we saw the model, we were convinced that it was way too small. It felt smaller than our current home. So we bailed.
That’s me, looking alone. I guess that looks like solitude. I didn’t mean to look like that. I was just standing there when Mom snapped the picture. Honestly though, I felt kind of tired and frustrated because it was all Mom could talk about at the time.
Why is it both black and white and color?
When I messed with the picture just now, I wanted the picture to show that solitude feeling, that loneliness. I guess I failed, huh?
Photo101: Bliss
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”
Photo101: Water
Have I ever show you pictures of that time I went to Great Salt Lake? No? Continue reading “Photo101: Water”
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”
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.
Waking Up to Irritation
I have been undoubtedly asleep the entire morning. Not physically but mentally. Either that or my brain’s fried. I’ve been in my GMAT class all morning and haven’t been getting a single question right. I got home about two hours ago, made lunch, and drank a cup of green tea. I needed the slight boost of caffeine. About half-way into green tea, aw, it’s like slamming into a wall. My entire upper body itched like crazy and so many other things jolted me at the same time.
Like the fact that mom had been nagging me to charge the camera for the entire week so she could take it to training this weekend and I’m just now realizing she had forgotten it.
And it also hit me that today is somewhat of a significant day. It is exactly 9 years since my father’s passing. Mom told me two days ago, June 4, while she was noting that it was the anniversary of the student protest at Tiananmen Square.
This was how the sky looked about 1 hour ago, right before it started hailing and raining, right before I was interrupted by a loud bang at the front door. I was surprised I heard that despite the hail. I opened up and saw a half-naked man demanding money. “What for?” I asked.
It turned out he was the shady handyman mom hired to fix the spouts for the rental property. He wanted $169. I looked outside, it was pouring. “Does it have to be right now?” I asked, realized immediately I had just asked the stupidest question ever. That question is like asking the cashier at the grocery store’s check-out counter if I can pay later. Inside though, my anxiety was building up and I don’t do well under pressure. My heart pounded as my thoughts hurled at me at 100 mph. Is this guy serious? He could’ve done it all afternoon and he chose now? “Can I write you a check?” I proceeded.
“No, I need cash, like now.” He answered. I don’t have $169 on me. I gave $200 to mom a few days ago to fix something else and I remember mom telling me someone’s going to do some work today but she didn’t say anything about paying. Have I been scammed? Please don’t tell me I’ve been lied to. I’m not in the mood for craps.
So I got in the car and drove to the ATM machine to get $200 out of my account. The inside of the car got completely wet as I was trying to working the damn machine and I hate getting wet. Then, instead of coming home to do the transaction, he insisted we do it right then and there in the pouring rain. I was super irritated but consider I’m a tolerable person, I didn’t go off on a temper tantrum. We just exchanged bills and receipts and I drove home. I just hope I didn’t do anything wrong.
Great, now I have to do this in two posts because it’s too long. Oh well, the more the merrier. Read the next post! It’s a lovely story related to the apocalypse (my own experience).
An hour later, I texted mom and told her. She texted back, “Do Not Pay.” Instantly, I knew I fell for one of those things she expects me to do even without told. You know, I’m not a mind-reader. I don’t know your expectations. When a half-naked man is standing outside my door demanding money, what am I really supposed to do?
Minutes later, she sent another text, “Tell him to call me.”
Um, okay. So I called the shady handyman who answered the phone blasting me with a creative bunch of swear words. I told him who I was and that my mom wanted to talk to him. He cursed some more and hung up.
I ended up calling mom, told her what happened and got a big fat lecture, calling me stupid, blah blah blah. I swear, at that moment, stuck in the middle, dealing with both of them, I wanted to cry, to run away, to drown myself, something. I don’t want to deal with this. This is scary and crazy and suddenly feel regret of not sticking to my original day plan. My day plan was I was going to spend the afternoon downtown. I think if I did that, none of this would’d happened.
I’m scare for what will happen tomorrow and I don’t want to find out.
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.
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”
First Attempt at B&W Plus Updates
I have been mostly restricted to fiction this week. If you haven’t notice, I’ve been posting nothing but fiction in the last three days. What can I say, I don’t feel like write anything when I feel like crap and yes, I still do but I seem to be just a tiny bit better this morning after mom pushed open my door at 7 am this morning and woke me in a panic for no reason at all except telling me to get to work. She’s gone for the day though, finally, taking a language exam 50 miles away.
I’m so looking forward to this weekend. She will be gone for training and I’ll have the house to myself for the weekend.
Back to feeling like crap, I think I’m having some health issues. That won’t be the first. I don’t want to see a doctor either. All the doctors I’ve been to offer no sympathy whatsoever. I know it’s not your job but still, I came to you. I’m in pain. You can’t just tell me it’s psychological and there’s nothing wrong with me. Can’t you at least do some digging?
Okay, here’s my problem. In the last two days, my head’s been hurting and my chest’s been periodically throbbing. I don’t want to think about it since there’s a chance the pain is “psychological” but at the same time, it feels like it’s getting worse. I want so much to complain but I already know what my mom’s going to say. She’ll either place a large bottle of 600 mg Ibuprofen before me or we’ll bicker.
I couldn’t take it any longer so the other night, I mentioned my discomfort while preparing dinner the other night and we’d just ended up bickering. “It’s all your fault for not drying your hair before heading to bed.” Mom said.
I was, as always, in no mood to bicker and I never went to bed with my hair wet. I always wait until it’s dried before sleeping. “I don’t do that,” I defended.
“If you do that for too many times, it’s bound to happen.” Why do I even make the effort? It’s like talking to a stone.
“Haven’t you been listening to me? I. Don’t. Do. That.” I said through my clenched teeth. There’s no point, my inner voice told me. You’re a minute too late, I snapped.
“I’ve watched you, I’ve seen you do it.” Yeah, like a few months or a few years ago. I didn’t answer. I regret to even brought it up. Forget it.
Aside from that little bicker, so many things had happened this week like I’ve found out a literary magazine HQ in Atlanta is looking for submissions. I have a story for the December issue but I’m afraid it might be too bleak. Should I go for it? I don’t want people to read the story around Christmas and burst in tears. I probably should send another one, huh, one that would cheer people, not make them cry.
I’m going out to work today. This will be the second time this week. I went on Monday and it turned out I couldn’t do much. My boss broke his pinkie last week tripping on a broken sprinkler and now he only has a working right hand while his left hand is wrapped elbow-deep in bandages. I hope he’s there because I went yesterday and he wasn’t there. So I ended up having to have to walk back home but I took my sweet time with the walk.
I’ve always enjoyed black and white photography. I just never thought it fit in with the pictures I took but I just have to try it. What do you think?
A Change on Perspective
I spent most of yesterday morning in my GMAT class, learning to tackle critical reasoning and math problems. I’m sort of understanding the problem though I’m still pretty rusty. The teacher made it look so easy on the board that it felt like even a three-year-old can do it. So why can’t I? Maybe I’m thinking too complicated. I feel like the problems are designed to teach us to approach it in a simpler manner, like a five-year-old tackles additions and subtractions by counting fingers.
After my GMAT class, I texted my mom who, by the way, was supposed to text me, not the other way around. She was already at my friend’s graduation and had told me to meet her there. She gave me the address but didn’t give me driving directions or when the graduation was supposed to start. Maybe she thought I’ve been to the school and downtown so many times that I’m supposed to know every shortcut to get back on the freeway. Ha ha, I don’t.
Then, just as I need the internet most, I lost it. The moment I stepped into the parking lot, the internet just poof, gone.
So I had to get directions the hard way, by asking around. Thank god, I bumped into the lady that sat next to me in class. She’s awesome at giving direction but since I’m venturing into unknown territory, I was questioning myself and the directions she drew for me the whole way.
Did I make the right turn? Did I miss the freeway entrance? It’s not that far, is it?
Fortunately, I followed her direction and I made it, only made one mistake along the way, getting onto the wrong freeway, actually, it’s the right freeway, just wrong direction.
At last, I arrived after sitting in traffic jam for 10 minutes. Apparently, there was only one road in and out of the arena and drivers in that part of the city happened to be quite unforgiving. They didn’t let me sneak into the lanes at all.
I parked my car somewhere, stomach growling, hand trembling, and feeling quite stuffy. I made my way through the crowd into the arena. From there, I searched for my mom while being shoved by the tens people around me listening to an old man shouting, “First level is full!”
I went up to the second level where I asked an old lady about the main box office. She was like, “What are you talking about?”
“The main box office,” I said louder and slower, enunciating each word as clearly as I could. Thankfully, before I got too frustrated and irritated by the lady’s naggy voice and lazy attitude, I heard a familiar voice behind me. It was my mom, squeezing through the crowd, coming up the stairs. There, she led me to an entrance and together, we descended a set of stairs to our seats.
The smart person I was, I managed to bring my tablet (camera’s got a dead battery) and captured a few pictures. Not very good mainly because we arrived too late to find any good seats.
It was a little different than mine. For starters, it’s a smaller school so the commencement and convocation had been combined. Secondly, everybody, including the undergraduates sat in the same place. In my graduation, the undergraduates sat in a restricted section of the stands. I think by sitting down there, it kind of give you a sense of importance whereas sitting in the stands just makes you feel like a bystander, sort of like your achievement wasn’t big enough to be recognized.
The first speaker was the president of the school and what he said at first really moved me. He said something along the line of, a part of your life is over but a new part of your life is just beginning. I kind of felt like that when I took my last final before I graduated last year. I felt like I’ve been waiting so long for this moment and now that it’s come, I wish I could just have one more day of learning.
And as usual, an idea sparked. It’s sort of autobiographical but the idea’s playing in my head like a movie ever since.
I’ve been spending most of the day today writing another story since my current rewrite of my novella has temporarily reached an impasse. I will have dig deeper into my brain to come up with a plot of what happens next.
But yeah, you can say going to my friend’s graduation changed my perspective on somethings, like 180 degrees change.
On My Way to Work
Today’s prompt asks: How do you manage your online privacy? Are there certain things you won’t post in certain places? Information you’ll never share online? Or do you assume information about you is accessible anyway? Continue reading “On My Way to Work”
An Unique Wedding Reception
Last night, I was at a wedding and as usual, we were over-dressed, thanks to mom. I was like, I’m going to wear jeans but she was like, it’s other people’s wedding, you need to be well-dressed.
Continue reading “An Unique Wedding Reception”Random Photos of a Rainy Day
I hope everyone’s Thursday is going well. Continue reading “Random Photos of a Rainy Day”
This is Another Story 