My version of the 2015 Supermoon Lunar Eclipse

It was Chinese Moon Festival today, and we also had a supermoon lunar eclipse. It was 1982 when this combination happened last time, and it won't happen again until 2033. Wow!!

As always, a full moon makes me restless simply because I love it. When it comes to photographing a perfect full moon, the challenge is horrendous, as we are at the mercy of Mother Nature! After many ups and downs throughout the day today, the thick clouds finally broke out right before the eclipse, so here are the two shots reflecting my never-ending fascination with the full moon...

Naperville, IL 
September 27, 2015

 

27 years...

It just occurred to me that I have been in this country for exactly 27 years!!  I came to Chicago 27 years ago today, 9/19/1988 -- still remember the chilly air hitting me when I first came out of O'Hare airport... It was the first wake-up call for me in the foreign land.

Wow, 27 long years -- much longer than the time I ever spent in China.  So many ups and downs and memories in this piece of land that no longer seems so foreign to me...  Regardless of all the craziness and shortfalls, I am convinced that we've created a much better life for Michelle -- for her to live freely, happily, and do what she absolutely loves to do!

As for me, too much is going through my head right now, don't even know where to start.  So, please allow me to quote a few lines for myself to live by for the next 27 years -:))

--  Life is too short to be small.

--  Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

--  Anyone who live within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.

 

Dreams from Countryside...

Chong Li (崇礼) is a small rural village about 3 hours drive from Beijing. It is so "original" that I couldn't help to fall in love with the sweetness of this untouched piece of land.

As the host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Chong Li will undoubtedly lose its originality and serenity... It will be touched, deeply, and modified significantly...

Chong Li (崇礼), China
September 7, 2015