My holiday season so far...

The holiday season has been quiet and productive.  I tried to better manage my relationship with my phone, meditate at least twice a day, let go of many unimportant things in my head, limit social activities, let my mind and heart settle down -- it feels wonderful.  In addition to the "soul-cleansing" process, I also finished reading 2 big books (412 and 380 pages respectively) written by a photographer friend.  He is a professional photographer, a Canadian Chinese living in Alberta, Canada.  In fact, I will be joining his photography tour to the Canadian Rockies at the end of January.

I have to tell you that, by reading through all these pages, I am once again deeply touched by people's unwavering passion and devotion to what they love to do.  I am once again convinced that you can only be great at something that you passionately LOVE. 

I can relate to so much of what he described in the books about his long, difficult journey of photography.  The detailed planning for a trip, the anxiety, the fear, the excitement, the disappointment, the unexpected, the rain, the wind, the suffering, the sun, the moon, the stars and clouds...  Every little element - good, bad or ugly - adds to the last joyful moment when the shutter is pressed.        

I clearly realize that I am not nearly as accomplished as he is in photography.  In fact, I have come to terms with the fact that I am so far behind so many people in photography.  I clearly understand and accept human differences.  To me, the true value of living a fulfilled life is to always do your very best, never stop learning, AND be happy with who you are!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention -- both books are written in Chinese, which is pretty unbelievable (for him to write so well in Chinese).  Honestly, this is the first time I read so much Chinese in 28 years.  I really, truly, thoroughly enjoyed reading all his colorful stories -- thank goodness I can still see color through Chinese, haha!

The Glow

This holiday season has been particularly quiet.  I had a chance to read, think, reflect and recharge...

Getting ready for my business trip in the first week of January, and I decided to go visit Bryce Canyon again.  It's been snowy and cold up there so far this winter, so I am hoping to witness the true beauty of Bryce Canyon -- red rocks covered with white snow.

Here are a few shots I took 2 years ago when Rudi and I were there.  I remember being very disappointed about the trip because there was little snow that year.  I am keeping my fingers crossed!

The Glow

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

January 18-19, 2014

Canadian Rockies: 4-8-2012

I took these photos during my second trip to the Canadian Rockies almost 4 years ago.  Believe it or not, I managed to let these pictures sit in my laptop folder for all these years because I never had the courage to share them -- I was told over and over again that this type of images have no photographic value... because they were taken in broad daylight AND with my little SONY point-n-shoot camera!  Oh well, as I reflect deeper on the true meaning of life, I am convinced that the price tag of every single picture should be determined by the significance of your own experience, not some technical parameters defined by others!  So, go out, capture beauty freely -- with or without the best lights. 

Did I tell you that the Canadian Rockies is THE place I love the most???  As I am getting ready to take my third trip to the Canadian Rockies in the deep, deep winter next month, please allow me to share these images with you today.

Canadian Rockies

Alberta, Canada

April 8, 2012
 

Gateway Arch

This is not for photography or an "adventure"...  Nonetheless, since I left my footprints there during my childcare duties earlier this week, I might as well record it in the history book -:))

The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot (192 m) monument in St. Louis, Missouri. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of an inverted, weighted catenary arch, it is the world's tallest arch and the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. It is built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States.

The Gateway Arch was designed in 1947; construction began on February 12, 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965 for $13 million (equivalent to $180 million in 2013). The monument opened to the public on June 10, 1967.

Gateway Arch

St. Louis, MO

December 10, 2015

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

For the first time in many years, we are staying HOME for Thanksgiving.  In fact, after last week's travel ordeal, I am really happy to be home.  When you think about it, this is a great time to slow down, reflect and be thankful for everything we have.  This is also a wonderful time to be truly connected with our family and friends -- see their smiles, hear their laughter, and feel their joy.  Be attentive and be present with this precious life!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Slow Dance

By David Weatherford

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

on the fly?

When you ask:  How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,

do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say, "Hi"?

You'd better slow down,

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower.

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

The Rockies (2)

The flight back to Chicago yesterday was more than horrendous!!!  An 1 hour 53 minutes trip turned into a 10.5 hours saga, and we didn't get home until 11:30pm...

I don't think I should bore you with all the details, but basically due to impossible landing conditions in Chicago, we landed in the cornfield of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and stayed there for 5 hours.  When we finally got the permission to fly back to Chicago and land in B19, the pilot literally over-shot the plane and broke the jet-bridge.  We sat on the plane at O'Hare terminal B for 2 hours to get "enough" people to help us move the plane to a different gate - what a trip!!!

Well, please allow me to share a few "sugar-water" photos from this trip.  They have nothing to do with Photography!

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

November 15-21, 2015

The Rockies

No, it's not the Canadian Rockies... but nonetheless, Rocky Mountains in Colorado is also an amazing place.

The trip started with us running into an unexpected winter snowstorm in Colorado on Sunday.  We initially planned to spend 4 days in Aspen visiting the ever-so-famous Maroon Bells.  After 4 hours of driving from Denver to Aspen, at the hotel, we were painfully told that the road leading to Maroon Bells had been closed due to heavy snow.  I looked at the hotel receptionist in total disbelieve...  As many dramas as I've been through over the years, never once was there a need for me to alter my travel plan or pick another spot on the fly.  Well, I did it this time, I knew right there and then that we had to leave Aspen and drive to Rocky Mountains the next morning.

Heavy snow continued throughout the night -- we had no place to go, so stayed at the hotel and got drunk!!

Monday morning, we woke up in a pure white world.  Huge snowflakes danced down to greet us and cover us...  It was in this silver world, we drove through the treacherous, winding mountain roads for 7 hours and, finally, arrived at the Rocky Mountain National Park -- a true winter wonderland!!!

When it comes to risk-taking, many people don't really know me!  It was late in the afternoon, and snow was still coming down hard.  I decided to go up to the mountains to check out a few places.  Michelle warned me once, twice and three times as to why and how this was not a logical act.  I had to literally tell her: "Michelle, your safely is my #1 priority.  So, please sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery and the excitement!"

We ended Monday safe and sound. Tuesday was a beautiful but COLD day.  A lot of physical suffering running out in the snow and on the mountains... But all in all, out in the nature is the best mental therapy for me -- no concern, no worry, I was surrounded by nothing but purity...

I initially planned to go back out in the dark to take a few night shots.  Strong winds started later in the afternoon and increased to over 50mph.  Once we sat down by the fireplace inside of our hotel room, started sipping wine and drinking hot chocolate, I had NO courage to go back out to the cold to do whatever the "right thing" was. 

Tuesday night was probably the windiest night I have ever experienced.  The wind reached over 60mph, and the entire world seemed to be upside down!!!  Again, I was too afraid to go out early in the morning to photography the sunrise... And that ended all my photo ops for this trip.

We headed south to Colorado Springs on Wednesday.  Strong winds continued, and it was just about to throw my SUV off the highway. Got to Colorado Springs, visited Garden of the Gods, which was uneventful.  Then a piece of old memory reemerged and I decided to drive up to Pikes Peak -- 14,114 ft at the summit.  The prospect of the potential risk, excitement, and the spectacular view at the mountain top in the white snow made us smile...  We headed out to Pikes Peak highway.  When we finally drove up to the base... do I still need to continue with the story???

I have to say that, in many ways, this has been a special trip.  So many disappointments, and yet, we embraced the unpredictable!  I love carefully calculated risks, and that's what makes life FUN!!!

P.S. Thought I was done, but I am not.  One more piece of drama before the trip is fully completed tomorrow - JUST got a lovely email from United warning me about flight cancellations and/or delays tomorrow due to winter storms in the Midwest - yeah, go figure!!!