Moments in Malaysia: Les Portes de Penang

Arches. Bars. Cracks. Colors.

Welcome. Stay out.

Beckoning curiosity.

February 2014

 

Hong Kong Diaries: One the Way to Soho

Above ground. Underground. Dim. Lit.

Affluence Escalates Homesickness.

Backyard. Bamboo. Soho.

View from our room – Goodbye Hong Kong!

dim…mmm…sum

Central station

Apple pit stop

At first glance, we thought these were homeless women. But when we noticed how many there were (everywhere!), and also how organized they looked (many playing card games with each other; delicious meals prepped and being served…) we realized there must be another story. Here it is: Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong recreate urban spaces

Soho escalator

Soho scaffolding

scaffolding

behind Soho

so long Soho

Closing the Hong Kong Diaries.

– April 2013

Hong Kong Diaries: Wandering the Streets

Tradition. Red. Haze. Hustle. Bustle. Lights. Stars.

Tin Hau Temple

Ladies’ Market

The Great Wall

Victoria Harbour

the one and only

Double-deckers and the night haze – walking away from Avenue of Stars

April 2013

Hong Kong Diaries: Settling in

Imagination. Reality. Convergence. Hong Kong.

Arriving in Hong Kong from Macau: April 2013

Our first meal in Hong Kong was as much a feast for the ears as it was a feast for the stomach: loud, Cantonese, food.

Living in luxury for a few nights. Yes, that is a harpist.

Trip date: April 2013

healing after the rain

I feel incredibly grateful to have woken up to such sights on this lush Monday morning.

 

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. Anne Frank

 

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

The poetry of the earth is never dead. John Keats

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature–the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. Rachel Carson

 

For more quotes on the healing power of nature go to THE 44 BEST QUOTES ABOUT NATURE

42 Years Married; 2 Trips to Asia and Counting

On our last night in Kuala Lumpar, we were all walking back from Central Market on our way to an Irish Pub not far from the Petronas Towers. We had all immensely enjoyed the Malaysian food, but it seemed somehow symbolic to share an old fashion beer and fish n’ chips with my parents.

You see this was the second time my parents made it to Asia to visit me. The first time was 9 years ago when I first came to Korea. I think we all figured they should come right away. How long would I stay in Korea anyway? 9 years later I pitched the idea of a family trip. We decided on Malaysia. I’m so grateful they came because still two months later I smile with joy. Navigating the hot humid streets of Penang or KL wasn’t always easy, but that is what life’s about, right? It always comes back to love

After 42 years together, I’m sure my parents would agree.

I took this precious shot of my parents that night. For the two days we we were in KL, my father kept wondering out loud about the night fountain shows. Luckily Byongchan reminded me about it. We took a detour before settling down at the pub, and as soon as we sat down, the  water show began. It as if they were waiting for us.

Magic.

Memories.

Love.

Bonne anniversaire mame et pape. On vous aimes. XOXO

Weekly photo challenge: abandoned

As we were walking away from the Blue Mansion (scroll down for pictures) on the streets of Georgetown in Penang, Malaysia, my mother signalled me to look down.

Look. A shoe for your collection.

I looked down with that excitement I get when I see an abandoned shoe. There’s something about them seems to make the world a smaller place. To find out more about what I mean, check out my Random Shoes page.

I looked back at her.

Every time I see a shoe on the road or beach, I think of you.

She smiled and kept walking.

At that moment, I couldn’t tell mame how much I was touched by this small gesture. Hopefully now she knows.

Thank you for this, mame. Every time I see an abandoned shoe now I will think of you too.

This was an entry for the WordPress Weekly Photo Photo Challenge: Abandoned. Join in!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Threes

For this week’s challenge, we are supposed to share three shots of the same subject. I took these candid shots between nephew and uncle during the Lunar New Year holidays.

A sweet uncle and nephew moment.

But wait! What’s that?

The unsuspecting uncle gets a little surprise: a nephew’s fart!

Hard to get angry with that face.

If you’re interested in joining this week’s photo challenge, click here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Selfie – Sunbeams & Raindrops

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. – Roald Dahl

Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. ― Rumi

These are my entries for this wee’s Weekly Photo challenge: Selfie.