The World Through Lenses

I just spent a lovely morning prowling through the garden with my father's camera. Photography compels me to survey the world more closely, to examine the details while seeing the big picture at the same time. I see beauty everywhere, from a pearly dewdrop resting on a plump lemon's skin to autumn leaves coloring the scenery a deep, vibrant red. I particularly like dewdrops -- they remind me of tiny jewels sparkling on the ground, sprinkled from above from some divine hand. Isn't it amazing that something as small as a one dewdrop can contain so much beauty? =)

I've also been reading a book about Chinese cuisine from a Westerner's viewpoint, and some of the descriptions are so funny that I chuckle out loud and force my parents to listen while I excitedly read excerpts. In the spare moments when I'm not reading or chattering or taking photographs, I return to the solace of my bedroom and reflect upon the layers of childhood and teenhood which are revealed in my choice of books, decoration, and my old stories, poems, and drawings tucked away in little nooks.

Delicate ribbons. Faded posters of pink roses. Inspirational postcards on the wall. A teddy bear on a soft white rug. A quilt with tiny pink flowers. Children's books.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy, happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I am grateful for...

my loved ones... family and God and my beloved tree!

friends and kindred spirits

books -- the musty scent of worn-out pages, the promise of a story unfolding

Fenton's ice-cream and Ici's and crepes with gelato and Yogurt Park and warm cookies

freshly laundered blankets and bedsheets

comfortable silence shared with a close friend or loved one

silver threads of rain cleansing the world

crimson autumn leaves against a clear blue sky

laughter -- the type that causes my whole body to shake

riding in a car with the wind running through my hair and good music playing from the radio

UC Berkeley

Yan Yan chocolate snacks and Asian gummy candy

Good conversations which engage me in news ideas and thoughts and perspectives

Birds flying through the sky -- the glimspse of a graceful eagle's flight

And so much more! I love being alive!

A Garden of Memories

There is a garden of light in my memories, tinted with the perfume of roses and framed from above with a deep blue sky. I remember lying on my back in a bed of soft grass. I was by myself, but not alone, for the birds sung sweetly in the distance and the wind seemed to whisper secrets into my ears. I couldn't have been more than fifteen or sixteen, but already I thought I understood the world -- my little world which was contained and sheltered within vine-covered walls. But now I see that the world is so much larger and contains so many more mysteries and secrets and adventures than I could ever have imagined. And life is both beautiful and humorous. One must always have a sense of humor along this journey. One must always be willing to drink in the nectar of every season, to listen to the laughter of the stars.

Blueness

[photograph via blissful.blogspot]

The blueness makes you want to sing out loud, dip your feet in the ocean, and leave footprints in the warm sand.

Bertrand Russell

Every morning I read a little bit of Bertrand Russell's "Portrait from Memories" and grow ever more inspired and delighted by his optimism. Although I tend to be more melancholic than optimistic, I do have a dreamer's heart and am highly sensitive to ideals. His words speak directly to the idealist within me, and the italicized line below was particularly effective in etching into my heart some strange form of yearning. These moments of aching beauty are transient and oftentimes fade away once the busy routine of my day overrides my initial contemplative state, but I still resolve to read more from great thinkers and philosophers such as Russell, in the hopes that I may someday mold my intellect and personal character into something worthier. I do believe that what we put in our heads contributes toward developing our personality and character, so I want to be careful that I read good books, watch programs that encourage thought, and expose myself to a lifelong commitment to learning.

"I may have conceived theoretical truth wrongly, but I was not wrong in thinking that there is such a thing, and that it deserves our allegiance. I may have thought the road to a world of free and happy human beings shorter than it is proving to be, but I was not wrong in thinking that such a world is possible, and that it is worth while to live with a view to bringing it nearer. I have lived in the pursuit of a vision, both personal and social. Personal: to care for what is noble, for what is beautiful, for what is gentle; to allow moments of insight to give wisdom at more mundane times. Social: to see in imagination the society that is to be created, where individuals grow freely, and where hate and greed and envy die because there is nothing to nourish them. These things I believe, and the world with all its horrors, has left me unshaken."

- Bertrand Russell, Portraits from Memories and Other Essays

Quantum of Solace

I can finally relax after a string of midterms and papers. =) This morning I discovered that my steel water bottle has been leaking, and the result is that my papers and bag pack are soaked. Worst still, my cellphone also got wet and isn't functioning normally anymore! I've been trying to disassemble the phone and pry at the parts, randomly poking different components in the hopes that something will work. The funny thing is I can't find the leak in the bottle -- it's almost as if the water is leaking out of the metal itself, which can't be true.

Anyway, I'm crossing my fingers that my cellphone will miraculously dry itself and return to its normal state. =)

On Saturday night, my suitemates and I went to the 10:40 pm showing of "Quantum of Solace". The movie itself was a little disappointing -- the plot lacked cohesiveness and the character development was negligible. Still, it was exciting to be eating kettle corn and sipping hot chocolate so late at night, and the 30 minute walk back home under a canopy of bright stars was refreshing. Night has a life of its own, just like silence is its own melody!

Warm November

It feels so good to take off my socks after a long day, arch my tired feet, and curl my toes into the carpet. I can't believe the weather is so warm even in mid-November! Christmas season doesn't seem quite the same without cold winds sending you scrambling for hot mugs of chocolate or a thick wollen blanket. I keep seeing gingerbread house kits and wish I was flippant enough about money to impulsively purchase one! It's so fun to put the graham crackers together with cream and then decorate the little house with gum drops, chocolate peppermint sticks, and other assorted goodies. =)

Wow, I feel so weird actually having food in my refridgerator. Thank you Mommy and Daddy for supplying me with fish, chicken, ham, bread, rice, fruits, and other healthy food! In other news, it's relieving to be finally done with my 7 page term paper. Perhaps now I can find the time to catch up on some leisure reading!

Wonderful Wednesday!

I'm sitting here in my comfy pajamas reveling in the warmth of my cozy aparment and thinking back upon today's events. Every minute was wonderful, from the surprise mini Panda keychain to the SF trip where we bought Phantom of the Opera tickets to crepes with gelato! And to top it off, delicious chestnut cake eaten while loudly singing Phantom of the Opera songs! =)

I feel so happy and blessed right now. =)

Even the BART train driver was in a good mood today and kept making silly puns / soundtrack noises while conducting the train. His energy put a smile on my face. I'm accustomed to seeing tired or indifferent-looking transporation attendants -- for example, I've yet to encounter a genuinely cheerful bus driver. It's quite a pleasant change when they exude a positive air!

What else.. The Opheum theater looks beautiful from the outside with its ornate architecture, and I can't wait to actually enter the theater next month. I can already imagine the lush carpet beneath my feet and the curtains sweeping across a grand stage. I can already hear the hushed whispers as the audience waits eagerly for the opera to begin. I can already anticipate my own excitement experiencing my very first musical!

There was also some type of farmers market at San Francisco today, tiny stalls vendoring fresh fruits and vegetables and fish. We also bought yummy kettle corn straight out of a large iron skillet! Why is kettle corn so delicious!?! It always makes me feel like I'm at some type of fair or carnival! It helped that today was a blue-sky type of day. =)

Election Day

It is election day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel overwhelmingly excited to be part of this historic moment! Just ten minutes ago, I was standing in Unit 2 as so many college students erupted into louds cheers and chants. Students stood watching at the balconies and yelling so loudly that the night air fairly tingled with energy. =)

The news is on, and I can't help but set aside my homework and studying to enjoy every minute of this historic day, a day that will live forever in history books and in the memories of millions!

Nostalgia

I began listening to some old songs this morning and was immediately swept away by a powerful wave of nostalgia. Somehow these familiar melodies conjure up images of my room back home-- delicate curtains blowing in the wind, sunlight flooding onto my bed, the scenery from my window. I used to stare out of my window, daydreaming, wondering what lay beyond the gently sloping hills, admiring the pure blueness of the sky. The mind can take you where the body cannot, and I traveled far and wide just daydreaming quietly by myself. =)

Election Day is approaching, and I'm already excited for checking the polls and news compulsively. It's amazing to think that the events of today will be the important historical events of future generations, and one day students throughout America will read about the first African American running for president. I only hope that the textbooks can convey some of the energy that's sweeping through the country this week! =)

Happy Saturday, everybody!