Azra

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Anyone following the news lately would notice that there were many tragic events happened in recent weeks. The monsoon flooded Bangkok; then now the earthquake in Turkey. Sometimes, it can be depressing watching the news.

I like to send my best wishes to the people in Thailand and Turkey; my thoughts go to the victims, and my condolences to their loved ones.

Then on Tuesday, I happened to watch the footage about a 2-week-old baby girl, Azra Karaduman, pulled out alive from the rubble by the earthquake rescue team. That’s good news (for a change). I felt as if I was watching a miracle unfolding right in front of my eyes. A miracle, indeed!

Today, I want take the liberty to title this photograph “Azra” (hope you don’t mind) to celebrate Azra Karaduman. And, I want to propose a toast to her “Azra, you can survive this earthquake; you can handle anything life throws at you later on. I sincerely wish you, despite a rough start, a happy and wonderful long life.”

-Quan
October 2011.

"Live long and prosper, my friend." ~ Stars Trek.

Bitten

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As I was walking in the park the other day, I spied a streak of light shining on a leaf from under a distant tree. My feet automatically turned toward that direction; thinking this would be a cool photo opportunity. When I got there, I saw this young leaf, which was badly bitten. In a split second, my heart turned from joy to sorrow.

Most leaves get to grow up healthy, to experience a full life through the seasons, to grow old, and to turn yellow in the fall… However, looks like this leaf will not have the chance to live life to the fullest. Sometimes, I feel the world can be so unfair and cruel; dark and cold.

After I took the shot, I stood there wishing the sun would set slower to keep the leaf warm just a little longer. I imagined it’s only a matter of days.

Until then, hang in there and keep on shining!

-Quan.
October, 2011.

The Entertainers

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It was a late afternoon, the beach was quiet, I can hear this young family laughing, and the meditative sound of the waves in the background. As I stood there looking at this young father entertaining his kid, my mind drifted to the past. Distant memories started to come to mind.

Once upon a time, I was also an entertainer. I didn’t have many audiences, only a couple of my own; they always enjoyed my performances regardless of how or what I did. It was pretty easy to make them laugh; all I had to do is be silly.

That was a long time ago, time really flies fast. Snapping back to the present, I almost forgot I had the camera with me; I raised the camera up and I took a few shots.

Thanks to this young family who gave me a moment to the beautiful past. Now, I like to share this photo with “the entertainers” out there.

-Quan
October 2011.

“You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.” ~ William D. Tammeus