Veterans Day 2011

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It’s Friday, why not take a little break from whatever you are doing and look at some flower.

Today is also Veterans Day in the US. I like to take a moment to say thanks to our veterans. They risk their lives during combat, and then have to deal with the post-war trauma. These folks really give up a huge chunk of their lives, so that we can enjoy ours.

I don’t know the name of this flower; so I just call it “Little Purple Flower”. People say purple flowers symbolize royalty. With that, I like to dedicate this flower to our veterans.

To those who served, I salute you!

-Quan.

November 2011. 

“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Traces of the Fall

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I can understand why autumn is so attractive to so many people, especially the photographers (me included). Who can really resist those glowing bright golden leaves? Even when most of the golden stuffs were gone, there were still magic in the air; her beauty still lingered on.

After taking this shot, I stood there, wanted to look at the scene with my naked eyes for a few more minutes. Logic told me that she will be back next year, there would be another autumn; I knew my heart will long for her, but my instinct told me that it may not be the same.

But then, I had to move on…

-Quan.
November 2011.

"Happiness is the longing for repetition." ~ Milan Kundera (Czech Novelist, Playwright and Poet, b.1929)

Caution

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Today, I am thinking about shadows; particularly, our own shadows.

Shadows never complain, and always follow us quietly. When we step into the shade, they just disappear. When we face the light, they stay right behind us. When the light gets brighter, the shadows get deeper. The only time we see our own shadows is when we turn our back to the light; or when we face the light but turn our heads to look back behind us.

Shadows have many shapes and forms; they can be very pretty sometimes. Whenever I see my shadow, I get a feeling of comfort, knowing that there’s light. When I see my shadow, I know it is sunny and I am not alone.

If you haven’t looked at your own shadow lately, I invite you to walk into the light; walk, jump, dance or run (whatever you like to do) while noticing your own shadows. It is pure joy, I guarantee it. Watch your steps and don’t injure yourself though.

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Between the Seasons

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Last weekend, a few friends and I drove out to Eastern Sierra (California) area to take pictures of the fall colors. Before heading out, I knew it has passed the peek time, but I was hopeful that autumn was still around for a bit longer.

Upon arrival, looking at the bare trees, I knew that we were late for the party. However, there were still remnant of the fall; I could see a few trees with yellow leaves scattered between the bared ones. There was also early sign of the coming winter, a few small patches of snow on the ground.

I realized, then, that I was neither late for the autumn, nor early for the winter. I was just in between the seasons. I told myself “nature’s clock waits for no one, all I can do is to be a good observer.”

Until next year, here is my humbled-not-quite-fall-color photograph. Hope you enjoy it.

-Quan
November 2011.

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