Night Rainbow

Hong Kong 2007

Came across this photo today and just love all the bright colors reflected in the waters.

Sea of roses

Isn't this amazing? I love all the different shades of pink, peach, and cream...so lovely! I wish I could have this as a photo background for my wedding :) This was taken last year at Macy's annual flower show in NYC. We stumbled upon this show a few years ago while visiting my sister. It sort of became a small tradition for us after that. My mom, my sister and I would go and enjoy the beautiful flower displays while shopping. The fragrance from thousands of flowers is quite intoxicating. This year's show started yesterday and will run until April 10th in 6 major cities. Time for me to plan our weekend trip to New York!

Warm glow

This was taken at Hawaii's Big Island. It's hard to take a bad picture there.

Just a picture to warm everyone up on this chilly spring day. Happy Friday! :)

Super Moon

Did anyone see the super full moon this past weekend? It was the biggest full moon in 18 years. I love looking at the moon and stargazing so I was really excited about this. Luckily the sky was clear. The moon was absolutely beautiful. According to NASA, it was 14% bigger and 30% brighter than normal. My picture doesn't do it justice at all. If you missed it, the next one doesn't happen for another 18 years or so. In the meantime, google it and look at the amazing pictures :)

Our little seniors

Our cats, Brownie (left) and Moochi (right), turned 10 years old last weekend. That's about 55 years old in human years! I can't believe they've been with us for a decade already. I remember when they were just tiny little kittens. They are so sweet and we love them so much. To celebrate, we had a little party with fancy foods and catnip. It was funny to see how much they enjoyed the catnip; rubbing and rolling everywhere. I thought it was only appropriate to have them take an official birthday portrait.  It came out pretty good, don't you think? (Btw, now we have to buy them cat products in the "senior cat" section hence the title hehe)

Room for spontaneity

We saw this beautiful unexpected view of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica while strolling around Paris last year.

I recently sent my friend a list of things to do in Paris and I left out one of the most important one! Ironically, one of the must do in any vacation spot is to do nothing at all. Yes, that's right. For at least one day of your trip, it's so important to plan to have no plans. I am so guilty of going on every trip with a very ambitious itinerary. I just want to see and do everything possible and it can be pretty tiring. That's why I always have a day (usually the last day) where we just browse and stroll around aimlessly and take it all in before we head home. It's such a relaxing way to end a trip.

My friends are leaving for Paris tonight so I want to wish them a wonderful and safe trip. Can't wait to hear all about it! :)

Spreading happiness

One of the photos you will find at my stand :) It always brings a smile to my face. Btw, you can buy this cute vase from "pretty random objects" on etsy. I love her potteries and is a proud owner of quite a few pieces!

I am so happy to announce that I am one of the selected vendors for this year's SoWa Open Market. It's such a fun place to browse and shop on a Sunday afternoon. I'll be selling my photos and artwork and couldn't be more excited. The market opens every Sunday starting on May 1st. Please stop by if you are in Boston! :)

Time to help

In Japan, it is believed that one who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. These strings of paper cranes were outside of a temple in Kyoto. All of my wishes are for the people of Japan right now.

News about Japan continue to be devastating. The hardships that these people are facing are unimaginable. My heart is heavy for their losses. Please help and donate to any of these organizations. No amount is too small if we all collectively donate something.

List from CBS News:  

Online

• The American Red Cross is collecting donations for its disaster relief efforts to help people in Japan and throughout the Pacific.
• Apple has posted a donation page on iTunes where you can use your iTunes account to make a secure donation to the American Red Cross and its Japanese relief fund. 
• Save the Children is collecting donations and has dispatched an international emergency team to assist staff in Japan. 
• International Medical Corps' Emergency Response Fund is collecting donations and is preparing to send relief teams and supplies to the country. 
• The Salvation Army is collecting donations while its counterpart in Japan responds to victims' needs.
• Donations to GlobalGiving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund will be distributed to a variety of relief and emergency services agencies.

From Your Phone
The American Red Cross is also collecting donations via text message. Donors can text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to give $10 for relief efforts.
The Salvation Army is collecting $10 donations for each text with the words "Quake" or "Japan" sent to 80888. Donations can also be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Thinking of Japan

I was fortunate enough to visit Japan a few years ago. It has always been a very special place to me. I am terribly sadden by the news of the natural disasters that the people there are facing right now. My thoughts are with them. Life is unpredictable and I am so thankful for all that I have. Be happy, healthy and safe everyone!

Pretty sweets

I love many Japanese things and wagashi (Japanese-style sweets) is one of them. These were seasonal ones from Minamoto Kitchoan in NYC. They were filled with sweet bean paste and covered with a layer of soft rice cake. I love how they are so pretty and delicate and perfect with a cup of green tea. They make my tea-drinking time feel extra special.

Spring Awaits

Beautiful lily from my mom's garden.

The warmer weather this weekend is making me think of spring and all the beautiful flowers that my mom grows in her garden every year. She has such a green thumb. Me, on the other hand, not so much. Until some of her abilities rub off on me, I'll settle with photographing her labor of love. 

Creative time

Sterling silver hoop earrings with hand-wired fuschia swarovski crystals. 

I started making jewelry a few years ago and really love it. I love that I can personalize each piece and design it however I like. It's even more rewarding when my friends and family love what I make. Eventually this little hobby became a fun side business but it can be time consuming. I haven't made any new jewelry for a while now. Lately I have a few new designs in mind and I can't wait to start making them. Stay tuned!

Chocolate emergency

I am craving a slice of chocolate cake so badly today. It's just one of those days. Looking at this picture is not helping much either! I baked this cake for James' birthday a few years back. It's such a moist chocolate cake with a heavenly chocolate swiss meringue buttercream. It's so good. I need a slice asap!