2012 Calendar

Every year for two years now, Cornerstone Credit Union, a local bank in Saskatchewan has been organizing a photo contest to be included in their yearly calendar. Luckily, two of my entry photos were chosen for next year's 2012 calendar. One as a cover page. the other one for the month of December. I'm the Alpha and the Omega!!! LOL I guess 2012 will be my year!!! Yay!!! 

All glory to HIM. :)

Kayangan Lake - Coron, Palawan

This is in response to the Philippines' Underground River being included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Check the link (http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/11/travel/new-7-wonders-of-nature/index.html).

This is Kayangan Lake which is located in Palawan as well, dubbed as the cleanest lake in Asia. Turquoise ocean waters, towering scenic lime stones and crystal clear blue lake. 

For sure, this would look magical under the moon lit sky. :)

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

The Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces are constantly changing, with formations growing in different directions. The water flows and creates a beautiful living sculpture.

The step-like terraces form as heated water moves along the Morris-Mammoth Fault. The hot water carries dissolved calcium and bicarbonate to the surface of the terraces where pressure lessens. Carbon dioxide then escapes as gas and the carbonate combines with calcium to precipitate as travertine. Springs which were active one to five years ago may be dry and lifeless now, yet activity may later resume. Along with changes of thermal activity come changes in color. Fresh travertine is bright white in color and as it weathers it changes to gray. Bright colored cyanobacteria and algae mats which were dependent upon a stable temperature and a flow of water also change as the microorganisms die creating a stark, bleak landscape.

Everyday is a reminder that God exist. :)

More than Life

Stand by everything You said,
Stand by the promises we made.
Let go of everything I’ve done,
I'll run into Your open arms.
And all I know...
I love You more than life.
Fall back on everything You've done,
Fall back on everlasting arms.
When all the world is swept away,
You are all the things I need.
You're the air I breathe...

Oceans Will Part

If my heart has grown cold,

There Your love will unfold

As you open my eyes to the work of Your hand.

When I'm blind to my way

There Your spirit will pray

As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand.

Wonder of the Natural World

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. It is considered a Wonder of the Natural World.

A Peak to a World's Wonder

A sneak peak of my shots in Grand Canyon, Arizona until I get to figure out which ones to post process. Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon (nearly 1,500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world. Located in the state of Arizona, it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park. Its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past 2 billion years. There are also prehistoric traces of human adaptation to a particularly harsh environment.

What is Life All About?

When I woke up this morning I asked myself... "What is life all about"? I found the answer in my room. The fan said, BE COOL, the roof said, AIM HIGH. The window said, SEE THE WORLD! The clock said, EVERY MINUTE IS PRECIOUS! The mirror said, REFLECT BEFORE YOU ACT. The calendar said, BE UP TO DATE. The door said, PUSH HARD FOR YOUR GOALS & the floor said, KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY!!! Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Take Risk

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” --- Mark Twain

Dead Trees

Dead trees in the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. These trees grew during inactivity of the mineral-rich springs, and were killed when calcium carbonate carried by spring water clogged the vascular systems of the trees. The same process also effectively preserves the trees by preventing decay.

Today's Wish

You are reaching for the stars that are billion miles away,

And catch the brightest moon and its overnight grey.

Never minding the cold that feels your skin

You are but just a dreamer that speaks from within.

A courage that is beyond your biggest doubt,

Runs through your vein and leads your heart.

Celebrating each day for a well done fight

The road is long but your feet keep its stride.

You aim for that life somewhere from tomorrow,

Eyes are all set just for one goal.

Your life is in your hand and cannot be shaken

As you master the art of winning.

Far behind you someone else is wishing…

Not for pots of gold or silver lining.

The world offers a dream to never ending…

But I yearn for nothing than to walk under the rain

Get my feet soak and this longing washed away.

Then sunshine…

You are the treasure at the end of my rainbow.

09.25-28.11

Life is Good. Always has been. :)

I would say this is so far my most favorite captured photo since I started my passion for photography. What an awesome God we have that He created a world as beautiful as this.  :)

It is absolutely a sight to behold.

Another year is coming into past, and life goes on. :) This is one of those days where I wish I would wake up to the smell of my mom’s cooking and have all of my siblings all together at one place. I miss my family :)

At this point in my life, I think I am in the right place at the right time in the right circumstances. I got direction in my life, Yay!!! Lol

Having walked to a life – where all the members of my family are safe and healthy – where I get to do what I love doing most, NURSING :) – where I lived in a house that is literally full of Noise, Laughter and Fun – where I get to travel and experience the wonders of His power –where I get to capture a moment and put it in stillness – where I get to wake up each day and experience all these over and over again. This is ultimate bliss =D

I may have lost a few people in my journey, but we are all just passing through each other’s world. And the lessons learned are greatly appreciated. :)

On the other hand, we meet new people… And the story begins =p

To everyone who crossed my world, thank you.

To everyone who chose to stay, regret is always at the end. Lol

And as this photo conveys, the world is amazing. So is my life. Always has been. Cheers. =p

All Glory to HIM :)

Grand Teton National Park

In beautiful Wyoming you will find the breathtaking Grand Teton National Park, which features the 46 mile long Grand Teton mountain range. Grand Teton National Park is just 10 miles (16 km) south of Yellowstone National Park, and a visit to one should include a visit to the other. The park is named for Grand Teton mountain, the tallest mountain in the park at 13,775 feet (4,199 m). Grand Teton National Park has a rich history of Paleo-Indian and Native American settlements, dating to over 11,000 years ago. The park also has fascinating geography, with glaciated mountains, lakes, and valleys creating a unsurpassed landscape of beauty.

After A While

AFTER A WHILE YOU LEARN

THE SUBTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

HOLDING A HAND AND CHAINING A SOUL

AND YOU LEARN THAT LOVE DOESN’T MEAN LEANING


AND COMPANY DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN SECURITY.

AND YOU BEGIN TO LEARN

THAT KISSES AREN’T CONTRACTS


AND PRESENTS AREN’T PROMISES

AND YOU BEGIN TO ACCEPT YOUR DEFEATS

WITH YOUR HEAD UP AND YOUR EYES AHEAD

WITH THE GRACE OF A WOMAN

NOT THE GRIEF OF A CHILD


AND YOU LEARN

TO BUILD ALL YOUR ROADS ON TODAY

BECAUSE TOMORROW’S GROUND IS

TOO UNCERTAIN FOR PLANS

AND FUTURES HAVE A WAY

OF FALLING DOWN IN MID FLIGHT

AFTER A WHILE YOU LEARN

THAT EVEN SUNSHINE BURNS IF YOU GET TOO MUCH

SO YOU PLANT YOUR OWN GARDEN

AND DECORATE YOUR OWN SOUL

INSTEAD OF WAITING

FOR SOMEONE TO BRING YOU FLOWERS


AND YOU LEARN

THAT YOU REALLY CAN ENDURE

THAT YOU ARE REALLY STRONG

AND YOU REALLY DO HAVE WORTH

AND YOU LEARN AND YOU LEARN

WITH EVERY GOODBYE YOU LEARN.

VERONICA A. SHOFFSTALL

Jenny Lake

Located in central Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake in Wyoming is famous for numerous hiking trails, scenic boat tours, and access to spectacular backcountry camping and unparalleled climbing.

Amazed

Today...

I have seen the wonders of nature in all its glory.

I have pondered to some thoughts that relax me.

I have slept into a few dreams that left a smile on my face.

Driven to so many roads that left me in awe.

The gift of existence stood in front of me.

As the cold breeze touches my face,

The beauty of the world amazes me,

But not as much as you do :)

09.09.11

Golden Gate Bridge

One of the few things that San Francisco is famous for besides the fog (LOL) is the Golden Gate Bridge. It is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific. Created in 1937, it has been declared one of the modern Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Frommers travel guide considers the Golden Gate Bridge "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world"

San Francisco Bay Bridge

This shot was taken at San Francisco Perry Building while waiting to meet up with a friend. At the background was the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge (known locally as the Bay Bridge) located in the interstate 80 between San Francisco and Alameda Counties. Conceived in the Gold Rush Days, a bridge spanning the San Francisco Bay linking the cities of San Francisco and Oakland always seemed like an engineering and financial impossibility. The water separating the cities was too deep and wide. It opened for traffic in 1936, six months before the Golden Gate Bridge. Consist of two levels going east and westbound accordingly.

Singapore's Last..

I only had 4 landscape photos out of my 8 days stay as I was busy creating lifetime memories with my family, and here's the last one. :)

Taken with Canon EOS 7D, 35mm, F11, 13 seconds. 

Lights at Night

Another shot of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Taken with Canon EOS 7D, 35mm, f11, 10 seconds. Converted directly to JPEG from RAW format. Enjoy! :)

The Beauty of Singapore

The beauty of Singapore lies in their discipline, the cleanliness of the surroundings and the ability to keep you safe anytime of the day. As simple as it may sound, but being able to use your phone in public without the threat of being stolen (as they all have their own iPhone in their hands) is a plus. :)

The lights are a sure attraction especially at night, and the tall buildings were the solid evidence of their unending hard work.

Unedited, just converted from RAW to JPEG version. Taken with Canon EOS 7D, f11, 24mm, 13 seconds exposure time.

A Glimpse of Singapore

My first test shot of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Unedited, just converted to JPEG from its RAW version. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D, f11, 28mm, 10 seconds exposure.

Bow Lake Bridge

How do you get to bring two beautiful things together? There is always and always a bridge. It's your choice to cross it.

Rekindling the Fire

My blog has been idle for most part of the winter season. For a while I have lost my passion in photography. I guess you can compare it as to having a relationship, as you become more accustomed to each other, the passion dies down, but then again.. there is the rekindling of the fire. :)

This was one photo I took back in 2010 in Alberta, Canada. I was at first hesitant to post-process as I cannot remember the entire procedure step by step. But as the saying goes, the heart remembers what the mind seems to forget. Enjoy!

Stationary Wonder

Discover the Canadian Rockies - Towering over the plains of Alberta and British Columbia are the peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains - mighty, rugged, exquisite. 

Tree of Life

One night, one of my patient has drawn a tree and entitled it "Tree of Life". I guess it was something that represents his hope as everything else is saying otherwise. I decided to name this photo next to his. As that patient, this tree whispers hope, wisdom, and a whole lot of stories to tell.. If only, we take some time to listen. We might learn something from them.

Photography Logo

My Official Photography Logo that I will be using as a watermark in my future photos. =)

Power of Three

Who says three is a crowd? Sometimes they look perfectly good together. Standing tall, proving that no season could ever put them down. =)

Winter Season

Taken on a -22 temperature. Enjoying the winter season.

A Beautiful World

La, la, la, la, la. It's a beautiful world.. We're all here.
Strawberry lips shining in the summer sun.
Canary tips glowing there for everyone.
You fell asleep under the cherry tree.

Your winter skin warming in the summer sun.
You know within you will stay forever young.

You fell asleep under the starlit sea.
It's time to wake up.
The moon is high above you.
We're all here cause we love you.
And when you finally open your eyes and ears,
you'll see and you'll hear us sing.

A View from Afar

A very expressive sunset one winter afternoon. That whichever focus you set your eyes into, they could only speak a thousand words.

Taken in the park close to Circlebrook Drive, Yorkton. Sorry, I didn't get the name. Exposure of 1/125 with very minimal adjustment during post-processed.

A Tree of Black and White

What is LIFE without GOD??? It is like a lone tree on a frozen land.

God's Icy Decoration

One of God's way of delighting us in this cold weather. Cool hey!? =D

Sunset Glow

A beautiful sunset in York Lake, Saskatchewan last fall.

Life Without You

Life Without You is like a world without color.
A clock with no hands.
A place that is just an empty space.
A heart without a heartbeat.
A road that leads to nowhere.
A life that was never lived.

Life without you is like breathing and dying all at the same time.

Frozen

A closer look to hoar frost.
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water.

Sunset of Yesterday

One of the last few sunset before this lake turned into ice.

Two is Better than One

And maybe two is better than one =)

Highest Form of Dream

You keep sneaking into my dreams when you know you can't be there in real life.
More than a decade is not enough that you ought to live in my lifetime.
You are my highest form of dream.
Step into my reality, then I'll forever stop dreaming.

The ART in ICE

During winter, there is not much to see except for whites. But with anything, there is an art. You just have to look at it on a different way.

December 21, 2010 Lunar Eclipse

So why not start this year remembering the awesomeness of God through His creation. =)

It's the December 21, 2010 Lunar Eclipse. It started around 12:30am and lasted for about 6 hours, coinciding with the date of the Winter Solstice. It was visible in its entirety as a total lunar eclipse  in North and South America. 

"We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy

Happy New Year Everyone, let's get it right this time. LOL