In Memory of My Grandpa

So it was around Chinese new year when Tim and I went to Hong Kong. I wanted to make some Chinese decorations for Tim's parents' house. So I asked Tim to take me to a department store nearby and we found these bright red Chinese calligraphy papers. When we got home, I thought about what characters to use, and I drew a few light pencil lines on the paper and cut out the patterns with a pair of pointy scissors. It all came so natural to me. Tim's parents asked me if I had learned how to do this from a class or workshop. I said, "no, never." But then again, as I wonder where DID I learn to make this, I realized that it was my late-grandpa who inspired me when I was little playing in his garden and his richly decorated rooms with Chinese calligraphy cutouts everywhere. He would make Bible verses cutouts or something that praised God in some way. I used to marvel at how he could make all that with merely a ruler and a pair of scissors. What I didn't know was that I was letting his art into my eyes and into my heart. Now when I do it, it is as if my grandpa were doing it.

I miss my grandpa. He left us in March, 09, just two days before my birthday... This year, my birthday is only a week away. I guess I miss him all the more right now.

By the way, these four characters means: New Spring (Family) Reunion.

Ring

My new ring from Hong Kong H&M. I just want to show it off because it's so bold but classy and I LIKE it!

For more pictures of my West coast and Asia trip, please visit http://dalingphotography.blogspot.com ^^

I Am Back

Back from the Hong Kong trip. Feeling so lonely again. Hating the dryness from the blasting of the heater. Drinking lots of water and still thirsty. Dreaming of good food from Asia. Missing family, missing friends. Delaying unpacking. Suffering from jet lag. Having no appetite to eat dinner. Not knowing where to start with the 900+ pictures I took. Wanting to leave Boston like never before.

It's 9:00 pm and I am still full from the lunch I ate at noon.

Out of the State, Out of the Country

We spent 3 days in LA near the Biola area before flying to Hong Kong from 5th to the 8th.
I will update on that one person at a time once I go back to Boston and transfer all the files of pictures I took during those three days. I cannot wait to share that with you because it was a time of tremendous blessing and encouragement to both Tim and I. Each of them touched our lives in different ways that enriched our hearts and as deep as our souls.

We saw more friends in those three days than we did the whole year in Boston. No exaggeration. And just simply the weather made us brighten up. I even felt my bone stretching and growing from the lack of vitamin D while living in Boston during these indoor-only-winter-days.

Once again, I felt the blessing of my college life. How God brought so many precious people to me in the 4, 5 years I spent in LA, and how they had turned into lifelong relationships. I also realized how these people had influenced me during the time in my life when I just entered adulthood being away from my family; and how they had shaped me into who I am now. I wouldn't trade it for anything else. I felt a deep sense of appreciation for what God has done in my life while going back to the place I once lived. The memories came right back to me as I walk and drove through those familiar spots.

Tim and I are so loved by God!!! That's all I have to say at the end of the day.

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Last night, we arrived in Hong Kong. The humidity overtook us as soon as we got through the gate. I don't understand why it always gave me the shock even though I expected it. Anyways, it was good to see my parents-in-law. Chinese New Year atmosphere is definitely very pronounced here. I am in the process of creating more photo journals, but that will come later. I just know that Tim and I will get to see many Tim's side's relatives and feast like mad during these nights approaching the Chinese New Year.

We couldn't sleep too well last night after arriving here. I guess after the 24 hour of flight plus layover in Vancouver had gotten the both of us totally and completely disoriented. It's close to noon time right now, but it's one hour past midnight in Boston. I miss the beautiful snow there, but probably not the temperature though. ^_^

Cheers to a beautiful day no matter where you are,

and God bless!

Mona 2007-2010

Mona died today. She lived a long life comparing to all the other fighting fishes that are suppose to have lifespans of 6 months. She lived for 2 and a half years. She's a real fighter.
I know she died of old age so that brought me a little comfort, but I will miss my Mona, and I will miss giving her 4 tablets of fish food every morning (I just bought a brand new case for her few weeks ago).
Mona is my only pet in Boston, and now she left me, maybe it's time for me to leave Boston too.