Thursday, September 30, 2010
Great photography
A Palestinian woman reads from the Quran as the moon shines during the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan in the West bank city of Nablus by Nasser Ishtayeh
Flamingoes during sunrise at the Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve near Malaga
in Spain
Glowing jellies
The full moon in its beauty and splendour!
I always admire great photography. The above pictures are examples of what I mean by pictures that have excellently shot.
When I see photographers going around with their huge and complex cameras, I know the photos that are shot will be always above average. Complex gadgets confound me so that I have to contend with a small, simple digital camera that is light enough for me to carry, in case I see something interesting.
Kudos to the photographers of the above pictures. Well done!
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Monday, September 27, 2010
Happiness is .....(46)
The thermometer has been constantly showing a reading of 25 deg. Celcius
these past two months.
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these past two months.
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Of late, when it is rainy and cloudy, the temperature drops to 25 deg. C. On such days, the weather is just fantastic, like natural airconditioning.
On such days, I enjoy reading outside of my flat, basking for hours on my favourite chair, enjoying the breeze. I also enjoy taking long walks. If I happen to be in Orchard Road or Chinatown, then I will walk back home instead of taking the train.
If only the temperature constantly hovers around 25 deg.C, why, Singapore would be
an almost perfect country to live in. Yet it is only when we experience great heat do we truly appreciate coolness. Funny how Canadians would constantly complain about the cold winter, while those of us in the tropics who have never yet seen snow, yearn to feel the soft, powdery cool stuff in our hands. Funny how we who constantly have the sun, would often arm ourselves with umbrellas against the scorching sun! Recently in Barcelona, I carried my umbrella, even though I looked freakish with one.! My skin has thickened during these 57 years on earth, and I have learnt to be "bohemian" when I need to be!
Usually November, December and January are cooler months in Singapore. However of late, the weather has gone a little berserk, and throughout the world, unexpected changes of weather have been experienced. I remember once while we were on a French Immersion program in Quebec, we woke up to find snow on the ground in summer! We sang "Jingle Bells" like as if Santa Claus were just around the corner! However, I was sad to see the flowers and vegetables dying a premature death!
I wonder if we would ever see snow one day in Singapore? Until that happens, happiness is enjoying 25 deg. C temperature at the moment, and basking in the coolness around!
Gan Cao
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Saturday, September 25, 2010
Happiness is ......(45)
Slim and elegant dancers from China
Huge, colorful and lighted lanterns make Clarke Quay look like a fairyland!
Amu, enjoying herself by the river at our favourite haunt
Young dancers from different schools in Singapore, proudly presenting their
excellent performance
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I had not seen my best friend, Amu, for quite sometime, because we both had been busy. I had also been travelling quite often, and hence I called Amu to ask if we could meet at Clarke Quay for our favourite haunt would be abuzz with stage performances and colorful lanterns.
We spent the earlier part of the evening with some home-brewed beer at the famous Red Dot at Boat Quay. We were glad to find some seating spots on the steps along Clarke Quay and enjoyed the dances and songs.
It was interesting to observe the young students from different schools getting ready for their dance. I could see the proud yet anxious looks of the students' relatives as they observed the dancers executing some intricate steps. Kudos!
I love living in a cosmopolitan country like Singapore where there are so many different races, and we can celebrate so many different festivals. We are indeed such a colorful nation!
Gan Cao
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