Twenty Years in Thanksgiving

Twenty years had gone by In a blink of an eye. Though it's cliché, it must be said In giving thanks Unto this land and the ancestors. One continuous stream As the season comes and goes From winter to spring Summer to fall And from fall back to winter. On the wings of time Lessons are being learnt Much have been changed Life's going on Moment by moment.

Showy Fall Leaves Photo by Mei

Touching the earth With deep gratitude In giving thanks Unto the Lord For all His graces and blessings. Family and friends Strangers I have met They are Your gifts Bounded by love With much treasure and appreciation. From here on out For years to come No matter what life brings I learn to live A simple life Through Your love in charity.

Thanksgiving 2012

Writer’s Notes:
Ngoảnh mắt nhìn lại, hai mươi năm đã trôi qua. Theo dòng thời gian là con đường của thành công và thử thách tràn đầy hồng ân Thiên Chúa. Tình yêu thương của Ngài được cảm nhận qua sự hiện diện và đồng hành của người thân, bạn bè hoặc/và những người thiện nguyện gặp trên bước đường đời. Cái hạnh phúc giản đơn của cuộc sống là tiếp nhận lấy những gì mà cuộc sống đem lại trong niềm tin nơi Thiên Chúa. Ngài là điểm tựa để quay về.

Looking back, twenty years had passed. In all life's successes and trials, there always were the blessings of God's graces. The greatest love of God, Jesus Christ, manifested through the presence and accompanying of family, friends and of those good samaritans on the road to life. The simplicity of life is to embrace whatever life brings while entrusting everything to God. He is our refuge.

The photo was edited using Instagram filter.

Long-lost Friends

Nghe giọng nói thân thương
Của bạn xưa trường cũ
Hôm nay tôi tìm lại
Khoảng khắc tuổi học trò.

English Translation version:
Long-lost friends are calling me
By the name that I long to hear
Thinking of whom...
Reminding me those good old days.

This time, last year.
Written in reminiscing of my old school mates.

8A1

You're my stars, you're my skies
You're my beautiful rays of sunlight.
You bring me smiles, you make my day
You are my friends that forever be...

October 2011
Written to friends in my 8A1 class!

Morning Dewdrops

Morning Dewdrops on Bitter Melon Leaf Photo by Mei

Notes:
The above picture of morning dewdrops on bitter melon leaf is the result of my first attempt in making the best out of using Picasa Web Albums' Creative Kit since it officially became the replacement for Picnik.

The original photo was taken with (4th generation) iPod touch camera. It was then soften, refocused using the focal B&W effect and finally... gotten Polaroid framed!

Risen

Like a flower opens up toward the sky
catching the first breath of morning sunlight

My heart is yearning for the Lord
He, who is risen on this break of dawn.

"Flowering Quince" Chaenomeles Flowers Photo by Mei

Happy Easter 2012

Writer’s Notes:
Written on April 3, 2012, during the Holy Week, in giving glory to God at the fifteenth station (Christ’s Resurrection).

The picture of chaenomeles flowers was taken back in March 2012 when those budding flowers found on the "flowering quince" (aka "Japanese quince", japonica) shrub in my Dad’s garden just started to bloom.

The photo was edited in Picasa Web Albums' Creative Kit using mirrored frame by Picnik.