A statement of "Full of Potential" ...

Hubby's workstation and a statement of 'full of potential'

Hubby asked me to help assemble words to describe / wrap his next watercolour piece. This is not the first time that he's approached me for such a request or rather invitation (cos he thinks that as partners we should help each other).  Honestly, it took me years to get used to this arrangement ... and still is adjusting.  Do I like it?  In the past NO but I'm beginning to like it now.  Why?  Because true enough this gives us the chance to partner for something beautiful and beyond the ordinary days... He paints... he pricks his brain ... he makes himself vulnerable ... he pauses ... he talks a bit ... he dissolves into his subject ... he comes back gasping and at times hurt or confused ... but most importantly he always comes back true to his subject.

and my role is to help him rearrange his words so that hopefully they will flow smoothly and be in harmony with the colors that he's mastered.

So here we go ...

back to my notebook ... snatch

Keeping it clear down under ...

a half-underwater shot that I took last year using an underwater cam.  That's my cousin

 

I always think that activities underwater keep us level-headed.  We drop all our pretenses and simply focus on how not to drown.  In fact all our body parts including the littlest part of our intestine tend to float as well.  We feel as if we are weightless.

A common evening scene near my block.  When everyone rushes home ... 

Another typical night near my block is to see people rushing home.  Everyone tend to look flat and exhausted.  Then you see this - one driving one backriding.  I wonder how does one wheel yourself after a long day and still accommodate another weight (same weight or double your weight?). 

How do we keep it clear down under?

Junior Superman...

Last weekend, I busied myself cleaning my stack of cloth swatches and loose beads. As i stated to clear the clutter, an idea struck my imagination  ... it all started from the light captured and reflected unto a small plastic and transparent small bead and a piece of paper-cloth.  It all started there but ended with one story - that I called "Junior Superman" ... it looked like this ...

Light and Melody Tint

When you try to hold light ...

When you try to find the melody ... / Iphone4

those days when words are folded and time tries to be thrift...

When we hold hands ...

"Hands" a commissioned watercolour painting by my hubby

I have been meaning to write about the recent commissioned painting by my hubby.  Those 'hands' ...

It took me some time to get started because I was not sure if it is proper to share it in public space much more wrap it with my words.  After all, it's a commissioned piece.  It is not ours.  Hubby was just given the privilege to journey with the owner who also happens to be a friend.

I pushed aside the thought of writing about it.  And chose to admire it from afar.  It remained still for a couple of days but not for long.

Each time I look at it, I hear the voice of a mother telling her son that it is okay to explore the world because his steps are covered by strong hands.  And, each time she recounts this conversation with her son, I could see a woman who  did not necessarily have a smooth journey in life but made strong and whole by circumstances and people who genuinely care for her. 

I did ask my friend why choose 'hands'.  Her answer was firm and clear - she said she wished her son will grow up knowing the importance of family, friends, trust, support, and belongingness.

Thus, the 'hands' that hold... that hold us. 

Color Study

Whose hands hold yours when ...
* you are hurting
* you get promoted
* promises are broken
* you are put in charge
* you are unable to deliver
* betrayal comes
* you are unsure
* you close a deal

I do hope you have those hands and hold close.

After all, no one is born alone.  No one is left empty handed.

When you hold that hand, tell your story ...

P.S Thank you dear friend for allowing me to tell that story here :))

A familiar bend ...

Add caption

It's nearly three months now since my trip to Vietnam. The images that greeted and made that journey are now in a slideshow. Boxed, outlined, trimmed, and sorted. 

In most days, I ask how do we receive stories told and keep in touch with the characters that so graciously welcomed us? - it's the same question that follows without a shadow each time we find our feet in someone else's world.

I tried not to pay  attention - plastered the images and hid them 'externally' with a USB. 

But some characters are determined to stay and some need not your permission.  They simply follow you and you can't ignore them.

I met some of them, in Tien Lu, Vietnam.  These characters live 2 hours and a half away from bustling Hanoi.

 

 

Their stories have different beginnings but all tend to follow a certain bend.
A young lass in heels making her way to the corn fields ...
A grandfather using all the words he can think of to convince his neighbors to fence ponds ...
A mother of two waking up early to prepare breakfast for her family and immediately makes a trip to meet another families ...
A young male doctor settling in a leaking and poorly lit clinic ...

 

 

 

I met them somewhere in that bend ...

Ben & Daphne - 3 December 2013

Last 3 December 2012, I witnessed one a friend gracefully embracing a new chapter of her life

That is Marriage... becoming a wife... and perhaps anytime soon being a mother.

I promised to be at her wedding no matter what ... but I was given a front seat because I was asked to help take photos using iphone. Yes nothing more but I phone.  It was the bride's special request.

And of course I did ... so lovingly.

Here are some snippets of Ben and Daphne's lovely union.

In my mind then, I just wanted to capture the big day as it happens with people their love and for my friend- Daphne, I wanted to capture not just the order of wedding ceremony but the space where Daphne was groomed so beautifully.

Enjoy

My friend getting ready

a "princessy' gown for a lovely bride

Isn't she lovely (with her dad on background)

lovely Daphne

The bride with her bridesmaids

Daphne and her parents

Yey the finally bride meets groom

but not without some difficulty (this pic shows the groom having to drink some bitter concoction

The gate keepers

he had to try opening the padlock 3times (if i remember it correctly)

the ladies up to test Ben's pledge of love :))

and of course He did pass the test

and impressed everyone with a song

Happy couple

Off to togetherness ...

Off they go to togetherness

 

To Daphne my friend, you have been a lovely princess of a king!  And I wish you and Ben the joyful days in Marriage as the Lord continues to develop your love story.

some snaps of things that make Daphne and Ben's wedding extra special