#34: Dreams

Shot with:Nikon D80, 18-135mm: Auto (some touch up in iphoto)

Once up a time, I wanted to become a fashion designer, then I became an architect. The path seemed straight, it seemed to be direct yet long but paved without too much hinderance if I only remained persistent and tried to reach the end. Along the way, I only dreamt of what life could be once I reached the end of the path, that I could design beautiful artifacts to my hearts desire, that people would appreciate my creativity and craft and I would be satisfied with that. As my dreams became reality, there have been changes, unforeseen forks and turns in the path, confusing the choices on how to proceed, whats really at the end of the path or if even there is an end, the gratification?  It has transformed that dream and made the path slightly windier, a bit more treacherous and my determination to be questioned. 

I would continue to dream up new potentials for life  and believe in the possibilities it has to offer but are they for someone else, someone whom I see more time to explore these paths, more strength to conquer the many facets and to dream beyond the limitations of ones own vision. She is kind, naive, curious and energetic. She is love. 

#35: Morning Light

Shot with:Nikon D80, 18-135mm: ISO 40, F-14 (some touch up in Lightroom)

The morning light washes the walls so deliberately, its pure and intense as it reveals the new day, it unfolds ever so slightly from glare and reflection to clear and crisp, almost pacing the speed at which the body is moving towards wakefulness. It brings an opportunity to once again believe in the miracle of life, embark on a new journey, choose to leave yesterday behind and start afresh. In this moment, the quiet surrounds me, my mind is peaceful and clear. Its a moment that is both fleeting and surreal yet nostalgic.

#36: Dim Sum

Shot with: IPhone 3

Dim sum refers to a style of Chinese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum is also well known for the unique way it is served in some restaurants, wherein fully cooked and ready-to-serve dim sum dishes are carted around the restaurant for customers to choose their orders while seated at their tables.

Eating dim sum at a restaurant is usually known in Cantonese as going to "drink tea" (yum cha, 飲茶), as tea is typically served with dim sum.

#37: Gourmet Ice Cream

If you have sweet tooth or have temporarily developed one like I have in the last few months then you certainly can taste the difference between "regular" ice cream and "gourmet" ice cream. Like a  sommelier knows a fine wine, I have been able to refine my palette for desserts in a short time and now have a great appreciation for those made with great ingredients and today we had some really nice ice cream. I had a lovely hand-made waffle cone with two scoops of flavor called Calf Trax: Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter swirl and mini peanut butter cups. Yummy. 

The ice cream shoppe is run by the owners of a pretty large dairy farm (benefits of living in the sticks), so the dairy is top quality. Just outside the shoppe there are a few benches and its funny but never fails,  that everyone gets their choice of ice cream, then walks out and takes a seat facing and staring out at this view over the valley. Theres something about the combination that people like myself seem to really enjoy.