Recent
Updates
TRAVEL
& FOOD
- (Nov 24, 2008) Winter
is right around
the corner, a season that is not known to have flower blossoms.
Mid and late winter though, Plum blossom in snow can be seen
in some parts of the world that is the first to greet the spring.
Chinese liked it so much that it is the official national
flower of Republic of China (Taiwan) and unofficially People Republic
of China as well. It must say something about the Chinese
psyche...
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More
- (Nov 3, 2008) In
fall, Chrysanthemum blossoms for few weeks as
temperature drops and leaves fall.
This year, the New York Botanic Garden
is again
exhibiting Kiku 菊 (Chrysanthemum) in impressive Japanese Imperial
styles from Oct 18 through Nov 16, along with some beautiful
Japanese maples, rock gardens, and bonsai.
Here is a photo of a single stem Chrysanthemum about 6-8
inches
in diameter, appropriately named "Powder Snow"...
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ARTS
& LITERATURE
- (Nov
25, 2008) Make-up Session 5 & 6: Grace, with her unbounded
energy and enthusiasm, holds 4 two hours classes every Tuesday.
As I
missed last week's due to unexpected post opertative problems, she
invited me to stay for the evening class to make up the lost time.
Here is the result of my heroic 6 hours effort that brings me
close to
completion of my first ever oild painint. Just a little more
tunings and refinements in next session.
- (Nov
11, 2008) Session 4: continue to paint and refine the colors
of the objects. Capturing the effects of the light is
difficulty especially with the soft drape. Now I appreciate a
lot more the Impressionists.
- (Nov.4
, 2008) Session 3: Begin to paint object by object. Figure out the base
color of the object and create two more variants, one light (mixed with
white) and one dark. Result of first trials of three objects
- pot, dipper and lemon is seen below.
SOCIAL
& POLITICAL
- (Nov 6, 2008) What
will the new Obama era of American politics and governing style be
like? Why has Obama been reiterating his belief and
vidicating that changes come from bottom-up? Have we just
witnessed a silent revolution of American democracy?...
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More
- (Nov 5, 2008) If
you went to bed early last night and missed the news of the historical
event, you would have waken up to the headlines all over about Barack
Obama has been elected as the next President with a electorate
landslide. There will be many analyses for ensuing weeks and
months about how did he manage to win the primaries and general
election from bottom-up aginst all odds. There will be even
more on what team is he assembling to set and realize
the new priority and directions that the counrty and the world is
thirsty for. With that awesome responsibility on his
shoulders, he told us in his calm voice with humility last night in
front of many tearing eyes celebrating the election victory at the
Grant Park of Chicago, "... This victory alone is not the change we
seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change..."
Now we have shown "Yes We Can", it is time to move forward and pledge
"Yes We Do". See Obama Election Victory Speech Video
