sunrise

this morning's sunrise

hoping for a good morning :D

this reminds me of a bible verse:

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a] his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

grow and bloom, please

let them grow... can't wait to smell these Lilies of the Valley in a few weeks... :D

九因歌

九因歌 :) oh the memories and frustrations...

I didn't exactly have this chart as a kid, but my parents did teach this "song" to me and I use it till today... super useful (I think this is only a Cantonese thing)

chalk art

my neighbour's sidewalk chalk art :D... is this a North American thing? hope the rain doesn't come and wash it all away (fingers crossed)

forest near my place

took some pictures in a forest near my place :)

can't wait to see how it will look in a few weeks :)

self healing 桃花

This Peach Blossom (桃花) has revied itself and it is blooming :) good job, peach blossom, you are so beautiful :)

sunrise

This was so beautiful... no filters were used... it happened just before sunrise

I'm glad I took a picture of it as soon as I saw it... this disappeared within 10 minutes :O

late bloomers

My mom says these are ume flowers (梅花) Aren't they a little late this year?

Doug Ford's Cherry Cheesecake

This long weekend try making my famous cheesecake! I’ve been making this recipe for years and it always brings back good family memories. Show us your #OntarioSpirit and share your baking videos! #cheesecake #washyourhands pic.twitter.com/sfA9K4epki

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 15, 2020

Doug Ford's Cherry Cheesecake receipe

This was posted last week, however, still relevant :)... my premier teaches us how to make his family Cherry Cheesecake :P

Hangul practice

I've decided to learn some Korean especially now that I have started to watch more KDramas :)

I'm not sure how correct these are (and how they look to anyone who knows Korean), but one thing for sure is, it took a lot out of me to remind myself that I am not writing in: English, Chinese or Japanese

for example:
ㅌis not "E" or "ヨ"
ㅈis not "ス"
ㅍis not "立"
ㄹis not "己"
ㅏis not "ト"
ㄷis not "コ"

I also had to tell myself that proportion rules (that I know of from said languages) do not apply to Korean.

please tell me I'm not the only one... hahaha

It has been over 10 years since I started to learn a new language... I have almost forgotten how fun it is to explore and how challenging it is to learn something completely new!

memes that are worth noting

(none of these are mine's... all were found on facebook)

tea seeping

is it just me or do you enjoy watching tea seep?

I love watching the heavy aromatic substance fall to the bottom of the cup and then mix with the water that seeped it :)

good job, tea! well done! now I can enjoy my tea! :D

Sainsbury's Blackberry & Blueberry Infusion tea

For those who are interested... this is Sainsbury's Infusion Blackberry and Blueberry tea

Full Moon

night view

My stroll adventures :)

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago, during the flower moon (?)... when there was a full moon

day view

It was so big and prominent that it was even visible in the afternoon! :O

roasted pumpkin seeds

It isn't Halloween nor Thanksgiving, in fact, it isn't even Autumn!... But! I did manage to find a fresh pumpkin and made these roasted pumpkin seeds :P

(yes, shells should also be eaten)

speechless...

seriously... this has got to stop X:( Why is it so hard for people to understand the seriousness of this pandemic? :(

from the Philippines

These are the best-dried mangoes I have ever had! (Thanks, Jem! :D)

congee day 粥日

one of my favourite meals is congee! Today we made meatballs, egg, pig liver congee :P

我其中最喜歡的健康餐係粥！今日的係豬肉圓，蛋，豬肝粥. 太好昧啦!

moon in daylight

not my house

I like seeing the moon during day time... it seems that it shouldn't be there... but it always is... I feel like I have some superpower to be able to see it where it doesn't belong.

I also like the fact I can see both the sun and moon at the same time :)

Spring flowers

this yellow flower bush (sorry, plant fanatics... I don't know the name to it) that sits in my backyard comes to greet me every year to remind me that Spring is here :D

Sarcasm

Ephesians 4:29 says:
Don't say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.

My whole life I thought sarcasm was fun, a joke, something to spice up a conversation, and even a way to show others that I'm fluent and "cool".

I never understood how it affected me or others until today. I hurt a friend through sarcasm today and I finally learned the hard way how it can be damaging. Right after the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them all back, chew on them and swallow them so that they can never be heard again.

Matthew 12:34-37 says: 

 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Here are a few points I drew from this experience:

• Sarcasm is damaging because it hurts others as an expense to make you feel superior
• It hurts even if you aren't on the receiving end.
• It confuses people.
• It does not tell the receiver your real intentions (lying)
• It is evil because it hurts people, belittled them and takes away joy... in other words, sarcasm steals and destroys.
• It is rude
• It can ruin someone's reputation

John 10:10 says:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

And this is what sarcasm does...


Sent from my iPhone

midnight thoughts

frog with a guitar

I envy his thin and long fingers... (or webs...)

frozen Yakult

this trick is so good I had to post it to both my blogs... (longer story is posted in my other blog)

Freeze two Yakult bottles (make sure it is 100% frozen) and roll them up and down on your face. The cold surface will help get rid of redness, swelling and relax your skin. 

Do your skin a favour! It only takes less than a minute to see/feel results!

I've been doing this for a few days now, and my skin feels amazing :D

pizza night :)

who doesn't like pizza?

Pizza Hut's Supreme Pizza

Pizza Hut's Meat Lover's Pizza

don't smile

I am always asked by passport/ID agents/photographers to not smile... which is tough for me.... (I'm naturally very smiley... :') )

thus, I found a solution... does it work? :|

evening stroll

I have found contentment in taking walks, it gives me time to think and enjoy God's beautiful creation.

Asian Drinks bingo

looks like I need to explore some more... was hoping I tried everything already

Isaiah 41:10

so, I've started doodling (ahem... art work)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41;10

What assuring words from our Lord, the creator of heaven and earth, the most powerful and the most loving God, the King of Kings.

I have recently been struggling with cabin fever (struggling might be too strong a word) and I have been reflecting on burdens I left behind in Toronto and burdens which continue to haunt me from Tokyo,

My Father gave me such a reassuring verse, so I was inspired to make this simple drawing as a reminder to never forget. He helps me, He loves me, He cares... He is my hope.

mussels

lunch :)

how do you know when a relationship is over?

Question: how do you know when a relationship is over?

The short answer: When one side stops trying and when there is no longer respect.

Also: It becomes a burden and the other person is dragging you down. Only thoughts of negativity come, happiness is replaced by desperation. Confusion. You lose yourself by pleasing the person.


When this happens... move on... next, please.... The next one will be better... don't settle for something less than what you deserve... you will be holding yourself back... and lose opportunities.