quaint melody

Snippets of my China trip. click photo to enlarge.

夢想的旅行，可以很近也很遠。對我來說，那是一場回歸根源的旅程。

許多人都跟我說過中國人給他們的衝擊，現在到我親身體會一下。
或許是因為自小在華文教育的背景長大，對這片華人的祖地總有一分微妙的感情。
那片我們祖先生活的土地悠遠流長，一直都是我想去的地方。它牽系著我心裡最深處。

要去看看上海的繁華，蘇東坡口中初晴后雨的西湖，見證明清興滅的紫禁城，
依紅樓夢裡的描述而打造的大觀園和被英法聯軍洗劫焚毀的圓明園遺跡。

中國於我來說，是根的所在和中華文化千年歷史的依歸。

Where’s your dream destination? For most of my friends, it’s Japan, Europe or the Pacific. For me, it is the home of my forefathers, China. It’s been said that one must always treasure his culture and heritage. Those are the key factors for one to define oneself with. This oriental land of wonder has always been my dream destination. My Chinese educational background must have something to do with it. I’ve yearned to witness the many historical heritages I had read as a child. The metropolis city that is Shanghai, the beautiful mystical West Lake, the grand Forbidden City that witnessed the prosperity and decline of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

To me, this long-awaited trip is a journey of discovery, a chance to get to know my roots.

Photos to come soon. (Gazillians of them, please give me some time to edit ok! )

Sunset under the Auckland Harbour Bridge. click photo to enlarge.

The little things in life
Ones worth savouring over
Those that seem so mundane and ordinary
Those worth a second look on many occasions

Time and again, we make choices
Decisions that mold us into the people we are today
Some righteous and some wicked
Of all we come to embrace
Of which we grow to love

Life can be an eccentric witch
Along come sorrow
But laughter is always not far away

Ain’t it grand!

note: You haven’t seen my expressive self over dropping comments because I’m busy planning an upcoming holiday, but I am reading via my reader. Stay tuned to find out where I’m heading!

click photo to enlarge.

When the glistering lights are finally quenched and darkness creeps in,
you will see the eloquent beauty of life.
Darkness can bring out the tenacity in us.

But are you afraid of the dark?

Pathway. click photo to enlarge.

The path we choose to walk on
It can be a lonely one sometimes
Doubts and dispute, they creep in like a sneaky thief
Take heart, light is always not far away

I wonder between the good and evil
Trying to grasp that centre point
The delicate balance of life
It’s fragile like a bubble sphere

We live in a labyrinth, walking around the intricate maze
Taking in the scenery as I figure my way around
I see the light shining towards me
When will I reach there, I will never know
I just keep striding on
Letting out a resounding roar

When choice is a way of life, do we make them from our heart or the scrutiny of society?

Sunset at Mt Eden. click photo to enlarge.

I always feel a strong sense of harmony when I’m atop a mountain. The winds, the view and the calm air all form into a feeling of enchantment. The pensive thoughts diminished and I’m able to find the inner-peace. Mountains have that magical spell on me. Here, I can set myself free in the oasis of serenity. The world of hustle and bustle is left behind, I can hear my innermost thoughts and hear the rhythm of my soul. No fancy frills and thrills, just magical moments with me and myself.

When I take in the serenity in the air
I hold on tight to my heart and soul
Embracing my live as it is
Rediscovering the charming moments in life
My world as I see it, can be as wonderful as I want it to be

Dusk on the summit of Mt Eden click photo to enlarge.

I spent the mid-autumn festival afternoon on Mt Eden. It is always very windy up there. I started snapping photos while waiting for the moon to come out. The temperature was freezing and my fingers seemed to have taken on a life of their own after awhile, but still I kept on snapping. Funny how our passion almost always enable us to push through unfavourable conditions.

Standing atop the once volcanic mountain braving the freezing winds, my mind wondered off to those days where festive seasons spelled out fun and laughter. As a kid, I anticipated every traditional celebration. I remember walking around the suburbs back home with my colourful lanterns every mid-autumn festival, prancing around with my friends. The laughter and colours are still fresh in my mind. Those picturesque moments are permanently locked in the precious corner of my memories.

Life may throw me a curve ball ever now and then, but I soldier on the passages, continue to search for the buoyant nature in me as a kid, the simple bliss of life.

Warm and fuzzy, like how I feel this very moment. click photo to enlarge.

Words unsaid, but we know they are there.
It’s understood like the many subtle things in life.
You blink, and I return a tender gaze.
Not a word uttered, but it’s louder than ever.

My photos tend to have dark undertones, or so I’ve been told. click photo to enlarge.

This photo disturbs me a little, but it’s also one of my favourites.
It seems so much like life. At times, it is like a bed of roses, but there will always be thorns lurking in the most unexpected corners;
When we thought things had hit their lowest, the lights often present itself during our most
forlorn state.
Sometimes. that little bit of imperfection is what makes it perfect.
That very shattered bits are what we need to put things back in perspective.

Disastrous yet hopeful, such is life.