Fun Nite with Painting

Five years old, sitting next to my grandmother in her dining room. The sunlight gave a natural white light to the dining room through two tiles made from clear glass. A huge square 1 by 2 meter teak wooden table in the middle of the room. I sat in one of the chairs with my head only a few cm above the table. I looked at the white cotton fabric spread in front of my eyes. Holding a 2b pencil in my right hand, I drew pictures one by one. Sometimes, my small bare feet that hung freely from the chair made a small swing. It was a sign I was resting and trying to get an idea what to draw next.

Gazing and Gorging in Dotonbori

When I planned to visit Osaka in September 2014, there’s nothing else I wanted to do except see hundreds of bright colorful neon lights in Dotonbori area. Some might argue that bright billboards are not uncommon in a big city. It’s true. I totally agree! But there’s nowhere else I can see super creative neon lights while having takoyaki. Classic!

Takoyaki is my favorite Japanese snack and originally from Osaka. Made of a wheat flour-based batter, this ball-shaped snack is crispy from the outside and moist half-cooked with small pieces of chewy octopus inside. Takoyaki comes with various toppings, such as Okonomiyaki sauce (taste like Worcestershire sauce), mayonnaise, dried green seaweed, dried bonito flakes and green onion. Cooked in a special takoyaki iron pan, takoyaki would taste better when it’s warm. 

Chinese New Year Parade: the year of wooden horse

What is worth to enjoy in a parade? I will enjoy very much to see culture, characters of participants, people who watch the parade, formations, photographers for both hobbyist  and professional and definitely costumes worn by the people in the parade. Costumes always attract my attention.

On Sunday 2 February 2014, I dragged myself in the chilling morning to go to down town Vancouver with my husband and a friend to watch Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival 2014, an annual event to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Beating the brrrrrr of English Bay

Hundreds or maybe thousands of the bravest (or craziest) residents of Vancouver dipped into the chilly water of English Bay on 1 January 2014. The Polar Bear Swim is an annual event in Vancouver. The Polar Bear Swim began in 1920 organized by the Polar Bear Swim Club. The cold water did not dissuade people to jump to the water. In fact, they had fun and wore interesting costumes. The air temperature in Vancouver was maximum 6.5 and minimum 3 degree Celsius this year. For the water temperature? I guess only God and the brave know it. Perhaps, plunging to the water can be the best way to kick out the hang over after partying the whole night celebrating new years eve. As for me, I was not brave enough to jump to the water. The least I can do was to capture the moment with my camera. Thanks to my husband who lifted me to take some of the pictures.

Enjoy some pictures!