ON INSECTS AND SUPERZOOMS

This is a collage I accidentally made from Picassa of my zinnia files with the butterflies and the bees.


I really enjoyed taking pictures of the bees and the butterflies using my Nikon Coolpix P500 superzoom.


Since it was a superzoom, the bees wasn't bothered by my presence... something like a paparazzi!

ON ALLOWING KIDS TO GROW

As parents, we get apprehensive when we see very active children.

We are afraid they would fall and get hurt...

We fear of any untoward things...tears and pain...

Thus, we have the tendency to be over-protective!

BUT, if we curb their energies and experiences, would we also limit their learning?

I, personally, allow my child to find his own ride home... allow him to fall... and to fail!

Not because I don't care, but because I want him to be WISE.

If a child never felt the pain nor failure, he might not be able to handle this...

If a child never tried to be on his own, he might not be able to assess and deal with different kinds of people and situations...

We, as parents, still need to be there... but let us give them the chance to grow!

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 640

95 mm 

0 EV

f/5.3

1/100

Soyo Farms, Talamban, Cebu

ON SIMPLE LIVING

As I watch the kids play, I feel happy and wonder how life  really is in their eyes.

We consider that theirs as an epitome of simple living.

Do we worry that they have LESS?

Is it really less?

... less comforts... less amenities... less money?

But how about this?

... less problems... less stress... less needs?

"What they haven't tried, they won't miss!"

So if this is the life they are used to, I believe that they, too, are happy...

Might even be happier than we are!

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 640

18 mm 

0 EV

f/13

1/800

on the road to Lakewood, Zamboanga Del Norte

ON POSITIVE THOUGHTS

I believe I can fly...

This is all in the mind. 
If we believe we can fly, we can.


POSITIVE THOUGHTS are very good for a person...
It gives us the drive to do better...
The drive to do things beyond normal expectations...


This may drain our energies...
but on the other hand, our energies may also rise when we achieve what we strive for!

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 640

26 mm 

0 EV

f/8

1/2000

White Island, Camiguin

ON DETOURS AND SIGNS

As we take some detours in life, we have to stop, look and listen to the signs which are placed to keep us safe and free from accidents. 

Same as in life, let us be aware of the world around us, so we remain intact as get to our destination.

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 3200

42 mm 

0 EV

f/9

1/125

ON HITCHHIKING

Hitchhiking is great adventure and challenge and is not an easy feat in an uncertain world...

I wouldn't dare do this...


Is it because I now doubt the pureness of heart of the other person?
Is it because the other person might also doubt the purity of my heart?
Is it because "realities" say it is not safe?
Is it because...?

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 3200

29 mm 

0 EV

f/14

1/1250


Zamboanga Del Sur

ON BUTTERFLIES AND HOPE

"WINGS OF HOPE" caught my attention and indeed, this is very appropriate for butterflies.

caught my attention in a night market in Penang
Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5     ISO 3200     150 mm      0.3 EV      f/5.6      1/125

During our Entomology classes and even in Elementary Biology, we know that the beautiful butterfly undergoes metamorphosis as it comes from an egg to larva to pupa to adult butterfly.

It is indeed the epitome of HOPE when a not-so-beautiful caterpillar transforms into a graceful butterfly.

butterfly in my garden
Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5     ISO 360     102.8 mm      0 EV      f/5.7      1/200

We, too, can become beautiful... it is up to us to develop our God-given talents...and most of all, become a person with a heart!

ON STARS AND DREAMS

"NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR DREAM" was written in a poster given by my friend, Sally when we were still in High School, and these words I continue to remember.

The picture in that poster was a forest with tall trees and a ray of light passing through the leaves.

When I saw this star, I could remember that same line.
It is the bright star at the end of uncertainty.


"Never lose sight of your dream" and as I continue, and " Do your best to make that dream a reality".


A dream remains a dream unless you make it come true!

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 3200

130 mm 

0.3 EV

f/5.6

1/160

Night Market, Batu Ferringhi, Penang

ON KIDS AND SIMPLE JOYS

What makes a child smile?

...anything... and...everything... 

it may be the splash in the water...

or the pink ball...

it may be the laughter she hears...

or the squeals of the playmates...

it may be the hugs and the bumps...

it may be, just being with people she loves!

It is so heartwarming to see a child smile...

We hope to keep the child-like character in us...

and continue to appreciate the little things that surround us! 

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5

ISO 1600

170 mm 

0 EV

f/9

1/2500

ON ROLES AND ON VALUES

When I was Second Year High School in UPCC, I will forever remember my passionate Social Studies teacher asking us for almost a month, "What is THE ROLE?"

"What is my role in my ecosystem?", asks the simple sand dollar and also asks the seaweed...
Are we contributing to the environment?...
Or are we nuisances?...
Do other life forms need us?


We may seem like nonentities...nobody even notices us...
But we know we are of GREAT VALUE...
And we belong together...

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS 

YOUR ROLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
DO YOU NEED SOMEONE?
DOES SOMEBODY NEED YOU?

NIKON D90 
AF-S DX VR ZOOM-NIKOR 18-200 F 3.5
ISO 160
200 MM
0 EV
F/6.3
1/4000


White Island, Camiguin

ON YOU AND SOMEONE NEW...

There is YOU... and someone NEW...

that's LIFE...

So you just need to continue to learn more... 

and continue do better...

Maybe, your advantage would be EXPERIENCE...

and that is something no one can ever take away from you!!!

ON NURTURING AND BLOOMING...

Children continue to grow because they just do...

but if they are nurtured, they bloom more!

Sony Cybershot T300

Nunez St, ZC

ON BUSY BEES...

Bees don't bother us when they are busy...

We, too, have to keep our lives busy,

enough for us to be productive...

enough for us not to think bad thoughts...

nor do bad...

enough for us to touch people's lives...

enough for us to make a change, but not necessarily.

Bee busy as a bee...and bee happy!!!

Nikon Coolpix P500
ISO 160
0 EV
f/5.7
1/200

Muruk, Zamboanga City

ON FLUTTERING OUR WINGS...

As we flutter our wings through life, 

have we touched someone significantly enough?

... for us to be able to spread the pollens 

... and for them to grow

...and bloom?

Mmmm...I, too, have to think about this!

Nikon Coolpix P500
ISO 360 
0EV
f/5.7
1/250
  

Muruk, Zamboanga City 

ON SPECKS AND BLESSINGS

I am but a speck in this world, 

but I am glad 

that I am able to see, hear, 

smell, taste and touch 

the many beautiful things 

the world has to offer... 

Thank you, Lord for the blessings! 

Nikon D90
Muruk, ZC

ON LIFE'S CHALLENGES!

I am facing new challenges these days, 
and I am willing to embrace it. 

I hope that the novelty 
and responsibility 

will continue to excite me....

oooohhhhh, stress ...

please don't mar this.

Nikon D90
White island, Camiguin