1 - 2 - 3 .... Smile! [Photo Blogs I Love Part 1]

I love taking photos with my handy dandy point-and-shoot (my family and friends are witnesses to this nice habit of mine). 
In line with this, just as a princess dreams of her prince,
I dream of having my own SLR someday.

I spent the past 2 days discovering new blog finds on photography.

Here are a few of the many that have inspired me
(in no particular order).

Rebecca Cooper of the blog "Simple as That".  She is a crafter, photographer, into scrapbooking and author of the e-book "40 Top Tips for Better Photos" (yeah, she is definitely the kind of lady that I envy).  You may want to check her tutorials which I'm sure you're gonna love.

Photo banner from the blog:  Simple as That

Check out the blog of Andrea M Brandt Photography. Andrea is a baby and child photographer and is also a fashion photographer. Her blog offers so much information on photo styling, wardrobe and other resources for photographers. Today, she discussed something that addressed my camera issues: "Tips for Point and Shoot Photography."

Lolli of Better in Bulk is another blog that you shouldn't miss.  She has awesome tutorials and great photos as well.  You may want to join her linky parties and giveaways.

Photo banner from the blog:  Better in Bulk

Incidentally, you may want to read one of her articles HERE where she featured her very gorgeous red Ephiphanie camera bag.

Photo from the blog of Lolli:  Better in Bulk

Speaking of giveaways, the blog of I ♥ Faces has a surprise.  They have many tutorials, tips and photography challenges where you could share your amazing photos.

Photo banner from the blog:  i heart faces

Oh, they have a desirable Epiphanie camera bag giveaway this week. 



Photo banner from:  Epiphanie bags

Photo from:  i heart faces

Photo from "i heart faces"

Photo from "i heart faces"

Whew!  What a long blog this is!

There are a lot more blogs on photography to explore and to share with all of you.

Have fun...  Get those cameras clicking and let's link!

Happy weekend!

A Photographic Walk in the Park [Lake Elizabeth]

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

I love going to the park with my camera, strolling and gazing through nature.

It was my first time to go to Lake Elizabeth in Fremont Ca and it was a beautiful experience.

These flowers just took my breath away.

I used my Sony cybershot DSC-W350 that my husband gave me for Christmas.  It had a panoramic feature and this was the perfect time to try it out.

I love watching the sunset and how the colors change every minute.  From orange hues to blue... it's amazing!  I love how the water reflects everything.

{taken at Lake Elizabeth, Fremont, Ca}

100 Bible Verses [Book of the Week]

Some people don't like to travel and ride airplanes but I enjoy it.  I love checking out airport terminals, to see what makes each unique.

I am based in an area where winter can be really cold and harsh.  Fortunately, I got a big break from winter as I was called on for pediatric nanny duties to my nephew in sunny California. 

It was my first time to travel through snow.  The airport runway was full of it and it was amusing to see the trucks plow the snow one after the other.

Our flight would take a total of 5 hours and 45 mins with an hour stop over at Reno, Nevada.  It was a good time to sip my soda and start reading my new book:  "100 Bible Verses everyone should know by heart" by Robert J. Morgan.  I received this book as a free gift from David Jeremiah's organization as a token for our donation.

The author took a lot of time and effort in writing the book and though it was definitely difficult to choose only 100 Bible verses from thousands written, he did an excellent job.  He shared many illustrations of how people's lives were changed, encouraged and strengthened by claiming God's promises in His word which they have memorized and "hid in their hearts." 

I recall our youth group leader who took time to let us memorize
Psalm 1.  It was a tedious task at that time but I thank God for how it has influenced my life.

If you have children, encourage them to memorize Bible verses so that they will "hide it in their hearts so that they will not sin against God."

Likewise, as adults, it is not too late to start reading and memorizing Bible verses.  Start with John 3:16 -

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoseoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

We finally arrived Cali safely. 

So for the next 14 days I say, goodbye winter, snow and bitter cold....

Hello sunshine and earthquakes!

Blessings!

On Angel Wings [2011 Chicago Blizzard]

Coming from a tropical country where the sun causes drought and the rain brings about floods, I have always been excited to see and feel snow.  It's a longing that stems from watching foreign films with winter scenes - have snowball fights, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, creating a cute big round snowman and ahh.... snow angels.



My not-so-perfect snow angel



It's my first winter in Chicago and I thank God that I'm freezing breezing through it relatively well.  Yeah, it may be cold and slippery outdoors but I've managed to stay warm.  Thanks to my well-experienced-in-winter husband, in-laws and friends, I got a lot of good advice.



My experience the past 2 days is another first for me:  my first blizzard/snowstorm.  It was very windy with snow being blown here and there.  My in-laws were discharged early from work and traffic was slow along the major highways with speed at only 20 mph.

The news said it all:  check out the reports from major news networks like CNN, ABC, Fox, etc.  ABC news Chicago reports that this snowstorm ranks 3rd in Chicago history, with more than 19inches of snow in O'hare closing major roadways, public schools and airports.  The worst blizzard was in 1967 when they had 23 inches of snow. 
We are grateful that we are all safe.  



After a day of snowstorm, the winds died down and the sun began to shine.  Geared with our snowpants and winter gear, we braved the snow and had fun.  

Welcome to Winter Wonderland!

Hubby Boris & Charlie




Knee high snow



Come sit on the bench with me



After the snowfall comes the bitter cold temperature.  That would be another story.

Have a fun-filled day!