I cannot tell the precise time when I called you a friend. It just came slowly and not realizing that I have come to expect you and welcoming your presence every time. It is giving me that feeling that my day is incomplete without you.

Hanging out with friends is one of life's simple pleasures.

#BuggyFriday +Ray Bilcliff +Margaret Tompkins
#FeelGoodFriday +Rebecca Borg
#TheGoodStuff +Lynne Goodwin +Jake Easley +Anna Lowry +Ricardo Williams +Robin Griggs Wood +Jennifer Eden
+Jarek Klimek #plusphotoextract

Ants on their way home.

Delayed flight, typhoon, rainy week, countless meetings and endless papers. The sun seems to be brighter after a week of rain. Rest and fun is so much sweeter after a hard day's work :)

Stories of ants are always inspiring. 

#inspirationalsaturday   by +Charlotte Therese Björnström +Khrystiane Friedli and me 
an early one for #philippinesunday   by +Wandering Shutterbug™ +rez santiago 

It was that look that made men blush. 
But she was unaware of it.
A young lady with a crush
Too young to care for it.

#portraittuesday  by +Laura Balc 

I laughed when you asked me if I remember you when I see a flower bloom.
That's a silly question.
But yes, it does remind me of you.
The same way,
that breathing...

...reminds me of you.

#floralfriday +Tamara Pruessner
#buggyfriday +Margaret Tompkins +Ray Bilcliff +Sherry McBriar
#GPLUS::Project52:::2012 +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +Greg Berdan

Enlarging your comfort zone.

This is my good friend and I'm sure some of you have already met her. She loves photography as much as I do and recently (after some bits of prodding) she is getting comfortable in front of the camera too. I think she is doing quite well, right? 
Question for all of you, you may or may not answer of course: If you were given a choice, who among your G+ friends would you like to hang out with?

A pause for death

People come and people go but when one comes and pauses long enough to touch my life, seeing this person go leaves a sad mark. This is dedicated to G+ers who can no longer be with us. Peace.

+Lee Battles +Claus Hansen 

#grasstuesday  

Life is Beautiful

I woke up today feeling good and just thankful that I am alive. Nothing special is happening, yet everything feels so good and right. I know I should be studying but how can I not share this happiness with you all?

Happy Thursday everyone and hugs to you all, especially to friends who take the time to share with me their special moments.

Isn't this what #TheGoodStuff is made of?
Posted this even at the risk of +Wesley Yeoh telling me "I told you, she can't ignore the red notification box" and I'm on a break +Lucretia Yeh :)

+The Good Stuff Project +Lynne Goodwin +Jake Easley +Anna Lowry +Robin Griggs Wood +Jennifer Eden +Ricardo Williams
#ThankfulThursday +Bonnie Pickartz

The best things in life are free..la..la..la..

My nieces at 12 and 14 during some rice harvesting. They grew up so close and often daydreamed of being twins, hence, they would often dress alike.

#childrensaturday +Susan Southard
#ruralsaturday +Mario Cerroni
More of my nieces' style than mine but like them, I am into this laid back life, so I think I'll throw another one for #saturdaystyle #SAS for the stylish duo of +lynn langmade +lane langmade

Morning glory

Finding my peace from within. 

#zensunday  +Charlotte Therese Björnström +Simon Kitcher +Nathan Wirth 
#sacredsunday   #sacredartsunday  +Charles Lupica +Manfred Berndtgen +Robyn Morrison +Margaret Tompkins +Sherrie von Sternberg 

Your presence
...comforts me.

#grasstuesday +Ray Bilcliff +Marilou Aballe
#grasspoker +Martin OBER +Jules Hunter

 *Reflection on a Rainy Day*

(Warning: this is a bit longer than usual and it's just one of my random thoughts.)

      Sometimes in the conundrum of everyday life, I stop and wonder where all these things are leading. Just what do all these things mean? One day we laugh, and next day we cry. And so on with the plethora of emotions that leads to our decisions. But in the end, what happens?   I live everyday, appreciating big and small things, getting as much as life can offer. Yet still, what is the essence of all that I'm doing? Like so what if I never existed? So what if Im gone now? I don't think a life would change or given that people will notice, and then what? Life goes on with or without me. I am but one speck of dust in the universe.

    At times I have a sense of my significance but there's always the other side. Ah, life. I will live it and hopefully will find the answer in my lifetime.

#floralfriday   by +Tamara Pruessner 
#anotherdayanother600seconds   by +Alan Shapiro , +Mikko Tyllinen , +Pam Chalkley-Boling  +Another day, another 600 seconds 

A photo taken by my niece.

Embrace the possibilities life has to offer.

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

#bokehtuesday  +Bob Baxley 
#dailydepthoffield  +Vince Ong +Nuraini Ghaifullah +Virgil Cowen +f.a. fiebig  #hqspmacro  +Vinod Krishnamoorthy +Vishal Kumar 
#macro4all +Walter Soestbergen 

sweet dreams

Will your mind to have peaceful and calm thoughts. Let go of negativity and learn to find joy even in small things again. Let the simplicity of an innocent child fill you.

She shares a shy smile.

#portraittuesday  +Laura Balc 

Love Your Body

A celebration of your body. Whatever angle, whatever view- its your responsibility to love and take care of your body. It's the only one you got. Relax and pamper yourself once in a while. Think happy thoughts and free yourself from stress and negativity.

This is not a selfy, nor is this my image, I just edited it . What this is, is a collaboration between me and another contributor (the model here) to the second edition of the #HowWeSeeIt , a book organised by +Beth Akerman. This time the beneficiary would be NOW Love Your Body Foundation and today is their anniversary.
#loveyourbody  
 Also for week 33- textures +Project52-2012  #2012project52   curated by +Kate Church +Giuseppe Basile +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson  
#womenwednesday +womenwednesday  +Athena Carey +Niki Aguirre +Christina Lihani +Teresa Stover +Lee Daniels 

Create your world

Existentialism

Inspired by +Sam Weinstein 

Father and son talk

Now meet the father. 

Don't die before you are dead.

Allow yourself to experience the joy and challenges that is presented to you everyday. Be enthusiastic.

#yellowformylah  ? :D

A Father's Love

I forbid myself from remembering
but its too good to forget.
I stop myself from losing
the reason why we left.
Remind me again,
why did we say goodbye?

+novia zapata whatcha think??

This is also for +Catherine Furet just because it's yellow and her presence has always been a breath of fresh air. :) Thank you so much for sharing my imagination.

#GPlus::Project52::2012 +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Sue Butler +Gretchen Chappelle +Greg Berdan

Smile, even when there is no reason to smile. Soon everything will feel better.

Smile, you don't know whose life will be changed by a simple gesture.

This is Mang Albert, he is my neighbor's gardener and we don't really talk. I often see him whenever I'm rushing off to work and always he would give me a big smile and I would wave back and say 'good morning'.

One morning, I was shooting bugs and flowers but couldn't quite get it so I sat down to rest for a while. That's when he saw me and laughed at my obvious frustration. I asked him to sit beside me and I offered him my sandwich. Never really thought he was talkative but I quite enjoyed my time with him. Now, I didn't only gain a new friend but I have a new garden to visit and sometimes even fresh veggies and flowers delivered at my doorstep.

All because we smiled.

#ManlyMondays +Alan Shapiro , +Kjetil Greger Pedersen , +Mark Rodriguez , +Barry Blanchard , +Dave Daniels

She dares....

Finally, the promised feet for +Jason Kowing :D

#shoesmonday  by the gang of +Laura Harding +Bernd Schaefers +Terry Fabre +Paul van de Loo +Olga Kafka +Pablo Luis Gonzalez +Mee Ming Wong 
Too late or too early for #filmnoirfriday  by +Thorn Button +Kel Hayner +Paul Wright 

Oh and of course #wesfornoreason  

Boatmen

A positive attitude may not directly change your circumstances, but it will change the way you respond to your circumstances. These fishermen obviously do not have much in life but as I watched them work, I was drawn by how they seemed so happy. They even started posing for me. How light is work when done with laughter.

#transporttuesday +Gene Bowker +Joe Paul +Mike Masin +Steve Boyko +Michael Earley
#BreakfastClub by +Stuart Williams

Black and White Choices

4am. I woke up with the sound of my heart pounding loudly.

Sometimes we have to force ourselves to look at life without colors to determine the choices we have to take. No in-between. We cannot forever stay in the middle and play it safe because in reality, if we do that, we are actually being left behind.

Another day, another sun. Choices have to be made.

#SunriseSaturday +TJ Kelly
#BreakfastClub

For #inspirationalsaturday  by +Charlotte Therese Björnström and me and especially dedicated to the ever bubbly and inspiring friend +Khrystiane Friedli. I hope you have a wonderful year ahead, happy birthday again :) 

There is a big world out there to explore and millions of friends to meet. When the world seems frustrating and painful, keep in mind that they are only a small portion of your world and of who you are. Look beyond the hurt and you'll see endless possibilities.

#silhouettesaturday  +Naila Ziani 
#sunrisesaturday   +Josh Davis 
#softfocussaturday   +Nathan Beaulne 
#paintitsaturday  

Wk 22- Self Portrait
Out from the shadow

"How you look does not matter".

Just how much do we really believe this? If how we look does not matter, why do a lot of people get so self conscious about how they appear? I see many profile pictures here with camera-covered faces or just without their faces and wonder if our perception of them will change once we see how they look? Does it really 'not' matter?

#2012project52 +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +Greg Berdan +Gary Munroe +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson
#portraittuesday +Laura Balc

I should be arrested for all the time I've killed.

It's almost the end of the day, yet my work is not yet done. I am not often here as much as I want and I miss seeing so much of your posts. I find myself not having enough time for the things I want to do and for the things I have to do. This is the moment when every minute is valued.

#timeoutthursday +Armand Salmon +Dave Ortiz

Undecided

Should I or should I not? It's this kind of doubting that paralyzes one into inaction.

To welcome 2013 with emerald green :)

As promised to my pretty kaibigan +Marilou Aballe, here's from orange to green. Let's rock this year :)

#spidersunday   by the great buggers :P +Shane Williams +Kimberly Hosey +Kjetil Greger Pedersen 

Having friends around to watch your back is a priceless treasure.
Ninja eyes to watch over you +moon lee

#two4tuesday +Mary C Legg

I got this from the mail and it's a story of how words can be powerful. I think at one point in our lives we have been victims and even victimized others of verbal abuse.

Nail on the Fence

“There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there.” A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.


#2012PROJECT52 #MacroMonday +Kerry Murphy +Jennifer Eden +Kelli Seeger Kim

I'm wedded to the night and she's wedded to me.
But the victory is hers alone.
For I have to make my own, eternal darkness.
That does not devour nor provoke.
But mediates, retaliates, equates

Now I'm wedded to the night who doesn't wed.
Whose obliviousness recoil on me; to those who dwell in her abyss.
And she finds the strength to free, to flee, herself from the darkness of her own,
Her own night.
While I’m left, 
Waiting
Until she returns.

MBDN

#inspirationalsaturday  +Charlotte Therese Björnström +Khrystiane Friedli and me

Carried

Today is #selflesssunday  and I have been meaning to post a thank you for these people. It has been over a year for me here in G+ and I wouldn't have stayed if not for the beautiful people I have met. This post is dedicated to those who encouraged me during the first few days when it was just crickets that I hear.
+Lensman Kc , a friend and a talented photographer from Nepal who talked to me of G+first and told me to join here because there are plenty of photographers who are so willing to help.
+Ria Alcabedos A true and real friend. She invited me here and it was just her and me making a comment on my posts then. It was fun growing as a photographer with her. 
Things changed a lot when an interactive circle by Robert Scoble was shared and I added that circle. I interacted with almost everybody there (I think there were around 200 of them) and two responded. :P Yep, very interactive indeed :D But those two are such treasures and Im happy to say that they have become very dear friends too.I'm talking of 
+Lawrence del Mundo He never got tired of my constant questions and has this ability of checking out what is wrong with what Im doing and yet saying it in a most pleasant manner. I love how he creates positive stories in his images and in my mind he will always be a superstar :)
+Kab Yaj The first time she made a comment on my post, I was like "oh wow- this lady is smart and funny" and I instantly liked her. She is so perceptive and really takes time to know people. 
 Thank you so much and I hope to pass on to others how you were to me :)

This is also for week 35 of   #2012project52   #GPLUS ::PROJECT52::2012   +Gretchen Chappelle +Kate Church +Giuseppe Basile +Shelly Gunderson +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride   

#2012project52  
Week 24: LOVE

Missing

No blood ties them together, but she is his mom and he is her son. Their bond is strong because they chose each other. Right now, she is not with him but taking care of all papers so they can be together.

#mothersonmonday  +Mike Criss 
#moodymonday   +Philip Daly +Carole Buckwalter 
+Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson 

Life is too short.

A glimpse of the sun.

I miss being here  and can't wait to visit you all again :) Net isn't cooperating too and I keep getting disconnected, sigh.
Have a great weekend.

For Week 31: Silhouette
+Project52-2012  #2012Project52   curated by +Kate Church +Giuseppe Basile +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson 

Its time to share your #inspirationalsaturday  posts again :) Curated by the gracious ladies +Khrystiane Friedli, +Charlotte Therese Björnström and ahem (me) +Mylah Nazario :D

Greet each day with enthusiasm.

Today, there is joy and enthusiasm. Promise yourself to make each day and each welcoming of a dawn, rich and truly meaningful in your own unique way.

This is also for +Subra Govinda to make up for the last horrorpoker picture greeting him in the morning :) 

Meeting place.

#2012project52  +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Sue Butler +Gretchen Chappelle +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson +Project52-2012 

Week 24: Architecture.

He saw her walking
carrying a jar of water.
..and the rest of the world vanished.

+GPLUS::P52::2012 +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Giuseppe Basile
+ShadowsOnSunday +Daniel Graupner

A mother's message to son

as i feel old and weak...
that look of trust from you is overwhelming...
making me strong and inspired again...
i drink and eat for you my darling Nalu
i love you, Nalu

+Lallaih Lopez 

I stared at the waves and realized time passed.
No reflection, no thoughts
...just nothing.

It was a time well spent.

#natureartthursday +Trisha Standard
#silhouettesonthursday #thankfulthursday #textureblendthursday
#thirstythursdaypics +Giuseppe Basile +Mark Esguerra
#travelthursday +Laura Mitchum
a bit of #turquoisethursday by +Tatiana Parmeeva

Sometimes, being nice is a conscious effort. But there are times when just being civil is a struggle too and I just want to give the middle...hook.

#monochromemonday  by the gang of +Hans Berendsen +Jerry Johnson +Manuel Votta +Steve Barge +Nurcan Azaz 
#dofmonday  +Mara Acoma +Mark Hall +Alan Gurling +Nigel Smith
#dailydepthoffield  by the incomparable duo of +Vince Ong and +Nuraini Ghaifullah 

Time is gold.

Won't be able to post again during the week but hopefully I would be able to visit your posts. 

Week 47- Time
+Project52-2012 by +Kate Church +Giuseppe Basile +Sue Butler +Gretchen Chappelle +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson 
#dailydepthoffield  BY +Vince Ong and +Nuraini Ghaifullah 

My belated birthday gift to the groovy +Sam Weinstein . He creates urban images that tickles one's mind. He does have a way of focusing on these images that are often neglected just because we have been so used to them and he makes an abstract art out of them. It often ends in a guessing game too. I hope this lily would be a good substitute for purple sushi :P

#LilyMonday +Ray Bilcliff +Bob Rutan
#purplecircle +Craig Szymanski +lynn langmade +Alexis Coram +Sinead Sam McKeown

Fertility Tree

This very special tree is a kind of tree that you can never find in lonely planet but its very popular among locals in the Philippines especially in UPLB (a popular university here). The story goes that this tree is a favourite spot among lovers especially when darkness comes. It is called FERTILITY TREE because many children have been born as a result of their rendezvous here.

#MyTownTuesday +Melanie Kintz +Eric Leslie
#TreeTuesday +Christina Lawrie +Shannon S. Myers

Stop arguing in favor of your limitations.

Aah summer, yea :D

#textureblendtuesday  +Gemma Costa 

Do you get the feeling that sometimes you are being stalked?

Stoned on Coffee

Good morning folks. Coffee is always best shared with friends and good conversation. Why don't you have a cup and sit beside me? (+Ada M , there's a cup of hot choco for you as well :) )

My second in a row post of shout out to you +Jason Kowing. Where are you? Always loved coffee and this is what I'm having today. Hello too +Cheryl Cooper for #coffeethursday  
I wonder if this is good for   #thirstythursdaypics  , #thirstythursday  too by +Giuseppe Basile and +Mark Esguerra ?
#breakfastclub   #breakfastartclub  

Change

Change is inevitable, just like (in a way) 'another day' is always there. I welcome changes, whether good or bad as an opportunity for growth. Sometimes it is nice to be shaken out of our comfort zone just to feel how it is to be alive once again, to feel deeply again. I am thankful for another day to feel the sun and explore more of what I can do.

#sunrisesaturday +Josh Davis
#photomanipulationsaturday +Josh Adamski
#paintitsaturday +Alexius Jørgensen

He asked her, "Where do you want to go?".
She touched his hand and replied, "I am already where I want to be.".

Just a bit of mushiness for today. ( giggle )

#lovewednesday +Pierluigi Failla

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires. Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A little butterfly whispered it's +Sharon Jeannette 's birthday! So supportive and so loving of life that everything seems to be an adventure, that's how I see this beautiful lady. May your days be filled with so much bliss and lots of life's wonderful moments. Love you lots :)

#onthewingsofbutterflies  +Sharon Jeannette +Cicely Robin Laing 

Yea.. life...
...at times.

Do not sweat the small stuff.

#sleepysaturday  +Gemma Costa +Andrea Martinez 
#peoplearoundus   +Jonathan Davis 
#streetphotography  +Tatiana Parmeeva +Thorsten von Eyb +Maria Roco 
#photojournalworldwide  +andi rivarola 

Because today is the birthday of the very sweet and kind lady, Ada. It has been so wonderful having donuts and hot choco with you. Happy birthday +Ada M  #azureforada  :)

Dropping by to say I'm alright. Will be back soon in two days (I hope). Meanwhile, I leave you this kid. So touching how a basketball gift can make him smile like that.

Intertwined

#treetuesday  by +Christina Lawrie and +Shannon S. Myers 

Woman's Touch

#womenwednesday  +Niki Aguirre +Athena Carey +Kerry Murphy +Teresa Stover +Christina Lawrie 

So you said, "let me try to explain.
Let's say.. one day you tell me you want to drop everything and want to be with me.. then I would drop everything and be with you in a heartbeat..That's all you need to know as far as how I feel about you.."
in case you are wondering how I feel about you

I dont think I need to explain more why this is for  #inspirationalsaturday  +Khrystiane Friedli +Charlotte Therese Björnström and me :)
For week 28 : Hometown #2012project52   +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler 
#beachsunday  +Ross Campbell 
#philippinesunday  +Wandering Shutterbug +rez santiago 
  

Passion

Sometimes it's more fascinating to watch other photographers at work.
What's the craziest thing have you done to get a great shot?

#GPLUS::PROJECT52::2012 +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Greg Berdan

misunderstood.. all he wanted was somebody to play with him.
nobody should be alone this holiday season

+Spider Sunday  #spidersunday  +Kimberly Hosey , +Shane Williams +Kjetil Greger Pedersen 
+BugsEveryday  #bugseveryday  +Chris Mallory 

Your problems are real and demanding. Yet they are tiny when compared to all the positive possibilities for your life in this moment. - Ralph Marston

#allthingsmonochrome  +Charles Lupica +Bill Wood 
#Monochromewor  +andi rivarola 

Model: Laarne Dumag
Make up and Photography: Mylah Nazario

#portraittuesday  by +Laura Balc and +Tana Teel 

walls have been built
bridges were burned
yet here you are
walking the tight rope
crossing..cautious..
every steps measured.

I watched,
wondering when you will fall
never to reach my side
once again, tears console.

#WetWednesday +Susan Schweiger

Our emotions, passions and sense of involvement oftentimes blur our objectivity and the soundness of our moral judgment. Mistakes are most often done at the height of human emotion- and acts are mostly regretted when the shadows of sadness, excitement, anger or joy leave men’s hearts.

It's the little things in life that determine big things.

I never thought that fascination for bugs would lead me to photography big time.

Here is an orange beetle for you +Don Spenner , the darkness around is lit by the hope and kindness within you. Things will soon come to pass.

#BuggyFriday +Ray Bilcliff

Unkept promises
Delayed compassion

I should have..
Now it's too late.

(Disabled comments for now)

Use your eyes to see beauty in everything. It's not being idealistic or romantic, it's just choosing how you want your world to be.

#eyesonsunday   by +Sonia Kalčić 

What better way to start the day than having a cup of coffee with a friend

Heard it's +Marilou Aballe's birthday. Happy birthday to one of the beauties here on G+ and a true kaibigan. She always have such insightful comments and its always a pleasure reading what she has to say. Here's a cup of coffee for you my friend. Hope you are having a wonderful, magical time :)

I would also like to thank +Jasbir S. Randhawa for this coffee. The best that I have ever tasted. It deserves a different post, so I will leave it for now. :)
#buggylunch  +Mandy Allen +Jean-Yves Casalis 

For #2012project52   by +Giuseppe Basile  and  +Kate Church  . Also moderated by +Gretchen Chappelle +LaDonna Pride  +Shelly Gunderson +Greg Berdan   +Sue Butler 

Week 23: Straight Out of Camera

For #grasstuesday  +Marilou Aballe  +Margaret Tompkins 

Somewhere in my dreams, I heard you whisper.
It was muffled by the rustling leaves,
yet it seduced me in an intimate symphony.

+Tree Tuesday #treetuesday +Shannon S. Myers +Christina Lawrie
#textureblendphotography +Gemma Costa

Black and White

Pure relativism is a dangerous thought.

Week20- Contrasting Colors
#2012project52 +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.
Unchain yourself from the baggage of negativity and learn to forgive yourself.

#hawkeasfriends +Fabio Bucchieri
#feelingsfriday +LeLinda Bourgeois

Life is short, smile while you still have teeth. ( Borrowed quote.)

When there is no reason to smile, that means we do not look hard enough. Many times, the act of smiling alone makes everything so much better.

Week 49- Smiles (Still hoping I can finish this project)
+Project52-2012  #2012project52  +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Sue Butler +Gretchen Chappelle +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson 

Here's a first attempt at texture blending.

Forever..
..I've heard that before
it lasted 6 years.
Unless you meant hurt,
then I misunderstood.

Dancing my way to the #purpleparty of +lynn langmade +Craig Szymanski +Sinead Sam McKeown +Alexis Coram for #purplecircle
#textureblendphotography #textureblendtuesday +Gemma Costa
#Hawkeasfriends +Hawkea's friends +Fabio Bucchieri

Friend's Kiss

Here is another butterfly who shared my morning. I was reading outside when I noticed this butterfly flying so close to me. I experimented and raised my hand to see what would happen. I was hoping it would stop and it did! It rested itself on my hand for quite a while. So, ever so slowly, I raised my camera (which is almost always with me) and took this. After a while, it flew away but stopped and rested itself on my cheek again until it finally flew away. That was a very magical morning for me.

For Week 37: In the garden
+Project52-2012  #2012project52  +Kate Church  +Giuseppe Basile +Gretchen Chappelle  +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson  

#myownbackyard  +Craig Pifer 
#buggyfriday   +Margaret Tompkins  +Buggy Friday 

OMG!!

My nephew displaying his theatrical skills :) This rhinoceros beetle is another unexpected guest. I don't know where it came from but I just saw it on my study table again.

This one is a male rhino beetle as seen from his horn. This horn is used primarily to fight other males over the right to mate a female.They are also among the largest beetles in the world. Pound for pound, rhino beetles (also called Hercules beetle) are the strongest animal in the world. Some can lift as much as 850 times their own weight.

(another trivia: its not so easy to remove that beetle from my finger as it hooked its small claws on my skin :S)

#macromonday +Jennifer Eden +Kerry Murphy +Kelli Seeger Kim

Ever had those times when you realize you made a wrong choice but dismissed it as insignificant? Then you wake up, and things have just gotten worse..and worse. And you try to fix things.
But, you can't.
And you panic.

Take a deep breath.
 As a good friend said, just focus on what you can do. Look at yellow flowers. That is just for me though. You can look or do what works for you.

#tuesdecay   +Ian Ference +Jean-Claude Dahn +Christian Gruner +TuesDecay 

It's Shane's bday!!! I'm whispering all the best wishes to this giant bug for you and hopefully it will reach you soon. Thank you so much for being such a great friend. Love you my friend (+Shane Williams  #bugwhisperer  ).

I know you were up almost the whole night but I hope that you wake up long enough to see all your birthday posts :)_

I have to mention the photographer too. Thanks +Wesley Yeoh . We searched 4 malls for this bug.

SHE

Overheard: She is too smart. It's unfair. Why does she have to be beautiful too?
What do you think about this?
Week 42- Black and white
+Project52-2012  #project522012  +Kate Church +Giuseppe Basile +Gretchen Chappelle +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson  

After the end of the world..

If you have inspiring stories, please share it with us. Use #inspirationalsaturday   and tag +Charlotte Therese Björnström +Khrystiane Friedli and me. We would like to hear your story and  this is also    #WhatsRightWithMe ,+Jason Kowing.

Colors for You to See
 
The 5-hour ride would be usually quiet with a few snores every now and then from sleepy family members. But this time, all were awake and listening intently to my 8-year old nephew. We brought our mom's helper's kid with us (Bulugto) and my nephew had been painstakingly and vividly describing everything (at least that which he can) that we passed by. He was also patiently answering questions from Bulugto. All this time, Bulugto had this big smile on his face, a smile that reached up to his eyes. However, his eyes cannot physically see. Bulugto was born blind.

This shot was taken from inside the car and one of those we passed by that my nephew tried to describe. 

#ruralsaturday   by +Mario Cerroni 

Burn for your dreams;
Engulfed by the darkness of age,
Muted by negativity and fear.

Let it glow inside you,
Spread like wild fire
Nobody can quench.

#thisismydesire +Richard Call
#painterly

She just turned seventeen and it is her first ball
Nervous,
...despite her red shoes,
hoping she would be asked on the dance floor.

#shoesmonday as promised to the very cool ladies +Laura Harding and +Olga Kafka

And calling attention to the prom king +Adrian Rodriguez and the boogie master +walt sprinkle

I am reaching out for my dreams, no matter how far fetched they might be. The new year ushers in more opportunities and challenges that I will bravely face.

Dreams do come true

This might be my last post for the year. Happy new year to all of you!

#FloralFriday +Tamara Pruessner

Young lady, the world awaits you. Let it wait.

The new G+ makes me feel old. It's like not seeing a child for a long time and upon seeing it again, so many changes happened. Sigh.

Smart, witty, talented and funny. Yep, it's +Laura Harding 's bday! I just love the story she weaves in her shots. Here's a kiss going your way :)

#captionthisthursday  by the cool  +Jenness AKA Dory Asby +Caption This Thursday 

Good morning from here :)
A dose of mushiness again..because I don't have deadlines..yet.

My Sunshine

I think of you...
when I wake up in the morning
when I see beautiful things
when I take photos

but most of all
I think of you every minute of my day

I know I love you...
when I can't wait to make you smile
when I see your smile, then I fall in love with you over and over
when I miss you so much to a point my entire body aches

but most of all
I know I love you because my heart starts to race whenever I think of you
-anonymous

Fly

Inspiration comes in many forms. I started with photography when I saw posts of insects that just blew my mind. I was so awestruck by the things my naked eye cannot see. It was bugs that inspired me to take my camera and start shooting. I have poor eyesight and my camera has become my extra pair of eyes. Now, G+ has introduced me to a lot of great photographers. One of them is +Shane Williams and I dedicate this not-as-sexy-as-his-shots #sexyfly . 
Also of course for #inspirationalsaturday   by the team of +Khrystiane Friedli , +Charlotte Therese Björnström and me :)

It may seem as if the road is never ending, but you will never get to your destination if you never take the step.

#WayWednesday +Peter Carroll

"Stay a while and let's talk a bit", she said.

#floralfriday +Tamara Pruessner
#buggyfriday +Ray Bilcliff +Margaret Tompkins

Don't let your inner child leave you.

Keep your dreams alive. Keep chasing them even when nobody believes in you.

#paintitsaturday +Alexius Jørgensen
#photomanipulationsaturday +Josh Adamski
#ruralsaturday +Mario Cerroni
#sepiasaturday +Renee Stewart Jackson
#unsharpsaturday +Nathan Beaulne

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
Mark Twain

What I like most about traveling is how people become individuals once you meet them. It makes it easier to understand their thoughts and sentiments and humbles my preconceived ideas about them. I recognize that though there is a certain level of cultural relativism, in the end, we all cherish the same values and virtues that may only be presented in a different form.

#ThirstyThursday +Mark Esguerra +Giuseppe Basile
#SilhouettesOnThursday +Siddharth Pandit
#TravelThursday +Laura Mitchum
+Desirable Thursday Project +Elisha Battles , +Richard Call

Pause

  #monochromemonday  +Hans Berendsen +Jerry Johnson +Manuel Votta +Steve Barge +Nurcan Azaz +Monochrome Monday 
#horrorpokermonday  +J.L. Btwee +David Murphy +Jimmy Symons 
  #moodymonday  +Philip Daly +Carole Buckwalter  +Moody Monday 
#allthingsmonochrome  +Charles Lupica +Bill Wood +All Things Monochrome 
#monochromeworld  +andi rivarola +Monochrome World