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

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

Here are some pictures which I've taken several days apart of a caterpillar I saw in one of the palm trees in our garden. Its not the first time I've seen it but I always thought it wasn't alive because it was barely moving. But few days ago I looked at it closely, and imagine my surprise when it moved and uncurled itself.

Now, is there anybody here who can help me identify what kind of caterpillar this is?

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

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 

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

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

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

#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 

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

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

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but seldom do we marvel at the process it has gone through.

Another butterfly that I was blessed enough to witness coming out from its cocoon.

#MacroMonday , +Kerry Murphy , +Jennifer Eden , +Kelli Seeger Kim

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

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 

Not the best photo but I wanted to share anyway because this kind of spider is unusual for me. It was the first and only time I've seen it.

#SpiderSunday +Chris Mallory

Is this smile wide enough baby?
I'm a freakin' model, woohoo!!

For #WhateverWednesday , +Cicely Robin Laing
Would also be good for #WeNeedALaughWedenesday +Pat Kennedy Corlin

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 Father's Love

You have been warned

Never realized that the word 'nuts' has more than 7 meanings to it. Really nuts.

#signsunday by the dancing duo of +walt sprinkle and +Gene Bowker
#monochromaticpaintitsunday +Alexius Jørgensen +Susana Segat +abhishek chamaria

This is a long prose and I'm just sharing the first 8 lines. You can work on the rest of the prose in your imagination :)

Book Lover

You are like a book I've only read once,
Full of intriguing ambiguities,
Too deep to understand,
Too exciting to leave alone.

I long to run my fingers over your
uncovered spine,
Embrace you with my eyes,
And satisfy the itching of my tongue
with the texture of your prose;


I also want to test +Sumit Sen 's theory on people here, hence the mention and +Laura Harding and +Jakob Nilsson for some swooning :P
You might want to visit this for a better understanding of what I mean https://plus.google.com/u/0/114835618008913240560/posts

#PoetSocietyofPhotography +Claudine de Faÿ
#StillLifeSaturday +Ken Hoyle +Sherri Meyer
#BookSaturday +Gemma Costa +Andrea Martinez +Ester Negro
#LastCall +Christina Lawrie

Life is but fleeting, like the dew that glows on the blades of grass.
Do not lament for time lost because its time wasted.
Sparkle the most until it's time for the sun to take you.

#GrassTuesday by +Ray Bilcliff , +Marilou Aballe

Driven by curiosity, people seek to explore the world. At no time in life is curiosity more powerful than in early childhood. - Bruce D. Perry MD

Saw my friend taking picture of this kid but the kid kept looking at me, so I decided to take her picture myself. Just when I clicked the shutter, she suddenly turned and peered at my friend's camera.

#ChildrenSaturday +Susan Southard

Nature at work.

Who are you rooting for?

Accidentally saw this snake trying to swallow a frog, which in turn is holding on for dear life and making itself as big as possible. Unfortunately, this is the best shot I have of that incident.

#SssnakeSunday +Frank Yuwono , +SSSnakeSunday

 *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 

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

Itsy, bitsy spider.... It was anything but that though. The body was as big as my thumb and the legs can cover my palm. I saw it staring down at me and I had to climb the water tower to take its picture. Its web covered the space from one beam to another and I had to swing myself for a quick shot to get as close as I can.

It's also +Tom McGowan's birthday folks. Why spider? No particular reason, only because he said he is going ghost hunting on his bday and maybe this might help him. Tom is such a nice, honest guy and so ready to answer any theme challenge. Hope you have a blast  :)
This is also for +Horrorpoker Monday by +David Murphy +J.L. Btwee +Jimmy Symons and me.
#mysterymonday   by +Marie Hélène Visconti 
#spidersunday  +Chris Mallory +Kimberly Hosey 

my first contribution to the fun town of #halloweentown   by cousin +lane langmade with +Shantha Marie Fountain +Brad Buckmaster  +Halloween Town 

and this is also for the sexiest fly of all +Shane Williams! This is one of those I saw in my backyard. i'll try to take better pictures of the others as well.

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 

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 

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

Your presence
...comforts me.

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

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

This was my last shot for 2011 but posted in 2012. I chose this one for #PlusOneCollection by the very hardworking +Ivan Makarov because of the personal story behind this and I felt that it also tells a story by itself.

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

I wonder if he knows your thoughts are always with him?

This is my travel buddy and we shamelessly made every place a location for photo shoot. :) I wasn't into photography then and will shoot this differently now if I have a chance.

#FashionFriday +Faith Gauthier

“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

Nana Lusing. She lives on top of a mountain and she has her small vegetable farm there where she gets her crop to sell. For as long as I can remember, she has always just been the vendor from the mountain. It was only a year ago when I got the chance to really know her. A widow with two children who has now also left her leaving with her their four kids. When they will return, she doesn't have an idea. So she continues to sell..

The Old Vendor from the Mountain
MBDN

She walked the streets in her bare feet
smiling as she toils
Up from the mountain that's where she's been
shouting "buy some more".

Her toes been polished by dust and soil
thickened skin beneath
It touches the ground in firm strong steps
walking down some more.

Her skin pulsates the throbbing vein
ignoring the pain it brings
"how much is that?", somebody asks
and then she smiles some more.


#FeetFriday +Carrie McGann

When I grow up I want to be a little boy - Joseph Heller

He never kept still long enough for a decent shot, in the end I just have to embrace the fact that boys will be boys.

#WhateverWednesday +Cicely Robin Laing
#WeNeedALaughWednesday +Pat Kennedy Corlin

insects

Father and son talk

Now meet the father. 

Reach out

We all have our lives to take care of, bills to pay, deadlines to meet..but those do not excuse us from reaching out to others. Just say hi, maybe that's all they need to hear. If we are snubbed, then so be it. Let's create joy out of nothing :)

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 

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 

Forgiveness

This can be a challenge at times, but we just have to remind ourselves that an unforgiving attitude can be poisonous. Most of the time, that poison affects us more than the other person. 

This was also the third butterfly who 'played' with me. It was almost 6am when this guy  came and interrupted my musing.

#inspirationalsaturday   by +Charlotte Therese Björnström +Khrystiane Friedli and me
#sunrisesaturday  by +Josh Davis  +Sunrise Saturday 
I think I found another #booklovers  too. Thanks to +Cora Triton +Ester Negro +Andrea Martinez  and +Gemma Costa 
#inpraiseofpollinators   by +Dusty Gedge  #myownbackyard  by +Craig Pifer 

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

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 

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 

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  

RESHARE:
Does this look like I don't believe you?

This owl's expression kind of say what I feel today. Thanks +Kathy Porupski for this funny shot. By the way, Kathy has a lot more creative stuff in her stream, so I invite you to visit that too :)

Reshared text:
Here's a shot of a Burrowing Owl from my birding adventures to Cape Coral this past Saturday... These guys were just way to stinking cute and just loved it when they would roll their heads almost upside down as if to say... "who you looking at" and I swear some of them were smiling at us! Can't wait to work on a few more but as always in my world there's never enough hours in the day... stay tuned for more of their cuteness! :-) Thanks for another wonderful birding adventure +Curtis Frey and +Lynn Wiezycki :-)

Let's play little girl...

#horrorpokermonday   +David Murphy  +Jimmy Symons  +J.L. Btwee  +Wesley Yeoh 

Calling out everybody for +PaintIt Saturday . It's Saturday soon and guess what? I'm guesting as a co-curator ONLY for MAY 19. It might be my one and only time to curate so why don't you bring out all your painterly photos and let us feast on them. Please tag +Alexius Jørgensen and +Mylah Nazario (ahem, that's me of course) and also the +PaintIt Saturday page. Counting the hours.....

The sweet scent of chamomile wafted through the air.
From the tattered papers of your letter,
as your words evaporated into broken promises.

#floralfriday +Tamara Pruessner

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

I'll go with you upon ships across the seas,
seas that exist no more,
I'll revive them with you.
I'll go with you.

You and me.

Sarah Brightman

Thanks for this link and the tutorial +Shane Williams :)

Caption this

I know most of you probably have seen this before. I'm resharing it now just for fun and let's see what caption you can come up with this one.

+captionthisthursday +Jenness AKA Dory Asby
+Breakfast Club #BreakfastClub

My friend (Jack Partin) finally put up their Christmas tree. Can't wait for his wife to see his surprise for her.

Cold Silence

My thoughts are no longer to you.
What once smoldered,
now drenched by coldness.
It sears my core, fired up by silence.
Stay away then and kill my passion.
This is my last thought
to you
whom I thought
Could be.

A short verse for +novia zapata (inspired by our conversation-resbak? :))
also for #LeafOnThursdays +Ray Bilcliff

I was inspired by what +Marvinism Thirteen said when he described one image as beautiful sadness. It struck me so much that I knew I had to write a poem about it. Thanks for the borrowed phrase.

Beautiful Sadness

I watched you hanging on to her every words
I was once upon a time that girl.
I looked the other way and called your name,
you told me you love me.

You stole glances at her when you thought nobody can see
But my senses can feel what it once had
Sighing, I touched your hand,
you told me I'm beautiful.

We lie in bed, you and me- with her presence between us
I miss you and the woman that I was in your eyes.
Unshed tears and silent hurt
Melancholy over me.
Living now and everyday dying,
willfully believing the lies you utter,
crushing my heart and rotting my soul
for the fool I am becoming.

My beautiful sadness.
You are my beautiful sadness.

#MoodyMonday +Philip Daly +Moody Monday

Tickled pink.

#ShorebirdSunday +Phil Armishaw

Nostalgia

To be in idle speculation of the past can be rewarding, but if it stifles our present and future it can be a chain to mediocrity.

In the case of this image, I had to force myself to deviate from my comfort zone just because I want to see what I can do. I know there are still so much to learn and Im willing to do that. Special mention and thanks to +Alexius Jørgensen , who has been so encouraging.

+Paint It Saturday , #PaintItSaturday

Butterfly emerging from cocoon.

The Story of a Butterfly
(Warning: its a long post but I really want to share this story which I found on the net, with you)

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.
One day a small opening appeared.
He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours
as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole.
Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly.
He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon.
The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.
(just like what the butterfly here looks like)
The man continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body.
Neither happened!

In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around.
It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand:

The restricting cocoon and the struggle
required by the butterfly to get through the opening
was a way of forcing the fluid from the body
to the wings so that it would be ready
for flight once that was achieved.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.
Going through life without obstacles would cripple us.
We will not be as strong as we could have been
and we would never fly.

So have a nice day and struggle a little.

You might also want to see this butterfly as it actually tries to emerge from its cocoon. It can be found in this album though i'll also share the link, https://plus.google.com/photos/105607680428558991633/albums/5660287896041038177/5664502225128198754

#BuggyFriday +Ray Bilcliff

This is one cool kid. He didn't even care how close my cam was to his face for as long as he can munch the grass.

For #GoatWednesday , +Paul Songy

She is shaped by her curves and lines. She doesn't have to have 'balls' in order to be strong. Her strength lies in her very femininity.

Happy #WomenWednesday +Niki Aguirre , +Athena Carey +Teresa Stover +Lee Daniels +Christina Lawrie +Kerry Murphy

#PortraitTuesday curated by +Laura Balc

Princess Warrior

I noticed the bouquet of roses sitting in one corner of my office. I don't usually throw flowers away because I can use them for my arts and crafts. This one is from a bunch I got from my birthday last June. And while looking at it, it inspired me to write something, just trying to imagine a different life for this single rose. So here goes..

Waiting for Love Lost

She was eighteen
Was crowned beauty queen
The world stood still
can't get their fill
of her
who bloomed so daintily.

She fell in love
At nineteen or so above
To a young man who made promises
lasting love and happiness
eternal and fragrant
She painted the world in symmetry.

He broke her heart
Her world shattered apart
Loving, she never made again
Dejection, she couldn't contain
Rotting
at age unknown
her last petal decaying.

For #FloralFriday curated by +Tamara Pruessner

My contribution to #whateverwednesday curated by +Cicely Robin Laing

Not Guilty!

I was quietly watering my plants and cutting some dead leaves when lo, I saw this guy looking at me from behind the leaves. He looked pretty defensive as if telling me he didn't do anything wrong. Which makes me more suspicious though..

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 

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.

I have  a feeling that a spider's crawling on my skin....

I apologize for disappearing every now and then. You see, the neighborhood needs a lot of help.

You might want to see another color of this species https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/105607680428558991633/albums/5660287896041038177/5674417069368129250
yay, I have something to share for +Spider Sunday , #spidersunday   by the wonderful duo of +Shane Williams and +Kimberly Hosey 
+Macro4All  #macro4all  by +Walter Soestbergen  
+Chris Mallory +BugsEveryday 

Intertwined

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

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   

A message to Rapunzel...

"Free yourself from your high walls and let down your hair. There is no Prince Charming to come and rescue you. Sometimes we build walls around us instead of bridges. But there
is always hope when we see a window."

This is a three-story bell tower made from coral stones. It was used as an observation post by many men during different times of war.

#windowwednesday   +Catherine Furet +Jason Kowing +Jules Falk Hunter +Cheryl Cooper +Simon Kitcher +J.J. Bentley 

So many things to do! 

I'll be away for a few days, until then I will miss you all.
One of these days, I'll be able to make that perfect cross eyed look.

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  

She shares a shy smile.

#portraittuesday  +Laura Balc 

Want to play with me?
Chucky's big sister (courtesy of +Shane Williams )


#horrorpokermonday  by the meanest group of +David Murphy +J.L. Btwee +Jimmy Symons and me. mwaaahahaha

jeepney

Philippine's most common public transportation. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. (wikipedia)

#yisforyellow  +Lucille Galleli 
#publictransportfriday  +Christine Denck 

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 

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

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

Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.
From http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/

I have been observing this butterfly for days and finally, it came out. It has now just gotten out of its cocoon and it was staying there for a long time, waiting for blood to start pumping its wings so it can fly. Take risks and let yourself fly.

#onthewingsofbutterflies by the magnificent ladies +Sharon Jeannette +Cicely Robin Laing
#myownbackyard +Craig Pifer

I have a love-hate relationship with my mom and it is only as I grew older and more mature (hopefully) that I understand her more. Years have taught us, me and her, how to deal with each other and express our love more in a language most comfortable and effective for both of us. Here is an inspiring story I just read today, hope it inspires you too.
Bouquet for Mother

A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.
As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.
He asked her what was wrong and she replied, “I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother. But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars.”
The man smiled and said, “Come on in with me. I’ll buy you a rose.”
He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother’s flowers.
As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home. She said, “Yes, please! You can take me to my mother.”
She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.
The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother’s house.
(Author Unknown)
#Inspiringsaturday +Charlotte Therese Björnström +Khrystiane Friedli

RESHARE:
For +Lee Daniels

Reshared text:
A call out to kindness

There are many things I need to be thankful for this year. One of those is the amazing list of friends and opportunities that I've been gifted with by being part of this community. Friends like +Lee Daniels, photographer, co-curator of #womenwednesday and as of last week, a lung cancer patient. Lee's battle has just begun and as you can imagine she will need some support. I have setup a website to help with the fundraising. Visit:

http://hashtagcure.org

You may help Lee directly by using the donate button on the upper right hand side of the page. You may also grab one of the fundraising t-shirts that have the site's logo and Lee's name. All proceeds will go to help Lee down the uphill road she has ahead.

Remember there's no worse than doing nothing because you can only do a little. Every last bit helps...

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

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

What makes a woman beautiful?

It's a small miracle to see a really beautiful woman walk down the street and watch as the world momentarily pauses and stops to stare at her.

#portraittuesday by +Laura Balc

Solitude is sweet when your mind is at peace.

Have a great weekend :)

Week17: Kitchen
This is what one will usually find in my kitchen- fruits and flowers (alright, junkfoods as well :P)

#2012projectct52 by +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Greg Berdan +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Gene Bowker +Shelly Gunderson
#colorsonfriday by +E.E. Giorgi +Gilmar Smith +Christina Lihani +Erin Henderson
#floralfriday +Tamara Pruessner
#foodfriday +Lucretia Yeh +Nicholas Ong +Bobbi Lance +Natty Netsuwan
#fruitsfriday +Vesna Krnjic +Peter Teufl

SERENITY

I should be enjoying this view but sometimes I am bothered that the future generation won't see such beauty again. My friend's kid doesn't even know what is a goat or a cow.

Btw, I noticed the pluses in my 3-4 photos have gone from 80-90 down to 40-50. Anybody experienced this or these people just went back to these photos and decided they didn't like it after all?

#equinetuesday +Jillian Chilson

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

EGGS

These are not eggs for Easter but they were nevertheless hunted to be removed from the rice field to keep the birds from returning to them. So many things suddenly come to mind : separation from mother, what is problem to some is a treasure to others, etc. But now I won't dwell into any of that. Sometimes I lose sight of how to live because of too much thinking. This time, they're just eggs.

Sorry folks, have to rest for now. Migraine :(

For #2012project52 +Giuseppe Basile +Kate Church +Gretchen Chappelle +Greg Berdan +Sue Butler +LaDonna Pride +Shelly Gunderson

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

RESHARE:
You like macro right? But I'm sure you like great macro more. +Shane Williams delivers the goods and he isn't called bug whisperer for nothing. If you like the interactive, fun, helpful, insightful and over all great guy, then why don't you go over to him and show some G+ love?

Reshared text:
Scrapbook Photos

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

Don't you hate it when you miss a "There's no class" announcement? Sigh.

Iniaalay ko rin ito sa mga makabagong disipulo ni Oble +Lawrence del Mundo +rem zamora

#whateverwednesday +Cicely Robin Laing

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

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

Here is my courageous attempt at #LichenPoker. Here's one for +Chris Mallory and +Paul Blackman