April 2013 - Monthly Challenge - Shooting through glass

So sometimes you just aren't able to take pictures close up and there are times when you have to shoot through glass.  Sometimes its through circumstances and sometimes it's because you want to challenge yourself.  This past month has been an interesting month.  I'm still working on catching up but I think I'm almost caught up and I look forward to staying on top of things.  I hate getting behind on my pictures and I use this blog as a place to share my growth and as a way to share pictures with friends and family who live so far away. So I'm sorry that this has just been a slow process.  

So I'm taking a couple of old pictures of things that I've taken through glass and then also some more recent photos from this challenge.  

Sometimes you are traveling and you aren't able to get out of your transportation and you just have to take pictures. 

 I took this picture in Ireland when we were on a tour with all the girls in my family.  We happened to see the rays of the sun spilling through the clouds and it's still one of my favorite pictures.  This was taken with my Sony camera that I got from my aunt before I left for Japan.  I loved that camera.

This picture was taken in Japan.  We were driving through a rice field and the mosquitos were really bad so getting out wasn't an option and because we were on a narrow road and John was afraid that we were going to run into some other cars so I quick took this pictures. 

 This pictures is from the Lantern Festival we were in the train about to leave and we could see all the lights and lanterns from the train it was really neat.

 Then there are those precious moments where you can only capture babies first pictures but they are in the nursery.  It's not always the best pictures because you can't get up close but at least you have those first sweet little memories.  My friend had a little baby almost three weeks ago and she was so tiny and sweet.  I can't wait to take more pictures of her.

Please continue through this blog circle to see how others have looked at shooting through glass from some of the most amazing women, I am excited to get to know on this year journey.  Starting with, Gina, I know that you will enjoy her post.

Blog circle list    Angie| Gina Yeo  |  Megan Rose | Sarah |Ana |Pam | Erica |  

Letters to my Children - Bucket List

I am doing another monthly thing with a bunch of wonderful ladies over at CM called Letter’s to our Children.  This month’s theme is what we want our kids to do or what do we think should be their bucket list for their life.  This has been a hard thing to think about but I have decided to take this and use this as more of a general what do I want my kids to be and do as they grow up.  Please enjoy this somewhat personal letter to my children.   After reading my letter please continue on to Susie, to read what she has for her children’s bucket list.  

Dear Little N, M & H –

You know sometimes it is hard to know if we are giving the best life for you.  We've lived over 2 year over in Taiwan and have had many great experiences and I think we are doing the right things for you but sometimes I’m just not sure.  However I've thought about it and I really don't think it matters where we are as long as we teach you to love the things and respect the things that we want you to respect.

A bucket list is a list of things that you want to accomplish before you die.  At least that’s what the urban dictionary told me.  Now I don't have things that I definitely think you have to do or go to before you die but I have some themes and things that I want you guys to cherish and I hope that you will follow. Right now you guys are only 5,3, & 1 years old.  The world is your oyster and you can do whatever you want.

My first biggest thing on my bucket list for you is that you would know and love the Lord as your personal Savior.  I think we are giving you a good start by providing you the groundwork – we are doing personal devotions at night and praying at night.  We are showing you that even though we might not understand everything that happens in the world God is still in control and He loves us.  My biggest bucket wish is that you would be a follower and seeker of Christ and that you would question and thirst for knowledge and the truth.

My second thing on my bucket list for you is that you would love and want to spend time together as a family.  Right now we are at the stage where you are stuck with us, but I want to get to a point where you want to share what’s going on in your life with us and that we would be some of your best friends.  I watch Little N and Little M as they've gotten older and enjoyed listening to them play with one another.  I'm so thankful that all of you like to play with each other usually.  Even though we are far away from mommy and daddy’s family I want you to realize that they are there for you and that family is important and a fun part of life.  I want you to cherish and love your siblings because I want you guys to look out for one another and help each other out through thick and thin.

My third thing on my bucket list is that you would have a lifetime hunger for knowledge and truth.  This can be for so many things but both Daddy and I have a love for books – reading is so much fun and I love seeing when you guys are reading books.  I also love when you are trying to figure out things about life.  I hope that you have a thirst for the truth and a desire to dig around to learn about everything.

My fourth thing on my bucket list is that you would have a love for nature – that you would love to explore and travel.  That you would think that just taking a bike ride around the area is something fun and exciting to do. That going hiking and seeing what nature has to offer would be fun and interesting.  That you would enjoy exploring and just enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination.

My fifth thing on my bucket list is that you would be kind and tenderhearted to others.  That you would be able to go into a situation and be able to be a kind and sweet person.  This takes a lot of skill but I hope that if someone trips or gets hurt I hope that you would stop what you are doing and help that person out.  I remember a time when your daddy realized that there was a guy who was hungry at a restaurant and was trying to dig through the scraps for food.  He had us go ahead and start our journey home and then he went and bought the man a meal.  At that moment I had such respect for your dad for being such a compassionate person and realized that it was something I wanted to pass on to you.  The environment you are in right now you get a lot of things given to you because you are different but I also want you to realize that not everything is about you.  Sometimes it’s okay to not get everything you want and it’s okay for you to give to others.  The other thing I want you to realize that beauty is something that can perceived through the kindness of your actions.  You can be extremely beautiful but if you are very mean and not nice you will not be any less beautiful but not many people will want to be your friend because of your attitude and actions.

Also you are beautiful and handsome no matter what people say.  People put so much on the color of your skin, how thin you are, how tall you are.  In every single culture there is a different standard of beauty.  In Taiwan people feel they look prettier with lighter skin whereas in America people enjoy having color on their skin.  Right now in the States beautiful is being thin.  But in other places in the world having curves, having scars they are all marks of honor because you have experienced life.  Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't beautiful.  Realize that eating the right foods, getting daily exercise and dressing appropriately are all important.  God made you the height you will be and he gave you  your eye color, your nose, your hair.  You can control some things like how long you want your hair to be, and how you dress.  Enjoy being yourself and remember to not let anyone put you down. 

My sixth thing is kind of a combination of things.  I hope that you guys have hobbies that you love and enjoy.  I also hope that you have friends and loved ones that you love and who will inspire you to be better people.  I hope that your friends will be people who will lift you up to be an even better you.  I hope that you have hobbies that you love and inspire you to get out and do what it is that you love to do. 

These are big broad goals that I want for your life but I’m positive that we will be able to handle everything.  I love you guys!

Love –

Mommy

NOW THAT YOU HAVE READ MY LETTER PLEASE HEAD OVER AND READ

Susie’s Letter THIS MONTH!

March 2013 Monthly Photo Challenge - Perspective

So March has completely kicked my butt.  I flew over to America for a little bit during February and March to visit family and celebrate birthdays but it seems like I haven't been able to catch up.  I'm in catch up mode and I haven't been very creative lately. Perspective is always interesting challenge and is such a broad topic that I'm interested in see what my fellow photographers are going to do for this.  

The other day we were at a friend's house and they let me borrow all their lenses.  I was struggling getting my kids to stay in one place so I decided to use a book.  So tried out a variety of the lenses and it really changed my perspective and how I thought about shooting things.  I also figured out two the lenses I want to get next.  

The first picture I took was with a 16-35 mm - It was taken at 16 mm (1/125 ss & F2.8)

 This one I took with the 70-200 mm F4 lens at 70 mm (1/80 ss & F4)

 This one still with the 70-200 mm but now at 138 mm (1/60 ss & F/4).

 Well I guess I only ran this test on the 16-35 mm and the 70-200 mm lenses.  But this is 192 mm (1/60 ss & F/4)

I really enjoyed the wide angle lens but made me realize that I would only use it for street photography and I could hold off on that.  My friend had an 85 mm lens and wow the pictures that I took with that lens had a nice creamy background that just made me drool and love that lens and I didn't think I was really a prime girl.  Then trying the 70-200 mm F/4 was a nice lens.  It would be perfect for when I wanted to go hiking and take pictures of stuff.  I would have a good long telephoto lens with that and then a medium length lens with my 24-70 mm.  I guess I will just have to keep experimenting with different lenses to see what my style is.  But just using all those lenses made me realize how much perspective is changing your position and then how your perspective can change and how your picture can change just by using a different focal length.

Please continue through this blog circle to see how others have looked at perspective in photography from some of the most amazing women, I am excited to get to know on this year journey.  Starting with, Gina, I know that you will enjoy her post.

Blog circle list    Angie| Gina Yeo  | Anne-Lise Bouscail|  Courtney Kirkland| Megan Rose | Rebecca Grabek | Sarah |Ana |Pam | Erica | Jessica | 

At a friend's house

So one of my dear friends lives in my community.  We don't see much of each other but I always enjoy seeing her.  She just had a daughter like 4 months ago and I'm pretty sure that Little H and the daughter are close to the same weight.  She and her husband are really good with my kids and I'm very thankful for the graciousness that they give to my kids and I.  I can usually ask her questions about Chinese culture and she will answer me and help me out with stuff.

The first thing that they show Little H was this little snail like rocking chair and let her play with it.  They were very surprised that the boys could and wanted to ride on the snail.  They also spoiled my kids with chocolate and letting them play the ipad. 

Impulse buys

There are moments as a parent that you give into temptation and you buy something that you know that you have no need for but you know that your kids will absolutely love it.  Today was one of those days.  John and I went on a date to Costco.  We met up with some friends while we were there and just chatted with them for a while.  Then we saw them.  People were buying 5 or 6 of them at a time.  We saw them and just knew that we had to buy one for Little H.  So we went searching for a the bear.  Once we found the aisle where the bears were being stored we were just shocked.  I believe that there were like 10 boxes full of big bears and while the price wasn't horrible it was that great to be buying 6 bears at a time.  So we decided to buy one and because we couldn't take it up with us right away it stayed in the car.  Then John brought the bear up...the boys absolutely loved the fact that we had a big teddy bear to lay on and play on.  Little H on the other hand was so scared that she ran for cover and hid.  Till her brothers made her realize that the bear was okay.  She is still a little nervous but is gradually getting used to him. 

Preschool Sunday School Picnic

We had a wonderful picnic with some of the families that attend our preschool sunday school class. It was an absolutely stunning day to spend the day eating outside under the beautiful flowering trees.  Little H is getting bigger and bigger and has decided that she can run around with the big kids.  

An afternoon at the beach

We invited a bunch of our friends to join us for an afternoon at the beach.  It was a beautiful day and the guys had fun digging a hole. The kids had a blast running to the ocean, playing in the sand and of course flying a kite.  It was a wonderful day and I'm so thankful I could spend the day at the beach! 

Candy Land

Tante Linda bought for Little M the game of Candyland.  The kids have excited waited for a chance to play the game (their sister had to be sleeping in order to play!) We had fun playing the game!  I won the first game, Little N won the second game and then Daddy won the third game. Brought back memories of my childhood playing games. 

English Playgroup and Daddy Cuddle Time

We had our English Playgroup and got to play at the college...feeding the ducks, fish and squirrels and playing with bubbles and the kids!  We had a blast! 

Sometimes it's good to have some cuddle time with daddy!  She sure loves her dad!

A day at the park

 We went to the park to play! It was a new park and I think it was a park that we would like to go again.

Bike Ride and Picnic

We met some new friends for a picnic.  Little N was excited because he was able to take his new bike out.  Then they had fun watching the a class being taught on how to roller skate (I think competitively).  It was a good day.