A face of homelessness: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

I just love this photo. It speaks volumes. The sign itself speaks volumes. This was one evening that I will always remember. My friend Michelle is standing with Terrell in the photo. He had proposed to her while we stood talking to him for a half hour or so. I really love Terrell and enjoyed talking with him. We found out a great deal about him in that little amount of time. Though he was tipsy he was able to carry on quite the conversation with us.

I have not forgotten his name, his story nor his face. He has been inbedded in my heart forever. I think of him quite often in fact. I hope some day that I will be able to see him again. Where ever we may end up. I would like to find out what happened to him. He had dreams, he had a life, a girlfriend, a child, a job until he found himself with nothing one day. Now he drinks, dreams his dreams, hopes to marry someday and find the person he used to be.

His story may have been what stopped me the other night hanging out in downtown Chico, with some friends. I spotted this gal, Lisa, at the corner of 2nd and Broadway. You couldn't miss her. I walked passed her and then without a second thought returned to talk with her and find out her name, her situation and if I could do anything. She is pregnant with twins, she has two other children living with her gramma, until she can get back on her feet. She said she hasn't seen the doctor, so I'm not sure how she knows she has twins or whether she meant that she has not been to the doctor since finding out the pregnancy.

I was reminded of Terrell as I spoke with Lisa. She is beautiful. She told me where she hangs out and I told her I would be looking for her to check on how she was doing. She liked that.

She said she didn't need anything and that she was happy I stopped by. Someone had already brought her some pizza.

Please pray for Lisa and Terrell's situations.

Shalom,

Kim

What does easter mean to you?

Unless We Too Have Risen : C. F. Blumhardt "So many people claim to believe in the Resurrection, and yet it means so little to them. It has no effect in their lives. It is not enough to celebrate Easter and say, that Christ is risen! Indeed, it is useless to proclaim it at all, unless at the same time we can say that we too have risen. The long passage of time has brought with it a temptation to keep on speaking about Good Friday without being moved by it. We hear about Christ's death, and we sit there bored, as if we were reading a newspaper. In fact, we would find a newspaper a good deal more interesting."

Kitsa and me: photo by michael

Posted by: kimthanh

Many may already know we were given a cat. Her name is technically Kitsa now, but I was in such a rush to get a name tag for her that I ended up going with Pumpkin, as we both had talked about, though not truly confirmed in Michael's mind. Well, come to find out once I put the name tag on her, I soon began calling her Kitsa. Why? I really don't know but it ended up just matching who she is. So, now I will someday have to return to have a new name tag made with her correct name. She responds very well to Kitsa, but never to Pumpkin. So if she were lost out in the wide world, she wouldn't know her name was Pumpkin. Poor thing.

And on another note, being a childlless couple at this time, I have fortunately become quite attached to her. Though I always claimed I was a dog lover, not cats. Well, I was pondering mine and Kitsa's relationship the other day and soon realized how easy it is for couples to begin treating their pets as their children. Of course, I used to scoff at this idea. Well, the day has come and I would say I'm pretty close but not quite there with her in that way. But I could simply be kidding myself. It wouldn't be the first time. Ha! Ha!

Cabo pelican: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

Cabo has many pelicans roosting and flying everywhere. It seems they see great opportunities because of the continued enclave of cruise tourists weekly, as well as the non-cruising tourists.

This was the only one perched on these boats that were tied up close from the ramp in which we were exiting the cruiseship.

Puerta Vallarta Jungle Snack: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

To reach the destination where we ate this amazing and delicious 'snack', we took a bus ride and then we hiked a rather mild route through the dense jungle, crossed a great water hole, then to the hideaway restaurant with a great swimming hole with rock slide and rocks to jump from.

The food was sooo fresh, tasty and the best fish I had ever eaten and it was cheap! The salsa was hot, and a cold coka cola was available for our american palette.

Since my trip to Paris, France with my parents and one sister, Carrie, I have been taking photos of my meals. Some find it funny that I would photograph a dish or my meal, but often times it's because I just want to remember what it was I ate in those amazing restaurants, patisseries or street markets. And often times I have found that the dishes end up being so perfect as a subject to photograph.

Just the textures, the colors, the drinks, the utensils and plates only enhance the still life.

Food is a wonderful thing!

Bon Appetit!

I'm a purist

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I hope you are enjoying the writings and the photos. If you wish to use any of my photos, I ask that you send me a comment or email me with your request.

I don't mean to sound protective, but being only an amateur photographer, I feel I need to keep them under lock and key. Perhaps when I become a professional (cough, cough) then I will share my photos for free.

Until then just let me know if you have any requests for my photos and I would be very happy to pass them on to you.

One thing you may not know about me is that I am a purist. I struggle with photographers cropping their photos, particularly the professionals. What you see is what I took. What cropping has been done has been VERY minute. I am a believer of taking exactly what I took. Of course, sometimes I will not get the exact photo I thought I had, but I ALWAYS strive to take what I have observed. So, what photos you see on my blog are originals and taken how I saw them.

I hope you will continue to enjoy them and my writings.

Please let me know if you have suggestions to make it even better. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thank you for visiting and your support.

Enjoy!

Shalom,

Kim

Emerald Bay: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

Tahoe is a very special place for me because I had the great opportunity to work for one of the State Parks, D.L. Bliss, on the West Shore of Tahoe, for five consecutive summers. I was a park aid and LOVED it. Besides, the outdoors is one of my ways of connecting with who I am, and with god, there was no better place for me than this area called the Lake of the Sky.

Emerald Bay, in particular, is very special to me because it is where Michael proposed to me 14 and a half years ago. Actually we were on another area of the bay called Eagle Falls. So, this June, we will have been married 14 years.

And so, Tahoe has become our place to play, camp and relax.

Sailing Cabo: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

This day out on the ocean was so magnificent! The sky was cloudless, the air was warm, but cool enough when on the water.

Lots of photos were taken out on the catamaran, but this is one particular photo I liked.

Local Cabo Woman: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

I love this photo. This was taken on our way back to the cruise ship in Cabo. She is not the original local that I wanted to photograph, but we were in a hurry, I guess, when we passed by this really amazing, and apple doll-faced local. I was convinced by the others that we could get her photo on our way back to the ship, but as it turned out she wasn't at the port by the time we returned later that day. I was so disappointed but then this little local was walking passed us and I HAD to stop and get her photo.

I had to pay to take her photo, but she and the few she was in company with only wanted a dollar. So snap away I went and this is what I got. I just think she is adorable.

Fort Point: photo by kim

Posted by: kimthanh

This was a fun day and knowing I got a great picture of the bridge just sweetened it even more.

Fort Point was closing for the day at this point and I wanted to be sure I got some good shots in before we drove away.

Running Feet: photo by kim

Running Feet
Originally uploaded by kim thanh.

I captured only the bottom half of this child running because it is what seemed to connect him and me.

It was as if I was catching a glimpse of myself running along in the ocean water.

Its image speaks of being so carefree and days of such glorious innocence.

For the love of reading

I don't remember quite when I really 'decided' that I enjoyed reading for readings sake. But I know that I have my mom to thank in that area. She always allowed us to read a half hour in bed before we had to turn out the lights. Since I have had my health problems, this has allowed me the unguilty pleasure of going to the library or to Barnes and Noble's bargain section and picking up books galore!

The list on this blog site is only a smidgeon of what I've read this past year. But I had forgotten to write out my list in the early part of the year, so I can't remember all that have passed through my fingers at this time. But I have enjoyed a wide variety of topics. I definitely am a reader of autobiographies, memoirs and non-fiction. I enjoy some fiction, mostly the classics, but I tend to reach for non-fiction as I like to peer into other's lives and see what has made that author who she or he is.

But I also have been able to explore more books on cultures, history, specific people groups, as well as rereading some of the classics that I haven't picked up in years. Grapes of Wrath just won me over once again. Steinbeck's writing just evokes an inner light that melts with my heart strings. I just finished Animal Farm last night. I had not read it since high school and reread it with new and experienced eyes and mind. That was a great and quick read. If you haven't picked up the book, Blindness, by Jose Saragamo you are missing out. He is a Nobel Prize author and I can see why. In truth, I thought the book was bit hard to read initially, as I had to be sure to catch all the characters, nuances, and literary language. But it didn't take long for me to appreciate the magnitude of the book and the essence of it's meaning. This is one book that I read very slowly so that I could really savor all that was being written.

Schindler's List is one I had yet to read but I am so glad I did. The movie was great don't get me wrong, but reading word for word the heartbreak, the pain, the stigma, the corruption, the incomprehensible era of our times just doesn't get any better. The literary journey is just a gift for me. I love being invoked, evoked, provoked and filled with the words of other's minds, lives, experiences and personalities.

My next book, now that I've just finished Anne Lamott's newest release, Plan B Further Thoughts on Faith, is Jose Saragamo's Journey to Portugal. Anne Lamott is a must read author. I really enjoy her humor, her authenticity and style of writing. Her new book can be found at Barnes and Noble for 30% off the retail price plus % 10 more if you're a member of B&N. Pick it up today!

So, what have you read lately or in the past? Anything that you would recommend? I would love to know. I am so excited. I have a handful of books that I picked up for a dollar each, somewhere and soon look forward to being captivated by each of them.

If you look on this sight where and click on Nobel Prize-it will take you to their sight for some educational information, as well as NP authors. There you can find who they are and what they have written, and pick up one of their books for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

May you find the joy of reading in whatever form. Just be sure to keep reading to help stimulate the mind and gain new literary experiences.

Shalom,

Kim

We're not much different than the 'Animal Farm'

"'Comrades!' he cried. 'You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proven by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back! Yes, Jones would come back!....surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?'" An excerpt taken from Animal Farm by George Orwell

I felt this passage carries on the idea of America being the land of the free, the keeper of the pot of gold, and yet we have made some grave mistakes in how we use our resources and 'feeding' ourselves first, in order to be the givers that look good, while the rest of the world awaits for America to 'save' them because that is the kind of precedent we have set and continue to play out. Our ego is as huge as our errors.

god continues to bless america despite it's egocentricism.

thank god for grace.

shalom,

kim

Labyrinth of Life

May a candle be lit for every life that lives in want of food, shelter, affection, medicine, clothing, reprieve from their current conditions, a warm body, love, dignity and acknowledgment.

May their light within never be extinguished because of a lack of such things.

Those in want somehow find joy and faith while those of us with much are searching for meaning.

written: 3.2.05

Shalom,

Kim

Tahoe Pine: photo by kim

Tahoe Pine
Originally uploaded by kim thanh.

Oh, I wish I were in Tahoe right now! 'Tis home to me by far. I just love the smell of the pines, the mountain air, swimming in the Lake, sitting around a campfire-taking in the smell, the flicker and the fanning of the crackling flames. I love snuggling with my hubby in our shelter-far from the mosquitos and June bugs.

The morning air and dusk are absolutely my favorite times of the day when in Tahoe. I remember one summer (of many) when I went hiking on one of the trails by myself, and a thunder storm welcomed me as I approached the edge of the woods. I heard the crackling of the thunder clap, I inhaled the smell of the moisture, and welcomed the rain that came pouring down. I was naive to be out on the trail by myself and had not told a soul I of my where abouts, but I knew that nothing, nothing could happen to me at that moment, as I felt the presence of god joining me in the incredible show of a mountain thunderstorm. The pinetrees welcomed the droplets, the golden mantle squirrels scurried to find their shelter, the pine needles underfoot softened my rumbling footsteps as I ran through the woods toward the water's edge, to observe the storm crossing over the Lake from one end to the other. It was amazing and beautiful.

'Tis my home by far and yet I am only able to visit this place I love so once (or maybe twice) a year, but always feeling the same, in love and one with this incredible beauty called Lake Tahoe.

Save Lake Tahoe. Save one of California's most precious destinations for all.

Baby, The Rain Must Fall

I am a true lover of the falling rain. The rain breathes life in all things. It breeds mosquitos that help make up the feel of summer (though I could do without), the rain speaks of loves lost and loves gained, it wreaks havoc on those who forget how to drive when the roads are slick, it drowns out the sound of the frogs who are enthralled with the downpour of a winters rain, the rain delays tennis matches, delays baseball games, makes parents think their children will catch a cold by playing in the rain or jumping in the puddles, the falling of the rain creates a an orchestra of beautiful music whether it hits the siding of your house, the speeding of the windshield, the tin siding of your outdoor storage shed, or the toys you forgot to bring in before it began to rain.

The rain makes me think of countries that so desperately need it for production of food and survival, the rain makes me think of the monsoons that destroy year after year those in its path, the rain makes me think of how amazing the idea of moisture, that turns in to water droplets that come from a darkened sky or sometimes comes down through a sky bespeckled by the sun shining through the clouds, and yet I think we take for granted the very essence of what the rain really evokes in the cycle of life, despite all of it's downfalls (no pun intended here).

So whether you love it or hate or prefer the blazing sun, we could never do without it regardless.

Cayucos Wave Out: photo by kim

Wave Out
Originally uploaded by kim thanh.

The beauty of the ocean in 3-D. It has an amazing smell, the feel of the wave on your feet, the tassling of your hair and upon your face of the windswept salty air, the sand beneath your feet-getting caught bewteen the toes, the sound of the waves crashing, along with the sound of the wind passing by your ears, and finally the abundant life below the foaming liquid with great mystery and pure inspiration, in order for us to grasp understanding. I love how you don't need 3-D glasses to experience and observe up close and personal the beauty of this natural phenomenon.

In observing the amazing crashing of the waves-landing on shore and then return back out to sea, have you ever stopped to observe the sheen, and the life that gets left behind once the wave has gone back out? I wanted to see what I would capture as the wave return back to the sea and this is what I captured.

Moving on from a tomboy

Well, at the age of 37 I still get the question of what year in high school am I. Quite a compliment I might say! Though the years, the sun and life have added years to my once supple and unblemished skin. The crows feet have landed when I smile these days, and I have now begun to wear foundation, to cover the uneven tones now clearly visible to the naked eye.

Gone now are the days of my tomboyish charm to only now be replaced by a somewhat womanly way of thinking - floral patterns, the color pink, regular appointments at the hair salon, limiting my days of grandma underroos (though no thongs, thank you), more conscious about 'looking good' out in public (though haven't quite made it to actually doing it on a regular basis just yet), carrying a purse instead of a backpack, purchasing a little coin purse with my first name initial, and actually carrying myself a bit more like a lady than a tomboy, meaning sitting with my legs crossed or tucked in more often then spread eagle.

Gone are the days of my need for climbing places of great heights, needing to act like 'one of the boys', having less and less males as friends (which perplexes me somewhat), desiring to wear boxy t'shirts, wanting a man's figure and not what I have, wanting to have been born a boy but now realizing that I just need to embrace what little feminity I do have and let it shine through in all its glory. Thank goodness my husband loves me regardless!

Who knew I'd be having this sort of identity crisis? I thought I would be able to have the best of both worlds but soon realized the two worlds crash and are not capable of coinciding with one another in true harmony. Whatever that means...
But I'm needing to finally take it like a woman and allow myself to become the woman that I am and was made to be. It should be interesting as time goes by.

Gone are the days of excuses for doing extreme and stupid things (jumping off roof tops, off tops of trees, skiing down the Black Diamond slopes instead of the Blue Diamond slopes I was actually rated for). There's a loss of innocence, loss of reason to hang out with 'the guys', loss of the impish tomboyish grin and twinkle of the eye. Now only to be replaced by the feminine allure of my girlish grin and coyish posture.

Ode to thy tomboyish ways. To ye with thy tassled hair, dirty hands, skinned knees, and freedom of spirit. Thy ways have received the whirling of winds, the crackling of thy leaves under thine's footing, The trees awaited for thee to be climbed, hugged, and to be thy source of thy foundation from the ground ye below. Ode to thy tomboyish ways, thee sun shined on thy days and the moon brightened the start of dusk as thee roamed from here to there. Ode to the days of old, but may thee sun shine even brighter to thy new ways and look thee back with a gush of thine's satisfaction.

Moving on as a woman...

Cayucos Beach Bird: photo by kim

Beach Bird
Originally uploaded by kim thanh.

Some times it's the simplest of beauty that can take your breath away. And often times these are just fleeting moments. To capture such a moment was truly a blessing.

Local Cayucos Fisherman: photo by kim

Local Fisherman
Originally uploaded by kim thanh.

Too many times we walk past someone or something that could have a story or simply be of a moment's interest. I asked to take this fisherman's photo because I just thought he was so cute, and through my eyes, had great portrait appeal. I also found out, by talking with him that he was a local fisherman and a Philippino. I could have simply walked past him, but I am so glad I didn't. He made my day in many ways.