Xeriscape, 2/21/15

Xeriscape? In Halawa there is a Xeriscape Garden - according to the dictionary: a landscaping method developed especially for arid and semiarid climates that utilizes water-conserving techniques.

I wish I had brought my tripod - it was a challenge without it since it was windy. Good friends made the day fun: Milton S., Derek and Dewey.

Lunch at Aiea Bowl was enjoyed by all as we had their famous oxtail soup. I will have to go back for their scrumptious desserts.

One Hundred Years - Remarkable

It was a joy to celebrate my friend's father's 100th birthday. I marvel his wittiness!!!

Honolulu City Lights, 12/28/14

Each year since 1985, our City Hall is adorned with Christmas decorations on its lawn as well as inside. Shun Wah and I saw the following two before meeting up with Erick. 

Notice the number 30 on the cake and the Christmas ornament that shows 1985. We look forward to what the City Hall has in store for us. As you can see, cake is one of the decorations. 

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, local style never changes but some of the decorations in the water does. 

The eternal flame is a reminder of September 11, 2001 - the plaque reads:

"Let this eternal flame unite our country in memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and honor the brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to save others.  The love and spirit of our grateful nation, and the hearts and prayers of our people will always be with them" 

Inside - I only got 3 photos - there were tons of people and the trees were awesome. Yes there was Elsa and adorable Olaf from "Frozen".

I give credit to Minori, I had seen some of her photos and I also wanted this view of the "tree".

This photo is different from Minori's, she was able to get the Christmas lights in the foreground in focus. She is an awesome photographer.

I hope if you have not seen this place that you get to - these photos are just a small example of what is there. I wanted to photograph the Christmas lights on the trees along the street but guess who was hungry.

We enjoyed actually overate at Assaggio. That was fun Shun Wah and Erick!!!

Wow, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. May I wish everyone a wonderful and healthy 2015!!!

Black and White 5 Day Challenge, 11/15-19/14, How to Cook a Turkey

Facebook friends started this challenge; Erick Tsukiyama invited Shun Wah Wong and me to participate.

Here are mine.

Day 1: Honolulu Museum of Art

Day 2: Honolulu Museum of Art
Not sure if you can tell what this is. The stone fountain is round and the top is scalloped. The background is a turquoise tiled wall. It is in the Mediterranean courtyard.

Day 3: Honolulu Museum of Art.
I like how the Museum lit Masayuki Nagare's "Sakimori" (Frontier Guardian) made of black granite, 1989.

Day 4:

Day 5: These 2 leafs are actually from the same plant. The one in the background is green while the other one is red. Therefore each leaf has both colors.

I saw this on Facebook. Enjoy and I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

Farewell Aunty, 9/30/14

With permission, I am sharing a beautiful day at the Elks' Kumulokahi Canoe Club to bid farewell to my Aunty. She was the youngest of my dad's eight siblings. She was also 102 years old. I will always remember her artistic talent and wittiness to name a few. Along with my photos and clips, Suanne and Dianne made this video possible. 

Blue Angels - Spectacular, 9/27/14

Milton S, Derek and Stephen and I enjoyed the challenge of photographing this air show. 

Before it began, we noticed this beautiful low rainbow gracing the mountains.

The Blue Angels have 6 planes. Four of them are usually together.

Number 5 usually flies upside down. But the number is written so that it can look correct either way.

I think Number 6 also does special maneuvers.

Upside down? Yup!

I barely got this criss crossing.  They were zooming by so quickly.

Definitely a challenge with our own agility to capture them. I would like to share more but I think this shows how precise and quick these flyers were. Awesome!!!

Nanjing Youth Olympics 2014

My friend Milton C. and I are so amazed with this video - opening performance of the Nanjing Youth Olympics 2014: 500 gymnasts dancing in the sky