© kaishin chu 2008

It’s now the beginning of May, and the weather is beautiful here in Zhuhai, though usually dry. Last year this time there was the definitely feel of tropic weather, as typhoons and rainstorms hit every couple of weeks.

The last 2 weeks it’s been dry and sunny, minus the two days of drizzle we got, which was very much needed. On most days, as I sit our patio and do work, I breath in the fresher air of spring – it’s not quite as dry and dusty or polluted as fall/winter, due to the more moist air or rains in other parts to clean out the air – I notice that I miss something that is so quintessential in my memories of spring: crisp air and the sight of snowy petals of Sakura, the Cherry tree’s blossoms. Having mostly grown up in Vancouver, I like many others, have been blessed with the many varieties of Sakura. I always found it a wonder of such beauty when time came for the petals to fall, as each light breeze sweeps through a street, catching delicate petals of white or pink and they flutter through the air, landing like delicate buttterflies of my imagination. The gathering of the petals on the ground are beautiful too, light pink mounds build, like snow drifts would. There sometimes would be slight hints of it’s fragrance in the wind, if you are lucky.

© kaishin chu 2007

It’s funny and such is life, that you miss what you don’t or can’t have. I have an abundance of other amazing tropical flora here, such as the beautifully frangranced Plumeria/Frangipani, in bright fuchsia or cream, but I miss the Sakura still, because I’m used to it physically and emotionally, and the beauty that cannot be beat.

"Twirl' - kaishin chu © 2008

This was my favorite shot from the photo tours I was recently on, this one from the trip to New Yuan Ming Yuan in Zhuhai (park with a smaller version replica of the Summer Palace in Beijing). The motion, the colours, the beauty & grace of girl in the foreground… it was mesmorizing to watch them do their performance. It somehow made me think of Moulin Rouge…

Sorry for missing last week’s 8 Thoughts or Things post, it was a busy one. Most of it due was to processing through photo images taken during two photo tours and looking at apartments (another story for another time). They were tours organized by the condo developers that built the units we live in, along with local gov’t dept. of Tourism, mobile co., and local news agencies. All targeted at foreigners or expats here in Zhuhai, to showcase Zhuhai and a publicity event for them.  Foreigners still make big news here in Zhuhai. People still take photos of you if you’re not Asian looking… so while the new crews joins us on the trips, most foreigners are photographed all the time in return for the free tour and insight into some of the tourism highlights of Zhuhai, and the possibility to win a prize for best photo. Decent trade off I think, as long as they follow through with their promises.  As the ending to this particular competition, tonight was the awards banquet, and to my surprise, four of my photos were chosen in the final 15, and one made the final cut and won 2nd prize!! I was called up on stage to do the publicity stuff, (which was amusing) the big plaque and photos galore along with news crew, and then interviews after. It wasn’t till 10 min later that I could look at closely as to what exactly I won… A trip for two to Hunan’s ancient town, Feng Huang Town!! Wow, I still can’t believe it! Yay!

'contemplation' - kaishin chu © 2008

Part of me is still skeptical, but it will sink in once I go claim the prize and book the trip time at the travel agency, I’m sure :)

Wow! I’m absolutely delighted and elated that an online kitchen/cooking knowlegde site named, ‘Apartment Therapy – The Kitchn‘ blogged with my photo and gave mention to my food blog :)

Click on the image, should you want to check out the web page itself :)

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/good-questions/good-question-what-does-short-mean-in-a-recipe-050169

A few months ago, I found this great site where I could sell my photography as prints or framed pieces of art. I finally have it set up to test the waters, to see if there would be any interest in my photographs.

I would love for any of your feedback, and if you should like it, please let friends and family know about it, especially with the Holiday gift giving season coming soon. Your support is much appreciated!

http://kaishin.imagekind.com/