NEW YEAR'S EVE PAINTING

"Forgetting what is behind..... I press on toward the goal to....which God has called me."- ( Phil. 3:13)

I am reposting my New Year's Eve article from last year. Many of you have not seen it and here's another chance for those who missed it. This year 2009 is a very challenging year. I started editing my autobiography this year and worked on about a dozen paintings but didn't fiinh them.

With my husband's sudden early retirement, we packed up our things in the storage and decided to move to the beautiful city of San Diego. On 2010, after our trip to the Philippines on February and Asian cruise on March, hopefully I will be able to pursue my art goals which was on hold for many months now.

NEW BEGINNING The old year 2008 was a good year for me. An extremely busy artistic year. I am very happy to have accomplished my first solo art show last September 27, 2008. This new year 2009,I will try to complete my "Studio 65." Getting there will make this another challenging year. I will be focusing more on my art goal and may not have lots of time to blog and and visit other blogs.

TITLE: "NEW YEAR'S EVE AND NEW BEGINNING"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: $8" X 30"
DESCRIPTION: (PAINTED IN 2008)
Another oil painting from my solo art show last year. Here's a short story behind the scene. New Year's Eve in the Philippines is celebrated with lots of noise and fire crackers like America's Fourth of July. We also have what we called "Media Noche" (midnight dinner). Here in United States, it's celebrated with lots of spirits ( wine, beer and champagne) and finger foods. We like to add Filipino flavors like lumpia Shainghai ( small meat rolls), chicharon (pork crackling) and fried squid. I painted my "ideal" New Year's Eve celebration at home. It's a beautiful "seafood Feast" with lots of fresh oysters, jumbo shrimps cocktails, crab legs, clams, mussels, etc. This is a healthy and elegant New Year's Eve feast with lots of veggies, fruits and salad too.

NEW YEAR 2009 With the holidays nearly behind us, many are looking ahead into 2010. It's hard not to be a little afraid. Things still look a little glumm with our bad economy. But somehow, we should be optimistic and hope that a good change is about to come. We must be innovative, creative and willing to take risks this new year. We must have lots of faith. It is faith in God that helped me achieved my art goals last 2008. This new year I will continue to trust God for my future. If you believe, like I do, that the turning of the new beginning is a cause for celebration and welcoming change.
"HAPPY NEW TO ALL! MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING YOU GOOD HEALTH AND MORE WEALTH."

CHRISTMAS PAINTING

"JOY to the world the Lord is come......" Christmas song

CHRISTMAS DAY Is celebrated around the world differently. In my former homeland, the Philippines, we call CHRISTMAS "PASKO." We say both "Merry Christmas" and "Maligayang Pasko." Although I live most of my life here in the United States and spent more Christmases here, I still have good memories of past Christmases in the Philippines. I have been away from my homeland for about forty years but our Americanized-Filipino family Christmas celebration hasn't lost it's Filipino flavor. We learned to adopt the good things from our beloved America and cherished old traditions from our heritage and homeland. By having bi-cultural influences our Christmas celebration is enriched with different flavors and traditions.

"CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: 48" x 30"
PAINTED IN 2008
DESCRIPTION: This is another painting I did for my art show. Here's my short story behind the painting. One of our greatest blessing when our family immigrated to the United States was having our big family together at Christmas time. There were only a few years of separation from one another, and we were all united. Being in a foreign country, we were happy and secure to have our family together. It's difficult to be happy at Christmas time when one has loved ones left behind in the Philippines. In California, Christmas feels warm compared to other states that have snow and dreams of a white Christmas. Our family continues to celebrate Christmas with abundant and traditional Filipino food, but also added American flavors, like shrimp cocktails, champagne, wine, fresh green salad, pasta salad, cookies, pies, rolls, cakes and more. Traditionally, a rich Filipino Christmas has lechon (roasted whole pork), pancit palabok (noodles). embotido, morcon, fresh lumpia, paella, camaron rebosado (shrimp) and more. Desserts are favorites like leche flan. brazo de mercedes, sweet ube, etc. Because America is
a very rich country, part of our festive celebration is having huge, fresh, ever green pine Christmas tree with countless of adoring ornaments and overwhelming presents surrounding them.
"Wishing You All A "Merry Christmas" or ("Maligayang Pasko").

CHRISTMAS EVE PAINTING

"May all your Christmases be MERRY and BRIGHT.....'' From a Christmas song

In past years, I would already have adrressed my Christmas cards and will be mailing them soon. But this is a different year for me. With my husband's early retirement last August, we decided to move to the beautiful city of San Diego. Been extrememly busy months for us. So instead I am re-posting an article that I wrote last Decemeber 2008. I feel the message still rings true today.

CHRISTMAS EVE Is just few weeks away. I am getting excited as I see our neighborhood dazzling brighter every night with myriads of multi-colored Christmas lights. Christmas time is the happiest and merriest of the holidays, not only in my former country, the Philippines, but in America as well. For Filipinos, Christmas celebration is not complete without celebrating Christmas Eve too. It is an important part of our Christmas celebrations and cultures. Christmas Eve is also about caring families, comfort food, caroling and chit-chat. The night before Christmas, our family attend church services. Then, we have a big get- together with other members of the family we will not see on Christmas Day. Sometimes others open their Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, but our family opens our presents on Christmas morning. The Christmas Eve celebration is almost as abundant and festive as Christmas Day. So the feasting called "Noche Buena" actually starts the night before and continues till Christmas Day.

TITLE: "CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS EVE"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS
SIZE: 48" x 30"
PAINTED IN 2008
DESCRIPTION: This is one of my oil paintings shown during my solo art show last September 2008. This is a typical Filipino-American Christmas Eve celebration in California, with abundant food, parol (lanterns), Christmas tree, caroling, merry-making, glowing fireplace and aromatic candles. Food is always an important part of the festive celebration. Let me describe what food I painted:
1. First Row (half round table)- Pot of arroz caldo ( chicken soup) and fried chicken w/ asparagus.
2. Small round table -Assorted fresh grapes in different colors and an apple.
3. Middle Table- Grilled pusit (squid) and camarron rebosado (shrimps) with lemons.
4. Right rectangular table- Huge platters of morcon and paella.
5. Left top table- Desserts such as banana cupckes, ube cake, bowl of candy cane, apple topiary and keso de bola (edam cheese).

CHRISTMAS SEASON Is not only a time for enjoying lots of favorite food but "spiritual food" as well. Let us not forget that JESUS is the reason for the season. SOON............ it will be Christmas Day.......!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Hello to my family, friends and viewers! I am back after a long absence. Since I moved to the city of San Diego, I have not updated my blog. When one is extremely busy moving and then traveling a lot, there is not enough time & energy to blog. I am re-posting something I wrote a year ago and hopefully it's more interesting to read the second time around.
"Christmas is a time of joy, not because of gifts and toys, but because Jesus came ......"-Anonymous

RELIVING CHRISTMAS CHILDHOOD#1 Isn't the best thing about the holiday season reliving our childhood? I first heard the above Christmas song when my first son Rodney was going to elementary school at Faith Baptist School in Canoga Park, California. This son is now in his thirties, but I still remember this simple song vividly. As we count the days to the merriest time of the year, let's remember that Christmas is a time of joy. This song reminds us that Christmas is a joyful time because of Jesus, who's birthday we celebrate.
RELIVING CHRISTMAS CHILDHOOD#2 While growing up in the Philippines I was fascinated with a movie named "White Christmas," a song depicting Christmas in the United States, with lovely white snow scenes and beautiful carols. I was twenty seven years old when I immigrated to the U.S. I live in Southern California most of my life, which do not have four seasons. If we like to see real snow , we take a trip to the mountains. Southern California is a man-made city that dazzles with genuine-fake stuffs, entertainment centers, and amusement parks . With it's proximity to Hollywood and other movie studios this city sizzles with numerous creative and imaginative minds. A trip to Disneyland during Christmas time will fill our imaginations to the fullest. They make incredible snows, more whiter, purer and truer than the real snow, with computerized technology. Many times a trip to Disneyland or Universal Studios are more enjoyable than making a hassled journey to Snowland.

"SNOW AND SHRIMPS SINIGANG" During my recent solo art show, I raffled away the above oil painting. This is the only snow scene I have painted so far. I believed in technology but when it comes to real painting, I am old-fashioned and used oil paint and brushes to create my art works. This window scene with mountains covered with snows was inspired by a past trip to Lake Tahoe in California. In front I painted a simple Filipino dish called "Sinigang." This dish can be cooked using fish, pork or beef but my favorite is the jumbo shrimp. This dish is good to eat when the weather is very cold, gloomy or freezing. The warm dish will comfort and replenish you not only your soul and heart but your tummy too. It's simple to cook. Here's my version in 5 steps:
1. Put about 2 cups water on a medium pot.
2. Add few tablespoons of lemon juice, diced tomatoes and a green chili.
3. Bring to boil and then put about 6 pieces of jumbo shrimps.
4. When the shrimps turn pink add some fresh green beans and bok choy.
5. Don't overcook and serve warm.
TIPS: I like to serve this delicious and piping hot dish on an orange native pot like the one on the painting over a colorful table cloth. I eat it with a bowl of cooked white rice and sprinkle a little patis (fish sauce) on the shrimps for a dazzling taste. I will be cooking this dish many times this cold holiday season. The secret to good cooking, is doing it from your heart.

WINNER OF THE OIL PAINTING The lucky guest during my art show was our next door neighbor, Mary. She and John (her husband) posed for this photo. They loved snow scene and were very happy to win my painting. Mary is an American and probably have never tasted shrimps sinigang. Anyway, she can still enjoy the dish by looking at my painting.

ARTFUL COOK BOOK

"Cooking is an art and patience a virtue... Careful shopping, fresh ingredients and an unhurried approach are nearly all you need. There is one more thing - love. Love for food and love for those you invite to your table. With a combination of these things you can be an artist - not perhaps in the representational style of a Dutch master, but rather more like Gauguin, the naïve, or Van Gogh, the impressionist. Plates or pictures of sunshine taste of happiness and love." -Keith Floyd, A Feast of Floyd
"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”- Julia Child

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Due to popular demand I am re-posting my blog about the"Global Filipino Cuisine." Thanks to every one who supported this cookbook project.TITLE OF PAINTING: "THANKSGIVING -PINOY STYLE"SIZE: 30" x 38"
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS

DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE PAINTING: This is one of my brand new paintings on display during my past art show last September 2008. I always believe that a family that eats and prays together stays together. Thanksgiving Day among Filipino families in America is celebrated with abundant food. While Americans typically enjoy a roasted turkey with all the trimmings, plus salad and pumpkin pie for dessert, Filipino families are not content with just having the turkey. They prepare turkey with all the trimmings, plus many more Filipino food-like fried lumpia, pancit (noodles), and native vegetables. Dessert is not just pumpkin pie. There are fresh fruits, fruit salad, cassava cakes, and leche flan. That's Thanksgiving celebration with Filipino style. I love vibrant Thanksgiving palette that abounds in the myriad autumn leaves color at this season of the year, which come in yellow, orange, pumpkin, red, burgundy, sienna, ochre,and brown. Last November, 2008, I donated this oil painting to KCS-KALUSUGAN COMMUNITY SERVICES of San Diego, California. It was their 6th anniversary celebration. This non-profit health organization was founded by my sister, Dr. Ofelia V. Dirige and his friend Dr. Riz Oades. The mission of KCS is to promote health and improve the quality of life among Filipinos and Fil-Americans by promoting and advocating positive changes in lifestyle through shared community involvement and respect for regional diversity, traditional values and belief systems. KCS, formerly Project Kalusugan was established in 1992 for the purpose of developing a coalition and conducting a health needs assessment. If you like to know more about this group please check out their website: http://www.webkalusugan.org/

The above painting is featured on the cover page of their 6th anniversary souvenir program. And recently on the latest KSC cookbook. BOOK LAUNCHING: Lately Kalusugan Community Services came out with a cookbook called "Global Filipino Cuisine." It's a very colorful cook book with my "Thanksgiving- Pinoy Style" oil painting on the cover. The book was launched last August 15,2009 at the Jacob Center Celebration Hall in San Diego, California. The event was called "Extravaganza III." We feasted on many Filipino American dishes. There were food demonstrations by executive chefs. Also colorful folk dance entertainment. The book launch was a success. The proceed from the sales of the book will go toward the many programs initiated by KCS. It's currently for sale at $25.00 plus $5.00 shipping.
This is the photo of my beautiful grand daughter Audrey and me with the cookbook. Filipino cuisine is a blend of traditional, native cooking, and the best of foreign culinary practices. It has its niche in the current trend of globalization, hence the title of this book. the tasty recipes in the 200-paged cookbook were modified to be healthy-lower in fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar. Unlike most recipe books, its unique feature is the analysis of selected nutrients and food components based on the USDA Database, as well as a simpler method using the 2008 Diet Exchanges by the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association.

THE ARTIST (Ebb Tide- right photo) and her husband, Rhod. My husband and I always believed in the mission of KCS. Over the years, we are actively involve and financially supported the organization, although we live in Valencia, Santa Clarita.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Dr. Ofelia V. Dirige (the woman in the middle-left photo) is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the KCS Fil-Am Wellness Center. She obtained her B.S major in Nutrition dietetics from the University of the Philippines (UP). She came to the US in 1966 and obtained her MS in Nutrition from the University of Hawaii through the East-West center grant and DrPH from University of California Los Angeles. She has worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; and taught at the UH School of public Health and San Diego State University (SDSU) Graduate School of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health division. She currently teaches at SDSU Center for Asian Studies; is also a registered Dietician (RD). She is a recipient of numerous awards for research and outstanding community services. Dr. Riz A. Oades (right side of the photo) is the Founder and Director of Kalusugan Community Services. He's also History Professor at SDSU, Community Leader, Newspaper Columnist. He has written a number of books, monographs and over 600 newspaper and scholarly journal articles that covered varied subjects on Asian and Filipino-American cultures, society, history, public health and politics. He also runs columns in the Asian Journal. He has been a recipient of numerous outstanding awards- the latest is Asian Heritage Society's 2008 "Outstanding Community Service Award." The other co-author is Dr. Aurora Cudal (not in photo). She is a KCS's staff member whose line of work is resource development specialist and public relations.

GRAND SON- SIMON RESELLA
GRAND DAUGHTER-AUDREY RESELA
My joy and inspiration as an artist.

MORE ABOUT THE COOKBOOK: The cook book contains not only tested Filipino recipes and color and black photos that bring to life the ingredients, dishes and regional groups of Filipinos worldwide. It is rich in cultural nuances and nowhere else can you find such a simple and accessible resource of current and time honored Filipino cuisine. Also the cookbook contains 4 of the my latest oil paintings. One on the cover and 3 more inside. The copies of my oil paintings alone is worth the prize of the cook book. Besides your generous check will help toward the KCS healthy projects.

If you're interested to order the book please write your check to:

KALUSUGAN COMMUNITY SERVICES
COST: $25.00
Shipping & handling $5.00 per book.
Please mail it to the artist:
Evelyne D. Resella
27371 Parklane Way
Valencia, Ca. 91354

PHOTOGRAPHIC GEMS

"Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art. "- Ansel Adams

"One of the joys of photography is that you never know what will come at you from around the next corner."- Tom Ang
"It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You need less imagination to be a painter because you can invent things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary."- David Bailey

VIEW OF MANHATTAN (NYC)-This is my only photo of Manhattan taken from the Queen Mary 2 during our past cruise last July 4th, 2009. I took this photo from the QM2 ship, under the spiral stair, going up to the upper deck. Lately, my paintbrushes are taking a break. So I am posting photos taken during summer vacation . My life took a sudden pathway that I didn't expect. I have been extremely busy packing and sorting our things due to change of event. Three weeks ago, my husband took a forced early retirement by the company. The company is downsizing. With that tough decision, we also decided to move to the beautiful city of San Diego. We always wanted to move there when my husband retires but didn't expect it to happen sooner. Why San Diego? To be closer to my family. I have 3 sisters and a brother living there. It's close to the beach. The weather is temperate, and more. It's been 3 weeks now since I started doing the boring job of packing and sorting our things. Lots of things have to go as we wanted to move light. The keepers of course are my truck loads of oil paintings. I spent hours wrapping them carefully for the long haul. San Diego is a big city and have many art galleries. I hope my art career will continue to thrive there.

VERRAZANO NARROW BRIDGE NEW YORK- This is one of my husband's photo of the bridge. Taken when the QM2 passed under this beautiful bridge as we left NYC. Life is like a jouney. You never know what you'll see along the way.

LABOR DAY PROJECT 2009: Although my oil paint brushes are packed away, our large paint brushes for painting our house interior weren't. My husband and I tackled the big job of repainting our house last Labor Day wek-end. We wanted to leave the house to my son Ryan and daughter Joy, like it's brand new. We did a beautiful painting job. Then last Tuesday, we had a new carpet installed. Now the house looks messy but smelled brand new. Now, I don't feel like leaving this house. But we wanted to move forward and experience and live in a new place. In the days to come I will not be able to post as often as before because moving keeps me extremely busy. Thanks to all my viewers and friends who supported my blog all these years.

REMEMBERING A FRIEND

"Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life."- Charles H. Spurgeon
TITLE: "A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY DAY"
SIZE: 12" x 20"- MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS

This painting is about a typical country side setting in the Philippines. The road is unpaved and muddy. Sometimes wet. The common transportation is a wagon wheel pulled by a carabao. In the background are typical nipa huts ,blue skies and NO smog.

RHODA AND EBB: This summer I have been away from my paintbrushes pursuing other things like traveling, scrapbooking and spending time with grand children. On this post, I'd like to share one of my past paintings. I gave this oil painting to a good friend named Rhoda. We are good friends since high school days. We didn't go to the same high school but our pathways crossed. We met though a Christian group known as Inter-School Christian Fellowship during a summer conference in Baguio City. After we graduated from high school we lost track of each other. I immigrated to California, U.S.A. and she immigrated to Lynwood, Washington. Somehow, we reconnected via e-mail and had resumed our interrupted friendship. Three years ago, Rhoda, Ben (hubby) and family visited us in our Valencia home during their trip to Los Angeles, Disneyland & Universal Studios. Last year(2008) my husband & I visited them in their home. I was happy to be reconnected to her and family and of course, to this old painting of mine. It was hanging in their family room. This was our photo together w/ the painting in the back.
"I thank God, my friend for the blessing you are.....for the joy of your laughter...the comfort of your prayers...the warmth of your smile."

ARTISTIC ARCHITECTURAL GEMS

"Ah, to build, to build! That is the noblest art of all the arts. Painting and sculpture are but images, are merely shadows cast by outward things on stone or canvas, leaving in themselves no separate existence. Architecture, existing in itself and not in seeming a something it is not, supasses them as substance shadow."- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

ON TOP OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. We were on the observation deck on 86th floor,which offers visitors spectacular views of New York City. During the last few days of June 2009, my husband & I were in NYC, prior to our cruise with Queen Mary 2. It was nice to be back in NYC. It is the largest city in the United Sates in population. NYC remains one of the most interesting and exciting cities in the U.S. The city is best known for the giant sky crappers and fabulous display of numerous beautiful, interesting and artistic architectural gems.
NEW YORK CITY ON A CLEAR DAY "There are three forms of visual art. Painting is art to look at, sculpture is art you can walk around, and architecture, art you an walk through." - Dan Rice
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TOWER (The most famous building in the world with 102 stories. It was completed in 1931). "Architecture should speak of it's time and place, but yearn for timelessness."- Frank GehryAll photos are courtesy of my husband, Rhod. He took many photos but I only posted the "best 10" for this blog. "Architecture, of all the arts, is the one which acts the most slowly, but the most surely, on the soul." - Ernest Dimnet COUNTLESS ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST "Architecture is like a mythical fantastic. It has to be experienced. It can't be described. We can draw it up and we can made models of it, but it can only be experienced as a complete whole."-Maya Lin
ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTIES PARADED BEFORE US! "Fashion is architecture. It is a matter of proportion."- Coco Chanel
MORE ARCHITECTURAL GEMS- "Our architecture reflects truly as a mirror."- Louis Henri Sullivan
MY HUSBAND'S FIRST TOUR OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - This was only my second visit and proved to be still exciting. Five years ago, we took a trip to New York City. Unfortunately, it was very foggy and the building was closed to tourist. This time, we were rewarded with a nice weather and fantastic views. "All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts or stimulates the person's in that space." - Philip JohnsonENDLESS ARCHITECTURAL GEMS - "All architecture after sunset; perhaps architecture is really a nocturnal art, like the art of fireworks."- Gilbert ChestertonNew York's best known style of architecture is the towering sky crapper. The giant buildings that form Manhattan's dramatic skyline are famous around the world. "Architecture is inhabited sculpture." - Constantine Brancusi

ARTISTIC ADVENTURE

"Happiness is life served up with a scoop of acceptance, a topping of tolerance and sprinkles of hope, although chocolate sprinkles also work."- Robert Brault

I had been away from my paintbrushes and oils for a while. It's good to take a break from painting. Change of scene re-energized me. So many things demanded my attention this summer. I am back babysitting my grandchildren. Then I was also busy shopping for our recent trip. Then planning my stuffs for a lightweight trip. Not easy to do but it took planning and lots of color coordination w/ my clothes, purses, shoes, hats, etc. I like to travel in style.
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. When I got home from our trip/cruise with Queen Mary 2 last week, the first thing I did was weigh myself. After all the fine dinning and good food on board the cruise ship, who wouldn't gain pounds. I sure did!!!

Before my husband & I go on a cruise, we make it a point to diet a month before. Unfortunately the weeks prior to our trip, there were many unavoidable special events and celebrations like Memorial week-end, wedding anniversary, Philippine Independence Day celebration, graduation dinner, funeral receptions, Father's Day, etc. Thank God, I returned home with only two pounds added.

Our trip started from New York City. We were there for 3 days and then embarked on the Queen Mary 2 for the 4th-of-July-get-away-cruise to New England. During our trip, we stayed at Grand Hyatt New York. Nearby is the Grand Central Station. We walked there the night of our arrival, but next day we came back because we wanted to explore and take more photos. Ebb at the entrance to the Grand Central Market. The Market is very colorful. They have many kinds of organic produce, fruits and flowers. "Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music."- Julia ChildThere are many beautifully and artistically created delicious desserts. Yum! Yum! "Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." -Ernestine Ulmer A closer view of the tempting strawberry cheese cake. "Talking of Pleasure, this moment I was writing with one hand, and with the other holding to my mouth a nectarine-----how good how fine. It went down all pulpy, slushy, oozy. All its delicious enbonpoint. Melted down my throat like a large beatified STRAWBERRY." - John Keats (1795-1821)."Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie." Jim Davis.

Food for thought: "Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!" - Author Unknown

THE ART OF SEEING A SUNSET

Welcome back! Just got home last night from a wonderful trip to New York City and a 4th-of-July-get-away cruise with Queen Mary 2. Our trip/cruise was a belated celebration of our 38th wedding anniversary last June 12,2008. My husband and I embarked at New York City and then cruised to Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), then to Boston, Massachusetts and back to NYC. This was a different cruise from the Hawaiian cruise we took during our 30th wedding anniversary. We missed the spectacular sunset. During cruising many tropical places, we always enjoyed the beauty of the sunset. I am re-posting my sunset blog. Many of my friends and viewers have seen it. For those who missed it, please enjoy. For those who have seen it before, enjoy again.

It is often said that that......"the best things in life is free." I often believed that quote.

Whenever I read about free stuffs, my eyes lightened up. I like to hear "Buy one, get one free" or "Free gift, for the first fifty customers, and many other promos. What "free" things come to my mind that money couldn't buy? For me, it's the spectacular sunset.

One time, I saw a nice "Family Circus" cartoon at the Los Angeles Times. The family was watching the sunset and the little boy asked his mom, "How much would it cost to see the sunset if God decided to charge for it?" I could only answer.......PRICELESS.

One of my passions in life is seeing a sunset wherever I am, at home or basking in Paradise. I have seen countless of spectacular sunsets during our travels but nothing melted my heart than the Hawaiian sunset. Today people are too caught up in the rush, noise, and confusion of demanding routines that it is not easy to see the beauty of the sunset before us.

Alexandra Stoddard, a famous interior designer said, "Few really know how to see and as a result are unaware of the majesty and beauty around them. But seeing can be learned, and those who learn to see well, the world becomes an entirely different place. Life is suddenly rich with promise full of light, color, texture and harmony." This is very true. We have to learn how to SEE. Just because we've been given eyesight doesn't mean we know how to use our eyes to look and really SEE.

Of all the artists I've grown to admire, the Impressionists speak to my heart most directly. The greatest gift of the Impressionists is that they taught me to look around the ordinary experiences of everyday life. In their passion for the beauty of nature, they open up a wider visions, enabling us to see nature and things more beautifully.

HOW TO SEE THE SUNSET THROUGH THE VIEWPOINT OF AN IMPRESSIONIST ARTIST? 1. WISH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE HERE Wherever you are, STOP and SEE the SUNSET. Claude Monet, an impressionist artist painted water lily over and over again. He said, "I have never been bored with it. It is always different." So is seeing the sunset. You'll never get bored. It is always different every passing day.
2.FIND A ROMANTIC PLACE TO SEE THE SUNSET Don't just settle for an ordinary place. During our 25th anniversary (1996) we were privileged to stay in one of the twin towers at Hyatt Regency Resort in Waikiki. We had access to the Regency Club located on top of the tower. From there, we got a breathtaking view of Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and downtown Honolulu, that we had never seen before. From the rooftop, we saw the "most fascinating, interesting, and captivating sunset" in our whole lives.

3. BECOME A SUNSET ADMIRER AND SEE IT WITH YOUR LOVER From the Hyatt Regency rooftop, we saw this spectacular sunset. It was an overwhelming sight of the fading sunset in all it's glory. It was fascinating to see the kaleidoscopic changes in the sunset. The sunset will surely make your old flame blazing for a day, or a week, if not forever.
4. LOOK BEYOND ORDINARY COLORS Seek colors that are uplifting. Seeing vibrant and pulsating colors of the sunset will not only bring more joy and pleasure to everyday life but also transforms mere existence into the art of living.

5. SEE THE SUNSET THROUGH THE EYES OF VINCENT VAN GOGH He was my favorite impressionist artist. When I see the colorful sunset, I think of Van Gogh and began to feel that he was painting just for me. His paintings are windows into a sunny scenes and sunset, which make me alive. His vibrant yellow, a primary color has lots of wavelengths of energy and is a color you associate with cheerful sunset.
6. DON'T FORGET THAT REAL SEEING TAKES TIME AND CONTEMPLATION Watch the sunset everyday and stop what ever you're doing, to fully enjoy the sunset as it comes down to the horizon.

7. SEE THE SUNSET FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES A sunset from Maui (Hawaii) is not the same as a sunset in St. Maarten (Caribbean). Like many impressionists artists, they experimented with different colors. They are colorist - loving fresh, alive, clear colors. What a dull world this would be without colors? Imagine a world without color. A day without sunshine. And at the end of the day without a sunset.

8. WATCH THE SUNSET WITH YOUR GRAND KIDS DURING A LUAU Set aside time to have adventure and fun with your grand kids while they still want your companionship. It will also renew your souls, spirits and hearts and become like kids again.

9. TAKE A DIGITAL PHOTO OF THE SUNSET During the Impressionists era they didn't have a digital camera. They painted impressions as quickly as they saw them. Today, a digital camera can capture all the beauty and wonders of the sunset without spending days painting them. If you can't always see the sunset, you can look at your photo collections. Our spirits do not always soar. Sometimes even the noblest of spirits sinks into a despondent sea. When you get so low and desired escape from struggles, the photos of the sunset will be a divine inspiration that will help lift you up, soften your heart and open your mind.

10. FIND PLEASURES IN LITTLE THINGS LIKE THE IMPRESSIONISTS: Food that tastes delicious, friendship that is sincere, smile that is meant to cheer, a rainbow that is inspiring and a colorful sunset scene that is bursting with colors. Simple life is better.

11. TREAT YOURSELF TO A DELUXE BOX OF ACRYLIC PAINTS WITH ALL THE COLORS FOUND IN THE SUNSET Painting is a rewarding hobby even if you don't aspire to be a pro. Acrylics are more affordable than real oil paints. Create a painting on a real huge canvas with just dabbing and pointing like the Impressionists. Hang it where you'll see your "self-made-sunset" everyday. The bold colors will exalt you, elevate you and allow you to grow more creatively.

12. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Don't be discouraged if you couldn't paint like Van Gogh. Even Van Gogh practiced, apprenticed and started with simple sketches before he became a great artist. He did it with practice, not magic. If you paint and practice a few minutes each day, you will reap tremendous benefits, over time.

13. AT THE END OF EACH DAY, LET GO AND REACH OUT So many of us hold grudges, resentments, and bitterness. The way to be happy is to forgive others for their imperfections and mistakes. They are only "human" and not perfect like a sunset. 14. KEEP ASKING YOURSELF, "WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT?" Take a few seconds to ask yourself this question. Is making more money important than taking the time to watch a sunset? Reminding yourself of what's really important helps keep your priorities straight. 15. SING "HOW GREAT THOU ART." Praise the Grand Designer (God) who created the sunset for us to enjoy. Who said that there is no such thing as free? This is a free show beyond comparison. God never made a stingy sunset. Look! What beautiful colors He put into the sunset! Chrome yellow, lemon, orange, saffron, peach, crimson, and and amber. The sun turns light peach, burnt orange, then maroon before it slips away. Tomorrow will be another day. A new day to start anew. A new painting to inspire others.

SADLY many people spend far more time watching reruns of television shows, they don't even enjoy. Instead, make time for seeing the wonders and beauty of nature like the sunrise, rainbow and sunset, that nurture the heart. I wish that you will use the precious minutes of your every day, living creatively. There are great things that you can do every day and every trip. The best is opening your eyes to see the spectacular sunset. I have been there, with my eyes open, and I desire that what my eyes have seen your eyes may also see.

"HAPPY SUNSET WATCHING!"

HOW TO BE AN ARTIST

One day, I was cleaning my old file and I found the article below. I will be taking another vacation. I'd like to leave this colorful things to do while I am away. Please enjoy looking at the artist pallette below. It is made of chocolate. Yummy!

Stay loose. Learn to watch snails.Plant impossible gardens. Invite someone dangerous to tea. Make little signs that say Yes! and post them all over your house.Make friends with freedom and uncertainty. Look forward to dreams. Cry during movies.Swing as high as you can on a swingset, by moonlight. Cultivate moods.Refuse to "be responsible." Do it for love.Take lots of naps. Give money away. Do it now.The money will follow. Believe in magic.Laugh a lot. Celebrate every gorgeous moment.Take moonbaths. Have wild imaginings, transpormative dreams, and perfect calm.Draw on the walls. Read everyday. Imagine yourself magic. Giggle with children. Listen to old people. Open up. Dive in. Be free.Bless yourself. Drive away fear. Play with everything.Entertain your inner child. You are innocent. Build a fort with blankets. Get wet.
Hug trees. Write love letters.

Please leave your comment below and I will get back to you after my trip. Thanks for dropping by.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOY!

"It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top."-Arnold Bennet
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up."- Vince Lombardi

"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success."- Napoleon Hill

"Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th."- Julie Andrews GRADUATION DAY DAY- JUNE 5, 2009 - COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS -VALENCIA , CALIFORNIA. This is our daughter Joy, marching during graduation ceremony. This post is a little late but I'd like to post it. As they say..."it's better late than never." It was a cloudy graduation morning at 9:30. There was forecast of rain and so had our umbrella ready. When the marching ceremony started, a light shower came down. Our daughter Joy was at the mid- part of the line. Luckily the shower stopped when she marched along. What a good omen! Then the sunshine came out too and the graduation ceremony was a success.IT'S NEVER TOO LATE! CONGRATULATION TO YOU JOY!!!!!!! This is Joy brimming with smile and showing her diploma - Associates In Arts (General Education).
DAD AND DAUGHTER WITH LAUGHTER & JOYPROUD PARENTS WITH JOY - CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN JOY!!! She will go to CSUN (California State University Northridge) in the fall. Will continue her Bachelor's degree in Cinema Arts. REMEMBER IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO PURSUE ONE'S DREAM.

"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL!