043010

just a few months back we were celebrating a new decade. amazing to see how just a few months back has brought us to the end of april or one third of this “new year”. hopefully this brings some joy of appreciation on your achievements so far, but for those of us who are never satisfied, i just can’t help but think deeply of what i have done so far. one thing is for sure, it is always better to look at your life from some other’s perspective, as life is never as good as you want it.

042910

build, with buildings: walls, windows, doors, and roofs; with building blocks, timber, steel; with cold, hot, rain and snow; light, time, power and passion. we lay empires of friendship and families through big blocks of values: honesty, trust, and respect. but how do we lay the foundations? where and how do we prioritize?
happy birthday jose.

042810

just as babies born and children grow, buildings are built and age. from drawing plans to construction permits, buildings go through a significant amount of planning. the overall process with construction accumulate much time and sweat within them, and once built, more sweating is put into its maintanance and the different stories that happen inside them. but eventually they grow old, such as this large population in hong kong. for the most part, people can’t see them from below, as the daily life involves mostly fancy store-fronts and window displays.

042710

from the peak of rangitoto, one of the various dormant volcanoes in auckland, i viewed through the rainy clouds that winds blew at high speeds towards the small largest city in new zealand. i didn’t really think twice about the word volcano, given the fact that i gre up surrounded by them. but these days, with the eruption of the eyjafjallajökull, some other volcanoes in costa rica becoming more active, i wonder what measures are governments taking into account for communities (primary, secondary and tertiary) in hazardous areas.

042610

the migration of the pomegranate had started its journey from the region of persia and the himalayas. Traced back thorugh its remains from around three thousand years ago, it has now travelled its way through europe, asia, africa, to latin america and the caribbean. throughout the years it has been considered a tonic for the heart and throat, and as an external agent it is also known to be good for your skin and to stop bleeding.

042510

costa rica, “the rich coast” named upon columbus’ arrival on the atlantic shores prove that some are not so rich any more, in human values that is. who can we blame but ourselves as our society and earth becomes more sophisticated by the second? just last week, a green light for gold mining was given by the court, allowing the destruction of hectares of prestine forests and abuse and contamination of essential resources. what do they care anyway, right? it’s not like they have great grandchildren to look after..

042410

“for the german people”. the reichstag has served as the german parliament since the late eighteen-hundreds (just a hundred years before i was born). the new glass cupula on the new reichstag (foster), conveys the importance in the new german democracy, in a very accessible and environmental approach, respecting its history as well. it is open for the people, inside and out.

042310

quite fascinating is the view from the seattle space needle. to think that this structure was only meant to be temporary, i remain thankful that it still stands. allowing me to see it from postcards and other photos is one thing, yet having been able to stand on its deck, admiring a beautiful sunset alongside the urban core of seattle and its remarkably breathtaking surroundings is simply memorable.
happy birthday beto!

042210

i’m not quite sure where i learned that fish have terrible memory, or maybe it just depends on the variety and fish type. yet, according to the palais de la découverte science museum’s report, goldfish can be trained to recognize and to react to light signals of different colors and have a memory span of at least three months. they are capable of distinguishing shapes, colors and sounds. these trainings can be done through feeding, where they adapt to colors and can learn tricks.

042110

everyday, every time, every hour, minute, second and beyond is a story. each happening is reversed in time into history, allowing every second that has passed to become more valuable and significant in an invisible chain and network of stories that have past. for every footstep, there lies a mark; for every mark, there is a story.