Visual Rendering

Foodie

2011-10-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Have been hanging out with a bunch of foodies and have been indulging in some wonderful cuisine. I attended a Yelp event at Trader Vic's restaurant in Portland and did a sampling of appetizers which was really, really good.

Yelp has been having events for its "Elite Yelpers" as a way of promoting business in the area. I was lucky enough to have a friend who is an elite yelper and got invited as a guest.

Today was another foodie day, and this time it was experiencing Sichuan cuisine with my fellow workers. The food was plentiful and flavorful and just amazing!

Autumn

2011-10-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful fall day in the city of Portland Oregon. On days like this, it is so easy to forget that we get over 300, give or take a few days, rainy days a year. But for now it is absolutely gorgeous.

Celebrations!

2011-10-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

This has been a week of celebrations with friends - birthdays and getting married (bachelorette party).

As the days get more somber, it is always wonderful to get out and have a few hours of silliness, people watching and a little debauchery with friends.

The Beauty of Fall

2011-10-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

Fall is one of the most beautiful time of the year. My favorite part is seeing the leaves changing color. This tree with its vibrant color is just outside my window. I absolutely love it!

The Passing...

2011-10-11T05:32:00.000-07:00

October started off on a very iSad note. The passing of one of the most creative person in the design world...Steve Jobs. Although I don't know Mr Jobs personally, but my home is inundated with products that he had a hand in creating - iPhone, iPad, iPod and MacBook.

We will never have another Steve Jobs, and I hope that Apple with continue his legacy of minimalist, simplicity and elegance in their future designs.

Rest In Peace, Steve Jobs. You have put your stamp in this world and you will be revered always.

Summer Offerings!

2011-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

September marks the end of summer. And generally this is the time when most of the produce are at its best, especially tomatoes. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I love summer tomatoes. After making a small batch of tomato sauce previously, I bought another 20 lbs worth of tomatoes last weekend and made a whole bunch more tomato sauce with them. Now, I have ten quart size bags of tomato sauce sitting or laying frozen in my freezer.

I think I am tomatoed out now. I wonder what I can do the eggplants. I still haven't figured that out yet.

Busy Weekend

2011-09-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

This past weekend had been rather interesting. Firstly, the weather took a dramatic change. We had temperature in the 90s for a week and it plunged to the 60s overnight and was overcast. We had what I would call a "sleepy/sleep-in" weather. As the weather changes, the hibernation mode kicks in, like the bears getting ready to hunker down for the winter. In my case, I want to cook or freeze food for the winter. One of the things that I like most about summer is summer tomatoes. I went to the farmers market and bought tons of tomatoes to make tomato-basil sauce. This I would freeze and use them over the winter when tomatoes taste really blah.

The other thing that I did over the weekend was went to the Annual Susan Komen Race for the Cure at the Waterfront Park. It was a great fundraising event for breast cancer survivors, breast cancer awareness and people that wants to be involved. These ribbons represent the survivors of breast cancer.

Oregon Coast

2011-09-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

When the weather in the city gets really hot, we tend to head to the coast where the temperature there typically will be much cooler. The temperature in Portland last weekend was in the 90s compared to the 60s on the coast. It was rather cold and foggy on the beach, but it was welcomed!

Indian Beach - Ecola State Park

Indian Beach

The makings of salt water taffy

Bloody Mary, a house specialty

A New Milestone!

2011-09-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

Celebrated a good friend's 50th Birthday at H5O Cafe yesterday.

Crater Lake National Park

2011-09-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

September 4, 2011 - I did a day trip with some friends to Crater Lake National Park. It was my first time visiting this destination even though I have live in the state for many, many years. The drive there was rather long, but I am so glad I did it (having great companies also makes the trip pleasant). It was truly quite an experience and the view was magnificient. The water is so blue, I mean, sooo blue that it is unbelievable. We wanted to do a boat ride to the Wizard Island, unfortunately, it was full for the day. Next time...

Sunday Parkways

2011-08-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

I volunteered as a Intersection Superhero at the SE Sunday Parkways yesterday, August 28. 2011. It was a great experience - enjoyed seeing people and their families riding their bicycles or strolling/walking along a 6 miles loop with no cars along the way.

People came out in costumes and decorated their bicycles and also, there were some very interesting bicycle designs, too.

Gordon House - Silverton, Oregon

2011-05-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

The Gordon House is the only house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Oregon. It was originally located south side of the Willamette River in Wilsonville. In 2002, the house was moved to the Oregon Garden where it is currently situated.

Snow Day in Portland Oregon - Jan 2007

2007-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

Today is the first time this winter we have snow in the city of Portland. The kids are happy - they have another day of no school. The parents are happy, or at least some parents are happy that they have another day to spend with their children and escape the brunt of a work day.

It is a beautiful winter wonderland out there, folks. There's hardly any traffic and families are outside playing in the snow - throwing snowballs, sledding, and some people even ditched their cars and bring out their cross country skis as their means of transportation today.

I love days like this, where everyone is outside and playing and you can hear kids laughing, having fun and screaming with joy. It feels like time stop for a little while and nobody is in a rush to get anywhere. Everyone is just being mellow, hanging out with their families, and enjoying the tranquility of the day! Wow!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

I know it is a little late, but 2007 has just started.
So a very Happy New Year to everyone. Wish everyone the best of the best in this coming year.
I rang in the new year at a friend's party. There were about 140 people at this party and it was loud and noisy and lots, and lots of fun. Everyone appears to have a great time, or at least I did.

Happy New Year!!

Labor Day Weekend - Black Butte Ranch

2006-09-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Labor day weekend, the weekend before the school year begins, was spent in Black Butte Ranch, eight miles from the town of Sisters in Central Oregon. Black Butte Ranch or BBR is a laid back gated community filled with recreational activities that include tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and biking on 18 miles of bike path. BBR is a great place for families to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and just kick back doing fun stuff or nothing at all.

Public ArtWork, Portland Oregon

2006-08-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

"The Quest"
A beautifully sculpted fountain by Count Alexander von Svoboda.
It is a prominent piece of artwork in downtown Portland that depicts nude figures intertwined in a "swim"

Summer Offering - Free Urban Concerts

2006-08-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

"Music on Main Street" - Portland Center for the Performing Arts
Every Wednesday from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, between Broadway and Park, free music performance in the rotunda lobby of the New Theatre Building. This week, OB Addy and I & I did their magic. Great Reggae performance by OB Addy!

Portland Skyscape

2006-08-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

The juxtaposing of the old and the new buildings in downtown Portland.

Art in the Park

2006-08-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

- Isolated Molecule for a Good Neighborhood -
One of the three bronze sculptures that make up the "Constellation", which represents the connections between our civic gardens and our gardens and our role as stewards of those relationships

A Day On The Beach - Neskowin, Oregon

2006-08-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Lifeguard Post No. 8

Chairs in a row - waiting for its occupants.

Summer Offering - Ripe Peaches

2006-07-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sweet Sue Peaches

Donut Peaches

Oregon Country Fair 2006

2006-07-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

Oregon Country Fair is an annual 3-day festival where there are plenty of entertainment, hand-made crafts, good food and wealth of information sharing. It is held in a wooded setting in the town of Veneta, Oregon. For three days out of a year this area becomes the fourth largest city in Oregon.

Prayer flags lined the way to the entrance of the Fair.

Participants dressed up in colorful costumes as mythical beings.

One of the many impromtu parades

Belly dancing in the Gypsy Caravan

Portlandia - The Unspoken Hero

2006-07-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

Portlandia, the second largest sculpture in the United States after the Statue of Liberty, by Raymond Kaskey and the accompanying poem by Ronald Talney

She kneels down,
and from the quietness
of copper
reaches out.

We take that stillness
into ourselves,
and somewhere
deep in the earth
our breath

becomes her city.
If she could speak
this is what
she would say :

Follow that breath.
Home is the journey we make.
This is how the world
knows where we are

~~ Ronald Talney, 1985~~

More Pride Revellers..

2006-06-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

Gay Pride Parade 2006

2006-06-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Revellers at the 2006 Gay Pride Parade in Portland Oregon

Where In The World..

2006-06-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

~Pioneer Courthouse Square, the City of Portland's "living room" ~

A whimsical signpost listing the distances to the
nine sister-cities and other geographical destinations.

A signature Portland icon
"Allow Me", says the bronze life-size
sculpture offering his umbrella

Portland Arts Festival

2006-06-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

An annual Rose Festival event where
local, regional and international artists displayed their work in a variety of media.

Oregon Coast - More Photos..

2006-06-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

Interesting Sights That Sneek Up On You When You Are Not Looking!

A colorful train-stop in the coastal town of Wheeler

The Concept of Recycling and Reusing
A Bicyle Garden - what a great idea

Poppy Flower

Oregon Coast

2006-06-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of what Oregon Coast has to offer --

Antique motorbike for sale

Windchimes Everywhere

If you wonder around enough, you might find some very interesting artwork at some very interesting places.
My favorite - Metal Sculptures at the City Dump!

Oregon Coast - Wish You Were Here - Sunset

2006-06-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Sunset at the Oregon Coast.
It was one of those night when the sky is clear
and one can see the sun setting beautifully.

Portland Rose Festival - Grand Floral Parade

2006-06-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade is on Saturday June 10, and I have the chance to look at the floats up close. Together with some friends, I volunteered a few hours last night to help with decorating the Parade's Floats. We were assigned to one of the floats that will be in the Parade. The Float that we worked on is sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino, and it is called The Grand Salmon.

Oregon Zoo

2006-06-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

Was too impatient to wait for the Peacock
to display its tail

One of the many attractions and fun things to do
at the Oregon Zoo - feeding the Parakeets.

Portland Rose Festival

2006-06-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Portland Rose Festival is celebrated in the month of June with many organized events happening around the city. The highlight of the Festival, I think, is the Grand Floral Parade where awe-inspiring all-floral floats are paraded along the parade route. The Grand Floral Parade is recognized by the International Festival & Events Association and USA Today as one of the top five parades in the nation.

In Full Bloom - Portland Oregon

2006-06-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and in full bloom.
Beautiful and colorful flowers everywhere to fill your senses. After a long cold and rainy winter, this is a joy!

Forest Park - Portland Oregon

2006-06-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

Wild Rhododendron

Maidenhair Fern

Spectacular Hike - Eagle Creek in the Columbia Gorge

2006-05-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Punchbowl Falls, one of many waterfalls along the Eagle Creek trail.

Coffee Talk

2005-11-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

Portland, Oregon, is the mecca for getting your java fix, in my opinion. There's at least one coffee shop in every block in the city, so you would never run out of coffee. These are a couple of my favorite places to hang-out - Peets Coffee and Tea and World Cup Coffee and Tea. They have the best tasting coffee and tea, friendly people and some very cool vibes going on in there. I love coming here to get my morning caffein fix, read the newspaper and chat with the regulars. Nothing pretentious, just hanging out, having a good time, and sometimes get some good laughs here and there.

Lan Su Yuan or Portland Suzhou Garden

2005-11-06T05:59:00.000-08:00

Architecture

Water

Poetry

Stone

Plants

This scholar style garden is the masterwork of some very artistic and dedicated people from two countries, namely Suzhou, China and Portland, Oregon. This urban garden is designed with the Chinese idea of balancing harmony and tranquility. The five elements that are essential to this Ming-style garden - Architecture, Water, Poetry. Stone and Plants - provide this classical garden the beauty and wonders of the universe within a very limited space.

As I walked along the winding stone mosaic walkway, which was crafted by hand, stone by stone, I experienced this feeling of being in a whole different space. All my senses were stimulated for there was so much to take in. The sound of water from the waterfall, the smell of fragrance from the flowering tree, the feel of the mosaic stone on my feet and the visual impact of this whole garden. Every little turn that I took, something would revealed itself - a piece of limestone formation, which has the most incredible shape or a plant or tree that is new to me or the artwork or cravings on wood panels that are so beautifully done.

Most of all, besides the beauty of this space, this urban/classical garden bestowed upon me a sense of peacefulness and calmness, which gives me the feeling of being in a whole different space.

"Welcome and Enter the Wonderland"
(as quoted on the brochure)

Signs of Change

2005-11-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

These are the wonders of nature - leaves are changing colors and berries are ripening - telling us that daylight is getting shorter and the temperature is getting colder, which means that the winter solstice is almost upon us.

Dahlias

2005-11-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

Comes in all shapes and colors. Can be found in almost every home in Oregon.

Hydrangea

2005-11-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

Another favorite. Blooms are beautiful on the plant and as well as dried.

Signs of Halloween

2005-11-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

The Grim Ripper with a torch and some corn stalks.

Peek-a-Boo Jack-o-Lantern

Oops, witch is in the tree

Ouch.. that seems pretty painful

Some Halloween decorations that can be seen as I wandered around the Irvington neighborhood in Portland Oregon. People really juice up their creativity when it comes to Halloween.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

2005-11-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

This was taken on my deck after a misty, rainy day. The spider web appears to be suspending in mid-air, bouncing back and forth going with the flow of the wind. It was absolutely incredible. Coupled with small droplets of water suspending on the web, which looks like little crystals, the web looks so magical.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

2005-10-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

WOW! What a majestic building, totally incredible. I think my jaw dropped and stayed that way for a whole five minutes when I first saw this awesome, awesome building. It just took my breath away.

As I walk on this long walkway leading up to the entrance of the Temple, I can imagine what it must be like for the citizens that built this place. The care and attention put into this place is just beyond words. Every piece of boulder seems to fit in just perfectly.

What a grand place this Temple must have been during its prime time.
As the sun rises, one can see the reflection of the Angkor Wat in the lake, called the Reflection Pond. Our guide told us we were very lucky that day, for we saw not only one Angkor Wat, but two, referring to the reflection in the lake. Also, from this point of view you can see all five minurets or ten if you count the ones in the lake.