Bora Look

Autumn 2011

2011-11-18T17:20:00.001-08:00

It's odd how I am posting Autumn scenery after Wintery Snow covered ones.

Snow falls in Autumn...

2011-10-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

Nature seems to be a bit confused.

I think I can hear the trees say: Wait, we didn't change colors yet...!

Or...something like...wait, we still have leaves!

And yes...lo and behold, the trees had leaves...and...

they couldn't handle the weight of snow on each leaves.

And yes...crack...

The trees fell as they were burdened by heavy snowfall.

Time is approaching fast,

time to get ready, people.

It came suddenly...

2011-10-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

Yes...

The "it" here would be the T-Storm that lasted for...about...30 minutes or so.

It passed by quickly but has done some damage in our area.

And here's some footage of the before and after the storm.

A Heavenly Walk

2011-09-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

I am sure that Heaven will have far more beautiful flowers

but my walk today (after an exhausting work) was surely heavenly. :)

Sharing a little bit of Heaven with all of you.

Hello and Goodbye to Hurricane Irene: The Colorful Skies

2011-08-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

After the rain, I took a walk with my camera.

And...this is what I saw.

Flooding!

(I didn't even think Irene has passed us by!)

Wow...I guess it did hit badly in our area.

Now...with the gusty winds, I saw some amazing clouds and sky!

Yes...once again, here are some shots of the sky after Irene's visit.

Preparation Begins: Fighting Against Modern Day Slavery

2011-08-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last updated my humble blog.

I've been away in India with Justice Ventures International but soon after my return,

I have been struggling with the big question: WHAT NEXT?

I have seen and heard of injustice done to beautiful children, women, and the poor.

Poverty plays a vital role in forcing people in these three categories to be vulnerable

and place them in coercive situations.

Yes, I've heard the stories:

Some children never get to go to school because they are forced into labor.

Some girls are sold into brothels by someone who they trust.

Some women who are enslaved at their workplace, are not given proper medical care or are not granted "maternity leave" but forced to work right after giving birth.

And so the list goes on with more gloomy and gruesome stories that I do not want to repeat...

The stories broke my heart, brought me to tears, and then came anger and rage against the injustice committed by the oppressors.

Some stories were too sick to hear and it seemed everything was hopeless.

I mean, really, what can I do?

But is this it?

Did I just go to India to hear the devastation of the vulnerable ones and not bother to do anything about it?

Should I just say, there's nothing I can do about it?

No.

Some things can be changed and need to be changed.

And so, I am taking the next step to join the fight for freedom.

Currently, I am planning on an exhibition with the theme on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery.
I am going through galleries in NYC to find the place to host the exhibition.

I am looking for sponsors and helpers for this event.

If you are moved to help this project in any way, do contact me.

If you would like to help fund this project, please make donation by clicking on the DONATE button on the bottom of the page.

We can make a difference when we work together.

I believe that God has called each of us to:

Act justly,

Love mercy,

and walk humbly with Him.

(Micah 6:8)

Thank you for your donation.

Photo4Life

2011-07-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

One photo,

for one life.

This all started with my decision to go to India.

This summer, from July 22^nd through August 1^st, I will be going to India as a photographer partnering with Justice Ventures International, a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating human trafficking, empowering the global urban poor, and ensuring justice for vulnerable groups.

I am very excited for this opportunity to demonstrate that God has not given up on the world. JVI has brought freedom & restoration to many people throughout India, including women, children, and men who have been freed from modern-day slavery. I’ll be working with JVI and their partner organizations for the cause of freedom.

In order for me to get this work done, I need to raise my own funds and travel to India.

This is why I started this photography Facebook Page and started My Etsy Shop.

Before and After the Rain

2011-07-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

I saw it coming.

Thick dark clouds hovering the sky,

Letting down the droplets of rain.

And...then the dark clouds were gone.

Sort of like life.

Dark clouds come and go.

Don't dwell on them.

Move on.

Starry starry night!

2011-07-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

Creation Fest 2011 was awesome. :)

And...I really got to see such beautiful night skies.

Made me think of singing stars.

Photos on Canvas!

2011-06-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

If you would like to purchase, please click here : Etsy

2011-06-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

I am selling the postcards and poster.
Postcards are $5 (cost inclusive of shipping cost.)
Poster is $25.00 (inclusive of shipping cost.)

Email me if you are interested in purchasing them.
bora.79@gmail.com

2011-06-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Another day is over.

Waiting for another one to come.

Hm?

2011-06-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

I found a discrepancy on my postcard....

Why does it state "One" on one of my postcards????????

Glamorous sky!

2011-05-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

Colorful Sunsetting sky.

Captures my glance.

I am blinded once again.

Works!

2011-05-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

My works are up for sale.

If anyone is interested in purchasing it, feel free to contact me.

I am willing to mail any art works sold within U.S.

bora.79@gmail.com

Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival 2011

2011-05-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

I was able to enjoy the weather, flowers, people, and the culture of Japan

at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

It was quite a lovely day,

and just sitting on the grass,

enjoying the sun...

Everything was just so great and...

I had to....go barefoot on the grass!

This photo made me smile. So lovely!

神様、祈りを聞いてください。

神様の愛

喜び

平安が

日本の中であふれるように

祈ってます.

My prayers go out continuously to Japan.

Earth Day Exhibition

2011-04-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Everyone is welcomed! :)

(If you are in NY/NJ area, at least)

So excited for my students who are exhibiting along with my works!

New York City in Black and White

2011-04-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Photograph unlocks the passage to the past.

Kodak 100 TMAX / Film scanned.

Faces of Toba Qom Tribe

2011-04-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

I found an old Ilford FP4 Plus film that was long overdue (approximately over 3 years!) for film processing. Finally, I was able to process it and after a tedious laboring on each film scanning, here are the selected photos to share with you. These are the photos of my dear friends in Cerritos, Paraguay, whom my parents grew to love dearly. (Currently, my parents are serving as missionaries in Paraguay.)

Toba Qom tribe is known to be hunters-gatherers. (Here's more information to Toba people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toba_people)

Spring

2011-04-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Flower blooms and announces the coming of Spring.

Finally...

Water

2011-02-22T16:53:00.000-08:00

(Above photo was already mentioned in my 365project site but wanted to post this on my blog as well.)

If anyone happens to run into this post, here's some information on how you can help others!

Mycharitywater Help

Love is...

2011-02-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13

Wall

2011-02-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

Because the heart is such a weak and brittle thing,

people tend to build walls to protect it,

only to find out that the only thing the wall is doing is

shadowing the heart in darkness and hiding it from the sun.

Break the wall.

It will do you good.

Seriously.

In the Garden

2011-01-29T20:14:00.000-08:00

Right before I left California, I drove down to my favorite garden in Corona del Mar, CA.

It's a small garden but I like it there, especially love walking through the flowers in the morning.

It was just some "alone-time" with the Creator of these beautiful flowers and plants.

And then, as I took some photos God made me realize something.

The light makes each plant grow and glow.

But darkness does really hide the true beauty of their existence.

So I started to take photos of flowers and plants showing the dichotomy of light and dark.

Beautiful flowers hiding in the dark...

But once the sun shone on them, the flowers (and plants) showed its beautiful radiance of colors.

Aren't we just like these flowers?

When God's glory radiates in our life,

and when we reflect His glory,

we become like flowers showing our true colors (just as God created us to be, and this is the most beautiful thing to gaze upon.)

"Flowers"

2011-01-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

Main photo: Flowers in the field bordered by wires.

Artist Statement:

“Comfort woman” is a euphemism for women who were forced into military brothels. It is a painful history that needs to be voiced and recognized so that this history doesn’t repeat itself. As a photographer, I wanted to portray comfort women as blooming flowers with a sweet fragrance of life. Their rights as women were violated but no one can take away their beauty embedded in their souls. I present these photographs of flowers in remembrance of every woman who suffered during the war in Korea. May they be remembered and not forgotten in history.

These works were exhibited in "78" Concert/Exhibition in remembrance of Comfort Women during WWII.

Snow - Nieve - 눈 - 雪！

2011-01-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter in which language I say it:

I love SNOW!

Me encanta la nieve!

雪,大好きだよ！

난 눈이 너무 좋아요~!

(with GREAT excitement.)

Peeking out the window, I mumbled to myself:

Yes, I am heading out!

Railroad track covered with snow.

There's something really romantic about it.

Ah...the serenity.

And the sun sets...

As always, breathtaking...

Reminisce - Film Photography

2011-01-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

A Good-Bye Kiss (Before they crossed the street)

in NYC.

Film scanned.

I used to love traveling anywhere and everywhere with a film camera around my shoulder with a 50mm lens and extra films.

I started out with a Pentax MX camera, which I loved and treasured until...I bought a DSLR, Nikon D50.

I started to love the digital camera for its conveniency.

Unlike film cameras, with these DSLRs I could actually see the results instanteneously! And I didn't have to waste any films!

And with so many other reasons, I was carried away into the digital world of photography.

And it happened.

My film cameras started to collect dust on them.

They were put into places that my hands won't reach often.

They were stored away from my sight.

(And by film cameras, I also mean my SX-70 Polaroid camera...with the extinction of its films.)

BUT (here comes a BIG HUGE BUT)more and more I shot with the digital cameras,I missed seeing the results I received when shooting on film.

I had a different attitude when shooting with a film camera.

I had to think and actually work on each photo for the result,

unlike the digital camera, you can actually check each photo before print.

So...this year I decided: to shoot more with films!

And with the enlarger that I received from my uncle (from the ancient of ages), I will begin printing the photos myself.

And! I hear there's a comeback on Polaroid films for SX-70 cameras!

1.1.2011 - Sunrise

2011-01-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

I was always fond of watching sunsets but...

I haven't really seen a pretty sunrise in my life.

I've tried many times but failed to see it.

(The weather didn't help whenever I tried.)

"Watching a sunrise on New Year's Day" was

one of the activities listed on my bucket list.

So, I decided to give it a try, again.

I drove out to Coney Island to watch the sunrise on the first day of 2011.

Quite an amazing sight it was for sure.

All the snow on the sand...Yes, it was gorgeous.

What a beautiful world God created.

Thank You for another chance to renew myself.

Happy 2011 everyone.

My last week of 2010 - and my last blog post for 2010!

2010-12-31T20:07:00.000-08:00

Spent my last week of 2010 in serenity.

It's time to say good-bye

to all the good and the bad moments of 2010

and embrace the new days to come in 2011.

Happy New Year,

and I pray that it'd be a blessed one.

2010, coming to an end with a blizzard!

2010-12-26T20:49:00.000-08:00

Looking out...just didn't do for me.

I had to get out there!

I prepared to take a walk in the snow at night.

And of course...I had to bring my carema with me. :)

Cupid, "frozen-in-time" tonight.

What a crazy night.

Snowing and thundering at the same time.

But still, snow makes me so excited.

Perhaps it's due to my growing-up-without-snow-in-my-childhood

has a lot to do with how I act when snow falls.

Just to show what it was actually like walking out in the blizzard...here's a video clip I shot!
(Due to the gusty wind, I had to cut this video short.)

Back in time - Cambodia 2007

2010-12-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Photographs from Cambodia in 2007.

There are so many stories that need to be told.

The land that is full of heartaches from the aching past,

it surely is in need of a saving hand in our present time from the evils of sexual exploitation.

Read about human trafficking in Cambodia.

Send out a prayer for Cambodia this Christmas.

Rose

2010-12-17T22:28:00.000-08:00

"But he that dares not grasp the thorn
Should never crave the rose."

(Anne Bronte)

Music: From Japanese drama
薔薇のない花屋 (A Flower Shop Without Roses)
Title: "Smile like a flower"

Experimental prints

2010-12-12T21:08:00.000-08:00

I started to print my photos on fabric.

So far, I love them.
Planning on printing some more on fabric
and thinking of making something out of them.

Under the Sea ♪

2010-12-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

Working on: Selecting photos for my friend's request.

(She will be using these photos while playing the song "Under the Sea" for children in the hospital during Christmas time.)

Glad to use my photos for a great cause on Christmas season.

(And yes, she will be playing other Christmas Carols as well.)
:)

A Late Night Walk

2010-12-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

NYC,

somewhat a nostalgic place.

Good night.

Sleep tight.

I will be back soon.

Sunset series

2010-12-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

Sunset in New Jersey

2010

Sunset in California

2005

Sunset in Asuncion, Paraguay

2008

Sunset in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2008

Sunset in Cambodia

2007

Sunset in Cambodia II

2007

All different locations

but

under the same sky.

Waiting for Winter Wonderland

2010-12-07T18:15:00.000-08:00

"Walking in a winter wonderland."

Photo taken on winter of 2009.

It's getting chilly out

and I cannot wait to play out in the snow.

I heart snow! :)

Musica

2010-12-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Break came to an end

with a little photo shoot.

Model: Shearom Chung (Viola Player)

Just wished I had better lighting.

Sunset

2010-12-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

Good bye Sunlight

Hello Moonlight

I love sun sets.

The day ends with colorful orchestration in the sky.

Beautiful.

Mesmerizing.

God is the best painter, yes indeed.

Amish Village in Pennsylvania

2010-12-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Road leading to...
Sun-bathed donkeys!

Passing by...

What a beautiful sight.

JUMP!

Beautiful Colors of Fall

2010-12-05T18:15:00.000-08:00

Autumn is beautiful.

Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole

Skipping Spring

2009-05-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

Adios Spring!
See you next year.
Hi Summer, welcome back. :)

2008-10-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Toba Qom children.
Photo taken in Cerrito, Paraguay

These children speak the Toba language, which is
one of the endangered languages.
Click here to learn more about them: TOBA

2008-07-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you God,

For all the sweet chocolates I can savor.

Yummy....

(and yes, thank you for all the sweet people in my circle

of friends~!)

@ Max Brenner

2008-06-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Bubble Bubble everywhere! yay!

It was a day packed with such bubbly excitement!

6.21.2008

2008-06-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

the way to make me happy throughout the day?

fill my stomach with good breakfast! :)

2008-06-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

"parting is such sweet sorrow"

2008-06-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

"A single rose can be my garden...a single friend, my world."

Leo F. Buscaglia

2008-06-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

"An investment in life is an investment in change...
When you are changing all the time,
you've got to continue to keep adjusting to change,
which means that you are going to be
constantly facing new obstacles.
That's the joy of living.
And once you are involved in the process of becoming,
there is no stopping.
You're doomed!
You're gone!
But what a fantastic journey!"

from Leo F. Buscaglia's Living, Loving, & Learning

2008-06-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

Earth has its seasons.

So does my life.

2008-06-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Over the course of time,

I realized that I have a "thing"

for hands and shadows.

Something that I read a while back

2008-06-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

I'm one of the 55.

Are You?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too.

Cna yuo raed tihs?

Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh?

yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

Friends 4ever

2008-06-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, friends are priceless.

2008-06-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Last but not least! For all the Girl Watchers out there! I love this mini clip made by Eunice (via Garlicandy)

2008-06-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

Instax Mini Polaroid Camera takes such great

mini polaroid photos!

It's on "I want it this year" list.

First Page

2008-06-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

My first step to the Blogger's World.

It will take some "getting used to."