kimika in California.

Pictures form Botanical Gardens-2 (testing)

2010-05-23T01:13:00.000-07:00

These are old pic from 2009 at a Botanical Garden. Hope you'll like these pics.
In the Botanical Garden, there are different style gardens like Japanese garden and Chinese garden.People who like flowers will like to visit there, I think.

Please visit here to check the first post "Pictures form Botanical Gardens".

Zoo in Taiwan

2010-05-16T02:01:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures at a Taiwanese zoo with my high school friends half a year ago.

Actually, I don't really like to go to zoos because as you can see from these pictures, they don't seem happy at all. I prefer a wild place over a place that uses cages to keep animals from escaping.

However, it is a good place for beginners to practice photography. They don't run away because they don't have too much room to move around...; {

So that's why I was there.

I used to spend a lot of time at this zoo taking photos for assignments with film camera, when I was 17 years old. I used to like zoos and going to the zoo because I was naive enough to believe that zoos will take good care of animals.

Apparently, they don't. and they won't.

So that's why I don't like it there. :{

Of course, zoos are a good place to go with children and a good place to allow children to learn about different animals.

Ok, no more talking. Time for photos now. ; ] Enjoy.

Hey, Who is That Guy?

I'm Not Happy

Yummy~~

Don't Come Close!!

The 6 pictures above were taken with fake manual zoom which means I used PS to blow these images up, so you can tell the quality is not so good.

They were too far away from me so my 50-150mm lens wouldn't work this time. Well, it doesn't work a lot of the time, but it's still good to have it. : ]

This is a cheap way to have a nice and close-up pic, but it's also a "cheat" way to get a pretty shot. But I think for poor people it is Ok, lol... ; )

Double-crested basilisk

They're really cute, aren't they? ;'') their lips make me want to kiss them.

Taiwan Bamboo Viper

It is a snake specimen. These kind of snakes are (were) very common to see around in the mountains of Taiwan. I hope it is still easy to see them now....

What The Heck Face

Mm~Smells Good

Hum! What!?
Runny NoseBlack and white ruffed lemur

These little friends are really x10 lovely and cute. They came very close to visitors and allowed us to pet them. We, people and lemurs, didn't wanna leave the spot, especially ME. ;P

They were holding against the fence very closely, inviting us to pet them. When we petted them they looked like they really enjoyed it. :] I'm happy they look like happy.

I think I'll go again for the lemurs, because they were too adorable. ;P

Wallpaper

2010-05-07T01:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't visited this blog for a very long time. Not even the blog but also the school that I learn English from. ; P

I'm feeling ''a little bit" tired of learning English from a language school, so now I go to Laney college to explore printmaking which to me is the most interesting technique in fine arts.

I wanted to learn about printmaking since high school, but didn't get many chances to learn about it. However, I got a chance to do it now and I feel wonderful and happy.

These months are the happiest days to me since I have been in the U.S. I'm glad that I don't need to paint for my grades in order to get a scholarship, just for myself. :}}

Well, I'll put some printmaking that I just made from this spring semester next time. Now, allow me to change to a new topic.

These days, I made some wallpaper for people who love flowers. My skill of photography is not good enough but I want to do something for my blog and make something new, but I still hope people will like my photos. If you like it, feel free to download it. : }

please enjoy my photos!! :}}}

These photos are only for personal use, please do not edit, alter or use these photos commercially without my permission. Thank you.

The pink bunny

Want to be higher
Breaking free from the thorns
The faint lemon flower
Sakura

The bottom of the sea
A rose for you
Bewitching
Violet
Ferris wheel
Fireworks

Beautiful like a LotusFire feather

If you know the name of these flowers, please tell me! :]

These photos are only for personal use, please do not edit, alter or use these photos commercially without my permission. Thank you.

If you are falling in love with photography...

2009-09-05T22:21:00.000-07:00

Hayward university 2009 Jul 03

I was taking these photos while waiting for my boyfriend at his university.
It was a very fun day for me, but my lens could not zoom too far, so I didn't enjoy taking pictures of birds but I really want to take their photos beautifully.

I still used Olympus 14mm~65mm lens + close-up lens that time.
I love the set even though it's not the best way to take close-up photos, but it's the cheapest way and it's also a very good deal for people who want to take macro photos.

However, I still think if you don't have problems with money then you really should have a real macro lens. The better lens you have, the better quality (macro)photos you can take.

Even though the close-up lens was good for me, I still wanted to have a good real lens, because I believe if you have a lens that is good enough for you then you can really have fun when you are taking pictures. I am having fun right now because I bought a good quality macro lens.

Nevertheless, we will never feel it's enough, especially when you fall in love with photography, because you'll always want to try and have newer lenses; Camera companies always know how to get money from you, and try to rip you off with expensive lenses and cameras. : r

So once you fall in love with photography, then you'll never ever save money unless you are a rich person and have a good job. :p

I sprained my neck.

2009-09-05T04:33:00.000-07:00

I had a miserable time these last two weeks because I sprained my neck.

I think the reason was I played bowling the day before.

The pain went through my whole body so I couldn't do anything but sleep the first three days.
I thought I got a herniated disc in my neck, because the pain was very similar to the first time I got a herniated disc in my lower back, so I was very anxious about this because as everyone knows, the American health system sucks and is extremely expensive. But the good thing is I "only" sprained my neck, if I really got a herniated disc then I couldn't heal that fast. and if I really got it I think I'd rather go back to Taiwan to treat it.

Everyone should know how I would have felt in this situation: very worried and helpless. my boyfriend couldn't find a doctor on Sunday for information about my symptoms, and also I couldn't move my neck and if I moved my body I would feel terrible pain as well. The more I worried the sadder I became, but I have a friend who was a doctor in his country,(He will become a doctor in America :). ) so I called him for help, I told him my symptoms and how I felt, after (my BF) talked to him I felt better and relieved. and he even called me next two days to check my neck and also found what kind of pain killers I should take. Very, very grateful. ; )
And I also have to say thanks to my boyfriend because he was looking for the doctor for me and trying to search for any information on internet.

I still feel that my back and neck are in pain. I wish I could heal as soon as possible because I want to take photos and feel normal again.

and I also hope my health insurance can cover my medical bills as well.....
I really like chiropractic, because sometimes it is very comfortable. (well, sometimes it is not, though.)

Tilden Regional Park

2009-09-05T04:12:00.000-07:00

Tilden Regional Park

These are my photos from Tilden Pegional Park.

I had a great time visiting the park with level 3 and level 4 students, It was a large class today. Tilden Park wasn't as big as I thought so I wasn't too tired to walk around the park, so I had a lot of fun. : )(I thought I had to walk one or two hours like first trip I go with level 4...)
It was my first time visiting Tilden Park, so I was really looking forward (and afraid...)to go here, I also hoped to meet wild animals like lions or boas... : } Nevertheless, I only met a blue bird. @_@
I think we had too may people go together in line, so wild animals hid from us. If the weather could have been more sunny, it would have been perfect for photography. I like the place a lot, so I'll go by myself for photography next time, and If any one knows any good spot for taking photos, please tell me. :目
Thanks a lot.

And I wish "you" can enjoy my photos.

FOOOOD!!

2009-08-14T02:31:00.000-07:00

”Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree”

2009-08-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Recently I have read the original edition story of the song.
I really like the lyrics, especially the third paragraph.

"I'm really still in prison
And my love she holds the key
Simple yellow ribbon what I need to set me free"

Even though the lyric were just made be simply words, but still moved me.

Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree
I'm coming home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter
Telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me, if you still want me

Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree
It's been three long years
Do you still want me
If I don't see a ribbon around the old oak tree
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree

Bus driver, please look for me
Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison
And my love she holds the key
Simple yellow ribbon what I need to set me free
I've wrote and told her please

Now the whole damn bus is cheering
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons around the old oak tree

It really shocked me!!

2009-07-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

If you are not "Green" then please do not read this!

I know I'm kind of the person that is very subjective sometimes, especially when I talk two things which are environmental problems and Taiwanese political issues. Every thing can be negotiated with any answer and any kind of opinion, but not these two things.

Recently I had presentations in my English class, I had worked hard on this, because I just want My friends can understand our(Taiwan) situations. And I thought every Taiwanese will like the topic, but obviously not like I thought.

A young girl who is a Taiwanese is cute and smart. And I had liked her until I presented my first presentation. I know she's just too young, so some difficult things she may not understand and think deeply.

In fact, when I was young I dislike any Taiwanese politician and Taiwanese government, and these things also indirectly made me dislike Taiwan. After I went to Japan, many international students asked me questions about Taiwan, and those answers couldn't find in Taiwanese text books in my generation, so the answer were, "No, I don't know.", my friends were very surprised it, and said, " how can you don't know about your country? "; Even some of Chinese were tell me how suck the Taiwanese government is, but still I didn't know how to answer it. one year later I met many Taiwanese friends, who love Taiwan a lot, they taught me about Taiwan and turned me into "green".

I disliked Taiwan, but that because when I was a child, Taiwanese government did not care about Taiwanese history and anything about Taiwan, because they just wanted to fight back to China, even though they knew it is impossible.....
I remember when I was in elementary school, my teachers are always saying "We Chinese ", instead of saying "we Taiwanese". and I had even needed to remember the Chinese history and geography for tests.Everyone knows Chinese history, but not Taiwanese history.
I have to say it were all government's fault, however they changed, and tried to protect Taiwanese cultures and tell Taiwanese people be proud of Being ourselves, be proud for Taiwan.

I though I'll never hear any young Taiwanese people saying "I'm Chinese " , because I think they are growing up in the best environment, they have freedom and they can use internet to google any thing and the truths. Nevertheless, I heard the girl say, " I don't care people call me Chinese or Taiwanese " to EVERYONE in our class, in that moment my brain was frozen and all white, ansd next second I just thought, "WTF are you saying !?"

Unfortunately there is still someone who is not proud of being Taiwanese or
proud of Taiwan.

That's a real BUMMER!.......

I wish she'll change her mind and don't made foreigners think that Taiwanese all like her.
I do care how other people call me,
and I do hope people wouldn't confuse Taiwanese with Chinese.

2009-07-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

The Are of Racing In The Rain

~REVIEW~

7.15.09

Taiwanese version

American version

by Garth Stein

Recently, I have read a book calls " The Art Of Racing In The Rain ".
It was a good book for me,..well I didn't finish it yet,but
I'm gonna read the whole book because I really like it,

and I think people who have pets will like it, too.

I like Taiwanese version's book cover than American version,
because Taiwanese version's photo was good and very real for me.
when I first time saw the book, I was attracted by its cover,
It made me stop walking and I reached my hand to it
even though I don't like to read novels.

*************************************

The book of the story was told by Enzo, an old dog,

and this was one of the reasons make me try to read it.

The beginning of the story was sad for me,

I couldn't help but feel sorrowful while reading it.

And I couldn't even control myself to not flashback my lovely pets,

but the words reminded me of my memory of my pets all the time,

especially when Enzo thought,

"let me go. I want you be bright again without taking care of me."

my tears just wept by itself from my eyes.

It was the only one reason that make me stop reading it.

***********************************
I used to have three rabbit, a dog and a cat before,

and their deaths are an emotional shock for me.

My heart belong them, and still does.

I feel a part of my hear is missing, and it is empty right now.

The sentiment just like,

if The Little Prince lost his flower that he loved the most.

and even more like when the pilot knew the little prince will die eventually.

They are not important as air or water,

but they are important as my family and friends.

I think some of the pet owners may find answers that they would want to

know about pets' feeling for themselves.

I hope people can read this book and

love this book, and even more

try to be nice to animal.

********************************

Pictures form Botanical Gardens

2009-07-09T18:05:00.001-07:00

It was my first time to go out with level 4 class, I had a good and
also tired time on the same day when we had walked through
(I felt that way...) mountain and visited around Botanical Gardens.
I thought I'll die in the mountain before I arrive there. lol
After that my leg was just like a crab when I walked,
however I still had a good time,and I also got a chance to practice my photography skill.

The photos down there are taken by me from Botanical Gardens.
Here have many flowers, and trees. There also have different style gardens like Japanese garden and Chinese garden.People who like flowers will like to visit there, I think.

I'll go there next time, because this time I didn't take good photos and didn't have enough time to visit all the gardens.

I used PS(Photoshop) to change the color more blue, dose everyone knows how to change color like this from camera?because I don't want to use PS to change my photos too much , I want keep and use original photos, but I really like color that are very dreamy.
I'll try more white-balance, but I still have to say that using PS is more easily then cameras.

I think the photo is very funny~~. lol

This time's photos I give myself 60 points, because I failed many times,
some of them were out of focused and the composition of photos are not very will.
Having the experience from this time, I believe next time will be better! : )

I remember when I was in High school I had always taken one day walking trip
for taking pictures, and I had always walked around public gardens, zoos
and mountains just for taking macro photo.I really had a blast when I was taking photos, I could wait at a place for hours just for the best shot, I spent a lot of time chasing insects and taking photos.
Nevertheless, since I had been in Japan, I stop taking photos because I had had to work in my free time and films are expensive.Year by year, I forgot how much I love to take photos, I used my free time for sleeping and staying at home because I was so tired to go outside, I only want to save my energy for working and doing my homework. After I left Japan and came to the USA I bought a digital camera and the kit lens, right now I have more time (too much time though...) to start off to take photos and learn photography again. But funny thing is I miss the busy days in Japan.

I like the color, sometimes I don't like pictures

have too many colorful colors, I prefer mellow colors.
I think I like the colors that will make people feel a little bit
sorrowful, because I think it reminds people of past memories.

I like the photo because the Blue sky, green leaves and

seeds made me feel I'm in Hawaii when I saw it.
What do you guys think about it?

Bees has always made themselves busy hum.
However they are still my favorite topic, because they are so cute
and they are hard workers.When they are busy pollinating,
they'll ignore you when you are around them.
But! always be careful when you see Wasp.
They are not nice bee!!

Plants, insects and animals have always been my favorite topics,
so I have always been taking photos with macro lens,
but sad thing is I don't have a really macro lens.
My boyfriend said he'll give me a macro lens for my birthday gift,
BUT I didn't receive it yet.... it was one month ago.
I wish when he sees this he will feel a little bit pressured.
(He said, "yes, I felt." ) lol

Anyways, I had a fun day.But if it is possible...
I really don't want to walk so much like last time again. lol
Thanks everyone for reading all the words in this post.It's a long post.